A key moment in the meeting was the mayor’s proclamation of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This proclamation recognized Lori for her advocacy efforts and highlighted the severe impact of childhood cancer, noting that it is a leading cause of death by disease among children and that one in five children diagnosed does not survive. The proclamation urged citizens to support cancer patients and their families while encouraging funding for pediatric cancer research. Lori expressed gratitude for the council’s support since 2018 and recommended contributions to local foundations focusing on assisting families affected by cancer and funding research, including the Warrior Kids Foundation and the Cure Starts Now Foundation.

Following this proclamation, the council approved the evening’s agenda and the consent agenda items unanimously, moving on to public comments. Barbara Ryan-Hagan from the Port Orange Chamber of Commerce updated the council on upcoming events such as a job fair for high school students, a small business seminar series, and a golf tournament scheduled for May.

Concerns about transparency were raised by Robert Ryan, who noted the lack of monthly financial reports and recommended the reinstatement of these reports with an index or search option for easier access. Another public comment by Lauren Varan addressed dissatisfaction with a council member’s behavior, describing it as a “disgrace” to the city and inquiring about the council’s views on the suitability of the councilman in question, Lance Green. She referred to allegations of corruption surrounding the Green family and expressed concerns about the negative perception of the city.

During council comments, members reflected on the proclamation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, sharing personal experiences related to pediatric cancer’s emotional and financial burdens. The successful negotiation of union contracts was also acknowledged.

The council discussed labor negotiations, with members debating the advantages of consolidating union negotiations into one major contract per year. This approach aims to prevent drastic fluctuations in millage rates tied to annual pay raises across three unions. The council expressed gratitude to staff and union representatives for their collaborative efforts in this process.

Infrastructure improvements were another focal point, particularly in light of recent rains and nearby flooding. The council emphasized the importance of effective drainage systems and urged citizens to keep storm drains clear. Additionally, maintenance issues at the Pavilion area, such as overgrown bushes obstructing sidewalks, were raised. An update on Memorial Park’s upcoming renovations was also provided, with the project set to be phased to keep part of the park open during the revamp.

As the holiday season approaches, the council highlighted several community events, including the Port Orange Family Days scheduled for October 10th through 13th, organized by the Port Orange Community Trust. The Thea Basket Brigade, which provides Thanksgiving meals to families in need, was also mentioned, with the council encouraging community involvement.

A sensitive topic arose regarding a councilman-elect involved in a suspected DUI incident. The council emphasized the importance of following legal procedures and respecting the individual’s circumstances, noting that the councilman-elect would not be subject to council authority until sworn in on December 3rd.

Public safety was also discussed, with the council acknowledging the local police department’s efforts in maintaining community safety. The public hearing portion included the second readings of two ordinances: one addressing the possession and consumption of alcohol on city-owned properties and the other clarifying procedures for dangerous dog hearings and conferring subpoena powers to the special magistrate for such cases. Both ordinances moved forward without substantial debate.

During discussions on retirement benefits adjustments under Resolution 24-37, the council debated increasing the retirement contribution percentage for the city manager from 12% to 15%, with a plan to gradually increase it to 20% over the next three years. Concerns about the sustainability of such commitments were raised, and the council ultimately voted to set the retirement compensation at 15% for the upcoming fiscal year, with future adjustments to be reassessed annually.

The council also provided updates on various committees, including the First Step Shelter report, which addressed a resolved whistleblower complaint. The Art House initiative was highlighted, with projections of over 152,000 visitors in the upcoming year, emphasizing its importance to the community.