The Stuart City Council met in regular session Monday night.

The Council first discussed with Stuart Police Chief Dave Reha on a fifth full time officer. He shared that following the application and interview process, he recommended hiring Luis Manuel Lopez Perez contingent on the results from a final test, and background check results through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has been delayed because of the government shutdown. He shared with the Council what items he was asking for approval on.

“Basically, just what I’m requesting is that we formally accept the COPS grant. (We) have to do that for me and Ash(raf Ashour) to sign off on it. The council needs to vote yes to approve it. We approve that matching $52,623 over four years. And for our matching, you know, part of that. And then we authorize a conditional full-time employment offer for $55,000 with benefits to Luis and then the number four would be (to) approve that any of the surplus money from this program be used for department equipment or salary support.”

The Council then heard an informational presentation from Holmes Murphy Insurance representative Clair Michel, then approved acceptance of street lighting at the Wambold 3rd Addition project, and tabled a decision on liquidated damages, a final pay estimate to McAninch Corporation and the final acceptance of the Wambold 3rd Addition project. They also set a public hearing for the 2026 Street Improvements project for November 10th, and to receive bids for the project on November 5th at 2pm.

The Council also did not pass a resolution on cigarette permits for fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, as it was a tied vote of 2-2, then approved setting a date of meeting to discuss a development agreement with Doely Holdings, LLC for November 10th. They also approved the 2025 Urban Renewal Report, along with the retirement proposal for Public Works Director Jim Henderson.

A motion to approve the hire of a Rescue Director died for a lack of a second, and City Administrator Ashraf Ashour, Mayor Dick Cook, and Councilman Curt Russell along with Fire Chief Stephen Martinson and Reha will interview candidates for the position. The Council then approved the abatement of four nuisance properties, with five more to be up for abatement in the next two weeks, and approved Beggar’s Night for October 31st from 5-6:30pm in the downtown residential district, and a proposal to take the retention pond area of All Saints Lot 32 as a donation from the current owner.

After a closed session discussing pendant litigation, the Council approved tabling approval of a tentative settlement agreement regarding the Stuart Rescue Department.