Regular City Council - April 25, 2023 at 5:30 PM


City Council

Regular Meeting

April 25, 2023

 

The City Council of the City of Titusville, Florida met in regular session in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 555 South Washington Avenue, on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. 

 

Mayor Diesel called the City Council meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Daniel E. Diesel, Vice Mayor Joe C. Robinson, and City Council Members Herman A. Cole, Jr., Col USAF Retired, Jo Lynn Nelson, and Dr. Sarah Stoeckel. Also present were City Manager Scott Larese, City Attorney Richard Broome, and Assistant City Clerk Jolynn Donhoff, who completed the minutes of the meeting. 

 

Mayor Diesel requested a moment of silence. He then led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Assistant City Clerk Donhoff read the procedures for public comment and participation. 

 

xxx

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & PRESENTATIONS

 

Employee of the Month - April 2023 – No action was requested. Community Development Director Brad Parrish recognized Sustainability Planner Rachel Muller of the Planning Department as the Employee of the Month for April 2023. He highlighted Ms. Muller’s nomination and presented her with a plaque and a gift. 

 

xxx

 

Mayor Diesel presented four individual proclamations to various community partners. Each was read aloud by City Manager Larese. The four proclamations included: 

 

  • Proclamation - Poppy Days - Proclaiming May 26-29, 2023 as Poppy Days
  • Proclamation - Denim Day - Proclaiming April 26, 2023 as Denim Day
  • Proclamation - Historic Preservation Month - Proclaiming May 2023 as Historic Preservation Month
  • Proclamation - Water Conservation Month - Proclaiming April 2023 as Water Conservation Month

 

No action was requested during the individual presentation of proclamations. 

 

xxx

 


Community Development Department Spotlight - No action was requested. Community Development Director Brad Parrish of the Community Development Department provided a video presentation on the department. Mayor Diesel requested the video be provided to the North Brevard Economic Development Zone (NBEDZ). 

 

xxx

 

Options to Finance a Public Safety Complex - No action was requested. Jay Glover, Managing Director of PFM Financial Advisors, LLC, gave a presentation on the options to finance a public safety complex, including the debt overview and capital funding alternatives. Mayor Diesel and Mr. Glover discussed his questions on the general timeframe to complete projects, from the vision to completion, etc. 

 

xxx

 

Sustainability Action Plan Phase III Update - Sustainability Planner Rachel Muller gave a presentation on the draft of the City’s Sustainability Action Plan, including a summary of Phases I and II and an update for Phase III. No action was requested at this meeting; however, action was proposed on the Council agenda at the regular City Council meeting of April 25, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Council commended Sustainability Planner Muller on her efforts. Council also discussed taking the first steps to implement the Plan (if later adopted), developing a public engagement guide, etc. 

 

xxx

 

Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations - No action was requested. Brian Canin and Eliza Juliano, professional planning and urban design consultants of Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. gave a presentation on draft amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations. The presentation highlighted the following concepts: 

 

  • Key changes to policies and standards for the downtown and Urban Mixed Use (UMU)
  • Downtown redevelopment initiatives
  • Preliminary concepts
  • Primary street standards for Palm Avenue and Garden, Main, and South Streets
  • Opportunity sites
  • Future land use and zoning
  • Lower and higher mixed-use concepts for gateway corridors

 

The Kimley-Horn representatives advised another presentation to City Council was scheduled for May 2023. Council thanked and commented on the presentation. Mayor Diesel advised that it was important to start somewhere. Council discussed the community’s desire to have a tree canopy. Community Development Director Parrish advised the next presentation would be more detailed. There would also be hard choices ahead for Council to allow the types of ideas that were presented. 

 

xxx

 

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS FROM THE PUBLIC PRESENT 

 

Toni Shifalo did not support the vision that was suggested in the presentation on the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations, specifically for an area west of downtown Titusville. She did not support gentrification of the area. Instead, she advised the Historic Preservation Board had an idea to create or promote an identity for the area in question. 

 

Kay St. Onge read from a prepared statement that discussed the adoption of a Sustainability Plan, working in conjunction with other plans, having ample tree coverage, reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff, grants, adopting the Titusville Environmental Commission’s suggestions, etc.  

 

Bill Klein read from a prepared statement that discussed the importance of goals related to the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), stormwater runoff and testing for pollutants, achieving some success, but also failing year-to-year on improving the IRL, etc.  

 

Stan Johnston commented on concerns for a prior sewer spill and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) threat to human health. He also commented on the Crosley Green legal case.  

 

Gregory Hullinger commented on concerns for affordable housing, actions proposed at the State level of legislation, House Bill 1417, a pre-emption in law and concerns about making it easier to evict persons, the State was taking on powers held by cities, etc.  

 

Motion:

Member Nelson moved to give Mr. Hullinger two additional minutes to speak. Member Stoeckel seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Hullinger continued and expressed concern on the ease in which State legislation was proposed that would make it easier to evict individuals, which he did not support. He felt the circumstances were too vague in the proposed legislation and he felt this was centralized power and greed. 

 

xxx

 

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.