OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Ocala City Council Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026 Summary

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, August 18, 2026
BodyOcala, Florida
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, August 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:54:49

Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

Maybe there are no ready to even.

0:34

Our implication will be awful by Chaplain Joe Hasler.

0:38

And thereafter, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:51

Would you join me in prayer this afternoon?

0:54

Gracious God, we are thankful for all that you have provided, all that you continue to provide.

0:58

We ask that you continue to give us wisdom, understanding, and strength to lead in your direction, your community.

1:07

We ask all of these things in your son's name.

1:09

Amen.

1:41

It is now 4 p.m.

1:42

on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026.

1:46

And this meeting of the O'Killo City Council is called to order.

1:50

Item two.

1:54

Mr.

1:54

Marciano.

1:55

Here.

1:55

Mr.

1:56

Musley.

1:57

Here.

1:57

Ms.

1:57

Dreyer.

1:58

Here.

1:58

Mr.

1:59

Hilti.

2:00

Here.

2:00

Mr.

2:00

Mansfield.

2:01

Here.

2:01

Mr.

2:01

Bethe.

2:02

Here.

2:08

To a we have two new employees with us tonight.

2:12

And we would like to recognize them.

2:14

When I call your name, please, Stan.

2:16

Michael Cortez, Public Works.

2:20

Jesse Palmer.

2:22

Ponders, Public Works.

2:24

Hey, welcome to the city family.

2:35

The clerk will provide the public notice.

2:39

The August 18th, 2026 City Council meeting was publicly noticed on July 7, 2026.

2:46

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

2:55

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

3:00

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.

3:07

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

3:12

Thank you.

3:13

Thank you.

3:14

Item four presentation of the mayor's citizens' recognition award to Miss Sharice Rivers.

4:00

So I'm going to read your nomination.

4:02

And there's just so much more to what you do, and I'll share a little bit about that.

4:06

But Sharice is a shining example of a rising community leader who gives back to her community through action and selflessness.

4:13

Beyond her work as the founder and CEO of Xenia Wealth Management, Sharice Pays It Forward.

4:18

She founded the Grilled Cheese Foundation, a nonprofit that offers scholarship to help young students, sixth grade go to college, discover their passions, and pursue education with purpose.

5:02

And in 2025, was the organization's chairman of the board.

5:06

And um I I mean this is just a short list because what I see is when you're out in the community, um, you're kind of even behind the scenes doing some amazing work, and I know your heart and you want to make a great difference in this community, and Ocala is better because of you.

5:18

So congratulations on your Citizen of the Month award.

5:25

Okay, I didn't know I was gonna say anything, but um I'm honored and I'm I'm just incredibly honored, and I know you're gonna do all that.

5:32

So that this is the first time I've seen this, and um I'm here to serve the community and do all I can and I I believe that everyone who steps up and does something for someone, your neighbor, the community, uh foundation, a board, um, you're just adding so much value.

5:49

So get on board if you're not.

5:51

Awesome.

5:52

Great work.

5:52

Well, you also get um you get a gift card to Cody's Roadhouse and Grill.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Legislative Session███████████11%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Affordable Housing███████████11%
Public Safety██████████10%
Personnel Matters██████████10%
Cannabis Regulation█████████9%
Procedural██████6%
Arts And Culture████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Ocala City Council Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

The Ocala City Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 4:00 PM in Council Chambers at Ocala City Hall. Mayor Ben Marciano presided, with Council President Ire Bethea Sr., Pro Tem Jay A. Musleh, Council Members Kristen Dreyer, James P. Hilty Sr., and Barry Mansfield present. The meeting included proclamations and service awards, presentations on the 2026 legislative session, approval of a consent agenda, introduction of seven land-use ordinances, adoption of several resolutions and agreements, department reports, and public comments. Notable topics included the "Wings Over Ocala" airshow, a housing incentive fund amendment, a fraud incident update, and discussions on kratom regulation.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (with a discrepancy: the minutes record Council Member Dreyer as excused, while the transcript shows her voting aye):
    • Contract for downtown Ocala signage and wayfinding design services with Walker Consultants ($57,210).
    • Additional expenditure with Charles White Fence Inc. ($74,000; total not to exceed $343,723).
    • Additional expenditures for athletic court resurfacing with Sports Surface Pros LLC ($30,600).
    • Budget Resolution 2026-155 to accept a $33,437 state grant for police overtime (North Florida Institute of Police Technology and Management).
    • Grant funding of $33,437 for high-visibility education and enforcement overtime.
    • Resolution 2026-48 adopting the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis by Black and Veatch.
    • Appointment of Leighton Okus to the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (term ending March 1, 2027).
    • Approval of previous City Council meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ryan Panzagraft (5705 SW 108th St) expressed frustration over lack of response to his inquiries about a city fraud incident, claiming he called ~30 times and was hung up on 17 times. He alleged his First Amendment rights were violated. City Manager Peter Lee and Chief of Staff Chris Watt responded that the investigation was ongoing and the report was released that evening; Watt stated Panzagraft’s characterization was inaccurate and provided recordings.
  • Sonya Richie (520 NE 1st Ave) thanked the council and Mayor for listening to concerns about the difference between pure leaf and synthetic kratom, and supported responsible regulation.
  • Kibbie Fulton (520 NE 1st Ave), co-owner of Muddy Lotus Tea, thanked the council and proposed that their state-licensed food establishment could serve as a "dispensary" for pure leaf kratom to set standards. She urged inclusion in future decisions.
  • Serena Mojica (2820 SE 8th Ave) echoed support for distinguishing pure leaf from synthetic kratom and emphasized the need for standards rather than a ban.
  • Peggy Thomas (1339 SW 2nd St) described challenges with the city’s housing rehabilitation program: she was removed from the waitlist without notice due to an old lien, and has lived without heat or hot water for years. Chief of Staff Chris Watt confirmed the lien was invalid and said her application would proceed.

Discussion Items

  • First Readings of Ordinances (8a–8g): Seven quasi-judicial land-use ordinances were introduced and set for second reading on September 1, 2026. These involved future land use changes and rezoning for properties on NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, NW 14th St, Magnolia Terrace, and others. Council members introduced each item; no public testimony was taken.
  • Public Hearings (9a–9c):
    • Resolution 2026-49 to abrogate rights-of-way on NW First Ave and NW 13th St (0.24 acres) was adopted (4-0, Dreyer excused in minutes but transcript shows aye).
    • Beer/wine permit for Via Panini (725 E. Silver Springs Blvd) was approved (same vote pattern).
    • Ordinance 2026-27 amending the Housing Incentive Fund (Chapter 106, Section 105) was adopted. The amendment revises affordable housing loan program criteria, creating short-term (≤10 years, 0% to half U.S. prime rate) and long-term (10–30 years, half to full U.S. prime rate) programs, and grants administrative authority to the city manager.
  • General Business:
    • Agreement with JLC AirShow Management LLC for the "Wings Over Ocala" airshow (inaugural April 30–May 2, 2027, with options for 2028 and 2029). The city’s cost for police/fire services is ~$38,000 (paid from airport fund); revenue sharing after $300,000 net revenue (70% JLC, 30% airport). Estimated economic impact: $4.5 million. Approved unanimously.
    • Resolution 2026-50 accepting an FAA Airport Improvement Program grant ($427,542) for Runway 36 Safety Area Grading (95% FAA, 5% city match from airport reserve). Adopted unanimously.
    • Budget Resolution 2026-156 appropriating the FAA grant and match. Adopted unanimously.
    • Second Amendment to Agreement with Oniram Productions for concert series production (final two-year renewal, not to exceed $300,000). Approved unanimously.
    • Insurance renewal for property, casualty, liability, and workers’ compensation (FY2026-27, projected $2,566,079 – a 2.9% reduction of $76,889). Approved unanimously.
    • Internal Auditor employment agreement with Vincent Iovino (appointment formalized in October). Approved unanimously.
  • City Manager’s Report: Peter Lee updated on a fraud incident (email compromise). The city recovered $250,000 of $277,799 loss via insurance; two employees are no longer with the city. New procedures have been implemented. Also announced: soft opening of Parking Garage #2 expected September 2026; downtown trolley ribbon cutting on August 28 at 10 AM.
  • Police Department Report: Deputy Chief Lou Beandy reported that violent, property, and societal crimes are all down year-to-date; Baker/Marchman Acts are also down. Total incidents: ~7,300; proactive calls ~4,700; 300 crimes in the last two weeks are up 7% vs. last year; arrests down 7%; traffic crashes down 12%.
  • Fire Rescue Report: Chief Clint Welborne reported 1,141 calls in the two-week period (17,480 year-to-date), including 73 vehicle accidents (164 citywide), five fires, 29 community paramedicine calls. Promotions were announced.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda approved (with noted discrepancy on Dreyer’s participation).
  • Seven ordinances introduced for first reading; second reading set for September 1, 2026.
  • Resolution 2026-49 (right-of-way abrogation) adopted (4-0).
  • Beer/wine permit for Via Panini approved (4-0).
  • Ordinance 2026-27 (Housing Incentive Fund amendments) adopted (4-0).
  • Airshow agreement with JLC AirShow Management approved (4-0).
  • FAA grant (Resolution 2026-50) and budget amendment (BR 2026-156) adopted (4-0).
  • Second amendment with Oniram Productions approved (4-0).
  • Insurance renewal approved (4-0).
  • Internal auditor employment agreement approved (4-0).
  • Fraud incident: Report released; $27,799 net loss after insurance; procedural changes implemented.
  • Upcoming meetings: Special budget hearings on September 9 and September 15, 2026; next regular council meeting September 1, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Maybe there are no ready to even. Our implication will be awful by Chaplain Joe Hasler. And thereafter, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance. Would you join me in prayer this afternoon? Gracious God, we are thankful for all that you have provided, all that you continue to provide. We ask that you continue to give us wisdom, understanding, and strength to lead in your direction, your community. We ask all of these things in your son's name. Amen. It is now 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. And this meeting of the O'Killo City Council is called to order. Item two. Mr. Marciano. Here. Mr. Musley. Here. Ms. Dreyer. Here. Mr. Hilti. Here. Mr. Mansfield. Here. Mr. Bethe. Here. To a we have two new employees with us tonight. And we would like to recognize them. When I call your name, please, Stan. Michael Cortez, Public Works. Jesse Palmer. Ponders, Public Works. Hey, welcome to the city family. The clerk will provide the public notice. The August 18th, 2026 City Council meeting was publicly noticed on July 7, 2026. As a reminder, public comments and presentations are limited to three minutes unless authorized to extend beyond that time by the council president or majority of counsel. All materials for the mayor city council must be given to the attending 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. Thank you. Item four presentation of the mayor's citizens' recognition award to Miss Sharice Rivers. So I'm going to read your nomination. And there's just so much more to what you do, and I'll share a little bit about that. But Sharice is a shining example of a rising community leader who gives back to her community through action and selflessness. Beyond her work as the founder and CEO of Xenia Wealth Management, Sharice Pays It Forward.

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