[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6164091,"mediaKeyId","5431580-31c0ba7c9915c7057e23fec24aa68130","parentId",5431580,"title","Public urges reopening manager search; one petitioner raises alleged illegal dams in floodplain","audioSeconds",3373,"startMs",1427000,"endMs",4800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431580-31c0ba7c9915c7057e23fec24aa68130&start=1427&end=4800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431580-31c0ba7c9915c7057e23fec24aa68130/thumbnail_1427000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164091/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Public-urges-reopening-manager-search-one-petitioner-raises-alleged-illegal-dams-in-floodplain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164091-7f77ad3ad5b2d9e7918d7df49f6afe68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186345&Signature=IyyzJtIiEXDvfghkpi3G~Y5lIphcXTroSs9wCBh9nZatN887W5R9j6u0kjswB2yBY1OiYF-gQaFsQ6fMgTs9ol094xA3MKVgG1xLvo42Fx0d979YSAaPjU4hgX-ihKfJKAOBHZRhjViIjRV-4oHUiR1EuYQxpcCU4o1z0WkbuL~uq6vEnVRAUcwRYtTj6EBoavw~lkuwKtbP6q6U9YKqPz89ZRFTzfKT8iG1MccxCDaAhsL2GJEfed9zVuQKdfcXWlM1xPueGMnhH~0Nb7B-P9M7scVRU6zD1LpAb9Nv3GeOT4YsfnSwyP-913I2UUalU94uPJFIZ5Hd08MMIZ6BPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Titusville","date","2025-07-20T13:15:06.133Z","article","Speakers during the public‑comment period at the July 19 Titusville meeting expressed a mix of support for the interim candidate and concern about the transparency of the search process. Several residents urged the council to reopen the nationwide search to bolster public confidence; others urged the council to retain the internal finalist to avoid wasting money and time.

Jesse Wright, a local developer who identified himself as associated with a Titusville resort project, told the council he supported keeping the interim manager and noted the candidate’s long service and availability during project meetings. By contrast, Tony Shipalone and other commenters said council actions and prior conduct had eroded public trust and recommended reopening the search so ‘‘change can come to our city.’’

Nut graf: Public comment reflected a divided community: some citizens valued continuity and the internal candidate’s institutional knowledge, while others said the city should use the paid search and broaden citizen involvement to avoid perceptions of a prearranged outcome.

Floodplain and code allegation

A petitioner identified as Stan Johnson (or Stan Johnston in parts of the transcript) presented a multi‑page packet and alleged that several dams or obstructions had been built in local ditches and floodplains without required surveys, compensatory storage, FEMA coordination or code compliance, and he cited ‘‘violation of city code 12‑11.’’ He asked what the city was doing to address the alleged violations and said the conduct represented ‘‘dishonesty and distrust of our government.’’

Council and staff response

Council did not take formal action on the floodplain allegations during the meeting. City staff and legal counsel did not present findings at the meeting; the petitioner’s claims were recorded in the public record and will require staff follow‑up for any inspection, code enforcement, or legal review.

Ending: Public comment closed after multiple speakers; the council recessed to meet with executive leadership and then returned to complete deliberations on the manager and attorney matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special City Council Meeting — 07/19/25 - 1:00 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters at the July 19 Titusville special meeting gave mixed views on the manager search — some urged keeping the internal finalist, others called for reopening the search — and one petitioner alleged multiple illegal dams and code violations in local drainage ditches.","taxTitle","Titusville, Brevard County, Florida","taxId",55029,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164095,"Council authorizes staff to negotiate with second‑ranked candidate for city attorney",311,7666000,7977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431580-31c0ba7c9915c7057e23fec24aa68130&start=7666&end=7977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431580-31c0ba7c9915c7057e23fec24aa68130/thumbnail_7666000.jpg","/articles/6164095/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Council-authorizes-staff-to-negotiate-with-secondranked-candidate-for-city-attorney","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164095-454dc96168d169ac312b4e96eb54c6c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186344&Signature=LEgUU2R3YAYcSH8cdSJjTlnW2LLaKwIRGepboA4KgjxHGuIQpboVAxf~8ztKovJ5FV2SvTYqRA383A5x~1yVCnTILZ3yIhyJB9SkIDhRkqlXNEB~8fLzPuruItEuTQHAuVNjNF538nasQGfw5J6ZRco9BXIZn~J42FvmEljyygUygHCgKPyAcvN1xqkLjhK3uTrmUsxaDrOsil7hXHtrm5wuLx1rJpCAtxkwLiT7vmI-ZUj8xoDgvz5wFfh57ihqKjAyunlYoxWrLAb914kVzrNDE5EJxj6DdKyja9Tu4uktlns3y2q5t0ReHWX6s7F6Erj3rZYfzFI2Vc~4KmkmAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Titusville City Council members voted July 19 to authorize staff to begin negotiations with the council’s second‑ranked candidate for city attorney after the top candidate declined to pursue the position.

City legal counsel and staff told the council that the search and ranking had concluded but that the first‑ranked candidate withdrew during post‑selection negotiations. Council direction to start talks with the second‑ranked candidate will allow staff to return a proposed contract to council for approval at a later date.

Nut graf: Council members emphasized expediency — starting negotiations with the next available candidate would keep the hiring process moving without reopening a lengthy nationwide search — while preserving the council’s right to review any contract before finalizing employment.

Details of the decision

City manager staffing options were presented after council discussion. The manager said the options were (1) direct staff to negotiate with the second‑ranked candidate or (2) begin a new search. Member Nelson said, ‘‘I think we ought to negotiate with number 2.’’ The council moved and seconded a direction to negotiate with the second‑ranked candidate; the motion carried unanimously.

Legal and procedural context

City legal counsel explained that whether the council directs staff today or on the next regular meeting, the contract itself must be returned to the council for approval; negotiations do not finalize employment without subsequent council action. Counsel also reviewed typical employment‑agreement elements: termination for cause or no‑cause provisions, severance triggers for no‑cause terminations, and recommended notice periods so both the city and a prospective hire have time for transition.

Public comment and process concerns

One public commenter suggested that prospective hires be offered contingent contracts to reduce uncertainty; other commenters raised concerns about perceived backroom deals in prior selections and urged more open citizen involvement.

Ending: Staff will open negotiations with the second‑ranked candidate, and any proposed employment agreement will return to the council for formal approval.","After its top city attorney finalist declined to negotiate, the Titusville City Council instructed staff to open negotiations with the second‑ranked candidate rather than immediately restarting a full search.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164100,"Titusville council appoints interim assistant as permanent city manager after split debate",7331,295000,7626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5431580-31c0ba7c9915c7057e23fec24aa68130&start=295&end=7626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5431580-31c0ba7c9915c7057e23fec24aa68130/thumbnail_295000.jpg","/articles/6164100/Titusville/Brevard-County/Florida/Titusville-council-appoints-interim-assistant-as-permanent-city-manager-after-split-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164100-929692dd42fcde91775c709c0df55684/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186344&Signature=WvfRAzp93kXb0OT9ZC-bR3V0G29JauXJqDmPB1D6zhAciimBcSThJ2TD9rUFU~yPssc4VXJh4DuhMRoZXFKJi6YFUDPv51A6NCQk25t6QAJ-zyoU6zlGwHrS~pkbpLqJu8Ck-iFuJ2ETsLHabHELpZNYI1bjwcbq5x5i7BI-kola7tcwQysm9W29Dv6t3HeX3CP~2Sh6x0SR8Cw5iOfPwk3JlUiW5zRmwXDsWMZt65JwSDGJMeuFuTvtTMPuPElxrpwPOHKzMlb79F4NdK9j6IC2yZuy8wbW0p6EsjtsvJWLlGMK80jYj5kJj7j0TjDo-GG9lBV1YUdkJqNCdRn91A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Titusville City Council voted unanimously July 19 to appoint Mister Amati as city manager, ending a weeks-long search after most external candidates withdrew and leaving one internal finalist.

Council members said continuity and the candidate’s working performance during an interim period persuaded them to act now. Vice Mayor Cole moved to appoint the candidate; the motion was seconded and carried on a unanimous roll call vote of five yes votes.

The decision came after a public interview of the candidate and a recess during which each council member met one‑on‑one with the city’s executive leadership team for feedback. The candidate described his priorities in the public interview: ‘‘I would like to see the city more proactive in addressing the city’s infrastructure,’’ and said he would ‘‘step up’’ community outreach and social‑media communications so citizens know why decisions are made.

Nut graf: The council’s appointment resolves an immediate leadership need but split the council beforehand about process. Some members urged reopening the national search to benchmark the finalist against other applicants; others said restarting would leave the city without a permanent manager for many months and that the interim’s performance and staff feedback favored appointment now.

Council discussion and rationale

Vice Mayor Cole told colleagues she was ‘‘totally impressed’’ with the candidate and with what senior staff told her in private meetings. Member Nelson said she agreed, citing the finalist’s ‘‘willingness to engage with the community’’ and positive feedback from senior staff. Member Stockel, who said she had been ‘‘beyond frustrated’’ with the way the search unfolded, also supported appointment after describing the candidate as ‘‘willing to work with all of us and all of our varying personalities.’’

During the public interview, the candidate — identified in the meeting as the assistant city manager and serving as interim — outlined management priorities including budgeting and staffing efficiencies, replacing obsolete enterprise software, and expanding community outreach. He described his leadership style as ‘‘collaborative’’ and said he ‘‘surround[s] [himself] with quality people’’ while holding them accountable.

Public comment and concerns

Members of the public voiced both support and opposition. Jesse Wright, a local developer, said he supported retaining the interim manager because of the candidate’s long service and availability during his development project. Several other residents urged reopening the search to ensure transparency and to avoid the perception of a prearranged outcome; Dr. Kathleen O’Rourke urged the council to ‘‘reopen the search’’ to get more candidates and broader citizen input. Tony Shipalone and another commenter said the process and recent council behavior had eroded public trust and urged a new search.

Formal action

Vice Mayor Cole moved to appoint Mister Amati as city manager; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call vote: Member Nelson — yes; Mayor Connors — yes; Vice Mayor Cole — yes; Member Stockel — yes; Member Mosco — yes. The council instructed staff to prepare an employment agreement consistent with council direction.

Context and next steps

Council members discussed contract length and termination provisions during the meeting. City legal counsel explained that charter officers are ‘‘at will’’ but that employment agreements commonly include notice and severance terms and that staff will draft a proposed contract for future council consideration. One councilor proposed a two‑year contract with an opt‑out; others noted that three council votes could terminate an at‑will charter officer if circumstances required.

Ending: The new city manager thanked the council for their confidence and said he would ‘‘do 110 percent’’ to justify the appointment. The council moved on to the city attorney selection process at the same meeting.","The Titusville City Council voted unanimously July 19 to appoint the interim assistant city manager to the chief executive position after public comment and council discussion that included calls both to reopen the national search and to retain continuity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public urges reopening manager search; one petitioner raises alleged illegal dams in floodplain

Council authorizes staff to negotiate with second‑ranked candidate for city attorney

Titusville council appoints interim assistant as permanent city manager after split debate