We'll call the April 15th city council meeting to order. City commission meeting, I guess. All right. Commissioner Smith, prayer, pledge, and fact of the day, please, sir. Our fathers once again we come before your
presence come to say thank you father for this opportunity to be servants of your city. We ask father you continue to guide us direct our paths that all that we shall say and do be pleasing accepted in your sight. Bless father these commissioners our mayor. Bless all those in attendance here tonight. This we pray
in thy son Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Fact of the day. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson, aged 28, becomes the first African-American player in Major League Baseball's morning era when he steps onto Ibbertzfield in Brooklyn to compete for Brooklyn Dodgers. Robertson broke the
color barrier in a sport that had been segregated for more than 50 years. Exactly 50 years later, April 15th, 1997, Robinson's groundbreaking career was honored and his uniform number 42 was retired from Major League Baseball
by Commissioner Buzz Cedic in a ceremony attended by over 50,000 fans at New York City Shay Stadium. Robinson was the first ever number retired by all teams in the league. Fact of the day. >> All right. Welcome to the public meeting
of the city commission of the city of Apopka. Please turn off all cell phones or set them to silent. The city commission permits and encourages input and comments by members of the public on all matters which may come before the commission for action. If you wish to address the commission this afternoon
evening, please make sure you have filled out a card with your contact information and presented it to the clerk. When called upon, please proceed to the podium and speak clearly into the microphone stating your name, address of record, organization if any, and direct your comments to the city commission and
not to individual commissioners, staff, or members of the public. The commission, the city staff encourages constructive criticism. However, personal attacks are prohibited. Please obser observe general rules of decorum and civility. Speakers and members of the audience shall refrain from rude or der
derogatory remarks, shouting, disruptions, reflections as to integrity, slander, abuse of comments, profanity, vulgarities, and statements as to personalities. Any violations of these provisions may result in the issues of verbal warning, including warning for trespass. If violations
persist after such warnings, violators may be removed from the commission chambers. Thank you. All right. Public comment. Susan, >> supervisor Dr. O. Yeah. >> Good evening. Today's be was a beautiful day.
I am here to share with you that this is 2026 is the year of the woman farmer and it was declared in the orange soil and water conservation district last
Friday. Um, we had a good farmers there, women farmers and women farm workers there. It was an enjoyable time and we want to respect the hard work that 40% of our farm population in the in the
state of Florida and 39% of Orange County are women farmers and they own and operate their businesses. And I would ask that the new commission
um make a proclamation in their new year to honor your farmers. You have people that are nursery people. They are aquaculture people, sod farmers.
They might grow micro greens. They own horse farms. They own ranches and they are due the respect of not only running the business but they may have children to raise at home. They may have
a husband to raise at home and they are taking care of a household as well as the male helping them hopefully. Um that was a joke. Um please consider that. Also
on the other side of the proclamation is the first week of May is water drinking water week. This is
national whereas the world international was the year of the woman farmer and this is a national one that I that we also declared and this is to honor
your water workers. the American Water Workers Association um had that declared and you want to thank them for what they do, but you also want to keep chemicals
out of the water system. You want to keep them out of the soil so they don't get in the water system. You want to not drain your radiator on the driveway, etc. >> Thank you.
Good evening everyone. Ian Campbell, Magnolia Park Estates. So, I wanted to come up here and congratulate Mayor Lick Mayor Lick Nick Neesa on a phenomenal win. Great campaign of no mudslinging, false mailers, no backroom negotiating deals with filing lawsuits, dropping
lawsuits, colluding together, arguing with constituents on the streets, suspected fraudulent eligibility with renting a room. We didn't see that from his side of the campaign, and I want to applaud you for running such a clean and honest campaign. Now, it's time to get to work. I stopped coming to these
meetings because most of the time they're scheduled in the middle of the day when most of Hopkins are working. So that needs to be addressed, looked at, and changed. But I also noticed that all my concerns were falling on deaf ears. We spent months and numerous meetings
debating the water rate increases and uh spent money on studies and uh only to increase our water rates anyways. I think 15% over every year for the next four years or something like that only to have the mayor that's outgoing drop the water rates right before the campaign. Seems he was trying to earn a
victory. Wonder why he couldn't do that before the campaign. As I watched one of the last city council meetings where you all were making appointments and making more backroom deals, putting people in positions to try to gain and keep power within the city with the employees and decision-m lame duck decisions by the
way. Uh hopefully they all get reversed when the new administration takes charge. But our water rates are still out of control. The infrastructure needs to be addressed. We need to have a forensic audit done that wasn't paid and bought for by members on the board. The information needs to be public. And I
would encourage Doge to come back in here and look at again at every dollar that's been spent over the last four or five years. Whose pockets got lined? Whose businesses got awarded bids? and just to get financial spending under control. Maybe charge the developers more fees so they're not passing the
buck to the residents who've been living here for years to try to fund all your new build development projects. Also, I'd like to get a stop sign put in both sides of the bike trail that runs right in front of Magnolia Park Estates. There is a Magnolia Park Estate sign there that blocks the line of sight. I myself
has almost hit two bikers because I do not stop and you can't see and the intersection is already a hard time getting out of. Um, let's see here. Lastly, I would like to leave you with the guys with the fact that other city council members from other cities watch ours laugh and joke at the behavior that
is displayed by our leaders. And I would just like to ask you all, who's the peanut gallery now? Now, the city and the residents have spoken and are done with the backroom corruption deals and mishandling of our taxpayer dollars. So, we really like to see some change, and we'd like to see it very soon. Thank
you. By the way, I have a few more seconds. I got four water bills that are almost $200 for me and my wife alone that work full-time jobs and are never home. If you'd like to see them, I'll be more than happy to share them with you because my water rates haven't gone down.
Good evening, Mayor Commissioners. Sylvester Hall, Rock Springs Reach. My heart is still kind of heavy today because I was looking at the results of the election and we still had only about 8,000 people come out out of over 30,000
registered voters. That's sad. So we we we pretty much get what we asked for. And the one thing I'm hopeful about those so those same 8,000 voters that came out, it was over 1,500 of them changed their minds about the candidate.
So that's hopeful for people are listening and they're engaged with what's going on in the city of Apaka. So when you hear me talking about in the city of Apaka, the state of Florida, and in our country, too many good people standing by watching bad things happen
and not doing anything about it. It's time for us to stand up against racism. It's time for us to stand up against corruption. It's time for us to stand up against hate. It's time for us to stand up against greed. When we normalize the atnormal, we
desensitize the truth to the point the truth doesn't matter anymore. Then we try to have an intellect intellectual conversation about the abnormy. When I say make it make sense, make it make sense. And so I keep saying these
things hoping hoping that things will start to sink into the city of Apakka, the state of Florida, and our country if we want a better world for our kids to live in. And so when I say it's very important and I think most of the people who spoke they understand this when
we're looking at candidates the truth matters laws matter morals matters ethics matter leadership matters character matters integrity matters principle matters rules matter facts
matter procedures matter honesty matters accountability matters matters. Responsibility matters, justice matters, content matters, and all God's people matter. When we start to look at our elected officials, our elected
officials, you're not celebrities, you're not dictators, you're supposed to be servants. And that's why for over the last five years running, I've been here consistent as possible to make sure I leave this world a better place for my
kids and my grandkids. I can navigate anything through life. God has been good with his grace and mercy on my life. But my legacy now is about leaving a legacy for those who going to come after me. And you will continue to see me here
every meeting to hold you accountable to serving the people. Not Sylvester's people, not Sylvester's weight, but serving the people. All people. Thank you. Albert McKibby 3603 Golden Gem Road. During this election cycle, there has
been a great deal of behavior that might be considered as unprofessional. There's been a great deal of hate speech, some of which emanated from this dis. Before the new administration takes over, I would like to take the opportunity to clear up any
misunderstandings prior to considering whether ethics complaints might be necessary. At a recent meeting, two emails were displayed side by side by a sitting commissioner which alleged that another commissioner had colluded with a city
attorney. Also, there were allegations that an ethics complaint had been sent into the DPPR. Now, I've asked if anybody wanted to clear up those misunderstandings.
I'm fed up of coming up here and ask asking questions that no one wants to answer. So, commissioners, here's your chance. If there was any misunderstandings, and it wasn't simply a misunderstanding, and there was no direct effort to implicate a commissioner with colluding
with a city attorney, now's your time to make that announcement because there will be an ethics complaint moving forward. And that's going to cost money. It's going to cost the city money. >> Anybody else? Virginia Street.
All right. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Mayor, commissioners, and uh citizens of Apakcoa, I want to first thank you for your continued support with the unhoused and needy in Apakka. Um,
you continue to wow me every month as I continue to grow um with my business called Compassion in Apopkco. Um, you have provided me with the needs that the people uh that are unhoused or
just can't afford um need the things that are uh needed for their home and for their families. uh as the summer approaches um which seems like this the switch for summer happens real quick. As summer
approaches, please keep in mind that uh we will be requesting or needing things such as water, Gatorade to keep their keep them hydrated. Um and possibly cooling stations. I know
I talked about cooling stations last year, but this year I really would like uh to have a couple of places where they can come during the day when it's extremely hot uh as cooling stations. Uh as I've had your continued support prior
to this uh administration change, I I know that I will continue to have your support um as we move forward. And um I want to remind you that August the 26th uh August April 26 is the next event at
Just Like Mama's at 5:30 uh where we will uh bring them inside of the restaurant and feed them and clothe them and just um have uh time to talk with them. Um, I continue to ride around on a
daily basis to check out who's where, and I'm starting to see more people migrating from Orlando into our neighborhoods. So, um, as I see the new faces, I try to connect with them to see, you know, uh,
what their situations may be. um some of them um have may have behavioral issues which um I don't know what the behavior center that is being built next to Sam's will
be able to do to help us with that but I am concerned about those that have behavioral issues that you know can't help what they're doing. So as I said earlier the 26th of April we will be at just like mamas. You can find me on
Facebook at compassion and apopka. Um, and I will be putting a needs list out there. So, if there's something that you want to give or you want to help me with, all you have to do is go there and see what I need and that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Dr. Jim Williams. I'm elected Orange Soil and Water Conservation District 2 Supervisor. Oops. Um I briefly mention as I try to every time
that basically the purpose of soil and water conservation district is to protect land and water resources. There's a meeting coming up uh May 22nd. It's a Tuesday. It'll be at UFIUS
extension on Conway. uh the district conservationist Mr. Aor who's responsible for uh Oyola in Orange County him and his invitees
will be um conducting it basically to determine their priorities uh for next fiscal year. I will be attending and I hope that some of their priorities, funding priorities include in Northwest
Orange County. I want to move on to something else real quickly. Um, life today is more complex than I ever imagined as a child. So, there's a lot of priorities that a person has to
compete with. Okay. But I just I look at the big picture and look at life. Okay. Uh infant is 75 plus% water. The soil ideally is 25% water
although Florida has a huge variance 10% to 40% water. Uh the plants here have a high percentage of water. The animals have a high percentage of water. An
adult woman has about 65% water. Adult man about 75% water. Life is water. Water is life. So I can't emphasize enough the importance of
focusing on the quality of water throughout APK and Northwest Orange uh in the future. Thank you for your time and God bless you all. Is the door dean Lexington Parkway
mayor Nelson and commissioners my comments may not be appropriate for now but I won't stay till the end of the meeting so I better say what I have to say right now first of all on a positive side
I've been promising Cindy that I would come express my appreciation for the senior's exercise class that I attend on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. They are just absolutely great. I won't tell you that Mrs. Nelson
can out exercise me, but she does. It is really, really great. Also, I promised my grandson that I would thank you for the excellent summer camp and camps during spring break that he attends at the Billy Dean Center. I think most of
his friends attend that camp now. Uh it is really great. I want to personally express to Commissioner Smith who I call Smitty just to tell him how proud I am
of his devotion to the city for eight years. I I've been knowing him since he was in high school, actually. I've been knowing Mayor Nelson also since he's been in high school. But I'm telling my age, so I better hurry up. I have only three minutes. But we made
this a popped our home 45 years ago and I'm really happy with where I am. I I think I moved here. I can't I I guess I shouldn't say I moved because the tax rates were so low, but that's really why Billy Dean moved to a pop because it was cheaper than living in Orlando. But I'm
especially impressed about how you managed to serve with dignity, courage, and integrity. And I know it wasn't easy. You spent late nights, endured criticisms, and often insults, made tough decisions,
yet you remained dedicated and calm. I can't say I would have done the same thing. And you know, if you knew Billy Dean, you know, he would not have been calm. But you did it. I didn't. You are a Christian and a pastor. You know that
our God will give you wisdom, resilience, and courage to remain involved and continue to make an impact in our community. You have a lot going on for you and more good to come. Enjoy your ministry, your lovely family, and
your devoted friends. Thank you, Mayor Nelson. Thank you, Commissioner Smith, my pastor friend, my godson. I love you. And congratulations to Mary Lea, Commissioner Elect Ruth, I think that's
the way you say it, and Commissioner Elect. Thank you. Thank you. Hello everyone. Good evening, mayor, mayor elected, distinguished commissioners, city leaders, and honor guests. My name is Mariel Brinkle and on
behalf of the Apoka Historical Society and Museum of Apopkins, it is my great honor and privilege to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to each of you as you begin this new chapter of service to
our community. We congratulate every one of you, those who have served before and those newly elected on your commitment to public leadership. History teaches that turning the page in both is both a privilege and a
responsibility. Today we stand ready to turn that page together. For nearly 60 decades, the Apoka Historical Society has worked diligently with every city administration,
preserving our share heritage, serve guarding irreplaceable stories, and celebrating the remarkable achievements of Apoka, past and present. We have always approached each partnership with respect, facts, and a
steadfast dedication to truth and accountability. Principles that remain the bedrock of our mission as we welcome this fresh administration, particularly the energy and perspective of a younger generation. We look forward
with renewed optimism and commitment. We are eager to build upon past successes and achieve even greater outcomes through a closer collaborations, innovation, ideas, and a share vision for a vibrant future that proudly honor
a rich history and community. Just as history has shown us that bold leadership sometimes requires a speaking with conviction even when the moment feels inconvenient. We believe that true
partnership and mutual respect will strengthen both our city and our cultural institution. We stand ready to support you with the full resources of our museum, our dedicated volunteers, and our de institutional knowledge.
Together, let us ensure that a pocket story continues to be told accurately, proudly, and with the care it deserves. Thank you for your willingness to serve as we write the next aspiring chapter in
Apocus history. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Got a set of minutes from April the 1st. Uh any changes, additions, anybody from the DAS or from the public need to make any adjustments? If not, look for a motion to approve.
>> So got a motion by Commissioner Velasquez. >> Second. Second by Commissioner Anderson. All those in favor? >> I. All oppose. Motion carries unanimously. Next up, Bradley. Any changes? >> Uh, yeah. Mayor, we need to um pull business item number one, the pension settlement with Empower. Empower needs
some more time to get back to us. >> Which which one now? Business item number one. >> Business item number one. >> Yes. Okay. All right. Okay. Next up, proclamation. We have three of them here this morning.
and um start out with my good friend been my good friend for a long time with Louis Dyami. So h happy to have you here. You can come on up while I we'll read this proclamation. But uh uh Louie and his team uh have really done a lot
to to help not just uh you know all of Orange County, I guess even Central Florida and have expanded their their their reach um out and and we're just um so happy to be to be able to present you a proclamation for the work that you do
every day and every night. And with that, I just want to read the proclamation. And it states, "Whereas the month of April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, calling attention to the fact that sexual assault and harassment is widespread and harms our community. And whereas the
shocking reality is that one in four women and one in 26 men will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime. And whereas the denim day movement started in 1999 as a grassroots protest against an absurd controversial Italian
Supreme Court decision in which a sexual assault conviction was overturned because the victim was wearing tight jeans at the time of her attack. And whereas Denim Day is the longestrunn sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, which seeks to rid the world of erroneous and destructive
attitudes about sexual assault and bring about real justice and support for survivors. And whereas Denim Day encourages everyone to make a social statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual
violence and to speak up when they hear comments that blame victims or make light of sexual harassment or assault. And whereas together we can change how people think and talk about this kind of violence and create a culture of respect, equality, and safety for our
entire community. And whereas the city of Apaca strongly supports the victim service center of central Florida and their efforts to prevent traumatizing effects of sexual violence and help heal those who have been impacted. Now therefore, Brian Nelson, Mayor Civapka,
Florida, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 as Denim Day. And with that, Louie. >> Thank you. Um, Mayor Nelson and commissioners, I I really appreciate you inviting me here this evening. As you know, I represent the victim service
center of Central Florida where for 27 years we've been helping uh providing help and healing for victims of of violent crime, sexual assault, and any other kind of traumatic event. In fact, we are the only rape crisis center in
Central Florida. On average, our team of uh crisis response and forens uh forensic exam services uh respond nearly once a day to a victim in crisis. 352 times alone last year. We also answered 1,700 calls on our 24-hour sexual
assault helpline. And we conducted over 3,300 therapy sessions and and provided 136 prevention education trainings all across our community. And best of all, all of our services are always free of charge.
Each year during the month of April, as you heard, it's sexual assault awareness month. We like to spread awareness about the physical and emotional trauma that accompanies sexual violence. One of the ways we do this is of course Denim Day. And thanks to champions like you for many, many years now, Denim Day has
become the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history. By simply wearing jeans on April 29th because it's always the last Wednesday in April, we can change how people think and talk about
sexual violence. Participation D day is super easy. It's a ve it's free. It's open to open to anyone to um participate and every year we add more and more supporters just like you all. Oyola County, Orange County, Seminal County,
City of Orlando, City of Lake Mary, City of Sanford, City of CM, Orange County, and Semino County public schools this year, plus lots and lots and lots of other businesses. Any of you business owners out there, get your teams involved all across Central Florida. All
you got to do is wear your denim. Then you snap a picture of your team wearing your denim. Uh and then you post it on social media. Use the hashtag denim day and then you tag us at BSC Florida and watch it explode. You'll see uh you'll see tags going as far as Southern
Georgia. Um it really becomes a movement when it happens. In fact, once upon a time, you all put uh uh teal lights out on the on the front on the on the front of the building and um really tried to to to encourage folks to support us. If you go to our website,
victimservicecenter.org, we're the number one Google search. If you start typing the word victim, le somebody bought an ad today ahead of me, but otherwise we pop right up. We have a page dedicated expressly to Denim Day. There's a 90-second video that tells you exactly what it is very concisely. You
can download posters, that poster that you see up there, um and then use them to advertise um around around your businesses and your offices. The simple act of wearing jeans, taking a photo, and sharing on social media is one way where we can show everyone support for
survivors and take a stand against sexual assault and harassment. I appreciate you all and I thank you very very much for having me here today and for continuing to support Denim Day every single year. >> Yeah. The only he didn't mention though is on the 29th when you wear jeans to work, you're supposed to throw a little
money into the pot. >> Well, hey, listen. If we make some money as a as >> you guys have always been great about that, I appreciate that. >> All right, so let's we run down and get our picture with >> Please. Thank you. All right.
Next up, we have Autism Acceptance Month. And we with us we have Officer Sa is here. Come on down, officer. It's um he is he took a shine to this this um this project. It's what now? Third year? >> Second year.
>> Second year. and uh we're so proud of him and and has taken this initiative on uh because it it obviously it affects a lot of a lot of children, a lot of adults and um with with somebody that's really passionate about it. It really drives the the message home and so we thank you for for what you're what you
do to to promote this this um autism acceptance month. So with that, let me read the the proclamation and it states, "Whereas a autism spectrum disorder ASD or autism is a neurological and development disorder that develops in
early childhood but progresses throughout a person's lifetime. Autism presents itself with a wide range of symptoms, which is why it's considered a spectrum and widely varies from one person to another. And whereas according to the s Centers for disease control CDC
autism affects an estimated one in 31 children and one in 45 adults in the United States today. People with autism may have difficulty communicating inter interacting with others. Those with autism may have delayed language and may have restricted and repetitive behavior.
And whereas autism's impact impact a person's communication and interactions with others and how they learn. Common symptoms that transcend the four categories are repetitive behaviors, avoidance of eye contact, change in voice, anxiety, learning disabilities,
sensitivity to sound, and social interaction. And whereas on average, autism is diagnosed around age five in the US with signs appearing by age two or three. And whereas early diagnosis can make a big difference in access to diagnosis and services that can help
autistic people of all ages thrive. And whereas April is autism acceptance month. And whereas in the city of Apopka, the Apopka Police Department implemented the APD special needs registry program to serve people with disabilities, including individuals with autism.
APD maintains a database to notify officers during calls for service if someone at the residence or location has a disability. In addition, families can place a decal on their vehicle and or their residents, which provides identification of a disability to police
in order to respond properly. This registry allows our police department to provide a safe community and reduce men reduce miscommunication during emergency calls for service. Now, therefore, I Brian Nelson, mayor of city of Aka, do her proclaim April 2026 as autism
acceptance month in the city of Aapia. Officer Sosa, uh, Mayor and Commissioners, along with the people of the public, city of Vapa, and my chief, I just wanted to thank you all for the, uh, for the support, for advocating for the program two years
ago, for those who may know and those who don't. Um, I brought this program to the city of Papua, specifically the police department. It's an intelligence-based database, uh, which allows us to track anyone with special needs within the city. And what that does is allow us to
have an appropriate response to these residences that require additional attention from our training. Um, with that, we have over 85 people that are registered on this registry and we hope that it continues to grow every single day. Um, so that we can better service
our city. Uh, with that also, um, I I just want to I just want to appreciate you guys for the support. I know it was a big in the very beginning. It was a a lot of things, a lot of moving puzzles, but I appreciate the support from everyone that has >> supported you,
>> dabbled in it and moved the chest piece to make it happen. So, I I really appreciate it. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Oola County, I believe, just adopted the program that you started here and I did see it kind of on Facebook and I kind of
uh on my post I said it started in Apaka. Yeah. So, uh, you know, so obviously other police departments are picking up and doing the same thing for, um, uh, this program in their police department. So, thank you because you started it here and it's kind of
spreading. So, that's a good thing. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. All right, for the the next pro proclamation, it's swap out police for the fire. How about that?
Chief, Mayor, how you doing? >> Good. Good. All right. This is International Firefighters Day. And the proclamation reads, "Whereas International Firefighters Day is observed each year on May 4th to honor
and remember past firefighters who have lost their lives while serving their communities, including Austin Duran as a member of the Apakka Fire Department who gave the ultimate sacrifice in 2022. To express gratitude to those that have served in this line of work, and to show
support and appreciation for those who presently serve. And whereas regardless of the language a firefighter speaks or the country in which he or she works and resides, all firefighters fight against the same enemy, fire. And whereas firefighters follow a long line of
tradition and honor that inspires them to help colleagues, neighbors, and strangers alike. And whereas at a moment's notice, firefighters are quick to respond to uncertain situations to mitigate danger and combat the threat of destructive fire in order to protect
individuals, families, and the economic well-being of our community. And whereas the demands of firefighting are accompanied by both personal and physical tolls that all firefighters knowingly accept while risking their lives to protect the lives of others.
And thou now now therefore I Brian Nelson, mayor of the city of Apopka, Florida, do hereby proclaim May 4th, 2026 as International Firefighters Day. And with that, Chief, thank you. Mayor, commissioners, again, thank you for recognizing International Firefighters
Day on May 4th through this proclamation. This day provides an important opportunity to acknowledge the bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our firefighters. It allows us to pause and recognize not only the work they do each day, but the
commitment that they carry to serve others, often at great personal risk. We especially honor those who have given their all in the line of duty, including fallen papa firefighter Austin Durant, whose sacrifice would never be forgotten. We also recognize the men and
women who continue to stand the line today. those who respond without hesitation to protect our community. To the members of Papa Fire Department, thank you for your service, your commitment, and your courage. In addition, on May 4th at noon, all APK
fire stations will participate in a coordinated sound off, activating their signs for 30 seconds, followed by a moment of silence in honor of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. That evening, city hall will illuminate red as a symbol of
respect, remembrance, and solidarity with firefighters here at home and around the world. Thank you. >> Okay. Five roll. I don't know. All right, next up we have a presentation by FDOT District 5 Traffic
Operations and the Flash Award. We are so excited to have Trisha Ballard with us here today from FDOT. Good evening, mayors and commissioners. Trisha Ballard with FDOT District 5. I'm very excited to be here this evening to
recognize key staff with the city's public works department and police department and present the Flash Award. The Flash Award was something that we came up with a few years ago to showcase and recognize the efforts of our maintaining agencies in response to
signal emergencies. The signal emergencies is a fast response from either crashes or a structural issue where a mass arm needs to be taken down immediately. So, the location that we're recognizing
tonight is the intersection of US 441 and Park A, which it's right outside. Obviously, this is a main intersection in the downtown Apopka area. Very important that it is safe and that there is no concern of masked arms falling
down. On December 18th, 2025, we received the prompt correction action report from our structures maintenance office. In this report, they identified
deficiencies at all four mass arms at the intersections and identified them needing to come down immediately due to severe corrosion and section loss at the base plates. So, a couple photos just to show you how
bad of conditions it was. As you can see in these photos, there's nearly a see-through hole at the moment connection. And so, uh, very important that we come up with a strategy to
remove these arms immediately. So again, on December 18th, our structures maintenance team sent this report over. City of Apopka staff were quick to respond. They were on site within the
day to assess conditions of the intersection and soon afterwards became a verification of the field to determine the extent of the damage and to come up with a game plan. We're very appreciative of this. Um,
obviously all hands on deck. The department relies greatly on our partner agencies. So, coordination efforts are key to the success. for the city's efforts. Uh they assisted
with the MOT, developing a plan, coming up with detour routes, developing the anticipated lane closures, and of course, we relied heavily on staff to determine what would be appropriate detours since they know the
local roads, and this is a great impact to 441. We also relied heavily on the team to help with informing the public about the project and making sure that PIO had the necessary information about lane
closures, schedules, and detours. As you can see, uh this is a depiction of the proposed detour routes. It is very involved. So it does take a lot of coordination and there is a lot of strategy involved to develop a plan that
will successfully alleviate the issue with the lane closures during the work effort. So for the actual removal and installation, December 18th, as you know, right before holidays. So trying to come up with a
game plan and schedule was a little challenging. Early January, we had worked with the team to develop a repair plan uh coordinated with our internal push button staff with contracted out to Chinore Electric. January 20th, the
repair plan was approved by our structures design team and work was allowed to proceed. The final interim solution that was developed was a temporary woodpole diagonal strain.
So by late January, early February, ongoing efforts were being made to notify the public about the project and detours were posted to social media and shared. February 9th was the start of the actual overnight work.
DOT crew and contractors along with city staff and city police department were mobilized to complete the necessary repairs and the removal in order to restore normal operations. By February 13th, all the repair work had been
completed, which included also detection equipment and removal of the mast arms. And February 16th was a changeover of the detection system replaced with a radar equipment which would be
compatible with the temporary diagonal span that was installed. So some photos you can see while the work is ongoing. The crew is mobilized here at the intersection in the overnight time frame. Uh wood poles were
put in place. This is a lot of coordination as I mentioned between the department as well as city staff. There's a lot that has to be accounted for. It's not a simple just take an arm down. Um there's a lot of utilities at
the intersection. So, you have to think about locations where wood poles could be an option. Um, even something as simple as how the street name signs can be installed. That was a large consideration with this project being that it is a downtown major intersection
in Apopka. So, ensuring that motorists know what location, what the side streets are is vital. Uh, so that was something you wouldn't think of, but minor items. uh had to be determined and discussed through the project. Uh just
some additional photos ongoing work. So you can see the crew is busy at the intersection handling the repairs, making sure that the arms were removed safely. Here's a photo. It's it's good to see
everybody out there at night with smiles on their face. And then here is a good overview of while it was in progress. You can see in this photo the mast arm is still up. Um
but the diagonal has been installed. So it is a temporary as the crews were going to go out the next night to remove the arm. The diagonal span was installed to ensure that the signal would be operating in place when the mast arm was actually removed.
And here's uh the final what you see today with the wood poles and the diagonal string pole in place. Just another view um in this photo. So we definitely appreciate the assistance from the city and key staff.
Um there was a lot of coordination and planning that was involved. again began the day everybody received the reports. Emergency response and protocols were established. Um this was somewhat an unprecedented event. You don't get too
many intersections where masked arms are corroded with severe section loss and have to be come taken down immediately. So this was kind of a learning process, but everybody stepped up to the challenge, responded quickly and safety.
um some lessons learned. There was some through the aftermath of this understanding that training and just reiterating emergency protocols to staff is important. And as far as future work, the department is programming a full
rebuild. So it's it's not going to be the diagonal with the wood poles. It will be back to a normal what you're familiar with sink. So that is something that internally when the department we've been programming working with our work program five-year plan to make sure
that that gets programmed. So without further ado, I did want to recognize the key staff that assisted us with the public works group. Um, so I don't know if you guys want to come down here, but we do have a flash award
we have to present here as well as certificates. Um, >> yeah, I know that one couldn't be here yet, a prior commitment, so I do know that. Yeah. So, in special recognition of your exceptional service on February
9th, 2026, assisting with the emergency repairs at the intersection of US 441 in Park Avenue in the city of Apakka. Your service to support Florida Department of Transportation shows a dedication to enhancing safety and mobility for the
citizens and visitors of our great state. So, I do have the certificates. I wanted to pass out and also wanted to recognize Deputy Daniel Collie and Police Chief Lovetta Quinn Henry for their efforts
with the MOT and ensuring that the intersections were safe while work was ongoing in the overnight time. >> So Vladimir Seowski and Michael Ortiz >> and he is not here tonight but Juan
Monttogre was also a key staff. All right, we'll get a picture. Everybody look at this. Wow, that is really You got you All right, next up Jean Sanchez. >> Good evening everyone. Mayor, we're
making a little change here. We're going to have another brief presentation after DOT uh this one's going to be on the DOT District 5 State Road 436 pavement resurfacing. >> Okay. So
uh again we had planned to have the to have a representative from FDOT operations and maintenance team join us this evening to present this update directly. However they were unable to attend. So as a result the city will provide this update on their behalf and
using the latest information received from FDOT and their consultants metric engineering. This project is one of the most vital projects in the in the area for both for city of Apka and Orange County. And the project limits as you can see on the
screen that slide extends from US Highway 441 on the west side of of town to line drive covering approximately 2.27 miles. So this is a major corridor for the city of Apapka. Connecting
residents, businesses and regional traffic. So maintaining the roadway in good condition is critical. The work includes full pavement milling and resurfacing, installation of new pedestrian sidewalk segments, upgrades to several traffic signals, and new
signing and pavement markings. These improvements will enhance safety, improve walkability, and extend the life of the roadway. Uh the project is being delivered by FDOT District 5 with a contract amount of approximately $6.74 million. As of
the latest information provided, about 24% of the contract time has elapsed, but the project remains ahead of schedule. Given current productivity, FDOT anticipates the potential for early completion, which is good news for the corridor.
One of the key questions has been about pavement thickness and the number of asphalt leaves. So I'm going to provide you a brief summary on that. For the main travel lanes, right turn lanes and bike lanes, DOT is installing between three and four inches of new asphalt.
And this is a two lift system which includes a structural course for strength and a friction course for skid resistance. For left turn lanes and side streets, the resurfacing uses approximately 1.5 inches of new asphalt in a single leaf
friction course. All of this, of course, follows DOT standards resurfacing practices. With a combination of structural and friction course in the travel lanes, we typically expect about 10 to 15 years of pavement life before the next resurfacing cycle. Of course, that
actual lifespan depends on traffic volumes, truck loading, and weather conditions, but this project will provide a durable and longlasting surface. >> Nope. Yeah, we had a video that was provided by DOT
from the drone that was done last Friday. So, wanted to show you that, but I don't know if we can. >> There we go. >> Okay, it's starting now. Okay. >> Sorry, there was a little delay. So again, to reduce congestion during
the day, pavement work is being completed at night. This helps minimize traffic impacts while allowing crews to work efficiently. Of course, the video starts from the west side and it heads to the east towards the Orange County and Seminal County borderline.
I also want to acknowledge DOT District 5 for their excellent coordination and and responsiveness throughout the project. They have provided timely updates, addressed questions from city staff and ensure that the work progresses safely and efficiently.
As the project moves on, uh we will continue to providing updates as of course construction moves uh in the next uh few months and I think the total estimate time it was on 9 months 270 days and they're getting into month
number four I believe at this point. So many of you probably drive this route on a daily base and you can see the new pavement. Most of the lanes I think they're finishing the
uh first lift probably this week and the beginning of next week and then they will be moving into the friction course installation. Okay, >> that is >> that is Pmon Vika approaching
Vic Springs Road's Border Lake >> and it's heading towards Border Lake and pretty much you can see in the distance the county line. >> This seems to be a good time of the day. There's not that much traffic.
Yes, I there was probably taken some time today. >> Well, we just want to, you know, >> yeah, looks >> I'm glad that u Trish is here, but we just want to thank >> There it is. Looks good. >> DOT and our partnership, you know, we
just completed, you know, 441 the stretch through Apakka. That's been just two years ago. >> Um >> maybe so, you know, they and then two years later, here they are doing 436 for us. So, we appreciate the the partnership um that we've had with DOT.
Uh been a great working partner and and we're we're excited for uh what what the 436 um improvements will look like. So, thank you, Trisha. If you'll let the team back at the district, let them know that we are we're we're pleased with the
the progress and pleased with the the uh the award and so so thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner. >> All right. Next up, regional trail connectivity and wildlife. Jean Sanchez.
Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. Jean Sanchez with the Community Development Department. Staff is bringing forward tonight an early stage opportunity to explore a potential trail connection that could enhance regional connectivity while also
aligning with conservative prior or conservation priorities. Staff has formally initiated coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife and they're currently evaluating whether the parcels of interest align with wildlife corridor priorities and eligibility criteria.
At this stage, there is no concept design yet. This is simply an introduction to the opportunity at that coord as that coordination continues. Here's the general study area. The focus is a potential connection across State Road 429 on our northernmost um portion
of the city, which currently acts as a barrier to the east west movement. creates an opportunity to close a gap and link into existing and planned regional trail systems and north toward Lake County's neighborhood lakes trail head and potentially south towards the
west orange trail which of course leads to the coast to coast trail. From a planning standpoint, this would function as a connector rather than a standalone trail segment. It also supports implementation of the city's active transportation network study by
addressing a documented connectivity gap and strengthening connections to regional trail networks. In addition, it brings trail access closer to the Kelly Park interchange area, supporting the mixeduse walkable environment planned there and helping meet demand for
recreational and active transportation amenities. This effort builds on an existing regional partnership framework um involving Central Florida Expressway, Florida Fish and Wildlife and local governments like Orange and Oyola
counties at Split Oak Forest. I'm not sure if y'all are are familiar with it. It's located in southeast Orange and Oyola counties near Moss Park and stay on 417. That coordination resulted in a mitigation approach tied to the Oyola
Parkway Extension where transportation impacts were addressed alongside conservation priorities. That framework included land acquisition, long-term management funding, and the incorporation of wildlife crossings and trail connectivity. What we're exploring
here is whether a similar approach could apply where trail connection also supports wildlife corridor objectives. FWC is currently evaluating whether the parcels under consideration align with their criteria, including whether they fall within a functionally fall or
functionally support wildlife management area or wildlife and environmental area and those optimum boundaries. That determination will help inform whether this concept could be eligible for related funding opportunities at this stage. And as and as mentioned
earlier, this is simply an initial introduction of the opportunity. Staff will continue coordination with FWC and CFX as the evaluation moves forward. If FWC determines that the concept aligns with the wildlife corridor priorities and potential funding, the next step
would be to look more closely at feasibility at a higher level and potential uh partnership opportunities. If those efforts indicate that this is a viable path forward, we would return to the commission with a more refined concept for further discussion. Staff is
available for questions. >> Any questions for Jean? I gave her this project. This been almost a year ago. And um so the stars have aligned with with the um CFX and
their their agreement to they got $25 million that they need to spend on mitigation for the split oak. And so there's an opportunity us for us to get CFX dollars that need to go to these kind of projects. And then um the Wikava
State Park is is number four on the on the state like Florida forever grant program. So, I think I think the stars align very well. I think it's just just north of the the KPI as well. So, I think there's a lot of opportunities for Wild Oaks and and the others over in the
KPI to be able to use this this trail system. Uh will be not a a paved one, but a but a more of a I I think >> it might be we'll try to keep it as natural as possible as possible. But so
anyway, it's it's if we can pull it off, it's you know, it's probably a 600 acre could be up to 600 acres of land that we'll be able to um to uh to put into conservation and then and by the connections but to the um uh
neighborhood lakes trail head. It's just what a what a benefit to the city of Apka and and all of uh northwest Orange County and Lake County. So, thank you, Jean, for for working hard on this and hopefully we'll bring that to fruition. Thank you.
>> All right. Next up, um got four consent agenda items. Does anybody need to pull them from the dis or from the public? >> If not, look for a motion to approve. >> So, move. >> Got a motion by Commissioner Smith. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Anderson. All those in favor?
>> I. All oppose. Motion carries unanimously. Uh business item one which we're going to uh we're we're postponing. I was hoping to have an agreement from empower on the the um the issues as it comes to the um um
the settlement on our pension funds but we don't have a any any settlement offer from empower so have to push that off. Next up annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year ending September 30th 2025. getting the mayor and
commissioners. Um, we have Mr. Daniel Anderson, the partner with Maldin and Jenkins. He's the audit partner on this on our the city of Apopka's audit. He's here tonight to present the audit results for the FY 2025 audit.
>> Thank you, Blanch. Uh, good evening, Mr. Mayor, commissioners. As Blanch mentioned, my name is Daniel Anderson. I'm the audit partner in charge of the city's 2025 fiscal year and audit and I've got a brief presentation here to go over the audit results with you guys.
Um Malda Jenkins uh we did serve as your auditors. We've been your auditor for a few years now. Uh just some highlights about our firm and our practice. We are a large regional audit organization with offices throughout the southeast. While today is tax day in a CPA firm, uh our
firm's actually largest niche is our governmental practice serving over 750 governments within that footprint. This includes approximately 200 municipalities such as the city and 180 plus entities that seek and receive the GFOA award for cert for excellence in
financial reporting which the city seeks and receives on an annual basis. We also have extensive experience performing single audits which I'll hit on a little bit more here having over 350 of those clients who have to undergo a single audit on an annual basis.
Uh this slide really just breaks down the annual comprehensive financial report. It is a very large document so it can be cumbersome to go through. Uh the financial section is the only thing that's actually required in accordance with the accounting standards. The introductory section and statistical sections listed here is where the city
has chosen to go above and beyond what the required minimum is uh to provide some additional information which includes that transmitt letter in the introductory section as well as 10 years worth of information on financial trends, revenue and debt capacity information as well as operating
information within that statistical section. uh our requirements in performing an audit is to issue our opinion on the effectiveness of the of the financial statements. Uh in determining our opinion, we do evaluate the city's
internal control structure to help us with our risk assessment and designing our procedures. However, we don't express an opinion on the effectiveness of those internal controls. We did perform our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as well as government auditing standards to support that opinion. And in our
opinion, the financial statements are free of material misstatement. So we have issued an unmodified opinion which is the highest form of assurance that we can render. The financial statements ultimately are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to support our opinion in accordance with
the auditing standards. In performing the audit, we also have a few additional reports that we issue in the back of the audit or the audited financial statements. One is a report that we refer to as a yellowbook report and that's our report of our tests of internal controls and compliance with respect to laws, rules, and regulations.
This is a negative assurance report. So, we only identify findings of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies if there were any identified. We're not expressing an opinion. Happy to report that we did have no findings of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the current year. For the 2025 fiscal
year, the city spent more than $1 million in federal awards as well as $750,000 in state awards. So, we were required to perform a single audit with respect to compliance and internal controls over compliance of major grant programs. Our single audit covered
approximately uh $1.5 million of the $5 million in federal awards as well as 767,000 of the about million dollars in state expenditures. and we identified no issues with respect to the use of these
funds. Uh the auditing standards require us to go through some sign or some required communications to governance which I'll try and go through here quickly. Uh first and foremost like the financial statements management is responsible for the accounting policies that are described in note one of the financial
statements. There were no new standards implemented in 2025 that had a significant effect on the city's financial statements. Uh the policies we did evaluate to ensure that they are in accordance to generally accepted accounting principles. The financial statements also include a few significant
estimates. Uh the most significant estimates for the city are the fair value of your investments. Actuarial assumptions in determining your net pension and total oped liabilities as well as the depreciable lives of your capital assets. We evaluate these in performance of the audit and determine
those to be reasonable and appropriate as well. We received full cooperation from management and staff in performing our audit. Blanch and her team did a great job of answering our questions and getting us the information in a timely manner. We had no disagreements with management over the application of any
accounting policies or procedures. We did obtain written representation from management at the conclusion of the audit over the information provided to us. We're not aware of management's consultations with other accountants or what we refer to as opinion shopping. No significant issues discussed with
management to bring to your attention. We did have several audit adjustments in performing the audit. However, none of these were significant enough that would, you know, reach the barrier of a significant def deficiency or material weakness. And all of these adjustments have been posted by management. There
were no past audit adjustments where management elects not to post an audit adjustment that we recommend. We did evaluate the footnote disclosures to ensure they have all the required information in accordance with the accounting standards. Mold Jenkins is independent with respect to the city and able to perform your
financial statement audit in accordance with the AICPA professional standards. Uh you should have a couple items that were handed out. One is the annual comprehensive financial report and the other is uh a lot of these required communications that I went through in a written format uh that we refer to as
our auditor's discussion and analysis that also has some information about upcoming Gazsby pronouncements that will be implemented by the city in future fiscal years. There is a new pronouncement that will be in effect for 2026 with respect to the financial reporting model. So, you will see some
changes on where things are presented in the financial statements, but not how we're accounting for anything that's reported within the financial statements. Um, and you know, we'll we'll work with Blanch and her team to make sure that those all get implemented accordingly as well. That's the presentation that I have for
you. I think the last thing that I'll just point out is I know that you guys received hard copies of these just before the meeting here. If any of you would like to meet individually to go over any questions that you have at a later date, I'm happy to come back and meet with you guys at that time. So, just let Blanch know and she can forward that information on to me and we can get
something scheduled. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Any any questions for Daniel? >> Okay. Anybody from the public wish to speak on this one? If not, look for a motion to >> I think someone's >> Oh, I'm sorry.
Just for clar Sylvester Hall, just for clarification for myself, the package that you received, you just received a hard copy, but you did have a copy of it before now, right? >> I don't believe so. >> So, the the audit that we're getting
now, this is the first time you guys are seeing it, >> correct? >> All right. Thank you. Just for the record. Anybody else? All right. All right. We're looking for a motion to approve the annual comprehensive financial report for
fiscal year ending September 30th, 2025 as presented by Malden and Jenkins LLC. >> So move. >> Got a motion by Commissioner Smith, >> but we haven't really reviewed it. So um >> yeah, what are we accepting here?
>> Yeah. Again the the requirement is that for to present it and issue it. That's all. I mean we can't change anything in this report. This is not our report. It is their report. >> But we don't >> you don't it's technically you don't have >> received right. But basically >> received. Okay.
>> Okay. So we don't have to do any motion or anything. >> It doesn't change anything. >> Okay. >> It's just been the formality that's been the process but >> you know it's not a requirement. It doesn't change anything. The report has been presented and it has been issued. Okay. >> Okay. No, then then everything's good then in that capacity. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Then we don't need to take a vote on it then. >> So it's up to you. >> If you don't want to vote, that's fine. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Next up, ordinance number 3150. Ordinance number 3150, an ordinance of the city council of the city of Apka,
Florida, amending the comprehensive plan of the city of Apka by amending the future land use element, the flu to update policy, tables, map references, and supporting text related to the Kelly Park interchange form base code and the town center over relate district
providing for transmitt providing for severability providing for conflicts and providing for an effective date. Jean, any changes? >> No, sir. No changes. >> All right. Anybody from the public wish to speak on this one? If not, we'll close the public hearing. Look for
motion to adopt ordinance number 3150. >> Got a motion by Commissioner Nesa. >> This is the second one. Second. >> Second by Commissioner Velasquez. All those in favor? I. All oppose. Motion carries unanimously. Next up, ordinance number 3118.
>> Ordinance number 3118. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Apakka, Florida, amending the code of ordinances of the city of Apakka by amending part three, appendix A, mixeduse Kelly Park interchange MUKPI formbbased code, appendix C to create
and establish a town center overlay district and associated development standards. Providing for codification, providing for severability, providing for conflicts, and providing for an effective date. >> Any changes? >> No, sir. Okay. Anybody from the public
wish to speak on this one? >> No, we'll close the public. Albert became 3603 Golden Gem Road. I have no issues with this developer. However, I do have issues with this administration is how it's handling things. The pioneering agreement
stipulates no certificates of occupancy would be issued until certain roads within the KPI were completed. Golden Gem Road is not included within the Pioneer Agreement, although Miss Tedro did say that the developer would assist in the rehabilitation of the easement in
front of their property. At its narrowest, Golden Gem Road is only 18'9 in wide. Not sufficient for a fire service vehicle to safely pass a car, never mind a school bus without one vehicle being forced onto the heart shoulder. Golden Gem Road is 2 miles
long and has double yellow lines its entire length. Can the developer explain what rehabilitation means since the boundary of their property in Golden Gem Road is approximately one mile long? Since potentially buildings 10 stories high will be on their property along with a
helipad, would the developer consider either a temporary or permanent fire service station situated within Wild Oaks as a solution to the problem we face with Golden Gem Road being brought up to standard
before uh developments within Wild Oaks are occupied. >> Anybody else from the public? Okay. If not, we'll close the public hearing. Look for a motion to adopt ordinance number 3118. >> So moved. >> Got a motion by Commissioner Neesa. >> Second.
>> Second by Commissioner Smith. All those in favor? >> I. All oppose. Motion carries unanimously. Next up, ordinance number 3132. >> Ordinance number 3132. An ordinance of the city of Apopka, Florida, amending the future land use element of the Apopa comprehensive plan
of the city of Apopka changing the future land use designation from mixed use and commercial to industrial for property located at 606 South Hawthorne Avenue owned by Reason for the Season LLC comprising 7.68 acres more or less
providing for severability conflicts and an effective date. >> June, >> no changes. No changes. Okay. Anybody from the public wish to speak on this one? If not, we'll close the public hearing. Look for a motion to adopt ordinance number 3132.
>> So move. >> Got a motion by Commissioner Smith. >> Second. Second by Commissioner Nesa. All those in favor. >> All opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Next up, ordinance number 3133. >> Ordinance number 3133.
An ordinance of the city of Aapka, Florida, changing the zoning from MUSGT, mixeduse eastshore gateway to IL Light Industrial for certain real property generally located at 606 South Hawthorne Avenue owned by reason by the reason for
the season LLC comprising 7.68 acres more or less providing for severability conflicts and an effective date. >> June, any changes? >> No changes. Anybody from the public wish to speak on this one? Not. We'll close the public hearing. Look for a motion to
adopt ordinance number 3133. So move. >> Got a motion by Commissioner Smith. >> Second. Second by Commissioner Nesa. All those in favor? I. All oppose. Motion carries unanimously. Next up, ordinance number 3155. >> Ordinance number 3155.
An ordinance of the city of Apopka, Florida to extend its territorial and municipal limits to annex pursuant to Florida statute 171.0. 044 the here and after described lands situated and being in Orange County, Florida, owned by
Adelbert D. Rollers III and Adelbert D. Rollers Jr. located on the southwest corner of Rock Springs Road in Sebastian Springs Lane comprising of 3.46 acres more or less providing for directions to the city clerk, severability, conflicts,
and an effective date. >> Any changes? >> No changes. >> Okay. Anybody from the PL wish to speak on this one? Mr. Mayor, members of the city commission, Lonnie Grud again. I'm just here if you have any questions. >> Nope, we're good. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> All right. Close the public hearing.
Look for a motion to approve. Adopt ordinance number 3155. >> So moved. >> Got a motion by Commissioner Nesa. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Smith. All those in favor? I. All oppose. Motion carries unanimously. >> I had voted the first time. No.
>> Okay. So, four to one with commission. >> We both We both voted no. So, too. >> So, motion carries 3 to2 with uh Commissioner Anderson and Commissioner Velasquez in opposition. Okay. Next up, resolution 2026-23. Resolution 2026-23,
a resolution of the city of Apopka vacating an east west section of a portion of a 40 foot wide unnamed platted rideway between lots 7, 8, 9, and 10 of block G, map of Plymouth, according to the plat thereof as
recorded in plat book B, pages 17, and 18 of the public records of Orange County, Florida, providing directions to the city clerk for severability for conflicts and an effective Good evening. Bobby how planning manager. The applicant is seeking to vacate an east west section of a 40 foot wide
unimproved public rideaway located adjacent to 1112 Shopki Lester Road. Utility providers have provided letters of no objection to the proposed vacation. Applicant has indicated they would like to incorporate the portion of vacated rideway into a future development consisting of single family
residences. The development review committee does not object to the proposed vacation. This is the survey showing the uh right ofway and the recommended motion this evening is to adopt resolution 202623. Myself and the applicant are available for questions. >> Okay. >> Any questions for Bobby?
>> I just want to say that I did speak with Mr. Jonathan Hughes earlier today um because he did reach out to me because I had some questions about the vacation and so I was satisfied with the explanation that he gave. Thank you. >> All right.
>> Any other questions? Anybody from the public wish to speak on this one? If not, we'll close the public hearing. Look for a motion to approve resolution 2026-23. So move. Got >> a motion by Commissioner Vasquez. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Nesa. All those in favor? I. All oppose. Motion carries
unanimously. Next up, resolution 2026-26. >> Resolution 2026-26. A resolution of the city council of the city of Aapcoa, Florida, amending the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 and ending September
30th, 2026, providing for a budget amendment. >> Thank you, Susan. Good evening, mayor commissioners. Um, resolution number 2026-26, budget amendment number four, and we have three items in this budget amendment. The total amount of the
budget amendment is 1,583800. The first item is pertaining to an emergency designation that was in your agenda package for tonight and you did approve that emergency designation. The 1,ion438
um includes the transfer from the general fund to the streets fund because that overall increases the budget. You have to factor that. So, this is pertaining to the Wolf Creek Court by um emergency repair work by Smith site
development south. The second item was an item that was brought before council on March 4th. That was for the donation and contributions from Advent Health. When you approve that sponsorship agreement, we want to incorporate that first annual
cash payment into the budget so they can proceed with either some equipment purchase or other items. That's 70,800. The third item is another item that has come before council on February 4th, 2026.
This is when you approve the contract for site to um for the phosphorus removal demonstration program. That grant is in the amount of 75,000 and they want to begin that work. So we need to incorporate it into the budget.
>> Any questions for Blanch? >> Anybody from the public wish to speak on this one? If not, we'll close the public hearing. Look for a motion to approve resolution 2026-26. >> So >> got a motion by Commissioner Velasquez. >> Second by Commissioner Smith. All those
in favor? I. >> All opposed? Motion carries unanimous. >> Thank you. Next up, uh, Commissioner Velasquez, why don't you get us started? >> You know what? This evening belongs to you and to Commissioner Smith, so I have nothing to report. Okay, >> Commissioner Anderson. >> Uh, I guess I actually prepared
something. Sorry, get to >> I would like to take a moment during my commissioner's report to honor and acknowledge Commissioner Smith and Mayor Nelson for their years of dedicated service to our city. It has truly been a pleasure. It has truly been both a
pleasure and an honor to serve alongside each you each of you over the past two years. Commissioner Smith, Pastor Smith, I do have one question for you. Who will be carrying the mantle of opening our
meetings in prayer? >> That's a good question. Your presence in that role has been meaningful and impactful and and it will clearly be missed. Mayor Nelson, your steady leadership, wisdom and commitment to this city have helped guide us through important
moments and your presence at the dis which will be missed as well. Thank you both for your leadership, your commitment and contributions you've made to the community. I pray that God blesses each of you abundantly as you step into your next chapter.
To our newly elected officials, Commissioner Elect Ruth, Commissioner Elect Bon, Commission uh Mayor Elect Nesa, and Commissioner Vasquez. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we continue to serve the residents of the great city. That's it. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Netor. >> Yeah, absolutely. Uh, I just want to thank Commissioner Smith and Mayor Nelson for their public service. Uh, this night is to honor you guys, so I'll keep mine short. Um, my normal office hours one, I'm going to be pausing for the rest of April and May, I'll be
updating the schedules for office hours and then, uh, mayor, as long as you're open to it, we'll set up a meeting to kind of go over transitions, obviously making sure with council that it's, um, not violating Sunshine Law in any way. So, with that, thank you. >> All right, Bradley.
Uh nothing to report but uh echoing the comments uh just uh outlaid by commissioners. Uh thank you Mayor Nelson and Commissioner Smith for your service and and your leadership and guidance and uh uh it's been great working with you both and look forward to great things
for you in the future. >> Cool. All right. Anything from the attorneys? Uh just briefly on behalf of Cliff and our firm, we want to congratulate uh Mayor Lanesta and we want to thank uh Mayor Nelson and Commissioner Smith for their service. Thank you for allowing me to be here tonight.
>> Thank you. All right, Mr. Smith, it's your turn. Well, as we begin, let me first of all thank uh my Lord and Savior for this opportunity to be a servant to the city of Apaka.
They say that time is one thing that you can't get back. But looking out at all of you today, I don't feel that I've lost a second. For the last eight years, you haven't just been my constituents. You've been my neighbors, my critics, my
teachers, and my friends. When I first took office in 2018, I had a binder full of plans and a heart full of nerves. I quickly learned that leadership isn't about the name plate on the desk or the gravel in your hand. It
is about the quiet conversations that you have with the residents at the grocery store, at the restaurants, is the handshake at Friday night football games, basketball games, and the shared pride that we feel when we see one another throughout the city. We
navigated growing pains and celebrated new beginnings together. We disagreed surely, but we did not so because we cared so deeply about this city that we all call home. A great place to live, to
work, and to raise a family. To the city staff who are the unsung heartbeat of Apopka. Thank you for making me look better than I am. to our public works department for all that you have done to make this city what it is to respond to
our residents in a very timely manner. To our interim city administrator, thank you for taking the phone calls, responding to all the emails and all that you did to make this job worth
having. And I can't stop and not mention Mr. Ed Bass who was city administrator when I started here. that took me under his wings, guided me through this process every step of the way. To our finance department,
thank you for a great job, for keeping our funds secure, and for making sure that we had everything that we need in order to make this city a great place to work and to live. To our police department, thank you for
keeping us safe. to our fire department. Thank you for providing the necessary things that we needed to make sure our residents felt safe in our community. To my wife, Linda, thank you for all the support you've
given over these eight years, the times that I've been away from home, sometime knowing where I was and sometime not. Thank you for the love that you shared, for making sure that I had clothes to put on every morning,
for the breakfastes you provided because you knew that I didn't know how to stop for lunch or dinner. So, you made sure that I had a wholesome meal before leaving home. Thank you to my two daughters and three sons who are watching by YouTube. Thank you for all
the support you've given. Thank you for sharing me with this city and for being my harbor when the waters got choppy. To my campaign manager, Monnique Mars, thank you for an outstanding job through
all the campaigns for providing all the necessary documents needed to make sure I remain legal, out of jail. Thank you for all of the suggestions you made along the way to make this load a
lot easier. Thank you for being the photographer, the videographer, asking you where are the pictures. I want to say thank you for keeping the calendar and make sure I knew where I was supposed to be in a timely manner. As I come to the end of this chapter in
my life and not the end of the book but the end of the chapter, I want to let Apopka know that I've enjoyed being here and I'm just moving to the other side of the DAS. I'm going back to being a resident who's lucky enough to live in the best city in the state of Florida.
It has been an honor to for me to have served and I leave this seat with a full heart knowing that our best days are still ahead. Want to say congratulations to Commissioner Elect Sam Ruth.
Congratulations to Commissioner Elect. >> I always call it Jesse. And also to our incoming mayor, Nick Nessie. We wish you the best and we pray that God will continue to lead you and guide you as you continue to lead this city even on to greater heights. Thank
you. God bless Abanka. And may I failed to mention my church family. I I got to go back to church. Folks, I do want to thank my church family for all the support that they've given and uh to Minister Hope who was here tonight that when I wasn't able to
be at church or prayer meeting and Bible study, he filled in that gap. So, I'm appreciative to all that he's done. And of course, you know that I'm standing on the shoulders of Lonzo Williams and Commissioner Billy Dean. Thank you. >> Boy, this hard act to follow right
there. Well, as my two terms as mayor of Apakka come to an end, I'd like to first thank our incredible staff for helping me implement our vision for Apka. Eight year years ago, we are headed for financial disaster, and our first goal was to get us out of financial hole that
had been created. With the help of my trusted friend, Ed Bass, we chipped away at the excess spending, reduced general fund debt by 96%, and increased our reserves by over $25 million. We have also put 25% reserve policy in
place. We've increased funding for our three pension funds and started a perpetual fund for the cemetery operations. As a model for transparency, we have increased the days that our commissioners have to review the agenda. Have had every check approved by the
commissioners and conducted city business completely within the sunshine. When CO reared its ugly head, we began streaming all city commission meetings on YouTube. to ensure everyone could be safe but still be a part of the commission
meetings. Our list of accomplishments and I mean hours are many with each department being stronger and more accomplished than ever. Our police department and communications
department have both been certified and as a result of rigorous policy and procedure enhancements and they now continue to be the envy of Central Florida and both were reconfirmed that this year our fire department opened
fire station 6, added additional firefighter to each engine and increased fire and medical reimbursements by over $4 million a year. But last but certainly not least, we reconfirmed our ISO1 rating. Last year, we have created
new fire training positions and have increased our commit committed hours of training each month for each and everyone. We have added over 50 first responders since my time in office to make sure the citizens of Papka are well protected. Our public services team has
made vast improvements to their operation with many projects completed in construction and or beginning design. We have completed multiple wells drilled into the lower aquifer, added two massive water tanks, resurfaced over 6.4 miles of roads this year alone, added
two miles of sidewalks and trails, and replaced over a thousand LED street lights. We have signed a contract to redesign the Golden Gym reclaimed water ponds and have the pump station in design phase to make reclaimed water more available in the northwest side of town. We have replaced
3,000 ft of asbestous pipe and reduce the number of non-functioning water meters to the industry standard. On the economic front, our team has completed the Fifth Street parking lot, begun to enhance the downtown district with Odd Guys Brewing, Propagate Social House,
True Coffee Halls on Fifth, and the soontobe opening Indian Beastro to completed to complete to complement our Friday night markets on Fifth Street. We have al also opened up the Hilton Garden Inn, Miller's Ale House, and the
soontobe announced steakhouse in the town center. We have completed two $1 million grants to complete sidewalks, trails, and rebuild eight houses in the CRA. Our finance team received the GFOA certificate of excellence budget presentation award for the 19th
consecutive year, cleaned up past audit findings, and started the transition to a more robust financial software package, which will integrate all the departments into a cohesive unit, giving staff and residents alike almost real-time financial data right at their
fingertips. Our team applied for and received over $30 million in grants this year alone. Our parks and wreck team has made great strides with the purchase of the 100-year-old historic Camp Wiiwa, the current construction of the six new
multi-purpose fields, the foring the funding of four new softball fields, 10 new pickle ball, and five new tennis courts, and we built the all-inclusive playground at Northwest. We have also added multiple enhancements to Alonzo Williams Park, including the Billy Dean
Community Center and major improvements to the park itself. The city has inked a deal with the Paluti Group for 150 acre passive park near our northwest complex. We have completely renovated the Fran Carlton Community Center and the community center on Central and add a
skate park, pump track, splash pad, and amphitheater to our downtown area. We have also entertained hundreds of thousands of music enthusiasts at the Apakka amphitheater for our free concert series, Saturday Sounds, that begun because of the COVID
shutdown. Because of Saturday Sounds, we are now booking more paid concerts, making Apakka more renowned as a destination. I'm also proud to have had a hand in all four of the Legends of Apakka Black History Month events and the annual Hispanic Heritage Celebrations.
Now, for those who have been with me my entire journey in politics, my initial interest in politics would do was due to the long and illustrious career of Mayor Lamb, which I called Uncle John. To me, his grace and passion for public service set a high bar for
those who represent Apopka. Without a doubt, my first term would not have been as successful without the help of Edward Bass. His financial background helped me to hit the ground running and manage my first budget. His guidance and support will never be forgotten. It has been
been a very great honor and pleasure to serve alongside my good friend Commissioner Alexander Smith along with the other members here on the city council who commissioner Smith who served our our city well as a thoughtful servant leader and should be celebrated for his commitment. We have many friends
too to too many to recognize that have helped me along the way with friendly advice, campaign help, and an encouraging word or two. to my sidekick to my sidekick sidekick Stacy Vancamp.
For the last 11 years, she's made my job look easy. With behind the scenes support and thinking about what my next move should be, even before I did, she never missed a deadline and never said she
couldn't do something even on short notice. and to my good friend Bradley Williams who stepped into the very large shoes that Edward Bass wore and made a huge difference in getting our water me water meter issue under control. As to my family, they have been my rock
through all it all. My parents Earl and Flo Nelson have been with me during the multiple campaigns always encouraging me to pres represent our residents proudly. My son Reed and daughter Linda have always supported my political career, walking
neighborhoods, helping with my speeches, and just being there for me. Their spouses, Lacy, and Doug, and my grandchildren, Reed, Hannah, and Luke, have missed me at many family events because of my duties as mayor of the pop of Apopka. They are proud of my service to Apopka, but are
glad to have me back for all those basketball, soccer games, school functions, dance, football, Girl Scouts, and maybe even a little time for fishing. as to my wife Debbie who's been with me for 46 years.
We have accomplished a lot together, not only in Tallahassee, but Orange County and Apakka as well. She has put aside her ambitions to help me accomplish my political goals, which ultimately made the lives of those who elected me just a little bit better.
But because but without her at with her at my side, many of the accomplishments would not have been possible. and for that I am forever grateful. I love you and can't wait for the next chapter in our lives. Thanks everyone who have been a part of this 8-year journey. We have
accomplished a lot of amazing things and we leave the city in a much better place than we found it. I will never forget those who helped us accomplish all of our goals and more. And I'm here to help in any way I can to make sure that Apaka 10 years from now is even more successful than today. So with that,
meeting a journal.