Flooding and drainage backup on Paradi Lane following a May 12th incident — requesting written findings from the city, identification of corrective work performed, evaluation of neighboring property drainage, and a named staff contact with a delivery date for a written response.
Request for staff to explore creating enforceable timelines for approved development projects that have stalled for years, including possible penalties or expiration of approval rights if no substantial progress is made within two to three years.
Evergreen Solutions LLC presented preliminary findings of a comprehensive compensation and benefits survey commissioned to support the city's Strategic Action Plan.
The pay structure was found to be broadly competitive with peer municipalities after cost-of-living adjustment, with ranges slightly above the market midpoint, but actual employee salaries run about 5% below peer averages because most employees are concentrated in the lower half of their pay ranges.
Sixteen positions encompassing 50 employees currently fall more than 5% below the market minimum, a number projected to grow to roughly 30 positions and 80 employees if the market moves 3% and the city does not adjust.
Final recommendations and costing options are expected in January 2027 for consideration in the FY28 budget.
Council reached consensus to request that the final report include fully burdened compensation comparisons (salary plus benefits including retirement) rather than salary alone, and noted that health insurance premiums are rising approximately 25% for the upcoming year.
Julia Trujillo, grant administrator for FC3 (Flagler County Cultural Council), presented eight cultural arts grant applications for FY2026-2027 totaling approximately $83,000 — below the budgeted amount — all from nonprofit organizations, seven of which received and fulfilled grants the prior year.
The one new applicant is City Lights Inc.
The panel scored all eight applicants above the 80-point minimum threshold.
Vice Mayor Pontieri flagged a concern about some grants supporting broad multi-event seasons rather than discrete events, and asked that future grants be more targeted; she noted support for this year's applicants while flagging the direction for future cycles.
Mayor Norris raised the question of whether the FC3 contract had been renewed for the current year, which was confirmed as pending — payments cannot be made without it.
Council also discussed that Palm Coast is currently the only municipality funding the grant program, and that the city's Historic Society was previously excluded from eligibility, which the mayor characterized as unacceptable.
A fifth-grader from Wadsworth Elementary School read his published short story 'Elf Diaries' aloud to applause.
General support for the cultural arts grant program; concern that the program guide at the FC3 annual meeting did not include a budget; inquiry about when the turtle-themed environmental book funded by a prior grant would be published, noting it was reportedly delayed due to the author's illness and that donors have been waiting several years.
Support for arts programming; request for a status update on the arts-in-public-places fund established in November 2024, which captures one-half of one percent of commercial project values over $1 million, asking whether any funds have been collected and whether that revenue could help sustain cultural grants in the face of potential Amendment 3 budget impacts.
Announcement that the Flagler Education Foundation's book launch for the Josh Cruz Writing Program will be held March 30-31 of next year and that the public is invited.
Fire Chief Barry Hill and YMCA representatives John Walsh and Chris Sealcop presented a proposed 35-year lease agreement (at $1/year) for city-owned Town Center land, under which the Volusia-Flagler YMCA would construct a roughly 46,300-square-foot facility including a 50-meter competitive pool, a family pool, a gymnasium, wellness center, and other amenities at a projected total cost of approximately $14 million.
The city's contribution is $3.25 million from CRA funds and a state appropriation; the Flagler County School District is being asked for $3 million; the YMCA is responsible for the remaining $8 million through a mortgage, a private donor commitment of $1 million, and a community fundraising campaign.
Groundbreaking is targeted for winter 2026 with completion by winter 2028.
Council discussion centered on the need to condition city approval on the school board's concurrent approval, clarifying that the agreement currently says 'one pool' while the presentation shows two, adding insurance minimums and a cleaner mortgage-default protection clause, and addressing shared parking arrangements with the Town Center stage.
Vice Mayor Pontieri also sought more explicit carve-outs for competitive swim clubs in the pool-use schedule.
The resolution is scheduled for vote at the October 20 business meeting.
Personal history with the YMCA and support for the project; concern about water quality going into a new pool given issues at other local pools, and a request that Vice Mayor Pontieri clarify her prior statement about indirect potable water reuse policy.
Question about who pays for city restoration of a partially damaged YMCA facility under Section 11 of the draft lease, and what insurance coverage applies in that scenario.
Support for the YMCA project generally but concern about whether the city's commitment is truly one-time given CRA funding dynamics and the city's planned land purchase in the same district; question about what happens to the land and building if the YMCA does not complete the project or the school board declines to participate; question about future disposition of the existing Freda Zamba aquatic facility.
Support for recreational investment but request that the city publish project roles and financial interests of YMCA board members involved in negotiating the lease, citing concerns raised by the recent Town Center settlement.
Specific concerns about Section 11 casualty restoration language, shared parking cost assignment, conditionality on school board approval, and the need for the agreement to define what public access and affordability commitments residents receive in exchange for the land and financial contribution.
Clarification that FC3 receives zero dollars from the city to administer the grant program and self-funds approximately $7,000 in annual administrative costs; clarification that the turtle book referenced earlier is not city-funded but was supported by a private donation, and that the author Nancy Crouch has been ill but the book is nearing completion.
Request for a transparent, itemized breakdown of city council salaries, benefits, allowances, travel, and discretionary expenses, and a motion directing staff to bring cost-reduction options for council compensation back to a future agenda so council can lead by example before asking others to accept tighter budgets.
Request for a status update on the vacant economic development director and business development director positions, and inquiry about who is currently handling those responsibilities.
Presentation of a compiled history of city charter changes from 1999 to 2023 given to the mayor, including 2018 and 2024 ballot language, alleging discrepancies between how council and mayor compensation appears in the budget versus charter-mandated salary calculations, and disputing the petition-filing fee she was charged based on combined rather than individual seat salary figures.
Heard before · Item E.1 · Oct 13, 2026
Council tabled the contract with Evergreen Solutions on Apr 7, then approved it Apr 21. Staff had gone out for proposals and received seven. p.3
“The City went out for a request for proposal for a comprehensive compensation and benefit survey. We received 7 proposals.”
This is a presentation of results. No action is requested. p.3
“FOR PRESENTATION ONLY”
Pay ranges are close to market, but the salaries employees actually earn average 5.6 percent below market. p.13
“The City’s average actual salaries remain 5.6 percent below market”
Sixteen positions, held by 50 employees, are already 5 percent or more below the market minimum. With an expected 3 percent market shift, that grows to nearly 30 positions and 80 employees. p.14
“Currently, 16 positions (50 employees) are 5 percent or more below the market minimum.”
No cost-of-living raise or range adjustment is planned this year, so the study expects the city's position to slip. p.14
“With no COLA or corresponding range adjustment planned this year, the City’s market position is expected to decline.”
Final recommendations come to council in January 2027. Any pay changes would be weighed for the fiscal 2028 budget. p.17
“Evaluate implementation options for the FY 2028 budget.”
Resolution approving a comprehensive compensation and benefit survey with Evergreen Solutions LLC for $54,500 was pulled from the consent agenda at Mayor Norris's request.
After discussion about whether the survey should be done in-house versus by an outside firm, the item was tabled to the next business meeting.
Staff was directed to provide a comparison of projected in-house staff hours versus contractor cost, a comparison of what comparable cities have paid Evergreen for similar work, and the meeting minutes where this council directed staff to seek an outside vendor.
Vote, per the approved minutes: motion to table the item to the next business meeting, seconded by Council Member Sullivan — Passed 5-0 (Gambaro, Miller, Norris, Pontieri, Sullivan) Moved by Pontieri, seconded by Sullivan.
Vote, per our caption record: 5-0 (unanimous — motion to table) Taken from the meeting's captions; not yet checked against the video.
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.
Vote, per the approved minutes: motion to approve RESOLUTION 2026-XX approving a comprehensive compensation and benefit survey with Evergreen Solutions, LLC — Passed 5-0 (Gambaro, Miller, Sullivan, Norris, Pontieri) Moved by Gambaro, seconded by Sullivan.
Vote, per our caption record: 5-0 Taken from the meeting's captions; not yet checked against the video.
Sources: the Oct 13, 2026 agenda packet (page numbers link to the page; background written from the packet by PalmCoastStorylines), and PalmCoastStorylines meeting records for April 7, 2026; April 21, 2026, built from the city's agenda packets and meeting video. Summaries and votes from those meetings are generated from the captions and are unverified unless marked otherwise; the video is the record. Full packet →
Background · Item E.2 · Oct 13, 2026
The city has run this matching grant program for arts, history and cultural groups since 2002. Since 2024 the Flagler County Cultural Council (FC3) has run the applications and review for the city. p.19
“In 2024, the City of Palm Coast partnered with FC3 to administer the Cultural Art Grant program.”
Eight groups applied for fiscal 2026–27, and all eight are recommended, for $85,392 in total. p.19
“All eight organizations, listed in the attached presentation, have been recommended for funding”
The city's calendar lists the grant resolution for a vote at the Oct 20 Business Meeting. p.59
Sources: the Oct 13, 2026 agenda packet (page numbers link to the page; background written from the packet by PalmCoastStorylines). Full packet →
Background · Item E.3 · Oct 13, 2026
A 35-year lease of city-owned land at 1580 Central Avenue to the Volusia/Flagler Family YMCA, for $1 a year. p.42
“compensation to the CITY in the amount of ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) per year”
The YMCA would build and run a facility of about 44,000 square feet, with an Olympic-size pool, wellness center, gym, locker rooms, childcare area and exercise rooms. p.43
“includes, but is not limited to, an Olympic-size swimming pool, wellness center, sports gym, locker rooms, childcare area, group exercise rooms”
Deadlines: the YMCA must apply for permits within six months of the agreement and have everything open within three years of the permit application, unless both sides agree otherwise in writing. p.43
“shall have all such facilities fully constructed, operational, and open to the public within three (3) years of the date of the permit application”
The city would pay $3.25 million toward construction: $250,000 from state appropriations, then $2 million in fiscal 2027, $500,000 in fiscal 2028 and $500,000 in fiscal 2029, each paid April 1. p.42
“Each payment will be received by the YMCA on April 1st of the designated fiscal year.”
The draft does not say which city fund the $3 million comes from. p.42
The Flagler County School District would get permanent use for PE and school sports, under a separate agreement between the district and the YMCA. The draft lease names no school district contribution. p.43
“perpetual usage rights for Physical Education programming and District-sanctioned sports team practices and competitions”
The YMCA alone sets membership and non-member fees. Palm Coast youth sports clubs get access at nominal rates, defined as the YMCA's actual cost. p.44
“The right to set and control fees charged to members and non-members by the YMCA shall remain with the YMCA”
If the YMCA stops operating and leaves, the building and pool become the city's at no cost. p.51
“shall immediately revert to the ownership of the CITY at no cost to the CITY”
It is still a draft: the start and end dates are placeholders. p.42
“commencing on the 1st day of Month, 2026, and extending until midnight on Month 31, 2061”
One recital gives the property's ZIP code as 32136, which is Flagler Beach's; the next, like city hall's address, says 32164. p.41
“1580 Central Avenue, Palm Coast, Florida 32136”
The city's calendar lists a YMCA resolution for the Oct 20 Business Meeting, one week after this presentation. p.59
Apr 14 workshop, CRA presentation: staff listed a planned YMCA commitment among the SR 100 CRA's internal obligations. ▶ Apr 14 video, 3:58:35
“the planned commitment to Y YMCA that has not been advanced, but it is planned”
Later in that presentation the Vice Mayor said she had not known CRA money was going toward the YMCA. ▶ Apr 14 video, 4:19:46
“I wasn't aware that CRA funds were going to be paid towards that”
July 14 budget workshop: a council member, asking ahead to a YMCA pool, put the city pool's yearly loss at about $500,000, and staff agreed. ▶ Jul 14 video, 1:55:33
“losing about $500,000 on the pool. Is that about right?”
Later that day staff said the YMCA agreement would come to council this fall. ▶ Jul 14 video, 2:08:31
“the council can also expect to see the uh YMCA YMCA agreement uh coming to you this fall”
At the same workshop a council member favored putting a 5,000-square-foot skate park bowl on the YMCA property, paid with CRA money. The draft lease does not mention a skate park. ▶ Jul 14 video, 4:20:18
“if it is on the YMCA property, we can use CRA dollars towards it”
Aug 11 capital budget workshop: staff said the YMCA was budgeted entirely from the CRA, adding up to a $3 million city obligation, and that the payments now stretch into 2029. ▶ Aug 11 video, 2:01:51
“the YMCA is fully funded from the CRA that agreement hasn't come to council yet but this adds up to that $3 million obligation”
At the same meeting the Vice Mayor objected to committing the money before the school board did. ▶ Aug 11 video, 2:06:44
“I'm concerned that the city is going to commit $3 million without a schoolboard commitment”
Aug 25 final budget workshop: a council member asked whether the school district had decided to help pay for the pool. Staff said they knew of no decision. Staff agreed to research what an Olympic-size pool costs. ▶ Aug 25 video, 1:28:11
“if the school district does not agree to also put in $3 million, there can be no Olympic size”
Sources: the Oct 13, 2026 agenda packet (page numbers link to the page; background written from the packet by PalmCoastStorylines). Full packet →
Request that the city's compensation survey look back to 2018 for historical comparison, concern that the budget does not separately itemize council and mayor compensation, allegation of unapproved charter changes resulting in a 164% increase in council pay and 151% increase in mayor pay, and note that 2022 and 2023 budgets were previously unavailable to the public.
Also acknowledged the mayor's practice of donating salary to scholarships.
Request that when the compensation study returns, the analysis account for whether peer municipalities participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS), since the city does not, in order to ensure a true apples-to-apples total compensation comparison.