Ocala Council approves routine contracts, public-safety equipment and housing rebuilds in single session
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Summary
At its Nov. 4 meeting the Ocala City Council approved multiple contract renewals and purchases, two HOME-funded housing rebuild projects, airport grant adjustments and policy updates, and agreements for fiber and utility services. Several items generated discussion but passed by council vote.
The Ocala City Council on Nov. 4 approved a slate of contracts, equipment purchases and housing rebuilds, including additional fencing expenditures to secure city fiber infrastructure, renewal of a valet parking license, two HOME-funded rebuild contracts and an extension to a purchase-and-sale agreement for airport property.
Many items were bundled on the consent agenda and passed after two items — a fencing contract amendment and a valet parking license renewal — were pulled for council discussion. The council approved an additional $45,857 expenditure under an existing fencing contract to secure the Ocala Fiber Network perimeter after staff said prior amendments had pushed the contract over the $100,000 threshold. Council also approved the annual renewal of the Marks Prime valet parking license while noting long-standing enforcement complaints; staff said downtown staffing will be present during peak hours to enforce the 15-minute limit.
Other approvals included a one-year renewal of an agreement with the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership for business attraction and retention work; renewals and one-year extensions for fiber installation and utility inspection contracts through the Florida Municipal Power Agency; and a renewal of the city’s public-safety CIS software system used for dispatch and records.
Two housing projects funded with HOME program dollars were approved: a rebuild of the Thomas residence (bid awarded to 2W Construction for $220,550) and a rebuild of the Quarry residence (bid awarded to Steeda LLC for about $190,000). Staff said both homes were determined dilapidated and that HOME rules require significant projects, with affordability periods and repayment/forgiveness schedules tied to occupant status (five-year occupancy rules and longer forgiveness terms for elderly or disabled homeowners).
The council approved the purchase of 95 Lifepak CR2 automated external defibrillators ($219,435) for the police department and authorized fire-department purchases including an automated chest-compression device and two LifePak 30-5 units. The council also approved a one-year extension to a purchase-and-sale contract for 115 acres of non-aviation property at the Ocala International Airport with Insight Real Estate, and adopted updated airport leasing and development policies and a new interactive property map.
Votes on the listed items were recorded by roll call during the meeting; staff recommended approval on all items. Where council requested follow-up — for example, enforcement measures at the valet location and additional transparency on due-diligence deliverables from the airport purchaser — staff committed to next steps or noted conditions in the contract amendments.