Council unanimously passes all agenda items; residents express concerns about water utility, pet fees, and pool closure
PALM COAST, Fla. — The Palm Coast City Council held its final business meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, December 16, honoring outgoing Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston and approving several ordinances, including the second reading of the backyard chicken regulations. All agenda items passed unanimously.
Acting City Manager Recognized
The meeting featured an emotional recognition of Lauren Johnston, who served as acting city manager for nearly two years after the previous city manager was fired. Council members and residents praised Johnston for her leadership during a challenging transition period.
Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri delivered extended remarks honoring Johnston’s service. “This very important, very stressful, and very demanding job was thrust upon you, Ms. Johnson, without any warning,” Pontieri said. “And you stepped up, you accepted the call, and you rose to the challenge.”
Pontieri presented Johnston with a plaque on behalf of the council, staff, and residents. “You’re handing over a good ship to Mr. McLaughlin,” she said, referring to the newly hired City Manager Mike McGlothlin.
Johnston thanked the council, staff, and residents in her response. “Thank you to our residents who supported me and those who didn’t because they challenged me to do better,” Johnston said.
Ed Fuller, representing the Palm Coast Citizens Academy Alumni Group, called Johnston “the very best in our community” and thanked her family for their sacrifices. “There has been no greater challenge in this community than what we had in the last 20 months,” Fuller said.
Backyard Chicken Ordinance and Fees Approved
The council unanimously approved the second reading of the backyard chicken ordinance, which allows residents to keep up to four hens in their backyards. The ordinance prohibits roosters. A companion resolution establishing permit fees was also approved unanimously.
Several residents spoke against the fees during public comment, arguing they make chicken ownership unaffordable. David Preet called the fees “outrageous” and said the city should be more “user-friendly.”
Jeannie Duarte also criticized the fees. “This is completely unaffordable, and it makes the grocery store look a lot more appealing,” she said.
Mayor Mike Norris defended the fee structure, explaining that regulation and enforcement carry costs. “There are costs to regulate. There’s a cost to regulate and enforce codes. That’s why there’s a fee,” Norris said.
Vice Mayor Pontieri elaborated on the council’s philosophy. “We want to be cost recovery. We can’t subsidize other people having chickens,” she said. “And if we don’t impose a cost on the person who has the privilege of having the chickens, then all the other residents are essentially subsidizing their ownership of chickens.”
Staff reported that 23 permits had been issued through the pilot program, with two expired and none currently in the queue.
Recovery Residence Ordinance Passes
The council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance regarding recovery residences, bringing the city into compliance with Florida State Bill 954.
Brownfield Designation for Economic Development
The council unanimously approved designating Track 17, a property in the Palm Coast Strategic Employment Zone, as a brownfield area for economic development purposes. The designation is intended to help the city obtain state and federal funding to prepare the site for commercial or industrial use.
Tony Amaral questioned the changing plans for the property during public comment. “Track 17 has been this council’s elephant in the room. It has been a park. It has been a commercial area. It is now a brownfield,” Amaral said.
Council members explained that the property lacks industrial entitlements, which are owned by a private entity seeking millions of dollars for them. The brownfield designation provides a pathway to obtain funding for land preparation.
Mayor Norris emphasized the need for industrial development. “The community at large needs to understand that less than 3% of our total land mass within the city’s boundaries is industrial,” he said. “Unless we have owners that are property banking to come forward and say, hey, we want to do something with this property, we are limited.”
Council Member Gambaro praised the creative approach. “This gives us the best opportunity, especially working with the state and applying for future grants to promote more jobs coming into our community,” he said.
Administrative Services Contract Approved
The council unanimously approved a professional administrative services contract with MBS Government Finance Group for the Old Kings Road Special Assessment Taxing District. The district has grown from 35 parcels among eight owners to 247 parcels among 35 owners, requiring additional administrative capacity.
Public Comment Highlights
Jeannie Duarte opened public comment by requesting an independent forensic audit of the city’s water and wastewater system and asking that the charter review be tabled until all council seats are filled by elected officials.
Holly Treat, who owns 13 rental properties in Palm Coast, raised concerns about the city’s policy of keeping water meters active when tenants vacate rental properties rather than locking them. She presented a $186 bill for a vacant property compared to a $27 fee in Daytona Beach for a similar situation. Staff took her information for follow-up.
Jeffrey Marsden raised concerns about the new city manager’s salary, reported at $225,000 per year, and the continued winter closure of the Palm Coast Aquatic Center, noting that disabled residents depend on the pool for exercise.
Vice Mayor Pontieri explained that opening the pool year-round would require replacing two pool heaters for $150,000 to $200,000. With the YMCA expected to open a facility in 2028, the council has deferred that investment.
Holiday Events Discussion
Council members addressed two holiday events. The Starlight Parade was canceled due to weather concerns, which Mayor Norris explained was a collective decision made out of caution given the city’s history of severe weather during past parades. The council planned a makeup event for Saturday at the Fantasy Lights celebration.
Regarding the boat parade, which had fewer participants than in previous years, Mayor Norris clarified that the city did not charge entry fees for boats. He noted that 45 boats had registered, but only 25 or 26 participated. The event was the city’s first time organizing the 42nd annual parade after the yacht club declined to continue.
Council Remarks and Holiday Wishes
Council members offered closing remarks, thanking staff and wishing residents happy holidays. Council Member Sullivan thanked Johnston for making his transition to the council easy after serving eight years on the county commission.
Vice Mayor Pontieri reported on her quarterly meeting with Flagler Humane Society and requested consensus from the council to review Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances, which includes regulations on the number of pets residents can have. The council agreed to have staff bring the chapter forward for review.
The city attorney announced that a shade meeting would be scheduled for January regarding litigation in the BBI splash pad case.
Vote Summary
All items on the agenda passed unanimously with five votes in favor. The backyard chicken ordinance passed 5-0. The backyard chicken permit fee resolution passed 5-0. The recovery residence ordinance passed 5-0. The brownfield designation resolution passed 5-0. The MBS Government Finance Group contract passed 5-0. The December 2 business meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
The council’s next meeting is scheduled for January. City offices will observe holiday closures for Christmas and New Year’s.
The post Palm Coast Council Recognizes Acting City Manager, Approves Backyard Chicken Ordinance in Final 2025 Meeting first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
