Lee Mathes

The City Commission held a special meeting to review the FY 24/25 audit report presented by the city auditor, which covered financial highlights, the OPED report, and specific audit findings. Discussion items included potential updates to the employee manual, asset management, property tax amendments, and necessary budget corrections. The Commission officially approved the FY 24/25 audit report along with budget corrections. Additionally, the Commission awarded primary and secondary standby contracts for disaster debris monitoring services to Rostan Solutions, LLC and Debris Tech, respectively, and awarded disaster debris removal and disposal services to ROADS, Inc. with DRC Emergency Services and LoadMasters as backups.

The commission held a public hearing regarding Ordinance 2026-02 concerning election dates and commissioner seating. New business topics included a comprehensive review and reform plan for the Planning and Zoning Board, the denial of two specific encroachment requests, the appointment of an alternate to the Library Board, and the submission of a recommendation to designate the Apalachicola Airport census tract as a federal Opportunity Zone. Furthermore, the commission received briefings on the fiscal impact of the Apalachicola Stewardship Act, reviewed upcoming city projects, discussed the transition to an independent water district, and held a recognition ceremony for retiring city staff.

This document is a project update report detailing the progress of the City of Apalachicola's Two-Year Action Plan development. It outlines the three main phases of the project: Research & Discovery, Commission Kickoff, and Strategic Goal Development. The report provides status updates on completed tasks, highlights adjusted timelines due to external factors, and tracks milestones leading to the final adoption of the Two-Year Strategic Plan by July 21, 2026.

The board reviewed and made decisions on several construction projects, including accessory structures, new residential construction, and a commercial restaurant renovation. Key discussions involved site plans, vegetative buffers, stormwater management, building design, and compliance with zoning ordinances. Additionally, the board held elections for the position of Chair and addressed internal housekeeping matters, such as the status of board member terms.

The committee discussed updates regarding safety repairs at Lafayette Park, including the proposal for a grand reopening event. Other topics included updating the plan for a pocket park, reviewing the Adopt-A-Park program, exploring new vendors for park equipment, and strategies to increase citizen involvement through recreational events. Additionally, the committee was briefed on a new grant opportunity for park plants that requires future input.