Jason Atkinson

The meeting commenced with standard opening procedures, including an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. The agenda featured Employee Longevity Recognition. The Consent Agenda included approval of activity reports from the Code Enforcement Department and December 2025 Financial Statements, as well as event requests from the Historical Society of Avon Park and Avon Park Main Street. The Action Agenda involved a Public Hearing for the 2nd Reading of Ordinance 01-2026 regarding the appointment of an Assistant City Manager, followed by approvals for the Assistant City Manager Job Description/Pay Scale and the CRA Communication and Project Coordinator Pay Scale. Further action items addressed bid awards for RFP#25-13 (MLK Jr Sports Complex Design-Build Services) and RFP#25-14 (Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements), requests related to FRDAP Grant#A24022 amendments, Septage Processing Facility Improvements, and discussions concerning the Brickell Building Action Request, Shutts & Bowen Agreement, FDOT Jurisdictional Transfer, and the City Manager Contract.

The meeting agenda included discussions on the Consent Agenda, which involved reviewing the minutes from the January 5, 2026 Joint CRA Board Meeting. The Action Agenda focused on two primary items: discussing the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) position and appointment, and determining the CRA's funding position for improving the parking lot behind the Brickell building, including associated zoning matters. Other business included staff and board updates, as well as public participation.

The Joint CRA Board Meeting included an invocation, the pledge of allegiance, and roll call. Key discussions under the Action Agenda involved determining the CRA's position and appointment related to Jason Atkinson, the City Manager, and discussing CRA funding for the parking lot behind the Brickell building, which is city-owned, along with related zoning matters. Other Business included staff updates, board discussions, and public participation.

The meeting commenced with standard formalities including the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. Key agenda items involved a special presentation for Employee Longevity Recognition. The Consent Agenda included the approval of minutes from previous meetings, a review of the Calendar Year 2025 Code Enforcement Department Activity, and consideration of December 2025 Financial Statements. The Action Agenda featured a public hearing for the second reading of an ordinance appointing an Assistant City Manager, followed by actions to approve the job description and pay scale for the Assistant City Manager and the pay scale for the CRA Communication and Project Coordinator. Further action items addressed amending a FRDAP Grant for improvements to the MLK Jr. Sports Complex, awarding bids for design-build services for the MLK Jr Sports Complex and for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements, discussing improvements for the Septage Processing Facility, and matters related to the Brickell Building Action Request, a Shutts & Bowen Agreement, FDOT Jurisdictional Transfer, and the City Manager Contract.

The meeting addressed a request to amend the zoning map for a parcel of land at 200 Hatcher Avenue, seeking to rezone the residential portion (46 acres) of the 68-acre parcel from R1 to I2 (Industrial) to match the neighboring parcels to the east and align with the future land use map. The presentation noted consistency with the comprehensive plan and availability of water/sewer, suggesting minimal traffic impact. During the public hearing, several residents strongly opposed the rezoning to heavy industrial (I2), citing concerns over noise, potential negative impacts on property values, hazards to children waiting for the bus near the site, and the proximity to existing homes. Residents alternatively suggested rezoning the entire parcel to R1 (Residential). The applicants argued that I2 zoning was necessary for their investment strategy, which prioritizes industrial resale or development over residential use, and noted that existing adjacent areas are already industrial.