Apopka council confirms new deputy police chief, public‑works director; adopts several ordinances and a summer-camp program

Apopka’s City Council used its March 19 meeting to confirm several executive appointments, approve a new summer-camp program and adopt multiple ordinances and resolutions.

Deputy police chief: Chief McKinley introduced Dr. Levetta/Quinn Henry as the selected candidate to fill the vacant deputy chief position in the Apopka Police Department. Council and legal staff clarified that the employment agreement before the council establishes the deputy’s transition to chief upon the chief’s planned retirement; the candidate said she is an Apopka resident with 25 years of service at the Orlando Police Department. After public support comments from residents and police‑community stakeholders, Commissioner Smith moved and Commissioner Anderson seconded a motion to approve the employment contract. The council voted in favor and approved the agreement unanimously.

Public works director: Joe Patton, human resources director, presented Momtaz Bark (listed in agenda materials as the nominee) and summarized his engineering credentials. Council members discussed start dates and a phased transition from consulting work; the council and nominee agreed on an April 28 start date and approved the appointment by unanimous vote.

Parks and Recreation summer camp: Radley Williams, parks and recreation director, described a new athletic summer‑camp program to be based at the Frank Carlton Center with supplemental sites and transportation. The program will run Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. for eight single‑week sessions, with an initial target of 100 camper slots. The fee structure discussed on the record was $125 per week for residents and $150 per week for nonresidents; scholarships (25%–50% reductions) were discussed and staff said AdventHealth has provided $15,000 annually to the scholarship pool across youth programs. After public comment about affordability and scholarship distribution, council approved the program and directed staff to start registration and outreach.

Ordinances and resolutions: Council adopted Ordinance 3,094 to annex 9.63 acres owned by BSC Rock Springs East LLC (vote recorded as 4–1 with Commissioner Nesta opposed). The council also adopted Ordinance 3,095 (future land-use amendment for a 5.56‑acre Adventist Health parcel), Ordinance 3,096 (rezoning for the same parcel, second reading), and Ordinance 3,100 (amendments to police officers retirement provisions); those measures carried as presented, with recusals noted where appropriate.

Votes at a glance: approval of minutes and consent agenda (unanimous); appointment of deputy police chief (unanimous); appointment of public works director (unanimous); adoption of Ordinance 3,094 (4–1, Nesta opposed); adoption of Ordinances 3,095, 3,096 and 3,100 (motions carried; recusals recorded where commissioner indicated); adoption of Resolution 2025‑13 (Emerson Park initial assessment) and Resolution 2025‑14 (right‑of‑way acquisition) followed later in the meeting.

Council members also provided reports and updates on community events, CRA planning and staffing. The mayor announced an upcoming ribbon cutting for the Apopka Action Sports Park.

What’s next: the deputy chief’s employment agreement sets a transition timeline tied to the current chief’s announced retirement; public‑works director start is scheduled for April 28; Parks & Rec will open camp registration after the council’s approval; ordinances and resolutions will be reflected in the city’s code and project schedules going forward.