During the public commentary segment, several residents voiced strong opinions on various issues, with notable focus on the alleged misconduct of Mayor Nelson. James Finch, addressing the commission with a letter to Lynn Haven voters, claimed city officials had falsely accused him of financial misconduct involving city funds in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Finch announced his intention to chair a committee to initiate a recall of Mayor Nelson, advocating for greater transparency and accountability within the city government. He urged citizens to engage with their elected officials and scrutinize how tax dollars are managed.

Adding to the scrutiny, Zach Deweiler, identifying as a spokesperson for the recall effort against Mayor Nelson, announced his plans to submit multiple public records requests seeking documentation related to alleged financial misconduct. Deweiler specified his interest in obtaining records of checks flagged by the bank, contracts associated with those checks, and communications between the mayor and other city officials. He criticized the city’s management of public records and expressed dissatisfaction with the mayor’s previous statements on the necessity of a city clerk position.

Rich Walker, a local resident, expressed concerns about perceived overreach of city laws regarding property ownership and vehicle parking, particularly concerning recreational vehicles (RVs). He criticized the city for passing laws that limit residents’ rights to park licensed and insured vehicles on city property. Walker also raised alarms over the potential destruction of historical buildings, specifically mentioning the oldest black school in the county and the old library, calling them “atrocious.” He emphasized the necessity of preserving cultural heritage and criticized the city’s approach to managing its historical assets.

Christie Mroy shared her personal experience with the legal system, detailing an incident where she was arrested while documenting an unpermitted construction site. She claimed that the actions taken against her were politically motivated and not justified under Florida trespassing laws, expressing frustration over the lack of permits for the construction work and the subsequent treatment she received from law enforcement.

In defense of recent city ordinances, one commissioner clarified that the ordinance regarding RV parking did not impose additional restrictions but rather relaxed them, allowing RV parking in side yards and driveways where it was previously prohibited. Expressing confusion over residents’ perceptions, the commissioner noted, “I don’t know why some people are saying we’re trying to take stuff away with the RV ordinance when it was quite literally the opposite.”

The commission also tackled the final reading of Ordinance 1180 regarding pedaling permits, which aimed to synchronize the expiration of these permits to December 31st annually. Discussion included whether the $1,000 bond applied to individual salespersons or companies, clarified as a city assurance rather than a direct cost to the applicant. Concerns about fairness in the application process led to suggestions of prorating fees for those applying before January.

Further legislative amendments included changes to the unified land development code, regulating portable storage units. The ordinance allowed for a 10-day period for storage units, with the potential for extensions upon approval from the city manager. Public feedback proposed extending this period to 30 days, particularly for residents dealing with flood damage, which the commission agreed to consider.

In new business, the commission approved a request for a development order extension by Eminem Market, recognizing delays caused by external factors including property use as a staging area for road construction. The commission also authorized a task order concerning the design and permitting of a screw press for the wastewater treatment plant, with funding confirmed through sewer impact fees.

A significant proposal from Jim House and Associates for the installation of a SCADA system at city lift stations was addressed, mandated by a consent order from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection related to past sewer overflow issues. The system, selected without a traditional RFQ process due to consent order stipulations, aims to mitigate risks by alerting staff to potential issues preemptively.

Public comments also highlighted personnel issues, particularly concerning Chris Forhand, with residents expressing frustration over his continued employment despite allegations of misconduct. The commission confirmed compliance with Florida statutes regarding the certification of a recall.