Pledge Of Allegiance To The Flag And A Moment Of Silence
C
Roll Call
D
Public Participation
Jeremy "Fireball" Davis
Infrastructure sustainability, growth management, and enforcement of the city's technical manual standard on finished floor elevations relative to adjacent homes; concerns about permitting inconsistencies attributed to a 'system glitch.'
Speaker
Proposed concrete skate park potentially co-located with the YMCA in Town Center; concerns about limited hours, access fees, registration requirements, key-fob entry, room for expansion, and whether the YMCA partnership is appropriate.
Speaker
Concrete skate park; personal experience with restrictive hours at the Port Orange YMCA skate park; argument that Palm Coast residents travel out of county to skateboard; skate parks attract families of all ages.
Speaker
Affordable housing model for first responders, teachers, and other workforce employees tied to the E-section expansion; proposed forgivable grant structure with income limits and builder buy-down incentives; presented a written plan to council.
Speaker
Concrete skate park; concern that YMCA involvement would deter the target audience; suggested the Indian Trails Park vacant land as an alternative site.
Jeanie Duarte Candidate
Charter vacancy language regarding Council Member Sullivan's seat; alleged the charter required an election that was never held; also raised the westward expansion loop road and developer responsibility for approximately $126 million in lobbied funding.
Westward ExpansionLoop Road
Speaker
Historical preservation; presented an original copy of the Palm Coast comprehensive land use plan containing language encouraging resident monitoring of significant sites; discussed the Certified Local Government (CLG) designation process and need for a historical preservation ordinance.
Speaker
Historical preservation; displayed a historical map of Palm Coast archaeological sites; thanked the council for being the first to take history and heritage seriously; discussed the CLG process and preservation ordinance.
Speaker
Sound quality complaint; requested the volume be increased so members of the public in the back could hear.
Speaker
Concrete skate park; advocacy for a free, publicly accessible skate park; noted the lack of free activities for young people in Palm Coast.
JB Pro consultant Tara Howell presented a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment documenting that 87% of Palm Coast housing stock is single-family, rental cost burden affects more than half of renters, and affordability challenges are expected to worsen through 2050 particularly for households below 80% AMI. Nine strategies were presented ranging from zoning updates and expedited permitting to inclusionary zoning. Council debated the appropriate role of government versus market forces; Vice Mayor Pontieri argued the most targeted need is housing for the aging community. Council reached consensus to pursue strategies 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 and directed staff to return with a chart showing completed versus pending actions, integrated with the LDC update process.
Staff presented two options for allowing duplex-zoned lots to be split into two single-family lots with reduced development standards (1,000 sq ft minimum, one-car garage, 5-ft side setbacks). Council discussed compatibility concerns, the pilot program logistics, and whether option 4 (affordable-housing-restricted splits) was financially viable given builder feedback that homes could not be priced under $300,000. Council consensus (Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Councilman Sullivan opposed; Councilman Gambaro and Councilman Miller supportive of option 4) was not to move forward with any pilot or permanent program at this time.
HR Director Reina Fuller and broker Brandon Savage presented FY27 health insurance options. Council reached consensus to close the PPO to new enrollees while grandfathering current employees, introduce an enhanced HMO (Blue Care network, estimated $293/biweekly for family vs. $333 PPO), and retain the HDHP. Regarding the proposed My Health On-Site clinic partnership, council directed staff to obtain a multi-year cost-versus-savings projection and data from the county's existing clinic before returning with a recommendation; no decision was made on the clinic.
Deputy Director Lynn Stevens and Stormwater Engineer Carmelo Morales reported that staff achieved over 55 miles of swale improvements in FY25—the most in city history—and reduced open work orders from over 1,000 to 341. Capital projects underway include the Culbert Lane culvert upsizing (on budget), Pine Grove canal dredging (change order forthcoming), and Woodland culvert upsizing. Staff requested consensus to purchase a pontoon excavator ($660,000) using unspent contractor funds ($900,000 appropriated). Council gave unanimous consensus. Staff also previewed upcoming feasibility studies for the Burroughs Drive area and a Lohigh Canal extension.
Staff (Carl Cody and Scott Kho) presented the third Transmap road scan showing the citywide PCI has declined from 79 (2017) to 72 (2026), with residential collectors averaging 69 and some roads in the 40s. The current $2.5M annual budget is insufficient to maintain the network; the identified annual shortfall is approximately $10M. Two options were presented: dedicate all funds to arterials (residential PCI drops to 57 on collectors in 5 years) or split funds. Council debated funding mechanisms including dedicated millage, franchise fees, and sales tax; consensus was to bring funding scenarios to the June 9 budget workshop and explore dedicating millage to roads.
City Manager's office (Chief McGlothlin and Britney Kershaw) presented the Strategic Action Plan evaluation based on council one-on-one interviews and community surveys. Council reviewed all existing priorities and new proposals. Key decisions: stormwater moved to operations; roads elevated to priority #2; economic development priority expanded to include CRA master plan, YMCA/stage development, and private-sector engagement; parks priority narrowed to lighted fields, trail connectivity, deferred maintenance, skate park exploration, and board role clarification; fire service fee feasibility and hazmat team exploration added as new priorities; parking fees rejected; grant writer function added; charter review removed as completed. The revised SAP will be adopted at the June 2 business meeting.
City Attorney Duffy presented revised language for two charter amendment questions. Amendment 1 (forfeiture/suspension): adds reference to Florida Ethics Code (Ch. 112) and any future adopted council standard of conduct, and introduces a new subsection D allowing a supermajority to petition the governor for removal after three censures within a calendar year. Amendment 2 (vacancy filling): adds an 18-month rule requiring a special election (to be called within 30 days, held within 90 days subject to SOE availability) when more than 18 months remain before the next general election; adds a ballot-deadline guardrail for vacancies that occur too late for the seat to be legally certified. Council provided direction on all subsections; ordinance will be ready for first reading.
Vote: null
F
Public Comments
G
Discussion By City Council Of Matters Not On The Agenda
H
Discussion By City Attorney Of Matters Not On The Agenda
I
Discussion By City Manager Of Matters Not On The Agenda
Housing Needs Assessment; concern about rising utility rates pushing seniors on fixed incomes out of their homes; called for incentivizing existing multifamily developments to include affordable downsizing options rather than touching infill lots.
Speaker
Housing Needs Assessment; described experience as AHAC chair and mortgage professional; cited specific workforce income thresholds (~$66,500 AMI); described teachers, firefighters, and other workers who cannot afford to live in Palm Coast; argued for inclusionary requirements on new developments.
Raymond Royer Candidate
Housing Needs Assessment; as a retired firefighter and veteran, supported workforce housing but not handouts; argued for addressing salary levels and union contracts rather than subsidies; warned against manufactured homes due to hurricane insurance implications; noted the skewed AMI from northeastern pension-holders purchasing homes.
Speaker
Housing Needs Assessment; expressed appreciation for the council-staff dialogue; noted Palm Coast is relatively affordable; argued the primary issue is attracting higher-paying jobs and creating community amenities to retain younger residents; supported in-law suite flexibility over broad affordable housing initiatives.
Speaker
Housing Needs Assessment; noted macro-economic factors including Freddie Mac restructuring, new Fed chair, and interest rate uncertainty that should inform any financial decisions; cautioned against acting on housing subsidies before these variables resolve; argued smaller square footage does not automatically mean lower cost.
Speaker
Housing Needs Assessment; argued there is no affordability problem beyond what was created by elected-official decisions; cited 6,100 affordable units and over 6,000 in the queue on Old Kings Road including senior apartments at $400–$600/month; argued the real issue is quality jobs; questioned the cost of the housing assessment.
Speaker
Housing Needs Assessment; noted that market forces alone do not make housing affordable; argued that council already uses tools (exception lot sizes, innovation kickstart utility fee credits) that constitute incentives and those tools should be tied to affordability requirements; urged council to use the report's findings.
Speaker
Housing Needs Assessment; thanked AHAC volunteers; asked on the record how much the housing needs assessment cost taxpayers; criticized focus on seniors only and exclusion of disabled community; argued ADUs are the mechanism being discussed without being named; cited homeownership becoming out of reach for lower and moderate income people.
Jeremy "Fireball" Davis
Housing Needs Assessment; argued that density increases do not improve affordability when utility bills, insurance, and taxes also rise; noted that the same developer and engineering firm names repeatedly appear across development, infrastructure, and political contribution discussions; called for growth decisions driven by public interest rather than growth for its own sake.
Raymond Royer Candidate
Duplex zoned lots; argued that splitting duplex lots would negatively affect compatibility and home values; supported leaving duplex lots as-is for larger single-family homes; criticized the process as a 'bait and switch' favoring developers.
Speaker
Duplex zoned lots; opposition to the proposal citing impacts on existing homeowners' equity and property values; argued the idea does not address compatibility; characterized it as disrespectful to constituents.
Jeanie Duarte Candidate
Duplex zoned lots; concern about renters in existing duplex areas causing neighborhood maintenance issues; argued ownership is preferable; opposed inserting smaller homes into single-family neighborhoods.
Speaker
Duplex zoned lots; argued that council should simply say they do not like the idea rather than citing compatibility; noted a duplex can already be split and sold individually under existing code; asked council to be transparent about their actual objections; commended the dialogue.
Speaker
Duplex zoned lots; explained that the proposal was intended to convert rental duplex areas into owner-occupied single-family homes, improving neighborhood character rather than worsening it; argued this is the fastest and cheapest path to affordable homeownership; supported tying it to affordability requirements for police, teachers, firefighters, and downsizing seniors.
Jeanie Duarte Candidate
FY27 Health Insurance; asked whether the county's on-site clinic constitutes a 'private medical facility' and whether Palm Coast was planning something similar for its employees; expressed surprise at the scope of employee benefits described.
Jeanie Duarte Candidate
Stormwater Annual Update; commended the stormwater team; noted chemicals sprayed in waterways connect to the drinking water system and affect wildlife; urged continued investment and transition from reactive to proactive maintenance; supported doubling crew capacity over fleet maintenance investments.
capacity
Raymond Royer Candidate
Stormwater Annual Update; drew on personal experience managing a community association's drainage; argued the stormwater department needs at least 15 personnel, two excavators, and dedicated surveyors to properly maintain the system; raised concerns about inaccurate grading causing water pooling in front of homes.
Darlene Shelley Candidate
Stormwater Annual Update; commended swale improvements in the K-section; raised concerns about clear-cutting wetlands and impervious surfaces increasing flooding risk; argued airport leaded-fuel runoff drains into canals with no filtration system; called on city and county to address water quality.
Jeremy "Fireball" Davis
Stormwater Annual Update; thanked stormwater staff; noted that his property was actively flooding during the presentation; argued storm water problems involve grading, runoff volume, and system capacity; supported proactive infrastructure planning.
capacity
Jeanie Duarte Candidate
Pavement Management; argued that the pavement data shows prior administrations neglected road maintenance; urged using westward expansion loop road funds redirected to road maintenance rather than that project; called for using existing reserves or renegotiating ad valorem rather than new fees.
Westward ExpansionLoop Road
Jeanie Duarte Candidate
SAP Evaluation Workshop; praised the SAP process and council-staff dialogue observed at the workshop; suggested Bunnell should be included as a regional partner in economic development conversations given their land availability; noted the Florida Inland Navigation District as a funding source for canal dredging; explained the hydraulic capacity benefit of dredging in terms of cubic yards of storage.
capacity
Speaker
Charter amendment; concerned about council members' role in setting mental health services and quality-of-life benefits for fire department employees versus handling those issues in-house; asked how the fire department is funded differently from the sheriff's office.
Speaker
First Amendment rights; argued that his removal from the chamber in February 2025 for stating 'I am very emotional, I am shaken' was constitutionally impermissible; cited Supreme Court precedent protecting robust political speech and criticism of public officials; argued local decorum rules cannot override constitutional protections.
Speaker
City charter history; presented a physical timeline of Palm Coast charter documents alleging that the charter was substantively rewritten in January 2019 and further altered in April 2022 without voter approval; argued the current proposed amendments add more ambiguity rather than restoring the original pre-2018 charter language; characterized the situation as obstruction of justice.
Advisory Notes
— (public_comment, D)
A speaker raised concerns about the city's technical manual standard requiring finished floor elevations of homes to be within 10 inches of adjacent homes, alleging that approved permits appear to exceed this standard and that a prior 'system glitch' explanation was cited by city officials. The speaker framed this as a public confidence and enforcement consistency issue without naming specific addresses or individuals.
— (public_comment, D)
A speaker raised the charter vacancy language concerning Council Member Sullivan's seat, quoting the charter provision that an appointment 'shall last until the next regularly scheduled election, at which time the seat shall be declared open,' and asserting that the required election was never held. The mayor noted the charter was an agenda item and redirected the speaker.
— (public_comment, D)
A speaker alleged that the westward expansion loop road funding (referenced as approximately $126 million) was lobbied for under false pretenses and that the developer disputes responsibility for construction, and called for funds to be returned to the state.
— (public_comment, E.9)
A speaker presented physical copies of the Palm Coast charter at various historical dates, alleging that the charter was substantively altered in January 2019 and April 2022 without voter approval, that these changes introduced 'ambiguity,' and that the mayor's vacancy language was changed at that time. The speaker characterized the situation as 'obstruction of justice and collusion to defraud citizens.'
— (public_comment, F)
A speaker cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent (New York Times v. Sullivan; Cohen v. California) to argue that his removal from the chamber in February 2025 after stating 'I am very emotional, I am shaken' was a constitutionally impermissible suppression of protected political speech and that the council cannot use decorum rules to chill public criticism of campaign contributions connected to development votes.