Several residents express flooding concerns after the July 14 Storm.
On July 28, Mayor Nate Kilton called to order the Regular Meeting of the City Commission at the new time of 6:00 p.m. Vice-Mayor Jason Jones, City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis, City Commissioner Bill Dodson, City Commissioner Mike Sparkman, City Attorney Kenneth Buchman, City Clerk Kerri Miller, and City Manager Bill McDaniel were all present for the meeting.
Reverend Raymond Williams, of the Plant City United Pentecostal Church, gave an invocation. Attendees followed by standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The time for public comments lasted for 40 minutes while 12 people stood before the dais to communicate different issues to the city commissioners. Most spoke of their concerns about flooding, and requested the city do something to protect their homes. Much of the discussion referred to Roseland Park. One citizen had questions about who is responsible for maintaining property behind her house. Two of the residents brought ideas about what could be done to stop flooding in specific sections of Plant City. On different matters, two women called for the city commissioners to provide for indigent people in Plant City. One woman spoke out that the streets near her house are in such disrepair that she fears damage to her car.
The city manager (CM) brought a report on flooding during the severe rain that fell on July 14. This was not a typical summer storm because, rather than moving through the area, the storm stopped over Plant City and dumped 10.39 inches of rain in three hours.
The next item was added to the meeting after the agenda had been published. An opportunity arose to buy a property adjacent to City Hall for $1,150,000. The parcel sits between City Hall and another property owned by the city. The city has monitored the property for 25 years, waiting for a chance to buy it because owning the parcel would allow the city to expand its offices and parking.
25-302 – A resolution authorizing the CM to advise the property appraiser of the city’s proposed millage rate, of its rolled-back rate, and the date, time, and place at which a public hearing will be held to consider the proposed millage and tentative budget. The public hearing was set for August 25 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall.
25-304 – A resolution authorizing the purchase of athletic equipment from Ball Fabrics, Inc. under Hillsborough County contract No. ITB 24-24905. The annual limit is $75,000 to repair and replace athletic field netting and fencing.
25-327 – A resolution authorizing CM to execute an architectural work order for a new community center. The cost is $84,600 for design and planning of a new facility.
25-289 – A resolution authorizing the CM to execute an engineering work order (EWO) with Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP for professional services to complete design for resurfacing the 9.7 miles of streets for Group 3. The cost is $835,215, and will come from an FDOT grant and the 1-Mil city street resurfacing tax.
25-290 – A resolution authorizing the CM to execute an EWO with Florida Transportation Engineering for professional services for street resurfacing (Group 4). The cost is $943,541.00 to complete design for 9.1 miles of streets. Funds will be drawn from an FDOT grant and the 1-Mil city street resurfacing tax.
25-291 – A resolution authorizing brick road restoration work along a city-owned alley with JNandlal Maintenance Services of Brandon LLC., under City of Lakeland bid No. 2023-ITB-078. The cost is $73,000 to repair this alley on the north side of the 100 block of E Reynolds St.
25-306 – A resolution authorizing the CM to execute an EWO with Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP for construction engineering and inspection services for a Varrea off-site utility extension. The cost is $120,000 for the 2.5 miles of water main, 1.4 miles of force main, and 1.1 miles of reclaimed water main.
25-308 – A resolution authorizing the CM to execute an EWO with Dewberry Engineers, Inc. for a wastewater model update and collection system capacity analysis to comply with state codes. The cost is $414,952.
25-324 – A resolution authorizing the CM to execute an EWO with Hazen and Sawyer for a water hydraulic model update and system evaluation. The cost is $310,000.
25-331; 25-333 – Resolutions approving amendments to the budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025.
25-326 – A resolution authorizing the CM to execute an EWO with Black and Veatch for third party review of the advanced treatment water facility preliminary design at a cost of $76,360.
25-300 – A resolution approving a real estate purchase agreement with Lakeside Station, LLC. regarding a letter of credit or other adequate security, and authorizing the CM to execute the letter on behalf of the city.
25-305 – A resolution setting a quasi-judicial public hearing on an ordinance to rezone .64 acres located on the east side of South Gibbs Street, south of West Strickland Street and north of West Grant Street from R-1A single-family dwelling district to R-2 multiple-family dwelling district. (PB-2025-11).
25-307 – A resolution setting a quasi-judicial public hearing on an ordinance for a major modification to the Linder Community Unit District located at the southeast corner of South Frontage Road and North Maryland Avenue (PB-2025-15).
25-323 – A resolution setting a public hearing on text amendment to Chapter 94, Plant City Code.
All resolutions passed with 5-0 votes, and the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
