Palm Coast Council adopts firefighter retirement changes, approves housing report, plats and microsurfacing contract

Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 21, unanimously approved an ordinance making administrative changes to the volunteer firefighter retirement system and voted to advance a package of development and public-works items, including an affordable-housing incentives report, a final subdivision plat and a piggyback microsurfacing contract.

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance that refines administrative provisions for a one-time opt-in to a Tier 8 volunteer firefighter retirement option. Chief Hill, Palm Coast Fire Department, said the change clarifies administrative details and “gives them a little more time to make this decision.” Hill said the one-time opt-in involves a 5% deduction of wages; staff estimated the city’s cost would be approximately 3% in the first year if state funding remains at the first-year level.

Why it matters: the retirement changes affect volunteer firefighters’ benefits and payroll budgeting; the housing and land approvals shape development and the city’s approach to affordable housing; the microsurfacing contract directs routine pavement work on dozens of residential streets.

The council also approved Resolution 2025-** adopting the Affordable Housing Incentives Report 2024 prepared for the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program, with two edits requested on the dais. Vice Mayor Pontieri moved to approve the report with amended language in the resolution’s implementation section to require subsequent City Council approval before final implementation and to move forward specifically on recommendations numbered 1, 6 and 11. Debri Paradowski, Housing Services program manager for Flagler County, reminded the council that state SHIP rules require an inventory of public lands for possible affordable-housing use and that the resolution language should match the council’s intent.

On land and development items, the council approved a purchase-and-sale/land-agreement and easement adjustment for 135 Palmwood Drive. Land Management Administrator Virginia Smith said staff recommends transferring 10 feet of city-owned property at the rear of the lot to make the parcel conforming, and in exchange receive a larger easement to align with the existing stormwater ditch. The council also adopted the final plat for the Enclave at Seminole Palms (application 5926), a 70.1-acre subdivision proposing 182 single-family lots and preserving about 13.75 acres of wetlands; staff said about 80% of infrastructure is complete and the developer will post a construction bond for outstanding work (bond amount accepted: $2,324,851.43, 120% of the cost to finish remaining infrastructure).

Public-works staff presented a piggyback contract with Hernando County and Asphalt Paving Systems Inc. for this year’s microsurfacing program, the second year the city has run an annual microsurfacing treatment. Staff said the vendor inspected candidate roadways and confirmed the scope; the packet lists the road segments planned for this year.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance (second reading): Amend Chapter 2, Article 6, Division 2 (Volunteer Firefighter Retirement System and Trust Fund) — Motion to approve (second reading) — Outcome: approved unanimously. Vote record: Mayor Mike Norris — yes; Vice Mayor Pontieri — yes; Council member Gambaro — yes; Council members Miller and Stevens — absent. Notes: Chief Hill said a 5% wage contribution is part of the opt-in; city budget estimate ~3% first-year match if state funding matches prior year; full ordinance text in official packet.

- Resolution: Adopt Affordable Housing Incentives Report 2024 (SHIP) with amended Section 4 and direction to pursue recommendations 1, 6 and 11 — Mover: Vice Mayor Pontieri; Second: (recorded second) — Outcome: approved unanimously. Vote record: Mayor Mike Norris — yes; Vice Mayor Pontieri — yes; Council member Gambaro — yes; Council members Miller and Stevens — absent. Notes: City staff and Flagler County staff will draft implementing steps and return final proposals to council for approval.

- Resolution: Purchase/sale, donation and easement relating to 135 Palmwood Drive — Outcome: approved unanimously. Vote record: Mayor Mike Norris — yes; Vice Mayor Pontieri — yes; Council member Gambaro — yes; Council members Miller and Stevens — absent. Notes: City to transfer 10 feet at rear of lot; easement expanded to reflect existing ditch. Staff said the house on the lot has been occupied about a year and no drainage issues were apparent during inspection.

- Resolution: Final plat — Enclave at Seminole Palms (application 5926) — Outcome: approved unanimously. Vote record: Mayor Mike Norris — yes; Vice Mayor Pontieri — yes; Council member Gambaro — yes; Council members Miller and Stevens — absent. Notes: Project proposes 182 lots (3.23 units per acre) on 70.1 acres; developer will preserve wetlands and post a 120% performance bond for remaining infrastructure ($2,324,851.43).

- Resolution: Piggyback contract for microsurfacing (Hernando County / Asphalt Paving Systems Inc.) — Outcome: approved unanimously. Vote record: Mayor Mike Norris — yes; Vice Mayor Pontieri — yes; Council member Gambaro — yes; Council members Miller and Stevens — absent. Notes: This is the city’s second annual microsurfacing program; the agenda packet lists approximately 30+ road segments proposed for treatment this year.

Council members and staff noted that full backup materials and project details are available in the city packet online or via public-records request.

What’s next: staff to return with implementing language and timelines where the council required further approvals (notably the housing recommendations), developers to submit final bond and record plat documents, and engineering to proceed with contracting for microsurfacing.