In a special workshop on April 1st, 2025, the Palm Coast City Council met at 3 pm to interview the candidates who applied for the position of City Council Member for District 3, in light of Ray Steven’s unforeseen resignation. Originally there were 13 candidates, however, 3 candidates had pulled their applications.
Mark Burton was the first candidate who stated he was heavily involved in one of his previous communities, Boyton Beach Florida, down near the Everglades. Miller asked Burton what items would be a priority for the strategic action plan. Burton answered that it would be to diversify the tax base because people will not stop moving to Florida, and with the idea of property taxes for residents being on the chopping block under the Governor, there needs to be a plan for the City to replace that revenue should it be significantly lowered or even done away with. Pontieri questioned Burton on how he would have addressed the issue of raising the Utility Rates for residents. He responded that he would have looked into possibly spreading it out over a longer period if possible, but “you have to raise with inflation, you have to.” He explained that he is one of the residents on a fixed income so he understands the idea of bills rising without your incoming raising, but ultimately he stated it needed to happen to maintain the infrastructure within the utility department. Gambaro asked what qualities Burton would look for in a city manager. Burton explained that experience is important because the city manager is running the day-to-day of how the city is run. That experience needs to include handling rapid growth. Mayor Norris asked Burton for an example of a time you were presented with an ethical dilemma, where he had to choose the hard right over the easy wrong. Burton spoke to an example during his time selling computer software. During that time, he was selling software to the EU, where they had to deal with resellers who added no value but raised the pricing to customers, and he chose to reduce his prices to help the customers.
Douglas Courtney was the next candidate, a resident of Flagler County for 27 years, he was technically the first employee for the City of Palm Coast, as the City Clerk. Miller asked Courtney the same question on the strategic action plan and what his priorities would be. Courtney explained the city needs to take care of what they have already, yes growth will happen but an emphasis on what is already built needs to happen to ensure that our city remains beautiful and functional. Pontieri asked for specifics in policymaking on how Courtney would handle the issues facing Palm Coast. Courtney explained that the City has to get what they want out of growth. Gambaro asked Courtney what he would view as an ideal City Manager. Courtney explained that we need a quality city manager with experience to handle a growing city, and the second largest city in Northeast Florida. Mayor Norris asked Courtney for one experience where he was faced with an ethical dilemma where he was forced to choose the hard right over the easy wrong. Courtney chose to elaborate on a moment when he owned a business in a predominantly white community, and that community was against minorities. He explained he had the opportunity to hire the first female and first African American, and he was pressured to not hire them. Ultimately, he chose to hire the first female and the first African American, despite the pressure.
Mr. Fergusen was the next candidate up to be interviewed. He explained that he has been married almost 52 years, with 4 daughters, and 10 grandchildren. He spoke to his love for the City of Palm Coast and its uniqueness, and making an impact in the community. Miller chose to ask the same question on the strategic action plan. Fergusen answered that he feels that he knows what the city wants and needs. The city needs jobs, and it has needed jobs since 2012. He also wants to see the utility infrastructure taken care of, and smart growth, where land isn’t cleared years before building starts. Pontieri asked about policymaking. Fergusen currently sits on the PLDB for Palm Coast, where he explained that he has learned a lot about property owner rights. When asked if he could push back on developers, he said “That’s a touchy subject”, explaining that sometimes developers come forward to build years after being approved, and he would be hard-pressed to push back on property owners who have had permission to build for years. He stated that other areas could be pushed back developmentally. Gambaro again asked the candidate about what Fergusen would like to see in a city manager. Fergusen talked about the 5 candidates for city manager, and that he feels most of the candidates would be great choices. Norris asked the same question on ethical dilemmas. Fergusen told a story of when he was an employee in Jacksonville, and HR told him to fire an employee. Fergusen said he didn’t want to fire the guy, he wanted to give him a chance, instead of following the direction of HR in firing an employee. Fergusen did not fire the employee but moved him to Dallas, where he thrived.
Michael Flannagan was the next candidate, who has lived here for just over 5 years. He stated his goal is to be a contributing and productive member of the community. Flannagan was asked about the strategic action plan, to which he answered, water safety. He asked the question how do we work with developers on the water and sewer, and make that work better for the city. He was also asked how he balances the needs of the CDD he serves without raising the rates of those residents. He spoke about balancing the wants and needs based on the budgets. Raises will happen but managing the needs over the wants to benefit the majority of the community, will keep costs from rising beyond what is necessary. Flannagan was asked about what he wanted to see in a city manager, and he replied he wanted to see someone with business experience in addition to public service experience. Someone who has run departments and understands who they work for, and can help the board understand the complex questions. Flannagan was asked the same question by Norris regarding ethical dilemmas. Flannagan explained that in his career, he worked with large companies with large budgets for projects, where he was confronted with situations where he could have received bonuses or other perks. He explained he was raised to believe that you have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and be happy with yourself. He explained that he had chosen to take action against some of those who came to him with those propositions, to prevent it from happening again.
Cornelia Manfre was the next candidate to be interviewed. She explained her residency in Flagler County for 25, the wife of former Flagler Sheriff Manfre, and her children graduated from high school here in Flagler County. She explained her background working with commercial businesses in New York, and the deals she has brokered. When asked about the strategic plan, Manfre said her top two action plan items would be infrastructure and a city manager. Manfre thanked Lauren for her efforts but it’s time for a new candidate with business experience. She spoke to the utility infrastructure and the need to get that done as soon as possible. Manfre was asked how she would have handled the balance between needing the Utility Rate increase and the need for upgraded infrastructure. Manfre explained that the rate increase was inevitable, and all of the numbers needed to be crunched and critiqued, including what is allowed by statute to move funds to Utility to help offset the costs. Manfre was also asked about the qualities she would look for in a city manager. Manfre explained she would like to see a city manager who has handled the population and staff numbers we have now, as well as business acumen. Norris again asked the candidate about ethical dilemmas. Manfre explained that honestly she never had an ethical dilemma, but she has had hard debates, conversations, and negotiations.
Ms. Paulus has been a resident of the city since 2000. She spoke to her desire to get involved after noticing the growing pains of the city. Paulus was asked about her priorities for the Strategic Action Plan. She explained that she believes Palm Coast has grown past its capacities. She understands the need for the rate increase because the infrastructure needs to be handled, and economic development is the other priority. The candidate was then asked about balancing city services and keeping the budget low. Paulus explained that there are key aspects that should take priority, such as water, and roads/traffic, even if it means cutting back on certain programs. When asked about qualities for a city manager, the candidate circled back to her earlier comments about character being the biggest factor. She explained that the skills of a city manager could be taught, but the most important aspect for her is the character of the person. Norris again asked his single question regarding ethical dilemmas. Paulus explained that she had a personal dilemma in her life. She had a very sick mother in her life that she was responsible for for roughly a decade. She spoke to the fact she had a large team of employees working under her during this time, and she was faced with taking care of her mother through major surgery while juggling her job. She chose to delegate to her employees and take care of her mother.
Gene Perez was the next candidate to be interviewed by the Council. He spoke about his background when he moved from Irvine, California 10 years ago, what he thought the city council needed, and how the communication by the city could be improved. Perez was asked about the strategic action plan. Perez answered that everything impacts the city’s budget, in more than one way, and each decision should be weighed out including less obvious impacts certain decisions can make. Perez was then asked how he would have handled the utility rate situation. Perez explained that the city had not collected the appropriate amount of impact fees for years, and unfortunately, that meant that the rates had to be raised to cover the difference. Perez was asked about qualities he would look for in a city manager. Perez responded by explaining he doesn’t care for the term “manager”, but rather prefers the term leader; he explained there is a difference between a manager and a leader. Norris again asked his single question on ethical dilemmas. Perez explained when he was a branch manager in LA, he was faced with multiple situations where he was faced with many ethical dilemmas, and he always chose what was right. He continued explaining there is no “hard right”, there is right or wrong, and if it’s right, then it’s easy.
Dana Mark Stancel was next in line to be interviewed. Stancel ran for the seat originally against Werner and Stevens and lost in the primary. Stancel has previously served on the Code Enforcement Board. He served 20 years in the military, followed by serving a career in the Post Office. Stancel was asked about what his priorities would be regarding the strategic action plan. Stancel explained that industry would help the city, by diversifying the tax base. Stancel was asked about how he would use his “fiscal Conservatism” in policymaking. Stancel explained that he would like to see where the waste is, “do a Doge”, to see where the waste is and how it could be stopped. Stancel was also asked what he would like to see in a city manager. Stancel explained that the city needs someone who has experience with a city of relative size, with a background handling a larger budget. Norris asked the final question, regarding the ethical dilemmas. Stancel answered explaining a time while he was stationed in Germany with the Army. One of the soldiers committed a security violation, which was a bad one. He had a choice, report to the command, or let it go. He made the hard choice to report him to the commander.
Kandace Stevens was next up in the interview process. She has lived in Palm Coast for 10 years, she spoke about her love for Palm Coast and explained that is why she is applying for the position. She spoke about the community meetings she has helped to put on, and her ability to attend all of the city meetings. Stevens was asked about the strategic plan and what her priorities would be. Stevens answered, explaining her priorities are infrastructure, stormwater, and wastewater, and the traffic issues that the city is facing. Stevens was then asked about the utility situation. Stevens explained that this situation is complicated, and many residents simply cannot afford it. The situation has been kicked down the road, and she understands that hard decisions need to be made and while residents may not like it, sometimes those decisions need to be made. Stevens was asked about the city manager and the qualities she was looking for. Stevens answered that she is looking for someone who has worked their way up and has had hard projects successfully. Norris finished the interview with his signature question on ethical dilemmas. Stevens answered that she lives her life on law and order. During her time as a LEO, she spoke of a time when she was asked to overlook a situation, and she chose not to, instead placing the person under arrest for the crime committed.
David Sullivan was the final applicant to be interviewed. He has been a long-time resident of Palm Coast since 1999 and has previously served the Flagler County BOCC for 8 years, retiring in 2024. Sullivan was asked about the strategic action plan and what his priorities would be. Sullivan explained his priorities, which are that Palm Coast remains viable into the future, public safety, jobs, housing, and infrastructure. Sullivan was asked about his promises during his time on the Flagler BOCC. He spoke about how he was re-elected, and he was part of keeping the costs in check. Sullivan was asked about the qualities of a city manager. Sullivan explained that they need to be knowledgeable and a decision maker. He would like to see a firm, straightforward, decision maker as a city manager. Norris finished up the interview process with one single question that he asked of all the candidates, recalling an example of when he was faced with an ethical dilemma. Sullivan spoke about his time in the Navy as an intelligence officer. There was a first-class petty officer that had been mishandled, instead of being burned they were just dumped. The easy way out would have been to just ignore it, the hard right decision was to report it and go find the bags. The first-class petty officer was demoted in rank, and the bags were recovered.
With the interviews finished the next steps were discussed, where the discussion of applicants will happen on April 8th where the candidate pool will be narrowed down, and the appointment on the 15th. Public comment was opened, allowing residents to speak their minds regarding the candidates. One resident spoke out against Stancel, saying he was unethical on the code enforcement board. Pontieri made a request for documentation regarding the cases the resident spoke out about.
