Commissioners reviewed a series of long-running items from the city manager’s report on Sept. 8 and provided direction or requested follow-ups on several. Staff presented the items to ensure the new commission had updated guidance on matters that predate the current panel.

Internship program: Staff reported the city has integrated its high school into CareerSource’s internship program and placed college-level interns across city departments in recent summers. Commissioners asked staff to pursue a South-County-focused model, coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce and the school district, and bring back a simple program framework that could include both unpaid and paid placements. Commissioner Petro urged rotational exposure across departments and a pathway from short-term unpaid exposure to paid placements where possible.

Activity Centers 6 and 10: Development-services director Elena Ray said staff are pursuing a utility-capacity study, an economic development plan and a special-assessment district as options to stimulate development in Activity Centers 6 and 10. Ray warned that a full master plan could cost roughly a quarter-million dollars and might be unnecessary if private developers propose market-driven plans; commissioners asked for semi-annual updates to stay engaged.

Joint meeting with Charlotte County: The commission agreed to pursue a joint lunch meeting with Charlotte County commissioners to coordinate regional items such as utilities extension, the Yorkshire exit and the proposed transfer station, stormwater management and other shared interests. Staff will work with Charlotte County to set a date and draft an agenda for review.

Jockey Club lease and Scout House/Art Center sites: Staff said negotiations with the Jockey Club over lease modifications are ongoing and that the city will not assume fiscal responsibility for the HOA; city attorneys have reviewed the club’s comments and staff will forward a revised document. Regarding the arts center and Scout House, staff said the Scout House will not be used as a temporary art center site; an MOU with a financial institution has been discussed for temporary classes and staff will return this fall with a proposed MOU for the art center land or a concrete plan for the site.

Spring Haven Road/property: Commissioners and members of the public raised the long-running Spring Haven property/roadway concern. Staff said county-level funding was not feasible because the owner asked more than appraised value; staff concluded the city cannot place a conservation easement on land it does not own. Public commenter Robin Grama Vicente urged the city to use eminent domain to protect the environmentally sensitive area; commissioners asked staff to prepare an agenda item describing constraints, options and the legal limits on city action.

Unimproved-lot registration and dangerous trees: Commissioners reiterated urgency on a proposed unimproved-lot registration program and an associated $100 annual fee; staff noted current budget limits fund only a portion of dangerous-tree removals (about $60,000/year), that removal of trees is costly (roughly $1,000 per tree) and that Council must decide whether to increase funding or change program scope. Several commissioners urged accelerating the program to address hurricane-damaged or hazardous trees.

Ending: Staff will return with targeted follow-ups: a proposed internship framework, semi-annual updates on Activity Centers 6 and 10, a draft agenda for a Charlotte County joint meeting, a revised Jockey Club MOU for council review, and a memo describing legal constraints and options for Spring Haven roadway/property matters.