DeBary council approves Rivington amendment, golf-cart permitting changes, pipe-repair contracts and new fire truck; appoints DeBary Foundation member

At a special City of DeBary City Council meeting in October, council members approved a suite of ordinances, contracts and appointments, including a major amendment to the Rivington mixed planned unit development, a change to golf-cart permitting to allow online applications, piggyback agreements for trenchless pipe rehabilitation, the purchase of a Pierce pumper fire truck for $944,610 and the appointment of Alicia Duda to the DeBary Foundation.

The actions were taken largely on unanimous voice votes after brief staff presentations. The council adopted the second reading of Ordinance O8-2025 to amend the Rivington MPUD governing about 336.05 acres along Fort Florida Road and to allow allocation of 284 residential dwelling units between the project’s additional property and a 10-acre parcel. The ordinance was adopted after the council incorporated testimony from a prior quasi‑judicial hearing and heard no public participation at the second reading.

City Attorney read Ordinance O8-2025 into the record as an amendment to prior ordinances governing the Rivington MPUD. The council then voted to incorporate prior proceedings and to approve the ordinance by roll call: Vice Mayor Butland, Council member Papalardo, Council member Sell and the mayor all recorded “yes.” No public comments were received during that item.

The council also approved the second reading of Ordinance O7-2025, amending Article 3 of Chapter 50 of the City of DeBary Code of Ordinances to modify golf-cart operation and permitting and to add a requirement that applications be accepted online. Staff said there were no changes to the ordinance since first reading aside from removing one obsolete sentence and adding online-application language.

On infrastructure contracts, City Engineer Richard Vilsenor presented a recommendation to approve piggyback agreements with SAK Construction LLC and Inliner Solutions LLC for trenchless pipe rehabilitation. Vilsenor said the piggyback approach speeds repairs, uses competitively negotiated pricing, provides experienced contractors and limits surface disruption; “There is no upfront cost, to approve these contracts,” he told council, adding the city will pay as repairs are needed and as funding is available. The council approved the piggyback agreements unanimously.

On public safety, the council approved an equipment proposal from 10-8 Fire and Safety LLC to order a Pierce pumper fire truck at a total price of $944,610 and authorized the city manager to execute the agreement. Council discussion noted delivery lead times for modern fire apparatus and the budgeted plan to avoid borrowing. Council member Papalardo said, “We just need to tolerate and make this fire truck happen,” and the council approved the purchase by unanimous voice vote. Staff described a three-year payment schedule tied to multi-year budgeting: a $200,000 deposit in October 2026, two subsequent payments of $372,305 each (one in the following fiscal year and one upon delivery), totaling $944,610.

The council also confirmed Alicia Duda as a new member of the DeBary Foundation after James Old, the foundation president, described the foundation’s nominating process and Duda’s nonprofit experience, civic‑engagement background and local residency. Council members expressed support for her appointment and approved it by unanimous vote.

Other routine business included approval of the consent agenda and several member reports about recent community events. No public comments were received on the items that required council action at the meeting.