Um >> All right. >> All set. Great. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll for us? >> Mayor Grolnick? >> Here. >> Vice Mayor Gonzales? >> Here. >> Commissioner Ansler?
>> Here. >> Commissioner Huntington? >> Here. >> Commissioner Samir? >> Here. >> Mr. Mayor, you have a quorum. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Can we please do the Pledge of Allegiance? All right. So, let's go on to our public comment. We'll start with the folks here in the log cabin, and we will move on to
Zoom after that. Uh just a reminder for everyone, please uh public comment is limited to 3 minutes, and just provide us with your name and address before you address the commission. Thank you very much. Doesn't sound it. >> There we go. Thanks. Judy Hammelburg 1015 Northeast 116th Street. Um, one of
the first things that occurred when I uh was elected to the commission um, many years ago was that Mario Diaz, our village manager at the time, discovered that we were in the hole with the county because we had some CIT funds
that had not been used properly. We were using them for road repairs and other things and it was supposed to be for um, public transport, which of course we haven't had forever and ever and ever. So, that was what brought the Freebie
program to us. Um, I'm I have used it myself. Um, we used it because we were supposed to pay them back hundreds of thousands of dollars going back for years and years. Do you remember that, Art?
And so, we bargained with them for it. The Freebie, um, the way the county funds it is supposed to be in your jurisdiction, but because we have no businesses in our jurisdiction, it was allowed to take us to other areas like
Publix and Walgreens and and over to all these and I will tell you I have used it. I've used it when my car is in at Goodyear and I need to go get it because it's the Publix over on uh 6th Avenue
backs up to the Goodyear. I've used it after I've had surgery and wasn't allowed >> Take that one. All right. Okay? No, there we go again. The white screen. >> I Can hear you tapping.
>> Okay, can you hear me? No. >> I think the volume is just very low. >> It's nothing. >> Check. Well, now we've got three of them. >> Yeah, that's another thing we need to straighten out. We've been talking about the sound systems in here for forever as well, and they still stink.
Um but the Freebee got us out of a uh a hole that we had dug ourselves into with the county. It gave some transport to us. Um I don't mind if we modify its hours or what we do, but we are getting
older in this community, and as people like me age, we are going to need some services to get us places. And it's nice to have it when you need it. It's not my primary way of getting around. It's limited in where it can
take us, but I think before you toss it out, you really need to think about what the ramifications are, what we're going to have to do with that little hole in our funding that is in the CITT funds
that we hadn't used for forever. Um what we had done in prior years is we used it for the No Me Bus, which came through here and never picked up anybody and cost us money, either. So, but that again is still very limited and and
limited access to get on their bus. But, I'm concerned about it and again as this community ages, I think we need to be more sensitive to the needs of people who are aging. >> Everybody,
Michael Weaver 590 121st Street. I'd like to read a letter from my neighbor if that's okay. Okay, cool. This letter is from Vicki Sassani 528 Northeast 121st Street.
>> May I make a suggestion? Are you going to have >> I will not do it in her accent. No. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> I was just going to say if you're going to have comments, perhaps you can give that letter to the clerk and she'll read it and then you can have your own comments cuz you have 3 minutes, right? So, I'm just saying
>> I can get it all done. I appreciate that though. Thank you for the suggestion. Okay, so um I'll I'll read her letter first and then my own kind of comments. Dear Commissioners, I wanted to share my personal experience with Freebee both as a resident and a short-term rental host.
As a resident, I've used Freebee several times. One time that stands out was when my daughter was in a car accident and needed to borrow my car to get to work while hers was in the shop. During that time, I relied on Freebee to pick up my diabetes medication from Walgreens
and to get groceries at Aldi. Just know that this service was there and gave me real peace of mind during a stressful time without my car. As a host, I've welcomed students, especially foreign medical students, into my home for more than a decade. Many of them depend entirely on public
transportation to get to their critical I'm sorry, clinical rotations. Having a service like Freebee available to get to the supermarket or to the laundromat has made a real difference and it's something that students have told me they consider when choosing where to stay.
I understand that for those of us with reliable transportation, this service might seem unnecessary. Uh but that's simply not the case to everyone in our community. Uh we have seniors with who no longer drive. Uh we have residents with uh potentially suspended licenses. We have
students who don't drive yet. We have people with disabilities. Uh we have mothers and at home with newborns, especially in households with only one car. So, I understand the reasoning behind cutting Freebee is to redirect funding
toward road repairs. But based on the numbers I've seen, only $20,000 would actually go back into the transportation share to fund our roads. That amount will not fix any of our roads in a meaningful way. We'd be giving up service that real
people depend on every single day uh for a sum too small to deliver the road improvements being promised. I also understand that part of this funding is proposed for public transportation benches. With respect, I'd ask the commission to reconsider this as well.
Our bus service was out of operation for nearly 2 years and has only recently come back. And the benches we currently have are still in very good condition. Uh spending money on new benches right now doesn't serve our residents nearly as much as Freebee does. A service people use every single day.
This isn't a fair trade for our community. We would lose something of real daily value and gain very little in return. We have diversity and we are inclusive and I believe this is one of the best things about our community that we accept and accommodate everyone, not
just those who happen to have it easily. Uh excuse me, happen to have it easy. Please don't take that away. I'd ask the commission to find more meaningful dedicated funding sources for our road repairs and to keep free bee intact. Thank you for your time and for your consideration for the real impact
the service has on the people who call Biscayne Park home. And I understand I took my whole 3 minutes and I'm okay with that. I I also personally fully support free bee. Uh the bench in front of my house is in perfect condition. No need to repair it. So, um
I encourage you to please vote yes. >> Uh Brian Kuhl, 777 Northeast 111th Street. Um I I support I spoke out in favor of free bee before. Um I just want to do it again. Um
I've been using free bee for uh I think almost as long as we've had it here. All the drivers have been really helpful. They've been um really responsive to the people. Um and >> [sighs] >> having
dedicated drivers. We have our our own drivers, which is really helpful because for us this year um also for a lot of residents, Biscayne Boulevard is kind of difficult to get to depending on where you live. 125th
Street can also be difficult to get to. I I've used it to go out to Walgreens, Whole Foods, that area. Um They have a very quick response time, which probably more to do with the fact that it's not advertised as well as it should be.
I think if you're advertising it more, more people would be using it. Um You know, the the government is not supposed to be money making venture. Yes, we need to be responsible with the money that we have, but it's the money
is supposed to be going to services like trash, rec center, police. Um you can't think you know like the police obviously people no one wants to use the police station or the police call 911. So there's not a direct correlation.
It's more about having it available should somebody need it. Um now as for the roads, I've I've lived here 50 years. I can recall maybe twice that the roads were repaved. Once with 6th Avenue which I think is the county or the state. So that wasn't
even Biscayne Park paying for it. I I do think that's the money would be better spent with something like Freebee. Uh unfortunately there isn't there's not direct competition like Uber would not be a one-to-one correlation, but Freebee does provide
valuable service to the to the community. I do you think we should keep it. Thank you. >> Gary Chio, 777 Northeast 11th Street. As as Brian pointed out, you know, this is a service a lot of people don't know about. It hasn't been
advertised. And it's just an example of how this is been mismanaged and how we've been mis- misinformed from the the get-go. I'm developing a list because I have a flipper. Very difficult to talk. Um
one of the things that should happen immediately is that assuming and hopefully you're going to move go with this, that it will be advertised so people can take advantage of it. I I reflect on the fact that
that wasn't handled in terms of informing people that we were giving a very confusing if not distorted if not absolutely inaccurate explanation of the funding by the village manager. The fact that
a vote was orchestrated to eliminate it by the village manager and here we are tonight. Totally unnecessary. This shouldn't have had we shouldn't have a meeting tonight. If this had been handled properly to me voting tonight
if you vote in favor of Freebee to me is almost like a vote of no confidence in our village manager. Thank you. >> Barbara Keel, 777 Northeast 111th Street. First, I would like to thank our mayor for calling this special meeting
because we were pretty sure last week that this was a done deal. And I really we I think everybody appreciates this and for the other commissioners who are attending. So, thank you. Um Brian and Gary both said a lot of the things I was going to say.
Um I've written to you enough. You know that I'm in favor of Freebee and I think it really is an important service. Uh a lot of the residents brought up points. The one was interesting about the woman who ran the Airbnb. I never even thought
of that, but that is another nice amenity. And it's something that I think a lot of our residents don't even know about. Again if you do decide to vote for this, I really hope that at the next meeting you're going to instruct our manager to
do a comprehensive advertisement about Freebee. The representative that was here for Freebie said she had material promotional material that she could provide and we should be taking advantage of it. The other thing that I read on Nextdoor from
several people they had trouble with the app. Uh they had trouble navigating. I'm not sure what the exact problem is, but you know, if you bought an iPhone you have an opportunity to go to an iPhone workshop. That's what we should
have. We should have a workshop for Freebie. Inform residents where they go, what it does. Also helping them set it up on their phone. Most I'm not going to say most of the people, but many of the people using it are older. Maybe they're not that familiar
with technology and they could use some help, but they don't even know who to ask. So, this would be another way of getting more residents involved and the whole purpose of this is we're providing a service, but you should be informing the community of the
services they have so they can use it. This is a tremendous asset and you know, a lot of the people may not have a car. We used to have three cars. Now we only have one. Normally it works, but there are times that
you're short a car and you have to go someplace or do something and it's nice to have that. And that's it's a nice amenity for this village, but we should get the word out and I think it would be you'd have a lot more activity. Thank you.
>> Uh Good evening, dear commissioners. Um my name is Alan and I'm residing at 528 Northeast 121st Street uh hosted by Vicky Sisani. So, I'm here for a summer internship at Briarcliff Islands and it runs through
the end of August. So, since arriving Freebee has been main mode of transportation for me. Yeah, I use it it's a it's a lifesaver. I use it for going to groceries at Aldi, Whole Foods, taking my laundry runs and getting
around when I don't have any other options. I did bought an electric scooter, but you know the weather of Miami. Frequent rains and heat and lightning. So, without Freebee a single trip to the store and back would cost me like $15 to
$20 on a ride share app. This adds up to This adds up very fast for someone living on an intern's budget. So, one of the main reasons I chose to stay in Biscayne Park is instead of somewhere closer to my internship was the safety of this
neighborhood compared with the service of service of Freebee. So, this combination made it possible for me to live here and still get to the places I need to go safely and affordably. So, I'm not the only one who depends on this. I've seen elderly residents,
students and people without cars using Freebee, too. So, for people without their own transportation, it's not a convenience, it's a necessity. Cutting it it just wouldn't affect a few people. It would take away independence and access for everyone who relies on it
to reach work, food and basic errands. I respectfully ask the commission to keep Freebee running and to recognize how much value it brings to residents and even temporary visitors like me. Thank you for letting me share my story. Thank you. >> Hello commissioners, mayor, everybody
else. Can you hear me now? Okay. My name is Howard Goldman. 11950 Northeast 6th Avenue. Sorry. Oh, okay. I didn't know. Thank you.
Um I come late to the party on the on the whole project of Freebee. But as soon as I heard about this, I I started thinking to myself it's not about the money. It it it's it's more about who we are. It's
village, village of Biscayne Park. And we as residents of a village should take care of our own. We spent a lot of time talking about cats and trees and birds. What about our elderly and those of us that are incapable of
being transported to and from simplicities like Walgreens or CVS, a library, picking up a kid from school, and the market. I say it's an absolute must that we reconsider this and go with Freebee. That's all I have to say. Thank
you. >> Hi, my name is Michelle Newman. I've lived here for 70 years. 70. Finally, we've got a service that will help us get places when we're older. Do you know that when you get older, all
your friends die or your neighbors die? You can't get around. So, what are we fighting about? They provide and the most incredible service I've ever seen. You call, they come. They care. And we're not caring here. This should
not be a problem of ours. If we don't have the money, let's figure out a way to get the money. If we have to have garage sales so we can afford a service that helps us old people get to the doctor, what do you say? The drugstore. How
about food? If you cancel this for us, you're not being fair. You're sitting there in judgmental positions that will not help the city that we live in and have lived in for a long time. I
love Biscayne Park. I love the way we do things. So, let's do it right. We shouldn't have these service We shouldn't have to gather here at night and decide for you. You should know that gee, that's a good idea. We shouldn't have to do this.
You should know that because you're people like we're people and I don't know why I was dragged here, but it makes me mad to think that you think we don't need a service that we need. Very much so.
>> Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. Okay, can you hear me? Um Barbara Watts, 720 Northeast 118th Street. Um I apologize for coming in late. If there had been Freebee in place, I would have been on time, but there isn't and I'm carless. All right. Um
Uh we're lucky that so many people in the village don't need Freebee on a regular basis. Um but for those who do, it's a lifesaver. Um for I I'm not going to name names, but there are certain people in the park that you see that have grown up here that for one reason or another cannot drive. They're walking around all the
time, but I see them over at Walgreens, I see them at LA Fitness. They can't get here except through Freebee. I have unfortunately I'm a poster child for osteoporosis. I have a broken foot every year at Thanksgiving. Um, I couldn't get to the store to to the drugstore or anywhere without Freebie. And as the
lady said, uh, many of your neighbors have died or moved. Um, and so and if your children are living in California, um, you know, you've got to rely on friends, but you know, that's a lot to ask all the time. So, this allows us a certain amount of independence, those of us who are, um, elderly. I grew up here
with my moved here when I was in my 30s. Well, now I'm pushing I'm 75. I'm I could go toes up at any minute. But when I can't get somewhere, I need to do this. Like I told my brother who lives in Hawaii, I'm safer here in Biscayne Park. I can get to the essentials and then I can afford a cab to go somewhere
else. The Freebies app doesn't work long. I use the telephone because I don't have a cell phone. Uh, maybe that's the way even though they complain, I it works. Um, I think that, um, what you do to the least of your brethren, you do to me. Well, who has said that? We all know.
All right, think about this. We no longer do Meals on Wheels. Okay, the the meals were not all that nutritious, but what about for the elderly and those who cannot work or who who don't have cars and for cars that are in the shop. I think it's a really valuable, valuable service. And, um, BP is a community, all
right. We've got many wealthy people moving in here that don't need Freebie, but a lot of us, all the teachers and firemen and and and and policemen and librarians, um, we're the people who, um, can really benefit from Freebie when we need to. And that's it's a very
valuable thing. We don't, um, what are our all our money goes to the rec center and all the kids. Not much goes to the elderly and to other people. So, I really encourage you to think with your hearts and get hope and, um, support the Freebie. Thank you.
>> I did. >> Hi, good evening mayor and commission. My name is Dionicia Drury Fecteau. I live at one 600 Northeast 116th Street. And I've been we've been residents since 1992. So we've been here a while as well. Not 70 years though.
>> [laughter] >> Um Freebee is very convenient and is very useful um since Miami-Dade removed the bus services on Northeast 6th Avenue which I used to take. But now that I'm retired, I'm glad that I heard of a new
this new service Freebee and so I've started using it. And I've used it when my car was in an accident and I couldn't use it. So it was very convenient. And I go to the you know, I use it to go to the nearby shopping centers, the pharmacy cuz my husband does need
medication from there. And uh like I said, it's very convenient. The door-to-door service is um greatly appreciated since my husband has a little difficulty walking far. So it helps him. Uh even my granddaughters when they come to visit, we uh sometimes use Freebee to
go to the park during these hot hot days. It's it's very you know, useful and uh I like it a lot. And our drivers, Laura, Mayor and Scott, they're both friendly and very dedicated people and they make us feel safe when
we go in their cars in the cars. So please reconsider and keep Freebee in North Bay I mean I'm sorry, Biscayne Park. I used to work in North Bay Village. >> [gasps] >> Many years. Thank you.
>> I'm her husband. The one who can't walk. I was disappointed when I got to the door and that one was locked and I had to walk all the way around. I have a serious heart condition
and I get out of breath very easily. I have a built-in defibrillator. Um at one time it went off 17 times in a row. It saved my life.
It has saved my life a few times. Now, what I want would like to do, I would like to um tell Biscayne Park that we really appreciate everything you do for the village.
The concerts, the parties at um on Halloween and such. But, this is the first thing that you have done for us individually.
And we all appreciate it and we all need it. So, please don't take it away. Thank you very much. >> I just wanted to make sure I was going to change topics, so I wanted to make sure everybody that wanted to talk about
the freebie got a chance to do so. Um I first of all, I am in favor of you keeping it. Um but I've been coming to Linda Dillon 712 115th Street. I've been coming to these meetings for many years. In fact, longer than some of you are
old. And every new commission that we get, we get the same promise that the meetings are going to be kept shorter. Well, I think you guys have taken it to new heights, particularly from the last meeting, which was evidence when one of
your own walked out of the meeting. I think one of the reasons that these meetings have become so long is that you are no longer following Robert's Rules of Order. The chapter 4 of the newly revised version, 12th
edition, talks about what you can and cannot do when it comes to talking at the meetings. You're allowed only two times to talk about a topic. Number one. Number two, you're supposed
to be limited to 10 minutes unless you all make some kind of a motion to make it a different time, which if I remember right, Commissioner Huntington tried to do, and he didn't get a second, so he didn't vote on it. So, I think you need to
start following Robert's Rules and keep these meetings to a reasonable hour. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for inviting me today. My name is Laura, and I have been living in Biscayne Park for the last 3 years.
At the same time, I am one of the drivers of Freebee service. I know all the users, and they all know me. And I become not only their drivers, but they are trusted person. Today, I made a decision to stand up for
our neighbor and users' necessity and rights, for our seniors and youngsters that count on Freebee to reach different destination through this service. I see firsthand how essential it is. Our neighborhood is a vibrant mosaic of
cultures. Residents that came from different parts of the world. We have ballerinas that came from Indonesia and Malaysia. People from India, Portugal who have came to study and build their future here.
Freebee is a lifeline connecting them to education, opportunity, and belongings. Thank you very much. >> Any others here in Flagler Avenue before we move over to Zoom? >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Commissioners. My name is Claudia Miro with Freebee. I work at offices at 371 North Northeast
61st Street. I just wanted to come and introduce myself. Um I know I was here virtually and I may not look the same on camera as I do in person. Not my fault. Um I am here uh to be available to you for any questions that you have or any issues that may come up that need clarification. Um I also just want to
put on the record that, you know, I am here tonight because we care about the service. We care about the community. Uh Freebee right now is the largest micro-transit provider in the city of Florida. We have over 55 cities and we are here for this service, which is one car uh one car service. And I want to
echo what our driver Laura said, we really do care about the community. We are familiar with the folks who are riding it. We speak to our performance managers. We speak to our drivers. We know how beloved this service has become and how necessary it has become to certain members of the community. So, we are here to answer any questions and be
useful um in any single way that we can and to clarify anything. If you have questions on numbers, I know a lot of those things came up last time. I'm here and just all you have to do is call me up. Thank you very much. >> All right. If there's no others here in the log cabin, we'll move over to Zoom. One more chance. Going once, going
twice. Okay. All right, let's move over to Zoom. Do we have anyone on Zoom that would like to provide public comment at this time? Please raise your hand and the clerk will unmute you to to provide comment at that time. Once, can make sure everyone can hear me.
Okay, seeing none. Okay. All right. Got one? Okay. Madam Clerk, can you unmute, please? Is that correct? >> Nadea Darvin?
>> Hello. Can you hear me? Okay, perfect. >> Yes, that's correct. >> I'm sorry. >> Uh if you could just try and maybe speak up just a little bit, but yes, we can hear you. >> Okay, perfect. So, I'm Nadea Darvin. My address is 11115 Northeast 10th Avenue.
Okay? So, um hello commissioners. I wanted to express my strong support for the continuation of the Freebee transportation service in Biscayne Park. As a Biscayne Park home owner home owner and caregiver
to my elderly mother, I personally experienced the tremendous value that this service provides residents. Recently, I was involved in a car accident and my car is basically totaled loss as of last month. So, I'm carless.
Um and so as a result, I have been using Freebee transportation um as a primary transportation for all my groceries grocery store runs, going to the library, even when I have to go to class at FIU, I'll have them
drop me off at the point the the last point so that I can catch the other free uh No Me bus service to drop me off at the campus. Okay? So, during this challenging time, freebee service has been super in value has been a good
resource for me and my family. My mother, she is also retired and frequently needs a transportation for all her errands. So, due to her age and, you know, walking distance is not an an option for her. Rather, she's walking to
Publix or something. No, we would have to use the freebee app. And so, freebee has provided us with safe, reliable, and accessible transportation that allow us to maintain our independence and meet our basic needs. Beyond my personal experience, I do
believe the freebee service serves as an important role within the Biscayne Park Village. It benefits seniors, it benefits the residents with limited mobility, families facing financial hardships such as myself, and individuals without access
to reliable transportation. This service has also helped residents access local businesses, grocery stores, and and it's also a reliable transportation. Excuse me. So, I just wanted to
respectfully urge the commission to continue supporting freebee and investing in the freebee transportation service. It is a valuable community resource that has made a significant difference in my life as well as my family. Thank you for your
time. That's all. >> Okay, thank you. Are there any other commenters on on Zoom? Give it another second to see if someone's trying to get their hand raised. Yeah, I don't think so.
Okay, great. Um all right, so that we'll close public comment at this time. Um I very much appreciate everyone sharing your your comments with us this evening on the issue. Um I will go ahead and I'll move on to our our commission reply if there's any ask the commission if they have any reply to the comments at this time.
>> I do. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Last meeting I I requested that if residents really cared about free day free day to show up. And boy, you people really showed up. So, I am glad to be proven wrong.
Um We have to decide whether service to our residents is more important than money. And as a businessman, I believe residents is more important. We have a model in the United States Marines is
we never leave anybody behind. And by if we get rid of this service, and it leaves one resident behind, that's a failure. And so, I'll make my decision with with when we have the numbers and stuff like that,
but I feel what I've heard tonight has changed my mind about about what I was saying before cuz the residents spoke up. If we have one resident that this hurts, that's not good enough for me. And I think we can hopefully we
can find the money somewhere else. But so, I'm just waiting for the money, but I I requested that people show up, and residents did. So, you put me in my place, and that's what you're just supposed to do. So, I I want to say thank you to all the residents that showed up tonight.
Well, um Thank you for pointing that out. How many do we have, Madam Clerk? Okay, great. >> And this email comes from David Raymond. I can't for the life of me fathom why free bee will be eliminated. The 20,000
that gain this move survive will do little more to improve the roads in the village. >> Can you just get to the mic? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Please. >> Can you hear me? >> There we go. >> My major question is what will you spend the 40,000 a year on that requires
improvement to transportation service? I heard bus benches. Have you examined bus ridership numbers the same way you examine hopefully for the free bee numbers? Do we need bus benches? Is this a recurrent cost where we will be adding bus benches each year? If not, what
happens to these the market transit funds for the future? I was a department director at Miami-Dade County when people when the people transportation plan was designed. The citizen independent transportation trust was modeled by my boss, Mayor Alex Penelas. After my department, the
homeless trust, both my parts for the four county trust with independent oversight boards was relied on dedicated taxes. Which includes the children trust, public health trust, the half penny surtax. We the people voted to pay on taxable items was sold to the public
as a way to improve transit service as the people transportation plan. While the village large share of funds goes to roads, we have been poor shepherd of these funds over the years. In fact, didn't spend these monies in for several years and almost lost them.
Perhaps none of you were around for that time, but we only lived here a bit over a decade and I recall researching the CITT file along with Chuck Ross who actually had to dig through boxes to find out where these funds were spent. The CITT folks was not pleased with us
at the time and not sure how they'll feel about the involvement of our decision-making regarding free bee or if anyone has reached out, but it might be a good idea to ask them what they think about eliminating our transportation service. We have a transit poor community needs to buy new bus benches.
What's wrong with the existing bus benches? Is this Does this really serve the people? Think about it. In terms of our roads, some are nightmares, but 20,000 is a drop in the bucket. And what is your plans for the money? Most importantly, commission, what is
your plans to fix our roads? P.S. In my opinion, the roads around the village hall is more for to fix the roads around the village hall is more for show. Have you walked along 111 at night with a flashlight? I dare you to. I hope logic prevails and wish luck in your
deliberation. And this one comes from Dory Zeeman. So, the commission, I respectfully ask for you to reconsider ending this free bee riding service. For many members of our community, it is not just a convenience, it's a lifeline. Senior
people with disability and residents without reliable transportation depend on it and get to medical appointments, grocery stores, and other essential places. Eliminating this service will create hardship for many people who may not have other affordable options. I ask you to consider the impact on those who
rely on it every day and explore alternative than cutting a program that provides such a valuable service to our community. A community is measured on how well it takes care of its most vulnerable people. Please keep this service available for the people who need it. >> Okay, great. Thanks very much.
Thanks for pointing that out. Um all right, so uh let's let's get back to our our uh reply. Uh does the uh any of the rest of the commission have any reply to comments before we move to resolutions? >> Yeah, I have a really quick reply to Linda's point. Linda, I brought that to the commission uh about limiting debate
and it was it was voted down uh but I was also assured that uh the the meeting would be run more efficiently and more effectively and that obviously is not the case uh in my opinion. Um so to your point, you know, perhaps
we need to bring it back. Perhaps we'll try it again. Uh but that's all we can do, you know. >> I just like to say thank you to all the residents who come out. You got to hear your voice is always great to hear and uh we'll talk more on the item when we get to it. >> So it's great to see a lot of new faces
and um uh a lot of uh Do you hear me? No? Hello? There? >> That's better. >> Oh. >> That's good. >> Yeah, I can hear myself loud. All right, so thank you. Um thank you for coming. A lot of new faces, a lot of usual faces.
All of this is very welcome to to help us vote uh conscious of your thoughts. Um especially to the senior community, I don't think you need to be here. Again, I agree with you. The vote does that for you. When you voted for us,
we're here to represent in the best uh opportunity that we have and on that note and some questions I got on this, I found out about last meeting that happened on Tuesday through my husband who saw a notification in the app. It's important for me to be here to
represent and sort of play the role I was voted to do. I didn't get notice of that meeting, so I want to put that for the record. I also did not get notice for the meeting today. Um I got a call and uh no voicemail
about what was going on. So I had to cut shop a bit doing some YouTube listening on the meeting on Tuesday. So I don't think it's fair for people that voted for me that don't get the chance to see me here voting today. I could have missed it. I'm glad I was here and participating.
So I thought it was fair for you all to know that. For the rest again, thank you and I hope this moves through. You heard my vote already. So thanks. >> Okay. Just will repeat what I said already. Thanks for everyone for coming out and talking with us about this issue.
We have a few folks here to provide some additional additional information for us this evening. I know for you to be with us. Appreciate you being here. I know we have Paul with our finance our finance group department. He's with us as well. So
they'll be here to answer any questions the commission has. So let's jump into our resolutions. The first resolution 2026-49. John, can you read it on the record for us and after you've done so could you just give us a quick reminder about the
need for this one. I think it kind of works in conjunction with the pre bid contract. Correct? >> Yes. This is This is resolution number 2026-49 entitled a resolution of the Village Commission of the Village of Biscayne Park, Florida adopting an amended
building permit fee schedule to ensure compliance with section 553.798F Florida Statutes as amended by House Bill 803 and providing for conflict scrivener's error, severability, and effective date. Mr. Mayor and members of the commission as mentioned at the last
meeting, this is an add-on that we are required to implement a new building permit fee schedule that complies with the mandate imposed upon us by the Florida legislature to essentially go away or
move away from charging building permits based upon project cost to actual cost of inspections by staff. It's intended to make sure that the building department is
operating properly as an enterprise fund which pays for itself and not improperly generating income or exceeding fair cost of services and overcharging residents.
I I do know in in in speaking with the the building department building official that for the most part it's going to be revenue neutral and that the the new fee schedule is going to be close to if not equal to what we're already charging
because they're doing a good job and certainly the building officials here to answer any questions about that new fee schedule that you may have. >> Okay. I thought I saw Pedro. He's here. Okay, great. Yeah, please if
you could. So uh Pedro, in addition to what John has just told us, is there anything that you you'd like to provide us with before we before the the resolution? >> No, I just want to confirm that what that's what we did. We translated the the fees were we're charging now
into a fixed dollar value per square foot. >> Okay. >> We are allowed to charge per area per square foot and and most cities are moving that direction. Um now the disadvantage is we will have
to revise our fee schedule every year to adjust by in- for inflation. The advantage on the other side is we don't have to argue with developers the telling us they're they're being a mansion at $50 a square foot. So so that takes a lot of load from me
cuz I I usually have to argue about that, but the section 105 of the building code allows me to set the minimum price. We are not charging for I know some mansions are built at $1,000 a square foot or 800. We don't charge that high.
So we based on the average middle middle-income house is about $300 a square foot. That's how we've been charging until now, and we're not losing money. We're not our fund is not exploding with extra money
reserves. So it means we're running correctly, and that's the intent of the law. That's the spirit of the law. And that's why we translate it. We did that conversion using the same calculators to try to get the same way. Now, we had to adjust the minimum permit fee
to 130 cuz it's it was set at 125 3 years ago. So we have 3% a year. We got up to a little more than 130. We came up with 130. Um I'm not sure if you have a printed version of it, but the first the minimum fee has a typo that we needed to correct. We had very
little time to do this. Um we need to correct that. We'll go to 33% of the permit fee minimum 130. Um we tried to leave like AC change-outs and and and water heater change exchanges at
minimum permit fee. So so we don't produce extra extra problems with for residents who need to maintain their house. >> Okay. All right, Pedro. Very quickly for you, John. Is there any Is there any provision or portion of this that would require us to
decide on freebie before Are pass the fee schedule? Or is this they're they're independent? >> They're independent of of each other completely. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear. >> that's fine. >> And and uh um you know, the the fee schedule is
available and will be attached to the um to the resolution uh to the point of the building official. Um we have built into the draft resolution if it's approved as is, it will provide for our ability to um increase the fees
on a yearly basis to reflect the CPI. Um so, we don't have to keep bringing back to you this resolution just to update it for to reflect the the the um uh consumer price index uh
uh um adjustment. >> Okay. All right, great. Uh do I have a motion and a second from the commission to discuss >> Yes, I make a motion to approve resolution building fee structure. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh is there any uh any point or
any discussion or is there any questions for Pedro or John uh that the commission would like to lead with? >> No. >> Pedro, I have one. >> Go on. >> So, uh do we have a comparison about what we currently had up to this point and what sort of impact is going to be
there? I don't know why you can I can hear myself loudly you guys don't hear me. Um so, what's going to be the impact of this fee changing starting today versus what we had until yesterday? >> to to make it neutral. So, so there'll be no change. >> for residents that are going to come
forward and pull permits on any of this items? For them, it would be >> almost the same. We're trying to get as close as possible as as the current fee. So, the formulas we have will come out with the same number at the end. >> Okay. >> Mhm?
>> Okay. So, uh and why is it uh and maybe this is for John, why is it that it has to happen now? >> Does the state the state legislation says that we have to do this and have it in effect by July 1st. >> And when did this legislation passed?
>> This past legislative session. >> Okay. When was that? >> Um >> May. >> The governor signed it in in May. >> Okay. >> Um and you know, gave us gave us a a very large window
>> No, that's what I'm saying. >> implement this and and so when we were aware that there was going to be a special call meeting for tonight, we asked to be able to add it so we could get it in place and not have to do it retroactively at the next commission meeting.
>> All right. So I I don't feel comfortable approving stuff without seeing the impact that it reflects. There is no comparison of what this looks like versus prior. That would be my only comment. I'm going to take you on your word that this is no impact for residents moving forward. Um but
then you and I can just sit down. I would like to see that comparison especially if the idea is it's not going to come to the commission. It's just going to be updated on a CPI on an annual basis. Right? >> Yeah, I I I want to make a a comment
maybe to help explain better is that we don't have a choice. >> Yeah. We're tied to >> if there's if there's a negative revenue >> department cost neutral. >> It doesn't matter. The legislature saying this is how you have to do it and we or staff we've tried to do it as best
as possible to try and make it revenue neutral. We really won't know how successful we are in in accomplishing that goal >> Until >> until we have an entire year or or at least a reasonable period of sample size to be able to make that determination.
You know, in theory if it's really out of whack, we can bring it back to you as a resolution to to change it, but we you know, we've made our best guestimate. >> Yes. >> Uh and we're hopeful that we're just going to be able we will be able to make that annual adjustment at the uh with
the CPI and not have to bring it back to you, but obviously if if that is does become necessary, it's >> Yeah. >> it'll come before you. >> That's a good point and I think it's a good idea to do a check-in maybe somewhere in the middle to see where that lands and again um I wonder, you
know, you made some examples of you know, there's specific permitting fees and what's that's going to look like for for everybody, so >> Yeah, we ran into a familiar situation, but again like like John said, we we I hope we don't have to be back here soon
revising it. >> Yeah. >> That means we did a good job, but we're forced to make this decision and have it active in July 1st. Mhm? >> Okay. Awesome. Thank you so much. >> Thanks, Pedro. All right, so if there's no further questions from the commission, then I will ask all in favor
of the approving the resolution. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Pedro, thanks very much. John, thank you for the guidance. All right, so let's move on to our next resolution 2026-45. John, if you wouldn't mind reading it on the record for us. >> Yes, sir. Uh this is resolution number
2026-45 entitled a resolution of the Village Commission of the Village of Biscayne Park, Florida approving a non-demand ride share agreement between the Village of Biscayne Park and B Free LSO LLC. I'm sorry, using a competitively awarded agreement by another governmental agency
and providing for conflict scrivener's errors, severability, and effective date. >> Thank you, John. Do I have a motion and a second to move to this question? >> I I make a motion to approve resolution 2026-45 approving the free bee contract. >> Second. >> Okay. So, uh Paul, are you still with
us? >> Yes, I am. >> There he is. Hi Paul. Thanks for being with us. Paul, so you know, I know you've spent some time with this. I'm wondering if you can um if you can give us the rundown of of the CITT
the current status of the CITT with Biscayne Park for the benefit of the commission as we discussed. Can you do that for us? >> Uh gladly. Uh so your CITT fund uh currently uh has generated a little over $600,000. Over the years, uh you have spent some
money. You have not spent any in the transit. You've attempted to, but it had not been processed. The the funds annually work about 200,000 per year. The reason the CITT funds were not processing the the freebie is because of
the we're in the middle of an audit and they freeze them. That's one of the main reasons and for other reasons. Uh once this audit's finished, I I anticipate uh that those funds will be available and you can anticipate uh back paying what you owe from the general fund it
back into the freebie uh expenses and balancing that account and you could you should have the funds to operate uh probably the next year, maybe easily 2 years. It's about $120,000 a year to run freebie. Uh the manager can can give an update on
any other grants. You do current you previously you had an Fdot grant that paid 60,000. Uh so in in short, uh the conditions are set for you to be able to enjoy the transit side of the of the CITT money
uh and keep the program uh funded for the near future. >> Okay. Thanks Paul. Just one one point of clarification. You said audit. I want to make just make sure that you you agree that this is not a bad audit. This is a 5-year standard audit, correct? >> Correct. It's the 2020 through 2025 2021
through 2025 5-year audit and during that process, uh they they freeze all activity, and uh and that's normal. So, we'll we'll be uh finished with that. I we've been right on time with all their submittals, so we should be in good shape.
>> Okay, and and once we once we clear that audit, the expectation is that that CITC will release the funds that they've been hanging on to for us, correct? >> Yeah, there's two There's two steps. Uh prior administrations uh had gotten
permission to uh approve a reimbursement, but they only asked for a construction project. They didn't, for for whatever reason, include the transit part. Uh whatever, you know, moving forward, uh I think that's going to be fixable. I think everyone wants uh these funds, the
transit funds, to to flow through and benefit the residents like we heard about earlier. >> Great. Thanks, Paul. So, can I give a very high-level understanding, and and can you confirm for me if if I'm correct, just because uh I'd like it to come from you, from finance, from from the person who really understands this
stuff. So, the CITC, and I'm going to use approximations, if that's okay. >> So, approximations, approximately received uh CITC granting to Biscayne Park annually about a about $200,000, approximately, correct? >> Correct. >> And 80% of that money is is freely used
by Biscayne Park for things like capital projects, things like road paving, infrastructure, things of that nature, correct? >> Correct. >> And 20% of that money, approximately $40,000, needs to be allocated to transit, which Freebee would fall under,
correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. Um so, that's that's not just a high-level breakdown of how those numbers shake out uh without considering what other revenues are coming in, what other grants are coming in, just that money and the two
allocations that we need to make. All right? >> Can you say that again? >> Sorry, yes. That's just that covers kind of a high-level understanding of the money that comes in through CIT and the two the two buckets that we need to fill with those funds.
>> Yes. >> And is it also correct that if we don't spend the 20% on one of these kind of qualifying transit style projects, that we are in danger of losing all of our CIT funding, is that right?
>> That's that's a little overstated. Uh I >> Okay. Correct me, please. >> Yeah, the concept of the 20% is so you don't spend it all on roads cuz every city would just do that, right? So you're forced to use up to 20% for a a circular or a transit bus stops, things
like that. Sidewalks to bus stops are are eligible. Um you don't have to spend all 20 of it, but you it keeps accumulating in that account. If you never spend, which was your our case for many years, then you're absolutely right. The The reaction of CIT is to
okay, guys, time out. You're not doing anything. We're freezing all of your funds and until you spend some transit money, we won't re-release you. And that's that happened to to the village at one time. Uh prior manager, Mario Diaz,
identified this problem, uh identified a project uh for some for the 80% side, for the road side, and simultaneously identified the freebie idea, which was happening in most municipalities or many municipalities in South Florida, as we
all know. So he got that the he stopped them from taking the road fund. And that was the central part in the committee just to encapsulate what I remember the commissioners choosing is that okay, we'll start the freebie, we'll test pilot it, see how it
goes. Uh it'll fund itself. Event but eventually it'll either take a grant or general fund contributions or be canceled. Well, all of options were on the table. None of them were required or or or necessarily discussed which one was preferred, but that that was the the
state of the decision. >> Okay. Um all right. Helpful. Paul, thank you. And I know you mentioned this already, but without any additional funding without any additional grant funding, if if if we were to just And Claudia, I know you're here with us, too, so you can feel free to jump in if
you need to if I if I'm out I'm stepping outside the bounds here. Uh but I think what you'd said, Paul, was approximately the the total annual spend on Freebee Freebee is about $120,000. Is that right? >> Correct. >> That's not considering where the money's coming from. That's just straight cost.
>> That's your annual Yeah, that's the annual It's $10,000 a month. >> Okay. Got it. All right. Um and one last thing and you I think you already mentioned it, but so please forgive me if you had. Um but assuming
that we're successful, you know, we that we have no issues with this 5-year audit that sounds like it's it's going along as it should uh and we continue to to um pledge and spend that 20% on these
transit a transit-related project, uh we would anticipate Freebee releasing those funds that they had on hold for us for some time. >> Correct. >> Okay. About how much is that fund? >> You There's two There's two part
>> If you just because uh we need you on the mic. Go ahead, Paul. >> Yeah, so currently transit has a an account balance of of uh about $219,000. Uh but I I do want to point out that that you've been paying out of the general fund and technically that should
transfer you should transfer that first 176,000 of that money to the general fund. And so basically, there's there's about a $50,000 uh difference. You could simply choose how you want to sort the money, but I did want to put that out for your
discussion and thought today is that you've already invested $176,000 of general fund money to date. >> Okay, so that's money that would be is reimbursable. >> Right. So, it's a left pocket, right pocket at some point, but the outside
money that you don't have is the $218,000 that we anticipate you will get. >> Got it. Go ahead, Claudia. >> Just wanted to clarify. Claudia Mirror with Freebie. You had said Freebie would be releasing the money. It's CITT would be releasing that money back to you. Just
>> My apologies. >> Right. And then the other thing I wanted to say, just another technical um He had Mr. I'm sorry, I lost his name. Paul had said that it was up to 20%. It's a minimum of 20%. So, minimum and
up to 80% for for the for the road repairs or whatnot. So, just wanted to clarify that. And then the other thing is that you had a $204,000 and some change allocation last year that that's the amount that's currently being on hold. And the amount for next year is
estimated to be less. Right now, it's about being estimated 186 and some change. So, I just wanted to say it is a little bit less because it less money was collected. So, I just kind of wanted to Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You round up. So, just wanted to >> Okay. All right, great. Claudia, thanks
for the the clarification. Um All right, so I want to give the the commission certainly time to to ask any questions to Paul about the numbers um before I provide my comments on on my understanding of all this. So, go ahead if someone has questions or you don't
want to talk to Paul about the numbers, please go ahead. >> Before this meeting, my questions that I had was I wanted to find out what the actual cost running Freebie. And if we advertise, would that help a lot? I think the res- This that second point is from what residents brought up
tonight. I think if we did more advertising, that might help. By using the money for Freebee, does it take away from any other projects that we have? That's my my main three concerns. But after listening tonight from what the residents are speaking,
we have to decide are residents more important than money? We can always find money whether or not we help residents is very important. So, if one as I said before, the model in in Marine Corps is we don't leave anybody behind. So, if we leave
one resident behind, then we're short-changing. So, that's just my comment. >> Mission. >> Yeah, so God, where do I start? Um I said this at the last meeting and I'll say it again, you know, we didn't fix the roads before Freebee, we haven't
fixed the roads since Freebee. Um so, you know, let's let's let's just be honest with ourselves. Um I know we're going to talk about stats, we're going to talk about data, we're going to talk about finances. Um but I just want to make sure that, you know, the last meeting in May I
everybody knows that I was a yes vote. And I also mentioned that I felt that um that Freebee uh did a service to some of the most vulnerable in our in our community and I thought that that had value and that's the reason that I was a yes vote. Having said all of that, you
know, the reason that I ran 6 years ago and by the way, there's an election in November in case anybody wondered, but there is an election. Um the reason that I ran 6 years ago is because I sat right there where you guys were and I felt that I wasn't listened to, that the residents weren't being heard. I wasn't being heard. Emails were sent and they
weren't they went unanswered. Um so, it's great that I'm that I'm that we're hearing from all of you that are here and all of the people that sent emails. That's all wonderful. Um but the reality is that the only place that I'm hearing about getting rid
of freebies from this dais. I have yet to hear a resident say to me, "Hey, let's get rid of freebies. It's a horrible idea. You know, maybe we'll fix a driveway or or half a street." I haven't heard one resident tell me that. So, the reality is that we're here to serve
the residents and what they want, uh not what Art wants or what the administration wants. Um so, for that reason, I will continue to be a yes vote. Um so, that's that's where I where I stand, guys. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Are we doing questions for Paul first?
I'm going to I'm going to go to questions for Paul and then I'll make my comments. >> Sure. >> Paul, what's the current balance approximately in the CITT fund? Is it positive or is it negative? >> The >> [clears throat] >> Well, I'm going to have to clarify your terms a little bit. In in the overall
uh project of CITT, there it's a little over $650,000 in the total project fund. >> But, is that money in the bank currently right now or is that money that >> No, they they've stopped Right, they they've stopped
transmitting, transferring the funds on a monthly basis to uh the village, but we we track it simultaneously with the county. >> So, current on-hand funds to be expended tomorrow cuz this service continues tomorrow, what's that on-hand funds in the CITT fund?
>> Uh zero. >> Zero. So, we have no money in CITT. So, every dollar we spend would come out of which fund? >> Uh your general fund or a grant. You had a grant in at one time. I don't know the status of it, but you had a $60,000 uh
DOT grant that was funding it. >> And what's the current O from CIT to the general fund? How much does the CITT owe the general fund right now? >> For transit, $219,000. >> $219,000? >> Yeah, it's $218,952.
I rounded it up. >> And what's the number that is projected if we continue free view through the rest of the year to be owed by the end of this fiscal? >> Uh you should gain about another 35,000. Maybe a little less.
>> We're going to round out about 250,000 in the hole for CITT, correct? >> I I misunderstood. I >> We're going to end up about 250,000 negative in that balance by the end of the year, correct? >> Uh let's see if how you're saying it. So
there'll be an addition We are already budgeted and are paying the difference for this year. So I'm not it's not going to be a deficit. It's already in your budget to pay it. >> Okay, so it's already in the budget to budget it from the >> Yeah, so you're funded for it in terms
of operating, but the question is what you know, CITT needs to you know, when that process cleans up, you'll you'll be reimbursed. >> I understand, but right now we cuz I I'll quote you here and said that last last week when we talked about this you
said it's a long uphill battle to get the county to release the funds. >> Yes. >> What is the what would be the projected owed from CITT to the general fund at the end of the fiscal? >> Yeah, so that's what you meant by that. That yeah, so it should be about 250,000 for transit.
>> 250,000. Okay, thank you. That's the questions I have. >> Sorry, I didn't mean to be evasive. I just didn't hear it correctly. >> I know. I know it's fine. >> Mr. >> Any questions for Paul? >> Um so Paul, uh you touched on my main thing I I think I wanted to clarify with
you is um and with staff is what's the deadline? I don't know why. Mhm. Hello. I got I'm going to eat the mic. >> Sorry, cuz I'm like right next >> You sound great online. >> Thank you. I'm glad. Um so I I the question for you, Paul, was going to be
about the FDOT money. So, we have 60 grand. When's the deadline for that? >> I don't have that detail. I'm sorry. >> you didn't, but I just want to make sure. So, that's the $60,000, I believe, that they're Uh E-Sun, you might be able to answer
this one or someone from staff. What's our deadline for FDOT 60 grand attach Currently, we're paying freebie portion comes from this money, the $60,000. >> Good evening. Um so, that's why we were
on that deadline to make a decision last meeting. >> Okay. That's >> Because we needed to renew and we had one more extension for that uh grant. We need to renew it, so we needed to make that decision last meeting. So, right now, I think the manager is trying to see if there's an
opportunity to but I think they're going to make us reapply instead of having to just We were just going to roll over into the extension for for a one more year. But, that's by missing that deadline of not signing the agreement the last meeting,
we now would have to reapply. >> And what happens if we miss uh >> There's a 30-day notice that is required for canceling. So, that's why I said the manager is trying to negotiate the opportunity to see if we can do the extension without having to
reapply. >> All right. So, I know that deadline. I did call FDOT. I just wanted to confirm. I don't know what the process is, and that's why I need clear clearance from you guys. Like, what's the next step is my question because if we do decide this and we move forward,
do we have the money? Do we have 60 grand to move forward? That's been paying half the bill. >> So, like Paul's saying, the the money for the $120,000 is in your budget out of the general fund. >> Yeah. >> It's [clears throat] for this year, absolutely. So, you're budgeted for that
under the idea that you're going to get that money back 60 from CITT, 60 from from the grant, but it's already budgeted for this year out of your general fund. >> Yeah, but the difference is if we do move forward >> Right. >> right? >> You would be banking basically without
the without the grant and just [clears throat] the CITT money. So now you would be 60 grand coming out of the pocket with that's not getting refunded. >> Correct. So that that's the impact I see and that's the clarification between the deadlines you're referring to what the
process is which I still have questions about is how do we make sure that whatever we pass today we are going to cover it the way we've been covering so far because that money $60,000 came from FDOT for us.
If we pass the deadline and that doesn't happen now how much Paul are we subsidizing? So I'm guessing between the 60 plus the extra 20 2,000 or so that >> Yeah. >> It's a It's 120,000
on an annual basis. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> So but the minimum that we have to use is 20% right? >> Yeah, but what I'm asking >> But but but we can use more of the CITT money. >> Correct. >> We we don't have to just use that small percentage. That's the minimum. So we
get the money that we get from CITT we can actually pay more out of the CITT for free. >> Okay. So that that's where I'm going. We're essentially telling FDOT no thank you for your grant money. We have a deadline that we told them we
don't need it. That's what I'm trying to verify because we pass the deadline and we had a money coming in 60 grand that was coming from FDOT not not our general fund not right? So the question is if we move forward which I think
majority will agree tonight that we we want to do this. I know my vote is a yes. Who pays what? And you know, how do we solve that issue of procedurally that starting next contract, Claudia, we're able to
have the money from FDOT. So, I think maybe the answer is you don't have it. I would say >> Yeah, the goal would be to to try to reestablish that grant, obviously. Um if that isn't capable, we'd have to search for other money avenues. The other opportunity is that yes, you spend more than the 20% which you're already
spending technically more than 20% because the 20% is only 36,000, but you're basically taking 60,000 from CITT to cover the half. You see how you we're kind of splitting it there? Grant was 60, you were taking 60 from CIT. You're already spending more than 20%.
>> Right. So, we get >> We've already, but it's it's budgeted, so yes, $60,000 would need to be found whether it's another grant opportunity or spending more out of CITT. >> We're getting $200,000 a year from CITT technically, right? >> Correct. >> And again, we've been using that money,
the the additional money, in theory, for stormwater >> Stormwater drainage projects, correct. >> other other projects. So, to your point, you know, that money that you know, that $60,000, if we lost it, it would be $60,000 less
that we would be able to use >> Correct. >> other projects. >> Correct. And that's that's my concern. So, for me for me, it's it's not so much like the percentages to your point. I think that we've had figure out both hands very good idea that 80/20. We we
control that. The the key point is if we don't have the money, which is what I understood in the meeting we all voted for, is that you had a deadline, and that was the reason why we needed to pass this resolution. And the deadline was attached to the fact that we're receiving free money.
My question is, where's the money going to go? Because I am upset now that, you know if we can provide the service for 60 grand out of our pocket, that's what's going to happen. I don't know what the answer is. That's why I'm I'm trying to put it out there.
And if it is, we're going to pull that out from from where? From the CITT fund? >> From CITT and I obviously if we sign a year agreement now, you're starting a new year with Freebee. Right now we're on one month to month. There is no active contract and that's why this this
debate is happening now. So budget season will be in what? Another 5 months? >> Not even. We're going to start the >> Not even we're going to start in a month but yeah. >> I So two things for me. The first one would be the CITT. The first call for FDOT for me was to understand how's I
don't even I didn't know the name of the the grant itself. So I was trying to understand how this works and the deadlines being for F I mean what it was told is that if we do apply it would be like 2028 I think because of the deadline on their fiscal.
Again, I don't understand that. You know, that's what you guys do. So what's your problem, Judy? >> Right. Look, I'm going to I'm going to answer the I'm going to answer the question on the funding thing. I think there are multiple sources from which we can fund
if there's a shortfall. >> Yeah. >> We can still get the grant. The grant a grant could be pulled at any time. So we could have lost that money today because FDOT said sorry, we're not going to fund it. So we can fund it from CIT and if we fund it from CIT in theory, we still have money for capital
projects on top of full a full $120,000 fund from CITT and we have Al already shared with me an early plan to to claw the money back from CITT to finish the 5-year audit to bring that money down. I'm I'm going to cut right to the chase for
everybody up here. I see this as being a right down the middle satisfies both parties. We can either fully fund it with the grant money, we can fully fund it with the CITT, and even if we fully fund it with the CITT, we still have money left over for capital projects, and that includes a potential $60 to
$80,000 for road paving. And that doesn't even consider the other 200 plus thousand dollars that we're trying to pull down right now from CITT to do that. So, I see this as a perfect solution. We can renew the Freebee, we can continue to pay through CITT, and
whatever excess we have, and whatever more money we pull down, we can use it for the roads. So, I was very happy to hear that today when when in the discussions with Al, in the discussions with Paul, in the discussions with Freebee, that we have an opportunity here in front of us to renew a service
that we hear people want, and we are able to cover it, and we still have money left over to do the things that we wanted to do with this money in the first place. Let me just be very clear, too. I'm I'm voting in favor of it for this very reason, but let me just be very clear that Isa, the work that you guys did on this,
I appreciate you just bringing up the ideas. You know, this is this is the job of the manager and the staff to say, "Let's look at the things that we are doing and see if there's an alternative view." That's all it is. People came out and said, "We want Freebee to stay." Great. Then let it stay.
>> Right. >> But there are other ways to use these funds. So, >> Absolutely. >> I I appreciate >> have a horse in the race as an administration. I just want to kind of throw that out there. Like, we get a little slack like this is we're trying to save the village money and do roads and provide a service, and within that
month that you all tasked us, we went to Freebee, they've extended the range of the Freebee service, the range will be at we included a public. So, whatever you all tasked, we went to bat for it and got it for the residents and for you all. >> Sorry, he's ended my discussion with Claudia. She said that they're open to expanding it even further and helping us
with marketing and advertising. So, >> Is that down on the resolution we have today or no? >> Uh well, this is a discussion that we have as we continue to partner with them, but you know, the fact that this came up and the fact that you're you're willing to work with us and that we're renewing a partnership if if there's a
full vote for it. Um, I don't know, from all sides of this I see this is a positive development that we found that there's additional funds that we can pull down for the the projects that we want to do and we can continue to provide free B out of the CITT. I'm very happy with this development, guys.
Yeah. Your your mic's not on, Dan. >> I was believing that people would just didn't want to use it. Looks like it's was because we wasn't advertising. So, we I think you proved the point tonight that you will help us with the advertising. I think the advertising we can do that. >> Yes, I'm happy to put that on the
record. We are happy to help with any type of advertising, um, you know, marketing materials, um, getting the word out. And then one of the residents brought something up as well, uh, that we also do. Uh, she mentioned about some of the seniors. We're happy to come and do a town hall meeting, if there's a
bingo game or what have you, where we can go and go ahead and kind of help them download the app, teach them how to use it. Uh, and for the folks who don't have a smartphone or may not be as tech savvy, just don't feel comfortable, you know, we we teach them about the 800 number that they can call and and get a
request the ride that way. We teach you about managing expectations as somebody else, one of the other speakers this evening said, micro transit is not Uber or Lyft, all right? It's one car, not 100,000 cars available when you request a ride. So, we we talk to you about what the average
wait time is, what your base wait time is, that it's higher during peak times, et cetera, so that you know, you know, we educate what the you national average is on wait time. So, folks understand and they manage their expectations. So, if they do have to go, okay, if they have to go to Publix, they're fine. But, if they have to go to a doctor's appointment, which is a time certain
appointment, they know, "You know what? I'm going to have to call 30, 45 minutes in advance because my peak time is between this time and this time. And if I'm calling between those hours, my wait is going to be longer." So, now you have a happier rider, a happier user because they know how to use the service, get the best out of the service as possible.
So, and then again, uh this is a partnership, so I would also encourage the city, if you could, you know, put the some information, we'll put it together, add it to your website. If you have a newsletter that you can send out or just to kind of keep the word out. And of course, the caveat that I will also put on the record is
when you put out and more people find out about it, the more users you have, and then the higher your wait times. So, it's kind of a balance as well, um which is why we usually don't advertise. We always do it right before we start the service and let kind of the community know that it's coming. But, we're not here to We're not just vendors, we're
here to be community partners with you, work hand in hand with you in anything that you need. Please call me. All of you should have my phone number, my cell phone number. Call me. I'm happy to work with you. Any ideas you want to troubleshoot, we'll do. If there's another other locations uh close to that other Publix that we added that you want
to add, let us know, we'll go ahead and add it, um you know, and listen to the feedback. And we also listen to the feedback that, you know, the community gives our drivers. So, if you're riding along and you have an idea, definitely tell the the driver. The driver will tell their performance manager, and the performance performance manager tells me directly. So,
um we're happy to help, and thank you so much um for your time. >> Thank you, Claudia. So, listen, I I >> Mayor, if you >> Go ahead. >> I haven't got a chance to speak, and I don't want to waste my breath cuz I'm a no vote, but I want it to be on the record why I'm a no vote tonight. >> Sure. >> Before we vote. Uh so, ridership, 2023
we're at 6,205 riders. In 2024, that dropped to 5,337. That represents a 13% decrease. 2025, that dropped to 4,183, a 21% increase or decrease, excuse me, from 2024 to 2025. In In we don't have a complete year, but in
the first quarter, we have 804 40 riders. That's a 12% decrease. That shows from 2023 to 2025 our completed years a 34% decrease over 3 years. I try to compare this to our neighboring municipalities. I pulled up CITC's ridership manual, which have they
published one in 2025. To my surprise, we are the smallest municipality in Miami-Dade County that offers this service. The only one close to us is Village of Bal Harbour. They boasted in 2025 11,296
riders. We we are almost comparable in in population, but when you count when you add in their commercial property, we are nowhere near the size of them. So, I looked at our neighbors, North Miami, Miami Shores, El Portal. El Portal does not have this service. Miami Shores, which has four times the size of our
budget, does not have this service. They have an internal uh bus route that runs for 4 hours a day. We run for 7 hours a day during the weekdays and 9 10 hours on the weekends. They spend $40,000 a year on transit. We spend $120,000 a year. North Miami does have Freebee. They
spend $130,000 per car. They have four cars, but $130,000 per car for their entire city. We are 1 square mile and we're paying 120 for our city. Then if you look at Wellington, the the contract you guys are about to piggyback off of, they're 44 square miles and they
cover their entire city for 230,000. To me, $120,000 for 1 square mile is way too much money. Then I looked at efficiency. Currently, we have a Tesla. If you look at Where does that Tesla charge? It charges at public works. If you look at public works' utility bills,
which is another added cost because we pay the utility bills that charges this vehicle, not not Freebee. We've gone up close to $10,000 a year in utility bills every year since we brought in Freebee at public works. That's outpaced parks and rec, this facility, or city hall. That's an added
cost that's not being added into this. But, the reason we're moving this year from a Tesla to a VW is because of the Florida DOT grant, which is not a operations grant. It's a developing your transit system grant. The only way we qualify for it is by adding a larger car
we're putting on the road that's 20% less efficient than the Tesla. So, every mile that car drives, we're going to be using 20% more electricity that we pay for. So, then I looked at the environmental impacts. Last month, we had 242 riders. That averaged about 12 minutes a ride,
comes out to 48 hours of active driving time last month. Of the 247 hours we were open in business to drive, 199 hours were wasted electricity of the car driving around that was not serving the residents. When our power comes from FP&L that is
70% fossil fuels, you cannot tell me that there's not an environmental impact when we're wasting 199 hours of electricity a month. And that's going to go up by 20% when we put the VW on the road. The CITT payments we've already talked about, there it has been no payment
since 2020. Our last payment was in January 17th of 2020. Our balance was $700,000 at that time. The reason we brought in the service is because we had a exorbitant amount of money that needed to be spent so we could reactivate these funds. We are now sitting with a negative balance
of over 250,000 by the end of this year in CITT. And as our finance manager told us, it is a long uphill battle to get the county to release the funds. So, what is the negative account going to be by the time we get there? Like I said, this Florida DOT grant, it's a means to an end. It is a
developing your transit system grant. The only reason we qualify this year is because we're moving from a Tesla to a VW. What is the future there? Are we going to have a EV Hummer? EV semi? EV tour bus? You eventually are going to outgrow that grant and it's not going to be kind of a funding source anymore.
So, the future is we have a transit share of 37,378 dollars that's at the 20%. We're going to have to make a choice at some point what projects on the transportation side, which are road repair, storm water, drain cleaning, street lighting,
which one of those do we not want to fund with CITT so we continue to fund this service. To me, this is too big. I remember Mr. Gonzalez sat right here and said, "Sometimes we have to realize we're a little Biscayne Park." This is a too big of service for our community. I understand that it serves a need, but
there are many other services that serve this need. STS, which provides services through Miami-Dade County through CITT for residents for senior residents and disabled, does it at door-to-door service for $3.50 a ride. There are many other services as
well. We could provide a toolkit to give out to our residents and provide them the service. There it shows when you look at El Portal and Miami Shores, two communities that are so close to us that do not have this service. There is a reason for that. So, for me, that is why I'm a no. It's not a fundable It's not a
sustainable solution. There will become a time where we're going to have to sunset this. So, for me, that time is now. I understand. Right, I I I know you put a lot of time and effort into the research. I appreciate it. Um you know, well understood. Well heard. Um
listen, I I I don't know if there's any other discussion or anyone else wants to speak or ask questions. I'm ready to call for a vote. >> I'm going to finish my points if I may. >> Okay. >> I'll take and at any time if you feel I'm talking too much, please utilize the 5-minute rule we have in our procedures.
And allow me to just direct some of the comments from the audience, please. Um my two points, $60,000 from FDOT. I'm hoping we can continue to fund it. That was my first point. And the second one, I do believe this service does not have
a one-to-one evaluation on the money. Okay. We are not talking how many seniors are actually using dividing by $120,000. The same way we're not doing that when we talk about kids playing in the park or other services that we provide. This is
one of the very few things we have for seniors in our community. It's a must and it was a must when I voted yes. That's it. Thank you. >> All right. What else? Nope. All right. All in favor of approving the resolution.
>> I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> You got them out quick. All right. So, having no other business for tonight's meeting, I will ask for a motion to adjourn. >> Make a motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> I. Okay. Thanks everyone for coming this evening. Paul, do you think thank you for being here? Paul, if you can still hear me, still there? He's not. Sorry. >> Yes, sir. >> Thanks. >> I got to let me to going upstairs and
want to get it all out.