During the meeting, a motion was presented to appropriate a substantial sum from the tree fund to enhance the Temple Terrace golf course with landscaping, tree planting, and irrigation infrastructure. The proponent of the motion argued that the tree fund, which has grown to $1.4 million due to tree removal fees, was not serving its intended purpose as the funds were not being used to replace lost trees. The motion aimed to beautify the golf course, a valued community asset, and support irrigation, which the speaker claimed was affordable and easy to install.

However, the proposal was met with skepticism and legal concerns. One council member questioned whether the tree fund could legally cover irrigation expenses due to past issues with the country club’s water capacity and grant conditions from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which constrained water resource sharing. Another council member, who is also a golfer, opposed the motion, citing the presence of hazardous dead and dying trees on the course. They advocated for a comprehensive tree survey to identify and address these trees before any new planting.

Additional concerns were raised about the irrigation system’s water source, as it cannot connect to the country club’s existing system. The council member emphasized the need for clarity on water source limitations and the capacity of the current system. The discussion revealed a significant divide among council members on the best approach to tree management at the golf course. Some members suggested focusing on removing dead trees to facilitate new plantings, while others highlighted the lack of proactive measures and urged for alternative irrigation solutions.

The motion ultimately failed, highlighting differing philosophies among council members on environmental beautification and community engagement. The debate underscored the need for a clear plan for maintaining the tree canopy as existing oak trees age and decline. The council considered the necessity of a tree survey to assess the city’s tree population and ensure proactive measures are taken as trees are lost.

Another point of contention involved zoning challenges faced by a resident, Mr. Harris, regarding his mid-century modern home’s detached garage. The garage, built prior to Mr. Harris’s ownership, is a legal nonconforming use due to an ordinance change prohibiting detached structures in side yards. Although legal, the garage cannot be expanded without a variance from the board of adjustment. This situation prompted discussion about the possibility of amending the zoning ordinance. However, the council noted that there has not been significant demand for such changes, and the ordinance was initially enacted to prevent similar situations.

In addition to zoning issues, the council addressed the upcoming centennial celebrations and potential downtown events. Council member Fernandez inquired about maintaining the centennial committee beyond its original timeline to continue planning events, especially given logistical challenges and funding exhaustion. Suggestions for hosting a downtown event involved engaging an outside consultant. However, this sparked a debate about whether external assistance was necessary or if the city’s leisure services could manage it internally. The city manager was tasked with exploring this possibility with leisure services staff.

The meeting also highlighted the introduction of new deputy city attorney Nicole Darnell and updates on resolving code violations at the Fountain Shops. The new owners paid off $161,450 in accrued liens due to previous code enforcement issues, including trash and debris problems.