HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-2024 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES
10 OCTOBER 149 2024
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 5:00 PM, at the City Commission Chambers,
I` Floor, Sanford City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Art Woodruff
Vice Mayor Patty Mahany
Commissioner Sheena Britton
Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr.
Assistant City Attorney Lonnie N. Groot
City Clerk Traci Houchin
Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio
Absent: Commissioner Patrick Austin
City Attorney William L. Colbert
Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM.
1. Update from the Race, Equity, Equality, and Inclusion (REEI) Committee.
Barbara Coleman -Foster, REEI Chairperson, said this is the third year of
the committee's work. REEI has a group of dedicated members. She said REEI is no
longer an official committee under the Sunshine Laws, allowing the committee to do
more community outreach. REEI has met with the Sanford Museum, City staff, and the
Sanford Zoo. REEI has attended the UCF History Harvest, a Civil Rights History Tour,
and the Moore Cultural Arts Center in Mims. The committee will be participating in the
Emancipation Day Activities.
Ms. Coleman -Foster said the main signature event for REEI is Sanford
Speaks. She thanked Nicole Osburn, Community Relations and Neighborhood
Engagement Director, and Rachel Allen, Peace and Justice Institute, Executive Director,
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 149 2024
WORK SESSION
for their assistance with the recent Sanford Speaks. This year REEI hosted two Sanford
Speaks Events with approximately 200 people attending each event. She has met with
Lisa Holder, Chief Communication and Cultural Affairs Administrator, for advertising
the Sanford Speaks Event on a Podcast. Chris Smith, Project Planner, Urban Design,
played a news clip from Wesh 2 News who attended the Sanford Speaks Event. Ms.
Coleman -Foster read some comments from the Sanford Speaks Event and will share the
list with the Commission.
Commissioner Britton thanked Ms. Coleman -Foster for doing a
phenomenal job. Commissioner Wiggins said he attended a Sanford Speaks Event at the
Westside Community Center, and the committee is doing a great job. Mayor Woodruff
said he is a long-time resident and learns something new at each event.
2. Discussion RE: Communications by Lisa Holder, Chief Communications and
Cultural Affairs Administrator.
Ms. Holder provided a power point presentation, regarding the office of
Communications and Public Art. She thanked the Commission for approving the Digital
Media Specialist position. Ms. Holder said she is a founding board member of the Florida
League of Cities, Florida Municipal Communicators Association. The office of
communications plays a vital role in municipal operations, serving as the bridge between
the City government and its residents, businesses, and other stakeholders. A summary of
the communications office responsibilities includes Primary Media Contact; Social
Media Management; Communication and Multi -Media Efforts; Public Art Commission
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 14, 2024
WORK SESSION
Staff Liaison; Citizens Academy; Mayor's Youth Council Management; Podcast Hosting;
Community Relations; Crisis Communication; Administrative Duties; Content Creation
and Management; and Training and Development.
Ms. Holder said the Office of Communications promotes Civic Pride,
telling the City of Sanford's Story. She said the State of the City Event is coming soon.
The Communications Office is involved in Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies, handles
Videography, Photography, the Sanford Resident Guide, the City Manager's Annual
Report, and the Sanford Connects App. Some future projects include Small Business
Program; Community Engagement/Story Telling Campaign; Public Art and Cultural
Events Promotions, Digital Inclusion Project; Health and Wellness Initiative; a Crisis
Communication Plan; Tourism Promotion Campaign; Historical Preservation Awareness
Campaign; and Infrastructure Updates/All things Public Works and Utilities.
Commissioner Britton said she is looking forward to the new projects. The
Commission thanked Ms. Holder for all she does.
3. Regular Meeting Items — additional information.
4. Briefing Items
Mr. Bonaparte said the City employees will now receive holiday pay for
Veteran's Day, starting on November 11, 2024.
5. City Manager Comments
Commissioner Britton said it is getting close to Vice Mayor Mahany's
retirement. She asked Vice Mayor Mahany if she had any suggestions on how she would
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 149,2024
WORK SESSION
like to celebrate her retirement as well as ideas for a retirement gift. Commissioner
Britton said she would like to do something special.
There being no further business, the meeting was adfourned at 6:17 PM.
C �r
Attest:
Av
City Clerk
(CL)