[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6149573,"mediaKeyId","5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b","parentId",5511688,"title","Commission accepts $73,000 FDLE ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods’ grant for TPD; public criticizes police militarization","audioSeconds",288,"startMs",1514000,"endMs",1802000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b&start=1514&end=1802","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b/thumbnail_1514000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6149573/Tallahassee/Leon-County/Florida/Commission-accepts-73000-FDLE-Project-Safe-Neighborhoods-grant-for-TPD-public-criticizes-police-militarization","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149573-244b5493db551e05b87afcc3598a036e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775899063&Signature=Gn12pd0QtnfrN6~MWtqxGfoKqOT8qNnAC-y9Bt975KVnKWqDeKgkKC2iClenR8LFYoCXQQR19u7Z9Zfd4wE8Hx90A9vjSuBGjwrduTa7DkOAwvYEjhBmgqPXCelo6JVnHzQxK6Ssge1NrvdX8nOEa4EW8t~1qkTfKFXtZ17LHd-bOqxTgpGUDcipNrk5OajUTLO9ghkv7tetr3wIVrSsg7P37bugC06gY2yI6SZ5phncIK2jRjm4FkBvE4vNTChBSq91E9cpsd95ZjjSOtshMvinAfZXt451~o2hrzjVykuZXsMgk83nqjWJ~HrBV37n4~aj6fIQQe2ehLmnNjy4PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Tallahassee","date","2025-07-31T07:41:55.653Z","article","The City Commission voted unanimously to accept and expend about $73,000 in Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Project Safe Neighborhoods grant funds for the Tallahassee Police Department.

Deputy Chief Zaleski described three uses: overtime to target violent crime, training on how officers safely approach vehicles, and a roughly $11,000 purchase of a ballistic blanket for the vice/narcotics unit. When Commissioner Porter asked for more detail, Zaleski said the training is \"how to approach vehicles when we think violent criminals or violent people are in there. Safely approach them and arrest them.\" The grant’s other component is overtime for violent‑crime reduction operations.

Juniper Curtis, speaking on behalf of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, urged the commission to reject the grant, calling it an element of police militarization that “increases TPD’s ability to employ violence against civilians, particularly black and brown people.” Curtis linked the funding to national concerns about militarized policing, asked for a civilian police review board and the end of TPD’s 287(g) relationship with ICE, and cited recent local deaths and cases she calls police violence.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions and voted 5–0 to accept the funding. No amendments or conditions were attached during the vote.

Ending: The city will administer the grant through TPD and proceed with the training and equipment purchases described; public criticism focused on accountability and oversight rather than the line‑item uses approved by the department.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - June 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Commission approved accepting and expending approximately $73,000 in FDLE Project Safe Neighborhoods grant funding for the Tallahassee Police Department; a public speaker criticized the award as police militarization and called for accountability measures.","taxTitle","Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida","taxId",38149,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6149578,"Board accepts pension actuarial report that shows plan near 90% funded",0,1291000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b&start=1291&end=1291","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b/thumbnail_1291000.jpg","/articles/6149578/Tallahassee/Leon-County/Florida/Board-accepts-pension-actuarial-report-that-shows-plan-near-90-funded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149578-b64276542c90d41c17cd24c74919d976/orig.mp4?Expires=1775899063&Signature=Eyz1VJck-2mY2~oTdJX~G4kTgZmAuuwXg41ooD5240y3djG38XGJBas8bAbWvv0kRmyh3LNKLo03793AEKSWN3hvDa72hnP1nn3Uvq3iGggHMrpBvLjZel4zpnWBn9NCddmzpVxq2QLzzPkVxWpRGhvmlHwGIHA~dED43A04BnDRXsJEUcsy86NQCn3FDZV1EmaeHBwcpiUQPC7zYjJbDiDh3XtnYZQRJCh0IT223Ic8T4I3xCuisG5vGKJKiDyHSORu34eeUmpvybIpfKvzkRU4I92v3zGBS9AdjBuJdNWFQMJWujGWBFCItYxNWX5mwYmEg79iRLTwSATr9A374g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The pension plan board of trustees accepted the city’s biannual actuarial report and approved the staff recommendation to use the report’s contribution rates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

City staff highlighted key findings: the plan’s overall funded status is almost 90 percent, with general employee plans slightly above 90 percent and police and fire funding levels reflecting recent collective‑bargaining agreements. The actuary expressed no major changes from the prior report; contribution rates are expressed as percentages of payroll so payments adjust automatically as payroll rises or falls.

Mike Bellamy, the newly seated trustees’ representative (police/fire seat), made the motion to accept the report. The motion passed unanimously; the meeting minutes show a vote in favor.

Ending: City staff said the pension’s position is healthy relative to common benchmarks and thanked trustees and staff for their stewardship; trustees accepted the actuarial report for budgeting and contribution planning.","Trustees and commissioners accepted a biannual actuarial report that sets employer contributions for FY 2026–27 and reports an overall funded status close to 90 percent.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6149580,"Commission pauses comprehensive‑plan transmittal after months of debate, orders new public engagement",2938,5426000,8364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b&start=5426&end=8364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b/thumbnail_5426000.jpg","/articles/6149580/Tallahassee/Leon-County/Florida/Commission-pauses-comprehensiveplan-transmittal-after-months-of-debate-orders-new-public-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149580-8569279adc602d1e0fd5e92538adcf51/orig.mp4?Expires=1775899063&Signature=TE3JGDYmbpHousw9sEAVCK8SnkQ1K2dQcvFtmBmWcmoHOMNUYR6MAXE7P55hmMx9NXNB7Lsd4Uqtns2951idgYmnaaTpskLYNutLJCVAtyoeat4CVCatQt-8edrgssy7NVHhmrOLD7uMErOU5cB-JSuog6gwXcFEaIxshrWimy7LfgA2Ugp73FYa5HoBXNcsYqYB1nBLWxIndqKrCLDblwEikW3wLOorRt3lanKFgBQmt0WymS93DvQ0WmovaqUN8W2pdwwAbpuvcq5i7T~REeH69erRiu02yueiuymeURHO08zs5DYcrdkZRIzdOcLsPMgelrt0ouL5H9rzcW2M8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tallahassee City Commission voted to delay transmitting the proposed 2030 comprehensive‑plan updates after a large docket of residents said they had only recently learned the amendments would change neighborhood designations and allow higher residential density on arterial corridors.

Commissioners unanimously approved the mayor’s motion to pause the current transmittal cycle and refile the amendments in the fall, directing staff to develop a robust community‑engagement plan and return with a schedule and outreach strategy. Staff had expected to transmit the land‑use and mobility amendments to state review agencies but agreed to pause after repeated public requests for more time and clearer notice.

Planning staff said the update process began internally in 2014 and involved consultant work and public outreach in 2023–2024; the draft policies and map were posted in March for review and were to be transmitted after public hearings. The proposed changes would preserve interior neighborhood densities while allowing modest density increases on arterial, collector or major streets — for example, suburban residential preservation could rise from 6 units per acre to 8 along arterials — and would add more specific rules about where increases could apply.

But speakers from a broad set of in‑town neighborhoods — Woodland Drive, Lafayette Park, Los Robles, Myers Park, Canopy neighbors and others — said the new rules were released too late and would permit duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in long‑established single‑family neighborhoods. Neighbors raised concerns about parking, stormwater and drainage, tree canopy loss, traffic and public‑safety impacts. “If you are looking for a place to redevelop, there are many abandoned malls and places along Monroe Street,” said planning critic Faye Gibson; others urged better use of existing commercial corridors rather than changing interior neighborhoods.

Planning staff said several text edits already were made in response to early concerns: the draft now restricts increased density to properties that front major roads and clarifies that community facilities (utilities, substations, pump stations) remain allowed. Staff also proposed exemptions for certain canopy roads. But many neighborhood leaders called for a longer, more deliberate public process to test the policy changes and to craft implementation language in the land‑development code that would preserve neighborhood character while enabling infill and improved transit.

Commission direction: staff will return to the August 20 meeting with a proposed outreach and engagement schedule; the amendments will be refiled for the fall comprehensive‑plan cycle to allow “a year of community conversation” before formal transmittal. That schedule should include town‑hall meetings, targeted neighborhood briefings and a multilingual outreach plan.

Ending: Commissioners and staff framed the pause as an opportunity to strengthen public notice, refine policy language and craft land‑development‑code tools that balance increased housing supply and neighborhood protection.","Following extensive neighborhood testimony, the Tallahassee City Commission voted to pause transmittal of the proposed comprehensive‑plan land‑use and mobility updates and ordered a yearlong outreach and revised engagement plan before resubmitting amendments.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6149582,"Tallahassee commission drops eminent‑domain pursuit for Circle K land after community outcry",368,2582000,2950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b&start=2582&end=2950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511688-7364b7c78d61539bf146a70239fcb03b/thumbnail_2582000.jpg","/articles/6149582/Tallahassee/Leon-County/Florida/Tallahassee-commission-drops-eminentdomain-pursuit-for-Circle-K-land-after-community-outcry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149582-d631a6ec89999c44bafe1819a266c26e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775899063&Signature=XK6cVrMH9BeScCGqhLdeJMIPTp6vAnsOAimqEsNKpCGx3i3vQThyZAW-65q0s7AoAO0lZS9jRpzIk2P4VU9bXiwtHg23CDi12X69ioyV3lvv~dSsOdLQRCxVf2BmiT71m7azFxVPsTq-qxfvG5UDRi5UY7DIHc-SDX~2G4~tsYSpggUI6zNGYQ7E9h7vFZqtYTh6SuA-7LVU4gcripdaypD7Sjby1BwLJYgd5w~LxAkcfak34OfKJkMkYWplg47oQyDAz4bx0pnB7PuPxhxM49F1vrN2-xL38o840OZgLv422JgUQNY0S9rQXTZJ049EaAmrCAByBcTPMIpZ2UQs3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tallahassee commissioners voted to stop pursuing eminent domain to acquire the Circle K site in the Canopy development, after residents described health, safety and insurance risks they say would follow from a fuel station sited next to single‑family homes.

The decision came after hours of public comment from residents who said the proposed Circle K, with multiple pumps and large underground fuel tanks, would sit within a few dozen feet of occupied houses and could make some properties uninsurable. The vote to discontinue eminent domain was 3–2; Commissioners Matlow and Porter opposed the motion.

The city attorney and planning staff told the commission that continuing a condemnation case would be expensive and legally risky. City legal counsel advised that eminent domain requires a high showing of public necessity and warned the commission about potential court sanctions and costs of “at least $500,000 in attorney and expert fees, plus the value of the property,” estimates that included restoration costs if construction were completed before litigation ended.

Residents urged alternatives. Dozens of Canopy homeowners and several neighborhood leaders asked the city to negotiate a purchase, cover Circle K’s documented expenses, or use a land swap to create a park or buffer instead. “This is equivalent to putting a gas station in the middle of the town center of Southwood,” said resident Christy Perkins. Steve Dury, another neighbor, urged the mayor to elevate negotiations to Circle K’s corporate level: “Escalate the negotiation to Circle K corporate headquarters,” he said.

Commissioners described a mix of legal, financial and political constraints. Commissioner Matlow, who had supported earlier attempts to pursue condemnation, said he disagreed with staff’s legal assessment but respected the city attorney’s advice. Commissioner Richardson said staff and he had tried to negotiate and that he would pursue further outreach to Circle K’s corporate leadership if possible.

City staff said they previously made a formal purchase offer and a proposed land swap and that Circle K declined. The city also notified the commission that city counsel had received a letter from Circle K’s counsel warning that an eminent‑domain attempt without public necessity would be a constitutional abuse and could expose the city to claims.

The commission’s action does not end the issue: several commissioners said they will continue to pursue negotiated solutions, including direct purchase, reimbursement of Circle K’s costs, or land swaps, and asked staff to continue outreach and discussions with the company. Residents asked the commission to press for a park or buffer in place of the fuel station and to examine insurance impacts and environmental risks should construction proceed.

The vote to discontinue the eminent‑domain approach was procedural: commissioners directed staff to stop pursuing condemnation and to continue negotiations and outreach. The matter may return if new legal or financial facts emerge.

Ending: The commission’s decision removed eminent domain from the city’s toolset in this dispute, but the larger policy questions raised by residents — how the city prevents incompatible commercial uses next to single‑family homes, how it addresses insurance and vapor/contamination risks, and how it improves notice of developer proposals in PUDs — remain on the agenda for future policy work and further negotiations with the property owner.","After weeks of public pressure from Canopy residents over a planned Circle K gas station adjacent to homes, the City Commission directed staff to discontinue efforts to acquire the site by eminent domain and instead pursue outreach and negotiated options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission accepts $73,000 FDLE ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods’ grant for TPD; public criticizes police militarization

Board accepts pension actuarial report that shows plan near 90% funded

Commission pauses comprehensive‑plan transmittal after months of debate, orders new public engagement

Tallahassee commission drops eminent‑domain pursuit for Circle K land after community outcry