Community members used the public comments segment to voice strong opinions on various city governance issues. A speaker criticized the city attorney and manager, Mr. Mortell, for allegedly prioritizing personal agendas over public interests. Specific allegations included favoring developers in the Caner CPU case and mishandling negotiations for a Bright Line station. Concerns were also raised about election signage policies that seemed to benefit incumbents and Mortell’s alleged ties to local media. The speaker called for leadership changes to better reflect community interests.

Will Laughlin, a member of the Citizen Review Board, expressed concerns about the impact of property tax increases on small business owners, highlighting a 10% annual rise. He shared his own experience, noting his business sale due to similar tax pressures. Laughlin appreciated a recent tax cut but urged the commission to consider contract bidding processes that favor local businesses over out-of-county competitors. He questioned the allocation of property tax revenues.

Audrey Creech, from Stuart Main Street, defended the city manager, emphasizing his experience and urging commissioners to recognize his career contributions over isolated criticisms. In contrast, Robin Cartwright raised concerns about confidentiality breaches in discussions related to her legal case, alleging leaks of sensitive information to developers and demanding an investigation.

Robert Hamilton expressed frustration over ongoing issues with his property’s renovation and the conduct of city officials. He likened city staff to lifeguards failing to protect the community and criticized misinformation from a Guardian representative. Hamilton demanded accountability and transparency, urging the city to resolve the issues promptly to prevent further damage to his historic building. The situation escalated when Hamilton confronted city representatives, insisting on reinspecting his property due to previous mismanagement.

The commission’s discussion shifted to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project, focusing on finalizing the scope of services before issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP). Concerns were raised about a previous assertion by project manager Antonio Jenkins regarding a ridge vent system installation, which was disputed by the Hamiltons. They expressed dissatisfaction with the project’s handling, claiming Jenkins demanded full payment for incomplete work. Olga Hamilton, representing the Hamiltons, detailed grievances against Jenkins and city administration, accusing them of ignoring complaints and proceeding with payments despite deficiencies. She called for accountability and emphasized the financial implications of the situation.

Lease agreements at the Flagler Center also sparked a debate. Concerns arose about subleases and occupancy, with questions about whether entities were using space without paying rent, potentially violating lease terms. The commission discussed the need for clarity on who occupies the office spaces and whether subleasing arrangements required city permission. The city manager’s role in overseeing leases was highlighted, with a call for consistent policy application across agreements. The potential for consolidating lease discussions into a single agenda item was considered.

The meeting also featured proclamations for Florida City Government Week and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mayor Campbell Rich proclaimed October 20th to 26th, 2025, as Florida City Government Week, emphasizing the role of city government in enhancing residents’ quality of life. The proclamation encouraged citizen engagement in municipal services, with activities focused on increasing awareness of city services.

The proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlighted the widespread impact of domestic violence and the importance of community involvement in supporting survivors. Jennifer Fox, CEO of Safe Space, accepted the proclamation, underscoring the importance of solidarity with survivors and detailing Safe Space’s services, including a confidential hotline and shelter. Fox emphasized the community’s role in ensuring survivor safety and reiterated the month’s theme of “safety, support, solidarity.”