Oldsmar council approves first reading of ordinance restricting access to city‑owned property

The Oldsmar City Council on Wednesday passed on first reading Ordinance 2025‑02, a change to Chapter 58 that creates Article 5 to regulate access to city‑owned, controlled and leased property. Mayor Gannon and four council members voted 4‑0 to approve the ordinance on first reading. City Manager introduced the ordinance as a safety committee recommendation and said it was drafted with guidance from the Florida League of Cities to help designate authorized‑personnel only areas to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive equipment. City Manager said the change “is to enhance the protection of our critical infrastructure and then security and the integrity of our essential equipment and systems and to protect sensitive business operations.” The item was presented as a city‑initiated ordinance; no members of the public spoke for or against it at the public hearing. The ordinance provides standard severability and codification provisions and will return for a second reading and final vote at a later meeting. The council’s action on first reading does not by itself change access rules until adoption of the final ordinance.