Commissioners approve water main replacement and Strawberry Festival district amendment, reappoint Historic Resources Board members and recognize Parks and Recreation events.
The end-of-the-month commission meeting began at 6:00 p.m., with Vice Mayor Jason Jones filling in for Mayor Nate Kilton. The brief meeting included public comments, work orders, and recognition of the Parks and Recreation Department.
The first item on the agenda was public comment, during which residents shared concerns about inconsistent responses from commissioners and emphasized the need to maintain a focus on development. One resident, who spoke multiple times throughout the meeting, expressed frustration with the lack of answers from elected officials and questioned their job duties in relation to their pay.
Next was the consent agenda, which included the following items: 26-496, Resolution 225-2026, approving minutes from the special meeting held Oct. 12, 2026; 26-459, Resolution 226-2026, setting a legislative public hearing on the adoption of the Inventory List of Real Property Appropriate for Affordable Housing Report; 26-474, Resolution 227-2026, approving an amendment to the easement agreement with Tampa Electric Company; 26-491, Resolution 228-2026, authorizing the city manager to execute Modification No. 2 with DRMP Inc. for parking lot improvements at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex; 26-499, Resolution 229-2026, approving an amendment to the capital improvement plan budget for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2027, and the following four years; 26-493, Resolution 230-2026, authorizing the city manager to execute Modification No. 2 with DRMP Inc. for parking lot improvements at Mike E. Sansone Community Park; 26-494, Resolution 231-2026, authorizing the city manager to execute Engineering Work Order Modification No. 1 with RK&K for staff augmentation; and 26-495, Resolution 232-2026, authorizing the city manager to execute Engineering Work Order Modification No. 2 with CHA for utility relocation.
The consent agenda items were approved 4-0.
Following the consent agenda was the city manager’s report.
26-471, Resolution 233-2026: Work order with Killebrew Inc. for South Woodrow Wilson Street water main replacement.
Kay Kwag, the utilities engineering manager, asked commissioners to authorize a work order for $505,925.81 to relocate and replace the 12-inch water main.
Kwag said the aging pipe material presents potential leak risks during the sidewalk project.
The resolution was approved 4-0.
26-481, Resolution 234-2026: Work order with GAI Consultants Inc. for the development of a Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Julie Garretson outlined a four-part process for developing the master plan, which is expected to take nine months to complete after the notice to proceed. The project will cost $117,870.
The master plan is intended to address the needs of the growing community, evaluate existing facilities, and identify service gaps and future needs.
The first phase will establish the project’s baseline through a facility audit and inventory. This phase will include a staff kickoff meeting, site visits and assessments, and discussions about existing facilities.
The second phase will involve comprehensive on-site audits and regional mapping, including park site assessments, regional context mapping, and demographic analysis.
The third phase will focus on community engagement across the city. This will include surveys and workshops to gather public input, which Garretson described as a critical part of the master plan.
The fourth phase will include delivering the final reports and presenting the plan to the city commission. The presentation will include a key issues matrix, virtual visioning sessions, and the final plan.
The resolution was approved 4-0.
Next was the city clerk’s agenda item, 26-480, consideration of Resolution 235-2026 appointing members to the Historic Resources Board.
Commissioner Karen Kerr made a motion to reappoint the current board members. The motion was approved 4-0.
Although commissioners reappointed the current members, Commissioner John Haney and Vice Mayor Jones encouraged residents to apply for other board positions.
During commissioner reports, each commissioner and the vice mayor congratulated and recognized the Parks and Recreation Department for its events, including Oktoberfest, Monster Mash, and Pioneer Day.
Jones also announced that Special Swings will return next year following the event’s success this year.
Next was the legislative public hearing.
26-476: Legislative public hearing on Ordinance 17-2026 to annex eight parcels totaling approximately 112.1 acres (ANX-2025-04 and ANX-2026-01).
Robin Baker asked commissioners to continue the item to the Jan. 11 meeting.
During public comment, one resident opposed further annexation, comparing Plant City’s continued growth to cancer and expressing concerns about increasing traffic.
Another resident requested more information about the annexation and raised concerns about development creating areas vulnerable to flooding.
The ordinance was approved 4-0 to continue the item to the Jan. 11 meeting.
26-479: Legislative public hearing on Ordinance 19-2026 amending Article IV, Chapter 102, of the Plant City Code regarding the Florida Strawberry Festival Special Use District Overlay (PB-2026-16).
The proposed text amendment would add language to the city’s code of ordinances to provide more detailed guidance for the Florida Strawberry Festival Special Use District Overlay.
The amendment does not introduce any new requirements for the existing overlay district.
Phil Waldren said the changes would make coordination for the festival easier.
The ordinance was approved 4-0.
The October end-of-the-month commission meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
