The commission received an update on the city’s community-safety strategic pillar covering community outreach and several operational programs.

National Night Out: Sergeant Patrick Condor outlined National Night Out events at Abbey Lane Apartments and Palm Place, noting family activities, first-responder engagement and about 70 residents at the two events described. Condor said the program builds positive relationships between first responders and neighborhoods and staff plan to expand participation.

Floridinos building and code enforcement: Code compliance reported that the former Floridinos restaurant at Spring Lake Square suffered a kitchen fire in 2021 and further storm damage in October 2024; the structure was declared unsafe, a special magistrate issued a demolition order and demolition was completed Oct. 22. The owner (Landmark Investments) intends to fence the cleared lot; code staff said there are five active code cases across the owner’s properties.

Cybersecurity tools: IT staff described a third-party risk-management platform that monitors external vendors’ security posture, provides real-time alerts and safety ratings, and helps vet vendors used for citizen-facing services. Staff reported a product grant from Florida Digital Services and said the city’s internal security rating trends favorably compared with industry averages.

Lead and Copper Rule and utility resilience: Water Department Superintendent David Hernandez reported 35 confirmed lead-service-line replacements and 54 galvanized replacements to date, and about 3,779 soft digs performed. Hernandez said about 65% of the system has been confirmed as non-lead, with ~15,564 service lines still unknown; the city uses predictive modeling (LeadCast/Trinex) to prioritize work and plans roughly 1,000 soft digs in 2026. Staff said FDEP’s compliance deadline for full replacement is 2037 but the city aims to complete its program much sooner.

Risk & resilience assessment: Utilities staff reported work under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act risk-and-resilience assessment cycle covering drinking water and wastewater assets, cyber systems and emergency response planning. Staff said the assessment is on track for submission by Dec. 31, 2025 and will inform prioritized investments.

Concealed/open-carry guidance for staff: The city manager briefed commissioners on guidance distributed to staff after changes in Florida law and an appellate decision affecting concealed-carry rules. Staff emphasized de-escalation and legal compliance and noted outstanding questions about long guns and school-sanctioned events on city property.

Why it matters: the update spans public outreach, public-safety operations, infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and water-quality work — topics that affect resident confidence, public health and city service continuity.

What’s next: code staff will monitor Landmark properties for compliance; IT will continue vendor monitoring and pursue grants; water staff will continue soft digs and replacements; staff will monitor legal developments around open-carry rules and adjust guidance as needed.