[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6262073,"mediaKeyId","3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549","parentId",3116136,"title","Councilman introduces censure and removal request for mayor; debate deferred to council comments","audioSeconds",140,"startMs",1336000,"endMs",1476000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549&start=1336&end=1476","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262073/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/Councilman-introduces-censure-and-removal-request-for-mayor-debate-deferred-to-council-comments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262073-4fe7358b6cde3acb4f23fb47ac7ecae4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=iUt31nVi6MUtcXrXm2sOw1uyU-2WSbLw8tE2Gk3fDcwpG51Kj7MmfaH3RY6BIhlKS66azQRgWtm8lNcDNevxl5LLYUA74a4XobTKkdMC0L8VYrBssr-EuXrum1VH2cV6CVpOu1Zv18wRh3872UY2O4BZawAu5bO8~OxH~a9csT9EGUj8UiXEYvDU6t2-DIPkh~dWIwQsH-Osq2KaZDXSyXzmfTc8xLu8vFFDuuqlsqaJpCeUZe8wcpCvKU~HHNCqQ7MxmvEJquys48u6caArCGjWOpwDaH70UBs3J7wVEqEwl8ZZ3Kcs-vTwe-gkg~2HHjECtANBlZFU982-zp-3yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Palm Coast, FL","date","2025-04-25T01:04:29.257Z","article","Councilman raised concerns about the mayor's conduct and said findings from a council-directed investigation were sustained, and moved that the council adopt a vote of no confidence and a censure and send a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis requesting the mayor's removal. The council deferred debate and any formal action to the meeting's later council-comment period.

Nut graf: The motion followed a staff briefing the council said substantiated certain allegations against the mayor. Council members voiced frustration about the mayor's public statements and the division those statements created, but several members also asked to postpone action until the mayor could be present or until council comment at the end of the meeting.

What was said: Councilman Gambarro told the council \"the accusations that led to the investigation have been sustained,\" characterized findings as \"extremely concerning,\" and moved that the council send a signed letter to the governor requesting mayoral removal. Vice Mayor Pontieri and other members asked that the matter be addressed later in the meeting so the council could proceed with regular business first. No formal vote or censure ordinance was taken during the public meeting record in the transcript.

Legal and process notes: City staff and the city attorney discussed process-related questions in the meeting about how previous appointment ballots had been completed and recommended transparent recordkeeping for future ballots; the attorney noted the city had discretion on some procedural matters but advised standard practice to show names on ballots going forward. The mayor was absent for the meeting.

Ending: The council deferred substantive action on the motion to its later agenda time. If councilors return the motion to the floor at the end of the meeting or at a future meeting, staff said they would place required supporting documentation and draft language on the agenda for formal council action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Business Workshop - April 22, 2025 - PT. 1","oneSentenceSummary","Councilman moved for a vote of no confidence, a censure and a letter to the governor seeking the mayor's removal after receiving an investigation the council directed; the matter was postponed for consideration at the end of the meeting.","taxTitle","Palm Coast City, Flagler County, Florida","taxId",3807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262079,"YMCA proposes new Town Center aquatic complex and offers to operate Palm Coast pool; asks city for $3 million",1744,10700000,12444000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549&start=10700&end=12444","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549/thumbnail_10700000.jpg","/articles/6262079/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/YMCA-proposes-new-Town-Center-aquatic-complex-and-offers-to-operate-Palm-Coast-pool-asks-city-for-3-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262079-d9c1a700e09502814369f767ea424c5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=h80mEwNiVrZwzTt7fwSUaLVFuLj45ZnwdwTLu8dpxdZ6CzFWnjZ23blgQ0Y91Tazru-B0H4kbiywr6jjvM4Xt1bMQddOeusVgN0g0ftR0cb~WjCHcTaEep61niboeeduclRNGmrHUaVmywybIW6kEz72Bc1P1K7taj~txdC1De9DLLPLpXyg1VsC5pmrbiHUQeAwRPUulRx0LxItAgBPoDDG~WpO7oSyPj~9lrO88I4GtCAWpE0d9rzrZsIFdSQLF3chDylZpZMyOxj61Mza1uIvOz-5ngvfSouvY2Hpw0LxsfZnPZrrViNpJtMAsFB2Yh2zXsIHGgltQK6Djw48Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Volusia-Flagler YMCA told the City Council it would like to build a new YMCA facility in Palm Coast's Town Center that includes a multi-use aquatic center and indoor recreation spaces, and offered a short-term operational partnership to run the city's existing Frida Zamba Aquatic Center while construction is planned.

Nut graf: YMCA leaders proposed a roughly $16 million facility, asked the city for a $3 million contribution, and described program and operating models intended to preserve swim programming, expand lessons and competitive swim uses, and shift long-term capital and maintenance responsibility to the YMCA model. City staff will continue talks and assess budget implications as part of the upcoming budget process.

The YMCA proposal: John Walsh (local YMCA board) and Chris Silcop (Volusia-Flagler YMCA executive director) presented the association's plan for a 44,000-square-foot facility featuring a variable-depth aquatic pool with movable bulkheads (to serve classes, masters swim, school teams and events), fitness and gym space, program rooms and locker rooms. Silcop said the association has experience operating multiple models (city-owned facilities run by the Y, Y-owned buildings, and public-private hybrids) and that the YMCA would bring staffing, program partnerships, and subsidy models that deliver community programming while managing ongoing operations and maintenance.

Cost and asks: The YMCA presented an estimated total project cost in the mid-teens of millions of dollars and said the association seeks about $3 million from the city toward construction; the YMCA said it expects to seek additional funding from school-board partners and Flagler County and planned a roughly 18-month fundraising window. Board members and the developer partner said Town Center DRI land east of the performance stage is available for the project; developer Jeff Douglas said the parcel was originally conveyed as part of the Town Center DRI.

Operations and continuity: YMCA leaders said they would operate the new facility and could assume responsibility for managing the city's existing Palm Coast Aquatic Center in the short term to maintain uninterrupted services. City staff presented current usage figures for the Frida Zamba pool: the pool is a 25-meter, eight-lane facility that operates seasonally (February-November), hosted roughly 30,000 visits in 2023-24, and offers swim lessons, youth programming and community uses. Council members stressed that any transition must preserve services, particularly lessons and school-team access.

Public reaction and next steps: Several residents and local swim coaches urged a deep end for synchronized swimming and broad year-round access. Council members asked staff to continue negotiations with the YMCA, explore matching contributions from the school board and county, and bring partnership terms and potential budget impacts back during the budget process. No final funding decision was made at the meeting; staff were asked to continue the planning and stakeholder outreach.

Ending: The YMCA and city agreed to follow up with technical design details, a fundraising plan and a jurisdictional funding conversation; council members asked for public workshops and promised further consideration during budget deliberations.","The Volusia-Flagler YMCA presented a proposal for a new 44,000-square-foot YMCA and aquatic center in Town Center, offered short-term operational partnership for the existing pool, and requested about $3 million from the city toward a roughly $16 million project while seeking complementary commitments from the school board and county.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262084,"Council moves to seek appraisal and RFP as Palm Harbor Golf Club struggle prompts review",3373,6730000,10103000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549&start=6730&end=10103","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549/thumbnail_6730000.jpg","/articles/6262084/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/Council-moves-to-seek-appraisal-and-RFP-as-Palm-Harbor-Golf-Club-struggle-prompts-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262084-fe495e911646883acc0af05314de93d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=mB1sR6G45wd6gLLAmTigMMU6qoD5n8zeVKl4krRfR6Sgyi3FlvBnMtg2m6jY4HFQNPtDzl2bVU1ysXZAewnwYClKG72Vk-AJIa0UZ3UkFE6M9xQ1D8~LeBiUT16MqBR5qP3krxZNpJcVmVfZHNZypk50k74X7OYECbibXjbmh4L9l77V0tS7mPNKtPFm1~PSLTvpOjWJOvfJ-~U-b4oDy-RrvxsGUQ1h2P6iPSa8TQfH8kyNvLRvqcgzatJKJr~FAC3BaC7xWZD1nzE8J3jhJiJ3Y3VpDyAe-oB-k5T5lNInxGthK0WsDuuUc2QGbbdiGSCxa56A-o0L7tOoY0ldwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation staff presented a facility analysis of Palm Harbor Golf Club and the City Council directed staff to obtain an appraisal and prepare a request for proposals (RFP) to explore private management or sale that would require the property remain an operational golf course.

Nut graf: The council's action followed a financial review showing fluctuating cost recovery over recent years, debate over in-house maintenance versus contracted management, and vigorous public comment in favor of preserving and improving the course.

What staff presented: James Hurst, Parks and Recreation director, told council staff implemented immediate rate changes (incremental increases and a new credit-card processing fee) and explored operational options to reach cost recovery. Hurst said the Troon maintenance contract (current through 2027) includes a management and maintenance fee the city projects at roughly $457,000 for 2026; Hurst reported a modeled in-house maintenance staffing option at about $503,000 (seven full-time staff) and a higher-cost in-house alternative at roughly $627,000 (nine full-time staff).

Past performance and current projection: Hurst reviewed five years of operating history. The course reached near cost recovery in 2020--2022 during a pandemic-related surge in play; in later years revenues and increased costs produced lower cost-recovery percentages (staff cited 78% in 2022-23). As of early April staff projected roughly break-even for the current year under planned rate and operating changes (staff projected about 99.8% cost recovery for the current year based on implemented adjustments). Hurst and finance staff emphasized the presented projections covered operational costs and did not include periodic capital needs, which would be funded from separate capital budgets.

Council direction and legal safeguards: After public testimony from residents, frequent players and former golf-industry staff, the council asked staff to pursue an RFP to solicit prospective operators or buyers and to obtain an appraisal of the property. Council members repeatedly stated a requirement that any buyer or manager be contractually obligated to operate the site as an “operational golf course.” City staff and the city attorney said they would draft covenant language to run with the land to preserve that use and would return proposed contract language for council review; staff also noted the city manager's procurement authority for modest appraisal costs.

Public comment: Dozens of residents and players urged preserving the golf course, cited its value as a community amenity and destination, and called for investment to restore playing conditions. Several commenters with golf-course management experience urged professional course maintenance and clearer operating metrics.

Ending: Council members expressed broad support for preserving the course while also seeking options to reduce annual operating subsidies. Staff will return with an appraisal and draft RFP language and bring legal covenant language for council review.","After a staff presentation on Palm Harbor Golf Club operations and finances, the council agreed to request an appraisal and prepare a request for proposals, with language to keep any buyer/operator to running an operational golf course.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262088,"Council reviews midyear budget update; members press for clearer debt reporting and more economic development investment",2898,3238000,6136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549&start=3238&end=6136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549/thumbnail_3238000.jpg","/articles/6262088/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/Council-reviews-midyear-budget-update-members-press-for-clearer-debt-reporting-and-more-economic-development-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262088-a8dafe301ee8f805e482cfc748e4b3f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=aD5wccT-Og2jEeeW3M391OwJ2WxqYE2DjIstAv-6kZOQggUXK3G56pZnYTYeKHf8dLPaZQ9NHRGWf5MtTHjMZl031B69fyDIwXbnRAJ1OKLXz9GhNULLw~nK8C7HDhXQGUVtx50PjRlKjcAQJjM7ChldBPXv3MHnAqVbYzPq7U1d0C1-l9FVmWLyFHWRE~xJ8f-VIpUCi0mHeixXnDQ9KrD51Q7iHtbrn83MFlwoNLusEe~VR4VhYKz3GacysIgd75lQ5bIbTbq85HSNOJfwG-~XOAFn7WDXU1vwR1gf0V3uIc~rdys3RjuaHap-iwyXUcxuNfRDKOy0IBx88t0M0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Financial Services Director Helena Alves and Budget and Procurement Manager Gwen Ragsdale presented the city's year-to-date operating results through March 31 and outlined the fiscal year's budget calendar.

Nut graf: The presentation showed ad valorem collections running near normal seasonal levels, operating funds largely in expected ranges, and several line items where timing—not performance—explained variances. Council members asked staff to show debt-service separately in future reports and pushed for greater use or promotion of the city's economic development budget.

What staff told the council: Alves said ad valorem tax receipts were about 93% collected—typical for this point in the year—and that some revenue categories (business tax renewals, state fire-insurance distributions) appear low now because of later payment schedules. She reviewed enterprise fund timing (utility bills lag one month, local government investment pools provide short-term liquidity) and said investment income remained elevated relative to conservative budgets.

Expenditures and transfers: Ragsdale reviewed operating expenditures and said most departments are at or under the 50% mark expected at midyear. She noted timing differences for capital purchases and transfers; for example, some vehicle and equipment purchases remain on order with delivery lags from supply-chain delays. Councilmembers pressed for clearer presentation of interfund transfers and for debt-service to be shown separately rather than lumped in \"non-departmental\" lines; both finance staff and the external auditor were cited as able to produce that breakdown.

Economic development: Council members repeatedly flagged that the city's economic development line showed only roughly 22% spent at midyear and argued that the city should consider more active use of those funds, including marketing and targeted incentives, to grow taxable value and jobs. Staff said $162,000 from appropriated fund balance was budgeted for department initiatives and that departmental spending would be examined during the formal budget workshops.

Budget calendar and next steps: Staff outlined the fiscal timetable: a property tax/Truth in Millage (TRIM) presentation in late June, budget workshops in July, capital budget in August and two public hearings in September. Council members encouraged staff to look for efficiencies—one councilor suggested a modest citywide 2% under-run goal as a planning target to create budget flexibility.

Ending: The council asked for continued midyear reporting, a separate debt-service line in future materials, and additional detail on how economic development dollars are being marketed and spent.","Finance staff presented the year-to-date operating budget through March 31 and the council discussed revenue timing, internal transfers, and underused economic development funds, and asked staff to separate debt-service reporting in future financial presentations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6262093,"City hears annual investment report emphasizing safety-first portfolio and steady returns",1563,1601000,3164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549&start=1601&end=3164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3116136-489f99323e139bc20a7f0b55248a5549/thumbnail_1601000.jpg","/articles/6262093/Palm-Coast-City/Flagler-County/Florida/City-hears-annual-investment-report-emphasizing-safety-first-portfolio-and-steady-returns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262093-1edf427665539c495a8fcff077e96229/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186318&Signature=otWduJsjH7sVzwXGX8WCN8koDfdynS0d1GCg3LaSJFa7KU5NwS3ebJu512xim5~mDIfbAa3yZITgVIvFV9sVakqE3hf-G~Ksncw9JoK8ZzuQiMg1FVvKOpGi-8-NqUqDBT30yKPpgRuO24irNQvTWg~Lm9iDRLKJweHc5xzcrDLudfjkEQbrWzB5auvMEVKW6~zfxxI6D9tyvwbBH703wDUYhrb5eJzS8bnhFScDJ-ua5BpJPrO7Nq2FxnzT95M9UGGsEezqAphwXnRTqV-jkr8YnzhzMKNWtSSxbDBteNYd0gdTUtsdVG77VdDLsWvPrFVC6o8jBG4F0z4DkRjJtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PFM Asset Management presented Palm Coast's annual investment report to the City Council, describing a portfolio structured for safety, liquidity and then yield and reporting positive short-term returns.

The presentation: Helena Alves, the city's financial services director, introduced Danny Metz and Leslie Weber from PFM Asset Management to review the portfolio performance through Dec. 31, 2024. Metz said the advisors' philosophy is \"safety first, safety of principle,\" and emphasized that the city's investment decisions follow state statute and public-fund best practices.

Why it matters: The council heard that the city keeps a large portion of its managed portfolio in U.S. Treasury securities to preserve principal and liquidity, and that the portfolio returned 4.42% for the one-year period, outperforming the policy benchmark by about 30 basis points. PFM reported the portfolio produced roughly $2.4 million in investment earnings during the year and about $7.3 million since the portfolio's inception in 2017.

Details and context: PFM said the portfolio is deliberately weighted toward Treasuries (roughly 60%+ of the managed portfolio) because Treasuries are highly liquid and viewed as the lowest-risk asset for a municipal operating portfolio. Metz and Weber explained the advisors use a three-part framework: (1) compliance with state statute; (2) model language and recommended practices from the Association of Public Treasurers; and (3) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices.

Weber described recent economic and yield developments and said the firm has moved the portfolio near benchmark duration given market uncertainties. The advisers noted spreads in corporate securities (used selectively to add yield) and reported the portfolio's overall credit quality as high (roughly AA on agency charts). Metz told the council PFM's near-term recommendation was to \"hold and wait\" amid Fed and macroeconomic uncertainty rather than make large tactical changes.

Operational notes: Council members asked how the advisors determine cash-flow needs and whether the managed portfolio includes every city fund. Metz and Alves reported that PFM models the city's cashflow seasonality (including ad valorem cycles) and that the managed portfolio represents a large portion of the city's investable cash; some short-term pools and statutory-restricted accounts are managed separately but are included in the city's overall investment picture.

Next steps: PFM and staff said they will continue monthly and quarterly monitoring and return to the council for periodic updates; the advisers noted they may present again if market conditions warrant a tactical change.

Ending: Council members thanked PFM and finance staff for the review and for framing a conservative, liquidity-focused approach as the city begins its upcoming budget cycle.","PFM Asset Management presented the city's annual investment report through Dec. 31, 2024, outlining a safety-first portfolio, a large U.S. Treasury allocation, and a one-year return that modestly outperformed the benchmark.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilman introduces censure and removal request for mayor; debate deferred to council comments

YMCA proposes new Town Center aquatic complex and offers to operate Palm Coast pool; asks city for $3 million

Council moves to seek appraisal and RFP as Palm Harbor Golf Club struggle prompts review

Council reviews midyear budget update; members press for clearer debt reporting and more economic development investment

City hears annual investment report emphasizing safety-first portfolio and steady returns