Sparkman announces retirement
On Feb. 24, the end of the month City Commission meeting took place. All City Commissioners were present. Commissioner Mary Mathis led the room in prayer before the Pledge of Allegiance.
Before the agendas began, City Manager Bill McDaniel brought Chief Mills and some of his deputies to the podium to congratulate them on maintaining accreditation.
“This is a tough and thorough process to ensure we are reaching the highest professional standing,” Mills said.
The department first received accreditation under Chief McDaniel, and every three years it undergoes reaccreditation. In order to receive Excelsior status, the department must complete five consecutive accreditation cycles while maintaining that standing.
“Thank you, commission, for your continued support of the police department and investment. What we do for the community is because of what you provide for us,” Mills said.
After taking photos and receiving a round of applause, the commission then moved into the city manager’s report.
26-091 – Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Engineering Work Order with Hazen Sawyer, P.C., to complete a facility plan for drinking water and clean water State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding.
Lynn Spivey, director of utilities, requested $142,885 from the UMO36 fund. She said the facility needs upgrades to prepare for future growth, support affordability, and protect the community.
This resolution passed with a 5-0 vote.
Mayor Nate Kilton mentioned how Plant City has been recognized for taking care of water quality for the community.
26-097 – Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Engineering Work Order with CHA to design Lift Station 002 Force Main Replacement.
The project is located at North Pennsylvania Street, with most of the work taking place on East Tomlin Street.
A force main condition assessment was completed in 2021, and construction of Lift Station 002 has already been completed. Spivey requested $252,220.62 to design the force main replacement.
The resolution passed with a 5-0 vote.
McDaniel said he will work with the school in the area and residents to come up with a plan for detours.
“The consequences of not doing this work are far worse. We are aware of the impacts and will coordinate with residents,” McDaniel said.
26-103 – Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Construction Contract Change Order No. 1 with Vogel Bros. Building Co. for additional grit and sand removal.
Spivey said an unexpected amount of grit was found in aeration basin No. 3. The total cost will depend on how much material is removed.
“We negotiated the cost from $445 to $200 and added an additional 825 cubic yards to help minimize impact,” Spivey said.
She requested $168,300 from the UO030 fund for the change order.
The resolution passed with a 5-0 vote.
26-105 – Resolution approving a Highway Landscape Maintenance Memorandum of Agreement with the State of Florida Department of Transportation for I-4 and N. Park Road
The Florida Department of Transportation proposed a landscape beautification project. The city will take over maintenance after a two-year establishment period.
The plan includes eight different sites that will have trees planted, new mulch, and any other maintenance needed. The annual cost is $17,600 to maintain the areas.
Some of the new trees that will be planted are red maple, river birch, bottle brush, sweet gum, bald cypress, and more.
The resolution passed with a 5-0 vote.
Before continuing to the legislative public hearing, Commissioner Mike Sparkman announced his retirement after 30 years.
“I put my heart and soul in the city because my grandkids are the seventh generation and we were able to accomplish things,” Sparkman said.
The entire room gave Sparkman a standing ovation for his dedication and commitment to Plant City. Next on the list were the legislative public hearings.
26-104 – Legislative public hearing on an ordinance amending Chapter 22, Plant City Code regarding Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund.
There were two voting parts for this legislative public hearing. The first was McDaniel’s proposal to eliminate the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund. He said the funds should be transferred to the general fund and used for capital improvements deemed necessary.
“This was established by the city commission a number of years ago, and it had good intent,” McDaniel said. “This fund was supposed to reach a point that the interest of the fund would allow maintenance of the cemetery to sustain itself from the interest. The problem is the fund was made when interest rates were doable and achievable.”
McDaniel said it would take 58 years to achieve this goal, and that is why it should be transferred to the general fund and the money used.
“By eliminating this fund, the city can utilize it for cemetery capitalized projects or other capital projects related to the cemetery, like annual maintenance or money that could be utilized for lawful purposes determined by the city commission,” he said.
This motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
The next part is the future expansion of the columbarium.
McDaniel said there is a rise in cremation rates in the U.S., and it’s largely based on affordability, cultural, and religious acceptance.
He proposes constructing columbariums in the Garden of Peace, East Oaklawn, and Shiloh Cemetery.
The total cost for this project is expected to be $380,090 with a six to eight-month construction period.
“This will create a revenue stream of $1,447,200, which could go back to cemetery care and maintenance,” McDaniel said.
He said this will also benefit customers by providing a cheaper option for loved ones who have passed away.
McDaniel said he wants to take $400,000 from the perpetual care fund to build the columbariums.
The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
The last resolution was 26-021 – Resolution setting a legislative public hearing on an ordinance regarding the Safety Employees’ Retirement System. The commission voted 5-0 to schedule the hearing for March 9.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The next commission meeting will be on March 9.
