[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6171500,"mediaKeyId","5394007-587f8a1faae180d3f0d0e1e568014866","parentId",5394007,"title","Votes at a glance: July 14 Leesburg City Commission — consent approvals, school crossing‑guard contract and collective bargaining ratifications","audioSeconds",132,"startMs",3523000,"endMs",3655000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394007-587f8a1faae180d3f0d0e1e568014866&start=3523&end=3655","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394007-587f8a1faae180d3f0d0e1e568014866/thumbnail_3523000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171500/Leesburg-City/Lake-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-July-14-Leesburg-City-Commission-consent-approvals-school-crossingguard-contract-and-collective-bargaining-ratifications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171500-d8393c640dd5f619ad1369d27c993e29/orig.mp4?Expires=1776641343&Signature=G95ycvI-S7SbqAjNYqEWib6m6PvuK1AgOC3UFm4anFskwijetojtlqNRgH2x7tNFMKwIT-Iop1PneTXFt6Kx8wXimn8etd9QAJTS2aCkVMcoNEjmhhKKTfN7jJjjPtV4b6lbGtCzbTJfv2OkIETNb3yqYCXffW-xLPUe-3vgRgY85aRY5tAdlqCWbdSjbaYTrk-kNwx3GyvFYOoNPHwNOzoWvTbDQmGrRwxr~~busmf~9H5l~FIsTmjST2e3~zEr922YEbULaeqTKSCUwanJxm0bCY9pLBk-NHsupsCGg5vgGyGJzehdyOMB3hUlwk9V9syITMLmDHYM1ue04SY-rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Leesburg, FL","date","2025-07-15T11:58:30Z","article","This summary lists formal votes and procedural actions taken by the Leesburg City Commission on July 14.

Consent agenda: The commission approved the remaining consent agenda items by roll call. Commissioners voting yes included Commissioner Conell, Commissioner Burry, Commissioner Peterson and Mayor Reesman (roll call recorded as unanimous among those present).

School crossing guards: The commission approved a resolution authorizing the city to outsource school crossing guards to All City Management Services (ACMS), subject to the city attorney’s revisions to indemnification language. A motion to approve the contract subject to the attorney’s indemnification modifications passed on roll call.

Vacant land contract (Susan Street access): The commission considered a resolution approving execution of a vacant land contract for property on William Street tied to the Susan Street project. Commission discussion focused on a utility pole in a proposed easement and the relative costs of relocating it versus purchasing a small adjacent lot. The commission voted to waive the appraisal requirement for the purchase; that procedural amendment passed with at least one recorded dissent (Commissioner Conell voted No on the waiver). Commissioners otherwise approved moving forward with the purchase process and related actions as discussed by staff.

Collective bargaining agreements: The commission ratified reopening agreements with bargaining units for police (Florida Police Benevolent Association) and firefighters (International Association of Fire Fighters, local IAFF). Both ratifications passed by roll call votes.

Comprehensive plan/rezoning transmittal: The commission voted to transmit a proposed comprehensive plan text/map amendment (annexation/transmittal item 6B6 on the agenda) to the state for review; the transmittal passed.

Items laid over or continued: Several rezoning/annexation items and large PUD proposals (including Susan Street project items and a first reading for a multifamily PUD west of US‑27) remained at first reading and were scheduled for later public hearings; one applicant requested additional time and the Commission continued that ordinance to a later date without a final vote.

Ending: The July 14 meeting produced several final approvals on routine matters and personnel agreements, while larger land‑use and redevelopment proposals were continued, transmitted for review or scheduled for second reading.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Leesburg Commission Meeting July 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved routine consent items, authorized outsourcing of school crossing guards with attorney revisions, and ratified bargaining reopeners for police and fire. Major land‑use decisions were continued or transmitted for review.","taxTitle","Leesburg City, Lake County, Florida","taxId",4692,"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},6171508,"Leesburg commissioners set August vote after hours of testimony on shuffleboard site and proposed youth housing",2294,1314000,3608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394007-587f8a1faae180d3f0d0e1e568014866&start=1314&end=3608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394007-587f8a1faae180d3f0d0e1e568014866/thumbnail_1314000.jpg","/articles/6171508/Leesburg-City/Lake-County/Florida/Leesburg-commissioners-set-August-vote-after-hours-of-testimony-on-shuffleboard-site-and-proposed-youth-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171508-e7506d0090673bfb620e5ab53fcfef47/orig.mp4?Expires=1776641343&Signature=a-L0~N0CDUxFXSp~hNiMk1YBlGmAN6uXYf9OLxf4IgdU9r1UV25YC9UubMsHfhj00aACXSYUpZpIEogFf7Et31lXiywyaH~5lHB35FgvpFR3l9E-l66esxLbt4QEWZ~5~krroBw7Ow-zhbGztx~B0xpab6G9mZVZf4jrhPuWPLxDYCAZcph1IZxnWlGuDAbKEQ1MuZjRM6kBK~OVYOv~2-L343H2sFjAr0jGrBIccqs26EeJFCIpN7SMoNjR2h8dpB7uu6plRpQbeBWWmDMf5GmUA-13EYGHZ-fbFdD1QCOhsFIqnLnImKQyhxpplxSGd0OiL1j0T95yQ-U0JG7-ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Shelley Burry directed the city manager and city attorney to draft a warranty deed for the parcel under discussion that would be nontransferable in perpetuity and include a five‑year substantial‑commencement reversion clause; the deed is to return to the commission for a public agenda and vote on Aug. 25.

Why it matters: dozens of residents, tournament organizers and state‑level shuffleboard leaders urged the commission to preserve the Leesburg Shuffleboard Club’s courts, saying the courts draw tournaments, visitors and spending to local hotels and businesses. Supporters said moving or demolishing the courts would hurt seniors, volunteers and sports tourism. Advocates for Forward Paths, the nonprofit proposing a small residential project for young adults aging out of foster care, said the city property is a needed downtown site for affordable transitional housing and that Forward Paths can build quickly and operate transparently.

Public comment filled the meeting. Charles Wood read a letter from Gail Howell, president of the Leesburg Shuffleboard Club, describing long‑running tournaments and the club’s regional reputation. Joe Enga, president of the Northern District Shuffleboard Association, told commissioners the sport brings participants and overnight visitors and that clubs work to maintain courts and host events. Multiple speakers said the courts support exercise, social contact and local businesses during the October–March tournament season. Several speakers also proposed alternative locations or asked that any replacement courts be completed before closing the existing facility.

Forward Paths board president Jacob Bonning told commissioners the organization needs a centrally located, walkable site for its model and said, “we plan to remain honest and transparent about our plans.” Lauren Ritchie, a Forward Paths board member, said Forward Paths has funding in the bank and could begin construction rapidly, and she asked commissioners not to rely on membership lists when assessing club usage.

Some speakers accused a commissioner of a conflict of interest and urged the commission to postpone action. Steven Clark told the commission the proposal had been compromised by a commissioner’s failure to recuse and urged the commission to “permanently table the current proposal” and adopt conflict‑of‑interest protections. City Attorney Grant Watson responded in public comment that the city had reviewed the facts and “determined that there’s not an actual conflict of interest at this point,” saying the ethics analysis focused on whether a relative received a direct economic benefit and that, in this case, the city’s review found no paid salary tied to the relative that would create a disqualifying economic interest.

Commission discussion and next steps focused on process. Commissioner Shelley Burry said she wanted the deed drafted with the nontransferable language and five‑year reversion and said the deed would come back as an agenda item for the full commission. City staff said drafting could be completed in time for a later August meeting and, after discussion of schedules, commissioners set the item to be advertised and heard on Aug. 25.

Ending: The commission did not take a final vote on transfer or sale at the July 14 meeting. Staff were directed to prepare deed language and related documents for formal consideration on Aug. 25, when the public will have another opportunity to testify and the commission may take final action.","Commissioner Shelley Burry directed the city manager and city attorney to draft a nontransferable warranty deed with a five‑year substantial‑commencement reversion clause for the parcel proposed for a Forward Paths housing project; the deed will return to the commission for a vote on Aug. 25.",{"_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},6171505,"Leesburg residents press for noise enforcement near Berry Park; police, commissioners point to nuisance rules",136,452000,588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394007-587f8a1faae180d3f0d0e1e568014866&start=452&end=588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394007-587f8a1faae180d3f0d0e1e568014866/thumbnail_452000.jpg","/articles/6171505/Leesburg-City/Lake-County/Florida/Leesburg-residents-press-for-noise-enforcement-near-Berry-Park-police-commissioners-point-to-nuisance-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171505-adc192a06e231ee4c8d9a53630d6d71c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776641343&Signature=ePEkRzMbbYkrqCmSLrFMloVFm9kBTwABoQbBSTTgaK~Mu-Hjd5Ti7QgM-~Iy8Ok3KVsqokKyif1u8dKZ0RpXaJTJyoXpiVEgXjcE76IoD0veYn5wyy2X9jzQAlBtLWCIGTM2ANmI4gp5DajuY76QQRRxx1E~N9f0xfvrVYJx7vmUufWARIvzIPxPKqWYo~GVezAiLK7~~9xumuCNrUIi6R9BnC-V~itpg4W96qJiz72-0CZkyBUOAANSxhjxIrYanAIQXxUDgmB8Ec67pzXLirFhMrbiQNpH7s-jKfNVdNf58wX0y-6SG5VtHov3KY5H-OyzjSmFGajKGBOBakafFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of Oak Ridge Condominiums and nearby properties asked the commission for help with persistent loud music, vibration and apparent campsite activity near Berry Park, saying noise sometimes shakes windows and causes distress for elderly neighbors.

Carol Nichols told the commission her Oak Ridge neighborhood has experienced loud music and vibrations that can be felt inside homes and rattles glass; she asked whether Leesburg has a specific noise ordinance and suggested forming a committee to study an enforceable rule. Nichols referenced Florida’s breach‑of‑peace statute and said callers are often told officers must witness the disturbance to issue citations.

Commissioner Michael Peterson (speaker identified as Commissioner Peterson) replied that the city has a nuisance ordinance that has been used in similar situations and that staff would look into applying nuisance code provisions to address the complaints. Chief Iozzi of the Leesburg Police Department said the police department and the community have been working together and that increased presence recently led to significantly reduced noise; he added that part of the problem area is subject to a no‑trespassing order.

Resident Barbara Lafferty described severe, ongoing vibration and noise near her home that she called “mental torture” and said the noise has harmed a family member with dementia; she urged the commission to adopt a day‑night limit and enforce it.

What the city will do: commissioners directed staff to review the nuisance code’s applicability and confirm enforcement options. The police chief signaled that officers are aware and that additional patrols or targeted enforcement are possible. Several speakers asked for clearer signage about park hours and more “no parking” signs at the park.

Ending: No ordinance change or new regulation was adopted at the July 14 meeting. Staff and police committed to follow up with residents and review whether a dedicated noise ordinance or additional signage and enforcement measures are needed.","Neighbors near Berry Park raised late‑night noise, vibration and illegal campsite concerns; commissioners and the police chief said the city will apply existing nuisance rules, and the city agreed to follow up with increased enforcement and possible ordinance review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: July 14 Leesburg City Commission — consent approvals, school crossing‑guard contract and collective bargaining ratifications

Leesburg commissioners set August vote after hours of testimony on shuffleboard site and proposed youth housing

Leesburg residents press for noise enforcement near Berry Park; police, commissioners point to nuisance rules