Votes at a glance: March 26 Tallahassee City Commission (appointments, contracts, grants, eminent domain)
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Summary
A compact summary of formal actions taken March 26: consent approvals, multiple board appointments, contract awards, grants accepted, and two eminent‑domain resolutions for FAMU Way Phase 4.
At its March 26 meeting the Tallahassee City Commission recorded a series of formal actions across appointments, procurement and capital projects. The key outcomes are listed below. See the full meeting transcript and agenda for details.
Votes at a glance (selected actions taken March 26, 2025)
- Consent agenda: Passed unanimously (5–0). Motion to approve consent (mover: Commissioner Richardson; second: Mayor Pro Tem Diane Williams Cox).
- Contract award — Landscape maintenance services: Commission approved award recommendation for landscape maintenance services to Rotolo Consultants, Inc. (mover: Commissioner Porter; second: Commissioner Richardson). Vote: unanimous (5–0). The contract covers mowing, edging and litter removal across city roads; FDOT roads are excluded for edging components and FDOT reimbursement was discussed.
- Appointments (all passed as recorded, majority unanimous votes unless noted): - Apalachee Regional Planning Council: reappointment of Commissioner Porter to the two-year seat (option 1) — passes unanimously. - Tallahassee Human Relations Committee (seat 2 and seat 4): Christy Tillman and Gene Calixti appointed (staff recommendation) — passes unanimously. - Joint City‑County Bicycling Work Group: Hugh Aaron reappointed through December 2027 — passes unanimously. - Downtown Improvement Authority: Teresa Nicks (seat 5), reappointment of Gus Corbella (seat 6), and Nicholas Gavales (seat 7) appointments approved — passes unanimously. - Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: Sherry Gewanter reappointed — passes unanimously. - Independent Ethics Board: Brian Smith appointed to fill unexpired portion of seat 1 (through Dec. 30, 2026) after review of eligibility — passes unanimously. - Municipal Code Enforcement Board: Alexandria Robinson appointed to fill current term (expires May 30, 2026) — passes unanimously. - Environmental Board: Zach Salter appointed to serve remainder of term (expires Oct. 30, 2026) — passes unanimously. - Architectural Review Board: Elizabeth Crawford appointed to fill term (through June 30, 2027) — passes unanimously.
- Introductions and scheduling of public hearings: The commission introduced (read into the record and scheduled hearings) for two ordinances: 25‑Z‑05 (zoning map change for 2748 Pecan Road) and 25‑O‑07 (annexation per Florida Statutes section 171.044). Both items were set for public hearing on April 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
- Transportation / Right-of-way and eminent domain: The commission adopted two resolutions authorizing initiation of eminent domain lawsuits to acquire parcels needed for the FAMU Way Phase 4 roadway project (owners identified in staff reports). Motion passed 4–1 (Commissioner Matlow opposed). Staff said negotiations and offers were made; resolutions allow staff to move to the court process if negotiation fails.
- Zoning: Ordinance 25‑Z‑O6 (Hudson Lakes PUD) — first and only public hearing held and ordinance adopted (5–0). See separate article on the PUD rezoning.
- Housing and HUD funds: The commission accepted emergency solutions grant (ESG) funds and approved amendments to the FY 2024 consolidated plan and FY 2024‑25 Annual Action Plan to use ESG funding for homelessness outreach and services (motion passed unanimously).
- Airport grant resolution: Commission adopted resolution accepting and authorizing execution of a Florida Department of Transportation Public Transportation Grant Agreement for $2,092,536 toward the Tallahassee International Airport international processing facility (resolution adopted unanimously). The airport reported 80% construction completion and described additional state and federal funding already secured.
- Transit electrification contract authorization: Commission authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute a contract for bus‑electrification infrastructure at StarMetro with Camber Operating Company (contract authority $12,200,000). Motion passed unanimously.
Formal actions recorded here reflect the matters called or moved on the March 26 agenda. Items that required additional study (such as the hospital governance request) were treated as informational and will return to the commission with staff analysis or scheduled hearings as noted in the transcript and staff materials.
