[{"_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",6229242,"mediaKeyId","3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd","parentId",3464378,"title","Punta Gorda to renew waste contract; city hears recycling contamination rates and options","audioSeconds",420,"startMs",4920000,"endMs",5340000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd&start=4920&end=5340","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229242/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-to-renew-waste-contract-city-hears-recycling-contamination-rates-and-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229242-4d03ea7db0d8895c50e20d008f9187b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179479&Signature=OBh8qQrIFP1diMJ0XY-mxSovnm2wd67Ms45nauXpXofC0hlpcBh1pQgyoNz9I80R9ZLjSy8rFsrknW8FukXDXBvqz5ySQy6pbcfOUxQVOtHFp1cFHiv2ktKo64hq9VybWr0upYtoHtarAqKLrKcG232q75z-gZvPJDvBo3rxRuPo7AF5myR9lrpdwZhxXm66mJNQBL16YML7-xInjbyGFWyeFr7lUph1-~81lUm8F2yECqD8F1pjJPco0u9IUTJqpb-6lveXFpaKBcf2oFiTJKJtd-U4FmhWQck7BsEDKhEk1FzR3lEWEVekRSIlaR9hZvYGti9f5bzfFFnj-hQS4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Punta Gorda, FL","date","2025-05-23T15:36:10.39Z","article","PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Council members voted to approve staff recommendations to renew the city's solid‑waste contract with Waste Management for an additional five‑year period, with an option to extend. Procurement staff said the vendor offered to hold current pricing for three years; years four and five would be indexed to CPI with a 120‑day notice requirement for annual increases.

Anne Heine (procurement) outlined the current agreement history: the original five‑year term began Oct. 1, 2015; a renewal was executed in February 2020 and expires Sept. 30, 2025. Waste Management proposed an additional five‑year renewal and an option for one or more additional multi‑year renewals. The current residential price is $7.60 per month per unit, Heine said.

Councilmembers asked about recycling contamination and diversion. Waste Management representative Ron Clayton described industry contamination rates and advised the city the firm's observed contamination rate was roughly 25 percent, a level the company said is within industry norms and often driven by non‑recyclable items placed in carts. Clayton said residents should rinse containers and avoid non‑recyclables such as appliances and foam.

City staff also reported it had received an inquiry from an out‑of‑market vendor and completed a market comparison that was not strictly apples‑to‑apples; Procurement recommended renewing with Waste Management to preserve service continuity while the city can conduct a longer procurement if desired.

Council unanimously approved moving forward with the renewal and authorized staff to finalize amendments and contract language with the city manager and city attorney. In discussion the city requested that contract terms include performance bonds and service standards; staff said those provisions are part of the vendor's submittal and will be confirmed in final documents.

Council asked staff to work with Waste Management to increase public education on proper recycling preparation to help reduce contamination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting 5 21 2025 T","oneSentenceSummary","City staff briefed the council on a proposed five‑year renewal with Waste Management that would hold current pricing for three years before CPI‑adjusted increases; the council approved moving forward with an amendment to extend the contract through Sept. 30, 2030 and authorized staff to settle contract terms with the city manager and attorney.","taxTitle","Punta Gorda City, Charlotte County, Florida","taxId",54477,"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},6229247,"Local tour‑boat operator urges Punta Gorda to limit large private clubs' control of marina slips",360,1500000,1860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd&start=1500&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd/thumbnail_1500000.jpg","/articles/6229247/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Local-tourboat-operator-urges-Punta-Gorda-to-limit-large-private-clubs-control-of-marina-slips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229247-f377fd449a4dfd9d3e8f94063de3421b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179479&Signature=gTZivGyu8witN1YQ9-o0Bm-ohbR6AGI20gCvsB2csvI8L-QRLalbaN5vUWUCmnJTYG95aij9~yY3Y5369-Z219pFk~B795MtCQ4o3Tn0GFTmfM9lq-r8pj~42wWTtE1ac5x13TPMjM9qymOPMnkKj7rf8JuNmmj9kWkbFlHOKvxBnpzZB8hks9OMtUsMaEOzSyiUZ-sKCYDHC03GbK3b5xvFDI~7h-aq5wkHe94FHJul5Xlx82hQDYxzBu-Me6bALObJLfKySE0IRZcoeO4pbA64qnZgLX9L6b9mSu3Y1fMFw0puzUmNzZ1xePGOZlIJWb-qrWxsJjActkG71OdRiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — A representative of Concord Adventures told the Punta Gorda City Council during public comment that his company and other local commercial operators are effectively shut out of commercial slips at Lashley Park Marina because one franchise club occupies the bulk of available commercial spaces.

Cole Kelly, representing Concord Adventures, said Freedom Boat Club currently holds 13 of 14 commercial slips at the marina and that the remaining slip is reserved for an essential emergency service. Kelly said his company applied for a commercial slip in 2024 and again in 2025 but was told the wait list was effectively a nonworking list. He asked the council to ensure future marina management gives local companies fair access to public slips.

\"The Freedom Boat Club essentially is a private membership club that has majority control of a public resource,\" Kelly said. \"That monopolization restricts access for our local businesses and contradicts Punta Gorda's commitment to being a business‑friendly destination.\"

City staff said the marina management contract is being re‑evaluated and that a future procurement process will include allocation and use criteria. In response to questions from council, staff noted the marina's slip allocation and current management practices would be part of any Request for Proposals for new management.

No council action was taken Monday. Councilmembers asked staff to include clear allocation standards and to consult with marina stakeholders before returning with a proposed management approach.","A local boat tour operator told the council the Freedom Boat Club occupies most commercial slips at Lashley Park Marina, limiting access for small local businesses; staff said marina management is under review and a new request for proposals will address allocation.",{"_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},6229251,"Punta Gorda staff and council debate size, materials and uses for proposed Bayfront tiki hut",1080,3120000,4200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd&start=3120&end=4200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","/articles/6229251/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-staff-and-council-debate-size-materials-and-uses-for-proposed-Bayfront-tiki-hut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229251-747d0f59cce2f6be71f17ad6d3d5b212/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179479&Signature=BVJbccaCZUfm24vjSaVZHwZXaA2y1xQ-qteoBB2dPG1wKlZpSJPpLi3t5YyyVhyQcy8Q8y3Jhs2P~BReHDKZKU7QNojmCBIMDRyAN7XF8Gx-dITU58d3pLbi1Ho8Nt9svVljfZLEp9CyY0oAiNsq62EBz9aVi1g68FfJJIeJMPZWesEQslNKD29eagm4N0GOGMseLnbgXJDmVf~qH4ULFuxONIUYHc7iyMyJCTUDjxDXaUUnRMSACRWZAG~-DKiWRLlKMs8GJ-wdSR3EQ5vwLilXbHCb80lCdSw2J3u0rqJUUIrzxqefGUfIRsbbTX8A2MDoO-ji~1DfAX0-wgNxbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Urban design staff returned to the council Monday with conceptual designs for a tiki‑hut (or multiple covered areas) on the Bayfront slab near Gilchrist Park, presenting several layouts, storage and screening options, and ideas for mobile bars, food‑truck staging and landscaping.

Urban Designer Carl Benz displayed four layout options ranging from a largely covered 6,000‑to‑7,000 square‑foot roof to smaller segmented sheltered areas and stressed that the existing concrete slab could be partially or fully covered; expanding the slab would require hardening of pavement and construction. He said parking counts in the area met the existing LDR standard (one space per 1,000 square feet) and staff would refine plans with Learn to Sail and other stakeholders once the council gave direction.

Council and public comments focused on several recurring issues:
- Size and placement: Council members favored a larger covered area to host a stage and events and suggested expanding toward the parking area while keeping some grass/open space for casual use.
- Materials: Several council members and public commenters favored natural thatch because of its look and noted local examples (Tiki Tiki Bar at Fisherman's Village) that withstood past storms; staff cautioned that native thatch is regulated by the Florida Building Code and that synthetic thatch has higher upfront cost but longer lifespan (20+ years). One council member suggested setting aside maintenance reserves to re‑thatch if needed.
- Storage and Learn to Sail: Council asked staff to work with the marina, Freedom Boat Club and Learn to Sail to find storage options for instructional boats and to consider whether storage might be relocated closer to the water.
- Food trucks and mobile bar: Staff proposed the parking area next to the slab as a practical spot for food trucks and a mobile bar during events; council suggested a flexible design that would allow occasional staging for vendors while preserving access for normal parking.

Public commenters urged a thoughtful build (not a temporary \"quick fix\"), emphasized the need for restrooms and water, and suggested using funds for maintenance reserves if the structure requires periodic re‑thatching.

Staff said they would meet with Learn to Sail to refine space needs and return with an updated plan and site layout. No vote or binding direction to select a final design was taken during the meeting.","City staff presented concepts for a tiki‑hut structure and park improvements at Gilchrist Park and the Bayfront plaza. Discussion centered on size, whether to use synthetic or natural thatch, storage and staging for Learn to Sail, parking, food‑truck venues and event infrastructure; no formal action was taken.",{"_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},6229257,"Punta Gorda council approves purchase of Tiger Dam flood‑barriers for key city facilities",2580,5400000,7980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd&start=5400&end=7980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd/thumbnail_5400000.jpg","/articles/6229257/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-council-approves-purchase-of-Tiger-Dam-floodbarriers-for-key-city-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229257-fd960429410e347e7d2614fb03851144/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179479&Signature=PLA8OQwWXqPEn8kB9j9UPjTiYgmByFJ~49cWC-F-5GP1bRS5uLE9Ne-Y-O3VrrL7STRgmht8V6JkToyGy0TTl7unNofvYcETFAsFLOdckTjTjw6Z8TblIgE~jw3H--QuC-KfcWgH-zL6qWgocHbD66W8lpb7h9a92ErnwErgx-nJMgrhjJI2FMW166mdDR-Uc5e4t8-AnVoHdswp1y5kmh-yq4xbEW3uOhOdgDrObQeuLealVNGjmgJyN7~ARQTIVM5SI7nWyN1PaO8vVaEKcqZF5UdBlDzcF45C~4C9ZC7yCgvMZvd8rEugh8NN5~2Iivxv7UQlKD7v3wwJPetDDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The Punta Gorda City Council approved a staff recommendation to acquire Tiger Dam temporary flood barriers and associated pumps and anchoring systems to protect critical municipal buildings from storm surge and flooding.

Fire Chief Holden Gibbs and staff presented the product at Monday's meeting, explaining the flexible water‑filled tube system can be stacked and anchored, deployed quickly, and adapted to differing building footprints. Gibbs said the barriers proved adaptable in demonstrations and can be stored in crates and staged by public works as needed. He proposed protecting City Hall, the City Hall Annex, court buildings, Fire Station 3 and the Public Safety Building; staff provided preliminary cost estimates for each site.

Finance Director Kristen Semillon told council the city had roughly $1.4 million set aside in a general construction fund that could cover the initial purchases if council approved. Semillon and Chief Gibbs discussed strategy for grants to offset cost; Semillon said grant funds would be uncertain and could take time to secure.

Councilmember Janine Polk moved to approve staff to proceed with the recommended Tiger Dam purchases and related equipment. The motion passed unanimously.

Council discussion covered storage, maintenance and logistics — including the need for permanent anchoring points, the manpower required to deploy the sections, and coordination with utility pumping needs behind the barriers. The city will store the units in public works facilities; staff said a 50‑foot tube weighs roughly 90–94 pounds and crews of 4–5 can assemble segments quickly in the field. Chief Gibbs said the barriers would be used alongside improved floodgate hardware and as a flexible, stackable defense.

The council also approved an operational approach that gives the city manager and attorney leeway to finalize terms and to seek additional funding. Council members said the city's recent experience with consecutive storms made immediate purchase necessary.

What the purchase covers: Tiger Dam tubes in specified sizes, pumps to dewater behind the barrier, anchoring hardware, training and storage crates. Staff will return with implementation timelines, final purchase orders, and locations of anchor infrastructure.","Following hurricane‑season briefings and a vendor demonstration, the council approved funding to buy modular Tiger Dam flood barriers and pumps to protect City Hall, the annex, courts and several emergency facilities, and directed staff to pursue anchors/installation and potential grant funding.",{"_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},6229261,"Punta Gorda council moves to undo 2024 land-development rules, schedules public hearing",7680,6360000,14040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd&start=6360&end=14040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3464378-726dd3ee3793f730e90b12fca36b8efd/thumbnail_6360000.jpg","/articles/6229261/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-council-moves-to-undo-2024-land-development-rules-schedules-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229261-08283957d73e3b89a65ca913065565fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179479&Signature=SjMhohrEp9Zem56wb-1t2JMZjSsqtqq-zHPChbnDonDeX40fk0BaIrz4-0o9cc0kLa0bciy0FzI57pfPMnFqHFozPMUwhkCBEdYIfYnfMIDP3WDPNaHNO5o-jUsqevbHuU3Hr9sXvU-olVRYs5J6KZsXy63-G6PJ2U8KylCzgBY0VGJUA7aUbKZWT4qR-zLfy0b26fH8kCcw4-P3lRMkzuKcLFQSK4Cmkwg1Sq4IVuxlJrBHlWibv6V9cJPo0NKPMk-M7tO78Bq6Xdf6O02iDPRITYot~rTNYG396QLRSXEXlPbyy4KH73o9g~r724fkrB6IrUe0MlCe-i~3xnWwLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The Punta Gorda City Council voted 4-1 Monday to begin the formal process to repeal land development rules adopted in February 2024 and to schedule the first public hearing on the repeal for June 4.

The council instructed the city attorney to prepare a vested-rights (beneficial-interest) procedure so people who relied on the 2024 rules can request protection. Council members said they wanted a clear, auditable process to handle claims if the repeal affects owners who bought or developed property under the 2024 rules.

The vote followed a lengthy staff and legal briefing from Interim City Attorney Steven Leskovits, who told the council the state statutory changes enacted in 2023 complicate the situation and leave the city at legal risk if it does nothing. Leskovits said the state law contains provisions that will treat some regulatory changes as “null and void ab initio” where they are more restrictive than prior law, and recommended two options: a line‑by‑line review to identify and remove only provisions that are more restrictive, or a full repeal followed by careful, deliberate re-adoption. He cautioned both choices carry exposure and stressed drafting a vested-rights procedure to limit litigation risks.

\"Taken as a whole, some of the LDRs that were implemented in February of 2024 may be more restrictive, may be more burdensome,\" Leskovits said during the briefing. \"The attorney general's office declined to give definitive guidance and told you to resolve it locally.\"

Council members debating the motion said they had campaigned in part on rolling back the LDR changes and that the city needed to stop operating in what Council Member Janine Polk described as \"legal limbo.\" Polk moved to schedule the repeal and to have the attorney draft the vested-rights procedure. Council Member Janice Denton seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1; Council Member Greg Julian recorded the dissent.

Council members and members of the public repeatedly raised concerns about potential lawsuits under Florida's Bert Harris Act (often invoked in land-use disputes) and other state statutes they cited during public comment and in discussion. The council instructed staff to return materials and the draft vested-rights procedure for review before the second required hearing. The council's action sets the repeal process in motion but does not itself change code; repeal requires two readings/public hearings under state law.

What happens next: Staff and the city attorney will draft the ordinance language to repeal the February 2024 LDRs and deliver a proposed vested-rights/beneficial-interest procedure for council review before the scheduled June 4 hearing. The item will return for a second reading before any ordinance is repealed.","After hours of legal explanation and public comment, the Punta Gorda City Council voted 4-1 to place repeal of the city's Feb. 2024 land development regulations (LDRs) on the June 4 agenda and directed staff to prepare a vested-rights procedure for affected property owners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Punta Gorda to renew waste contract; city hears recycling contamination rates and options

Local tour‑boat operator urges Punta Gorda to limit large private clubs' control of marina slips

Punta Gorda staff and council debate size, materials and uses for proposed Bayfront tiki hut

Punta Gorda council approves purchase of Tiger Dam flood‑barriers for key city facilities

Punta Gorda council moves to undo 2024 land-development rules, schedules public hearing