Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident alleges private dinner and gifts with contract negotiator; city will compile record
Summary
During public comment a resident alleged that commissioners attended a private dinner with representatives of a vendor while negotiations were underway; the mayor said the city attorney and staff will compile a response and timeline for the record.
Sheila Benton, a Winter Springs resident, used public comment to allege that Deputy Mayor Kate Resnick and Commissioners Sarah Baker and another commissioner met privately with representatives of Wooder/Curran (spelling varies in the record) at a private dinner during the Florida League of Cities conference while a contract involving the firm was still being negotiated. Benton asked whether the city provided public notice, who paid for admission to the private dinner and whether gifts were exchanged.
Mayor Kevin McCann declined to respond immediately but said the city would assemble materials through the city attorney and provide a response to the public record. He asked staff to compile a timeline and identify which cities or officials attended the dinner. City Attorney Anthony Agogany and staff confirmed the commission would not comment on the dais that night but would work with the city attorney’s office to prepare a factual response.
The allegation was raised during the public-comment period and no formal ethics complaint or vote followed that evening; commissioners indicated staff would gather information and respond in writing or in a future meeting.
