Development concerns including 5G towers on school fields and near homes, airport expansion, data center with limited jobs, infrastructure stress, manhole overflows, herbicide spraying in swales and canals, reclaimed wastewater irrigation, a wastewater-to-potable water pilot program the speaker claims citizens were not informed of, 14 boil water notices in 2026 not reflected on city website, treatment of public speakers, an appointed council seat the speaker objects to, the assistant/deputy manager position not being in the city charter, charter defects and proposed changes introducing ambiguity, and a 2022 charter language change made without a ballot.
Request to allow public comment at the end of workshop meetings so residents can respond to council discussion that occurs during the meeting.
Also asked council for their position on local control and home rule after a leading Republican gubernatorial candidate reportedly stated that cities like Palm Coast exist only by virtue of state permission.
Motorcycle racing on Palm Coast Parkway between the new Wawa and the Hammock bridge, occurring almost every weekend and some weekday evenings.
Speaker stated there is inadequate law enforcement presence, motorcyclists appear to feel immune from consequences, and that a Wawa parking lot is used as a staging area.
Speaker requested a sheriff's car be stationed at the Wawa and that city leadership contact Sheriff Rick Staly.
Also mentioned Clubhouse Lane.
Corroborated the prior speaker's account of high-speed motorcycle activity on Palm Coast Parkway near the Hammock bridge, stating he lives close to the area and hears vehicles going extremely fast.
Noted a roadside memorial near the area from a past fatality and said the issue needs to be addressed by the council.
PFM Asset Management representatives Danessa Matts and Leslie Webber presented the city's annual investment report as of December 31, 2025.
The longer-term portfolio (approximately $90M) outperformed its benchmark by 40 basis points with $3.76M in interest earnings and approximately $4M in total accrual-basis earnings.
The portfolio is roughly 50% U.S.
Treasuries, 25% corporate notes, and carries an overall AA credit quality rating at 4.23% yield at cost.
Council asked about the impact of the Iran conflict on yields, BlackRock ESG restrictions, and the strategy for investing incoming bond proceeds (pre-closing occurring the same day, final closing the following week).
Recreation Manager Dennis Reagan presented the Q2 (October 2025–March 2026) update for Palm Harbor Golf Club.
Key changes included a fee increase averaging $37.61/round (up from $28.22), elimination of free golf for pass holders, introduction of a $200 walker punch pass (152 sold), and events including two Florida State Golf Association junior tournaments generating ~$100K in economic impact.
Year-to-date revenue stands at $1.28M with a full-year projection showing the course in the black by ~$72,625.
Capital needs include a $278K pump station replacement (this year) and 50 golf cart replacements (~$294K net) next year.
Council praised the turnaround and discussed golf cart leasing vs. ownership and the need to ensure all costs are fully captured.
Director of Parks and Recreation James Hurst presented results of the RFI for Palm Harbor Golf Club management.
Eight submissions were received from operators including American Golf Corporation, Bobby Jones Links, Troon Golf, and others.
Highlights included wide experience ranges, consistent commitments to resident affordability and transparency, and various partnership models (public-private, full management, hybrid, lease).
Council debated whether to pursue an RFP.
Three members (Mayor Norris, Council Member Miller, Council Member Gambaro) initially leaned toward an RFP focused on capital investment requirements, while Vice Mayor Pontieri and Council Member Sullivan opposed it citing staff morale and food-and-beverage revenue constraints.
After substantial public comment opposing the RFP, the council reached consensus to not proceed with an RFP at this time, directing staff instead to explore enterprise fund options to reinvest golf course profits back into the course.
City Attorney Marcus Duffy presented three proposed charter amendments with Supervisor of Elections Katie Linhart and bond counsel Chris Roe present.
Amendment 1 would add a process requiring three censures and a supermajority vote before the council can request gubernatorial removal of a member, with enumerated grounds.
Council directed revisions to clarify the censure timeframe (per term), separate the felony provision, specify who determines ethics violations, and include workshops (not just business meetings) in the absence provision.
Amendment 2 addresses filling council vacancies with options based on timing relative to the general election; council found the draft too complex and directed a scalpel approach focusing on the specific gap exposed by the 2024 Heider resignation.
Amendment 3 increases the unfunded contract limit from $15M/36 months to $30M/30 years with an annual CPI adjustment; council approved this direction with minor formatting corrections.
Linhart confirmed ballot space is available and the August deadline allows time for further workshops.
Community Development Director John Zobel and Economic Development Manager Craig McKinney presented an overview of the SR 100 Corridor CRA, which expires in 2034.
The CRA has significantly underperformed projections: cumulative property values are $286M vs. a projected $1.1B, and annual revenues are $2.9M vs. a projected $7.6M.
Approximately $27M in revenue is expected over the remaining nine years.
Council consensus was reached to hire consultant Kimley-Horn at a reduced scope of ~$96,770 (down from $139,988) to conduct a comprehensive CRA performance audit, TIF analysis, market evaluation, and plan update.
Vice Mayor Pontieri flagged that CRA funds for the YMCA were included in the budget without explicit council direction and that the item should be addressed.
Council also discussed poor road conditions on Town Center Boulevard (PCI of 35) and the need to explore boundary expansion.
Planning Manager Long Wing and planner Estelle Lenz presented development options for duplex-zoned ITT platted lots (1,181 lots citywide).
Option 3 would allow splitting any duplex lot in half and building two detached single-family homes (minimum 1,000 sq ft, one-car garage, 40-ft width, 4,000 sq ft lot area, 5-ft interior setback).
Option 4 would restrict this to affordable housing with AMI and affordability period requirements.
Public comment from builder Amara Amaral detailed how stacked incentives could reduce home prices by $100K+.
Council discussed impact fee obligations (must be paid by builder at sale, not waived), compatibility concerns, PEP tank implications (each unit has its own system), and risk of non-conforming structures.
Council directed staff to map duplex lot ownership clusters and bring the housing study (received the prior day) back next month, potentially with a narrow pilot ordinance framework.
Utility Director Brian (last name not clearly stated) and Public Works/Finance Director Carl presented a comprehensive 10-year Capital Improvement Plan.
The utility CIP totals approximately $590M over five years, anchored by a $180–200M wastewater plant 1 expansion (6.83 to 10.83 MGD), funded primarily through $283M in bond proceeds closing that week, capacity fees, grants, and R&R reserves.
Other major items: water plant 1 rehabilitation ($50M), well rehabilitation and new wells, PEP tank/I&I work, and planning for a new wastewater plant 3.
Non-utility funds presented include the capital projects fund (supporting the MOC, park R&R, IT), recreation impact fees (YMCA, Indian Trails lighting, Grand Swamp Trail), transportation impact fees ($126M Loop Road, Old Kings Road widening phases), fire impact fees (stations 22 and 26), streets improvement fund (pavement management, signal rehabs), CRA fund, and stormwater (Colbert Lane drainage, pipe replacement program).
Council member Miller specifically raised the need to prioritize water treatment plant 1 to address water color complaints.
IT Director Doug Atkins presented the city's software strategy developed using an Application Portfolio Management framework, cataloging approximately 100 city applications.
The strategy identified fragmentation in work orders, asset tracking, inventory, and performance reporting as the top gap, corroborated by a Plante Moran risk assessment identifying asset management as the city's second-highest operational risk.
Staff recommended an Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) platform as the top priority, with an estimated first-year implementation cost of ~$450,000 and recurring annual cost of ~$150,000 based on 14 RFI responses.
Council reached consensus to direct staff to proceed with an RFP for the EAM platform, with Vice Mayor Pontieri requesting an ROI analysis and cost-savings breakdown to be presented alongside the RFP.
Asked about the city's strategy for investing the large influx of cash from the recently sold municipal bonds, specifically whether bond proceeds would be managed separately and how short-term investing would be handled while the utility department draws down funds over 8-10 years.
Stated that six months ago the council gave staff a short period to show improvement, that significant improvement has been achieved, and that RFPs for golf course management have been tried before and failed.
Recommended giving the current manager at least a year before considering an RFP.
Strongly opposed an RFP, calling it short-sighted given the $400,000 revenue improvement achieved in six months.
Argued the current manager has demonstrated accountability and positivity, that outside operators historically run courses into the ground, and that there are other revenue opportunities to explore such as grants and partial public-private partnerships that do not require handing over management.
Did not give his name at the podium.
Made a 'crawl, walk, run' analogy urging patience with the current management.
Supported caution on any RFP and emphasized the course is 'ours.' Argued for replicating what parks and rec has done rather than handing management to an outside system.
Identified herself as a member of the Palm Harbor Ladies Golf League for five years.
Spoke about the social and health value of the golf course for women in the community, noting many have formed lifelong friendships there.
Referenced 55,000 tee times last year with just over 100,000 residents, and full parking lots.
Compared Palm Coast to Fort Lauderdale where she watched city courses close first.
Urged the council not to take the course away from residents.
Addressed Vice Mayor Pontieri directly, expressing agreement with her position.
Said the council has an opportunity to let the course move forward and that the current manager listens to residents and is accountable.
Warned against rushing to an RFP before the current trajectory plays out.
Suggested some council members may not be present long enough to manage what an RFP could set in motion.
Raised that 16 years ago the city entered a deal with Kemper Sports to run the golf course for 8 years, during which the city lost money while Kemper made a profit.
Argued against repeating that history.
Suggested an enterprise fund so golf course profits are reinvested into the course rather than diverted elsewhere.
Strongly praised the current manager's turnaround.
Long-time Palm Coast resident (since 2003) who plays golf at Palm Harbor every Wednesday.
Questioned how the average round can be $37.61 when he pays $61 per round.
Argued the course should focus on marketing to existing customers rather than political considerations.
Said the city has too many other large issues to make the golf course a problem again.
Non-golfer who is a long-time resident.
Spoke about the golf course as part of the 'municipal fabric' of Palm Coast, saying the city would not exist without it and that it can turn a profit with proper management.
Suggested the council find more employees like the current golf course manager for other city amenities such as pickleball courts and splash pads.
Lives on the golf course and chose his home 10 years ago because of it.
Questioned why some council members continue pushing to bring in outsiders despite the course's improvement.
Raised concerns about potential ulterior motives.
Urged giving the current manager more time.
Praised the greenskeeper Roger as a 'treasure.'
Palm Coast resident who commended the current manager and staff.
Argued that any outside management company would need to recoup investment somehow, likely by raising green fees, and that there is no guarantee they would improve the course.
Said affordability for residents is key and that the current fee structure is competitive with other county courses.
Asked whether the city has ever applied to be listed on the Florida Historic Golf Trail, noting the course is over 50 years old and the program is run by the Florida Department of State with over 50 public courses listed.
Suggested this could be free advertising and potentially open grant funding, including possible national historic designation.
Stated his opinion using an acronym for RFP that he declined to finish.
Said the current manager is doing a superb job and suggested he deserves a $10,000 bonus, comparing the improvement to the value generated.
Identified himself as a Palm Coast resident of 7 years and presented a detailed private investment proposal for Palm Harbor Golf Club.
His team of seven (four local residents) proposes to invest private capital — no city funds — to engage golf course architect Ron Garl for a course evaluation, construct a 30-bay technology-enhanced driving range (similar to what won the Golf Range Association of America's best driving range award at Clermont National), build an outdoor covered food and beverage area and new kitchen, enhance parking, and eventually replace the clubhouse.
He offered to arrange bus transportation for the council, staff, and residents to tour Clermont National.
His team includes the former VP of Attractions for Universal Studios.
Long-time Palm Coast area visitor since before 1990 who recalled ITT's original golf courses and the Sheraton Hotel.
Said Palm Coast's best course (Matanzas Woods) is gone, cautioned about a slippery slope.
Expressed support for keeping the course as a municipal 'muni' serving senior citizens and lower-cost players, and opposed turning it into a high-end facility.
Recommended running with what the city has and staying away from an RFP.
Raised several clarifying questions about the proposed charter amendments: (1) whether three censures means three different events or the same event censured three times, and what time period applies; (2) raised confusion about whether the proposed vacancy language requiring a special election after appointment would apply even when a seat is already on the upcoming general election ballot; and (3) expressed concern that the 30-year term for unfunded contracts is excessive and more appropriate for emergencies than routine use.
Expressed strong concern about the CRA, characterizing it as a free ride for developers paid for by Palm Coast taxpayers.
Said the CRA was created using a tenuous finding of necessity (a dilapidated trailer and a few pine trees called 'Whispering Pines').
Questioned whether residents should ask for the 6-cent optional gas tax to be removed or suspended given that transportation needs are not being met.
Argued the CRA has subsidized apartment complexes rather than the commercial and cultural amenities originally promised.
Requested to know who owns the CRA properties.
Thanked staff for the CRA overview presentation and provided historical context: the 2008 financial crisis severely impacted the CRA's early years, which explains much of the underperformance.
Supported exploring a CRA extension and noted that several large projects (Promenade, Saw Landing Station) are just now coming online.
Noted that the city purchased significant land through the CRA in 2005-2007 that is now being put out for redevelopment RFPs.
Raised objections to the duplex lot development proposal on grounds of neighborhood compatibility, arguing that two small homes (effectively 'double-wides') on a previously single-duplex lot would be incompatible with surrounding 10,000 sq ft lots, would negatively impact property values through comparable sales, and that this is not consistent with what ITT envisioned for Palm Coast.
Requested an FOIA for the list of duplex lot owners, alleging potential market manipulation by developers or council members with financial interests in those lots.
Builder who presented a detailed financial analysis showing how stacked policy changes (lot split, smaller home size, one-car garage, deferred impact fees) could reduce a home's cost by over $100,000, making it attainable for teachers, firefighters, nurses, and seniors earning $58,000-$87,000/year.
Clarified that duplexes already have separate PEP tanks so there is no additional infrastructure burden.
Argued that a lien for deferred impact fees prevents quick resale and provides an affordability mechanism without requiring ongoing income monitoring.
Addressed the council's concerns about monitoring requirements.
Questioned why the transportation impact fee fund shows a spike to nearly $15M in FY2028 and then drops back to $8.6M — sought clarification on whether this was a data anomaly or planned project timing.
Also asked about the status of Royal Palms Parkway peak-hour trip counts relative to the Town Center DRI trigger that would require installation of a box culvert.
Expressed opposition to the duplex lot development proposal, arguing it is primarily about developer profit rather than genuine affordability, that it threatens property values, and that Palm Coast already has affordable new construction available.
Argued the proposal would increase intensity and density and is incompatible with existing neighborhoods.
Asked what specific transportation costs the 6-cent optional local fuel tax funds, noting it does not appear to be addressing potholes, road deterioration, or shoulder repair.
Requested the council consider working with the county to remove or suspend the optional tax to offset increased costs residents are facing.
Thanked the council for all unanimously opposing the sale of the golf course, and urged the council to place a perpetual covenant on the 147 acres restricting it to recreational use, to create a stable foundation for current and future management and eliminate ongoing uncertainty.
Suggested coupling this with a Florida Historic Golf Trail designation application.
Described a specific April 8, 2026 rainfall event where he monitored drainage conditions near his home.
Reported that the neighboring property at 140 Frontier is approximately 3 feet 2 inches higher than his, causing water to continue sheeting onto his property even when the swale reaches capacity.
His Palm Coast Connect complaint was closed the next morning with a generic response about standing water being normal.
He noted the city's technical manual limits elevation differences between properties to prevent drainage impacts, yet new construction appears to be exceeding those limits.
Asked why the standard is not being enforced.
Observed that the real estate market has slowed significantly compared to recent years and urged the council to factor that into all deliberations.
Commended the council for unanimously agreeing not to sell the golf course and requested that a perpetual covenant be placed on the 147 acres to permanently protect it as recreation land.
Praised the Citizens Academy program and suggested it be offered more than twice a year, or that the spring and fall scheduling be reconsidered to allow broader community participation.