[{"_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",6485628,"mediaKeyId","5602510-f300b832de1d94b0804b808b3b1e922a","parentId",5602510,"title","Ocala council approves consent agenda, contract renewals, annexation introductions and multiple agreements — votes at a glance","audioSeconds",4144,"startMs",1816000,"endMs",5960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602510-f300b832de1d94b0804b808b3b1e922a&start=1816&end=5960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602510-f300b832de1d94b0804b808b3b1e922a/thumbnail_1816000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485628/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-council-approves-consent-agenda-contract-renewals-annexation-introductions-and-multiple-agreements-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485628-0f6813e04403179f2edb26e31708e742/orig.mp4?Expires=1773537278&Signature=GjJ6idgUplPrvnPNyFJIXvgZJ7owDyBekfI9OKmhyd9inYCjUcarwhYh2CY9g3qbDxSVH7nXciweCf~e1wjrdqL3tjBPEO-y1XK5DzHSdIm2cE1-CVlcR8LnZoNiIs~8ab8NUfd2MhFfsfNg1zO13W0Nwhr5ZSLFkHS4ggIKg3SyqMOQLOAIwxMQieg54sIT0YnBfPYiNP6-8WUl-baXjn8abiFN1ph3WWUH8JONJmpZxG~gBBi001nAx4wq7RNkdvvicAp1tQnOjPgeUzfhJUpD2icMplycyZzq~FZ0rsMDlw4kWnn7Mhsypem4vd1Gbva~EGcR6s6UbMRYa5pAjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ocala","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Ocala City Council on Aug. 19 voted on a broad slate of measures, approving a consent agenda and taking final or introductory action on multiple ordinances, contracts and capital projects.

Highlights

- Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda by roll call with no items removed for separate discussion.

- Introductions / first readings: Council members introduced multiple ordinances for first reading, including zoning map amendment cases (Ordinance 2025-035 and 2025-036), annexation and comprehensive plan amendments for property at 2275 SW 50th Avenue (ordinances A N X 24-45704 and LUC25-0001), and a planned development case (PD24-45706). Those items were introduced and scheduled for public hearings; details and case numbers were read into the record during the meeting.

- Alley abrogation (Resolution 2025-536): Council adopted a resolution to abrogate a 12-foot-wide alley between South Pine Avenue and Southwest Third Avenue. The alley affects properties associated with Florida Hospital Ocala, Inc. and Marion County Hospital District; staff reported executed utility easements and that Ocala Electric Utility relocation invoices had been paid, satisfying Planning & Zoning conditions.

- Procurement and contract renewals: Council approved a range of contract renewals and purchases, including the following (approved by roll call unless noted): use of the State of Florida alternative source agreement with Canon Solutions America for copier/printing services; a 1-year renewal with Tyler Technologies (Munis ERP); a contract renewal with Wrike (cloud project-management platform); a 1-year renewal with CentralSquare (Lucid Enterprise Asset Management); a purchasing agreement with SYNNEX Corporation for backup storage; an interlocal with Marion County for the Emerald Road extension; additional expenditures under tree-trimming contracts with Marion Tree Trimming and Flyway Access LLC; a contract with Traffic Control Devices LLC to build a traffic signal at SW 40th Court / SW 40th Ave & SW 20th St; Marion Rock LLC for annual sidewalk maintenance; the second and final one-year renewal for PACE water testing; and the first one-year renewal of continuing professional engineering services master agreements with 10 firms.

- Budget and other approvals: Council appropriated funds for irrigation modifications at the Perry Sprayfield and approved related interlocal and budget adjustments.

Most items were approved unanimously after brief staff presentations. Where the council requested follow-up (for example, verification that flood insurance discounts accrue to residents under CRS changes or notification when code enforcement matters arise), staff recorded the direction and will report back as needed.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Consent agenda (Item 6): Approved (unanimous roll call).

- Ordinance introductions (Items 8a–8f): Introduced for public hearing (first-reading/intro; details read into record; case numbers provided in the agenda). Outcome: introduced.

- Resolution 2025-536 (Item 9A) — alley abrogation: Approved (roll call; no public objections). Affected parties: Florida Hospital Ocala, Marion County Hospital District.

- Ordinance 2025-534 (Item 9B) — floodplain code amendment: Adopted (see separate article on ordinance adoption).

- Project Hometown redevelopment agreement (Item 10A): Approved (roll call). See separate article for details.

- Project Hometown parking agreement (Item 10B): Approved (roll call). See separate article for details.

- Canon Solutions America (State contract) (Item 10C): Approved; 5-year copier/printer replacement and usage-based per-copy pricing.

- Tyler Technologies (Munis) 1-year renewal (Item 10D): Approved; annual software maintenance for financial and HR systems.

- Wrike contract renewal (Item 10E): Approved; cloud-based project management renewal.

- CentralSquare Lucid (Item 10F): Approved; EAM system for public works and water resources.

- SYNNEX purchasing agreement (Item 10G): Approved; backup storage hardware to replace end-of-life system.

- Additional expenditures for tree trimming and removal (Item 10H): Approved; increase ~ $90,000 to cover storms, lethal bronzing and maintenance through contract term.

- Interlocal agreement with Marion County for Emerald Road extension (Item 10I): Approved; county to build and reimburse certain modifications at Perry Sprayfield.

- Traffic signal contract with Traffic Control Devices LLC (Item 10K): Approved; 120 calendar days to substantial completion.

- Marion Rock LLC sidewalk maintenance (Item 10L): Approved; low bidder for annual sidewalk program.

- PACE water testing renewal (Item 10M): Approved; second and final 1-year renewal.

- Continuing professional engineering services renewals (Item 10N): Approved; first 1-year renewals for master services agreements.

Several additional administrative contract renewals and procurements were approved during the meeting; the city clerk’s agenda packet and the meeting minutes list each contract number and the recorded roll-call vote.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ocala - City Council","oneSentenceSummary","At its Aug. 19 meeting the Ocala City Council approved a slate of routine and project-specific items: they approved the consent agenda; introduced several ordinances for first reading or annexation; and approved multiple contracts and renewals, including camera/copier/IT contracts, public works contracts and interlocal agreements.","taxTitle","Ocala, Marion County, Florida","taxId",4898,"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},6485631,"Ocala council adopts ordinance banning enclosures under elevated buildings to help flood-insurance rating",538,2372000,2910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602510-f300b832de1d94b0804b808b3b1e922a&start=2372&end=2910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602510-f300b832de1d94b0804b808b3b1e922a/thumbnail_2372000.jpg","/articles/6485631/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-council-adopts-ordinance-banning-enclosures-under-elevated-buildings-to-help-flood-insurance-rating","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485631-2da46ae0d75fe1152bd2c548e2bf5283/orig.mp4?Expires=1773537278&Signature=KNj2z7WOXxg6iIe-kXDdsTU~RMUUV2HCkduZLXxUWiJEmX12SYpDm0TOsdDm3IcGomyPEiNseTi1EHiXHHuPBLcTaIEFg~PeVZEs3iCM7ImOLckYy19thrCoB8FCUcplbgU0YZuYIv9-pY8ncVtuBSAAhNNjbkmvVpXLyDSv2WqpwCdssvNObzk0YEvjceJhIi8izVnxiSftCm2JZEoOtmyYchMA2oyVBUoRxWPhHlLK2izI~v4mex0pgoCKyNtRYW3zISiSaE0deD73rkBBTMG8VZhJWg7HD8QZQykBCAqVwkrQX3FVT4wfUMeQPqRbEFGfm6elBRItrT2HndZHkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ocala City Council on Aug. 19 adopted Ordinance 2025-534, amending city floodplain regulations to prohibit enclosures beneath elevated buildings in flood hazard areas.

City Engineer Sean Lanier told the council the change aims to improve the city’s Community Rating System (CRS) score, which reduces citizens’ federal flood insurance premiums through the National Flood Insurance Program. “If adopted, it will give the community about 160 points towards our CRS score,” Lanier said, adding the city needs roughly 430 points to advance from its current CRS class 3 to class 2 and achieve an additional estimated 5 percentage-point discount on flood insurance.

Lanier said staff surveyed building permits from the last 10 years and found residential construction in flood hazard areas has been slab-on-grade or stem-wall construction; the type of elevated houses that are frequently enclosed under elevated dwellings — common in coastal VE zones — are not prevalent in Ocala. The ordinance therefore is not expected to prohibit a significant number of current or in-progress projects, staff said. The prohibition targets enclosures on elevated buildings 4 feet or higher.

Several council members asked whether the change would affect post-and-beam or crawl-space construction and whether engineered “breakaway” enclosures would be allowed. Lanier said the rule targets enclosures generally and that most local elevated construction is uncommon; he acknowledged the council could amend the code later if a specific engineered design required review. The city attorney and staff noted repealing the code change would require the same two-public-hearing process used to adopt it.

Councilmembers also discussed how the CRS credits are verified and whether residents actually receive the insurance discounts; staff said many CRS points accrue from mapping, community outreach and maintenance programs and that the city will continue outreach (for example, FEMA brochures and “turn around, don’t drown” messaging) as part of CRS work.

After discussion the council adopted the ordinance by roll call. The ordinance amendment will be codified and staff will proceed with the actions required to submit supporting documentation for the CRS re-verification process.

","The City of Ocala adopted an ordinance Aug. 19 that prohibits enclosures under elevated buildings in flood hazard areas; city staff said the change will add points toward the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System and could lower premiums for some residents.",{"_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},6485633,"Ocala council approves redevelopment and parking agreements for Project Hometown hotel downtown",790,2915000,3705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602510-f300b832de1d94b0804b808b3b1e922a&start=2915&end=3705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602510-f300b832de1d94b0804b808b3b1e922a/thumbnail_2915000.jpg","/articles/6485633/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Ocala-council-approves-redevelopment-and-parking-agreements-for-Project-Hometown-hotel-downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485633-0ba92c004d57daab940223a2c3dc07f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773537278&Signature=CD8mnv-zK9w6bR4Ba7VUpPsV-sOGW~RAEKjAq7Df6rijp8WQLyC5kfVsn~wiqePl30t3gRs9DqvyHJ~yfDZN5VTNY7lH5B3TFTly7YXk70QNkPCN9MUvhHhq1FLaBH3tpGMTLwKtwNkdJNrpOUVWV6rVFE-D9kFYXtoZ7ougmbmWFKKX0Rp-vZTigBVQPtIbEROaONly-Tqki3ujpPVYXKujkkUestrBC-SQWXguxXoOG4KErRi~m55gkqhZ52rV3kArXskJwfYu~UeAnliraGDAAsgrOC9BKof-N~7HQlK4wwub9VNjpiH8gJq2sQUeGPfOWBdE23np7tqReuUGpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ocala City Council voted Aug. 19 to approve a redevelopment agreement and a separate parking agreement for “Project Hometown,” a proposed hotel on a vacant lot in downtown Ocala.

Supporters said the project will fill a vacant parcel, generate jobs and bring tourists to businesses in the core. “We believe that hotels are key feature to revitalizing downtowns,” said Jessica Field, representing Ocala Main Street. “It will stimulate the economy. It will produce jobs, and furthermore, it will drive tourism into our community to support our small businesses.”

The council heard a presentation from staff and the developer. Aubrey Hale, planning director, clarified how shared access would be managed and said the hotel’s sixth floor will be for the hotel’s exclusive use while the fifth-floor space could be coordinated for larger community events: “The sixth floor is dedicated solely to the hotel,” Hale said.

Attorney Rob Nazzle and developer Jimmy Gunning described project economics and developer assurances. Gunning said the developer’s contractor is comfortable with the project budget and that the city is not expected to bear cost overruns on the elevator work: “In fact, it would. We have talked to our — we Rob called our contractor … and he's comfortable with that number that's not gonna go over,” Gunning said, addressing concerns about incentive amounts.

Council members asked about parking and employee spaces downtown. The developer and staff said Marriott’s franchise standard requires roughly a 1:1 parking ratio per room (176 rooms was cited by the developer), and the agreement asks for additional spaces — described in the presentation as 225 spaces — to cover employees and operational needs. Council members pressed for follow-up when the city first denies a particular enclosure or parking request so the council can review. The developer suggested extending the community redevelopment area (CRA) in the future to reduce reliance on the parking incentive.

The council approved both items by roll-call votes. The redevelopment agreement passed with the council voting aye; the parking agreement likewise passed on a separate vote.

Next steps called for coordination between city staff and the developer on final permitting and coordination language defined in the agreements. Staff and the developer also indicated they would separate the parking agreement from the incentive agreement, making future adjustments easier if the council or CRA policy changes.

Votes on the redevelopment agreement and the parking agreement were recorded during the meeting and the city clerk will include the executed agreements in the official file.

","The Ocala City Council on Aug. 19 approved a redevelopment agreement and a related parking agreement to enable a proposed hotel project in downtown Ocala, drawing support from Main Street and discussion about parking, incentives and CRA timing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ocala council approves consent agenda, contract renewals, annexation introductions and multiple agreements — votes at a glance

Ocala council adopts ordinance banning enclosures under elevated buildings to help flood-insurance rating

Ocala council approves redevelopment and parking agreements for Project Hometown hotel downtown