Finance staff Gwyn Ragsdale and Raelynne Bowman presented the year-to-date operating budget covering October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026 (first six months of FY2026). General fund ad valorem tax collection was at 94%, public safety spending was at 50%, public works at 52%, and water/wastewater at 46%. Council members asked about fleet revenue accounting, MOC transfers, building permit trends, and IT fund transfers. A council member requested that future presentations show departmental totals and MOC transfer breakdowns. The budget timeline for FY2027 was also reviewed, with the next major presentation scheduled for June 9.
The council voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the April 7, 2026 Business Meeting and the April 14, 2026 Workshop Meeting with no amendments noted.
The council recessed and convened as the SR 100 Corridor CRA Board. Community Development Director John Zalba presented a proposed Vertical Development Incentive Program (VDIP) designed to accelerate commercial investment within the CRA before its 2034 expiration. The program offered performance-based tax increment reimbursements with a compression multiplier for the shortened CRA window. Council directed staff to amend the program to: exclude residential uses, remove impact fee deferrals as an incentive, and add language preventing rezoning-for-eligibility manipulation. The arts fund fee credit was retained after clarification it still directs funds to arts. The CRA Board voted unanimously to approve the resolution with these amendments. The board then adjourned and council reconvened.
Planning staff Estella Lenz presented a request by the Palm Coast Park MPD applicant (D.R. Horton, represented by Michael Chimento) to amend the Fifth Amendment of the Palm Coast Park MPD Agreement to allow single-family detached residential development on Tracks 16 and 7A (currently approved for 320 townhouse lots on 18-ft lots), replacing it with 244 detached single-family units on 30-ft minimum wide lots at a lower density. The Planning Board recommended approval with two conditions: landscaping breaks every 12 lots and a small amenity such as a playground. Council member Sullivan raised concerns about damage to the Hewlett's Mill Revolutionary War historical site caused by a retention pond sluice on the adjacent development, and Vice Mayor Pontieri noted an email she had sent in January 2023 reporting the issue. The applicant indicated willingness to investigate. The motion was made, withdrawn, and remade to include the planning board conditions. Approved 4-1 with Sullivan dissenting.
The council recessed and convened as the SR 100 Corridor CRA Board. Community Development Director John Zalba presented a proposed Vertical Development Incentive Program (VDIP) designed to accelerate commercial investment within the CRA before its 2034 expiration. The program offered performance-based tax increment reimbursements with a compression multiplier for the shortened CRA window. Council directed staff to amend the program to: exclude residential uses, remove impact fee deferrals as an incentive, and add language preventing rezoning-for-eligibility manipulation. The arts fund fee credit was retained after clarification it still directs funds to arts. The CRA Board voted unanimously to approve the resolution with these amendments. The board then adjourned and council reconvened.
Vote: 5-0
H
Resolutions
H.1
Resolution 2026-xx Approving A Comprehensive Compensation And
HR Director Renina Fuller and coordinator Ashley Finner presented information supporting hiring Evergreen Solutions LLC for a comprehensive compensation and benefits survey, comparing internal vs. external approaches. External market average was approximately $72,000 for the full scope over 20 weeks; internal cost estimate was $25,000 but with significant workload impact on a six-person HR team. Council discussed the importance of acting on survey results, turnover rates (approximately 9.87%), and specific retention challenges in water treatment and public works. Council voted unanimously to approve.
Community Development staff John Hanson presented the U-Haul Storage Facility technical site plan for a 30-acre property on US 1 at the terminus of White View Parkway. Phase 1 includes two buildings — a three-story self-storage building with approximately 950 units and a single-story warehouse — totaling approximately 119,614 sq ft. The PLDRB unanimously recommended approval after no public participation at their March 18 meeting. Council asked about traffic safety for right-in/right-out access, a potential future median break, and the phased development plan including future RV/boat parking and garages. Council voted unanimously to approve.
Virginia Smith, Land Management Administrator, explained that staff negotiated purchase of a 200-ft wide right-of-way strip from U-Haul Co. of Florida for a potential westward extension of White View Parkway beyond US 1. An appraisal valued the parcel at $700,000; the negotiated price is $500,000 ($280,000 cash plus $220,000 in future impact fee credits). A public commenter (Tony Amaral) raised concerns about wetland costs and the value accruing to private landholders. This item was part of the consent agenda approved 4-1.
This item approved an FDOT state-funded grant agreement for the Palm Coast Parkway Extension Loop Road Phase 3 design and right-of-way acquisition. Staff explained the agreement is written so the city is not obligated to spend beyond the grant amount, and that the full loop road is not fully funded. This item was part of the consent agenda approved 4-1.
Resolution 2026-xx Authorizing A Memorandum Of Agreement (moa)
This item authorized a Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Palm Coast and FDOT for the maintenance of state road rights-of-way by the city. It was discussed as part of the broader consent agenda and passed 4-1.
This item approved piggybacking the Texas BuyBoard cooperative contract (#795-26) with Iteris, Inc. for traffic signal systems and safety barrier products. A public commenter asked whether piggybacking removes spending limits; staff confirmed the city's normal thresholds still apply. Passed 4-1 as part of the consent agenda.
Resolution 2026-xx Approving Piggybacking The Sourcewell State Of
This item approved piggybacking the Sourcewell contract #102924-SAM with Samsara Inc. for fleet and equipment GPS monitoring services on a three-year term with one three-year extension. Council noted no escalator clauses and confirmed the city retains the right to decline the extension. Passed 4-1 as part of the consent agenda.
This item amended the Mayor and City Council Meeting Policies and Procedures. A public speaker (Mark Webb) commented that the amendment did not address his prior request to move the second public comment period to the very end of the meeting after council remarks. Vice Mayor Pontieri responded that she disagreed with moving it further and noted council already exceeds statutory public comment requirements. Passed 4-1 as part of the consent agenda.
Raised questions about whether piggybacking agreements remove dollar limitations on purchases, expressed concern about the White View right-of-way purchase being in wetlands, questioned the use of FDOT funds for westward expansion rather than improving existing roads like Old Kings Road, and urged more active policing on Belle Terre and Old Kings Road due to frequent accidents.
Westward Expansion
J
Public Participation
K
Discussion By City Council Of Matters Not On The Agenda
L
Discussion By City Attorney Of Matters Not On The Agenda
Praised the city manager and communications staff for a recent public meet-and-greet event and suggested council members hold individual 30-minute pre-meeting public sessions to allow direct two-way conversation rather than one-way public comment.
Speaker
Expressed concern about an AI data center and overseas cable landing station project, asserting it will be used for surveillance and social control. Requested copies of council members' oaths of office and threatened a class action lawsuit if the project continues.
Speaker
Read a letter of thanks to Sheriff Staly praising a department presentation, highlighted the jail's vocational and Humane Society programs, and noted Palm Coast's ranking as the second safest city in Florida. Advocated for the council to support the Sheriff's upcoming budget requests including 12 additional deputies and a potential satellite office for western Palm Coast.
Speaker
Raised citizen concerns stemming from comments made at a prior workshop about affordable duplex homes, specifically that city leaders appeared to be trying to lower home prices, which would harm current homeowners' primary asset and property tax base. Asked council to clarify their intent and affirm they are not working to reduce home values.
Tony Amaral Jr. Candidate
Requested that agenda packets be posted earlier than Friday afternoon given their length (557 pages noted). Raised the status of Project Magellan's non-disclosure agreement and whether it has expired or been extended under F.S. 288.075. Also raised concern about a 70%+ spike in transportation impact fees shown in the prior week's CIP workshop and questioned whether a $6.5 million carryover figure reflected an error.
Darlene Shelley Candidate
Responded to Mayor Norris's explanation of the loop road's purpose as a state transportation corridor alternative. Argued that FDOT safety funds should prioritize improving existing roads serving current residents, particularly Old Kings Road which she said has been promised four-laning for over a decade, rather than funding westward expansion infrastructure. Also called for more active traffic enforcement on existing Palm Coast roads.
Westward ExpansionLoop Road
Darlene Shelley Candidate
Asked whether the Palm Coast Park MPD amendment changes setbacks or green space requirements between developments, and raised longstanding concerns about compatibility of high-density development with existing single-family homes. Argued the area is better suited for commercial use and expressed opposition to additional residential development.
Speaker
Stated he lived in a D.R. Horton community in St. Augustine and found it well-developed with a strong sense of neighborhood and high homeownership rate, in contrast to an adjacent townhome community with lower ownership. Expressed support for the proposed project as preferable to attached townhomes.
Speaker
Expressed opposition to the SR 100 Corridor CRA Vertical Development Incentive Program, characterizing the CRA as a tool that has benefited developers rather than residents, describing Town Center as a failed vision, asserting crime is higher in that area, and arguing that vertical development is not in the public interest. Questioned whether any residents benefit from these incentives.
Tony Amaral Jr. Candidate
Thanked staff for securing right-of-way for a future White View Parkway extension but raised concerns that the 200-ft strip involves a 9-ft grade drop into wetlands, making construction costly. Questioned why the city is paying $500,000 plus $220,000 in impact fee credits for land that will require millions more to develop, and noted the city may be increasing the value of adjacent privately-held land. Suggested acquiring an additional 100-ft strip of land the city may already own nearby.
Speaker
Noted that consent agenda item I.6 amending the meeting policies and procedures did not address his prior request to move the final public comment period to the end of the meeting, after council and city manager remarks, so citizens can respond to issues raised during the meeting.
Advisory Notes
— (public_comment)
A speaker raised concerns about an AI data center and overseas cable landing station project, asserting it would be used for population surveillance and social credit scoring, citing the World Economic Forum. She requested copies of council members' oaths of office and stated she would pursue legal action if the project continues. Council members responded at length, clarifying the project is a cable landing station with a closed-loop water system and not a large-scale data center, and that Florida law prohibits utility companies from socializing data center energy costs to other ratepayers.
— (context, G.2)
During discussion of the Palm Coast Park MPD amendment, Council Member Sullivan and Vice Mayor Pontieri raised a multi-year concern about alleged damage to the Hewlett's Mill Revolutionary War historical site caused by a retention pond sluice placed at the edge of the site during adjacent Sawmill Branch development. Pontieri cited a January 2023 email she sent to city staff reporting the issue. The applicant's representative indicated he was unaware of the issue and would investigate. The city manager offered to look into what remediation options might exist.
— (public_comment)
During public comment on the consent agenda, a speaker (Tony Amaral) raised concern that the transportation impact fee spike seen in the recent CIP workshop — a 70%+ single-year increase — had not been adequately explained and suggested it may reflect a calculation error creating a $6.5 million carryover that does not actually exist. Vice Mayor Pontieri noted she could not comment due to an ongoing lawsuit but directed the speaker to work with staff directly.
— (context)
Tony Amaral raised the status of Project Magellan's non-disclosure agreement during public comment, asserting the 12-month statutory NDA period under F.S. 288.075 has expired and requesting confirmation or denial of any extension filing. City Attorney Duffy indicated the NDA had likely expired but that it appeared to be a standard NDA not subject to that specific statute, and that he would confirm with the economic development department. Council Member Pontieri linked Project Magellan's outcome to messaging around the Palm Coast Park MPD discussion and cautioned that negative signals from the dais may be deterring prospective tenants including Synergy Sports.