High Springs City Commission approves additional buildings for Air Liquide, appoints Zach Walter to Planning Board
BY DAVID LIGHTMAN
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At a June 12 meeting, the High Springs City Commission heard a presentation about fire assessment fees, decided to appoint Zach Walter to the Planning Board, approved site plans for portable buildings at Air Liquide and an additional parking lot at the High Springs Industrial Park, and discussed hiring outside help to assist with rewriting the Land Development Code.
Fire assessment fees
The meeting began with a 25-minute presentation about fire assessment fees by Fire Chief Joseph Peters and Public Information Officer Kevin Mangan. Peters explained that the fire assessment fee is a revenue source for fire protection services that is based on the average cost of services and not based on property values, and the funds may only be used for fire services. He said the fee is billed annually along with property taxes, and it has been in effect since 2008; the current residential rate of $223/year has been the same since 2021.
Mangan said fees are different for residential, commercial, industrial/warehouse, and institutional properties, and the fee schedules are determined based on actual costs of calls during previous years for the different categories; the non-residential categories are billed per square foot instead of a flat fee. Peters said fees for the non-residential categories will need to be raised significantly if the residential fee is to remain at $223, based on current data. Other options include raising residential fees to $239 with lesser increases for the other categories, raising residential fees to $383, and raising residential fees to $250. Peters said the $250 option was recommended by staff. Commissioners will need to establish new fire assessment fee schedules as part of the budgeting process.
Public comments
During public comments, Juila Tapia-Ruano addressed the alcohol ordinance vote that took place at the joint High Springs-County Commission meeting: “The backdoor approach of the repeal was not only out of order but was operating on vague language and a disregard for results obtained last year and a disregard for the petition process now underway.”
Shawn Cowles asked for an update about the Priest Theatre. City Manager Jeremy Marshall said the architect has been non-responsive since February 26, but they should begin working on it again next week, and then they can get bids and begin construction.
Planning Board appointment
The first item of business was appointing someone to fill a vacant position on the Planning Board. Marshall said they had two applicants, John Walsh and Zachary Walter. Marshall said, “Talking with Kristy [Adkins], who is our Planning Tech, she has the most interaction with the Planning Board, and she’d be happy with either one of them. One comes with experience. One comes with a fresh set of ideas. So we really don’t have a recommendation. We’re happy with whoever you choose.”
Commissioner Katherine Weitz said Walter had contacted her and recommended picking Walsh because of his previous experience. Weitz said, “This kind of selflessness and this kind of heart would also serve incredibly well. I have a hard time picking between the two of them.”
Commissioner Andrew Miller said he liked the idea of having someone younger on the board, with a fresh perspective (referring to Walter). Commissioner Chad Howell said he liked both candidates, but he thought it was important to give an opportunity to someone new.
Howell made a motion to appoint Zachary Walter to the Planning Board, and Weitz seconded the motion.
During public comments on the motion, Planning Board Member Tapia-Ruano said she recommended Walter, having known him for a long time. The motion passed 3-0, with Mayor Tristan Grunder and Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth absent throughout the meeting.
City Commission election set for November 4
The next item was a resolution to set an election date of November 4, 2025 to fill Seat 3, now occupied by Tristan Grunder. Weitz made a motion to adopt the resolution, Howell seconded the motion, and it passed 3-0 during a roll call vote, with Grunder and Bloodsworth absent.
Air Liquide site plan
Planning Technician Kristy Adkins introduced the next item, a commercial site plan for a maintenance trailer and locker rooms at the Air Liquide industrial gas business. Adkins said, “They are replacing a building with two buildings.” She said the Planning Board recommended approval.
The engineer for the project said the buildings are modular and will be placed onto existing slabs. He said the buildings will be strictly used for employees and storage of non-hazardous materials.
Weitz made a motion to approve the site plan as presented, and Howell seconded the motion. It passed 3-0, with Grunder and Bloodsworth absent.
Parking lot at the High Springs Industrial Park
Adkins continued to the next item, approving an additional parking lot at the High Springs Industrial Park. She said staff and the Planning Board recommended approval. Responding to Weitz, Adkins said the parking lot will be for a new business specializing in imports and exports. Howell made a motion to approve the plan, and Weitz seconded the motion. It passed 3-0, with Grunder and Bloodsworth absent.
Hiring a consultant to update the Land Development Code
The last item was selecting a consultant to assist in updating and rewriting the Land Development Code. Marshall said Adkins had spent a lot of time researching the three proposals they received from firms willing to do the work. Adkins said, “We’ll get you a packet together with a lot of information just showing what you’re looking at, and we’ll bring it back to you.”
Weitz asked if the packet will have hourly rates and other details. Adkins said, “We will compare what we will be paying, what we will be getting, the teams that are involved, just all the details of the project so you can make the best choice.” After some discussion, Adkins said she will have everything ready for the first meeting in July.
Final comments
During final comments, Weitz asked, “What we will be discussing at the next meeting with regard to the alcohol ordinance? I don’t know what we are expecting. What did Mr. Mayor ask for us to discuss?”
Marshall said, “That’s a tricky question for me to answer… I talked to [City Attorney] Danielle [Adams] today, and what I originally was going to do is,… we were going to bring you multiple ordinances and multiple resolutions, just to give you all the options… But talking with Danielle, our City Attorney, today, she’s going to come, and nothing is going to be decided. It’s which route do you guys want to go, because the board is split on this. That’s not a secret. The community is split on this. That’s not a secret. And staff is getting pulled this way and this way, and it’s really hard for us to work on a split topic. Danielle will come next month, and she’s prepared to discuss and lead the conversation about the alcohol, what your options are, and come into a consensus and what the process will be from there.”
Weitz asked about the petition to place the question on the ballot. Tapia-Ruano said they are nearing the deadline to place it on this November’s ballot, but they still have some time.