High Springs City Commission approves proposed Parks and Recreation Master Plan, signs Special Magistrate contract

BY DAVID LIGHTMAN

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At their May 22 Regular Meeting, the High Springs City Commission honored the 100^th anniversary of High Springs’ local Catholic church, heard from the Suwannee River Water Management District about changes to flood maps, appointed two members to the Mayor’s Youth Council, approved a Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and approved a Special Magistrate contract with the Gilchrist Law Firm.

The meeting began with an invocation by Deacon Henry Zmuda of St. Madeleine’s Catholic Church. Three Color Guard members of Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth’s Scout Troop 69 assisted with the Pledge of Allegiance. Bloodsworth explained that the three boys have reached the rank of Eagle Scout, which only 4% of Scouts achieve. Bloodsworth introduced them – Sam Nichol, Zach Nichol, and Reid Morris – and read a proclamation honoring Zach, who was awarded the Eagle Scout rank most recently.  

State Attorney Brian Kramer gave business cards with his contact numbers to the Commissioners and some staff members. He encouraged everyone to contact him whenever there is a question or concern. Kramer said he was visiting every City and County Commission in the Eighth Judicial Circuit and handing out his cards.  

Honoring St. Madeleine’s Catholic Church

Commissioner Katherine Weitz read a proclamation honoring the Centennial Jubilee of St. Madeleine’s Catholic Church. Weitz said, “This is my faith, my home. My kids were all baptized in that church, all grew up in that church. One is still growing up in that church, and it’s been home to me for about 28 years.” The proclamation said the church was established in 1925 and has faithfully served the needs of its members for a century, and May 25, 2025 was proclaimed as a day of celebration and thanksgiving for the church. Weitz concluded, “Happy hundred years. And here’s to the next hundred.” Everyone in the room applauded. Deacon Zmuda explained that the original church building was relocated; it has been preserved as a shrine and can be visited by the public.

Changes to flood zone maps to be presented in Bronson on July 1

Mary Diaz, from the Suwannee River Water Management District in Live Oak, said, “I’m here to make an invitation to all City officials and residents of High Springs to a meeting we’re having on July 1, 2025 in Bronson.” Diaz said changes to flood zone maps will be presented and discussed, and residents can make comments if they feel the new flood maps are inaccurate. Diaz said it is more difficult to modify the maps as the project advances, and she encouraged everyone to participate. The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. at the Dogan Cobb Municipal Building, 660 East Hathaway Avenue, Bronson. Mayor Tristan Grunder said, “I would like to see if we could get a representative from High Springs to that meeting.”

Public comments

During public comments, David Linch urged the Commissioners “not to pave over our beautiful concrete streets.”

Mayor’s Youth Council appointments

The first item of business was appointing two new members to the Mayor’s Youth Council, to replace two members who are graduating. Commissioners decided to appoint Zach Nichol and Jenelie Avila. Grunder noted that they still need to make one more appointment, but the Council will have a quorum of four members with the two new appointments and can conduct business.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan

The next item was the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and Director Jennifer Applebee introduced two consultants hired by the City to create the Master Plan. Kristin Caborn of GAI Consultants said she had already met with citizens to discuss the proposed Master Plan and explained that having an adopted Master Plan is helpful for obtaining grants. 

During her lengthy presentation, Caborn stressed the importance of planning for future needs. She said residents have expressed a desire for trail connections to Poe Springs Park during public workshops. Recreation programs were also requested by many residents, along with protecting natural assets such as the Canoe Outpost. Dog parks were also mentioned.

Caborn said some areas are “park deserts,” with no parks nearby, and those areas have been targeted for land acquisition to expand the park system. She discussed “Park Type Equity,” meaning that the quality of parks and level of amenities should not vary much between parks in different parts of town. Caborn said that, in general, all new parks should be at least two acres in size.

Caborn showed the following slides indicating short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals, according to the proposed Master Plan.

Bloodsworth asked if there is room to install a boat ramp at the Canoe Outpost. Caborn said she believed there is enough space, although some redesign may be necessary, and any civil engineer should be able to assist with that.

Weitz commended the consultants on the quality of their workshops with the public. 

Weitz made a motion to adopt the recommended Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and Commissioner Chad Howell seconded it. It passed 4-0, with Commissioner Andrew Miller absent throughout the meeting.

Special Magistrate contract

The last item was approving a proposed Special Magistrate contract with the Gilchrist Law Firm of Coral Gables, Florida. Grunder said City Attorney Danielle Adams had already prepared the contract, and it was only necessary to approve it. The Special Magistrate will conduct hearings when citizens wish to contest Code Enforcement or RedSpeed school zone citation issues.

Howell made a motion to accept the Special Magistrate contract, and Bloodsworth seconded the motion. It passed 4-0 during a roll call vote, with Miller absent.

Commissioner comments

During final comments, Bloodsworth said, “I would like to address Mr. Linch’s issue with the concrete streets. I do believe we don’t have any road projects coming on board.” A staff member said the concrete streets are very narrow, and, unfortunately, they do need to widen some of them. 

Weitz complimented Bloodsworth’s Scout leadership: “Most of your Scouts have Eagles – 4% across the nation, but it’s probably closer to 85% or 90% here in High Springs, and that’s amazing.”