By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
The Apopka City Council is set to convene on August 7th for its regular meeting with a full agenda.
Among the items are a closed and confidential executive negotiation with the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association, four presentations, six business action items, seven public hearings/ordinances, resolutions, and reports from the commissioners, administrator, attorney, and mayor.
However, the featured items on the agenda revolve around the Apopka Fire Department.
This will be the first meeting that Wil Sanchez will attend as the AFD's Interim Fire Chief. The former deputy was named to the post on July 29th.
Inside the meeting, but closed and confidential, is an ongoing negotiation with the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association. It will take place after the approval of minutes at the beginning of the agenda. Negotiations between the City and the firefighters have now gone beyond three years.
Later in the meeting, the J Angle Group will present its findings after evaluating the AFD. This is the second consulting firm to critique the department. In February 2023, Gannon Emergency Services delivered a scathing 45-page report on the AFD outlining a number of shortcomings.
Public comments, now scheduled for the end of the meeting, will provide residents with the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns about these and other matters. This will be the first meeting to implement the new schedule for public comments, and the council will be keen to hear feedback on this adjustment. Previously, the public comments section was scheduled near the beginning of the meeting.
The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of Apopka City Hall starting at 1:30 PM. For those unable to attend in person, it will be streamed live on the City’s YouTube page.
To review the agenda for the August 7th meeting or to download the agenda packet, go here.
