[{"_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",6251350,"mediaKeyId","3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933","parentId",3195838,"title","Council tables revised building‑code chapter and permit‑fee schedule after public concerns about residential fees and exemptions","audioSeconds",141,"startMs",8021000,"endMs",8162000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933&start=8021&end=8162","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933/thumbnail_8021000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6251350/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Council-tables-revised-buildingcode-chapter-and-permitfee-schedule-after-public-concerns-about-residential-fees-and-exemptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251350-4704caae7550cd33d892d9d312bb8891/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650759&Signature=Lmgfm~bjPIHe9qmfLk-LpuImRkwbc2g5p6VjFsKYUxi2S68LYuL6XXm51fBNi2jXLWYlKrs3mCyjSi2CeXsDAHjTJ4YvRigfMawhtwaS3jhsgxU2XHlznJkNxpkmOR5rU2AvImVBwx9eLuYgGERfG-6uEtw5rQYBUyXP5A-oYmXhNJkFcK8BvChwAirQfu8H3jo35PcnND4LsQ7m~X3GaOPLSMPbH7PiDhfXVCG6SRc3mWCShjcGQzOPrYY~97iyW47BMbGT~JIcUVBnK3fdIQt4e1zSfwl~3w9NY0CWB-KeJv2QvzN~8Bz6tcYVs0t4faUCUWic0igPQPgwkZGnWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lake City, FL","date","2025-05-06T08:31:33.473Z","article","On first reading council considered Ordinance 20 25‑2312, an update to the city's local amendments to Chapter 1 of the Florida Building Code and a revised permit‑fee schedule.

Growth management director Scott Thomason said staff proposed shifting certain permit fees for new construction, alterations and additions from square‑foot formulas to valuation‑based fees using the International Code Council formula to better match plan‑review and inspection effort. He said the revised schedule simplifies counter permits as flat rates so customers know fees in advance and incorporates previously separate technology fees.

Several public commenters urged exemptions for small residential repairs. Public commenter Todd Sampson noted that some counties exempt small jobs and asked why the city would charge $89 for a water heater permit or a high fee for a single garage‑door replacement, arguing those fees can discourage property improvements.

Council members asked staff to examine possible exemptions or discounts for seniors and low‑income residents, and to ensure that safety‑critical items (electrical, gas, water heaters) remain subject to inspection. Staff said veterans already had a discount in the fee materials and said the city could investigate limited exemptions or targeted assistance but warned about potential abuse and legal constraints under state law.

After discussion the council decided to continue the item to the May 19 meeting for staff to propose adjustments such as an exemption threshold and possible senior discounts. The item was not adopted on first reading and will return with a refined fee schedule and proposed administrative language.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 5, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council on Monday reviewed a rewritten Chapter 1 local amendment to the Florida Building Code and a revised, valuation‑based permit fee schedule but postponed final action after members and public commenters raised concerns that new residential fees could burden homeowners.","taxTitle","Lake City, Columbia County, Florida","taxId",56856,"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},6251353,"Council approves in‑house city attorney contract and creates legal administrative assistant position despite public calls for an RFQ",1771,5858000,7629000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933&start=5858&end=7629","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933/thumbnail_5858000.jpg","/articles/6251353/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Council-approves-inhouse-city-attorney-contract-and-creates-legal-administrative-assistant-position-despite-public-calls-for-an-RFQ","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251353-7899441eb7faa35123cb17f0145b78fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650759&Signature=SNHjadLU-MvIf2HRGfMDBDVnfwiLE2D1RpGhswNfQvdl1VvXxIP~Yw8OuCqaq2S9WhlO-6K5c3Y0kCtCwWAcGvZie7UOu~bAIZ42ufjLuwzHQwkkTdxj7gAEWLW6a0EwMCRoYaNfGj-OAT2vtR-bHoNk9V0quU4cPwmQK6oAIz9DMKuPQ8606~Ff0rvBYsA-WU0uIdBUE85VOs9Nc8JgUslaLjZ1X00806pQMBE89zaWTvBTxyWZcTSXMtDbxJ-ULpmszYi4sFerEWld5HRIPMSsbuicJJH0-7yxYZ6bfywZXJpPWfn-0T90FMP5o0ZUuGtY~RtCVYGCaIYm0KEuCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake City Council on Monday approved a negotiated employment contract to make Clay Martin the city’s in‑house city attorney and also approved creating a legal administrative assistant position to support the office.

Contract approval and public concern

Outside counsel Mark Foreman, who negotiated the agreement on behalf of the city, told the council the contract he and the applicant negotiated “is fair and equitable and covers all concerns that the city would have” if the council wished to engage in‑house counsel. Foreman described standard equipment and reimbursement provisions, said the contract follows state limits on severance and disclosed that the motion before the council sets a June 15 (staff later confirmed work to begin June 16) start date if the council adopted the resolution.

Public commenters urged a competitive process. Todd Sampson said the city historically issued an RFQ for such positions and criticized moving an in‑house hire without a public solicitation. “Transparency, accountability, responsibility — I’m not seeing it,” Sampson said. Another commenter raised a charter question and urged an RFQ; public commenters also raised concerns about cost comparisons, conflicts with prior law firms and whether the attorney could represent the city in future litigation involving his prior firm.

Contract terms discussed in public session

Foreman and the city attorney clarified several contract terms on the record: the severance payment is capped at 20 weeks under Florida statute for involuntary termination without cause; the attorney’s contract requires substantial devotion of professional time to the city, subject to prior written authorization for outside work; equipment provisions include a laptop, iPad and phone; travel reimbursement will follow IRS standard mileage; and any ethical conflicts must be managed under Florida Bar rules and city policy.

Resolution for legal administrative assistant

Council also approved a separate resolution establishing a legal administrative assistant/paralegal position with budgeted compensation estimated in staff materials at roughly $60,000 salary and total budgeted cost (salary and benefits) reflected in the packet at about $83,000. City staff said the position will be posted and filled following standard personnel rules and will be placed into the city’s salary matrix with final compensation set by the city manager.

Votes and next steps

Council voted in favor of the mayor’s recommended resolution to approve the contract and to create the legal assistant position (recorded roll calls were in the minutes). Staff will return the executed contract documentation to the personnel office and advertise the paralegal position; council members said the attorney will have an annual review and that staff will manage potential conflicts and disclosure requirements.

Mayor Walker, councilmembers and the newly hired attorney exchanged remarks of welcome on the record. The council’s action provides the city a full‑time legal adviser; public commenters and some councilmembers said they would have preferred a competitive solicitation first.","The Lake City Council on Monday approved a negotiated employment contract to hire Clay Martin as the city’s in‑house attorney and authorized creation of a legal administrative assistant position; public commenters urged a competitive RFQ and raised transparency and charter concerns.",{"_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},6251363,"Council votes down ordinance setting park hours; directs staff to set hours by resolution, plans 7 a.m.–8 p.m. for Campbell Park",781,1113000,1894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933&start=1113&end=1894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933/thumbnail_1113000.jpg","/articles/6251363/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Council-votes-down-ordinance-setting-park-hours-directs-staff-to-set-hours-by-resolution-plans-7-am8-pm-for-Campbell-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251363-a1fd6d62f7f5d7411d588e76326c96da/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650759&Signature=aFBnu0Xq79Oipjh6UsUEnEuWYqdogdDdQ6DGddiF9A4jFIVS5oYi5M2K2kKz2TdYBmn31j~Tm4JduxxwGN35JACCLUmDiz9X2zBujrKCKfUJZYSed3achsLAo6YWd36YNlYijReK4W3x5HS5YO36lDjCuRC1BSGx4ELWQCN2ZXKuGLNIR56cXMzTS7PDt1WI6krqoRw1ZfKCqWlNMK197nnx62SVPxxDN9mOt86VdfarmlteEHYfy8TyjvAqOfGt3lsbD4nli-x4lYHoCMg6dyUhdTU20ALSysl4IzExXEXZB5Okpykkky5QeiewZ-55qTRwoLOHk31NQ79JyxLUZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake City Council voted Monday to reject on final reading an ordinance that would have set park hours by ordinance and instead directed staff to return with an amended ordinance that removes hour-setting from the code and lets the council set hours by resolution.

The action followed public comment from nearby residents and others who said the current ordinance language — defined as 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset — created practical problems for parks that use automated gates and separate lighting schedules.

Resident Delbert Hudson told the council the posted language yields confusion because sunrise and sunset change daily and the gated boat ramp can open or close unpredictably. “This ordinance does not state times,” Hudson said. “It only 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. Once again, this would be a hard task because the rising and setting of the sun changes daily.”

Resident Todd Sampson urged the council to use a resolution rather than an ordinance to set times and asked that Young’s Park and Lake Isabella Park be reviewed separately for lighting and public safety. “You could do that by resolution tonight,” Sampson said of adjusting hours.

City Attorney Clay Martin advised that the council could change the ordinance to allow hours to be set by resolution, but recommended not adopting a resolution immediately without staff drafting one for the record. The council then debated procedure and preferences.

On a roll-call vote on final reading, councilmembers voted to defeat adoption (Carter — nay; Young — no; Jernigan — no; Harris — no; Mayor Walker — no), meaning the ordinance failed. Councilmembers then directed staff to return at the next meeting with an ordinance that removes park hours from the code and also to present a resolution that sets a uniform schedule. During the discussion the mayor and staff indicated the council’s working direction is to set Campbell Park (Lake Montgomery) hours by resolution to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Young’s Park courts were discussed as a carve‑out and would remain lit until 10 p.m. to allow recreational play.

Chief Butler also told the council he opposed earlier closing times for Young’s Park tennis and basketball courts because youth and other residents use lighting into the evening and the lights improve safety.

Next steps: staff will prepare (1) an amended ordinance removing park hours and (2) a draft resolution proposing uniform park hours with a specific carve‑out for Campbell Park (Lake Montgomery) and for Young’s Park courts; staff will return the items at the next meeting as directed.","The Lake City Council on Monday voted against adopting a park‑hours ordinance and directed staff to return an amended ordinance that lets the council set park hours by resolution; councilmembers signaled support for setting Campbell Park (Lake Montgomery) hours to 7 a.m.–8 p.m.",{"_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},6251367,"Lake City Council approves application for $1.1 million CDBG to repave MLK Jr. Street and replace sidewalks",81,401000,482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933&start=401&end=482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933/thumbnail_401000.jpg","/articles/6251367/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Lake-City-Council-approves-application-for-11-million-CDBG-to-repave-MLK-Jr-Street-and-replace-sidewalks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251367-47eac8bc1a686ff9e9da4da61d9f4de7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650759&Signature=JHQ6nMB0GuiGoiH6~5k50P9cqicoEJlJgb9r72ZwSuOenv26Dtk-mjEbb7uS0zRkA522aPYzYse6fqTzBf3ubTLlj4OqBdxs9BvUxwULmS8JHpoyI39pKm8cPunUEiYSj6uC1jKoZMECKUa6zMSN6Xbh5xUOyUgb1-kpNocPvn~PGsuv32byxKukg7lC~de9zN~OsrrG3oOpqDulmR6ndS~lnbCQLaviIJS~PN3wBnvSl5UymAIhGczXi6MgECtj08eM8xbKEXe-hrRCurXOPzs-cMeAcxi72UiXzMwV3ydvxE1TKdRsKSL0kRxQ8Du7f8QAb67aatKBbnEssJhhaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake City Council voted unanimously Monday to submit a $1,100,000 Community Development Block Grant application to the Florida Department of Commerce to repave about 0.6 miles of Martin Luther King Jr. Street and replace roughly 1,400 linear feet of sidewalk from Texas Avenue to Broadway Avenue.

Dakota Braun, the city’s grant specialist, told the council the application is required to apply for this year’s neighborhood revitalization funds. “This hearing is a requirement to apply for this year's Community Development Block Grant administered by the Florida Department of Commerce,” Braun said, and he summarized the project scope and budget for council and the public.

Braun presented the proposed budget as engineering and design at $234,000, road construction at $801,000 and sidewalks at $35,000. He said the corridor is a residential two‑lane road that provides primary access for nearby residents and supports emergency services and local commerce, and that the work would “directly address critical infrastructure needs, beautify the surroundings, and enhance the quality of life of the residents in the area.”

No members of the public signed up to speak on the item. Councilmember Carter moved to approve submitting the grant application; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll call vote: Carter — yes; Harris — yes; Young — yes; Jernigan — yes; Mayor Walker — yes.

Next steps: if the Florida Department of Commerce invites the city to proceed, the city will advance engineering and then a procurement process for construction contracts.

The application and staff presentation will be included in the council packet and the city will publish updates if the grant is awarded.","The council voted unanimously to submit a Community Development Block Grant application to the Florida Department of Commerce seeking $1.1 million for road and sidewalk work along Martin Luther King Jr. Street, funding engineering, construction and sidewalks.",{"_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},6251358,"Council approves Seacoast annexation and a land‑use change with rezoning; votes to continue Bridal Terrace annexation for more staff review",749,2749000,3498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933&start=2749&end=3498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195838-ae6552668f3b26b41689c88401135933/thumbnail_2749000.jpg","/articles/6251358/Lake-City/Columbia-County/Florida/Council-approves-Seacoast-annexation-and-a-landuse-change-with-rezoning-votes-to-continue-Bridal-Terrace-annexation-for-more-staff-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251358-77ea1a631be8615bd18f31635e0a5417/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650759&Signature=AjELM0xDQDwE1HE1NtAdmZ9fJvpsSjz2TSeTdvmFShrDU0zshKMj2r-lCfpNGNdd303Ggo9mgxtzWD3oiLq2aaE1lMWd31OthIu5J-O5nGKhruUbas90k4q8cySKI406jIbo-yKr~UhhudPLDQDfoZt7UESpDrg-3qqZiIiL3xjQ4cTnHBiNVHhHwtpEvBX4CJPwi2Aq7we9Tznji41RnUsJENyEv26tMtDm8WPTRpetWrDZIvxw7o5OGKEngrYw~XWHPIO3x2EFjeMUcFerifJRc0mj8ZitSDGOtUu6v2TA0h6ZrVNbe3Y8qHgKtZG~--043zvLyMREdpMrFE-JbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake City Council took multiple quasi‑judicial land‑use actions Monday, approving two measures and continuing a third for additional review.

Seacoast National Bank (formerly Drummond National Bank) — Annexation (Ordinance 20 25‑2307)

Council adopted Ordinance 20 25‑2307 on second reading to annex a parcel submitted by Seacoast National Bank. Staff confirmed the petition met the statutory criteria for voluntary annexation — contiguity and reasonable compactness — and no interveners or public opposition were presented. The adoption passed on a roll‑call vote after the applicant moved the presentation into the record.

Odom, Moses & Co. application — Future land‑use map amendment and rezoning (Ordinances 20 25‑2309 and 20 25‑2310)

The council approved a county‑to‑city future land‑use change and a companion rezoning requested by Christopher Lance Jones of Jones Engineering as agent for Odom, Moses & Co., LLP. Staff read the original staff report into the record and recommended approval; the council adopted Ordinance 20 25‑2309 (future land‑use amendment) and Ordinance 20 25‑2310 (rezoning CHI to CI) on final reading with no public opposition recorded.

Bridal Terrace LLC (Real Terrace) — Annexation (Ordinance 20 25‑2311) — continued

Bridal Terrace LLC requested voluntary annexation of Parcel 02519‑000. The applicant, Tom Eagle, presented a vision for commercial development on the ~15–18 usable acres at the corner of Real Terrace and Bascom Norris, describing wetlands and floodplain constraints on portions of the parcel. Multiple nearby county residents spoke during public comment to express concern that a separate proposal previously considered on Lake Jeffrey/Bascom Norris would introduce high‑density apartments and said they feared this annexation could be a step toward that outcome.

After staff clarified the parcel would be brought into the city with zoning equivalent to its county RSF‑2 classification (20,000 sq ft minimum lots) and explained that any developer seeking commercial or multifamily rezoning would need to return to the council for separate public hearings, the council voted to continue the annexation hearing to a date certain (the next meeting) to allow staff to collect additional materials and answer concerns raised by residents. The motion to continue passed on roll call.

Next steps: Staff will add supplemental material to the record for the Bridal Terrace annexation, and the council will reopen testimony at the next meeting before taking a final vote. Any future rezoning or development proposals would require separate quasi‑judicial proceedings with public notice.","On quasi‑judicial items the council adopted Seacoast National Bank annexation and approved a future‑land‑use amendment and companion rezoning for property submitted by Odom, Moses & Co.; the council continued the Bridal Terrace LLC annexation (Real Terrace) to the next meeting after public comment and staff requests for additional review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council tables revised building‑code chapter and permit‑fee schedule after public concerns about residential fees and exemptions

Council approves in‑house city attorney contract and creates legal administrative assistant position despite public calls for an RFQ

Council votes down ordinance setting park hours; directs staff to set hours by resolution, plans 7 a.m.–8 p.m. for Campbell Park

Lake City Council approves application for $1.1 million CDBG to repave MLK Jr. Street and replace sidewalks

Council approves Seacoast annexation and a land‑use change with rezoning; votes to continue Bridal Terrace annexation for more staff review