Ocala City Council Regular Meeting: January 20, 2026

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 5:42 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included proclamations, a presentation on Ocala Fiber Network (OFN), a public hearing on a concurrency development agreement, approval of multiple consent and general business items, departmental reports, public comments, and council discussions on mental health and legislative priorities. All consent and general business items were approved by unanimous votes except one abstention.

Proclamations and Awards

• Service Award: Rudy Charlot, Engineering Department, was recognized for 25 years of service. Mayor Marciano and City Manager Pete Lee presented the award.
• Mayor’s Citizen Recognition Award: Ashley Gerds received the award for her community support efforts, including organizing the Back to School Give Back event (10,000+ backpacks per year), Give for Marion campaign (raised over $3 million for 130 nonprofits in 2025), and serving on numerous boards. Ms. Gerds expressed gratitude and credited Mayor Marciano for early support.

Ocala Fiber Update (Presentation by Uptown Services)

• Presenters: Dave Stockton and Neil Shaw, Principals at Uptown Services, provided an update on OFN’s competitive position and expansion.
• Competitive Analysis: OFN holds a strong position due to fiber technology, localness, and value ($0.07 per megabit). Cox holds 68% market share, CenturyLink 12%. Among non-customers, 44% are aware of OFN, and about half have a positive image. Survey results show 38% prefer the city as their broadband provider.
• Key Recommendation: Eliminating the high upfront installation fee would significantly increase demand and take rates.
• OSS Vendor Selection: A rigorous process (initial outreach in June, reissued in September, seven responses, three shortlisted) is nearing contract negotiation for a fiber-specific operations support system.
• Expansion Design (East Side): Preliminary design covers ~4,500 homes and businesses. Challenges include brownfield deployment with existing mixed infrastructure. Final documentation expected by late March or early April 2026.

Consent Calendar

All items below were approved by a single roll call vote (Musleh, Dreyer, Hilty Sr, Mansfield, Bethea Sr aye) after item 6e was removed for separate discussion.

• 6a: Budget Resolution 2026-123 – $30,000 grant from FDLE for Real Time Crime Center furniture/equipment.
• 6b: Budget Resolution 2026-124 – $13,300 for dual-purpose K9 from Police Trust and Agency Fund Reserve.
• 6c: Budget Resolution 2026-125 – $8,000 from Department of Justice.
• 6d: Addition of city-owned parcel 2246-011-002 to affordable housing surplus property list.
• 6e (removed): See Discussion Items below.

Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion

• 6e – Baseball Field Rental Fees: City Manager Pete Lee explained that a previous budget change inadvertently removed youth registration fees, causing a tenfold increase from $350 to $3,500 per season. Staff adjusted the fee to $500 per season after reviewing maintenance costs and usage. Mayor Marciano and Council Member Dreyer thanked staff. The motion to approve the adjusted fee schedule carried unanimously (5-0).

Public Hearings

• 9a – West Oak Concurrency Development Agreement (First Hearing): Growth Management Director Jeff Shrum presented the agreement for a ~198.80-acre development (308 single-family homes, 1,902 multifamily units, 90 senior housing units, 25,000 sq ft retail). Traffic impacts: 1,082 peak-hour trips. Proportionate share payments: ~$368,000 to the city, ~$62,000 to Marion County. A minor applicant-requested change allows future amendments related to proportionate share obligations. No action taken; second hearing scheduled for February 3, 2026. No public comment.

General Business (All Approved)

Each item was introduced, presented by staff, and approved by roll call vote unless noted.

• 10a – Elevator Modernization: Additional $188,545 to Oracle Elevator Holdco, Inc. City Hall elevator (installed 1967) will be rebuilt over 6–8 weeks (scheduled May 4 – July 8, 2026). Public meetings will be accommodated on the first floor or at alternate facilities. Approved 5-0.
• 10b – Runway 36 Safety Area Grading: $154,924 task work order with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, PLLC. 95% FAA funding, 4% FDOT, 1% airport. Approved 5-0.
• 10c – Woodbury Residence Rebuild: $100,016 contract with Gulf Side Improvements, LLC to demolish and rebuild a dilapidated home at 826 NW Sixth Avenue (on waiting list since 2002). Approved 5-0.
• 10d – ElectRx Contract Renewal: Fifth amendment renewing voluntary mail-order pharmacy program for two years (Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027) not to exceed $800,000. Approved 5-0.
• 10e – Electric Boom Lift: $175,257 purchase of JLG Compact Crawler Boom Lift for interior/exterior maintenance (e.g., parking garages, sports field lighting). Approved 5-0.
• 10f – HVAC Chiller Replacement: $363,668 contract to Sherman Mechanical Contractors for City Hall and Citizen Service Center. Replacement over a weekend; temporary cooling provided if needed. Council Member Mansfield abstained. Approved 4-0-1.
• 10g – Electrical Repair Services Renewal: $125,000 one-year renewal with Chuck Stokes Electric of Central Florida. Approved 5-0.
• 10h – Overhead Door Repair: $100,000 additional expenditures with Material Handling Systems, Inc. Approved 5-0.
• 10i – Grundfos Pumps: Estimated $300,000 annual expenditure for pumps and consumable parts for 151 wastewater lift stations. Approved 5-0.
• 10j – Golf Cart Fleet Proposal: $566,237.76 for 82 gas golf carts and one beverage cart from E-Z Go, via 48-month lease-purchase (annual payments $89,809.44, balloon $207,000). E-Z Go provided a letter of commitment to purchase carts at lease end. Electric carts considered for future; infrastructure improvements needed. Approved 5-0.
• 10k – Resolution for Lease-Purchase Agreements: Resolution 2026-12 authorizing City Manager, Assistant City Manager, or CFO to execute lease-purchase agreements with PNC Equipment Finance for the golf carts. Approved 5-0.
• 10l – Microsoft 365 Licenses: $314,994 for continued utilization of Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement with SHI International Corp. for cloud subscriptions, server licenses, and desktop licenses. Approved 5-0.

City Manager's Report

• Recognition of Julie Johnson: City Manager Pete Lee announced the retirement of Recreation and Parks Director Julie Johnson, effective after this meeting. Council President Bethea and others praised her leadership and commitment.
• 2026 State Legislative Priorities: Lee presented a one-pager with legislative and appropriation priorities for the city’s Tallahassee delegation visit. Council provided feedback; mental health reform was highlighted by Council Member Dreyer.

Ocala Police Department Report

• Period Dec 28, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026: 8,140 total incidents (7% increase vs. prior year), 5,690 proactive calls, 2,450 dispatched calls, 271 crimes (slight reduction), 192 arrests, 1,020 traffic stops, 151 crashes. Chief Balken noted recent violent crime and political protests.

Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report

• Period Jan 6–19, 2026: Busiest units: Rescue Four (157 responses), Engine Four (103). 90 motor vehicle accidents, 1 structure fire, 45 community paramedicine calls, 919 calls for service (1,233 year-to-date). Chief Welborn reported OFR Captain Jesse Blaire received the Marilyn Crook EMS Pioneer Award; new Firefighter EMT Joseph Hann joined.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darrin Williams (3194 NW 16th Ave): Complained about unprofessional and dismissive behavior from staff in the Mayor’s and City Manager’s offices, and expressed frustration over unresolved issues raised over four years. He urged accountability and equitable treatment across all parts of Ocala. City Manager Lee offered to discuss the matter directly.
• Kent Guinn (Douglas Law Firm) and Jay Romachunran (CEO, Wire 3): Presented a letter of intent to purchase Ocala Fiber Network. Romachunran stated Wire 3 has built to ~12,000 homes in Ocala (now larger than OFN) and added 2,000 customers in 2025. He requested council consider the offer. Council Member Musleh suggested staff evaluate the offer and report back. City Attorney Sexton advised that a shade meeting is not permitted for this matter.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All consent and general business items were approved, with Council Member Mansfield abstaining on item 10f (HVAC chiller). All other votes were 5-0.
• Directives: City Manager instructed to evaluate Wire 3’s offer and report back to council. Staff directed to include mental health reform as a priority in state and federal lobbying efforts, per Council Member Dreyer’s request.
• Next Steps: Second public hearing for West Oak CDA on February 3, 2026. Golf cart lease-purchase agreements to be finalized after legal review. OFN expansion design documentation due late March/early April.
• Upcoming Meetings: January 27 – TPO Meeting; February 3 – City Council; February 10 – Vision 2050 workshop; February 17 – CRA Board and City Council; March 3 and 17 – City Council. Meeting adjourned at 5:42 PM.