Tallahassee City Commission Meeting Briefs: August 20, 2025

Provided below are the news briefs from the Tallahassee City Commission meeting held on August 20, 2025.

Consent Agenda Approval. After pulling item 8.01, the remaining consent agenda items (8.02 through 8.08) were moved for approval and passed unanimously 5-0.

9.01: (PREVIOUSLY ITEM 8.01) The city commission voted 5-0 to accept two Department of Juvenile Justice Restorative Justice Grants for the Palmer Munroe Teen Center. These grants will provide the Teen Center with $511,500 in funding to continue the Community Connections Restorative Justice program for teens.

Appointments

10.01: The city commission voted 5-0 to reappoint Jeremy Floyd to Seat #3 on the Board of Adjustment and Appeals. His term will commence on August 20, 2025, and expire on June 30, 2028. This will be his final term.

The Board of Adjustment and Appeals, under the zoning, housing, building, plumbing, gas, and fire prevention codes (regulatory codes) of the City and County, has the powers and duties to hear and decide appeals, as set forth in the codes; to hear and decide variances for single-family and duplex dwelling units; and to perform such duties as may by ordinance be delegated to it, and which pertain to the above assigned powers.

10.02: (ITEM DELETED) Commission on the Status of Women & Girls Ratification of Appointment.

10.03: The city commission voted 5-0 to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Williams Cox to the Canopy Road Citizen Committee. The Canopy Road Citizen Committee functions as a standing committee that makes recommendations to the City and County Commissions on matters related to Canopy Road Preservation. The Committee assists in coordinating the efforts of government, private sector, civic groups and individuals in an effort to protect, maintain, enhance, and where applicable, re-evaluate canopy roads.

10.04: The city commission voted 5-0 to make the following appoints to the Council on Culture and Arts: Seat #1 – Haiqiong Deng – whose term expires on September 30, 2025. Seat #2 – Brinda Pamulapati – whose term expires on September 30, 2025. Seat #3 – Carol Hill – whose term expires on September 30, 2025, is eligible for and interested in reappointment. Seat #4 – Hadley Peterson – whose term expires on September 30, 2025, is eligible but not interested in reappointment.

Policy Formation and Direction

12.01: (ITEM DELETED) Update on Current Use of Artificial Intelligence.

12.02:  Madison Street Traffic Calming: This item is a follow-up from a June meeting issue related to citizen concerns about speeds and traffic in the Collegetown District. Staff presented findings on Madison Street, including impacts on emergency response and parking (34 spaces lost if closed). The options and discussions indicated that while bollards (barriers) might not be the ideal solution, there should be an ongoing conversation about pedestrian-centric environments and balancing business needs with public safety in entertainment districts around the city. No vote was taken.

12.03: Administrative Approval of Final Plats: A new state law requires all final plats to be approved administratively, rather than by the City Commission, which was the historical practice. A resolution was proposed to comply with this law and passed 5-0. Mayor Dailey expressed dislike for this change but acknowledged the need to comply. A motion was passed for staff to provide email updates to the city commission on administratively approved plats.