Stephen Brown

The council agenda covers a broad range of municipal matters, including a project presentation regarding the 250th anniversary. Key business items include resolutions to approve agreements for nonprofit partnerships, updates to firefighter training position descriptions, and contract changes for infrastructure projects. Several quasi-judicial hearings are scheduled regarding voluntary annexations, future land use plan map amendments, and rezoning applications. New business ordinances involve criminal background screening requirements, firefighters' retirement service purchase options, and comprehensive plan text amendments. Additionally, the council will review grant administration agreements, aviation fuel contract awards, Community Redevelopment Agency budget reallocations, and the acquisition of the former Five Points Elementary School property.

The City Council meeting included the approval of the agenda and proclamations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. The consent agenda included the approval of lease agreements, one with Tubular Building Systems, LLC for land in the Lake City Airport Industrial Park, and another with the Florida Department of Corrections for emergency support. Updates were provided on the Gwen Lake Project and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. A key discussion item involved a Quasi-Judicial Hearing for the first reading of an ordinance concerning the voluntary annexation of property located near I75 and SR47, which the Council approved on first reading. New Business involved a resolution to approve an agreement with AVI-SPL, LLC for audio visual equipment, which the Council voted to table until the February 2, 2026 meeting following public comment expressing opposition to the purchase. Additionally, the Council awarded bids for milling and resurfacing projects on NE Congress/SE Castillo Terrace and NE Bailey Street. Staff provided updates, including plans to bring back a Strategic Plan and information regarding City Hall acquisition options.

The Planning and Zoning Board agenda detailed several key items requiring recommendation to the City Council. Old Business included resolutions for an amendment to the Future Land Use Plan Map (Resolution PZ/LPA CPA 26-01) involving changing land use from County Highway Interchange to City Commercial, and a related resolution for rezoning contiguous acreage (Resolution PA/LPA Z 26-01). New Business featured discussions on further amendments to the Future Land Use Plan Map and corresponding zoning changes for properties within the C & W Business Park Subdivision (Resolutions PZ/LPA CPA 26-04S and PZ/LPA Z 26-02S), as well as separate land use and rezoning recommendations for other acreage (Resolutions PZ/LPA CPA 26-05S and PZ/LPA Z 26-03S). The Board was also scheduled to address amendments to the City of Lake City Comprehensive Plan text concerning the Intergovernmental Coordination Element and policies within the Future Land Use Element (Resolutions PZ.LPA CPA 26-02T and PZ/LPA CPA 26-03T). The document notes that the minutes from the 01-13-2026 meeting are scheduled for review.

The agenda for the meeting included the review of minutes from the January 13, 2026 meeting as old business. The primary item under old business was the consideration of Resolution No. BA SE 26-01, which pertains to granting a special exception within a Residential Single-Family 3 (RSF-3) zoning district to permit a standard design manufactured home. There were no items scheduled for New Business or Workshop discussion.

The Historic Preservation Agency meeting agenda included administrative approvals for three Certificates of Appropriateness (COA). These included COA 25-22 for property at 302 SE St Johns St in the Lake Isabella Historic District (RSF-3 zone), COA 26-01 for property at 532 N Marion Ave in the Lake City Historic Commercial District (C-CBD zone), and COA 26-02 for property at 257 SE Hernando Ave in the Lake Isabella Historic District (RSF-3 zone). The agenda also listed the minutes from the January 13, 2026 meeting for review, but noted no Old Business or New Business items.