What? Good evening. We'll call the uh Winter Haven City Commission meeting of Monday, February 9th, 2026 to order. Uh can we get a roll call, please, Latona? >> Yes, sir. >> Commissioner Davis, >> here.
>> Commissioner Dalison >> here. Commissioner Bird Song >> here, >> Mayor Pro Tim Mercer >> here, and Mayor Yates >> here. >> Thank you. Uh we'll have an invocation this evening from Pastor Greta Walker of the New Bethl African Methodist
Episcopal Church followed by the pledge of allegiance led by uh Deputy City Clerk Latana Harris. Uh if that with please stand if able. Thank you. Let [snorts] us pray.
Thank you, Lord, for being our refuge and strength. Thank you for the men and women that work so hard for the city of Winter Haven. God, continue to give them wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to continue to address every need for the great
people of Winter Haven, Florida. Protect them and continue to bless them. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. Amen. Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mayor and commissioners, you have two presentations this evening. Deputy City Manager Carnival will present these uh
on behalf of city manager's office. >> Okay. Our first proclamation this evening, mayor and city commissioners, is Miss for Miss Angeline Katon Davis, uh I believe was HERE THIS EVENING. >> [applause] >> I WILL GO AHEAD AND READ THIS. Whereas the city of Winter Haven recognizes how
diversity inclusion are woven into the fabric of American life and solidify the foundation of strong communities. And whereas in 2021, the city of Winter Haven began celebrating Black History Month by recognizing local heroes who have made a significant impact on the community. And whereas a group of community leaders came together and
identified local heroes who blaze new trails while demonstrating passion, dedication, and compassion for the community. And whereas one hero will be recognized for each week of Black History Month 2026. And whereas Miss Angela Katon Davis is recognized as one of these local heroes. And whereas Miss
Davis pursued a career in nursing and dedicated several decades of professional service as a private duty caregiver, demonstrating compassion and care for individuals and families throughout the community. And whereas Miss Davis has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to civic and volunteer service, youth mentorship, and her
contributions were recognized when she was named the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce woman of the year in 2001 and selected as Pa as a PK County Pioneer by the Pulk County Historical Society. Now therefore, William Brian Yates, mayor of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, does hereby recognize the week of February
15, 2026 as Angela Katon Davis Week in the city of Winter Haven, in recognition of her lifelong service, mentorship, and enduring contributions to the community. In witness whereof, he is here to set his hand and cause the seal of the city of Winter Haven, Florida to be affixed this 9th day of February, 2026,
signed William B. Yates, mayor. Attest Vanessa Castillo, CITY CLERK. >> [applause] >> I WOULD LIKE TO thank each and everyone for honoring me. I've done the best I could in the
community of Winter Haven, especially with my young people. I love my young people. The boys club, the boot camp, juvenile. I've worked at all of them and I hope [clears throat] somebody else will pick this up and keep it going
because our young people really need us today. Thank you very, very much. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> One, two, three. One more. >> Yes. [applause]
>> [applause] [laughter] >> All right. >> Just want everybody to know that Mrs. Davis is going to be a hund years old. >> [applause and cheering] >> OH MY GOD. [applause]
That's remarkable. [laughter] >> Wow. >> All right, mayor and commissioners. Our next proclamation is for Mr. Joe Nathan Halman Jr. who I saw here in the audience. Come up to the podium. Whereas in 2021, the city of Winter
Haven began recognizing local heroes during Black History Month who have made a lasting impact on the community. And whereas community leaders identified local heroes who demonstrated leadership, service, and commitment to the Winter Haven community. Whereas one hero will be recognized for each week of Black History Month 2026. And whereas
Joe Nathan Halman Jr. is recognized as one of these local heroes for a lifetime of service spanning faith, law enforcement, and public administration. And whereas Mr. Hman served his country in the United States Army and Florida National Guard and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy. He dedicated more than
30 years to the Pole County Sheriff's Office, rising through the ranks to become the first black major and chief of law enforcement. And whereas following his law enforcement career, Mr. Hullman continued his public service as the first black deputy county manager for public safety in Pulk County and currently serves as the director of public safety for the city of Hayes
City. And whereas Mr. Hullman is the founder and senior pastor of Greater Works Ministries of Winter Haven with oversight of ministries across the region. He is widely recognized as a decorated and influential leader inducted into the Pulk County School Hall of Fame and recipient of numerous civic and faith-based honors whose
legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to service, faith, leadership, and community trust. Now, therefore, William B. Yates, mayor of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, does hereby recognize the week of February 22nd, 2026 as Joe Nathan Halman Jr. week in the city of Winter Haven in recognition of his
distinguished public service, leadership, and contributions to the community. A witness whereof, he has here to set his hand and cause the seal of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, to be affixed this 9th day of February, 2026. Signed, William B. Yates, mayor. Attest Vanessa Castillo, city clerk.
[applause] >> [applause] >> to our mayor, commissioners, uh, city staff, certainly to my family and church family. I'm humbled to be here tonight because the truth be told, when I was about 14, I started as a cadet with the
city of Winter Haven. Uh, then you had School Boy and Gay Henry and all those guys who really taught me about uh, public safety. And so I'm I'm forever grateful after 40 years to be standing here to be recognized by my home city,
Winter Haven. And thank you for recognizing me. [applause] the camera. All right. Okay. One, two, three. One more for me. One, two, three.
>> All right. Thank you. [applause] >> [clears throat] [snorts] >> Okay, we've got no developments of note this evening. We do have one set of minutes from January 26, 2026. >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes.
>> Move approval of the minutes. >> Thank you. Any discussion or questions on the minutes? All those in favor of approving the minutes signify by saying I. I. >> Oppose like sign. Motion carries.
Comments from the audience. We do have four that have signed up this evening. Um, one of them listed an agenda item. So, normally what we do is if there's a specific agenda item that you wish to
speak to, please wait until that agenda item comes and then we'll call you at that time. If you have a general comment or questions, please feel free to go ahead and come up now. This is your time. So, I'll call out um Mr. Watt, I know you you've got
9B on here. Uh Bob and Patty, I think. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. You've got an agenda item. >> Well, actually, I'm with Brian. I thought that was a sign in sheet.
>> Okay. Well, we we'll call you up at on 9B then. >> Uh Reverend Greta Walker, I think just maybe you just signed in. Uh Scott Short, come on up. just a name and address and you have five minutes.
>> Thank you. Uh my name is Scott Short. I live at 2610 Windsor Oaks Court, Winter Haven. Um and thank you commissioners for giving me this opportunity. I appreciate your commitment. And [laughter] um I'm here today on behalf of uh I have
some issues with uh the current city's contracting p practices. Um I'm a lifelong citizen of Winter Haven. My and my family been here our whole life. Um I'm currently or have been the president
of Sinstate Contractors and also AAA top quality asphalt. Uh, Sinstate's a company I started right here in Winter Haven in 1985. We're going on 41 years of being in the business. Um, our prime focus is working on and building and
constructing water and wastewater facilities. We've done that since I got out of engineering school. It's what our company uh concentrates on. And uh during that time, most all of our work has pretty much been government or
municipal work. Um, so, uh, that's 45 years of that for me. Uh, we've also done approximately close to 40 projects for the city of Winter Haven. These are in various sizes, small
jobs to we've done some considerable expansions at both wastewater plants and uh, work at your water plants. We've done lift stations. We've done underground utilities. Um, the reason I'm here today is because the
city uh has started using alternative methods to acquire their contractors for their work. Uh, most all the years that I've been in business, it's been common to have a uh design, bid, build type
contract. Uh, this has become more common now. I know with the type of processes you guys are using some um the doing this kind of circumvents the competitive bid process which we've been used to. Um so this past Friday I
attended your rating meeting of three contractors that turned in proposals to build your two new water plants. I attended that meeting and um that's for building the Cypresswood and the Pard Road water treatment plants. Um
the city received three proposals all from out of the county. Um one is probably one of the largest contractors building plants in the state of Florida. The second one was a company
that does mainly vertical construction, builds buildings. The third one was from a company that just got started doing this kind of work. I know they've done some other related work. Now they've just started to start doing some um [clears throat]
plant work. The outcome of that rating was exactly what I told my staff before I attended. when I attended the contractor that got the highest rating um unanimously.
Um and in my opinion, the staff had no really option. That was the contractor that does this kind of work. Um, my concern is that you've done this and right now if you proceed with this
contractor, this contractor currently already has your wastewater treatment plant. I'm not sure the size of that plant 6000 million. I know it's very large. Now, you've got two water plants estimated to be about $25 million. And
then lastly, they're also the contractor for the Pulk Regional Water Cooperative, which you're a party of that I know is over 600 million. So that gives you an idea of how large this company is because you're just a piece of their puzzle. Um,
so I'm here today because after witnessing these events, uh, I think the city needs to reconsider how they're going to proceed with this. And personally, uh, I think these jobs need to be put out to public bid. Um,
uh, I understand you already have consultants working on the design, which is typical for this type of process, and they should be pretty far along in their uh, putting these proposals together. And since you have two different
consultants, one at each plant, I feel you should put these plants out for bids individually. I can tell you I've got enough experience. Oops. Give you 30 more seconds.
>> Give me 30 more seconds. Okay. I think you should uh consider doing that. And I'll end it real quickly with something I want to state real quick here. Probably most of you know Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson in Lake Wales. They had a
bid for their cemetery last week and he was quoted as uh I commend the bid as a dramatic example of the strength of competitive bidding. You're in a process where you don't have competitive bidding and you
don't have control. You might be involved in the process, but I've been around long enough to know how this system works. I've been involved with some of them being asked me to be part of their team. So today, as a local company, a citizen, and also
a utility user here in Winter Haven, uh I'm asking that you give consideration to transparency and how we do business in this city. >> Thank you for your comments. Um, we'll have a member of staff get with you, make sure we have your correct contact
information and uh we'll we'll have conversations with staff on where the bidding process is as of today and and how it's changed over the years. I know since being elected, my number one has always been it should be local
contractors when at all possible. So, we'll see if there's adjustments that have come down from the state level that have forced this one way or the other, but we we'll we'll look into the issues that uh you brought this evening and uh we'll follow back up with you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. No one else has signed up. However, if anyone else would like to speak to any item that's not on the agenda tonight, tonight now is the opportunity. Seeing none, we'll move forward.
We have ordinance 026-05. City attorney, will you read by title only? >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-26-05, an ordinance amending chapter 21 of the code of ordinances of the city of Winter Haven, Florida by reszoning a portion of a parcel from plan unit development PUD
zoning district to commercial- highway C3 and conservation CN zoning districts. providing for the administrative correction of scrimmers errors, repealing all ordinances in conflict or with and providing an effective date. The general location, the southern portion of a parcel, generally located at the southwest corner of the
intersection of Cypress Gardens Boulevard and US Highway 27. The area covered by this request is 26.64 plus or minus acres. Thank you, >> city manager. >> Mayor, commissioners, I'm going to ask Eric Labby to give comment on this.
There have been no changes since first reading, however. Yes, sir. Mayor, commissioners, uh, as city manager noted, there are are no changes from first reading, uh, Timothy Campbell is a petitioner and he requests the city reszone a portion of a parcel from plan unit development zoning
district to commercial highway C3 and conservation zoning districts. The undeveloped property contains approximately 26.64 acres. The current PUD, which is ordinance 0223, permits up to 313 multifamily residential units on the
subject property. The northern portion of the of the parcel uh is subject to PUD ordinance 02519, which generally follows the C3 zoning district for uses and development intensities. Uh through discussions with staff, the
petitioner has indicated that an automotive dealership and accessory service department intends to relocate to this property. Um the surrounding uses are denoted in your fact sheet. With regard to infrastructure, the dealership is expected to generate
significantly less demand on water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure than the currently permitted multifamily residential use. Uh in addition, it eliminates all impacts on PK County Public Schools. Uh as per uh our or our code, uh final
concurrency determination will be made at the time uh that we receive a site plan uh approval. This is consistent with our comprehensive plan. It is exempt from require from providing a business impact estimate. Uh the planning commission did
hear this on January 6th of 2026. recommended approval of this request. No members of the public spoke. Staff does recommend the city commission approve ordinance 0265. Thank you. >> Thank you, commissioners. Mr. Mayor, >> yes.
>> Move approval of ordinance O 2605 on second reading, public hearing. >> Okay, we have a motion for approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Would anyone like to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public
hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Is there any other discussion on this item? All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I. >> Oppose. Like sign. Motion carries. Okay. Next up, we've got ordinance
026-06, city attorney by title only, please. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-26-06, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, approving the contraction of the boundaries of the Villimar Community Development District pursuant to chapter 190 Florida statutes, describing the
amended external boundaries of the district, describing the functions and powers of the district, providing notice of requirements, providing a severability clause, and for the administrative correction of scrimmers errors, and providing for an effective date. The general location. The area covered by this request is generally located north of Cunningham Road and
west of Lake Cunningham, also known as Crystal Lake and south of Grassy Lake. The area that is removed from the boundaries of the existing Villimar Community Development District by this request is 51.62 plus or minus acres. Thank you. >> Thank you, city manager.
>> Again, Mr. Labby will present this item for your consideration on second reading. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Mayor, commissioners, uh, Villar Community Development District has filed a petition with the city requesting to contract the boundaries of the CDD as permitted by
chapter 190. 55 sub 2 of Florida statutes. The CDD uh, presently consists of approximately 583.79 acres. Uh, it has developed in seven phases totaling 2002 lots in within the
Villimar subdivision. uh and they were platted between 2020 and 2025. The area containing the proposed contraction of the CDD is approximately 51.62 acres. The area was proposed to be developed as phase 8 of the Villimar
subdivision. With removal of this area uh to be contracted, the total area of the Villimar CDD will be approximately 532.17 acres. The petitioner has submitted a statement of estimated regulatory costs for the Villimar CDDD boundary amendment. The statement indicates the
proposed boundary amendment will have no adverse impact uh on the entities identified in chapter 120.541 sub 2 of Florida statutes nor will be nor will there be any adverse financial impact to the state or the city. In
accordance with chapter 190 of Florida statutes, the petitioner has uh published notice of this request uh in the ledger for four consecutive weeks prior to the second reading and public hearing which is tonight. Uh this request makes an amendment to the
boundaries of of the Villimar CDD in accordance with section with section 166.41 41 of the Florida statutes and and ordinances related to the community development district are exempt from providing a business impact statement. [clears throat]
Staff recommends the city commission approve ordinance 02606 and authorize the city manager or his designate to take all further actions related there too. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um
before I call for commissioners, I just have a quick question. So, can you just plain plain English what I what this does? >> Yes, sir. Um, a few uh about a month or so back um
there was a zoning change request um regarding this parcel to change it from the uh res the residential um Villimar phase 8 as it was designated in the in the PD to commercial. That request was approved. um that is a residential CDD.
Um and so this effectively removes that from that residential CDD. >> Uncomplicated. Now, thank you. >> And Mr. Mayor and Commission, just for the record, there are there's some sworn testimony that's part of the agenda packet that was provided in this for
this reading. I think we talked about that at the Wednesday's worktop agenda review meeting. So, that is there to support the petitioner's request for >> Yeah, that's fine. I just it gets lost in all the >> sure >> the legal uh uh side of things. So just
wanted to keep it simple. Um with that commissioners >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes. >> Uh motion to approve ordinance 026 uh 06 um uh [clears throat] on public on second reading and public hearing.
>> Okay. Thank you. Motion's been made for approval. We'll close the commission meeting. We'll open the public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item? And I know we've got Mr. Watt. You've signed up to speak. So, we'll have Brian Watt up first.
>> You have uh if we just get your name and address and you have five minutes. >> My name is Brian Watt. I live at 2824 San Marco Way in phase six of Villimar. The property in question, which we lovingly call the flats, is adjacent to
where we live. We already see the large hardened pad pads um put in place uh the beginnings of roads. Uh I share the concern of almost 1,800 residents of the area of what is going in there.
Honorable commission, Mr. Mayor, we wanted to at least read into the record our objection to this development. We are objecting primarily not to development, but to the way by which it was communicated. We've read the defense
of the commission saying that it was put into a public notice, which was the Winter Haven Sun, not the Lakeland Ledger. It was put up uh we were told that uh standard Winter Haven signs were put up along Thompson Nursery Road. We have evidence of maybe one, possibly two, but
it's been told to us that there were eight. I use that area all the time to walk my dog, and I can assure you there was no eight signs there. Many of my neighbors have never seen any notice whatsoever. Many of my neighbors have never seen any letter that was sent out advising them of this change.
My job here as representative for our HOA president, Matt Everett, who is also not invited to any of these proceedings, is to make sure that we read into the record our objection to this change. We have a number of uh residents here.
If you'd like to stand up, Bill, the last meeting we were told there were only three. With a little bit of community communication, we have a few more. and there's 1,800 families out there. We object to the C3 development
reszoning because of what it brings in. No one knows what that is. No one was part of the petitioner's request. No one has any information. It was strictly a rumor. We waited until we saw something in the Lakeland ledger to say something. I personally
sent emails to the entire commission and the developer on December 14th with read receipts. I got a read receipt from you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. We're grateful for your response. No one else responded. No one else responded until after I made
a phone call after January 7th. And this date is important because apparently we had to file court objections by January 7th. So to the residents of Villar, the communication, the transparency here is lacking. Badly lacking. We don't
disagree with development of the area. We all signed up for that area knowing there would be more houses in there as phase 8. But C3 can be a lot of different things including multif family dwellings. It can be automobile automobile dealerships with bright lights. It will definitely affect
traffic patterns. It'll probably affect flooding patterns and it'll bring in people that we're not really quite sure we'd like to have as neighbors. I thank you for your time and I'll yield to the other Villimar residents. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. And I'm sorry I'll mess this name
up again, but let's just go with Bob. >> Okay. Nobody got it right. >> Name and address. And you have five minutes, sir. >> My name is Bob Depathy. I live in Villar, uh, phase 6 3118 Laurel Oak Lane. Neighbors to these fine folks out
here. I just want to reiterate what, uh, Brian said. None of us knew any of this was going on. Um, so we showed up. Uh, we don't know what's going in there. When we bought the home, we specifically asked what's going there. Oh, it's going to be more
houses. Uh, you know, in the in the same price range as ours. Uh, as Brian mentioned, we don't we don't know what's going on there. We have no idea. Uh, I've been a resident of Florida all my life.
uh living in South Florida, Cooper City, and [clears throat] builders were not allowed to monetize every square inch without having something for the kids. Now, if you wanted to put something, you
know, for families [clears throat] to enjoy, that's one thing. Something else would be, you know, a car dealership. As Brian said, we don't know what's going in there. And if you lived in the same area, you
would have the same concerns. And that's all I really have to say. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Were there any others that like to speak to this item? So, let's go left or right. Come on up. name and address and
you have five minutes. >> Good evening, commission. My name is Savannah Hancock. Uh the address is 517 East College Avenue in Tallahassee. I'm here on behalf of the petitioner. Happy to answer any questions that the commission may have on this contraction.
This is solely removing around 51 acres from the district. This does not have to do with the actual development plan. We're just taking it out of the district boundary. So, the district will no longer have jurisdiction over over this parcel. but happy to answer any questions that you all may have.
>> Okay, I think we're okay. There may be some in the room that have questions for you later though, so >> it's up to up [laughter] to you. >> Okay. Yes, sir. [snorts] >> Good evening, Commissioner Mayor. My name is Vincent Elder. I live at 4231
San Rock away and um yeah, like we they just blindsided us. We we when we bought the houses, they told us that that was going to be phase eight. What the gentleman was saying, they do have a designated area that they're going to have like a pool and for the dogs and for the kids, but opposite that, they
want to put businesses there. We don't need that right there. Right now, there is a mobile station back there. some somebody's back there and they use it for a truck stop. I was wondering cuz I ride my bike there every day. I was wondering why there was four lanes there
because they're going to trying to make that a main road to go all the way back to I4 wreck the road or something like that. It's going to be too much too much. We don't know what's what's what's going to be coming through there. I have a 9-year-old autistic son and there's there's a lot going on right now in our
neighborhood that nobody wants to talk about. I'm here to talk. I'm here to say it. We had two major drug busts in there. One four houses away from my from from where I live. Okay? And I can't let my son who's autistic go outside in the
garage and play cuz I have to be eyes on. We don't know what's going to be. Now, these people that they want to put stores in there. I mean, how close do you need a store? You want to just be able to walk to Starbucks? We just I'm opposed of it. I just don't really don't want it. Thank you.
>> Yes, ma'am. [snorts] >> Send name and address for the record and you have five minutes. >> Evening. My name is Carol Wheeler and I live at 1891 Koski Road. I've been living there since I bought the house in 2022 and was told there'd be eight developments, all housing. Um, off
Eloise Drive is a small road and we have to get out every day with 3,800 cars just in Villa Mile alone. It means two people own a car. That's traffic just in Villimar. So if you put something in a business down there, you're going to bring in more cars for that entrance and
it's not wide enough. And Eloise Drive is a pain right now to get out. It took me actually eight minutes just to get out today to come here. Okay. Also too, as you put businesses in there now, you're going to have delivery trucks coming in and out and the road is not made for that. So people are going to
sit there and say, "Well, I can't get out this way, but if I go through Cunningham, go around their rotary and go out the other way at Cunningham to get to 60 or back to the main drag." That's what we don't want. We don't want that traffic to come in because you got to see one person do it. Someone else is
going to try to do it. Okay? And then it's also going to be a hangout for kids. Don't know what's going in there for businesses, but isn't what I signed up for. This is my permanent home. I moved all the way from Massachusetts to Florida here and I retired here. I do not want this in here at all. I was told
it was only going to be housing 2,000 homes. It wasn't going to be any commercial businesses coming in. Okay. As it is now, we have someone set up running an illegal business down there doing um cleaning out people's cars and stuff and detailing them. And then we
have 18 wheelers parked down there, up to five of them at night on those main roads. I don't want that in there in the first place. I'm in trying to get someone to listen to me that these people shouldn't be there and shouldn't have those trucks there. This is where I
live. Okay? And if nobody cares, I care because you don't live there and these people who are going to own the businesses don't live there. Okay? I don't want to attract an element to come in to our place saying, "Well, maybe we'll just go see what this development is like." And then we have more traffic
coming in, more than we have right now. We have only a speed limit on Cunningham for 35 and people don't abide that by that. Okay. We have kids on those bikes and and and other things who don't abide by the rules. So now if you have more traffic in there, someone's going to end
up getting hurt. Okay? And we don't want that. We don't want this element in there in the first place. Okay? And I'd appreciate it if this you people could take and listen to the people who actually live there. Okay? Because this isn't what I signed up for. I got signed up for a nice community, a peaceful
community, and just have the people who were driving in and out every day, not other people. Because when we started living there, the commercial people were in there with the trucks, cement trucks and stuff like that. And we were told once the phases started phasing out, you won't see that on our roads. And so far,
they've done that. Okay. Further down, you see that, but I don't want that coming through my through my development now anymore because I already placed my sprinkler systems four times because they ran over my sprinkler systems. Okay. the roads aren't wide enough for commercial to be down there in the first
place or come through our community. I'd appreciate it if you take what I'm saying to heart. I live there and I don't want it. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] Any other members of the audience that
like to speak to this item? Yes. Name and address. You have five minutes. >> 3202 Costello Circle, Winter Haven. Um, it's the first time I've ever done this, but um, it's nice to meet you, mayor and commissioners. Um, what's his name?
>> I bought my house in January of 23. And when we went and signed the papers and everything, I knew I was getting in a CDD. I knew I was in an HOA. I'm a board member, one of the HOAs. Um, I knew that there were rules that they had to follow. certain things are allowed and
certain things weren't. And that's a covenant. You decide to give me the opportunity to come in there. I sign up. I take your rules. I abide by them. Now, we're getting in a situation where they've decided to contract it. Hey, I
understand the housing business isn't what it used to be, okay? But these things are cyclic. They'll come back around. Maybe in 20 years there'll be all houses there. But um the way this was done, it's a little shady. I've
tried to go to CED meetings and you guys don't control that. I understand that. And post a sign, it'd be a block away from any corner. It'd be in the middle of nowhere and we try to go
to it. The meeting got cancelled >> always. So, and I've been trying to do this for a while just to be get involved with the CDD. So, now they say they put some signs out on Thompson Nursery in the new construction area. Well, I never
saw them, but I don't walk out there. But you could have put them by the mailboxes, you know, you could put on an on corners where people go, "Hey, look at that. Let's go check that out." And I just I don't feel right by this
because the fact is that I decided to join this community to follow their rules, but now they've decided it's time for us to change the rules. And remember, we don't know what's going to go in there. I mean, if we're lucky, it'll be a storage place, but it'll
probably be a gasoline station, a convenience store, some other things. And from what I understand is I heard that you could build apartments there up to six stories. And that's a different element from what we all signed up to get, I believe, correctly. Okay. >> So, and we're I know this is a new
parcel to um the city of Winter Haven, and we pay higher taxes than everybody else. And I think we've all accepted that. We may not be crazy about it, but we do it. So, let's try to make it so we're hold them by their rules as well. The
rules they want us to be held to. So, That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> We didn't get his name. >> Anybody else wish to speak to this? Oh, what was your name, sir? I'm sorry. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. Any others like to speak to this item? >> Don't think so. Okay, she's leaving. Um, okay. So, we will close the public hearing now. Reopen the city commission meeting. Um, any other questions? I've got a
question, but commissioners, do you have any other questions? >> I think the city manager had just wanted to say something. >> He wanted the name of that [clears throat] individual. >> Yeah, I've got a couple questions. Um, first, and I'm still learning here. So, the publication of a notice in the
Winter Haven Sun, do we also publish that online as the statute allows us to do? I don't think I'm not certain that we use the online that the county may, but I don't know that the city does >> and and school board may. >> Yeah. So,
>> okay. Well, we're not talking to you, right? Hang on. Hang on. >> I I can recap our public notice um requirements in our city code. Um we our city code uh section 21491 that's the section of our code that um
outlines our public notice requirements um with respect to this property. Eight uh notice of public hearing signs were posted along the property frontage on October 17th. >> Okay, we've had the public hearing. So let's have the discussion up here now.
Okay, >> those were posted on October 17th of 2025 prior to the planning commission meeting of nove November 3rd, 2025. Um, and we did we do as standard practice take a photo of one of the signs after it's posted. Um, we do have um evidence
of that photo timestamped being taken. Um, the sign was and I do I did print a picture of it if you would like to see it. Um, it's a sign posted. We always post it on the property because we can't post it in the rightway. That would be a violation of the sign code. So, it's
right behind the sidewalk um on the on the property line of the of the property. Um every property owner within 500 ft of the subject property is mailed a notice. They were mailed that uh that notice that totaled
197 mailers uh that were noticed to adjacent property owners. Um it is published in a newspaper of local circulation that was published on October 15th of 2025. Um and with respect to land use and zoning cases, we
have always used the uh the Winter Haven Sun, that's where we always uh post those. Uh the planning commission meeting was held on November 3rd. Um as the individuals uh indicated, there were three uh individuals who came and spoke
at that meeting. Uh the first reading of the city commission was on November 24th. That meeting was properly noticed under applicable law. Um the city commission agenda packet was um was published uh within the city's uh agenda
management website. Uh and also the first meeting also s serves as additional public notice um of the public hearing. Um on December 8th, 2025 was the public hearing uh on the ordinance that was advertised in a
newspaper of local circulation. Again, um the city commission agenda packet was also published on uh the city's website and the uh agenda management website. Again, three individuals spoke at that meeting as well.
>> And then I guess my second question, tonight um the zoning decisions already been made. Tonight we're just Okay, so that ship's already sailed. This is not okay. So there's really nothing. Okay, >> very [clears throat] good. I'm good. >> I just want to reiterate that as well. All the comments and discussion that we
heard tonight from the audience, unfortunately, that's doesn't impact this this item what whatsoever. My question for Eric is remind me on site plans. One, the developer has not submitted a site plan
yet. Site plan is goes before your department and then do we get to see that or >> No sir. >> Okay. >> Um site plan is uh administrative review and approval based on the requirements within our land development code. Um there are requirements in our land
development code with respect to uh landscape buffers, storm water retention and requirements um of course allowable uses um on the property and development intensity and density. Um as well we maintain a concurrency management
system. And so any proposed uses that are brought forth on a on a site plan for us to review, we would evaluate um water impacts, sewer impacts, transportation impacts, um public school impacts at that time. And if there is not sufficient capacity uh available,
they would not receive site plan approval. um if they can mitigate those impacts by putting in additional lanes or traffic lights uh things of that matter then we would identify those at that time. >> Okay. Thank you.
Okay. Any other discussion? Okay. Motion has been made. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose like sign. Motion carries. Okay. We'll move on to ordinance 026-08. [clears throat]
>> [laughter] >> City attorney title only. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ordinance number 0-26-08, an ordinance of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, amending ordinance number 0-25-29 regarding appropriation of funds for deferring expenses with the municipal government of the city of Winterhaven
for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 2025, providing for severability and for the administrative correction of scriveners errors and providing for an effective date. Thank you. Thank you, city manager. >> Mayor and commissioners, there's been no changes on this item since first reading. Excuse [clears throat] me. This
is a uh pertaining to budget amendment so that we can uh do some improvements to the former finance department offices across the way in order to house our engineering division in there. Uh this is a 51,132
improvement project. Uh funds for this will come from the general fund at 51% and the utility fund at 49%. Staff recommends city commission approve 02608 on second and final reading and authorize the city manager to sign all
documents and take necessary actions related there too. Thank you. >> Thank you commissioners. >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes move approval of ordinance 02608 on second reading public hearing. Okay. Motion's been made for approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open the
public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Any further discussion on this item? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Like sign. Motion carries.
>> Okay. Consent agenda. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes. >> Move approval of the consent agenda in its entirety. >> Thank you. Motion's been made to approve the consent agenda. We'll close the commission meeting,
open the public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to any item on the consent agenda? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I.
>> Oppose. Like sign. Motion carries. >> We have a couple resolutions. R26-04 city attorney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution R-26-04, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Winter Haven, Florida, approving a public transportation grant agreement between the city of
Winterhaven and the Florida Department of Transportation, FDOT, under contract number G3M75 and financial project number 449746-1-94-2 for funding for the airport commerce park construction phase 1 project at the
Winter Haven Regional Airport, Gilbert Field and authorizing the city manager and appropriate city official officials to execute said agreement and to take all of the necessary actions regarding said project and agreements related there too providing for severability conflicts and an effective date. Thank you.
>> Thank you. City manager >> uh airport director Troy H Highle will present this item. >> Yeah. Good evening Mayor Commissioners. On May 23rd, 2022, the city commission approved resolution R225. uh that's authorizing a public transportation agreement with the Florida Department of FDOT for the
design and construction of Airport Commerce Park 1. Uh this project included development and a development plan for the northwest area of the airport. On September 1223, the city commission approved a land lease for approximately 4.9 acres within the airport commerce park. This is for the
Blue Line Aviation to design and construct a 38,000t facility. As part of the original land lease agreement, the city agreed and committed to designing, permitting, and constructing the entry road, the aircraft parking apron, and the taxi lane in the appropriated areas.
At the beginning of the current year, FDOT determined that the original design build grant uh needed to be restructured to design only and construction only. Uh this determination required the close out of the original grant and the development of this new FDOT construction agreement for the Commerce
Park phase one. Uh this cost has an overall estimated cost of $840,000 uh 50/50 with FDOT our share coming from a cash carry forward from budget year 2025. Staff recommends the city commission approve resolution R2604 and
authorize the city manager or his designate to execute the subject current agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation. >> Thank you commissioners. >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes. Motion to approve resolution R2604.
>> Thank you. Okay. Motion's been made for approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open the public hearing. Anyone from the public wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Any further discussion or questions on this item?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Like sign. Motion carries. Resolution R-26-05. City Attorney. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution R-26-05, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Winter Haven, Florida,
approving and adopting the onewater master plan, which is further detailed in the One Water Blueprint, and affirming the city's continuing commitment to sustainable water resource management, resilience, and community stewardship, making findings, repealing all resolutions in conflict here with,
providing for severability, and the administrative correction of scrimmers errors, and providing for an effective date. Thank you. Thank you, city manager, >> mayor and commissioners. On September 10th of 2019, the city entered into a professional consulting agreement for
the integrated onewater master plan with Black & Beach Corporation. This was developed in partnership with funding from Florida Department of Environmental Protection. And the one water master plan provides a comprehensive integrated framework for managing all water
resources to include storm water, wastewater, groundwater, and surface water as a unified system. The plan promotes nature-based solutions to restore watershed function and balance the community's water budget. The plan
outlines a strategic onewater game plan consisting of 12 key actions including restoring watershed storage, improving water conservation, enabling water efficient land development, enhancing recreational opportunities, and aligning
capital investments with sustainable goals. This does directly align with strategy 3.3.1 of the strategic plan which is to adopt, implement and maintain the onewater master plan as detailed in the
onewater blueprint to ensure sufficient capacity for potable reuse and wastewater needs. We had a lengthy discussion and presentation on this Wednesday evening. Um John Dinges with Black & Beach is with us again this evening. We have provided you with a
hard copy of the onewater blueprint for your safekeeping and further review and and uh reference over the years to come. This is, as I stated at that time, for the most part, a reaffirmation of and an
alignment with the philosophies and principles that were adopted by the city commission in the sustainable water resource management plan over 15 years ago. Uh and we are recommending city commission adopt resolution R 2605 and
approve the plan and authorize city manager [laughter] or designate to take any and all further actions related there too. Thank you. >> Thank you commission. Mr. Mayor >> yes >> you want this one. That's
>> yeah move approval of R 2605. Thank you. Okay. We will we've got a motion for approval. We'll close the commission meeting, open a public hearing. Anyone wish to speak to this item? Seeing none, we'll close the public hearing, reopen the city commission meeting. Any further
discussion or questions on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Oppose like sign. Motion carries. We have no new ordinance of first reading tonight. No new no new business.
So, we'll move on to city commissioner liaison report and we'll go to commissioner Davis first. >> All right. Good evening. Um, let's see. The last couple weeks I've been to quite a few events. Uh, the Willoughbrook first putt. That was great. Weather was
actually very nice. Um, I also attended the public safety leadership council opening that same day that in the evening. Uh, the Tala House uh gayla on that Thursday. Um, and then the weather wasn't so great for the citrus festival, but the the crowd was still good. Um,
the music was great and uh, you know, I'm glad to see that coming back. Hope next year will be a little bit more conducive weather. Uh, also attended the Black Market on Saturday. Uh, what a great turnout they had. Uh, also a beautiful day to be out there. And then last night the mayor's Super Bowl party.
Um, so lot lot of good things going on our community. Um, I also want to extend my appreciation for the cast and crew at Theater Winter Haven. I understand that they had to uh close a couple of the shows over the weekend due to an illness. Um and I just really appreciate all the work they put into that. You
know, sometimes we don't think about, you know, how one one person under the weather could could bring the whole show down and and I know that was disappointing for a lot of people, but uh but I really do appreciate that they they continue to work hard on that and I look forward to hopefully seeing it again this weekend. That's all I got.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Dles. >> Good evening. I uh I you know I really want to commend the uh the document that we have on the one water uh which is excellent job. I mean this is phenomenal. Um
I you know Gary and crew uh job well done. I really appreciate that. It's very helpful, insightful. Um I think that uh understanding how important water is and I think a lot of people
appreciate it but perhaps not at the level that we should because you know I heard one uh person say that water is life and if we are to experience or to see any type of continued growth uh in
this area uh water is so important to that. And so, uh, I think Winter Haven, what I appreciate about our city is that we take this very serious and I think we are leaders in this regard and uh, I'm
proud to be a part of this team that uh, is doing such an outstanding job. So, my hat is off to you. Continue to do the great work that you're doing and leading the way and showing others by example. >> [clears throat] >> uh also able to attend uh the Talbert
House gala which was uh very nice. um young lady uh visited our church from Talbert House uh yesterday and um it's wonderful because she was telling me her story
uh domestic violence and survivor 7-year-old daughter with her started in North Florida and some issues there but made her way to Lakeland
finds Talbert House and uh and they told her about the facility here in Winter Haven and so she's here and uh from uh um Nebraska originally. So, it's
amazing, you know, but listening to her story and understanding her challenges and but also finding that she's living in our community and uh and she found Talbert House and she found a church to come and and worship in. So, it's just wonderful because my granddaughter who
was 6 years old was playing with sevenyear-old. So, it's just wonderful to have that facility doing what it is doing, providing a place uh for people who don't have a place. And uh
and I think as a community we have to be concerned about those who are uh houseless and those who are struggling with uh real challenges. Uh sometimes I hear the you know we talk about our communities all of us concerned about
where we live and who's moving in next door but I think about sometimes people who don't have a house you know and [clears throat] I know that I'm not belittling anyone else's situation at all. I don't mean to do that. Uh but I think that sometimes when
you put it in perspective it kind of makes a little better sense. Sometimes we we worry about things that uh I think really are not as serious or as bad as we would or they could be or are for some people. So um
again not to you know belittle that because I think you where you live that's your kingdom and that's where you want to you know live out your life and and enjoy what time you have here on Terapirma. Rick uh also was able to attend uh
Dr. Falconetti. Dr. Falcanetti uh has done a wonderful job and uh and I told her I said, you know, I've had the privilege of knowing many of the uh presidents of school for the last 30 plus years. I've been on search committees for some of them. I've knew
them all personally. And I told her, I said, you know, you're one of the best ones we've had. First class. uh she's led the uh school forward and uh so I'm happy for her that she has an opportunity and I think her replacement
lease interrum is is doing will do an excellent job. I'm certainly familiar with her. My daughter was at at Florida Southern the time that she was there. So we we're wishing Dr. Falconetti, you know, great success. Black Market was truly a great weather was beautiful and
uh talked to the young ladies who actually uh who uh [clears throat] who brought about this idea and I and I share with them a little bit about you know the impact that this is having and the work that they're doing with it and it's still kind of in the early stages uh but I think it has great uh
potential. the uh neighborhood service center um event uh the uh all red a gala uh was really nice. Uh they had a great band and uh just really enjoy the atmosphere and uh
just knowing that the neighborhood service center has come back such a powerful way. Uh, Miss Angeline uh, Davis actually is a member of our church and um, I've I've known her over the years and truly she's a person that has
given to this community and as she shared >> um, that her life has been one of service and uh, to Dr. Holman uh who has been a great colleague and friend longtime friend and uh working uh
throughout uh the city in ministry also in the county as well. So welld deserved of two individuals I think that uh we honored here tonight. >> Thank you Commissioner Berton. >> Yes. Uh attended some of the same events
that others did, but um so I'm going just go down my list real quick. uh attended the uh finance committee of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council of which I'm a member. Um
attended the uh Franker Policy Board meeting in Tallahassee. Um, one of the fun things I got to do was uh go to the uh Winter Haven boys
basketball um district uh championship game of which they won. So, um that was good. So, now they'll move on to the regional. also attended the black market and uh the Super Bowl
party which was really good and a lot of people attended and um >> record number >> a record number a record number all right a record number attended the mayor's super bowl pie
uh attended Dr. Falconet's uh reception and um then the final thing that I I'm the uh chairman of the um
water cooperative for Pulk County and um we had a meeting and the cooperative has filed a lawsuit. suit
against Tampa Bay water over the Alifire River uh withdrawals and that's the one water plan that we just
approved. um just puts a pin into the fact that even with what we're doing and trying to do,
the water management district and that's where we get our permits to pump water out of the aquifer to service our community. They have told us,
not just us, all of the municipalities in Pulk County, that the way we are pumping water is not sustainable for the growth that's projected,
which means that we will have to have some alternative water supply. Thus the birth of the uh water cooperative the Alif River which flows into Poke
County Tampa Bay water once they have been granted a permit to get basically 95% of the available water which leaves nothing
for us. So, we filed a lawsuit and um there's going to be a uh mediation. I was selected to uh be one of the members in the mediation hearing. So,
it has been said that Florida is surrounded by water. That is so true. We will never run out of water. That is so true. But what else is also true?
The cost that future generations may have to pay for the water. So that's why the alternative water supply getting to the local stuff before we have to even consider
going to each one of the coast for water. That's it. >> Thank you, Mayor Pro. I just I I want to I just got a question though about and I wish the people were here
about what we just approved in that resolution. I mean, the things that you all sent us in that email about the advertising and the notifications,
it was all there. I mean, so [clears throat] there's no more we can do. What else can we do? There's no more. We I mean you advertise, you notify, you have you it was presented at the planning
commission. We had it. This was the fourth time for us in meetings. So at any rate, >> Mayor Per Mercer.
>> Yes. Um [clears throat] I um did the first putt and I got it on the first putt and I stopped what [laughter] time I was. So um I also did the public leadership council um the black market and um I talked to some of them. We had the drum
line and we also um uh some uh Taicondo students uh gave demonstrations and they just got their third degree black belt and they had music. Um also lots of things. They had 52 different vendors. I was asking them, you know, it seemed to
be quite a few and they said that's the most that they've ever had and this is just their third year. Um [clears throat] I went to um the third annual all red community uh for awareness gayla uh for the neighborhood service center. I went to the
recognition for Dr. Fakanelli. Um went to the lunch meeting today for take stock and children and I put some um sheets out back. It is a two-year full tuition degree uh or payment for that if
you qualify. Um there's things that the um student has to do. They have to have a C average. They have to have good attendance. They have to do all of this. And all you are are to do is to kind of coach them through did you are you looking at additional financing if you
want to go on or additional um scholarships you know things like that uh to prompt them to keep moving them in the right direction. So um if you'd like some there they are there. They're looking um for mentors for these
students and it does go on through even through college um the mentorship and it's a part of the uh Poke Education Foundation. So um also um
the mayor Super Bowl I attended that and um I'd like to thank Dan. Dan does such a great job in doing all of that um stuff. No matter where he is, he's doing something. So um and um I'm going to
enjoy reading this the one water blueprint um to see how we measure up to what everybody else is doing. Um so I think that's pretty much all I have. Just trying to ask AI a question here
and we'll see if it answers it because it's part of what I want to say. But um I'm going to keep it short because if I reiterated everything that everybody said, I'd be here another 30 minutes. Um but I attended everything that everyone else has mentioned and just a lot of
wonderful great community events in in this town and and I think that's so so much a part of what makes us special. [snorts] Um, and the citrus festival bringing that back is just, yeah, that's going to get bigger and bigger every year. Um, so
you may have heard about this mayor Super Bowl party. So, this was a public free community event. Dan Chznik had called me about 3, four weeks ago and he said, "Hey, what do you think of this?" I said, "As long as it's free, let's do it."
and his team and and the the the theater team, the the RIT's team, Dan just did a phenomenal job in in putting things together. And then we had community support in the tune of um Beef Bradies gave us like 300
chicken wings for free and Longhorn Steakhouse gave us 50 steaks and 50 chicken parmesans and cut them all up and gave us all that for free. And then three big things of uh steakhouse mac and cheese from Longhorn. All that was
free. And then we got um some cakes from um um Cheryl's cakes down at the Duty Duty's Plaza and that was that was complimentary. So this the community all came together and we put on a great free
event. We we even showed both halftime shows. So depending on which one you wanted to watch, you could you watch either one of them. Didn't matter. Um, but so it was truly an event for everyone. We probably had probably close to about 250 people there. So that was that was really cool. And um hopefully
the game next year is a lot better and maybe the Bucks will be in it too. We'll see. Um, so with that on what was discussed tonight and every speaker that came up tonight, you know, it it
Tallahassee affects our daily lives so much and so much of of the concerns that were addressed tonight are preemptively addressed by bills from from legislators in Tallahassee. And I think it should be a prerequisite, and I've said this
before and I'll say it again. I'll continue to say it, but it'll never happen. It should be a prerequisite for all elected officials in Tallahassee to serve on a city commission. >> A lot of them do. >> A lot of them haven't. That's what I asked AI to give me that percentage. And
even AI didn't. It was so low AI couldn't even figure it out. >> [laughter] >> Um, but they they are are are they they they they affect the rules that we play by down here and what we want to
implement and what makes common sense to our community unfortunately butts heads a lot of times with the bills that they passed. And I just say all that to say is pay attention right now because Tallahassee is on the war path. I and I'm not going
to get in should we pay property taxes? Should we put there's there's great arguments on both sides of it. I'm not defending either one of them, but the bottom line is if we don't pay attention to what's going on on up there and we don't continue to con contact our
legislators up there, they're going to make the rules for Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and they're going to implement them on the city of Winter Haven. And that's all I'll say about that. just what's best for those cities are not not
what's best for Winter Haven. So with that, city attorney, maybe I got us in trouble tonight. We'll see. No, sir. >> I'll probably get a phone call. >> We're good. All good. I have nothing to report tonight. Thank you. >> City manager. >> Nothing this evening, sir.
>> Assistant city manager. Deputy city manager. Excuse. >> Nothing this evening, sir. Thank you. >> Deputy city clerk. [clears throat] >> Thanks, sir. >> All right. With that we're journ.