By Richard Mundy
For Hometown News
The Ormond Beach City Commission moved forward with burying utility cables underground in the downtown area at its Nov. 7 meeting.
Commissioners, in their role as the Community Redevelopment Agency, approved agreements with FPL, AT&T and Brighthouse for the work.
The commission also agreed on working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for its Methamphetamine Clandestine Drug Laboratory Hazardous Waste Central Storage Container Program.
Also in combating drug use, the commission began the approval process to ban the sale of synthetic drugs disguised as bath salts and herbal incense.
Commissioner Troy Kent of Zone 2 said, "I am so proud of this commission of the city for creating this ordinance. I see other communities in the paper doing this as well and I feel like we weren't the Johnny-come-latelys on this; we jumped on it right away. I thank our staff for being on this."
In other business, the Commissioners voted to change the zoning for a 4.6 acre area at 1634 N. U.S. 1 from Volusia County Highway Interchange Commercial to Ormond Beach Highway Tourist Commercial.
Commissioner James Stowers was congratulated on his re-election.
"Mr. Stowers won the election, while serving as commissioner, started a new law firm and welcomed his first child into the world. I don't know how he found time to do all the things he had to do," Commissioner Rick Boehm said.