OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Ocala City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyOcala, Florida
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:27:13

Transcript — Verbatim
2:14

Good afternoon, everyone.

2:18

If you would, Tony Clayton, would you come and give about invocation?

2:27

Good afternoon, City Council, Mr.

2:29

Mayor, uh, city staff and public.

2:31

Would you please pray with me?

2:34

Almighty God, ever wise father, thank you again for another beautiful day here in the City of O'Cal in Marion County.

2:39

Father, we just praise you and thank you for the opportunity to gather and conduct business that continues to honor and glorify you.

2:45

Father, just have uh your hand upon our meeting today, give us discernment and wisdom to make decisions that continue to glorify you.

2:52

We praise you and we thank you in the mighty name of Jesus.

2:55

Amen.

3:40

Good evening.

4:01

Here.

4:02

Mr.

4:03

Mansfield.

4:03

Here.

4:04

Mr.

4:04

Holty.

4:05

Ms.

4:05

Dreyer.

4:06

Here, Mr.

4:06

Bethay.

4:07

Here.

4:09

Item two A.

4:11

New employees.

4:12

And when I call your name, please stand for us.

4:15

Stephen Hawley.

4:17

Public works.

4:19

Jason Guess.

4:39

On May twenty second, two thousand two thousand twenty-six on the City of O'Callis website.

4:44

As a reminder, public comments and presentations are limited to three minutes unless authorized to attend beyond that time by the Council President on Majority of Council.

4:52

All materials for the Mayor City Council must be given to the attendant staff for distribution.

4:56

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

5:00

Speakers must be recognized by the Council President.

5:03

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

5:07

Thank you.

5:09

We will move to item 5A, our presentation on municipal separate storm sewer systems.

5:23

Good evening, Sean Lanier, City Engineer.

5:27

This presentation is required by our MS4 permit, municipal separate storm sewer system permit that we have.

5:36

So I'm going to do a quick overview of our permit and our program.

6:24

And by our administrative code, we're required to have a permit because we discharge to them.

6:35

In our permit that we we uh control pollution that discharging in our stormwater, and we have uh five areas that we focus on our sanitation, of course, the stormwater, um, maintenance, fleet, water resources, and code enforcement.

6:58

In 2025, there were 116 reports from our citizens, uh 34 sanitation, uh seven stormwater, 43 streets, uh 22 traffic, and a couple mosquito and miscellaneous.

7:13

This is part of our requirement for our data gathering for our permit.

7:19

Stormwater operations.

7:21

Um the city and and all of the privately owned maintained drains retention areas are inspected for sinkholes, illicit discharge, erosion, uh, trash and debris, build up of sedimentation, and and they're basically on a rotating schedule annually.

7:37

Only eight city and thirty private DRAs flow into the Florida Department of Transportation uh right-of-way that this eventually flows to the Silver River area known as Half Mile Creek, and that's the discharge of the water body of the U.S.

7:53

57 DRAs went through a demucking process this last year and uh 2025 by city staff or contractor services, depending on uh staffing and length of the project and the cost.

8:09

Uh stormwater operations, they maintain certifications as part of our uh best management practice under a permit.

8:16

There's 16 employees holding various certifications for stormwater systems and maintenance.

8:25

Sanitation does its part.

8:27

We sponsor they sponsor a tire uh waste amnesties day.

8:31

Um March 8th of last year, and they had 4.26 tons.

8:38

October 4th, they collected 5.28 tons of basically waste tires for a total of nine and a half tons.

8:49

So you can see the where the tires end up if they don't collect it, and we're trying to discourage it from being just abandoned out there.

8:58

Additionally, uh sanitation sponsors hazardous and electronic waste collection.

9:03

This would be stuff like lawn and garden chemicals, paint, tinners, gasoline, cleaning fluids, solvents, fluorescent bulbs, used oil and filters, auto batteries, cell phones, battery chargers, and so on.

9:16

Um they collected a total of 15 and a half or 15,500 pounds, which is approximately very close to eight tons last year.

9:31

There's just a picture uh of representing the household hazardous waste.

9:37

Our fleet, we collected and disposed of eight hundred and sixty-nine batteries, seven thousand six hundred and twenty-two gallons of used oil, uh one thousand five hundred and forty-five used oil filters and five hundred and forty-four five hundred and fifty-four gallons of antifreeze.

10:00

Another big component is code enforcement, our environmental officers that help uh continue to crack down on stuff that would end up in our stormwater system.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Broadband Infrastructure███████████████████19%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████11%
Public Safety██████████10%
Planning and Zoning███████7%
Personnel Matters████4%
Environmental Protection███3%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Ocala City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including stormwater management, annexation and land use changes, alcohol license expansions, infrastructure contracts, and public comments on broadband construction and recycling. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Presentations

  • Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4): City Engineer Sean Lanier presented an overview of the city's stormwater permit, highlighting five focus areas (sanitation, stormwater maintenance, fleet, water resources, and code enforcement). He reported 116 citizen service requests in 2025, including 34 sanitation, 7 stormwater, 43 streets, 22 traffic, and others. Ongoing operations include inspecting retention areas, tire collection (9.54 tons in 2025), hazardous waste collection (approximately 8 tons), and fleet recycling (869 batteries, 7,622 gallons of oil, etc.). The presentation emphasized the importance of proper disposal to reduce pollutants and nitrates.

Consent Calendar

All items were approved unanimously (5-0) without separate discussion.

  • Award of contract to A&A Trucking & Excavating for the Tuscawilla Alum Treatment System Removal project: $52,469 plus $5,246 contingency, total not to exceed $57,715.
  • Resolution 2026-34 adopting the Marion County Local Mitigation Strategy Plan 2025 Update.
  • Release of electric utility easements on multiple parcels (items 6c–6h).
  • FDOT Temporary Basecamp Lease at Ocala International Airport.
  • Approval of City Council meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Randy Buss (745 SE 45th Terrace) expressed concern about repeated broadband construction in his neighborhood by multiple providers, causing yard damage, tree root abuse, and work beyond permitted areas. He described a recent incident requiring police intervention and asked the Council to enforce right-of-way boundaries and seek stronger local authority. Council members acknowledged state-level limitations but directed staff to explore stronger measures, including setting equipment standards, improving public notification about filing claims, and potentially requiring underground utility boxes.
  • Sarah Hendricks (2134 NE 8th Street) expressed disappointment about the discontinuation of curbside recycling effective July 6, noting the low monthly cost ($4.96 or $1.25/week), high recycling volume in her household, and concern that residents will not use drop-off sites. She suggested gathering broader public input before the decision. Council responded that reconsideration would not occur due to high contamination and lack of market for recycled materials (30% of collected tonnage was going to landfill anyway).

Discussion Items

  • Annexation and Land Use (Items 8a, 8b): Ordinance 2026-17 was introduced for first reading to annex approximately 82.40 acres at 5575 SW 52nd Street. A public hearing was held on Ordinance 2026-18 to transmit a future land use change from High Residential (County) to Low Intensity (City) to the Florida Department of Commerce for expedited review (expected 30 days). The Council voted 5-0 to approve the transmittal.
  • Rezoning (Item 9a): Ordinance 2026-16 was adopted (5-0) to rezone 1.25 acres at 200 block SW 27th Avenue from B-2 (Community Business) to M-1 (Light Industrial).
  • Alcohol License Expansions (Items 9b, 9c): Two requests (The Tipsy Skipper and Mutiny Bar Ocala) were approved (5-0 each) to allow outdoor consumption within designated sidewalk café areas. General Manager Sam Beatty stated a door person would be posted to enforce boundaries. Council discussed enforcement challenges, data accuracy (38 calls for service at Mutiny included routine patrols), and considered delegating future similar approvals to staff via ordinance amendment. Council directed staff to prepare a citywide ordinance change for administrative processing.
  • General Business:
    • 10a: One-year renewal with C.W. Roberts Contracting for Transportation Rehabilitation Improvement Program (up to $6,000,000) was approved (5-0).
    • 10b: A 40-year ground lease with GLJ Aviation LLC was approved (5-0). First-year revenue of $27,429 includes $3,000 for an option on an adjacent parcel. The city secured an FDOT grant for an access road.
    • 10c: Purchase of an automated side loader refuse truck via Florida Sheriffs Association agreement for $432,521 was approved (5-0).
    • 10d: Budget Resolution 2026-143 was adopted (5-0) to transfer $477,837 from the General Liability Claims fund for the truck purchase, with the excess ($45,316) returning to the Sanitation fund.
    • 10e: Eighth amendment to the Waste Pro recycling contract was approved (5-0), establishing $125/ton for recycling commodities and $18/cart purchase price for carts.
  • City Manager's Report:
    • Council authorized posting the Internal Auditor position.
    • Noted the Florida Legislature passed a governor's property tax relief proposal to be placed on the 2026 ballot.
    • Council allowed staff to work with bond counsel to review a proposed housing development (Upward Communities); a presentation is scheduled for June 16.
    • Council clarified that the alcohol ordinance amendment should apply citywide, not just downtown.
    • Staff will set up individual meetings with council members to discuss fiber issues before the next meeting.
  • Ocala Police Department Report: Chief Balkin reported an 11% increase in dispatch calls (2,725), 3% increase in overall call responses (8,123), 11% increase in arrests (242), 11% increase in traffic stops (1,177), and 162 traffic crashes. SWAT executed 14 high-risk warrants, apprehending five armed convicted felons. Joint traffic enforcement on May 21 yielded over 200 stops and 141 citations.
  • Ocala Fire Rescue Department Report: Chief Welborn reported 1,120 calls over two weeks (including 78 motor-vehicle accidents, 6 structure fires, 33 community paramedic responses), bringing the year-to-date total to 11,490. A new firefighter/EMT Jonathan Hart was welcomed. The Honor Guard won first place in the 2026 First Air First Care competition.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were unanimous (5-0) on consent agenda, resolutions, ordinances, and general business items.
  • Ordinance 2026-16 (rezoning) adopted.
  • Ordinance 2026-17 (annexation) introduced for first reading.
  • Transmittal of future land use change (Ordinance 2026-18) to the state approved.
  • Alcohol license expansions for The Tipsy Skipper and Mutiny Bar Ocala approved.
  • Council directed staff to draft a citywide ordinance amendment to allow administrative approval of future outdoor alcohol consumption requests, with objective criteria.
  • Authorized posting for Internal Auditor position.
  • Council authorized staff to continue due diligence on the proposed housing development with bond counsel.
  • Staff to improve public notification about filing claims for property damage from broadband contractors.
  • Next meetings: June 9 (workshop), June 16 (CRA and Council meetings), July 7 (Council meeting).

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. If you would, Tony Clayton, would you come and give about invocation? Good afternoon, City Council, Mr. Mayor, uh, city staff and public. Would you please pray with me? Almighty God, ever wise father, thank you again for another beautiful day here in the City of O'Cal in Marion County. Father, we just praise you and thank you for the opportunity to gather and conduct business that continues to honor and glorify you. Father, just have uh your hand upon our meeting today, give us discernment and wisdom to make decisions that continue to glorify you. We praise you and we thank you in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Good evening. Here. Mr. Mansfield. Here. Mr. Holty. Ms. Dreyer. Here, Mr. Bethay. Here. Item two A. New employees. And when I call your name, please stand for us. Stephen Hawley. Public works. Jason Guess. On May twenty second, two thousand two thousand twenty-six on the City of O'Callis website. As a reminder, public comments and presentations are limited to three minutes unless authorized to attend beyond that time by the Council President on Majority of Council. All materials for the Mayor City Council must be given to the attendant staff for 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. We will move to item 5A, our presentation on municipal separate storm sewer systems. Good evening, Sean Lanier, City Engineer. This presentation is required by our MS4 permit, municipal separate storm sewer system permit that we have. So I'm going to do a quick overview of our permit and our program. And by our administrative code, we're required to have a permit because we discharge to them. In our permit that we we uh control pollution that discharging in our stormwater, and we have uh five areas that we focus on our sanitation, of course, the stormwater, um, maintenance, fleet, water resources, and code enforcement. In 2025, there were 116 reports from our citizens, uh 34 sanitation, uh seven stormwater, 43 streets, uh 22 traffic, and a couple mosquito and miscellaneous. This is part of our requirement for our data gathering for our permit. Stormwater operations. Um the city and and all of the privately owned maintained drains retention areas are inspected for sinkholes, illicit discharge, erosion, uh, trash and debris, build up of sedimentation, and and they're basically on a rotating schedule annually. Only eight city and thirty private DRAs flow into the Florida Department of Transportation uh right-of-way that this eventually flows to the Silver River area known as Half Mile Creek, and that's the discharge of the water body of the U.S. 57 DRAs went through a demucking process this last year and uh 2025 by city staff or contractor services, depending on uh staffing and length of the project and the cost. Uh stormwater operations, they maintain certifications as part of our uh best management practice under a permit. There's 16 employees holding various certifications for stormwater systems and maintenance. Sanitation does its part.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com