Ocala City Council Meeting – May 5, 2026

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included five proclamations, approval of a 22-item consent agenda (with discussion on the NE Eighth Avenue roundabout project), introduction of one ordinance, adoption of Vision 2050, four related land‑use items for a large mixed‑use development, a rezoning for the Heath Brook DRI, and several general business items. Council heard public comments on the Ocala Fiber Network and approved an Economic Investment Program agreement with E‑One, Inc. The meeting adjourned at 6:06 PM.

Proclamations & Awards

• Professional Municipal Clerks Week (May 3–9, 2026) – Mayor Marciano presented the proclamation; City Clerk Angel Jacobs thanked her staff.
• Drinking Water Week (May 3–9, 2026) – Presented to Lead Operator Jennifer Kampwerth and Engineering & Water Resources Director Sean Lanier.
• American Wetlands Month (May 2026) – Presented to Sean Lanier and Water Resources Conservation Supervisor Matthew Stanley, who noted the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park filters 2.5 million gallons of water daily.
• Water Reuse Week (May 18–24, 2026) – Presented to Lead Operators William Davis and Jeffery Greve, highlighting Ocala’s production of 6.5 million gallons of reclaimed water daily.
• Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (May 2026) – Presented to ABATE of Florida, Forest Chapter President Greg Smale, who urged motorists to “look twice to save a life.”

Consent Agenda

All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously by a 5‑0 roll‑call vote, except Item 6q, which was pulled for discussion. Approved items included:

• Six agreements for subordination of utility interest to FDOT (Resolutions 2026‑16 through 2026‑21)
• Budget Resolution 2026‑137 ($19,327 transfer for a replacement Water Resources vehicle)
• Cooperative purchase of a vehicle ($33,753)
• Additional expenditures for geodatabase conversion ($87,600)
• Budget Resolution 2026‑138 ($5,000 Walmart donation)
• Task Work Order No. 55 with Kimley‑Horn for NE Eighth Avenue design updates (see Discussion Items)
• One‑year renewals for emergency debris removal and monitoring contracts
• Appointments to the Recreation Commission and West Ocala CRA Committee
• Approval of meeting minutes

Consent Agenda Items Held for Discussion

Item 6q – NE Eighth Avenue Roadway Improvement Project

• Council discussed the project’s design, which now includes four roundabouts along approximately one mile of roadway.
• Council Pro Tem Musleh questioned whether four roundabouts were excessive, even with federal funding. Council Member Hilty raised concerns about emergency vehicle navigation near the fire station.
• City Engineer Sean Lanier explained that roundabouts are intended to reduce speeding, eliminate traffic signal maintenance, and calm traffic; two replace existing signals, one serves a future park entrance, and the fourth is at Ninth Street.
• Council President Bethea called the number of roundabouts “over‑engineering.” Council Member Dreyer noted that the fire station sits between the roundabouts, so emergency vehicles would not traverse all four, and residents have requested traffic calming.
• City Manager Pete Lee emphasized that the project originated in the Midtown Plan to improve cross‑connectivity and pedestrian safety.
• Vote: Approved 4‑1 (Hilty opposed). The motion carried with the understanding that staff will refine the layout and return with a recommended final design.

Introduction and First Readings of Ordinances

Ordinance 2026‑15 – Mockingbird Ridge Community Development District (Second reading set for May 19, 2026)

• Introduced by Council Member Dreyer. The ordinance establishes a CDD for approximately 169.31 acres west of I‑75, southeast of SW College Road.
• Vote: Introduced unanimously.

Public Hearings / Second and Final Readings

9a – Resolution 2026‑24: Adoption of Vision 2050

• Growth Management Director Jeff Shrum presented the plan, noting minor edits since the workshop: clarifying language on cultural heritage/natural resources, adding north‑south connectivity across State Road 40, and elevating “Safe Routes to School” to a high‑priority action item.
• The plan builds on the 2035 plan and includes four focus areas: West Ocala, downtown, airport, and East Ocala.
• Vote: Adopted 5‑0.

9b‑9e – SW 43rd Court Mixed‑Use Development (approx. 251.09 acres)

• These four items (Ordinance 2026‑12, Termination of Agreement Limiting Density, Ordinance 2026‑13, and Resolution 2026‑25) were heard together.
• Planning Director Aubrey Hale explained the removal of outdated comprehensive plan policies and replacement with a Planned Development (PD) establishing modern standards. The PD allows up to 328 single‑family units, 1,800 multifamily/attached units, and 900,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, with enhanced buffers along existing neighborhoods.
• Attorney Fred Roberts (for the applicant) noted the 19‑month application process, neighbor meetings that led to expanded buffers and an opaque fence, and density caps below what the land use designation permits.
• Council Member Hilty expressed concern about falling home values and school overcrowding. Council Member Dreyer countered with local market data showing the city is not experiencing price declines and that the project was already approved years ago.
• Council Pro Tem Musleh noted that regardless of the vote, the applicant could proceed under prior approvals.
• Votes: All four items adopted 5‑0.

9f‑9g – Heath Brook Rezoning (approx. 283.55 acres)

• Chief Planning Official Endira Madraveren presented a rezoning from PUD‑02 to PD for a 592‑lot single‑family development consistent with the existing DRI entitlements.
• Fred Roberts (applicant) clarified buffer modifications to address encroachments from neighboring properties and requested open space be calculated as part of the broader DRI (25% vs. 40% for single‑use PDs).
• Public comment: Dillon Kuhbander (1830 NW 28th Court) spoke, acknowledging the item was only finalizing standards for already‑approved development.
• Votes: Both items adopted 5‑0.

General Business

10a – Signal Pole Painting Contract – Approved 5‑0. Council President Bethea asked about repainting frequency; staff said every ten years.

10b – Resolution 2026‑27 (NW 44th Ave Extension Grant) – Approved 5‑0.

10c‑10d – Budget Resolutions 2026‑139 and 2026‑140 – Carry‑forward of $41,439,079 in grant funds and supplemental appropriation of $212,927,661. Both approved 5‑0.

10e – Firefighter Breathing Apparatus Contract ($111,546) – Approved 5‑0.

10f – Ocala Fiber Network Inventory ($723,341) – Approved 5‑0 after extensive discussion.

• Public comment: Chip Griffin (310 SE 20th Terrace) detailed multiple complaints about Ocala Fiber’s pricing, installation delays, and service compared to private providers. He questioned continued city investment.
• Council Members Hilty, Mansfield, and Musleh agreed that Ocala Fiber is falling behind competitors and needs a clearer strategy. City Manager Lee and CFO Janice Mitchell explained that the utility is an enterprise fund, systemic issues are being addressed, and a workshop will be scheduled to discuss future direction, possibly including public‑private partnerships.
• Vote: Approved 5‑0.

10g – Thomas Residence Rebuild ($161,618) – Approved 5‑0. Council Member Hilty questioned whether funds could be used for down payment assistance; staff clarified HOME grant restrictions and noted the county offers up to $100,000 in down payment aid for city residents through June 2026.

10h – E‑One, Inc. Economic Investment Program ($193,000) – Approved 5‑0. The incentive supports a $7.727 million expansion adding 80,000 sq. ft. and creating 63 new jobs at an average salary of ~$60,000. The city expects a return of $4.37 per dollar invested over five years.

10i – Resolution 2026‑28 (FDOT Locally Funded Agreement) – Approved 5‑0. The agreement funds resurfacing and pedestrian enhancements along State Road 40.

City Manager’s Report

• Sand & Sun Festival: May 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Citizens’ Circle.
• Safe Streets for All Grant Workshop: May 12, 2026, 12:00 PM in Council Chambers.

Ocala Police Department Report

• Chief Mike Balken reported nearly 7,500 total incidents, a 7% decrease; 295 crime calls, 217 arrests, 141 traffic contacts, and 156 crashes (consistent with prior year).
• Highlighted the Blue Line Mentoring Program at Berkley Point Apartments, serving 10 youth, which has contributed to reductions in violent and property crime. A sailing‑based pilot program is planned on Lake Weir.

Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report

• Chief Clint Welborn reported 1,099 calls for service in the two‑week period, 9,288 year‑to‑date. Included 147 motor vehicle accidents, one structure fire, and 33 community paramedicine calls. New firefighter/EMT Benjamin Williams was welcomed.

City Attorney’s Report

15a – Duke Energy Florida Easements – Approved 5‑0. Four new easements and one assignment of easement were granted for Duke’s 230kV transmission line project. Total compensation to the city: $1,640,000.

Public Comments

• Chip Griffin (310 SE 20th Terrace) addressed the council regarding Ocala Fiber Network (see Item 10f).
• No other public comments were received during the designated period.

Informational Items & Calendaring

• Upcoming meetings: May 12 workshop (Safe Streets 4 All, Transportation Improvement Plan, Recycling Update); May 19 CRA Board and City Council meetings; May 25 Memorial Day – City offices closed.
• Power Cost Adjustment Report for March 2026 and list of fully executed contracts under $50,000 were noted.

Comments by Mayor & Council Members

• Mayor Marciano recognized Dwayne Drake for the Mayor’s Spring Clean‑Up, promoted the Letter Carrier Food Drive (Saturday, May 9), and honored journalist Ben Baugh who recently passed away.
• Council Member Hilty noted Vets Helping Vets distributes 15,000–20,000 lbs of food monthly.
• Council Pro Tem Musleh announced he will be absent from the May 19 meeting.
• Council President Bethea commended staff for a successful Strategic Planning Session held the prior Thursday.