The mayor and city commissioners of Oviedo held their bi-weekly city council meeting on Jan.6 at 6:30 p.m. at Oviedo city hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. and then minutes were then approved for the Dec.2, 2024 regular session.
The floor was then opened to the public where four different city citizens made a statement about the fluoride usage in the city’s water supply. These citizens asked if the council could consider stopping the usage of fluoride in their water.
Oviedo citizen, Bethany Stevenson talked to the council about the dangers of fluoride consumption.
“Fluoride is essentially toxic to the human body, although in small doses, no acute effects are perceived. Our kidneys are able to filter about 50% of fluoride that we consume, but the rest is stored up in the body and known to build up over time. One organ that is particularly susceptible to fluoride buildup is the pineal gland, the part of the brain responsible for regulating sleep and reproductive hormones,” said Stevenson.
After the public floor was closed to commenting the mayor and committee members moved on to approve all consent agenda items and pulled two resolutions to present.
Resolution No. 4552-25 Award of Investment Advisory Services was presented to the council by City Manager Bryan Cobb.
“This is a request for the Council to approve the selection of a firm for investment advisory services,” said Cobb.
Cobb went on to explain that the city did receive proposals for advisory services and the committee then narrowed it down to two different management services. After interviewing two companies, the committee selected Chandler Asset Management to provide city investment advisory services. This resolution moves to approve the selection. Looking at the management’s site, Chandler Assest Management provides investment solutions to help risk-conscious clients better serve their communities.
Resolution No. 4552-25 was passed with a vote of 5-0.
The council then moved to a presentation for Resolution No. 4554-25, Third Amendment to Disaster Debris Removal Services Agreement. This resolution was presented by Mr. Cobb, and he said this is a request to amend the contract with the city’s debris management company to add clarification to the debris hauler’s payment.
“FEMA requires us to do is to go from the pick up on the right of way, take it to our site first, where it can be counted and reviewed by our inspectors, and then take it to the landfill. So, what we’re doing tonight is to amend the agreement such that it accounts for taking it to our site first and then taking it to the landfill second, rather than the one time of going the right of way to the landfill,” said Cobb.
Resolution No. 4552-25 was passed with a vote of 5-0.
The council then moved to discussion items. Mr. Cobb reminded Mayor Megan Sladek and commissioners that this is the time of year to choose what council members will serve on specific committees for the next year.
Council member for group two, Keith Britton, mentioned he wanted to be involved with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee in the next year. Council member for group four, Jeff Boddiford gave away his spot on the Seminole County Community Services Block Grant Advisory Board to council member of group 3, Alan Ott for the next year. Boddiford mentioned it was hard to attend the meetings last year due to his work schedule.
City Manager Cobb then completed his report by wishing the council Happy New Year and reminded them that this Wednesday, Jan.8 from 9am to 12pm, the Seminole County legislative delegation will hold their annual meeting at the Seminole County Commision Chambers. Where Patrick Kelly and Chief Coleman will be presenting their entertainment district.
The meeting moved to the city attorney’s report, where they brought up a discussion about amending the city’s charter allowing for voice votes instead of mandatory roll call votes during council sessions.
The subject was brought up of the possibility of limiting the number of times an ordinance can be reconsidered. The discussion was tabled to continue in future sessions. All the council agreed to follow up.
All individual commissioner reports were made, and Mayor Sladek emphasized the need to have a discussion about the use of fluoride in the city’s water.
Council member Boddiford, reminded the council of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan.20. The council was reminded of the MLK day parade on route from Oviedo High School to Center Lake Park.
The city’s next meeting is Tuesday Jan. 21 at 6:00 p.m. and the same night at 6:30 p.m., the council has their regular session. For more information of meeting minutes, please visit https://www.cityofoviedo.net/340/Mayor-Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. by Deputy Mayor, Natalie Teuchert.
