[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6174288,"mediaKeyId","5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72","parentId",5370851,"title","Commission renews Duke Energy right-of-way franchise ordinance","audioSeconds",100,"startMs",370000,"endMs",470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72&start=370&end=470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72/thumbnail_370000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174288/High-Springs/Alachua-County/Florida/Commission-renews-Duke-Energy-right-of-way-franchise-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174288-1348fbe664d6e56de56556b668251893/orig.mp4?Expires=1776309891&Signature=L-dQjbOnt~wuddCUE1KLAcrhmzHxA~yaFUTErbm1bwua26RaayCONl2NSxbcndWz0BTC-6F5vJo2glqgyATZ891w~9jbir9M~QT3d2RbIXIn63tjqY7Z5dhf6ZpnLP-agfy3wHgW0Jx9bBMwKxdcUli41Jihqr4JorXMOn8htKuBrWH0ZxcD3qyVbwTcAVSc-hipCnmwmzexkuE5FglBBPToqbmwVlGE-VxxIDNDQrmraONRhwdC5zMwI34yZDHg3PjaLxrwYeBxCcLwxL3ve-59HFjtMAa0OfQcRtxwGcIzULJSiKwKvf19d~FJTcqnn9fa2TGnIYnkNgV1YjGC5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of High Springs, FL","date","2025-07-11T15:34:47Z","article","The City Commission approved Ordinance 2025-03, renewing Duke Energy Florida LLC's franchise to use city streets and rights-of-way to provide electric service. Staff described the ordinance as a renewal that continues the utility's right to occupy municipal rights-of-way under specified terms and provides for the city's franchise revenue share.

The ordinance mirrors the previous long-term arrangement (staff said the earlier franchise term had been 15 years) and includes standard severability and effective-date language. Duke Energy's government relations representative for the area, Galen Holloway, attended the meeting to thank the city for the partnership.

The commission voted by roll call; the ordinance passed unanimously.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 10, 2025 City Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners voted to renew a 15-year-style franchise allowing Duke Energy to occupy municipal rights-of-way for electric service under the city's terms; the ordinance was approved by roll call.","taxTitle","High Springs, Alachua County, Florida","taxId",54325,"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},6174294,"Commission approves brewery special permit and advances amended alcohol-hours referendum to voters; second reading scheduled",268,6812000,7080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72&start=6812&end=7080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72/thumbnail_6812000.jpg","/articles/6174294/High-Springs/Alachua-County/Florida/Commission-approves-brewery-special-permit-and-advances-amended-alcohol-hours-referendum-to-voters-second-reading-scheduled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174294-9916cc76867dfd5dbbc00022ea2e862d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776309891&Signature=Jyo9RxwsbCA6UM8DkXtvW84y7zpOy8uhqfQ2wf312-klciUssamU4qoDuIzTvut6skQ-DGRdkaCoGaL~lWsO1eSAI7dvOTPyK8aQXGe6vq7fgKxz~J6Ptg0zYLGAzxcGUSQuQTND9u7mFt4RyPRPeCRLk0l5mDB89~QFGsvg~K~6F-dHKkvOmWLNO7UzN3k1OkooipqU5ittPo8ETIU2ANledg9v7H2-X7ZMCGO7Y13KFEkIGpEZNQIr69wub1pnSSt-l25Y1wswDm2CbRQciluq5aRpjz7Z575y9xGq16mQC3BmtI2b1WTUyh45Zn3WlL-59rm9Bf1RGqMPeLMw4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","High Springs commissioners approved a special-event permit that allows High Springs Brewing limited Sunday operations through the end of the year and voted to place an amended alcohol-hours question before the city's voters, with further formatting and a second reading scheduled to meet the supervisor of elections' deadlines.

Special permit: The commission unanimously approved a special-permit application from the brewery to allow Sunday sales between now and the end of the calendar year. City staff said police and fire had no objections to the temporary permit.

Referendum language and amendments: The city discussed Ordinance 2025-04, which seeks voter approval to amend Chapter 10 (Alcoholic Beverages) of the city code with new hours and to eliminate the 51% food-sales threshold previously used to differentiate on-premises licenses. Commissioners debated a range of proposals and ultimately approved a set of amendments that will appear on the ballot in separate questions:
- Off-premises (package) sales: Monday through Saturday hours will remain effectively unchanged (7 a.m. to midnight in the adopted language); Sunday off-premises sales will be limited to 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. under the amendment approved for the ballot.
- On-premises consumption: The commission approved identical operating windows for on-premises consumption (Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to midnight; Sunday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.), but amended the draft to specify that the change applies to restaurants and breweries that manufacture malt beverages on-site rather than to \"all businesses with a beverage license.\" The change was intended to preserve local distinctions between restaurants/breweries and a stand-alone bar.
- A proposed separate section allowing a wholesale elimination of special-permit requirements was removed at the commission's direction.

Procedure and timing: Because the commission made substantive edits to the ordinance text, staff said a formal first reading needed to be followed by second reading and publication to meet ballot deadlines. The commission scheduled first reading and a second-reading special meeting so the ordinance and ballot language could be finalized in time: first reading was set for the commission's July 22 meeting, and a special meeting for final adoption and for transmission to the supervisor of elections was scheduled for July 31 at 6 p.m.

Why it matters: The changes, if approved by voters in the November general election, would alter when local stores, restaurants and breweries can sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays and clarify which types of businesses may open earlier. Supporters argued the change helps local businesses capture tourist and river-visitor sales; opponents warned it could change downtown character and late-night activity.

Taper: The ordinance will appear on the ballot only after the city completes the second reading and the required public-notice steps; if voters approve the changes, the city code will be amended according to the language voters selected.","The commission approved a special event permit for High Springs Brewing and voted changes to proposed ballot language on alcohol sales, narrowing who may sell earlier hours and setting a special meeting for final adoption to meet election deadlines.",{"_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},6174298,"Commission tables selection for High Springs land-development-code rewrite; bidders to provide cost breakdowns",4064,2656000,6720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72&start=2656&end=6720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72/thumbnail_2656000.jpg","/articles/6174298/High-Springs/Alachua-County/Florida/Commission-tables-selection-for-High-Springs-land-development-code-rewrite-bidders-to-provide-cost-breakdowns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174298-452973fd34ffe7a48bf8da15c0b72d21/orig.mp4?Expires=1776309891&Signature=CucS3iLIRlJodERu~QuJdTaDNFkGMBt4-YrbHiSZrazfZKZV81HuBMwNOjd86QbXf9eTdzoxU6lTwFikVsXO0qy4zMXtX4nxxyaBcMYMt9EfM95CEBrtPfR4EBfdv5A91zR1Knjg4PthTnBO4kLCBDlek08yJ04r8~DtJODzE55uoSUST9L8nOdZxeq1aq2uu6cuQ2y-7trPJ~xIKuJWNxtvcjVBr-VKuRWwdcuzqhrO2q7HMnN8M24QwZ2ms3gDMcV4xOFdrkoLiVxNlE8kF3P7QnKyymLIyEJfc-hBI9c6OkLdjfy5XjP8v5A1jF2uZt7Y6v61eoSg9mNjVm5JZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The High Springs City Commission voted to table an award for the city's land development code (LDC) rewrite after staff reported three proposals with a broad price range and raised concerns about scope and comparability. The decision gives staff time to obtain breakdowns of lump-sum proposals, seek technical evaluation and return to the commission with more information.

Staff summary and recommendation: Planning staff told commissioners that the city received three proposals: Calvin Giordano & Associates (lowest bid), KCT Consulting Services and McGrath Consulting (highest bid). The staff recommendation had listed Calvin Giordano as the budget-friendly option but flagged small quality-control issues in that submittal and noted that McGrath offered the broadest team and the most extensive public-engagement plan. Staff reminded commissioners that the city had allocated $180,000 in ARPA funds for the work.

Bidders' remarks: Two respondents attended the meeting to answer questions. Kelly Turner, principal of KCT Consulting Services, said she would perform the work herself with a small supporting team and proposed monthly billing rather than a single lump sum. Allison McGrath, president of McGrath Consulting, described a multi-firm team that includes local planning and engineering partners and said their proposal prioritized public engagement and technical engineering review.

Why the commission tabled the award: Commissioners were concerned by the wide spread in pricing (roughly low to high across the three proposals) and by the presence of lump-sum proposals that lacked line-item breakouts. One commissioner said a low bid with typographical errors raised worries about approach and capacity. A motion to table the award and request further detail and evaluation passed unanimously.

Next steps: The commission asked staff to collect detailed fee breakouts from the respondents, to solicit an evaluative review (the commission requested staff ask the North Florida Regional Planning Council if it would provide an evaluation) and to return with supplemental information at the next meeting. Staff said tabling the award would delay the start by a few weeks but not materially change the fact that the LDC rewrite will be a long project likely to take many months.

Taper: The commission did not select a contractor tonight; staff will compile the requested breakdowns and technical clarifications and present the information at the next commission meeting.","The commission delayed awarding an LDC rewrite contract after staff presented three proposals with wide price differences; two bidders spoke to the commission and the city asked for detailed fee breakouts and possible outside evaluation before a final decision.",{"_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},6174302,"High Springs leaders, churches and county staff plan workshop to coordinate local community outreach services",546,1199000,1745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72&start=1199&end=1745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5370851-6218d4f7525735c124179393c3fb3f72/thumbnail_1199000.jpg","/articles/6174302/High-Springs/Alachua-County/Florida/High-Springs-leaders-churches-and-county-staff-plan-workshop-to-coordinate-local-community-outreach-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174302-0fedbf64cd74e5afcc007e25bb929fb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776309891&Signature=YU41Z5QgNFFO5acWHVjkX539OHU-V9Noo5qSyfpPwhCbyTzy75hE~-dwU6oeGMDcwfU4ht9ubDw5yhuSffFe5d8xLmjgSMF30V28KzJWkmJfVp8kbq4Ib0AjypvOdhstWpUvAuN8bJiNUYujr~pU37ppXGcEUX5C5bFFvrciZwYHwHPKsqRAyDjKPQxmfmhBfp~ax7YHlfzztO3WsJj1nJyPifJ5Td7iG2cm4eO1TVbd6OfAu6OebuO21YjAoqzksk8CQvahvQFDmr3YobtM2e7GBestNWlj1YEz~AqpeMBun-xs24DbV-h-6sHUnXzx8mavJOMeYtuFSrpHjy9VbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","High Springs City Commission members, local churches and nonprofit and health providers agreed Tuesday to organize a workshop to map existing services for low-income and vulnerable residents and to explore a shared, city-supported community outreach site. The city and partner agencies will seek ways to combine county and Children's Trust funding, identify suitable space and set up a steering group of local providers.

The move grew out of a lengthy discussion during a city meeting in which directors of Saint Madeleine's Community Outreach, a long-running local food and assistance program, described persistent demand and building and operational needs. \"We put out food to feed 600 families — 1,700 individuals — and packaged 2,300 grocery bags in 1 month,\" the Saint Madeleine's representative said, describing the program's scale and 12-year history serving clients from across the area.

Why it matters: County staff have begun planning mobile or fixed outreach hubs to avoid repeated trips to Gainesville by High Springs residents; multiple local providers told the commission that consolidating points of contact and sharing space would improve access and reduce duplication. Commissioners said they want a clear plan to present to county partners and funders so local organizations can get sustained support rather than short-term spot assistance.

What was decided and next steps: Vice Mayor Miller agreed to lead the city's work to convene local providers and county and Children's Trust representatives. The city manager and Miller will schedule a workshop to gather churches, Saint Madeleine's Community Outreach leaders, Pastor Joy's ministry representatives, Palms Medical Group and other providers for a planning session. Staff said they will also follow up with the Children's Trust, which has separate grant funding for centers and often provides up to $150,000 per center for staff and operations, and with county commissioners who are tracking the project.

Providers' perspectives and capacity: Saint Madeleine's leaders described an established operation in a city-owned building near the downtown hardware store, with a walk-in freezer, an intake/computer system and long-standing volunteers. The group said the building needs repairs and improved back-of-house paving to receive food deliveries. Pastor Joy said his ministry provides food, utility assistance and emergency aid and warned that local operations could close if county funds requested by October 1 do not materialize; he urged creation of a city benevolence fund for emergencies.

Health and other partners: Palms Medical Group representatives, including CEO Anita Rembert, described a decade of clinical services in High Springs and offered to partner on health outreach and school- or community-based events. Other services noted at the meeting included UF Health's Elder Care hot-meal program and school-based summer meal sites already operating in the city.

Funding and governance issues: Commissioners and providers discussed whether a single city-owned site (the Santa Fe Room or Douglas Center were mentioned) could be dedicated and leased for multiagency outreach, or whether an umbrella nonprofit or board should accept and distribute public funds. Providers emphasized that many churches are reluctant to host multiagency operations full time; several suggested the city offer neutral space and a lead nonprofit or the Children's Trust provide staffing and operational oversight.

Taper/Outlook: The workshop will be scheduled by city staff and Vice Mayor Miller; the commission asked staff to invite county staff and a representative of the Children's Trust and to bring details on available county funds and timing. Commissioners stressed the need to balance immediate needs (food distribution, utility and rental help) with long-term facility and staffing plans.","City commissioners, local churches and service providers agreed to convene a workshop to coordinate food distribution, veteran and client-services, and to explore shared space and county/Children's Trust funding for a local outreach center.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission renews Duke Energy right-of-way franchise ordinance

Commission approves brewery special permit and advances amended alcohol-hours referendum to voters; second reading scheduled

Commission tables selection for High Springs land-development-code rewrite; bidders to provide cost breakdowns

High Springs leaders, churches and county staff plan workshop to coordinate local community outreach services