Newberry City Commission swears in Mayor Marden and Commissioner Long, passes large-scale retail requirements
BY DAVID LIGHTMAN
NEWBERRY, Fla. – The April 28 Newberry City Commission meeting began with a swearing-in ceremony for newly-elected Mayor Tim Marden and Group 4 Commissioner Donald Long. Planning & Zoning Board appointments were made, an application for a CDBG grant from the State was approved on second reading, an Abandoned Vehicles ordinance was approved on first reading, large-scale retail requirements were approved on first reading, and construction plans were approved for the Highland Park Planned Development. Commissioners heard an update on the ongoing negotiations with the Easton Newberry Sports Complex, and they agreed to postpone a decision on hiring a new City Clerk.
Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, outgoing Mayor Jordan Marlowe said, “Tonight is all about what can be – what can be.” City Clerk Judy Rice read the election tallies for the candidates and said the turnout was 25.42% of registered voters, a record for a Newberry local election.
After some technical issues due to a thunderstorm, outgoing Group 4 Commissioner Tim Marden was sworn in as the new Mayor of Newberry, and Donald Long was sworn in as the new Group 4 Commissioner. Re-elected Group 5 Commissioner Tony Mazon was also sworn in to begin his new term.
Marden presented Marlowe with a “plaque and gavel, as a symbol of his dedication and appreciation that we have for him.” Marlowe will assume the duties of City Manager once the academic year at Newberry High School has ended.
City Attorney Scott Walker read the rules for selecting a Chairperson Pro Tem and an Alternate Chairperson Pro Tem. Marden explained that these are people who will replace him when he is absent. Tony Mazon was selected as Chairperson Pro Tem, and Ricky Coleman was selected as Alternate Chairperson Pro Tem.
During public comments, Elizabeth Mazon spoke in support of her son, Tony: “I just came up to say I’m so thankful for my son. He’s a faithful person, loyal to his family, very dedicated to his job, and really loves the Lord. I appreciate the opportunity that the community have given to my son.”
Interim City Manager Dallas Lee congratulated the winners and recognized City Clerk Rice, who will be retiring at the end of the year.
Rice, the Commissioners, and Marden each gave their own comments, and Marden adjourned the swearing-in ceremony.
Newberry Elementary SRO applies for world records
The Regular Meeting began following an intermission. The first item was a proclamation supporting Newberry Elementary School Resource Officer Josh Taylor’s application with the Guinness Book of World Records for being the only singer to sing the National Anthem on a glacier. Marden added that Taylor is also planning to be the first to sing the National Anthem in a rainforest, and he plans to set the record for singing the National Anthem at the highest altitude.
Public comments
During public comments, Chris Mack of Newberry Main Street said, “I wanted to just report to the City about our Spring Festival that we had on April 5th. It was a complete success. It was a little hot, a little sweaty, but I think everybody enjoyed themselves. Without the help of the City, we can’t pull these things off, so I do thank the City, all the City workers, all the management for helping us pull that off. A couple things to look forward to: we have an annual banquet coming up in June. We have Splash Days, which is June, July, and August. We collaborate with the Fire Department and bring a nice wet, cool place for all the kids of Newberry. There’ll be a little bit more information on that. And my last thing is, we have the Watermelon Parade coming up. That is not Main Street, but we will have a float in the parade, and I would encourage all of you to come ride on our float with us.”
Planning & Zoning Board appointments
Appointments to the Planning & Zoning Board were approved by the Commission: Anne Pollo’s and Kathi Thomas’s terms were unanimously extended through April 2026. Naim Erched’s and Mellina Parker’s terms were extended through April 2027 on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Monty Farnsworth in dissent. Jessica Carey was unanimously selected to replace Donald Long, who is now a City Commissioner; her term will run through April 2027.
CDBG application for road improvements
Grant & Funding Manager Jane Sullivan gave a presentation for a second reading of a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to the State for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The first reading was on April 14 (see our story for additional information). The funds will be used for paving and repaving roads, mainly 255th Street from 2nd Avenue to 6th Avenue, and also some adjacent segments of roads. Additional funds will be used for minor wastewater improvements in the area. Commissioner Mark Clark made a motion to approve the resolution on second reading, and Commissioner Rick Coleman seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
Ordinance requiring registration of properties that are vacant or in foreclosure
Attorney Walker introduced the first reading of an ordinance requiring property owners to register with the City any properties that are in foreclosure and/or vacant. Director of Community Development Stacey Hectus said only about 10 properties currently meet those criteria. Mazon made a motion to pass the resolution on first reading, and Long seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. The second reading will take place on May 27.
Abandoned Vehicles Ordinance
Walker introduced an Abandoned Vehicles Ordinance, repealing and replacing an earlier ordinance. Code Enforcement Officer Greta Moreau said the ordinance will allow City staff to remove any abandoned or wrecked vehicles that are not on private property, and the second reading will be heard on May 27 if the ordinance passes on first reading.
Moreau said, “Abandoned vehicles lead to a decline in community and property values, create nuisances, lead to a general decrease in neighborhood and community aesthetics, create conditions that invite criminal activity, and foster an unsafe and unhealthy environment for our citizens… Abandoned or wrecked vehicles on a City street, on a highway, or on a City right-of-way will be removed by the following process: placing a vehicle removal notice… This will stay on until they’re ready to remove it. I would place that on the driver’s side windshield, alerting the vehicle owner… to remove the vehicle within 10 days, as stated on the notice. If the vehicle constitutes a hazard to the environment or community, such notice may require the vehicle to be removed immediately, and that would fall under leaking oil, things like that. Or if there’s broken glass in the community where there’s kids that potentially could be harmed, that would call for a removal immediately. The owner of the vehicle shall be liable for the removal, the storage, and the disposal of the vehicle if the removal is authorized by the City.”
Moreau said they plan to work with A1 Towing out of Alachua. She said, “Their process is – I pick up the phone after the 10-day notice has been placed and the vehicle is still present. I pick up the phone, give them a call, they come and tow it, and they handle everything at that point. There is no fee to the City. All the charges go straight to the owner of the vehicle for the tow, for the impoundment, and then, after that, if there’s no contact, then they start the process that the State allows for them to take ownership of the vehicle. Again, no fees at all, (no) charges to the City.” Moreau emphasized that this ordinance will not affect any vehicles on private property.
Responding to a question from Coleman, Moreau said she knows of five vehicles that she believes are currently abandoned and eligible for removal. Coleman made a motion to pass the resolution on first reading, and Farnsworth seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
Ordinance setting standards for big box stores
The next item was the first reading of an ordinance amending the land development regulations to include standards for the development of large-scale retail establishments (or big box stores). This has been a topic of ongoing discussion since March 2024. Hectus said, “We’ve defined large-scale retail as… a single building that occupies 60,000 square feet of gross floor area or greater and serves a regional market. Large-scale retailers include, but are not limited to, membership wholesale clubs that emphasize bulk sales and discount home improvement, sports equipment, furniture, farm, and department stores. Retail uses that do not meet these criteria are classified as retail sales unless otherwise noted in this code.” Hectus said they originally started with a limit of 80,000 square feet, but the Planning & Zoning Board suggested 60,000 square feet, which would include typical Walmart stores but not typical grocery stores, which are closer to 50,000 square feet.
Hectus discussed proposed required buffers, maximum heights (42 feet), and maximum parking lot sizes. She said “false fronts” (facades) would not count for the maximum height requirement. Commercial districts would require a special exception, Hectus said, and large-scale retail establishments would be prohibited in commercial neighborhoods and commercial business districts.
Principal Planner Jean-Paul Perez listed 10 categories of requirements that large-scale retailers must meet. Perez said requirements for buffers will vary depending on what zone a business is located in, ranging from 15 to 50 feet. Roofs, sidewalks, service ladders, outdoor dining, tree preservation, and aesthetic requirements were also discussed.
Farnsworth made a motion to accept the proposed large-scale retail requirements, and Coleman seconded the motion. It passed unanimously on first reading.
Highland Park Planned Development
Attorney Walker introduced a resolution approving construction plans for Phases 1 through 3 of the Highland Park Planned Development, situated on 77.28 acres. Perez said the resolution also authorizes the City Manager to execute a wastewater capacity reservation agreement with the developer.
Perez said the applicant was present at the meeting to answer any questions. Responding to Clark, Perez said the overall development will include retail spaces, but Phases 1 through 3 are only for residential neighborhoods, which will contain 193 homes; Phases 4 and 5 will be discussed later.
Clark made a motion to approve the construction plans, and Mazon seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
Easton Newberry Sports Complex
The next item of business was following up on negotiations with the Easton Newberry Sports Complex after the donation of 60 acres of land by the Suwanee River Water Management District to expand the Sports Complex (see our story covering the November 25 meeting for more details).
Recreation Director Rod Clark said staff are continuing negotiations and discussions, and “the negotiations are moving in a positive direction. I sense a collaborative tone in our discussions. We are exploring all options.” Clark said they have arrived at a total of three options, which should be narrowed down more in the next 60 days.
Farnsworth asked whether Rod Clark was at liberty to discuss the three options since the Commission might want to have some input. Clark said that is what he is working toward – getting input from the Commission once he has done more negotiation work on his own.
Hiring a new City Clerk
The last item of business was discussing the hiring process to replace outgoing 30-year City Clerk Judy Rice. Rice said she developed a job description for the position, but that can be modified by Human Resources if desired.
Coleman said he didn’t think they needed to spend the money to conduct a national search. He said, “I believe that we have somebody in-house that is capable of doing this job and doing it very well, that has a banking background.” Coleman suggested not wasting any time since there was an obvious choice.
Clark said he would like to spend a little more time talking to Rice and looking at information. Long said he also wants to talk with Rice more before making any decisions. Coleman said, “Miss Judy already just said we are four weeks behind (in the hiring process).” Marden said the conversation will be continued at the next meeting.
Jason Lyman promoted to Fire Chief
During public comments, Marlowe suggested holding a Special Meeting in the near future to discuss hiring a new City Clerk. Marlowe said, “Better right than fast.”
Interim City Manager Dallas Lee announced the promotion of Interim Fire Chief Jason Lyman to the Fire Chief position. The previous Fire Chief, Mike Vogel, resigned on February 24 amid DUI allegations. Vogel entered a plea of nolo contendere to a charge of reckless driving involving alcohol on April 21 and was sentenced to one year of probation.
New Commissioner Donald Long said he is glad to be working with everyone.
Clark said the Veterans Memorial is being completed on time and on schedule, and it will be ready for its Memorial Day unveiling.
Coleman said, “Last week, we had two deaths on 235, and we had one death on 337, and I said that I really don’t want to go to a meeting with the County up here on the dais. I believe it was the last time I was up here. But this time, I cannot understand that they’re not taking this to heart. I don’t know how many people in the last year have died on 337, but there’s been quite a bit. 235, I mean it’s happening more and more all the time, and these roads are ridiculous, atrocious.”
Marden concluded by saying, “It’s so good to see all the positive energy.”