Public Meetings - Ocala, Florida

The Downtown Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Advisory Committee met on August 25, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The committee approved previous meeting minutes, received project updates on crosswalk improvements and a CRA tour, and discussed a proposed retail and restaurant attraction, retention, and expansion grant program. Committee members provided extensive feedback on the grant program's terms, leading to a directive for staff to revise the proposal for city council consideration in October. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Motion carried with all in favor. Discussion Items - Project Updates (Eric Smith, Transportation Project Administrator): - Reported that FDOT agreed to install brick-stamped crosswalk overlays at State Road 40 intersections. Work is ongoing with nightly lane closures and is expected to be completed soon. - Conducted a CRA tour to identify potential development opportunities and capital improvement projects. Additional tours are available for interested committee members. - Proposed Retail & Restaurant Grant Program (Roberto Elis, Economic Development Manager): - Presented a summary of past grants (five grants since FY2024, totaling $214,478 at 37% match) and proposed a new program with up to 75% match, $150,000 cap per application, and a $500,000 initial fund pool. - Key changes include: requiring project start within 6 months and completion within 12 months; allowing single general contractor bids; requiring property owner cosignature with repayment terms over five years (20% forgiveness per year). - Committee Feedback: - Concern about repayment triggers if a tenant vacates; suggested a 6–12 month cure period for property owners to find a replacement tenant before repayment is due. - Discussion about lease types (e.g., triple net leases with escalators) and the need to define stable lease terms. - Proposal to allow different reimbursement percentages (e.g., lower match for landlord-specific improvements like shell upgrades) with corresponding shorter forgiveness periods. - Suggestion to focus grants on permanent improvements (HVAC, sprinklers, structural) rather than tenant-specific fixtures to reduce landlord risk. - Clarification that applications would be per unit, not per parcel. - Board Comments: - A member noted that current city utility and infrastructure incentives favor low-density development, making high-density projects cost-prohibitive. This counteracts the goal of increasing tax revenue per acre. The member advocated for revising incentives to support multi-story retail and higher-density residential. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: Unanimous. - Grant Program Revision: Staff directed to incorporate committee feedback, including a cure period for tenant vacancies, flexibility on lease terms, and options for lower reimbursement percentages. The revised program will be presented to the city council for approval, with an anticipated effective date in October 2026. - No other formal votes were taken.

The Ocala CRA Agency Board met on August 18, 2026, at 3:45 PM at Ocala City Hall. The board unanimously approved the minutes from July 21, 2026, and six agenda items: a downtown wayfinding contract and five property improvement grants across the CRA districts. All votes were 5-0 in favor. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The board approved the minutes from the July 21, 2026 meeting. Discussion Items - 5a – Downtown Wayfinding Signage Contract: Roberto Ellis presented a contract with Walker Consultants for design services not to exceed $57,210 to update downtown wayfinding, last updated 13 years ago. Councilmember Dreyer questioned whether the scope would include identifying city-owned parking lots to avoid confusion about parking fees. No further discussion. Unanimously approved. - 5b – North Magnolia CRA Commercial Grant: Grant for Lang Real Estate LLC at 939 N Magnolia Avenue (historic Coca-Cola bottling plant, added to National Register in 1979) for exterior painting and repairs. Maximum grant of $20,000 based on $27,200 estimated cost. Approved. - 5c – West Ocala CRA Residential Grant: Grant for Ramona Williamson, a city employee, at 2036 NW Second Street for repainting and roof replacement. Grant amount up to $11,546. Approved. - 5d – West Ocala CRA Commercial Grant (Two-Phase): Grant for a 1.25-acre parcel along SW 27th Avenue. Phase one (FY2025-26) site improvements ($447,000 estimated) – $50,000 grant; Phase two (FY2026-27) building construction – $50,000 grant. Total $100,000. Approved. - 5e – East Ocala CRA Residential Grant: Grant for Shannon Lugo at 925 NE Fifth Street for replacement of 23 original windows (home built 1938). Grant up to $13,712. Approved. - 5f – East Ocala CRA Commercial Grant: Grant for property at 1926 E Silver Springs Boulevard (former Save-A-Lot, now beauty supply store) for monument sign and landscaping. Estimated project cost $86,000, maximum grant $50,000. Approved. Public Comments - No public comments were made. Key Outcomes - All six items were approved unanimously (5-0) with no opposition. - The meeting adjourned after the public comments portion.

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.

The Ocala Board of Adjustment (BOA) met on August 17, 2026, at Ocala City Hall to consider a variance request for floodplain elevation standards, approve meeting minutes, and address board and staff matters. Meeting Opening & Approval of Minutes - The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM with a quorum present; member Ethan White was absent. - Proof of publication was acknowledged: a public meeting notice was posted at City Hall and published in the Ocala Gazette on July 31, 2026. - The minutes from the July 20, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously via roll call (6-0). Special Exception – Variance VAR26-0003 - Applicant/Property: Eugene and Cheryl Johnson, represented by Austin T. Daly (Klein and Klein Law Firm), for property at 3181 NE 2nd Avenue (parcel 24868-002-00). - Request: A variance to Chapter 90 (Flood Prevention) to reduce the required finished floor elevation from 57.9 feet to 57.33 feet. The property lies in FEMA flood zone AE (1% annual flood risk); the base flood elevation (BFE) is 56.9 feet, and the Florida Building Code requires one foot above BFE (57.9 feet). The constructed slab is at 57.33 feet (6 inches above BFE but 6 inches below code). - Background: The structure passed all final building inspections in November 2024, but the elevation error was discovered in December 2024 during the final elevation certificate for a certificate of occupancy (CO). - Staff Analysis & Recommendation: Denial would cause undue hardship (only remedy would be demolition and rebuilding). The city engineer found no increase in neighborhood flooding potential; the variance is the minimum needed for compliance. Staff recommended approval with two conditions: 1. A certificate of occupancy must be issued within 60 days of variance approval. 2. The applicant must record the variance approval in Marion County public records. - Board Discussion: - Board members questioned safety impacts, flood insurance implications, and risk to the city. The city engineer stated no safety concern for adjacent properties; the only risk is increased flood insurance for the owner. He noted that Ocala's FEMA maps may overstate flood risk based on local percolation and past storms. - The applicant argued the error was not caused by them, the variance does not confer special privilege, and the harm of denial (tearing down the building) far outweighs any negligible impact to the city or neighbors. - Vote: Motion to approve the variance as recommended by staff (motion by George Carrasco, second by Dustin Magamoll). Approved unanimously (6-0). Public Comments & Testimony - No additional public comments were made during the designated public comment period. Staff Comments & Board Comments - Staff reminded board members to fill out forms sent via city email; one board member requested the email be resent. Staff noted the deadline for compliance with forms is September 1, 2026. - The board observed a moment of silence for Charlie Reese, a longtime former BOA member, at the request of a board member. Next Meeting & Adjournment - The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2026. A tabled item from the previous month may be heard pending applicant response. - The meeting was adjourned.

The Ocala Municipal Code Enforcement Board met on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard numerous cases involving code violations, granted continuances, approved liens, and imposed fines. The meeting included the announcement of personnel changes within the Code Enforcement Division. Consent Calendar - Roll call established a quorum with members Shirley Wright, Darrell O'Kain, Kevin Steiner, Eddie Ferrentino, Bruce Gonseth, and Charles Hannah present. - Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. - Officers were sworn in, including code enforcement staff Jennipher Buller, Rob Moore, Stephanie Smith, Osias Ferrera, Steve Knight, Anthony Eaglen, and Greg McClellan. - Two environmental cases (ENV26-0090 and ENV26-0092) were continued for 60 days upon staff request. - Several old business lien cases were approved en masse as consent items, with no opposition. Discussion Items - Case CE25-0422 (Magnolia Trace LLC): The respondent requested a waiver of $600 in daily fines (six days at $100/day) for failing to obtain a fence permit on time. The respondent argued they received incorrect information from city staff and that the delay was caused by a required letter from an architect. The board voted unanimously to waive the $600 fine. - Case CE26-0031 (Cynthia Brigham): The property owner, representing herself, stated she was working with a contractor to demolish a structure and needed more time. Staff confirmed a permit application was approved to issue. The board granted a 30-day extension to obtain the permit and 60 additional days to complete the work, setting a compliance date of September 10, 2026. - Case CE26-0560 (Kinesha Reynolds): The respondent explained that her vehicle had flat tires and she was focused on sending her son to college. The board extended the compliance date to October 8, 2026, to either register and insure the vehicle or remove it. - Case CE25-0326 (Noah Hernandez): The respondent agreed to a reduced lien of $5,000 in daily fines plus $253.07 in hard costs. The board approved the staff recommendation. - Case CE26-0287 (Jamie Rogers): The respondent argued he should not be required to pay double permit fees for a door installed before his ownership. The board found him in violation and ordered compliance with staff recommendation (prosecution costs of approximately $261 and requirement to obtain a permit). - Four cases for Morning Dew Estate LLC (CE26-0556, CE26-0568, CE26-0570, CE26-0571): The property owner stated he could not afford to connect to city sewer or complete necessary repairs and was selling the property. The board voted to impose daily fines as per the previous order across all four properties. - Lien case (20192169 - Maggie Lee Flax EST): The property owner's daughter requested leniency. The board voted to impose a lien only for hard costs (prosecution and demolition), waiving all daily fines. Key Outcomes - Unanimous votes on all motions, including: - Approval of minutes. - Continuance of environmental cases. - Waiver of $600 fine for Magnolia Trace LLC. - Extension for Cynthia Brigham (30 days for permit, 60 days to complete). - Extension for Kinesha Reynolds to October 8, 2026. - Lien reduction for Noah Hernandez ($5,253 total). - Finding of violation for Jamie Rogers with prosecution costs. - Imposition of daily fines for Morning Dew Estate LLC properties. - Lien for hard costs only on Maggie Lee Flax EST property. - Approval of consent agenda for liens and extensions. - The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2026.

On August 11, 2026, at 18:30 UTC, the Ocala City Council held a special meeting to interview three applicants for the position of Internal City Auditor and to select a candidate for the role. No agenda or minutes were available; this summary is based on the meeting transcript. The meeting was open to the public and recorded. The Council interviewed candidates one at a time, then deliberated and unanimously selected Vincent Iovino. Candidate Interviews - La Shena, an accountant with more than 15 years of experience, described her background in government and nonprofit accounting, external audit work at CPA firms, and familiarity with the Blue Book and Yellow Book government auditing standards. She said she has used Power BI, would report to the City Council, and would begin by reviewing prior audits, Council expectations, and team operations. She described a past fraud case under the LIHEAP program in which an employee paid a bill for herself; when her director did not want to report it, she went to the executive director, the issue was disclosed to auditors, and procedures were changed to require finance director sign-off. - Vaughn Gritten, an internal auditor with more than 20 years of experience, said she has spent seven years as senior assistant auditor to the former city auditor, Randall Glendrin. She described herself as passionate about internal auditing and said she would work for the City Council. She said she would identify problems through the risk assessment process and hotline reports, would follow the existing 72-hour notification policy, and would provide quarterly updates to Council on audit work, management's progress on recommendations, and the city's strategic plan. She argued the department needs at least three people because a third person provides quality, objectivity, and a mix of finance, IT, and data analytics coverage. - Vincent Iovino, an IT-focused auditor who has lived in Ocala since 2002/2003, described his collaborative risk assessment process, use of FIPS confidentiality/integrity/availability principles, agile audit sprints, and real-time communication through the Rike application. He said he has used AI as a tool in an audit of the procurement policy, but still reviewed and verified AI-generated work. He said he would report to the City Council and would communicate both problems and good news directly. He described an ethical dilemma in which numbers did not match what was presented; he reported the discrepancy to his chief audit executive, and said in Ocala he would report findings to the City Council and keep auditees informed throughout the process. Council Deliberation and Selection - Council members said all three candidates were qualified but had different strengths. One member favored Vincent because of his combination of accounting, social awareness, communication, and personality. Another expressed a preference to reopen the search before choosing among the three, but ranked Vincent first if a selection had to be made. Another said Vincent was the most qualified, citing the need for someone who can examine procedures, catch issues, train staff, and communicate problems to the Council. - One council member raised concern about Vincent's statement that he would keep the Internal Audit department at two people. The member said Vincent was originally hired for the IT portion of audits and may not fully understand what auditing the rest of the city requires; the former city auditor maintained that three was the minimum and wanted four. - The Council discussed salary. Candidates' minimum compensation requests varied, with figures around $90,000, $110,000, and $115,000 mentioned. One member noted that the midpoint of the salary range was approximately $113,000, and hiring any of the three would likely cost between $113,000 and $120,000. - Councilman Mussley was not present; the city attorney advised that his interview notes should not be discussed in his absence. Key Outcomes - A motion was made and seconded to offer the Internal City Auditor position to Vincent Iovino. The motion passed unanimously by roll-call vote of the Council members present. - Vincent Iovino was brought back into the meeting and informed that he had been selected. - The Council planned to have Councilman Mussley work with staff to negotiate the contract and get the selected candidate started as quickly as possible.

The Ocala City Council held a budget workshop on August 11, 2026, to review the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget. Budget Director Tammy Haslam presented a $1,269,705,929 total budget, with the general fund balanced at the current millage rate of 6.6177. Revenue sources include ad valorem taxes (estimated $57.7 million from maintaining flat millage), fire assessments (unchanged at $18.2 million), and enterprise fund transfers ($29.8 million). Capital improvement projects total $71,197,968 for 48 projects. Council members discussed community sponsorships, downtown safety, the fire training facility, and future fiscal challenges. Technical issues with tablet displays occurred during the presentation. Discussion Items - Budget Overview: The general fund is balanced at 207,375,596. Public safety accounts for 48 cents of every general fund dollar (police 28 cents, fire 20 cents). The budget funds contractual and non-contractual wage increases, a tentative fire union agreement, and a $2.7 million health insurance increase. Pension contributions follow actuarial recommendations. Revenue from the infrastructure sales surtax (penny sales tax) is estimated at $12.2 million, allocated 60% transportation, 20% police, 20% fire. - Community Sponsorships: The budget included $140,000 for five nonprofits: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, Marion County Children's Alliance, Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans, Marion Cultural Alliance ($10,000 each), and Community Foundation of Ocala Marion ($100,000). Council members debated eliminating all nonprofit funding. One council member argued tax dollars should not fund nonprofits and called for cutting all $140,000. Another agreed, stating "it's one or none—it's all or none." The mayor noted staff places these at council's discretion. After discussion, council directed elimination of all community sponsorship funding from the budget. - Capital Improvement Projects (CIP): The proposed CIP includes 48 projects. A roundabout at SE 18th Avenue and 5th Street ($500,000) was questioned by a council member who said it is unnecessary and that the intersection works fine. The assistant city manager agreed to revisit and prioritize Southeast safety improvements and bring a report to council. The fire training facility design has $500,000 added (total set aside $3.5 million), with space already included for police. Council discussed the need for a splash pad in eastern quadrant, a multi-purpose room at Mary Sue Rich/Reed Place, and various transportation and drainage projects. - Fleet Purchases: $14,431,120 proposed for 16 police vehicles, 2 XUVs, 9 fire vehicles, and 2 generators. Total public safety fleet spending $7.2 million. - Downtown Safety and Homelessness: Council members expressed concerns about downtown safety, perception of crime, and the homeless population. One member suggested reallocating a proposed code enforcement inspector position to fund two bicycle police officers for downtown patrol. The mayor emphasized regaining control of downtown, particularly with a new parking garage opening. Discussion included relocating Salvation Army and Interfaith Services away from downtown, with the mayor noting funding (estimated $5-6 million) is the primary obstacle. The assistant city manager indicated staff will reconvene a group to work on relocation. Council requested a workshop on downtown safety and code enforcement. - CEP (Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership) Funding: The budget includes $100,000 annual funding plus quarterly performance-based payments ($22,000 per quarter). Council members discussed the ROI and community perception. The mayor supported continued funding, stating the relationship is the best it has been and the CEP is focusing on downtown development. The council president noted the contract has been restructured to be incentive-based. Council expressed support for continuing CEP funding. - Future Fiscal Concerns: Council members raised concerns about potential impact of property tax reform (Amendment 3) on the November ballot, which could reduce ad valorem revenue by $8-9 million in the second year. House Bill 1329 (effective Jan 1, 2027) will require additional budget information on the city website. Staff mentioned a building condition assessment for the East Campus, with potential need for future bonding. Council members urged belt-tightening and careful hiring. - CLEAR Team: Staff reported restarting the CLEAR efficiency team to identify savings and policy changes, with a workshop planned before budget adoption. Key Outcomes - Council directed staff to eliminate all community sponsorship funding ($140,000) from the proposed budget. - Staff will revisit the SE 18th Avenue roundabout project and bring a report on Southeast safety improvements (likely by the next council meeting). - Council expressed support for continuing CEP funding under the restructured performance-based contract. - Staff will schedule a workshop on downtown safety and code enforcement, including potential relocation of homeless services. - The building condition assessment contract with Terracon Engineering Company is moving forward. - Public hearings for the tentative and final budget are set for September 9, 2026 (first reading) and September 15, 2026 (second reading), both at 5:01 p.m. in council chambers. The fire assessment rate public hearing is September 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

The Airport Advisory Board met on August 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. The board approved the previous meeting's minutes, approved two FAA grants, received the Airport Director’s report, and honored the late board member Terry Crawford. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the July AAB meeting. New Business - FAA Grant – RPZ Grading Runway Project: The board approved a grant of $406,165 from the FAA with an airport share of $21,377 (total $427,542) for regrading the south end of the airport adjacent to Runway 36 to meet FAA standards. The motion carried unanimously. - FAA ATCT Grant: The board approved a 100% FAA-funded grant estimated at $220,000 for equipment upgrades inside the air traffic control tower, including replacement of the airfield lighting touch screen, painting, re-roofing, installation of FAA-spec shades, and new controller chairs. The grant will be submitted to City Council on September 1, 2026. The motion carried unanimously. Airport Director’s Report Airport Director Matthew Grow provided updates on several projects: - FDOT Pond Relocation: Design underway following approval last month. - MALSR/RPZ RY36 Grading: Awaiting council grant approval and subsequent award to contractor (already bid). - Terminal Apron Rehab: 99% complete; waiting for two vault lids currently on a boat, expected next week. - Masterplan: Final document submitted to FAA for review (2–6 months). - A9 Driveway: Permitting with city, progressing slower than desired. - T-Hangar Campus Rehab: In permitting. - A12 Infrastructure: Waiting on funding; interest from developers to take over the entire project. - Concrete Pads: Tied to T-Hangar project, in permitting. - TWY-C Phase I: Redesigning stormwater based on new stormwater master plan, potentially saving over $700,000 in construction costs. - ATCT Lighting Controls: Related to grant just approved. - Airshow Planning: Final agreement with revenue sharing and termination clauses goes to council next week; estimated city expenses for police and fire $45,000. - Fuel and Ops: July 2026 operations down nearly 1,000 compared to July 2025; Avgas sales set a record; jet fuel slightly down; overall fuel sales trending positive, nearly 100,000 gallons above last year. Director noted fuel prices dropped 20 cents yesterday. Board Comments & Tribute - Board members observed a moment in memory of Terry Crawford, a longtime board member appointed on April 1, 1975. His dedication and contributions to the airport were praised, and he will be missed. Details for his celebration of life: Saturday, August 29, at First Baptist Church, with viewing at 1:00 PM and service at 2:00 PM. Key Outcomes - Approved July AAB meeting minutes (unanimous). - Approved FAA RPZ Grading Runway Project grant (unanimous). - Approved FAA ATCT Grant (unanimous). - The meeting adjourned after board comments. Note: No public comments were made.

The Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission met on August 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The board considered three main items: a conceptual subdivision for a townhome development, a code amendment to the affordable housing loan program, and a rezoning for a proposed medical office building. All items were approved, with one dissenting vote on the subdivision. Consent Calendar - Unanimously approved the minutes from the July 13, 2026 meeting (7-0). Public Comments & Testimony - On the rezoning (PD26-0002): Several residents from the Fisher Park neighborhood and surrounding areas spoke in opposition. Their concerns included: - Increased flooding and stormwater runoff, noting that Fisher Park is designated as an AE flood zone and has experienced severe flooding in the past. - Traffic hazards on SE 24th Street, particularly a blind hill, existing speeding issues, and dangers to children walking or biking in the area. - The loss of rights under a PD zoning compared to PUD-RO, fearing less control over development. - Lack of adequate notification; some residents stated they did not receive mailed notices. - No public comments were made on the subdivision or the code amendment. Discussion Items - Kinward at Heathbrook Conceptual Subdivision (SUB26-0009): Staff presented a proposed 146-unit townhome subdivision on 32.22 acres, with 92 units in phase one and 54 in phase two. The project had previously received PD zoning on May 19, 2026. Board member Allison Campbell provided school capacity information, noting Winding Oaks Elementary was at 80% capacity the prior year and anticipated 87% capacity for the upcoming year. The board approved the subdivision 6-1, with Vice Chairman Tamboura Jenkins voting nay. - Code Amendment – Ordinance 2026-27: Planning Director Aubrey Hale presented changes to Chapter 106, Section 105 (Housing Incentive Fund). The amendment extends loan terms from a maximum of five years to up to 10 years for short-term loans (near 0% interest) and up to 30 years for long-term loans (tied to U.S. prime rate) when used in conjunction with federal, state, or local housing programs. It also provides administrative authority to the City Manager for final loan document signatures. Staff noted the fund is heavily used for affordable housing projects. The board voted unanimously to approve. - Rezoning and PD Plan (PD26-0002) for New Ocala MOB LLC: Staff presented a request to rezone 4.26 acres at 325 SE 24th Street from PUD-RO to PD, with an associated PD Plan and Standards Book. The proposed development is a 21,000-square-foot medical office building (confirmed as Florida Cancer Specialists) with 82 peak-hour trips per the ITE handbook. One variance was requested from code Section 12237 for off-street parking setbacks due to an adjacent R1-zoned property. Staff noted a minor typo in buffer labeling that would be corrected prior to City Council. The applicant, Fred Roberts, emphasized the low-intensity use, enhanced buffering (25-foot planted buffer on the south, 25-foot natural vegetation on east and west, 7.5-foot buffer on north), and the building's 25-foot height (compared to 35 feet allowed under prior zoning). Board members discussed the transitional nature of the site and consistency with the city's 2050 plan. Public comments were in opposition. The board approved the rezoning and PD plan unanimously with conditions as presented by staff. Additionally, the board recommended (by unanimous vote) that the second reading before City Council be moved from October 6 to October 20, 2026, at the applicant's request. Key Outcomes - Subdivision (SUB26-0009): Approved 6-1 (Jenkins dissenting). The developer will be required to enter into a developer's agreement before final plat. - Code Amendment (Ordinance 2026-27): Approved unanimously (7-0). Will go to City Council for final adoption. - Rezoning and PD Plan (PD26-0002): Approved unanimously (7-0) for both the rezoning ordinance and the PD resolution, subject to staff conditions including correction of buffer type labels. The second hearing before City Council was recommended for October 20, 2026. - Next meeting: September 14, 2026.