City of Deltona  
2345 Providence Blvd.  
Deltona, FL 32725  
Minutes  
City Commission  
Monday, December 15, 2025  
6:30 PM  
Deltona Commission Chambers  
Revised 12-12-2025  
PUBLIC FORUM: 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM  
BUSINESS MEETING - 6:30 PM  
1. CALL TO ORDER:  
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Avila.  
2. ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK:  
Present:7 -  
Mayor Avila  
Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez  
Commissioner Colwell  
Commissioner Heriot  
Commissioner Howington  
Commissioner Nabicht  
Commissioner Santiago  
3. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:  
A.  
Invocation Presented by District 2 Commissioner.  
National Anthem- Deltona High School Blue Brigade Band  
Honoring Veteran: Vanessa Balous - E-5 Sergeant, 92A Automated  
Logistic Specialist - U.S. Army  
4. ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS:  
Motion by Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, seconded by Commissioner  
Howington, to have Former Commissioner Tom Burbank come and do a  
historical presentation with the Historical Society. The motion carried  
by the following vote:  
For: 7 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Howington,  
Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago  
5. PRESENTATIONS/AWARDS/REPORTS:  
A.  
B.  
Super Star Student Awards for the second grading period of school year  
2025/2026.  
Retirement Recognition of Community Development Manager Angelia  
M. Briggs  
C.  
D.  
E.  
The Deltona Wolves  
Parks & Recreation project updates.  
SOX Erosion Solutions Presentation  
6. DELTONA COMMUNITY EVENTS:  
7. CONSENT AGENDA:  
Commissioner Howington requested to pull Items 7-G, H and I and Commissioner Colwell  
requested to pull Items 7-A and C.  
Motion by Commissioner Nabicht, seconded by Commissioner  
Howington, to approve Consent Agenda Items B, D, E, F, J and K.  
The Mayor opened public comments and residents addressed the City Commission.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
For: 7 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Howington,  
Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago  
A.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-153, Investment Policy.  
The Commission and staff discussed 2020 & 2025 investment policies, adding language  
back to the policy, using an outside financial advisory, Section 17 - change the word "may",  
reporting to the Commission, and quarterly reports from the investment advisor to the  
Commission.  
Motion by Commissioner Nabicht, seconded by Commissioner Heriot,  
to table Item 7-A until the items can be rewritten in the policy and give  
the Commission an opportunity to review it prior to it coming back on to  
the next agenda, scheduled for the next Regular Commission Meeting.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
For: 7 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Howington,  
Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago  
B.  
C.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-166, authorizing the City to  
open an investment account with FLCLASS and authorizing the City  
Manager or designee to execute all appropriate documentation.  
Approved by Consent - to approve Resolution No. 2025-166, Investment  
Account with FLCLASS.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-159 to authorize the  
agreement between the City of Deltona and Volusia County for the  
Transform386 Award - Lake Sweet Gum Stormwater Drawdown project.  
The Commission and staff discussed pumping of lakes, flooding and impeding water,  
augmenting reclaimed water, possible benefit to CUP (Consumptive Use Permit), and  
being a possible enhancement.  
Motion by Commissioner Nabicht, seconded by Commissioner  
Howington, to approve Resolution No. 2025-159. The motion carried by  
the following vote:  
For: 7 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Howington,  
Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago  
D.  
E.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-160 to authorize the  
agreement between the City of Deltona and Volusia County for the  
Transform386 Award - Elkcam Boulevard at Lake Helen Osteen Road -  
Flood Mitigation Project.  
Approved by Consent - to approve Resolution No. 2025-160.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-163 to authorize the  
agreement between the City of Deltona Florida Division of Emergency  
Management (FDEM) for mitigation of four (4) residential homes in  
Deltona. FDEM requires a resolution that authorizes the Mayor to  
execute the Federally Funded Subaward and Grant Agreement Number  
H1244 Project Number 4680-019-R.  
Approved by Consent - to approve Resolution No. 2025-163.  
F.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-164 and the Task  
Authorization between the City of Deltona & Pegasus Engineering for  
Grant Management Services, specific to Hazard Mitigation Grant  
Program (HMGP) for the Elevation of four (4) residential homes in  
Deltona in the amount of $36,935.  
Approved by Consent - to approve Resolution No. 2025-164.  
G.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-155, First Quarter Budget  
Amendment for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.  
The Commission and staff discussed not moving park funds and doing repairs, spending  
an extra $1 million at Harris Saxon Park, adjustments affecting projects, prioritizing and  
reallocating park funds, parks with greater need, transferred money from FY 24/25 projects,  
rolling unused funds forward, and project invoicing.  
Motion by Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, seconded by Commissioner  
Nabicht, to extend the meeting. The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
For: 7 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Howington,  
Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago  
The Commission and staff discussed appropriations, not having final numbers, priority  
projects, fund balance, not completing projects and building up the fund balance.  
Motion by Commissioner Nabicht, seconded by Commissioner  
Howington, to table Resolution No. 2025-155 until the rest of the  
Commission can get comfortable with this. Maybe they can meet with  
the staff and get a comfort level that they are comfortable with and  
have it brought back at the next Regular Commission Meeting.  
The Finance Director stated we approved some of the other items that are on here  
regarding stormwater and transform 386. If this is tabled, then the funding is not in place  
either for those projects.  
Commissioner Nabicht stated he is comfortable withdrawing his motion if somebody wants  
to withdraw their second or the Commission can call the question on this and let it fail or  
whatever.  
The Finance Director stated the items in question are related to the parks because there is  
a zero amount. If you just remove all the reallocations of the park projects, excluding the two  
from FY24/25 which totals $504,000 then he can bring that back at the only meeting in  
January.  
The Mayor asked if the Commissioners who made the motion and second are okay with  
that.  
The City Attorney recommended that the motion be made as drafted with the removal of  
Fund 302. She believes that will satisfy the concerns of the Commission and the Finance  
Director, and excluding the FY24/25 adjustment.  
The Mayor stated the seconder withdrew and the motioner withdrew.  
Motion by Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, to adopt Resolution No. 2025-155  
for the First Quarter Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, with  
the removal of Fund 302.  
The City Attorney read the title of Resolution No. 2025-155 for the record.  
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nabicht. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
For: 7 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Howington,  
Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago  
H.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-171, and award Bid #26004,  
Install New Windows and Doors at City Hall, to Property Renovations &  
Construction, LLC.  
The Commission and staff discussed where the re-allocation is from, grant revenues, and  
how the difference is split.  
Motion by Commissioner Heriot, seconded by Commissioner Santiago,  
to approve Item 7-H.  
The City Attorney read the title of the Resolution No. 2025-171 for the record.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
For: 7 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Howington,  
Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner Santiago  
I.  
Request for approval of Resolution No. 2025-170 Adopting the Intent to  
use the Uniform Method of Collecting Non-Ad Valorem Assessments for  
a Fire Service Assessment for FY 2026 - 2027.  
Commissioner Heriot's virtual connection ended at 9:02 p.m.  
The Commission and staff discussed setting the rate, ad valorem assessments, Veterans  
and other groups, the implementation process, affirming the noticed legal advertisement,  
having good intentions, the Fire Department's operating budget, fire stations, funding  
mechanisms for operating, transport, the vendor bringing back options, applying for  
rebates, not committing to anything now, and streamlining the process.  
Motion by Commissioner Howington, seconded by Commissioner  
Nabicht, to approve Resolution No. 2025-170.  
The City Attorney read the title of Resolution No. 2025-170 for the record.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
For: 6 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Howington, Commissioner Nabicht,  
and Commissioner Santiago  
J.  
Request for approval Resolution 2025-172 John Peters’ Settlement  
Agreement. City Attorney Office.  
Approved by Consent - to approve Resolution 2025-172.  
K.  
Request for approval of minutes of the Special and Regular  
Commission Meeting of November 17, 2025, as presented.  
Approved by Consent - to approve the minutes of the Special and  
Regular Commission Meeting of November 17, 2025, as presented.  
8. ORDINANCES AND PUBLIC HEARINGS:  
9. ACTION ITEMS:  
A.  
Request for consideration of the Mayor’s appointment to the Ordinance  
Review Committee.  
Motion by Mayor Avila, seconded by Commissioner Howington, to  
confirm the Mayor's appointment of Dorothy Bier to the Ordinance  
Review Committee with a term to expire November 30, 2026. The  
motion carried by the following vote:  
For: 6 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Howington, Commissioner Nabicht,  
and Commissioner Santiago  
B.  
City Commission Forensic Audit - RFP#25020  
The City Attorney stated this is Item 9-B which is related to the City Commission forensic  
audit, RFP (Request For Proposal) #25020, this is a request for direction from the City  
Commission.  
Motion by Commissioner Santiago, seconded by Commissioner  
Nabicht, to reject the bid and take the fund balance to use for  
stormwater projects. Those are the needs of our residents in our  
community.  
The Finance Director explained the bid process which took place and provided the results  
of the bid.  
The Mayor opened the public comments and residents addressed the City Commission.  
The Commission discussed the August workshop, previous audit presentation, supporting  
the residents, reducing the scope, fine tuning the estimate, the amount budgeted, having  
outstanding audits, using the existing auditing firm, internal enhancements, policies,  
probable cause, independent audits, justification, requirements and best practices, being  
fiscally responsible, no documented evidence of financial misconduct or irregularities, and  
IRS (Internal Revenue Service) payments.  
The Mayor asked if the Commission wanted to extend the meeting and the  
Commission concurred.  
The Commission discussed procedural concerns, giving back money for stormwater,  
finding and fixing deficiencies, and doing the audit efficiently.  
The City Attorney stated on this item, the staff was seeking direction on whether to proceed  
through the procurement process and accept the single responsive bidder or to reject the  
bids. There is currently a motion and a second on the floor to reject the bids and reallocate  
the funds that were for this purpose to be transferred to stormwater for stormwater projects.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
For: 3 -  
Mayor Avila, Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner  
Santiago  
Against: 3 -  
Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Colwell, and  
Commissioner Howington  
Motion by Commissioner Howington, seconded by Colwell, to go back  
to this CRI organization, and revise the scope not to exceed the  
$500,000 budget.  
The Mayor asked for the motion to be repeated, and Commissioner Howington stated she  
motioned to go back to CRI and negotiate to revise the scope not to exceed $500,000.  
Commissioner Nabicht questioned whether the motion could be done as this is in the bid  
process.  
The City Attorney stated so in order to comply with this motion as presented, the  
Commission does have the discretion to do so, however, it would be through a suspension  
of the procurement process because the Commission has altered the scope significantly.  
Auditing is an exempt service, so the Commission would be able to proceed through an  
exemption. However, it would no longer be through this RFP.  
The Commission, City Attorney and staff discussed the bid process, the solicitation of the  
annual audit, financial services, waiving bid requirements, reviewing policies in totality, the  
Commission approving the revised bid, needing a tighter scope, following the bid for the  
Cities of Belle Glade and Apopka, presenting the revised scope in January, auditing  
financial transactions, audit time frame, authority and authorizations, the option to audit  
additional years, an annual audit rotation and scope, public opinion regarding the results,  
tailoring the audit to the budget, the current audit track and trail, doing a deep dive in the  
current process, annual auditors not opining on operations, and the audit being a financial  
tool.  
The Mayor asked the City Attorney to redo the motion. The City Attorney stated so his  
understanding of the motion is that the motion is to read, reject the bids with direction to  
staff to move forward on a modified scope with CRI utilizing the $500,000 budget as the  
cap and concentrating on the financial and operational concerns discussed during this  
hearing tonight and it will come back for a final vote.  
Commissioner Howington stated she would keep it a little bit more broad in just saying the  
scope, because just saying procedure might not encompass everything and she would like  
to get with the Finance Director and possibly talk through some scenarios.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
For: 5 -  
Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Colwell,  
Commissioner Heriot, Commissioner Howington, and  
Commissioner Nabicht  
Against: 2 - Mayor Avila, and Commissioner Santiago  
10. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS:  
A.  
Update on Damian Anson, et al., vs. City of Deltona  
The City Attorney stated just a few things the first one is good news. In the Anson stone  
Island case that has been pending for a while, we have had a lot of meetings about this and  
as you know, we have filed a motion for summary judgment and we prevailed. The case is  
closed. Now, there is one final issue we are asking for the Commission to consider and get  
a consensus which is whether the Commission is willing to accept the proposal by the  
plaintiffs, and she recommends the Commission does. They have proposed that the City  
waives its right to seek attorney fees in exchange for them waving their right to bring an  
appeal. Partly because this is a large group of individual homeowners, and even though she  
believes the City would prevail on its attorney's fees, collection is going to be onerous,  
costly, time-consuming and potentially futile. Again, her recommendation is that the City  
agree to waiving its right to attorney fees in exchange for them waving their right to file an  
appeal. She is asking for a consensus of the Commission and the Commission concurred.  
B.  
Development Moratorium, Howland Holdings Group LLC.  
The City Attorney stated the next item is with respect to the development moratorium. As  
the Commission knows, the Commission passed this moratorium, and it is set to expire in  
March. The City did receive a letter dated November 4th from JC Wilson and Associates  
Law Firm representing Howland Holdings Group, LLC. In this letter, which was provided as  
an exhibit, they have raised the position that they believe the moratorium is in violation of  
Senate Bill 180 (SB180). This item is to seek Commission direction and determine if the  
Commission wants to take action.  
The Commission and City Attorney discussed whether there is a lawsuit, the moratorium  
violating SB180, that actions taken would likely prevail, statutorily required safe harbor  
letter, withdrawing the moratorium, response time after suit is filed, the Commission  
notification time, possibly calling a special meeting, two separate projects, existing property  
exemption, the application process, providing for waivers and the time frame, possible  
options, the ordinance being illegal, repealing the ordinance, Senate Bill 840, sending a  
message to the delegation, and making a change for one applicant.  
The City Attorney stated option one is the Commission can acknowledge, via vote, that the  
ordinance is void ab initio, and then it is done. Option two, the Commission can opt to hear  
this informational item the City Attorney has presented to the Commission and take no  
action, recognizing that it seems there is consensus that if the statutorily required letter is  
provided, it would be disclosed to the Commission and a special meeting would be called  
within that safe harbor window.  
The City Attorney stated the motion on the floor, he believes, is to recognize that the  
moratorium is void ab initio pursuant to SB180 and therefore will not be enforced.  
Motion by Commissioner Santiago, seconded by Commissioner  
Nabicht, to cancel the moratorium.  
Commissioner Nabicht stated for the record, approving the moratorium ordinance was an  
illegal action and he was not party to that illegal action.  
The City Attorney confirmed that this is a motion that the moratorium ordinance is void ab  
initio and the Commission agreed.  
The Mayor opened the public comments, and the residents addressed the City  
Commission.  
The Commission discussed the moratorium vs. the development, threats from developers,  
the zoning process, the moratorium accomplished nothing, the impact fee study, slowing  
development, working with the delegation, and needing to work on changes.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
For: 3 -  
Mayor Avila, Commissioner Nabicht, and Commissioner  
Santiago  
Against: 3 -  
Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner Colwell, and  
Commissioner Howington  
The City Attorney requested three (3) Executive Sessions, one for the CBA (Collective  
Bargaining Agency), one for the Howard Station case which is set for trial in early 2026 and  
a separate one for the Burt J. Harris claim which has been brought in the Howland Station  
case. She asked that they be permitted to bring those three (3) Executive Sessions  
forward.  
The Commission discussed the dates and times of the Executive Sessions, not having  
enough time for discussions and being rushed, and having the Executive Sessions on a  
different days than the Regular Commission Meetings.  
The City Attorney replied that is fine, but the Howland Station and the Burt J. Harris will need  
to be done soon and maybe on the same day. The CBA can be on a different day, and  
certainly we will work with staff to get that scheduled at a time that works for the  
Commission. She wished the Commission Happy Holidays and thanked them for all that  
they do for the community.  
11. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:  
The Deputy City Manager stated she had no comments other than wishing each of the  
Commissioners, as well as all of the citizens and employees, Happy Holidays.  
12. CITY COMMISSION COMMENTS, REQUESTS & REPORTS:  
Commissioner Nabicht wished everybody Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas and a very  
prosperous New Year.  
Commissioner Nabicht requested a consensus that through the City Manager have the  
Volusia Sheriff's Department (VSO) in the near future bring in their cyber crimes people to  
put on a public forum regarding their experience with AI (Artificial Intelligence), he explained  
he is a current victim of an AI attack and the Commission concurred.  
Commissioner Nabicht requested a consensus to give the City Manager direction, to  
create a one time only additional holiday for the employees of December 26th to be  
treated like any other holiday in the City. The City Attorney stated just as a small nuance to  
that, pursuant to the City's collective bargaining agreement, it needs to be a motion of the  
Commission for the Commission to designate that holiday.  
Motion by Commissioner Nabicht, seconded by Commissioner  
Santiago, to give the City Manager direction to create a one time only  
additional holiday for the employees of December 26th, treated like any  
other holiday in the City. The motion carried by the following vote:  
For: 6 -  
Mayor Avila, Vice Mayor Avila-Vazquez, Commissioner  
Colwell, Commissioner Howington, Commissioner Nabicht,  
and Commissioner Santiago  
Commissioner Colwell wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous  
New Year.  
Commissioner Howington stated a resident approached her who would like to donate land  
for a pocket park, it includes wet lands, and the resident is requesting it be deed restricted,  
to just be conservation. She is asking for a consensus of the Commission if they are  
interested in looking into this.  
The City Attorney stated the Commission could agree tonight to have consensus to do the  
due diligence and bring this back, but he believes there would be a lot of additional impacts  
on the City such as long term maintenance costs, so the Commission may want to have  
additional information before making a decision.  
The Deputy City Manager stated we would also want to have staff involved because adding  
a dock is easy to say, but we do not know what other requirements are involved. She  
believes an operational study or at least a quick review with the entire team before bringing  
it back to the Commission to see if it makes sense for everyone. She requested that  
Commissioner Howington provide the information for staff to begin some research on it, the  
cost for maintenance and everything, and then bring that back to the Commission at a future  
meeting.  
Commissioner Howington wished everyone Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Merry  
Christmas and Happy New Year.  
Commissioner Santiago spoke about the Parrandas in the Amphitheater, Deltona High  
School Silver Mood Big Band, and she wished everybody a very Happy Holidays and a  
healthy and prosperous New Year.  
Vice Mayor Avila-Vasquez spoke about the Deltona Blue Brigade fundraiser, shopping with  
the deputies, Pizza Across America event, The three kings event, her daughter 's  
achievements, and she wished everyone a Happy Holidays, all inclusive to everyone here in  
the City of Deltona.  
Mayor Avila wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year.  
13. ADJOURNMENT:  
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:52 p.m.  
______________________________  
Santiago Avila, Jr., MAYOR  
ATTEST:  
________________________________  
Joyce Raftery, CMC, MMC, CITY CLERK  
The Mayor opened the public forum for those individuals who did not speak before the  
business meeting.