City moves forward on sewer repair, street resurfacing, and reduced flooding.
On September 8, Mayor Nate Kilton called to order the Regular Meeting of the City Commission at 6:00 p.m. Vice-Mayor Jason Jones, City Commissioner Bill Dodson, City Commissioner Mike Sparkman, City Attorney Kenneth Buchman, City Clerk Kerri Miller, and City Manager Bill McDaniel were present for the meeting. The assembly stood while Church on the Rock Pastor, Jeffrey Howell, gave an invocation. Then the meeting followed with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
During the time for public comments, Charlotte Nelson referred to the August 25 City Commission meeting when she aired concerns about increased flow in Pemberton Creek. Since that time, city staff checked retention ponds near the creek, and another staff person took a johnboat out on the creek to inspect it. She thanked the city for responding to her remarks. Next, Marilyn Williams complained the water in her house has smelled like rotten eggs since June, the smell is still there, and that it shouldn’t take so long to handle her problem. She asked for someone from the city to contact her to resolve the issue. Mayor Kilton asked her to leave her telephone number with the city clerk, and said that someone would contact her. Cindy Ryan complained that there are simultaneous county and city meetings, so people can’t attend both. Also, she complained about flooding and the cost of flood insurance.
Steve Morey, President of the Plant City Economic Development Corporation, presented the annual report of the organization.
25-386 – A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Iron Container for the purchase of new steel dumpsters. This is a piggyback on an agreement with the City of St. Petersburg (IFB24-293). The city will get better pricing on the same dumpsters through this agreement. The agreement ends on January 31, 2030, and has one 3-year renewal option. The cost over the six years totals $306,000.
25-411 – A resolution authorizing the execution of a work order with Flotech Environmental, LLC, for a stormwater pipe lining project at Pine Club Dr. The pipe is significantly degraded and has two major holes. The most efficient and least costly way to repair the 225 feet of 30-inch pipe is to run lining through it rather than to dig it up and replace it. “Lining pipe instead of excavating is generally 50% to 75% more cost-effective,” Wayne Everhart, Director of Streets and Stormwater, said. “This is due to the non-invasive nature, and doesn’t require removal of roads and landscaping. When installed correctly, the repair has a life expectancy of over 50 years.” The cost is $59,000.
25-416 – A resolution approving the purchase and installation of a replacement well pump for water treatment plant No. 3. The cost is $109,000
25-417 – A resolution approving change order No. 4 with Killebrew, Inc. for the restoration of Grant St. The wet well, gravity main, force main, and site piping have been installed for new lift station 56 at this site. The remaining lift station work is planned to be completed by the end of September. The cost for the next step, rebuilding Grant Street itself, is $633,000.
25-423 – A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into the Meridian Portable Vehicle Mitigation Barrier agreement with the Department of Homeland Security – Florida Division of Emergency Management. This is an acquisition of 27 vehicle barriers, three hauling trailers, and three manual haulers.
25-427 – A resolution authorizing the purchase of Meridian Barrier Systems through the Department of Homeland Security – Florida Department of Emergency Management. The cost is $304,000.
During the segment of the meeting for city commissioners to give updates and comments, Bill Dodson spoke first. “We are all well aware of the work that has been done on projects related to downtown on Reynolds, and the work that has been going on for months on Grant St.,” he said. “The good news is that now, the State of Florida is starting up on Park Rd. with reconstruction and repaving the part they own. Then they will follow through with an agreement with the county for work on the part of the same road that the county owns. It will be seamless. The bad news is we’ve got three major roads in Plant City that won’t be functioning as normal….So, I hope everyone is patient and everyone realizes that growth comes with a lot of work and a lot of matters that have to be done that aren’t convenient. But they will be done, and it will make a vast improvement once they are done.”
“….I wanted to again talk about stormwater issues,” Mayor Kilton said. “There have been some comments made tonight; we are seeing a lot of rain. Our city manager and our stormwater team have been so diligent about making sure that we are on top of maintenance. They have been doing it constantly….I just want people to know we are paying very close attention to it.”
The meeting proceeded to public hearings:
25-396 – A resolution adopting the tentative millage rate for the year 2025 and setting a public hearing on the final millage rate. The tentative millage rate is 5.7157. The public hearing for the final millage rate and budget will be held September 22, at 6:00 p.m., in the city commission chambers at the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building.
25-393 – A resolution adopting the tentative budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and setting a public hearing on the final budget. The total proposed budget is $147,883,443.
25-418 – A resolution setting a legislative public hearing regarding a text amendment adding Article XIII Chapter 102, Murals (PB-2025-26). This hearing is to allow for murals in Plant City, but with rigorous criteria for permitting.
All of the resolutions passed with 4-0 votes. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
