Ocala public meetings in 2022

City Council

The City Council approved several high-value infrastructure contracts, including a water treatment plant design and electric transmission services. The council also adopted four ordinances for property annexation and rezoning and approved multiple affordable housing and economic incentive disbursements.

• Approved $4,999,484 design agreement for Water Treatment Plant No. 2 (5-0)
• Approved $2.5M electric transmission design contract with GAI Consultants, Inc. (5-0)
• Approved $750,000 purchase of electric revenue meters from Wesco Distribution, Inc. (5-0)
• Adopted Ordinance 2023-22 to annex 2.72 acres at SW College Road and SW 43rd Court (5-0)
• Adopted Ordinances 2023-23, 2023-24, 2023-25, and 2023-26 for various rezoning requests (5-0)
• Approved $210,900 affordable housing disbursement to Madison Oaks West, LLC (5-0)
• Adopted Budget Resolution 2023-113 for $200,000 affordable housing disbursement to Silver Point Ltd. (5-0)
• Postponed public hearing for Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc. development agreement (5-0)

Board of Adjustment

The Board approved a special exception request for the Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Ocala, FL, Inc. (SE22-45033). The Board also approved the minutes from the November 21, 2022 meeting.

• Approved minutes from November 21, 2022 meeting
• Approved special exception SE22-45033 for Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Ocala, FL, Inc.

East Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The committee approved recommendations for sidewalk studies on NE 2nd and 3rd Streets. It also recommended increasing maximum award amounts and City match percentages for residential and commercial grant programs.

• Approved August 24, 2022 minutes
• Recommended sidewalk study on NE 2nd Street and NE 3rd Street between NE Watula Avenue and NE 12th Avenue
• Recommended sidewalk study continue on NE 2nd Street and NE 3rd Street from NE 19th Avenue to NE 25th Avenue
• Recommended Residential Paint Grant maximum increase to $4,000 (contracted) and $2,000 (materials)
• Recommended Commercial Facade Grant maximum increase to $20,000 with CRA match increased to 60%
• Recommended Historic Commercial Building Grant maximum increase to $40,000 with CRA match increased to 60%

City Council: Work Session

The City Council held a work session to review the progress and funding of Water Treatment Plant #2 and discuss potential updates to the city's annexation policy. No formal votes were taken during this session.

• Discussed funding for Water Treatment Plant #2 shared between City ($35,983,068), SJRWMD ($17,991,534), and FDEP ($17,991,534)
• Proposed requiring a cost analysis for every property prior to annexation

Planning & Zoning Commission

No substantive decisions were made during this meeting because a quorum was not present. All agenda items, including a rezoning case and a plat vacation, will be moved to the January 9, 2023 agenda.

Downtown Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The Committee approved 60 grants totaling $1,197,765 and reviewed the fiscal year 2023 budget. Members discussed streetscape extensions on 5th Street and SW Broadway Street, as well as a proposed parking garage concept. A framework for a new construction grant program was introduced for future presentation.

• Approved October 25, 2022 minutes
• Approved 60 grants totaling $1,197,765

Historic Preservation Advisory Board

The Board approved a request for window replacements at 740 SE 3rd Street and approved a matter regarding affirmative maintenance for 119 NE Sanchez. Members also reviewed a draft metal roof guide and discussed bed and breakfast rental rules.

• Approved November 3, 2022 minutes as amended
• Approved window replacements for 740 SE 3rd Street (Case File #177; COA22-45031)
• Approved affirmative maintenance matter for 119 NE Sanchez

Firefighters' Retirement Fund Board of Trustees

The Board approved the retirements of Glen Shepheard and David Battisti and authorized moving available cash to Integrity. Members also voted to maintain the current Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) until the February meeting. Additionally, the Board approved a military service buy-back for Mr. Ignacio-Simon.

• Approved military service buy-back of 1 year and 8 months for Mr. Ignacio-Simon
• Authorized moving available cash, minus administrative expenses, to Integrity
• Approved retirements for Glen Shepheard and David Battisti
• Approved August 15, 2022 meeting minutes
• Approved expenses from August through October 2022
• Approved maintaining COLA as is until the February meeting

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment approved the minutes from June 8, 2022, and granted approval for two special exception cases. Case SE22-44992 involved a request for a special exception on a property with multifamily potential and discussions regarding FDOT curb cuts on State Road 40.

• Approved June 8, 2022 minutes
• Approved Case SE22-44958
• Approved Case SE22-44992

Brownfields Advisory Committee (Read-Only)

The committee reviewed updates on properties being redeveloped under the Brownfields assessment grant, including sites at 98 NE 9th Street, 3439 NE 1st Avenue, and 415 SE 1st Avenue. Staff reported that Tucker Hill site plans are complete and will be used for affordable single-family home lots. The approval of the October 20, 2022 minutes was tabled.

• Tabled approval of October 20, 2022 minutes

West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The committee received updates on the Heritage Trail installation and the solicitation process for the former GOCDC building. No new zoning cases were presented. The approval of the September 15, 2022 minutes was tabled.

• Tabled approval of September 15, 2022 minutes

City Council

City Council adopted several ordinances including a homestead exemption for certain senior citizens and multiple rezoning requests. The council also approved various equipment purchases and budget amendments for hurricane recovery and housing grants.

• Adopted Ordinance 2023-10 for additional senior citizen homestead exemptions
• Approved rezoning 13.17 acres from M-1 to M-2 (Case ZON22-44951)
• Approved annexation of 27.27 acres at W Highway 40 and NW 52nd Avenue
• Approved rezoning 18.24 acres to R-3 Multi-family Residential (Case ZON22-44855)
• Adopted Ordinance 2023-16 strengthening golf cart driver requirements
• Approved $106,440 purchase of three LIFEPAK defibrillators
• Adopted Budget Resolution 2023-105 for $455,452 in Hurricane Ian expenditures
• Approved $190,000 contract for concert series production with Dillon Video and Film Productions, Inc.

Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board

The Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board approved a Downtown Commercial Building Improvement Grant for a property at 112 South Magnolia Avenue. The board also approved the meeting minutes from October 18, 2022.

• Approved Downtown Commercial Building Improvement Grant for 112 South Magnolia Avenue
• Approved regular meeting minutes from October 18, 2022

General Employees' Retirement Fund Board of Trustees

The Board approved the August 8, 2022 meeting minutes. Trustees decided to invite three investment managers to the February 2023 meeting to discuss the Private Credit asset class. No changes were recommended for the investment plan this quarter.

• Approved August 8, 2022 minutes (3-0)
• Decided to bring in Bardin Hill Investment Partners, Searchlight Capital Partners, and BC Partners to the February 2023 meeting

Planning & Zoning Commission

The Commission approved a residential conceptual subdivision plan and several land use changes. These included an annexation and zoning requests for restaurant development and other use options.

• Approved SUB22-44681 West Oaks PH 3 Residential Conceptual Subdivision Plan
• Approved ANX22-45000 annexation request
• Approved LUC22-45001 land use request
• Approved ZON22-45002 zoning request
• Approved ZON22-44988 rezoning to M-1
• Approved ZON22-45003 zoning request
• Approved ZON22-45004 zoning request

City Council: Work Session

The City Council held a work session to review two redistricting options, with several members expressing preference for Option 1. Staff presented proposed changes to small business and economic investment programs and outlined a new solicitation process for residential surplus lots. No formal votes were taken during this session.

• Discussed redistricting Option 1 and Option 2; Mayor Guinn, Council President Bethea, and Council Member Musleh expressed preference for Option 1
• Proposed reducing Small Business Investment Program minimum annual wage from 125% to 115%
• Proposed $25,000 maximum grant for Small Business Investment Program with a 3-year contract term
• Proposed tier-based system for Economic Investment Program and suspension of EDIR
• Outlined Residential Inventory Redevelopment Program using a two-step solicitation process with a 5-lot cap per proposer
• Reviewed Airport land sale and lease criteria, noting the Airport Advisory Committee does not support selling property at this time

Historic Preservation Advisory Board

The Historic Preservation Advisory Board approved several Certificates of Appropriateness for porch railings, new construction, and fencing. The Board also recommended that the Code Enforcement Board waive $27,000 in fines for a property on NE Sanchez Avenue to facilitate its sale.

• Approved installation of wooden balustrade at 719 SE Tuscawilla Avenue (4-2)
• Approved new construction of single-family home at 516 SE 12th Avenue (6-0)
• Approved door and carport trellis at 716 SE Wenona Avenue (6-0)
• Approved fencing at 716 SE Wenona Avenue (6-0)
• Determined no COAs are required at this time for 119 NE Sanchez Avenue (6-0)
• Recommended Code Enforcement Board waive fines for 119 NE Sanchez Avenue (6-0)
• Approved October 6, 2022 minutes as amended (6-0)

City Council

City Council voted against a resolution to expand the official golf cart map into downtown Ocala. The council also approved several infrastructure contracts and IT equipment purchases. A proposed ordinance regarding alcohol sales on Christmas Day was withdrawn for revision.

• Denied Resolution 2023-7 to expand golf cart map downtown (2-3)
• Approved $3,168,205 contract for SW 44th Avenue Extension Project Phase I
• Approved $155,375 contract with Foundation Services, Inc. for grouting services
• Approved $750,000 and $200,000 renewal agreements with Service and Technology Network Solutions, Inc.
• Approved IT equipment and software licenses not to exceed $1,684,350
• Approved public safety IT equipment and software licenses not to exceed $1,971,965
• Approved $200,000 settlement for Bowlin v City of Ocala
• Approved appointments of Jean Floten to Municipal Arts Commission and Thomas G. Smallen to Airport Advisory Committee

Downtown Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The committee approved a grant for a facade rebuild at 112 S Magnolia Ave. Members also reviewed the FY23 grant budget and discussed upcoming redistricting workshops.

• Approved June 28, 2022 minutes
• Approved $25,000 grant for facade rebuild at 112 S Magnolia Ave (CRA22-45010)

Brownfields Advisory Committee (Read-Only)

The Brownfields Advisory Committee received an update on a $500,000 EPA assessment grant approved by City Council. Two environmental consultants, Terracon Consultants, Inc. and PPM Consultants, Inc., were selected to conduct Phase I and Phase II assessments. The project must be completed by September 30, 2026, with quarterly reports and six public meetings required. The committee also learned that City Council reduced the committee's membership from 11 to 9 members.

• Approved September 15, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
• City Council approved $500,000 EPA grant award and appropriated funds
• City Council approved contracts for two Brownfields environmental consultants (Terracon Consultants, Inc. and PPM Consultants, Inc.)
• City Council reduced Brownfields Advisory Committee membership from 11 to 9 members