Alachua City Commission sets maximum millage rate at 6.25, extends solar power agreement, stops investigation into Planning Department 

BY DAVID LIGHTMAN

ALACHUA, Fla. – At their July 28 regular meeting, the Alachua City Commission moved toward eliminating alcohol sales restrictions in the CRA district, established 6.2500 as the proposed maximum millage rate, amended the solar power purchase agreement, and decided not to hire an outside attorney to complete the investigation into the resignation of the Principal Planner and two Planning Directors in early 2025. This was the only meeting for the month of July, and the agenda was longer than usual.

The meeting began with a presentation by Brian Kramer, State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit. As he has done at other local municipalities, Kramer passed out business cards with all of his contact information and encouraged Commissioners and City staff to contact him whenever necessary about matters under prosecution and finding resources for citizens to solve problems.

Appointments to the Education Task Force

Deputy City Clerk LeAnne Williams said the Education Task Force had two vacancies and two additional members needed to be appointed; the three applicants for the two seats were Nedra Bates, Jeffrey Means, and Ryan Reidway. Williams called each of their names, but only Reidway was present and spoke at the podium. Reidway said he has experience as a dean, teacher, and student advocate, working since 2016 at Westwood and Fort Clarke Middle Schools. He listed other experience beyond his job roles. 

In their written applications, posted in the meeting backup, Bates cited her experience in early childhood education as a reason to pick her, and Means listed his many jobs, including 10 years teaching at Lake Butler Middle School and working as principal at the High Springs Community School.

Williams handed out paper ballots, and Means and Reidway won by substantial margins over Bates. Williams said the recommended action was to appoint the two selected applicants to three-year terms ending July 24, 2028. Commissioner Jennifer Ringersen made a motion to appoint them, and Commissioner Jacob Fletcher seconded the motion. It passed 4-0, with Vice Mayor Shirley Green Brown absent throughout the meeting.

Appointments to the Planning and Zoning Board

Williams said the Planning and Zoning Board also required the appointment of an additional member for a three-year term, ending October 9, 2028. The five applicants were Bonnie Burgess, Vailma Roca Fernandez, Jenny Highlander, William Menadier (seeking reappointment), and William Smith. Williams said Highlander had withdrawn her application that morning. Only William Smith spoke at the podium when his name was called, mentioning his experience as a planner at Cox Communications.  

Tamara Robbins objected to appointing a member for longer than exactly three years, which she said would violate the City’s Charter. City Attorney Marian Rush suggested having the appointment end on July 27, 2028. Williams distributed paper ballots. William Smith received three of four votes, making him the winner. After a motion and a second, Smith was appointed 4-0, with Green Brown absent. 

Alcohol sales within 450 feet of religious institutions

Economic Development Manager David Wisener said he was there to discuss options regarding the City ordinance prohibiting alcohol sales within 450 feet of religious institutions, as requested by business owners and other members of the community. Wisener said the three affected churches were contacted multiple times by email and phone, and they were informed that the topic would be discussed at the July 28 meeting. 

Wisener said alcohol sales are prohibited within 450 feet of churches unless a special event permit is granted. He said there are exceptions: selling for off-premises consumption, restaurants who derive most of their money from food, and businesses ‘grandfathered in’ before 2000. 

Wisener listed different options, including removing all restrictions, amending the City’s land development regulations, and doing nothing. Commissioner Dayna Williams said she favored removing current church-proximity restrictions in the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) district and updating the ordinance. Fletcher said his thoughts were similar. Ringersen said, “I’m on the same page.” Mayor Walter Welch asked about what the churches had to say, but none of them sent representatives to the meeting.

Attorney Rush suggested considering hours of operation on certain days and possibly having a separate category for beer/brewery and wine vendors to distinguish them from liquor bars. 

Fletcher made a motion to direct staff to bring back an ordinance that would remove all alcohol sales restrictions within the CRA. Williams seconded the motion.

During public comment on the motion, Robbins pointed out that a business impact estimate will need to be done. Other speakers said the Main Street area needs a boost for businesses, no churches have argued against lifting restrictions, churches do not bring money into the downtown area and should not be allowed there, and having gathering places builds community.

The vote passed 4-0, with Green Brown absent. Following Rush’s suggestion, everyone agreed to direct staff to look into having a separate category for breweries and wine bars in the land development code.

Representative on the Joint Water and Climate Policy Board

City Manager Rodolfo Valladares said the Joint Water and Climate Policy Board has members from cities and the County. He said he needed a nominee for the board for the County to approve, if anyone was willing to participate. Fletcher said he was interested. Williams nominated Fletcher, and Ringersen seconded the nomination. Fletcher’s nomination was approved 4-0.

Future land use change for 111 acres on U.S. Hwy 441

The next item was an ordinance amending the future land use categories for 111.25 acres, owned by San Felasco Research Ventures, from Commercial (23 acres), Industrial (81 acres), and Conservation (7 acres), to Commercial (14 acres), Moderate Density Residential (90 acres), and Conservation (7 acres). A staff member said these changes would result in a total of up to 569 dwelling units, a net loss of 426 units from the former classifications. He said a neighborhood meeting was held on August 14, 2024, and the application will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board in August 2025.

After a more detailed presentation about the planned development, Williams made a motion to accept the future land use change ordinance on first reading, and Ringersen seconded the motion. A few members of the public spoke and expressed concerns about too much development off of 441. The motion passed 4-0.

Maximum property tax rate

The next item was a resolution establishing 6.2500 as the proposed maximum millage rate for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, which is 8.9% more than the rolled-back rate of 5.7413 and 5% more than the current rate of 5.9500. A staff member said the public budget hearings will be held on September 8 and September 22, so as not to conflict with any County budget hearings. 

Fletcher made a motion to adopt the resolution, and Ringersen seconded the motion. During public comment on the motion, Robbins said she disagreed with any rate higher than the rolled-back rate, and she favored giving residents a break by not increasing taxes. The staff member said the rate can be reduced as late as at the second budget hearing, and this was only a proposed maximum rate. The motion passed 4-0.

Extension of 115th Avenue

Staff member Cap Wilson said he was there to discuss a $1.5 million grant that will permit the extension of 115^th Avenue, the roadway that serves the Waco Distribution Center Complex. He said extending the roadway will permit additional development, which will increase tax revenues and create jobs. Wilson explained that it is necessary to transfer the land deed covering the roadway extension from Waco to the City of Alachua, now that the grant money has been approved. “We can’t build a road on property we don’t own,” Wilson said.

Williams made a motion to take ownership of the property in order for the project to proceed, and Ringersen seconded the motion. 

During public comment on the motion, Robbins explained that it is a Small City Community Development Block Grant awarded by the Federal government. She asked if the grant fully covers the cost of the work. David Wisener said the Waco company will cover any cost overruns. 

The motion passed 4-0.

Amendment to the solar power purchase agreement

City Manager Valladares introduced a discussion about amending the solar power purchase agreement. He said the agreement has been in place with Alachua Solar Energy since June 2023, and this will be the third time amending it. Valladares showed a slide comparing residential electric rates within Florida, and the City of Alachua has the lowest rates. He said affordable solar is part of the reason for that, and the current negotiated price is $45.00/MWh. The amended contract will guarantee 30 years at the current rate, Valladares said.

Responding to Fletcher, the CEO of the solar business said the company is based in New York and uses all U.S.-made panels, hardware, and parts; the company also employs local Florida labor.

Fletcher moved to approve the amended and restated solar power purchase agreement, and Ringersen seconded the motion. 

During public comment on the motion, Robbins objected to cutting down trees to expand the project, which is part of the business plan. Valladares said the expansion depends on receiving a $1 million grant. The CEO clarified that no trees will be cleared before the grant money is received.

The motion passed 3-1, with Fletcher in dissent.

Investigation into the resignations of three Planning staff members

The last item of business was selection of an attorney to conduct an investigation into the resignations of the Planning Director and two Principal Planners of the City of Alachua in early 2025. Attorney Rush said she had done a lot of work, contacted several attorneys, and brought back proposals from two attorneys, Mark Barnebey and Clifford Shepard. She said they have similar qualifications and charge similar fees, with one giving an estimate for the overall job at $25,000 to $35,000. Rush said, “They both are extremely well-versed in local government law, and, in particular, planning.” 

Rush said both attorneys want to come to Alachua and do interviews in person, and late September is a reasonable estimate for a completion date. Rush said that if the Commission selected one of the attorneys, she wanted to “get moving” the next day. She said the scope of their written report would be more concerned with what happened instead of who was to blame. 

Williams asked Rush if she had any personal connections with either of the attorneys. Rush said one of them went to law school with her brother, but they have not spoken in many years. 

Responding to Ringersen, Rush said both attorneys agreed to do the majority of the work themselves, with their expertise, instead of delegating the work to associate attorneys. 

Williams said, “I’m struggling to spend $25,000 to $35,000 on what feels like a glorified exit interview… This is a lot of money to put into something.”

Ringersen said, “Two of the people have found another job, and the other one retired.” 

Fletcher said, “I think trust, and the price we place on trust, particularly in our public officials and our public servants, is paramount to our residents… I feel like there is a cloud of mistrust… It’s something we should do… Moving forward with this will help our community start healing.”

Ringeresen said she didn’t feel that there was a cloud of mistrust.

Welch said, “The citizens of Alachua, they want closure.” He said he leaned toward what Fletcher thought.

Fletcher made a motion to hire Attorney Shepard to conduct an investigation into the resignations. Welch passed the gavel to Williams and seconded the motion. 

During public comment on the motion, Robbins said, “This is pretty bizarre… There was at least a 3-2 vote to direct the City Attorney to do this. This is the second time you’ve pulled the rug out from underneath her efforts to do this.” Robbins questioned whether Williams was really “concerned about the money,” and she commended Rush for doing what she was asked. She finished by saying, “Shame on you two [Ringersen and Williams].”

Another speaker pointed out that there should be “leftover money” from when the former City Manager resigned before his contract was finished, and she agreed that the public needed more information to “heal.”

Bryan Buescher said, “You were elected, in part, because of this issue.” He urged them to continue trying to find answers.

Fletcher emphasized the need to establish facts before moving forward. 

Welch said, “We promised the citizens that we would do this… Now, we’re looking like we’re liars up here… That don’t look good moving forward. We’re all good for development, but when the people want something, we just shut them out… When the people want some clarity, we don’t want to give it to them. That’s my problem.”

The motion to hire Attorney Shepard failed 2-2, with Ringersen and Williams in dissent and Green Brown absent.

Welch said, “I really don’t like this because it’s wrong. And we’re short a Commissioner, makes me think that this was set up. I’m going to tell you like I feel, and I don’t like it. I’m an honest man. A man of God. And I don’t like it, what y’all did.”

Both RIngersen and Williams became indignant and talked over each other. Ringersen could be heard saying, “You’re personally attacking!” while Williams said, “That’s right!” 

Welch asked, “Was I wrong to say what I feel?” He apologized and said he didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. Williams said she has always been against the investigation and her position did not change.

Final public comments

During final public comments, Robbins said, “Commissioner Williams, you can dish it, but you really can’t take it.” She said she wants to see Valladares treated as the Interim City Manager and for staff to begin a search for a permanent City Manager immediately. She urged the Mayor to post all of the City Commission meeting videos on the website, as the City previously did.  

Buescher said, “I just wanted to remind Commissioner Williams that it was, in fact, your motion that instigated the investigation.” 

Fletcher said he was disappointed with the outcome of the last vote. He said the public can make their thoughts known at the next election in April. 

Welch said, “It is what it is.”