Euthanization practices at the Flagler Humane Society, including the termination of volunteers who objected to the euthanization of a 2-year-old dog, and concerns about the manner in which euthanizations are conducted near the volunteer walking path.
Suggestion that the city manager consolidate all department budgets into a single pool and allocate funds top-down, with public safety receiving priority; also expressed support for the current acting city manager.
Code enforcement removed the speaker's garage sale signs three times while larger political, hiring, and commercial signs nearby were not removed; raised equal protection concerns and also asked about the evacuation plan for the East section near East Hampton given one-way-in/one-way-out conditions during active construction.
Request to increase wetland buffer sizes in Chapter 6 of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan and Chapter 10 of the Land Development Code: from an average 50-ft to a minimum 50-ft for optimal-rated wetlands, and from an average 15-ft to a minimum 25-ft for moderate and minimal-rated wetlands, citing 30+ years of scientific literature.
General concern that growth is being allowed to harm established residential neighborhoods and that the city needs stronger policies to protect residents who have already invested in their homes.
Praise for the newly opened splash pad at Palm Coast, emphasizing its value to economically disadvantaged children and families who cannot afford paid water parks; thanked specific staff members Carl, Cody, and James Hurst.
Minutes from the July 2, 2024 Business Meeting were approved with an amendment at Council Member Pontieri's request to include the specific charter ballot language that was adopted at that meeting.
Minutes from the July 9, 2024 Workshop Meeting were approved as presented.
Both passed unanimously.
After extended debate, the council approved revised ballot summary language for the proposed charter amendment removing Article VI's contracting authority limitation.
The new language states the amendment would allow the city to enter into public-private partnerships, address growth by having future residents contribute to infrastructure costs, respond to emergencies, and use available financial instruments including but not limited to bonds.
Council also directed a workshop on the city's existing debt policy and guardrails, and committed to a public education campaign before the ballot vote.
One public speaker opposed the measure, characterizing it as a blank check.
The ballot language passed unanimously 5-0.
Opposition to the proposed charter amendment ballot language, arguing the amendment removes the spending cap and gives the city a blank check; suggested if the limit needs updating it should simply be raised to a specific dollar amount rather than eliminated.
The council approved on first read the voluntary annexation of approximately 31.68 acres owned by BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. and Seminole Woods Investments, LLC at the southwest corner of SR-100 and Seminole Woods Boulevard.
The annexation is required by a prior utility settlement agreement and meets Florida Statute Chapter 171 criteria; it does not create an enclave and is contiguous with the city on both north and east sides.
A representative confirmed Miller's Ale House is targeting early August and BJ's late August for opening; second reading is set for August 6.
The motion passed unanimously.
The council unanimously appointed Jessica Ves as an alternate member to the Residential Drainage Citizens Advisory Committee.
Only one application was received; she was designated as an alternate rather than a regular member to maintain an odd number for voting purposes among the five current regular members.
The committee has met four times since its February 2024 kickoff and meets bi-weekly.
Following a multi-hour budget presentation covering all general fund departments for FY2025, the council debated the maximum TRIM millage rate.
Vice Mayor Danko moved for a full rollback to 3.9961 but the motion failed for lack of a second after Council Member Pontieri withdrew her second.
Council Member Pontieri then moved for Option 3 — a cap of 4.2154, a partial rollback from the current 4.2570 — which also funds a code officer, IT programmer, and equipment operator.
Key side decisions included consensus to redirect $87,000 of the sheriff's contract to impact fees rather than the general fund, and direction to staff to bring a cultural arts division proposal and full-rollback-scenario analysis to the August workshop.
The motion passed 4-1 with Vice Mayor Danko dissenting.
The council approved the 2024 Nuisance Abatement Initial Assessment resolution with no changes since the July 9 workshop presentation.
Staff noted the final resolution will be heard at the August 13 workshop and September 3 business meeting, with September 15 as the tax collector deadline.
The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
The council approved a master services agreement with GrayRobinson for code board attorney services at a negotiated rate of $200/hour, a flat $300/month travel fee, and $300/hour for litigation not covered by city insurance.
Staff had previously been directed in May to negotiate lower rates from the original proposal; GrayRobinson was selected from two responsive bids after the prior firm Fishback Dominic declined to rebid when its primary attorney departed.
The motion passed unanimously.
The council approved a real estate exchange with Palm Coast Future Investments, LLC, trading two city-owned parcels originally designated for Fire Station 26 (approximately 27 acres, largely wetland) for two adjacent parcels (approximately 10.85 acres) closer to Seminole Woods Boulevard.
The swap is projected to save approximately $900,000 in construction costs, eliminate the need for a second traffic signal, reduce response time, and accelerate the project timeline, with a GMP expected October 1.
Closing costs are estimated under $55,000.
The motion passed unanimously.
The council approved a master services agreement with Wright-Pierce for engineering design and related services for the expansion of Water Treatment Facility No.
3, at a cost of $985,000.
The project will expand treatment capacity from the current 3.0 million gallons per day toward 6.0 MGD and will explore brackish water as an alternate supply source.
Wright-Pierce's team includes CCI, the firm that has managed the city's groundwater wells from the start.
The motion passed unanimously.
Consent agenda items J.10 through J.18 were approved as a block without discussion.
Items included engineering and construction contracts for the A1A Forcemain Extension Phase II, span wire refurbishment, City Hall data center, utility engineering services, pump station upgrade, aeration system installation, wastewater residuals management, replacement PEP pumps, and traffic equipment purchases.
Suggestion to consider intersection murals as a traffic safety measure citing reported accident reductions in other cities; procedural question about whether the public can call the question during council debate; request for better mowing of vacant lots near Beltree Boulevard; and report that the city's YouTube livestream cut out approximately 20 minutes before the end of a prior meeting, with a suggestion that someone monitor the outgoing stream in real time.
The Reporting of Emergency and Sole Source Purchases for June 2024 was included in council's packet.
City Manager Johnston referenced it and invited questions; no questions were raised.