Regular City Council - October 24, 2023 at 5:30 PM

City Council

Regular Meeting

October 24, 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, October 24, 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 City Clerk Wanda Wells. Assistant City Clerk Jolynn Donhoff 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. City Clerk Wells read the procedures for public comment and participation. 

 

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SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & PRESENTATIONS

 

Employee of the Month for October 2023 - No action was requested. Police Department Chief John Lau recognized Police Officer Darius Wilder as the Employee of the Month for October 2023. He highlighted the nomination and presented Officer Wilder with a plaque and gift. 

 

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PFMAM, LLC City Portfolio Presentation - Fiscal Year 2023 - No action was requested. Senior Managing Consultant Scott Sweeten of PFMAM, LLC provided a presentation on the City's portfolio for Fiscal Year 2023. Mr. Sweeten’s presentation provided an overview on the market, the economy, and the City’s financial portfolio. 

 

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Code Enforcement Department – No action was requested. Code Enforcement Manager Glenn Tolleson provided a video presentation on the services offered to the City and citizens. Council commended the Code Enforcement Division and its staff on the high level of service it provided to the community. 

 

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Draft Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the Future Land Use, Transportation and Housing Elements and Draft Land Development Regulations – No action was requested. Community Development Director Brad Parrish highlighted feedback provided during three recent public engagement meetings. This information began on page 100 of the City Council’s agenda packet. During his overview, he also highlighted the following information:


  • “Density pull” an idea and concept that might be used for the downtown area
  • Several methods of inviting the community to the recent public engagement meetings
  • Overlay land use and zoning (concept) tools that would provide incentives if used by the public, developers, etc.  These concepts and draft policies would need work and the Code portion would need to be clear  
  • The purpose of a transmittal hearing and providing information to the State
  • A map on page 186 of the Council agenda packet and a concept to increase the area of Urban Mixed Use, etc. This map received much discussion at the public engagement meetings
  • Example projects
  • An online, interactive, story map to learn more on City projects
  • Obtaining information on historic preservation
  • Housing (a major discussion at the public engagement meetings) and topics that might be developed in the future, but not through this proposed amendment the Comprehensive Plan
  • Scheduling additional meetings, if the Council were in support
  • Staff would continue working on “the Code” portion for this agenda item

 

Council discussion ensued. Mayor Diesel commended staff’s work thus far and praised the communication. Member Nelson and staff discussed her questions on density in zoning categories located near commercial corridor areas and the consultant recommendations on height. Member Stoeckel and staff discussed her questions on the consultant’s recommendations and rationale on density. Vice-Mayor Robinson and staff discussed his questions on height regulations, safety, and for a residential development project that might be located near an industrial area.

 

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Letters of Appreciation - No action was requested. City Manager Larese read the list of employee names that recently received letters of appreciation, which included the following employees:

 

Casey Hederman         Police Officer

Mae Wright                 Code Enforcement Officer

 

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Petitions and Requests from the Public Present (Open Forum) – 

 

Toni Shifalo read from a prepared statement that discussed her concerns for future development and the degradation of west Titusville. She did not support all of the consultant’s recommendations in the draft Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the Future Land Use, Transportation and Housing Elements and Land Development Regulations.

 

Stan Johnston commented on a recent email he sent the City on his concerns for a prior sewer spill and the threat to the public’s health and safety. 

 

Lindsey Grizzle read from a prepared statement that discussed the Windover Farms Community, the challenges of the State’s Live Local Act, concerns for the City administering the new State regulations and the pending local ordinance, her interest in the new State Act and its proposed application to approximately 26 acres on Windover Way that was zoned Commercial. She advised there was a lack of public amenities near this property site.  

 

By consensus approval, Ms. Grizzle was given one additional minute to speak. 

 

Ms. Grizzle continued and discussed the proposed project that she was concerned with and whether developers would be required to adhere to the City’s Codes on access (ingress and egress) or whether the Live Local Act would override or not require developers to follow the City’s Codes on access, etc. She gave an example from the City of Westin, Florida. 

 

Mayor Diesel discussed the complexity and concerns some had expressed about the State Live Local Act. 

 

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With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.