DATE IS SET FOR HEARING TO REZONE ACREAGE AT COUNTY LINE AND SWINDELL.
On May 27, at 7:30 p.m., at the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building, Mayor Nate Kilton called to order the Regular Meeting of the City Commission. 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 sat at the dais for the meeting.
Brian Stowe, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Plant City, gave the invocation, praying for “blessing, wisdom, and guidance” for the city commissioners. As is customary, the assembly followed by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
During the period for public comments, Allen Sandor aired his safety and financial concern about East Reynolds Street, between Palmer Street and the railroad tracks. According to Sandor, the city deploys a vacuum truck to the location weekly and blocks one lane while working. Sandor pointed out school buses travel the street, while cars weave in and out to get ahead the buses and other cars to get through the single lane—which is a safety concern. Mayor Kilton responded by saying the City of Plant City is in the process of rectifying the problem at that site. The city is working through replacing the sewer lines, but because of what needs to be done to handle the site properly, CSX also has to have input on the project—which takes more time than a regular project.
The City Manager brought these three items to the commission for vote.
25-213 – A resolution authorizing an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for Roadway Improvement Projects. This is a state-funded grant agreement for $9,500,000 for design, construction, and inspection for improving roadways. These funds are in addition to the $9,647,000 commissioners approved March 10. The project will restore, rehabilitate, and resurface 9.26 miles of streets, and 2.92 miles of sidewalks. Among other things, the work will improve access to the planned splash park on Young Street. In the northeast quadrant of Plant City, streets slated for work are E. Calhoun, E. Cherry, N. Maryland, N. Gordon, McDavid, and N Vermont. In this area, with the exception of N. Maryland, sidewalk work will also be included. Other streets that will be improved are Wheeler, S. Evers, W. Renfro, W. Warren, W. Alabama, Alsobrook, and Coronet Road.
25-220 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Kilton to execute an FDOT state-funded grant agreement in which the FDOT will supply $500,000 for a transportation network study to address Plant City’s existing and future growth, transportation needs, costs, and project prioritization for the next 20 years.
25-215 – A resolution approving an amendment to the budget for the fiscal year ending September 30. This is to move funds internally for the 25-213 and 25-220 road rehabilitation projects.
Plant City’s new Fire Rescue chief and deputy chiefs sat in on the meeting. The city manager recognized their presence and the crowd applauded. City commissioners welcomed the three to Plant City. On May 19, they were sworn in along with eight newly-hired firefighters.
“I think the citizens of Plant City now realize that we are very effective in what we are doing….in getting the help we need for the fire service and police service,” Sparkman said.
“We are here for you,” Mathis said to the three. So, if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.”
“The future looks very bright for Fire Rescue,” Dodson said. “We know your leadership will have a lot to do with what the future holds.”
The city commissioners moved on to congratulate students graduating from Plant City schools.
25-222 – A resolution appointing current first alternate member, Stephanie Varney, as a full member to the Code Enforcement Board to fulfill the term of board member Keith Lorenz, who resigned unexpectedly. Varney is a Plant City native, whose family in the area reaches back eight generations. Her great aunt was Nettie Draughon, who got Varney involved in city events. “I would LOVE to give back to the city she loved so much, and make my own contribution to it as well,” Varney stated on her application. She earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Central Florida, taught as a college professor, and worked as a background investigator for the federal government. Currently, she writes full time.
25-221 – A resolution setting a legislative public hearing on an ordinance amending Section 2-34, Plant City Code to reschedule the times of Regular Meetings of the City Commission. Mayor Kilton proposed that the meeting time be changed from 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., because, as Plant City has grown, the meeting times have increased, and the meetings often run late into Monday nights.
25-223 – A resolution setting a legislative public hearing on an ordinance approving map amendment PC/CPA 24-06 located at the northwest corner of County Line Road and Swindell Road.
25-224 – A resolution setting a quasi-judicial public hearing on an ordinance to rezone 14.0+ acres to the Oakfield Business Park Expansion Planned Development District, with a specific approval request, located at the northwest corner of Swindell Road and County Line Road (PB-2024-28).
All of the items on the agenda passed with separate 5-0 votes.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you were in for a treat for our 34-minute meeting,” Kilton concluded. “We will see you back here in two weeks. You should eat your Wheaties before that one.”
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
