The Ocala City Council met on July 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Ben Marciano was excused. The council took action on a range of routine and substantive items, including adoption of a consent agenda, introduction of a police retirement ordinance, approval of quasi-judicial resolutions and an ordinance, and approval of several general business items. The meeting lasted approximately 49 minutes.
Good afternoon. Our invitation will be offered by Chaplain Joe Hassler. Good evening. Will you join me in prayer this evening? Gracious God, we are thankful for the opportunity to come and to be a part of your leadership and your direction for your community and your people. We ask that you continue to guide us closer to you and closer to your heart on how to lead and to lead well. We thank you for all that you do. In your son's name we say, Amen. Our pledge delicious of America and Republicans for which stands one nation under God with justice for all. Clerk, please call the role. Mr. Mudsley, here Miss Dreyer, here. Mr. Holty, here. Mr. Mansfield. Here. Mr. Bethe. Here. All right. So we have some new employees today. And as I call your name, if you would please stand, Leyton Word, Electric, Tama Valente, Information Technology, Jamil Barnes, Procurement, Casbin, Cameron, Water Resources, Camilla Falcon, Water Resources, Amber Lopez, Water Resources, William Nelson, Water Resources, Payton Schooley, Water Resources, and Corey Sharon, Water Resources. Well, what happened at Water Resources? Everybody left. I have him on my list. Right after Corey. He's not here. Oh, wait a minute. I'm sorry. Excuse me. No, he's not here. I don't have. Thank you. The clerk will provide the public notice for this evening's meeting. The July 7, 2026 City Council meeting was publicly noticed on June 3, 2026 on the City of O'Callis website. 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 attendant 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. Item 4A will be presented by Mayor Marciano at a future meeting. So good afternoon. All right, so we have a proclamation here, and it reads as such, whereas the U.S. House of Representatives have designated July as park and recreation month. And whereas park and recreation is an integral part of communities throughout this country, including the city of O'Kellow, Florida. And whereas park and recreation is fundamental to the environmental well-being of our community and promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and medical health of people who live near parks. And whereas park and recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swim pools, and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles, and whereas parking recreation programming and educational activities, such as out-of-school time programming, youth sports, and environmental education are critical to childhood development. And whereas park and recreation increases a community economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction, our parks and national resource, excuse me, and recreation areas, ensures the ecological beauty of our community and provide a space for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors.