OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Ocala City Council Regular Meeting - March 3, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, March 3, 2026
BodyOcala, Florida
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, March 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:23:59

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Chaplain Denise Stahlberger.

0:12

Good evening.

0:14

Let us pray.

0:16

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge you.

0:18

We invite you into our presence this evening in this meeting.

0:22

You are the God of all wisdom, so we ask that that wisdom would be imparted to each and every one of us as we make decisions concerning our community.

0:30

Lord, we thank you.

0:31

We praise you.

0:32

In Jesus' name we pray.

0:34

Amen.

0:38

I'll pledge to the United States.

1:07

It is now 4 p.m.

1:08

on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, and this meeting of the O'Cala City Council is called to order.

1:17

Please call the role.

1:19

Here.

1:19

Mr.

1:20

Mudley.

1:21

Here.

1:21

Ms.

1:21

Dreyer.

1:22

Here.

1:22

Mr.

1:22

Hilti.

1:24

Mr.

1:24

Mansfield.

1:25

Here.

1:25

Mr.

1:26

Bethe.

1:27

Here.

1:29

Okay.

1:30

Item two.

1:32

There are three new employees.

1:34

When I call your name if you'll stand up and wave at us.

1:37

Jamie, Antonetti.

1:40

Growth Management.

1:42

Nikita Daniels, Growth Management.

1:45

Ben Maxon, growth management.

1:48

So what we're doing, we started from the starting all over again.

1:57

All right.

2:01

Okay.

2:01

The March 3rd, 2026 City Council meeting was publicly noticed on January 29, 2026.

2:08

As a reminder, public comments and presentations are limited to three minutes unless authorized to send beyond that time by the Council President or majority of council.

2:16

All materials for the mayor city council must be given to the attendance staff of distribution.

2:20

Prior to speaking at the podium, please state your name and address for the record and to maintain order.

2:25

Speakers must be recognized by the council president.

2:27

Please silence your cell phones and all electronic devices for the duration of this meeting.

2:32

Thank you.

2:49

And to civil engineer Austin Cash.

3:08

All right, proclamation for flood awareness week.

3:11

Whereas the city of O'Cala has experienced severe weather in the past from form of extreme rainfall or tropical system events, resulting in local flooding.

3:19

And this flooding has caused damage and flood losses to a homes and buildings in all areas, whether they are high-risk, special flood hazard areas or low moderate risk flood zones.

3:30

Whereas the City of Ocala is a voluntary participant in the national flood insurance program that provides residents with the opportunity to protect themselves against flood loss through the purchase of flood insurance and reduce insurance premium rates, as well as setting higher regulatory standards to reduce the flood risk and potential flood damage to their property.

3:48

Whereas the reduction of the loss of life and property damage can be achieved when appropriate when flood preparedness, control, and mitigation measures are taken before a flood.

3:58

Whereas public public education and awareness of potential weather hazards and methods of protection are critical to the health, safety, and welfare of our residents.

4:06

The Florida Flood Pan Managers Association have declared the week of March 19th through the 15th, 2026 as flood awareness week to promote awareness and to increase knowledge of flood risks.

4:18

The availability of flood insurance, flood protection methods, and how to prepare for emergencies.

4:23

Now, therefore, I've been Marciano, by the virtue of authority vested in me as the mayor of the City of Ocala, Florida, do hereby declare March 9th through the 15th to be flood awareness week.

4:33

In the City of Ocala, Florida, I urge all citizens to increase their knowledge of how to protect themselves and their property from flooding.

4:40

In witness whereof I hereon to set my hand and cause the seal of the City of Oklahoma to be a fixed this third day, March 2026.

4:47

John, you'd like to say a few words.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████21%
Technology and Innovation██████████████14%
Planning and Zoning███████████11%
Procedural████████8%
Public Engagement████████8%
Public Works██████6%
Flooding█████5%
Environmental Protection████4%
Public Health████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Ocala City Council Regular Meeting - March 3, 2026

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Council President Ire Bethea Sr. and adjourned at 5:24 PM. All council members were present: Mayor Ben Marciano, Pro Tem Jay A. Musleh, Council Members Kristen M. Dreyer, James P. Hilty Sr., Barry Mansfield, and Council President Bethea. The agenda included proclamations, a vulnerability assessment presentation, consent agenda, two rezoning ordinances, and numerous general business items. Several members of the public provided comments on various topics.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (5-0) via roll call vote. Items included: a one-year lease with Ascente Aviation LLC ($1,369/month); annual renewal with Florida Department of Agriculture ($54,874); one-year grounds maintenance contract with Southern Lawn Care ($72,600); Resolution 2026-15 adopting the Marion County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; reappointments of Jane Cosand (Historic Preservation Advisory Board), Dustin Magamoll (Board of Adjustment), Michael Kroitor and Shirley J. Wright (Code Enforcement Board); appointment of Erica Gibb (Board of Adjustment); and approval of City Council meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lourene Ek (5907 SW 59th St.) read words of wisdom from past U.S. presidents, emphasizing faith and patriotism.
  • Jason Tolbert (201 NE 37th Ct.) thanked the Ocala Police Department and Mayor Marciano for their professionalism and community support, sharing his personal transformation story.
  • Larry Johnson (5360 NE 16th St.) requested an honorary street naming in honor of his late father, noting a petition with over 12 signatures and widespread media coverage. Council President Bethea confirmed the city would review the request through established procedures.
  • Darnitha Johnson (CEO, Royal Queen's Apartment Founder) urged the Mayor and Council to increase public education on domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault awareness year-round, not just during designated months. She provided resource bags and challenged officials to take action.
  • Dr. Manes Pierre alleged time fraud (sick leave abuse) by an Ocala police officer and claimed the officer was later promoted. He submitted 17 pages of documentary evidence and requested Mayor Marciano investigate, citing a similar arrest in Jacksonville. He argued the city was violating its own policies and the Constitution.
  • Jean Rickman (Economic Development Coordinator for Congresswoman Kat Cammack, 2630 SE 3rd St.) announced that Fiscal Year 2027 congressional appropriations for programmatic/language requests have been opened, with a deadline of March 11, 2026. She is coordinating with the city on federal priorities.
  • During the 9b rezoning hearing, applicant’s attorney Rodney Rogers (1105 SE 3rd Ave.) provided updates on property demolition and abatement, confirming the owner intends to sell the property for industrial use.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamation & Awards (Items 4a, 4b): Mayor Marciano proclaimed March 9–15, 2026 as Flood Awareness Week. Engineering Director Sean Lanier encouraged flood insurance and online resources. The Ocala Police Department received the Excelsior Award for maintaining continuous accreditation for 15+ years (since 2008), meeting 234 standards.
  • Vulnerability Assessment (Item 5a): Sean Lanier presented a flood vulnerability assessment funded by FDEP’s Resilient Florida Grant. The study inventories city assets, models 100-year and 500-year storms (current and future 2050/2080 scenarios), and will produce an Adaptation Plan to apply for state funding.
  • Ordinance 2026-9 (First Reading, Item 8a): Introduced by Pro Tem Musleh, this ordinance adopts updated actuarial assumptions for the General Employees' Pension Plan based on a 2014-2024 Experience Study. Second reading set for March 17, 2026.
  • Rezoning – Ordinance 2026-7 (Item 9a): Adopted unanimously. Rezones 2.26 acres at 1400 block NE 14th St. from RO and R-1 to R-3 (Multi-Family Residential). Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval (6-0). No public comment.
  • Rezoning – Ordinance 2026-8 (Item 9b): Adopted unanimously. Rezones 30.49 acres at 5019 W Silver Springs Blvd. from PD (Planned Development) to M-1 (Light Industrial). The previous PD allowed 468 multifamily units and 180,991 sq. ft. commercial; that plan is no longer viable. The property will align with surrounding industrial uses.
  • General Business Items:
    • 10a (Tree Trimming): One-year renewal with Davey Tree Expert Co. (up to $2,541,543). Councilmember Mansfield confirmed hourly billing and that $2.5M was spent last year. Prices remain flat.
    • 10d (GFOA Consulting): IT Director Ramos clarified that GFOA is a consultant, not an ERP vendor, to assess whether to enhance the current Munis system or transition to a new one.
    • 10g (Ground Maintenance): Pulled by Councilmember Mansfield due to a potential math error; will return in two weeks.
    • 10j (Traffic Travel Time Readers): Public Works Director Park explained the Bluetooth readers measure corridor travel times; FDOT reimburses about $6,000 per signalized intersection (74-75 intersections, ~$400,000/year). The $384,000 purchase will be spread over two fiscal years.
    • 10k/10l (Property Purchase): Approved purchase of 6.65 acres east of NW MLK Jr. Ave. for $550,000 (Stormwater Reserve) for potential stormwater storage or debris staging.
    • 10m (Airport Grant): Budget resolution to appropriate $478,285 FDOT grant plus $119,572 from reserves for concrete pads at the airport.
  • Reports:
    • City Manager: Announced Family Fun Day (March 14, 2026, 11 AM-3 PM at Tuscawilla Park) and a Public School Planning Officials meeting (April 1, 2026, 9 AM-12 PM). The PCA (power cost adjustment) will remain under-collected; reserves will fluctuate but are covered.
    • Ocala Police Department (Feb 9-22, 2026): 6,990 total incidents (5% decrease year-over-year), 4,562 proactive calls, 2,428 dispatched calls, 311 crimes (+10% vs. 2025), 211 arrests (+8%), 1,117 traffic stops (+4%), 130 crashes (-5% year-to-date). The Traffic Unit (currently 4 officers + 1 supervisor) plans to expand by 2 officers.
    • Ocala Fire Rescue (Feb 17 – Mar 2, 2026): 1,006 calls for service (4,368 year-to-date). Busiest units: Rescue 4 (178 responses) and Engine 4 (118). Handled 73 vehicle accidents, 4 structure fires, 42 community paramedicine calls. Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Reese earned his paramedic certification. The mandatory burn ban in Marion County is extended to March 10, 2026.
  • Mayor’s Comments: Visited Dignity House (transitional housing for homeless); 7 people referred by OPD have achieved independent living. Announced expanded Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit with a full-time officer; 13 arrests since December 2025.
  • Council Comments: Councilmember Hilty reported a productive trip to Washington, D.C., meeting with Congresswoman Cammack and others on public power challenges (e.g., pole attachments).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Unanimously (all 5-0 votes): Consent agenda (items 6a-6i), Ordinance 2026-7 (rezoning), Ordinance 2026-8 (rezoning), and general business items 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10h, 10i, 10j, 10k, 10n, 10o.
  • Adopted Unanimously: Budget Resolutions 2026-130 (property purchase funding) and 2026-131 (airport grant funding).
  • Pulled: Item 10g (Southern Lawn Care renewal for $261,900) held for two weeks due to a noted math error.
  • First Reading Introduced: Ordinance 2026-9 (pension plan actuarial changes), with second reading scheduled for March 17, 2026.
  • Next Steps: The honorary street naming request by Larry Johnson will be reviewed per city procedures. The Mayor will consider Dr. Pierre’s allegations regarding police sick leave fraud. The city will submit federal appropriations requests by March 11, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Chaplain Denise Stahlberger. Good evening. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we acknowledge you. We invite you into our presence this evening in this meeting. You are the God of all wisdom, so we ask that that wisdom would be imparted to each and every one of us as we make decisions concerning our community. Lord, we thank you. We praise you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. I'll pledge to the United States. It is now 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, and this meeting of the O'Cala City Council is called to order. Please call the role. Here. Mr. Mudley. Here. Ms. Dreyer. Here. Mr. Hilti. Mr. Mansfield. Here. Mr. Bethe. Here. Okay. Item two. There are three new employees. When I call your name if you'll stand up and wave at us. Jamie, Antonetti. Growth Management. Nikita Daniels, Growth Management. Ben Maxon, growth management. So what we're doing, we started from the starting all over again. All right. Okay. The March 3rd, 2026 City Council meeting was publicly noticed on January 29, 2026. As a reminder, public comments and presentations are limited to three minutes unless authorized to send beyond that time by the Council President or majority of council. All materials for the mayor city council must be given to the attendance staff of distribution. Prior to speaking at the podium, please state your name and address for the record and to maintain order. Speakers must be recognized by the council president. Please silence your cell phones and all electronic devices for the duration of this meeting. Thank you. And to civil engineer Austin Cash. All right, proclamation for flood awareness week. Whereas the city of O'Cala has experienced severe weather in the past from form of extreme rainfall or tropical system events, resulting in local flooding.

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