[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6401235,"mediaKeyId","2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80","parentId",2065427,"title","Eustis schedules Jan. 13 retreat on downtown redevelopment as commissioners debate hiring consultants and land-use counsel","audioSeconds",2414,"startMs",2504000,"endMs",4918000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80&start=2504&end=4918","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80/thumbnail_2504000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6401235/Florida/Eustis-schedules-Jan-13-retreat-on-downtown-redevelopment-as-commissioners-debate-hiring-consultants-and-land-use-counsel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6401235-b9da96e73644e73209a8b6741b64021c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181890&Signature=AkPOGFQHfUG3t80lUm2Bv9MBYvtQO-OizRqt8QS2kZC6XnacQiHZhNtbQcbYXtvgIKwKNQTqLecB-9b9oo7VuTWtSrvzgBddF8eonTow0qdKjBmNKzOik8dtB0kKdIl8GImH49mXKt7GrkCEmV65d-XldYdvh6ORTzbs9dnztdQMFyvFKLFvKkVzgcinRWRe-Xd-srWZZsz-W-XwuBk5suIplrysS~PXPIOEmhypYgbVTd78-Bfe7t-g4mQd7exz4OzOR9JhuRpDwRekuGxZais2dfcxM25xu3ZMCutt0EHYq3WbB8S1MCQwtqcMQKCcgOPI5j2mKEXs7Hj9UG50Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eustis, FL","date","2025-01-03T12:45:25Z","article","The City of Eustis Commission directed staff to schedule a retreat on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, to discuss downtown redevelopment, commission priorities and whether to engage outside experts to advise on land-use, redevelopment negotiations and design standards.

Commissioner George Asfadi urged an immediate workshop and recommended hiring a consultant and an experienced land-use attorney to “empower” the commission and staff before or while working with the developer identified in the city’s exclusive negotiating agreement (referenced in the meeting as G3C2). Asfadi said the goal was to ensure the city sets clear expectations and design standards and does not cede leverage to developers.

Other commissioners voiced caution that bringing in additional consultants could delay progress on the downtown project, which the commission and the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) have been working on for years. Commissioner Michael Holland and Vice Mayor Gary Ashcraft emphasized the importance of moving forward and not needlessly delaying a plan that already has significant prior work, including a master plan and an existing agreement with a developer. City Manager Tom said the city has an obligation to work in good faith with G3C2 during the six-month period referenced in the agreement, but added that the city can concurrently hold workshops and pursue consultants.

City Attorney Sasha informed the commission that the CRA had approved the contract with G3C2 and that, under that agreement, the city should be mindful of limits on separate negotiations or meetings that could conflict with the CRA’s commitments. Sasha recommended notifying the developer of the planned workshop and inviting their representatives so the workshop would not create an apparent conflict with the CRA-approved agreement.

Commissioners agreed to hold a retreat on Jan. 13 starting at 10 a.m., with location to be determined, and directed staff to invite potential consultants and report back on land-use counsel options. Tom said he would research and invite at least one candidate with municipal redevelopment experience (he mentioned a possible consultant, Mike Gohman) to participate in the workshop discussions. The workshop was described as an initial, open-ended planning session; commissioners said they were prepared to extend the meeting as needed.

The discussion also revisited the city’s master plan timeline and past delays; commissioners cited the master plan’s original 300‑day estimate and said actual work had taken longer, to illustrate the value of external expertise. No formal contract awards or procurement decisions were made at the Jan. 2 meeting; commissioners asked staff to return with options and potential costs for consultants and counsel at a later date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Commission Meeting - 02 January, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission agreed to a Jan. 13 workshop to align on downtown development goals while commissioners debated whether to hire consultants and a land-use attorney to strengthen the city’s negotiating position with developer G3C2.","taxTitle","City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida","taxId",71128,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6401241,"Eustis commission approves Resolution 2501 appointing liaisons and alternates to local boards",513,1957000,2470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80&start=1957&end=2470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80/thumbnail_1957000.jpg","/articles/6401241/Florida/Eustis-commission-approves-Resolution-2501-appointing-liaisons-and-alternates-to-local-boards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6401241-a579fb2da26d74109f1c5bd12295880e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181890&Signature=Ul7DQz9kkJVXb42KDPx0hQ-xhoys47zqsaXBvIdLA5T2TQyMNHw8MuvO7GKEpN-HWnrnAFMVMoi6QMQBFSWtRwVoRkzKDMKnYFUPvas~Le~OW7McakuKpuohAIOxLv7WIomCwDTCnrcVeGXPtul0kDogPNSrLSTR-8IxoGNa4YBJK-n3OMb3b1z6o2RG-8uucG1ZJLumNz1CJTFVoTtEkiQcIq5LmbfFIRk3LAML77qddMMJ1SND5aMjdT1RM2mqkahMq1uFOZR5NiYb3Vmcnf8PEiItjsgRmdGHmn4eKwATT88jnqrM90zl-h3xvWrBRL9B-RIbfvZDU7YAjxe~KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Eustis Commission unanimously approved Resolution 2501 at its Jan. 2 meeting, designating primary and alternate commissioners to serve as liaisons on multiple local boards and committees.

Resolution 2501, described by staff as a housekeeping measure, lists appointments intended to ensure the city’s interests are represented on outside organizations. Commissioners volunteered for positions one by one during discussion; notable appointments announced in the meeting included Commissioner Emily Lee remaining as the city’s representative to American In Bloom, Mayor Willie Hawkins serving on the audit committee, and Pam Rivas named as the city’s primary representative to the Lake County Arts and Cultural Alliance with Christine Cruz as alternate.

Other placements included Commissioner Gary Ashcraft continuing as the city’s representative to the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization governing board, with George Asfadi designated as alternate. Commission members said they will provide the full list of appointments in the record and the resolution posting on the city website.

City staff presented the resolution and opened an opportunity for public comment; none was received on the item. The commission moved to approve the resolution by motion and a unanimous roll-call vote.","The City of Eustis Commission adopted Resolution 2501 on Jan. 2, 2025, appointing commissioners and alternates to a range of boards and committees; the vote was unanimous.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6401246,"Residents and a county nurse urge Eustis commissioners to stop fluoridating water",47,1478000,1525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80&start=1478&end=1525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80/thumbnail_1478000.jpg","/articles/6401246/Florida/Residents-and-a-county-nurse-urge-Eustis-commissioners-to-stop-fluoridating-water","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6401246-9d16b40a92705e2005534ac73242ed78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181890&Signature=cArsbZN-QIS8YBAyUd5T8yHYcdO6fRfh8AnQbgT-YIw9woH1X6Oyx3PpCsBThl8bWsmeqXBEXdAdsn04x6UmqIi6QEaCessmGbR4gFiczDqxa2umk8kB~MGnIZkhtbVvuURMLNpqpdEfWbAFgjJWKIbNFWIeMq~O2Sb0uBODbkgXNQ1s7PhnU~1RET38AhgSmczoyRZwSM3-ympo-atuc-TpTyCsc5cnQsw0pxS7450okevoXMge-w35Dgm~2ajRmJr3o0v5FBnV5wBkmyvc-FjtrR2YbzlB3wbExlt4XL93TrD8pReMRBnZUdlXAg1vQdYqjvLFuP6~JUIBv~2Qtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three people at the Jan. 2 Eustis City Commission meeting urged commissioners to end or pause fluoridation of the city’s water system, raising health and consent concerns.

At the audience-to-be-heard portion, Jackie Forward, who identified herself as a resident of Grand Island in the City of Eustis, said Tavares had recently removed fluoride from its water system and asked the Eustis commission to “write a new chapter” by considering the same step. Forward said the move in Tavares was “a remarkable stand toward the health of the community.”

Nicole King, a registered nurse, told commissioners she had attended multiple meetings to press the issue. King said health-care professionals should “educate and advocate” and that individuals should have “the right to choose what medical interventions are presented to them.” She told the commission that some recent studies and legal developments had raised concerns about long-term fluoride exposure and said she believed the state surgeon general, Joseph A. Ladapo, had called for municipalities to consider removing fluoridation from public water systems. King also named several Florida jurisdictions she said had stopped fluoridation, including Tavares, and asked the commission to consider pausing fluoridation until state and federal guidance are clearer.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the requests during the meeting. City staff did not present a report or recommendation on water fluoridation at the Jan. 2 session; no vote or formal direction to staff was recorded in the meeting minutes or the transcript.

Speakers framed their comments as requests for further consideration and for public consent before continuing fluoridation. Commissioners accepted the public comments and moved on to other agenda items.","Several members of the public urged the City of Eustis to end fluoridation of municipal water, citing health concerns and recent local actions; commissioners did not take action at the Jan. 2 meeting.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6401251,"Eustis commissioners sworn in; Willie Hawkins elected mayor, Gary Ashcraft elected vice mayor",77,693000,770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80&start=693&end=770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2065427-d740c86ce5f3f4777309cf156ab7ac80/thumbnail_693000.jpg","/articles/6401251/Florida/Eustis-commissioners-sworn-in-Willie-Hawkins-elected-mayor-Gary-Ashcraft-elected-vice-mayor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6401251-ea747a3d70b523145654b1464c83154b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181890&Signature=NfVonaZ4-PZwmzA4gfp0hTLw4uwb9dhlZWxZHpys6FgdCkLxzfjA783lA4R9kSIgnqUm7xlOkvzM~ADkRvzHgrD2w5mr08H8~ntIAMPmbpJRJkH~H33kiA6-a5eynKfadMEioCX36kuXbz93gmDQDqvLC~YikRpFpygfgVIYdF4lqJeuRYX~4ZAuEplHbqnRy6wU9-3-DYbO9TdgKQJC~dTP3ateIOyYAe8YoLi8-PwbPVRsX5vgJTwyug5T4JlEncCyGC7D1ZMgX2F5gs9ObbnGY8qHgPMzPxWl40nn~n2g4S~dH-ukiOskV8WGX5I2eLFhM1aI4nBEyx5djGJMug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Eustis Commission swore in three commissioners and elected Willie Hawkins as mayor and Gary Ashcraft as vice mayor at a regular meeting on Jan. 2, 2025, at Eustis City Hall.

The swearing-in included Commissioner Willie Hawkins (seat 3), Commissioner George Asfadi (seat 4) and Commissioner Emily Lee (seat 5). After the oath of office, commissioners opened nominations for mayor; with only one nomination submitted, commissioners held a roll-call vote and unanimously elected Willie Hawkins to serve as mayor for 2025. Commissioners later nominated and elected Gary Ashcraft to serve as vice mayor by roll call after receiving the necessary affirmative votes.

The nominations followed the commission clerk’s announced procedure for elections, which calls for roll-call votes in alphabetical order when there is a single nominee or multiple nominees until a nominee receives three affirmative votes. The commission’s roll call for the mayoral vote recorded aye votes from Commissioners George Asfadi, Gary Ashcraft, Willie Hawkins, Michael Holland and Emily Lee; the same five commissioners later recorded aye votes to elect Ashcraft as vice mayor.

“I have big shoes to fill,” Hawkins told colleagues after taking the gavel, thanking the outgoing leadership and promising to work with the commission. Other commissioners offered brief remarks of support and congratulations after the votes.

Procedural business that followed included approval of the Dec. 12, 2024 minutes and routine consent agenda items, both approved by roll call earlier in the meeting.

The oaths of office were administered at the start of the meeting and referenced the U.S. and Florida constitutions and the charter of the City of Eustis as part of the standard ceremony.","At its Jan. 2 meeting the City of Eustis Commission held oath ceremonies for three commissioners and elected Willie Hawkins mayor and Gary Ashcraft vice mayor in unanimous roll-call votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Eustis schedules Jan. 13 retreat on downtown redevelopment as commissioners debate hiring consultants and land-use counsel

Eustis commission approves Resolution 2501 appointing liaisons and alternates to local boards

Residents and a county nurse urge Eustis commissioners to stop fluoridating water

Eustis commissioners sworn in; Willie Hawkins elected mayor, Gary Ashcraft elected vice mayor