High Springs City Commission selects Tristan Grunder as Mayor, appoints advisory board members, discusses heavy rescue truck

BY DAVID LIGHTMAN

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At their November 14 Regular Meeting, the High Springs City Commission selected Tristan Grunder as Mayor and postponed a decision on a plan to sell a heavy rescue fire truck and replace it with a smaller custom-built truck.

Williams recognized for 20 years of service, announces County Commission run

2023-2024 Mayor Katherine Weitz began the meeting by recognizing Byran Williams for his 20 years of service as a City Commissioner. Weitz said, “It’s hard to put into words… how much you’ve meant to this Commission, how much you’ve meant to this City, and how much of your heart you have poured into this for 20 years. We are blessed by everything you’ve done for us. I, personally, have learned so much from you.” Weitz presented Williams with a plaque. 

Williams said, “It’s a bittersweet night tonight… Thank you all for allowing me to serve this City for the last 20 years… With that being said, I would love you all’s support in 2026. I’m formally announcing that I am running for County Commissioner in 2026 to represent the small cities in this district. I would love your support as a County Commissioner, so that I can serve this community like I served it sitting up here. I got a heart for small communities. I know the small communities. I think I can do well as County Commissioner. So, please, I can use your support in 2026.” 

Weitz recognized for her year as Mayor

City Manager Jeremy Marshall said he wanted to recognize Weitz for her year of service as Mayor. Presenting Weitz with a plaque, Marshall said, “I came in. It was a very trying time. You were always supportive. You were always a sounding board… You got big shoes to fill, for whoever is the next Mayor.”

Special Magistrate

Introducing the next item, Marshall said, “A couple months ago you approved a recommendation for a Special Magistrate. Again, the Special Magistrate, we need it because they oversee the contested code violations as well as contested RedSpeed camera violations. We all approved and recommended, and that person didn’t work out. Just a lot of issues came up, a lot of red flags, and we decided that we’re not going to go forward with it. So we have to put it back out [for bid]. So that’s why you see it under unfinished business, and we need somebody quick because RedSpeed is up and running, and we have a new code enforcement officer. She’s been here, I don’t know, probably a month or so now, and you know, we’re going to need a Special Magistrate.”

Weitz inquired, “I understood that the person that we were going to contract with didn’t have any malpractice insurance.” Marshall said the contractor had not read all the requirements in the packet given to him and did not want to obtain insurance.

Commissioner Tristan Grunder made a motion to send the Special Magistrate bid back out, and Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Chad Howell sworn in, Grunder selected as Mayor

Newly-elected Commissioner Chad Howell took his oath of office at the podium. Holding her hand on a Bible, Katherine Weitz also took her oath of office, since she was re-elected and starting her new term.

Marshall said he was opening nominations to select the 2024-2025 Mayor. Howell nominated Tristan Grunder, and Weitz seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations, and Grunder was unanimously selected to be Mayor.

Now acting as Mayor, Grunder asked for nominations for Vice-Mayor. Weitz nominated Commissioner Andrew Miller, and Howell seconded the nomination. Miller’s nomination was unanimously approved, with no one else nominated.

After a recess, the Commissioners, Mayor, and Vice-Mayor took their new seats. Chad Howell spoke briefly, and several members of the public spoke in support of his election. 

Advisory board appointments

Grunder said the first item of new business was appointing a Chair and Vice-Chair to the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Board. Marshall said that while tradition dictates that the newest-elected Commissioner is appointed to the CRA Board as Chair, he felt that Howell should be given a chance to learn more before becoming CRA Chair. 

Weitz nominated Miller to stay on the CRA Board in his current position as Chair, saying she thought “Marshall’s perspective is really valid.” Bloodsworth seconded the nomination. Miller’s nomination was approved unanimously.

Miller nominated Howell as Vice-Chair of the CRA Board, and Weitz seconded the nomination. Howell’s nomination was approved unanimously.

Applicants were selected for different boards:

Plan Board – Tim Bolliger (reappointed), Julie Tapia-Ruano

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board – Cassandra Davis (reappointed), Eva Verner (reappointed)

Mayor’s Youth Council – Camden Treese (reappointed), Leila Ceilley (reappointed), Jenelie Avila (alternate)

Heavy rescue truck

Fire Chief Joseph Peters gave an update on the City’s ongoing efforts to sell their large heavy rescue truck and replace it with a smaller truck that can more easily navigate the roads of High Springs, some of which are too narrow for the large truck. Peters said the current truck is 37 feet long, nearly 11 feet tall, and weighs 45,000 lbs. The proposed new truck is 27 feet long, 8 feet tall, and 19,500 lbs. Also, the new truck will be four-wheel-drive instead of two. Peters said approximately 10% of EMS calls require the use of a large truck, and it causes delays in response times when they have to walk down roads instead of driving. 

Peters said Clay County is interested in purchasing the heavy rescue truck for $740,000; the City purchased the truck in 2022 for $738,854. Peters said they will have to make one more payment of $83,000 on the truck because the sale likely can’t be completed before the deadline of December 15, and the City will receive approximately $175,000 after the sale is final and the financing is paid off.

Responding to a question from Grunder, Peters said he would like the Commission to authorize both the sale of the existing truck and the purchase of the new truck, since prices will be going up in January. Peters said it will take five or six months for a new truck to be built to their specifications, but they have found a used “backup truck” in Hollywood, Florida to utilize until the new truck is ready, and the seller is holding it without the need for a deposit; they will also need authorization to purchase that truck. 

After a half hour of discussion, it was decided that someone from the City will travel to Hollywood to see the used truck in person before the next meeting and Marshall will obtain an exact price for the new custom-built truck, including monthly finance payments. 

Bloodsworth made a motion to table the item until the next meeting on November 21, and Weitz seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.