One of the most discussions at the meeting was the groundbreaking of the Civic Water project, which promises to provide residents with an enhanced waterfront experience. The council expressed excitement about the potential for the project to become a central recreational and social hub for the community. The approval of the master plan for the redevelopment of the Port Orange Down Under area was another focal point, with the council emphasizing improvements in parking and aesthetics that aim to revitalize the area.

The expansion of the city’s Parks and Rec Center, now offering a wider variety of activities including e-gaming, was celebrated.

In the realm of infrastructure and public safety, the council reviewed accomplishments in preserving drinking water capacity and quality, proudly discussing the city’s management plan and the renewal of the drinking water permit for another 20 years. The River District of Port Orange was another area of focus, with ongoing investments and redevelopment efforts aimed at invigorating the district.

Some council members also reflected on their own roles and acknowledged their upcoming departure from the council, highlighting the transition and continuity of city governance.

The meeting transitioned into the annual meeting of the Eastport Business Center Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), where elections for chairman and vice chairman took place. The Port Orange Town Center CRA also saw the election of its chairman and vice chairman, and the acceptance of the annual report for the agency. The council planned to reschedule recognition and proclamation for police officer and firefighter of the year at a future meeting, emphasizing the value placed on first responders in the community.

Public input was welcomed during the meeting, with a member of the public expressing concerns about the sale of city-owned real estate and recommending its use for affordable housing. Additionally, the public hearing section addressed the extension of Christ the King Church’s conditional use, with the council approving the extension and commending the church’s community engagement.

The city’s financial health was also on the agenda, with a presentation on the first quarter financial report that highlighted the budget, revenues, expenses, and the addition of new fire trucks. The report also covered the city’s cash and investments.

Concerns outside of the council’s direct discussions included issues with street lighting outages on Nova Road, which were brought up during public participation. The council reiterated plans to involve the Transportation Planning Organization and to reach out to the Department of Transportation and Florida Power & Light to resolve the issue.

Finally, an update on the city’s pension funds revealed changes in the required contributions, with the police pension plan seeing a decrease while the fire plan’s contribution increased. The council also acknowledged the need to select an alternate member for the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization board, emphasizing the importance of reliable attendance at meetings.