Tensions escalate as Commission mulls killing city committees

In what might seem like deja vu for residents, the Winter Springs Commission saw heated exchanges among members Monday night following discussion on the sunsetting of various city committees as well as a request by Commissioner Paul Diaz for numerous city financial reports. 

The city’s boards and committees have been a popular topic of discussion with Diaz, who called for a removal of all city boards in the commission’s last two meetings, which was met with disagreement from his fellow commissioners. 

City clerk Christian Gowan presented city staff’s review of the various boards and committees, analyzing the purpose of each group as well as attendance and cancelled meeting records. 

“We’ve had some boards that frankly never meet because those that are appointed don’t show up,” Mayor Kevin McCann said. “So we do have some issues.”

The analysis looked at eight boards and committees, excluding the city’s Districting Commission as Gowan said it is set up by the city charter, with a recommendation by staff to sunset the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Veteran and Veteran Families Advisory Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. 

Discussions focused mainly on the Veteran committee, with McCann saying that while he understands attendance has been an issue, he would be hesitant to “surprise” the city’s veterans by suddenly sunsetting it.

“My ask would be: Let’s clarify specifically what [the veteran committee’s] job is,” McCann said. “Let me make one appeal to the American Legion and to our very own [Veterans of Foreign Wars post], and give them an opportunity to really make sure that this is something that they want.”

“I agree with you, mayor, that we definitely need to keep the veteran board,” Commissioner Mark Caruso said. “I support it 100% as well.”

The public input section of the meeting saw some speakers who argued against the sunsetting of the city’s boards and committees, such as former commissioner Rob Elliott, who spoke on behalf of the Oak Forest Homeowners Association president. 

“We are extremely concerned about a proposal to eliminate the various boards and advisory committees that serve our community,” Elliott said. “It appears there is a concerted effort by this commission to keep the residents uninvolved and uninformed as to what is going on in Winter Springs.” 

Resident Gina Shaffer told the commission she would be against the removal of the city’s Veteran Committee, citing her family’s involvement in the military. 

“I’m here to speak on behalf of the veterans who give their time and insight on this board,” Shaffer said. “The one thing that I learned in my life is that the more people that are involved in a problem or issue, the better the issue gets.”

But when the discussion turned back toward the commissioners, tensions began to rise as Diaz told his fellow commissioners the reality was “these boards are not meeting and not being effective.” 

“If we want to have a full-blown discussion on every single one of these, go for it,” Diaz said. “I don’t think it’s necessary. The city did the work for us, has made the recommendations, and I’m ready to make a motion.” 

As the discussion continued, McCann responded he felt that veterans deserve to be heard and he would “cordially agree to disagree” before being interrupted by Diaz asking where veterans weren’t being heard, with tensions rising before McCann signaled to Diaz with his gavel to restore order. 

“I would like to give them one more opportunity,” McCann said. “I’d like to go and talk to them. If this [commission] votes otherwise, let it stand. I’m okay with it.”

Diaz attempted to make a motion to follow staff recommendations that would sunset the three listed committees, which did not receive a second. A motion was made after by Deputy Mayor Cade Resnick to bring each board and committee back one at a time for discussion, which was seconded and passed 4-1, with only Diaz dissenting. 

The city’s next commission meeting, on Jan. 27, is planned to begin with the review and discussion of the Veteran Committee. 

Efficiency acknowledged, accusations perceived

Toward the end of the meeting, members gave their reports for the city, with many thanking city manager Kevin Sweet for his efficiency and work ethic since starting his position, attributing the meeting’s two-and-a-half hour runtime, notably shorter than usual, to his efforts. The time then came for Diaz to give his report, which he ended by reading an email he’d recently sent to Sweet in its entirety.

“I think it’s no secret … that I was likely to do the tough things, and I will not move away from some of those principles of some of the tough things that need to be done,” Diaz said. “Last week, when I met with the city manager, I did mention that I was going to go ahead and send him a letter just formally requesting some documents. What I wanted to do is go ahead and read that letter into the record for the audio and individual record.”

The request asked for detailed financial reports for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, including monthly reports on the city’s balance sheet, statement of net position, statement of activities, general fund and revenue expenditure reports and general fund budget to actual reports, with Diaz also asking for ongoing monthly reporting to ensure “timely and accurate financial oversight.”

Other members quickly reacted, with some appearing to perceive the request in an accusatory fashion as Diaz concluded by saying that “after tonight’s wonderful choreography and Tony Award-winning presentations, I’m sure we can imagine that there will be more similar letters requesting more oversight for other decisions that are being made behind the scenes.”

McCann directed the conversation to city attorney Anthony Garganese, who said financial records are available at request but in terms of producing new reports not currently scheduled, that direction would have to be given by the commission. 

“We have to work as a body … so that particular request would be a request, Commissioner Diaz, for a future agenda item to focus on those particular pieces,” Resnick said. “That way, it’s not a mandate for one, it’s a request for all.”

The discussion quickly became heated once more, as Diaz told Resnick that he had just sent an email to the city manager and that the commission could go ahead and “see what level of transparency we’d like to have as a body and as a city.”

“All I’m saying is I’d like to see some financials,” Diaz said. “They’ve already been produced. I’m just looking to get a sneak peek, if you will …  For decades, if you will, this body has not made similar requests for oversight. I think that that’s probably a more important question to discuss.”

“We’re an open book, and I wouldn’t want to stand in your way of getting information,” McCann said. “I just want to make sure we’re going about it all the right way … But you cannot be the finance director, you cannot be the city manager. There is an actual, laid out, organized plan, but I really appreciate how concerned and how fired up you are, and I really value that.”

The discussion then became heated between Diaz and Resnick, with the latter saying he was trying to help Diaz understand the perceived issue with the email.

“Well, thank you, Mr. Helper,” Diaz responded. 

“I am, because the decision to write the city manager in the way you wrote that is a directive, and our job cannot be directive,” Resnick said. “I was trying to actually help you to understand … the way you put it in place was a directive, which is counter to the charter … So you choose a path, choose it wisely, because there are people watching.”

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