ST. CLOUD, Fla. — At its Thursday evening meeting, the St. Cloud City Council approved a new digital billboard agreement, recognized an Employee of the Month, issued a community proclamation, and advanced several development and policy discussions affecting the growing city.
During the meeting, the Council approved an agreement with Outfront Media to install a two-sided digital billboard at the northeast corner of U.S. 192 and Hickory Tree Road, a move city leaders say will enhance communication with residents while reducing the number of traditional billboards within city limits.
Under Florida Statute 70.20, the new digital billboard will replace five existing billboards currently located within the city limits. Those five billboards will be removed as part of the agreement.
City officials say the digital display will also provide the City of St. Cloud with dedicated messaging space at no cost, allowing the city to share information about events, programs, and public safety alerts.
Mayor Chris Robertson described the addition as a significant benefit for the community.
“This is a big win for the city,” Robertson said. “Many times we hear from citizens who say they didn’t know about an event. This gives us another way to let residents know what’s going on in St. Cloud. Aside from that, the public safety element is amazing.”
According to representatives from Outfront Media, the city will be guaranteed eight messaging placements per year — two each quarter — with additional flexibility available when needed.
“You’ve got guaranteed space. You’re always going to have space,” said Chris Ashley of Outfront Media. “The vast majority of the time you ask for something, we’ll be able to put it up.”
Ashley also noted that the billboard will include ambient light monitoring technology that automatically adjusts brightness levels based on surrounding light conditions.
“When there’s less ambient light, such as at night, the billboard emits less light,” Ashley explained in response to questions from Deputy Mayor Ken Gilbert.
Additional Council Actions
In other business, the City Council held final public hearings and approved three ordinances annexing the 5.26-acre Bur Oak Boulevard Project into the city and assigning zoning and future land use designations. The property, located on the west side of the city adjacent to existing city limits, will maintain a Commercial future land use designation and be zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD).
Council members also recognized Kellie Brabant, Senior Executive Administrative Assistant in the City Manager’s Office, as the City of St. Cloud’s Employee of the Month. Brabant was honored for her leadership in organizing the grand opening celebration for the renovated 17th Street ballfields facility, including coordinating a City Council and staff vs. Challenger baseball game and helping arrange speakers for the event.
“The Challenger game and experience was incredibly meaningful,” said Project Manager David Bridle, who presented the recognition. “It brought together Council, staff, families, and athletes in a way that truly reflected the purpose behind the project.”
Council members also issued a proclamation recognizing March for Meals and Senior Nutrition Month, presenting it to representatives from the Osceola Council on Aging, which operates Meals on Wheels locally and manages a mobile food pantry at the St. Cloud Community Center.
The Council approved the meeting’s consent agenda but removed a provision that would have implemented paid parking at the St. Cloud Lakefront from updates to the city’s fee schedule.
Additionally, council members approved 13 ordinances on first reading, which will move forward to public hearings and final votes at future meetings.
City Manager Veronica Miller also noted that Council Member Jennifer Paul was recently named to Onyx Magazine’s 2026 “Women on the Move” list, recognizing women whose leadership and achievements are making an impact in their communities and industries. Paul will be honored at a luncheon on April 24.
Council Roundtable Discussion
During the council roundtable portion of the meeting, Council Member Jennifer Paul asked the council to consider allocating funds for each council member to sponsor community events throughout the year, following the city’s decision to eliminate its community grant program. After discussion, the council directed staff to draft a policy that would allocate $10,000 per council member for event sponsorships and $5,000 for event tables within the city’s annual budget. The proposed policy will be presented at the April council meeting.
Deputy Mayor Ken Gilbert requested that a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer on May 7 be brought forward at the April meeting. He also raised the possibility of providing fee waivers for disabled individuals using the city pool, regardless of whether they live within city limits.
Council Member Kolby Urban nominated Heather Stockdill to serve on the city’s Veterans Council, while Mayor Robertson reminded residents that Soldier City Sundays at Veterans Park are now held on the second and fourth Sundays each month.
Robertson also suggested the city consider establishing an Agricultural Advisory Committee to help guide policies related to livestock and agricultural activities as the city continues to grow while maintaining its rural heritage.
For more information about City of St. Cloud meetings and initiatives, residents can visit www.stcloudfl.gov.
