This Commission Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology. Some Staff members were present in the Commission Chambers while others were present via the Zoom application.

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Dan West, Mayor

Brian Williams, Vice-Mayor/ Commissioner Ward 3

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner Ward 1

Scott Whitaker, Commissioner-at-Large 1

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Marisa Powers, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director

Cassi Bailey, Deputy City Clerk (Absent)

Annie Jones, Executive Assistant

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

1. CALL THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING TO ORDER    

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm, followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Swearing-in of all persons intending to address City Commission.

 

2. POLICE PROMOTION RECOGNITION - Chief Tyler moved this to a future meeting.

 

3. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Williams seconded and the motion carried 5-0 to approve October 20, 2025, City Commission Agenda.

 

4.   PUBLIC COMMENT

 

 

City Commission Meeting

October 20, 2025

Page 2 of 4

 

   Ms. Betty Sailes Rhodes asked for documentation related to the two Charter Review meeting records.  She also requested the record where she was voted to be on the committee.  She does not understand why she was not included in the committee meeting invites.

5. Consent Agenda

a. Minutes - 8/25/2025, 9/8/2025

b. Legal Invoices

c. Resolution 2025-25 Lease Reimbursement for 2026

d. Resolution 2025-24 Council of Governments Joint Meeting

e.  Third amendment to purchase and sale agreement with Gray Property Group, LLC

 

MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commission Joiner seconded and the motion passed 5-0 to approve the October 20, 2025, Consent Agenda items A, B, C, and E.

Commission Smith asked to pull item D.

Commissioner Smith asked who would be at this meeting. Mr. Freeman stated this is the Council of Governments meeting between the County and all the Cities.

MOTION: Commissioner Smith moved, Commissioner Whitaker seconded and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item D. on the October 20, 2025 Consent Agenda.

1. utes - 8/25/2025, 9/8/2025

Attachments:

2. Minutes - 8/25/2025, 9/8/2025Legal Invoices

Attachments:

3. Legal InvoicesResolution 2025-25 Lease Reimbursement for 2026

Attachments:

4. Resolution 2025-24 Council of Governments Joint Meeting

Attachments:

5. Third amendment to purchase and sale agreement with Gray Property Group, LLC

Attachments:

 

6. MASONIC LODGE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (M. POWERS)   

Ms. Powers received a letter and signed agreement from the Masonic Lodge attorney agreeing to payment within 30 days of signing the settlement agreement.

Ms. Moore, attorney representing Masonic Lodge was sworn in and stated she agrees and supports the settlement agreement and will pay the $7,000 within 30 days. 

MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Whitaker seconded  and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the version of the Masonic Lodge settlement agreement requiring payment of the settlement amount within 30 days of execution of the settlement agreement. 

COMMENTS:

7. DEPARTMENT HEADS' COMMENTS

 

City Commission Meeting

October 20, 2025

Page 3 of 4

 

   Ms. Young-Gopie congratulated the CRA Board for the three awards received at the annual FRA conference.  She will present the awards and the Phoenix award at the next meeting.

 

   Mr. Rayan gave an update on Ward 1 Phase 3, and indicated the 10^th Ave Complete Streets consultant recommendation is with FDOT and will be coming before Commission soon.  Staff is working with the engineer (Wade Trim) on the consent order, injection well, and WWTP expansion.

 

  Mr. Freeman reminded Commission the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) will come forward at the next meeting.  Staff will work on the property purchases based on feedback at the workshop.  Also, the Audio/Visual (AV) upgrades for the chambers will be scheduled in January.

 

  Chief Tyler informed Commission that the Police Department was reaccredited in July of this past year. 

 

  Ms. Powers addressed the comments from Ms. Sailes.  Upon review of information she provided, she does not live in City limits and is not an elector of the City.  Commissioner Smith was notified by phone and email and advised to make a new nomination. 

 

  Commissioner Smith stated he can’t change the Commission vote.  The Mayor indicated information was sent via email that she is not an elector of the City.

 

  Ms. Rhodes stated she is filing a lawsuit.  She reiterated the Commission voted on the Resolution which included her name. She asked when the documents she requested would be available.  Mr. Freeman stated he would provide the requested documents in the next couple of days or later in the week.

 

Commissioner Williams referenced the charter which states the Charter Review Committee shall consist of up to 7 electors of the City.  The Commission should know an elector is a resident of the City.  Ms. Rhodes is not an elector of the City based on her address information paperwork she submitted.               

 

 

 

 

 

City Commission Meeting

October 20, 2025

Page 4 of 4 

 

8. MAYOR'S REPORT

 

The Veteran’s parade route is changing.  The staging area will remain on 13^th Ave West, but the parade route will turn east on 15^th Street instead of 13^th Street. 

 

MOTION:  Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded and the motion carried 5-0 to change the route of the Veteran’s parade to accommodate the event also being held at the Fairgrounds.

 

  The Mayor thanked the class of 1976 for their attendance at the last meeting and the win over Manatee on Friday night.

 

  The Mayor also attended the Honor Flight event at Sarasota airport.  It was a great event.

 

9. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS: 

 

  Commissioner Cornwell thanked the police for their work with a local business issue. 

 

  Commissioner Whitaker would like to discuss legislative cuts and would like to propose having two CRA meetings a month (same as Commission meetings) so we can increase the pace of projects and progress.

 

Commissioner Williams asked what rule determines there is only one CRA meeting.  He asked staff to bring meeting information to a future meeting.  Ms. Young-Gopie agreed with the two meetings a month.  Commissioner Cornwell agreed.

 

Commissioner Smith reiterated he alone cannot change the vote for the members on the Charter Review Committee.   

 

10.  ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 pm.