MINNEOLA CITY COUNCIL MEETS                                                January 21, 2025

The Minneola City Council met in regular session on January 21, 2025, in the Civic Connection. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., with the following Council members present: Marvin Jensen, Dustin Laudick, and Debbie Buckley. President of Council Marvin Jensen presided. Also present were Tyler Knox, City Manager and Brenda Stewart, City Clerk.

Greg Bradford met with the Council about a new coffee/baked goods shop proposed in the first block of Main Street. The current plan is to open in April as it is under renovation. Greg shared pictures of the finalized plan. They are in the process of obtaining their food license, federal ID, State ID, and insurance. Tyler mentioned that the sign and the tree species will need to be reviewed and approved. Tyler asked about a grease trap. Greg stated there is not a grease trap as they should not need one. The Council approved the coffee shop as long as all the licensing is complete.

 Debbie made a motion to approve the minutes from December 16, 2024, and January 6, 2025, Dustin seconded, motion passed 3/0.

Financial Reports for December 2024 were reviewed. Brenda mentioned that 3 JE’s were completed to close out the year. JE 74 closed out the ENEL account. JE 75 transferred funds in the General Account to cover part of the 2025 bond payments and to Equipment Reserve. JE 76 moved available funding from the General Account to Capital Improvements. There were no questions.

Manager Update:

• The 60” Hustler mower will be picked up tomorrow.
• The mosquito fogger was delivered. Van Diest will train us later in the spring.
• We are still waiting for Ideatek to move the Wi-Fi to the Community Park.
• We haven’t received a response from the State about the CCLIP intersection lights, but we have confirmed that new lighting was part of the project.
• We received two quotes for LED Permanent Lighting for the 1^st block of Main Street. Tyler stated he will now look for funding and donations.
• We interviewed and hired a new full-time maintenance employee. He started today. The employee will drive the 2012 pick-up. Tyler got 2 bids to repaint the outside bed area where the paint has peeled off. Dustin made a motion to have the repair done at Erv’s, Marvin seconded, motion passed 3/0.
• EBH has not got the surveys done for Cedar Street.
• EBH has not received a breakdown bid for Magnolia Street.
• We asked for an extension to perfect our water rights for Well 7 with explanations about the Sunrise Addition. The Council asked about private wells and asked Tyler to verify all private wells.
• Tyler talked about the County Commissioner meeting he attended on January 15. Property taxes were discussed and how the County appraiser is stating that Minneola’s taxes were originally to be increased 11% over two years (2024 & 2025) but now we are too low again and another increase needs to take place. The Council discussed how the taxes are going to prohibit people from living in Minneola if they keep rising. The Council asked Tyler to look into taxes by City and surrounding towns. The new County attorney, Clay Kuhns, is looking into tax sales. The County Fair will be on July 9-14.

Brenda reminded the Council that the February meeting will be on February 18, since the 17th is a holiday.

Summer maintenance help will not be needed if we hire an additional full-time employee. The Council asked to review this again next month.

Debbie made a motion to sell the old mower and mosquito machine on Purple Wave, Marvin seconded, motion passed 3/0.

Bills were reviewed. Dustin made a motion to approve the bills as presented, Debbie seconded, motion passed 3/0.

The Council agreed to look at salaries and benefits next month.

Debbie made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Marvin seconded, motion passed 3/0. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm.

City Clerk