Regular City Council - October 25, 2022 at 5:30 PM

City Council 

Regular Meeting

October 25, 2022

 

The City of Titusville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Titusville City Hall, second floor, Council Chamber, 555 South Washington Avenue, Titusville, Florida 32796. Mayor Diesel called the City Council meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 

 

Those present in the Council Chamber included Mayor Daniel E. Diesel, Vice-Mayor Robert L. Jordan, Jr., and City Council Members Jo Lynn Nelson, Joe C. Robinson, and Dr. Sarah Stoeckel. City Manager Scott Larese, City Attorney Richard Broome, and City Clerk Wanda Wells were also present. Assistant City Clerk Jolynn Donhoff completed the minutes of the meeting. 

 

Mayor Diesel requested a moment of silence. He then led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. City Clerk Wanda Wells read the procedures for public comment and participation. 

 

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SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & PRESENTATIONS 

 

Central Florida Treatment Center - Titusville Clinic - No action was requested. Central Florida Treatment Center representatives Dave Kneesy, Regional Director, and Lisa Sweeney, Program Director of the Titusville clinic, distributed information. The representatives reviewed the following information with Council:  

 

  • History of treating opioid dependence in central Florida
  • The national opioid (dependency) crisis; fentanyl was the major drug of the crisis
  • Outpatient substance abuse treatment, counseling, drug screening services
  • Government agencies regulating the treatment center 
  • Medications and assisted treatment
  • Opioids were a leading cause of death
  • Fentanyl was (often) and unknowingly mixed in other (street) drugs like heroin, marijuana, etc. 
  • Fentanyl obtained on the street was not pharmaceutical grade or professionally made and the strength and composition could vary significantly, making it extremely dangerous 
  • Drug treatment programs were the only programs individuals could be thrown-out of for not complying with program requirements
  • No individuals ever sought to become opioid addicted. The problem usually began by taking medications prescribed to persons following a car accident, trauma, mental illness such as anxiety and depression, etc.  
  • 85% of paper money being circulated in the Unites States had residue traces of cocaine, fentanyl, and other drug residues   

  

Mayor Diesel and the representatives discussed treatment costs, funding, insurance, Medicaid, reimbursement costs, the majority of services were provided to walk-in patients versus patient referrals, rules for operating clinics, care was on an outpatient basis only, patient commitment, the homeless, etc. 

 

Member Nelson and the representatives discussed the location of the local treatment center (1825 Jess Parrish Court), resources for the public, daily capacity at the treatment center was for 800 persons, but current service levels were below this number, removing the social stigma associated with long-term use of anti-addiction medication, etc. 

 

Member Stoeckel and the representatives discussed various time frames in which drugs took effect in the human body, long-term treatment, anti-addiction drugs were not used by persons to get high, neuroplasticity studies, opioids could permanently damage the pleasure center of the brain, controls to offset patients selling their anti-addiction drugs on the street, incentives for persons to seek treatment, etc. 

 

Member Robinson and the representatives discussed other drug addiction treatment programs, all forms of formal support were encouraged, patient confidentiality, etc.  

 

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Sustainability Action Plan Phase II Update - No action was requested. Sustainability Planner Rachel Muller gave a presentation that highlighted the draft of the City’s Sustainability Action Plan, next steps, and implementation. 

 

Council commended Sustainability Planner Muller on her presentation and passion for her work. 

 

Member Nelson commented on the newly built Babcock Ranch Community, which was 30 miles north of Fort Myers, Florida. The community was built to withstand hurricanes. 

 

Member Stoeckel and Sustainability Planner Muller discussed her questions on what initiatives the State should offer to assist local governments and communities with sustainability. Sustainability Planner Muller began by advising that each City Department reviewed the draft Sustainability Action Plan and the initial response was a lack of funding; however,  the plan was new and this was the first time it was formally being reviewed. There were also funding opportunities through various public grant programs. 

 

Vice-Mayor Jordan commented on business owners carefully selecting the site of their (bricks and mortar) business locations, for the purpose of maximizing profits. He also commented that the definition of affordable housing could have a different meaning to agencies and individuals.  He summarized that sustainability was complex and it was important to start somewhere. Vice-Mayor Jordan encouraged Sustainability Planner Muller to persevere on these matters.

 

Mayor Diesel supported the Council’s comments. 

 

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PETITIONS AND REQUESTS FROM THE PUBLIC PRESENT (NON-AGENDA ITEMS) – 

 

Stan Johnston distributed information. He was opposed to a 2019 document entitled Resilient Titusville for reasons he explained. He also commented on his concerns for stormwater drainage calculations for floodways, pollution in the Indian River Lagoon, etc. 

 

Douglass Sears Conniff, Jr. distributed information. He read from a prepared statement that highlighted his concerns on a section of shoreline, high water flood stain marks and damage, documenting high water marks, making references from the past to the present, amending the City’s Code, inviting the Mayor or all of Council to visit the site that concerned him, etc. 

 

Mayor Diesel recommended Mr. Conniff follow-up with him after the meeting to discuss his concerns. 

 

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With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned 6:45 p.m.