The City Council meeting began with several proclamations recognizing important causes. Mayor Michael Norris and the council presented proclamations for Autism Acceptance Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Crime Victims Rights Week.
Vincent’s Clubhouse representative announced their third annual Autism Awareness Festival, highlighting their early intervention and adult programs. Family Life Center representatives discussed sexual assault awareness statistics and introduced Denim Day, explaining its historical significance.
Christina Mortimer, Director of Communications at Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, detailed the consolidated dispatch center’s operations and advocated for dispatchers to be classified as first responders rather than clerical workers. She shared personal experiences highlighting the traumatic nature of their work.
Carol Mini, Urban Forester, presented the Arbor Day proclamation and announced the 20th anniversary celebration of Palm Coast’s Arbor Day on May 3rd.
Following the proclamations, public comment was opened up to the residents. Jeremy Davis, a resident of Palm Coast in the P-Section, spoke about the extensive flooding on his property, due to the nature of the new builds all around. Other residents stood up to stand against the Belvedere Terminals Fuel Farm Project. Other residents spoke out about the traffic issues, a lack of feeling heard by the City Council, the airport noise, and disappointment with the failed attempt at the building moratorium, among other issues.
Following the public comment section, a discussion on the dias was opened up. Miller spoke about the issues of traffic on SR100 and the air traffic. He reiterated that SR100 is operated, controlled, and funded by the state, and it is out of the City Council’s hands. The air traffic issues are Federal jurisdiction of the FAA, and again out of the control of the City Council. The conversation then turned to Belvedere Terminals. Miller spoke about the need to diversify the tax base, and Pontieri echoed the sentiment of the people. She spoke about having an analysis done to ensure that the Fuel terminal is put in the best place possible for the safety of the residents, and functionality. Gambaro echoed Pontieri’s standing on ensuring the terminal location was in the best possible location. Norris spoke about the fact that Palm Coast doesn’t have any other land currently zoned for industrial. Pontieri echoed back that we have 20,000 acres in the Westward expansion we will have access to. Norris did not echo the same sentiments as Pontieri, although he did provide his consensus to have staff look into an analysis of the location of the fuel terminal.
Pontieri again spoke about the airport. There are options available that the city council can do, including writing a letter to the airport, and even filing a CFR Part 13 with the FAA, a form of dispute resolution, which is a type of hearing, where evidence can be presented and a ruling made. The County Airport does not have an aviation attorney on retainer, which is concerning to some members of the council. Norris stated he would like to pressure the county into signing the airport over to the city, as it is surrounded by the City of Palm Coast.
The council then moved to regular business, discussing several development projects including Somerset Phase 2, Lakeview Estates Tract 1, and Grand Landings Phase 5A. The council approved construction contracts for multiple stormwater improvement projects, including the Colbert Lane drainage improvements ($4.3 million), K-section drainage improvements ($2.8 million), and Pine Grove Canal dredging ($1.7 million).
Significant discussion occurred regarding industrial zoning and potential development, particularly concerning the Belvedere terminal project during the final council discussion on the dias. Norris took the time to explain with maps where the location of the fuel terminal would be regarding the water and wastewater plants and residential areas. Norris continued explaining the lack of zoned industrial areas within the city of Palm Coast. He pushed back on the information that has been posted on social media and online, calling it misinformation, and with the help of city staff, highlighted the exact locations of fuel terminals relating to current developments and city infrastructure. Norris reiterated, “I can’t be bought.” Pontieri continued the discussion by reiterating her desire for the site selection. She wants to be sure that the site location is the optimal location for this fuel depot. She did reiterate Norris’s concerns about the lack of industrial and commercially zoned lands within the city. Tax diversification has been a subject that Pontieri has regularly discussed since being elected to the City Council. She recapped their time in Tallahassee, explaining that two of the Utilities projects were able to be pushed through the House, as well as the YMCA.
