Ocala City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers, adjourning at 5:32 PM. Mayor Ben Marciano, Council President Ire Bethea Sr., Pro Tem Jay A. Musleh, and Council Members Kristen Dreyer and Barry Mansfield were present; Council Member James P. Hilty Sr. was excused. The agenda included proclamations, consent items, two ordinance introductions, 18 general business items, a City Manager’s report with extensive discussion on fiber contractor issues and Florida House Bill 399, and departmental reports from police and fire.

Proclamations and Awards

• Water Conservation Month (April 2026): Presented to Matthew Stanley (City Water Resource Conservation Supervisor), Southwest Florida Water Management District, and William White (St. Johns River Water Management District). White noted the aquifer is below seasonal average due to lack of rainfall and emphasized regional collaboration.
• Fair Housing Month (April 2026): Presented to Dr. Gwendolyn Dawson (CEO, Ocala Housing Authority). Jacalyn Brown, Compliance Director, thanked the Council and highlighted the organization’s 75-year history.
• National Poetry Month (April 2026): Presented to Emily Parkman (Cultural Arts Supervisor), Mariana Prieto, and Heather Webb. Parkman announced the inaugural Art Park Literacy & Poetry Festival on April 11, 2026, at Tuscawilla Park and the launch of a literary poem book featuring 55 poets.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda, comprising 12 routine items (including contracts for forensic software, license plate readers, museum exhibit rentals, fire assessment study, emergency medical supplies, substation renaming, citizen participation plan, retirement plan services, hangar lease, board reappointment, and meeting minutes), was approved unanimously by roll call vote (4-0). No items were removed for separate discussion.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2026-10 (First Reading): Introduced by Council Member Musleh to change the Future Land Use designation on approximately 74.11 acres (nine parcels) in the 2300 block of NW 27th Avenue from Medium Intensity/Special District to Employment Center (Case LUC 25-0004). Quasi-judicial; second reading scheduled for April 21, 2026.
• Ordinance 2026-11 (First Reading): Introduced by Council Member Mansfield to reduce the Airport Advisory Board quorum from four to three of five members. Council Member Musleh questioned the need for a quorum on an advisory board. City Attorney Sexton explained the code currently requires it and Council can amend. City Manager Pete Lee announced a plan to bring all city boards for discussion at the first meetings in May or June, evaluating necessity, quorum requirements, and attendance statistics. Council unanimously agreed not to postpone the item.
• Fiber Installation Contractor Issues (City Manager’s Report): A draft letter to the Florida Legislature regarding contractor disruptions was discussed. Council Members Musleh, Mansfield, and Dreyer expressed strong concerns about public safety, unreimbursed damages, and resource drain. Musleh noted residents are “terrified” of contractors and emphasized quantifying the $2.8 million in damages. Mansfield highlighted costs of utility locates and administrative hours. Dreyer called the letter insufficiently harsh and requested specific legislative recommendations to amend state statutes. City Attorney Sexton clarified that Florida statutes restrict local control but the City can claim costs; quantifying “neighborhood terror” is legally challenging. City Manager Lee admitted it was an error to allow Wire 3 (the only unbonded contractor) to begin work and stated the City will implement a new tracking system for locates, costs, bonds, and damages. Council directed staff to strengthen the letter with anecdotal evidence, specific damage data, and recommendations for legislative change.
• Florida House Bill 399 (City Manager’s Report): City Manager Lee summarized the bill’s seven key impacts on land use and development, effective January 1, 2027, if unchallenged. Council Member Dreyer expressed strong opposition, calling it “micromanagement” that threatens local zoning integrity, and stated she would call for a building moratorium to protect rural character. Council Member Musleh noted the bill would impact every quadrant. Lee cautioned it could significantly alter community character and assured an in-depth analysis to identify retained local authority.
• General Business Items (10a–10r): All 18 items were approved by roll call votes (4-0). Highlights include:
  • 10d: Award of contract to Ulloa Management Group for Union Station restrooms with ticketing kiosk ($729,190 total project budget). Transit Administrator Duncan explained the kiosk will improve customer service and response times.
  • 10q: Thad Boyd III appointed to the Airport Advisory Board for a four-year term (ending April 7, 2030) by ballot (3 votes for Boyd, 1 for Robert Little).
  • 10r: Tie vote for Planning and Zoning Commission appointment; Council agreed to postpone until the next meeting to allow full Council participation.
• Police Department Report: Deputy Chief Louis Beydoun reported for March 16–29, 2026: 7,571 total incidents, 2,407 dispatched calls (up 5% year-over-year), 5,164 proactive calls, 253 crimes (down 11%), 206 arrests, 1,221 traffic stops, 139 crashes (up 10%). Two traffic enforcement campaigns are ongoing.
• Fire Rescue Department Report: Fire Chief Clint Welborn reported for March 17–April 6, 2026: 1,619 calls for service (5,922 year-to-date), 120 motor vehicle accidents, 5 structure fires, 41 community paramedicine calls. Busiest units: Rescue 4 (264 responses) and Engine 4 (170 responses). Drone operations launched; used to monitor Station 8 construction and a gas leak caused by a fiber contractor (required Hazmat trailer, one-hour traffic disruption).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved (unanimous roll call).
• General Business Items (10a–10r): All approved except 10r postponed. Appointments: Thad Boyd III to Airport Advisory Board; Planning and Zoning appointment deferred.
• Fiber Contractor Letter: Council directed staff to revise the draft with quantified damages (including claims status), specific anecdotes, stronger language, and recommendations for legislative amendments. City Manager will provide financial data via email.
• Safe Streets Workshop: Scheduled for May 12, 2026 (rescheduled from April 28 due to TPO conflict).
• HB 399: City Manager will conduct in-depth analysis and report back to Council.
• Meadow Brook School Zone: Council Member Dreyer and City Manager Lee agreed to meet immediately after the session to finalize the long-standing request; the school has offered to fund the project.
• Scam Warning: Council Member Mansfield warned of fraudulent permit payment requests; Mayor confirmed OPD will issue a public announcement.
• Walmart Safety Partnership: Mayor Marciano announced Walmart has committed to enhanced security measures to reduce petty theft at two Ocala locations; a future report on crime reduction is expected.
• Upcoming Meetings: CRA Board and City Council on April 21, 2026; City Council Strategic Planning Session on April 30, 2026; Audit Committee on May 5, 2026.