The most significant agenda item was Ordinance 2024-14, which involved the First Amendment to the River Yard Master development agreement. This ordinance proposed repealing conflicting ordinances, including provisions for severability and setting an effective date. The CRA chair moved to recommend approval, and the City Council followed suit. The ordinance was approved unanimously after a roll call vote.

During the public comment period, Robert Reyhan voiced concerns about the ordinance. He pointed out that while the developer was a contract purchaser of city property, the ordinance did not specify any “valuable consideration” in return for the use of the property. Reyhan criticized the waiver of fees for city development review applications, inspections, and permits, arguing that it was a mistake to allow property use without compensation. He emphasized that the city should not forfeit potential rental income, stressing the importance of financial prudence in such agreements.

Following the discussion, the council and CRA proceeded to vote on both the ordinance and the temporary license agreement with Bristol Port Orange Waterfront LLC, which was contingent on the ordinance’s approval. Both items received unanimous approval from both bodies.

Subsequently, the meeting transitioned to public comments on consent agenda items. Emma Clark from the Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce addressed the council, thanking them for their support and promoting upcoming events, such as a ribbon-cutting at a new storage location, a member appreciation night, a job fair in September, and a casino night in October. Her comments highlighted the chamber’s active role in community engagement.

Council member Drew Bastian expressed condolences for the recent passing of city clerk Tracy Grubbs’ mother and congratulated local election candidates. He underscored the importance of public service and the potential for future opportunities for those who did not win. Bastian also highlighted the successful passage of a parks bond, emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship of the funds and the positive impact anticipated for enhancing parks and recreation facilities in the city.

Tracy Grubbs echoed Bastian’s sentiments regarding the parks bond, particularly noting the significance of restoring the pier at Memorial Park, which had been closed for two years. She reported that FEMA funding would cover a substantial portion of the rebuilding costs.

Further discussions included a proposal for a pilot program allowing open house signs on weekends to assist home sales. Grubbs mentioned that the initiative could alleviate some frustrations among local businesses regarding signage regulations. The council acknowledged the need for a workshop to discuss this proposal in detail, emphasizing the importance of carefully crafting policies that balance the needs of businesses with community aesthetics and regulations.

Councilman Reed Foley expressed gratitude towards those involved in the electoral process, highlighting the significant effort contributed by volunteers. Foley emphasized the importance of citizens willing to run for public office and encouraged participation in the Port Orange University program. He also addressed concerns about the deteriorating condition of roadways at the Williamson and Taylor intersection. The city plans to reach out to the county to gather both short-term and long-term plans to address these issues, with Foley noting the poor quality of previous repairs.

The council recognized the significance of holding the meeting on this particular evening, as it was election day. Acknowledgment was also made regarding the transition of council members, with three members having a combined commitment of 36 years to the city. One member congratulated a newly elected council member and reflected on the privilege of serving the community for an extended period, noting the changing dynamics as new members join.

An update was provided on the First Step Shelter, which is currently operating at or beyond capacity, housing 86 residents. Despite a whistleblower complaint, the former employee did not wish to participate in the investigation, leading to discussions about whether to continue the investigation at additional cost. The consensus leaned towards prioritizing the shelter’s mission over prolonged investigations.

The council also received updates on police pension plans, reporting significant year-to-date gains and strong funding levels. As of the end of June, the police pension plan showed a net gain of 15.96%, with an additional $2.1 million increase by August. This positive trajectory in funding status was met with collective pride.