Keystone Heights City Hall

555 S Lawrence Blvd

Keystone Heights, FL 32656

ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING ANY TOPIC ON THIS EVENING'S AGENDA IS REQUESTED TO COMPLETE A CARD AND RETURN TO THE CITY CLERK.  SPEAKERS ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUIRED TO LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO THREE (3) MINUTES.

“Please turn off cell phones”

Call to Order: 6:01 PM

Roll Call:

      Present:     Mayor Nina Rodenroth, Vice Mayor Christine Thompson and Councilman Dan Lewandowski

      Absent:      Councilman Tony Brown and Councilman Elston “Speedy” Kussler

Councilman Tony Brown entered the room at 6:22 PM.

Mayor Rodenroth provided the Council a brief recap of the previous strategic planning meeting and introduced Mr. Jeff Hendry from Florida Institute of Government.

Mayor Rodenroth spoke about the importance of updating the City of Keystone Heights, mission statement, slogan and vision and provided the Council with definitions.

Councilman Lewandowski stated that he would like the City Manager to explore whom helped Clay County put together thier strategic plan.

City Manager Van Zant spoke to Council and stated that Staff has prepared slides to develop the mission, vision and slogan.

Councilman Brown stated that he believes the City Council needs guidance in developing the strategic and comprehensive plan however he is concerned the city would need to go out to bid.

If the city uses a government entity they do not need to go out to bid for services.

Councilman Lewandowski asked that the next strategic planning meeting establish the mission, vission and core values and asked that whomever the city hires to work on the strategic plan be informed about the city itself.

The City Council unanamously agreed to recommend the Florida Institute of Government for strategic planning services with Councilman Kussler absent.

City Manager Van Zant spoke to Council about legislative priorities for 2025.

The City Council unanamously agreed to recommend the rough draft of legislative priorities for 2025 provided by City Manager Van Zant with agreed changes.

Councilman Lewandowski provided three pages of project suggestions.

Jamie Booth updated the Council on the tree removal in the lakes of Keystone Heights and the issues that are occuring with this process.

By consensus the Council will recommend funding for SOLO to continue the tree removal at next City Council meeting.

Councilman Brown spoke about lobbying as a group for the lakes and the removal of the trees.

Councilmembers discussed what they believe the legislative priorities are for the city and further discussed the lakes.

Councilmembers asked that the first meeting to start the strategic planning be January 7, 2025 beginning at 9 AM.

Executive Director at Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University Jeff Hendry gave a brief background of his experience in Strategic Planning and spoke about how he could be of help to the City of Keystone Heights.

Mr. Jeff Hendry stated he would review the City of Keystone Heights Comprehensive Plan however he would defer updating that particular document to a more specialized individual and recommended RPC (Regional Planning Council).

Mr. Jeff Hendry disscussed the differences between Comprehensive and Strategic plans.

Mr. Jeff Hendry stated that he believes that both plans can be worked on at the same time however he does recommend the City begin looking at the Comprehensive plan and stated that the Strategic plan will align.

Meeting Adjourned: 7:49 PM