Talk about your alltime backfires. Where are you? Okay. Okay. You know. Okay. All right. I've been advised that we're live, so I'm just going to go ahead and start. Uh, all right. So, uh, today's February
3rd, 2026. I have 604 p.m. Uh, calling to order our regular commission meeting for for this month. Uh, Madam Clerk, would you please call the role? >> Mayor G, >> here. >> Vice Mayor Angel >> here. >> Commissioner Gonzalez here. >> Commissioner Huntington here. >> Commissioner Sam here. Mr. Mayor, you
have a quorum. >> Thanks very much. Let's do the pledge of allegiance, please. Just uh okay. So, let's uh move on to any uh additions, deletions, and withdrawals to the agenda. Uh I'll open up to the commission at this time for any Do we have any?
>> I just have one um item from the consent agenda. I'll pull item B. >> 10B. BB. Okay. Uh any others? Seeing hearing none. Okay. Do I have a
motion and a second to approve the agenda as it's been amended? Make a motion to approve the agenda as it is amended. >> I'll second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I Okay. Agenda amended. All right. So, um, very quickly before
we get into the next items, uh, I wanted to provide for public comment before we move because it's I find it more important to provide kind of a time certain. So, people were here or are here for the 6:00 meeting, the start of our public meeting because as anyone
listening or uh or may know uh and for the rest of the commission, we have of course our shade session which we need to open our public meeting. We need to table our public meeting, move into the shade session once we complete this the shade sessions, come back and resume the public meeting. Uh I did want to give
the opportunity before we do all that. So, you know, just in case the shade session goes on a little longer than anticipated that members of the public weren't waiting around to provide their public comment on the agenda. Um, so I'd like to do that before we we table to go uh to the shade session. Uh, if unless
there's any objection from the commission. >> No. >> No. >> No. >> Okay. Um, I don't think we have any presentations for this evening. So, that would take us into our public comment. I I realize that we can't see anything on the screen right now. I know you're
We are live in Zoom. We're not seeing anyone in in the link in Zoom. Okay. All right. I just want to make sure before we before we move past public comment. So, uh since we have no one here in the in in the log cabin present, we have no one on Zoom to provide public comment. I will open and subsequently close public
comment which will take us past our reply since there were none. Uh >> Mr. Mayor, if you will, uh maybe we could open public comment back up when we resume after the safe. have anybody >> just in case because we did have a lengthy conversation about how it would be delayed to after just just in case. >> No, understood and I appreciate that. If
>> it's a good idea >> if we get to if we come back from the shade session, we see uh folks who are here and interested in providing public comment, we can do that. Um I just I wanted to make sure that you know we didn't delay public comment too long based on the shade session. Uh if people were sitting around waiting >> comes there's there's snacks here. I
think that's operation. >> And a fire's wife bought. So which I think is really good. >> And a fire. >> Oh, and a fire. Yeah. Um, okay. So, in that case, uh, John, please correct me if I'm wrong. Um, but at this point, what we would do is we would we table the public meeting or we close the
public meeting, >> the agenda. >> Okay. Okay. And I have the uh the statutory. Yes. Give me two seconds to find it. That's my fault for not having
it queued up and ready, so my apologies, but I have it here. Here we go. Uh, do we do we start with the Castro one, correct, J? >> All right. >> No, we just we just we we read this
portion of it before we con before we close the public meeting and convene the shade session. Um, okay. All right. So, at this point, I will uh I will now announce uh the beginning of the shade meeting with the
statutory language. We are now going to have an attorney client session today being Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at approximately 6 p.m. In accordance with Florida statute section 286.001 subsection 8 regarding the following lawsuit styled Christopher Castro versus village of Biscane Park, case number
25-CV-21837. Uh, the following persons will attend the attorney client session, one or more of whom may participate telephonically. Uh, Jonathan, the mayor Jonathan Growth, Vice Mayor Veronica Amsler, Commissioner Dan Samaria, Commissioner Aronzalez, Commissioner Ryan Huntington, uh,
village manager Al Childress, village attorney John Herren, uh, and I apologize. Um, Michael Caner, got it. uh Michael Caner uh as our outside counsel from the firm Weiss Serotaa uh and official court reporter designated by
the villages provided by law which I believe she is uh in there waiting for us. The length of the attorney client session will be approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour a court reporter will transcribe the closed portion of the meeting and at the conclusion of the litigation the transcript of the closed portion of the meeting will become
public. So, at this point, we will close, well, I guess table the public meeting and we will commence the attorney client shade session. I think I missed this. Oh, sorry. I went a little I got a little ahead of myself. We will now close the public meeting. All those whose name I did not call must now leave them. Well, we're not leaving the
meeting room. We're going to a separate session area. Um uh and then these introductory comments are for the actual stage shade session. Okay. All right. time >> 6:10 p.m. Okay. So, we'll reconvene at
the conclusion of the stage shade sessions. Thanks everyone. shooting session. We're live. Um, okay. So, I'm reopen the public meeting just for the purposes of announcing uh the second shade session
of the evening. First shade session in the matter of I just I just had it up right. Castro versus the village abyss game park case number 25-c21837 is concluded. I'll read the script now
for the second shade session. Um okay. Okay. Uh, we're now going to have an attorney client session on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at the time is approximately 6:55 p.m. Um, or this the script says at 6 p.m. or as soon as thereafter is possible. Um, uh, in
accordance with Florida statute section 286.001 subsection 8 regarding the following lawsuit styled. Lewis Cabrera versus the village of Biscane Park at all. Case number 25-CV-21452. The following persons will attend the attorney client session. one or more of
whom may participate telephonically. Mayor Jonathan Growth, Vice Mayor Veronica Amsler, Commissioner Damriia, Commissioner Ar Gonzalez, Commissioner Ryan Huntington, village manager El Childris, village attorney John Herren, um Michael Canor as outside council with the firm Weiss Cerota, and an official
court reporter designated by the villages provided by law. The length of the attorney client session will be approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. A court reporter will transcribe the closed portion of the meeting and at the conclusion of the litigation the transcript of the closed portion of the meeting will become public. Uh we will
now close the public meeting uh for this the shade session all of those whose name I did not call let's now leave the meeting room but we'll be we'll be convening over in village hall so people here can hang out. Um uh oh and this is the introductory
comment for the shade session. So I think we're good. Okay, that's it. We'll be back. Get out. Thank you very much. >> Um, don't want to proceed without the manager, but cover some things uh that we don't need.
>> That's like the whole purpose. >> That's what you want. >> Okay. So, uh I'm sure the manager will be with us here shortly. just come back over from the shade session. But uh uh at
this time the the both shade sessions have concluded and we are reopening uh our regular commission meeting for this evening. Uh so we left off when we left off to to move into shade sessions. We had opened and closed public comment uh
but it was the desire of the commission to reopen public comment since some folks had join us uh if you'd like to to speak at this time. So we will do that. We'll open public comment uh and start with folks here in the log cabin followed by anyone on Zoom as a reminder for public comment. Um it's limited to
three minutes and please provide us with your name and address before you begin. So we'll start here in the log cabin. >> I know you're on a a deadline so we got here just in time for you. >> Hello. >> Here we go. >> It works. All right. Uh Anna Deleó, 655
Northeast 115th Street. Um good evening. I just wanted to give an update. Um I'm on on the parks and parkways board and we just wanted to give you a couple updates on what we're working on. What should I do?
>> There we go. >> Okay, >> go ahead. >> Um, and I don't think that I attended January meeting, so some of this is December, too. But we held our arbor day celebration for 2025 during the holiday market in partnership with the arts and culture board and we wanted to just
thank them for giving the time and space so that we could make our proclamation. Um and then in December we held three workshopping walks uh throughout the neighborhood to identify areas impacted by tree removals over the past year. Most of the commissioners attended at least one walk. Thank you for coming and
for your support. Um we also had several village residents come. the village manager, um, Al Childress, John Jenkins, was able to join us as well. Um, and the village arborist, John Alred, provided support before and after with questions that we had and conversations through
the um, that came up about as a result of the walks. Um, we also had several residents join us and we also heard from residents before and after the walks. Um, as we were individually walking the neighborhood, uh, we engaged with also
some arborists, landscape architects, and nursery professionals. Um, and Barbara and Gary Kool were especially generous with their knowledge, uh, advice and mentorship. So, we wanted to thank the Kools for their continued support. Um, then in January, we met
three times to discuss the walks, um, share findings from our individual research and then develop the tree replacement plan. Um we sent uh a list and some more information to the village manager um at his request and now uh
he's in the process of preparing an RFP that can be presented to the board. Um we I saw that the approving the grants tonight is on the agenda and we encourage you to accept the money. We're very excited for $100,000 worth of trees
to help rebuild and restore our beautiful canopy of Biscane Park. Um, we'll continue refining our tree replacement plan as the grants move forward and also begin looking at beyond this cycle because we know that this is just the start and more will be needed
in the future. Um, and we hope to have the RFP um brought to you as commissioners um in April or so that the contracts can be awarded um later this spring. And then at our next meeting, we'll begin planning our Arbor Day 2026. We hope to
align it with the traditional National Arbor Day that occurs at the end of April. Um, more information to come from that. And then finally, we still have a vacancy on our board and I see there's a vacancy on the foundation board as well and the resiliency board. So, we would appreciate any support from the
commissioner village officials and advertising and recruiting for these open seats. Um, to the engaged residents here tonight or listening on Zoom, please consider becoming officially involved on a board. Our strength is a village truly comes from resident engagement. And if you're unable to sub
serve but know a neighbor who would be a great fit, please encourage them to um join and apply or on our boards. >> Thank you. That's it. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Anna. >> Good timing. Um okay. Uh any other comments here in
the uh the log cabin? Oh, you want to go first? >> Danielle Huntington, 744 Northeast 119 Street. Um, I'm here tonight to talk about our favorite topic, which is traffic. Um, as you know, we've made
some headway with the ILA, the um, safer streets for all, but there's still, you know, an issue with speeding, uh, traffic violations and other things that are like safety issues for pedestrians as well as drivers. Um, as you know,
we're kind of behind the eightball with a lot of a lot of other municipalities. Uh Miami Shores is going to start implementing uh speed tables anywhere where the traffic study uh indicates them and they
require twothirds of the residents on each block to sign on to putting a traffic stop. So, a bunch of neighbors on 119th, I believe, from 6 to 9th or 8th, the beginning of the end of 8th, um
have signed on to uh receiving any form of uh traffic calming measures on their block because speeding is such an issue. And so while you guys are doing your part um through strategic planning and approaching and prioritizing for the
next budget, um just know that there's still residents that are hugely affected by traffic and deeply want uh trafficcoming measures in their blocks and so we decided to do um petitions and I believe John Holland is
also working on his block. So we almost have all of 119th covered. So, thank you for your time and I hope you take into consideration during strategic planning. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> You're you're
>> this is good idea and I'm glad that you did this. >> But is there a gold on the amount of signatures or is it just for the commission to know? >> Twothirds of the block is usually like when I looked at other municipalities and what Miami Shores is doing currently, it's usually 2/3 of the
residential block. We in Biscuit Park don't have anything in that requirement. Um, so I guess that would be up to the commission the manager what your what your stipulations are for that. >> So if we get if we get two/3 what is the I mean what are you asking the
commission to do? >> I mean we have two/irds of those two blocks. So it would be twoirds of all the let's say you got twothirds of the whole village. What can the commission do? that would be up to you guys to decide what to do based on your traffic
study and what you are going to do for uh safer streets for all. So, we're just ahead of the ball saying this is something that we wanted for a very long time >> and like we'll sign whatever to um speed up that process. So, if you get the budget and the funding and the traffic
study that we are welcome to getting the first you know we are we will be your lab rats I guess. This this is one of the things that when I ran as a commissioner that I like. I like when res residents um what do you call participate and go out and do this
stuff, you know, bring it to the attention of the commission because not everybody comes to the meeting, but this explains a lot. So, I'm really I'm really impressed with the stuff that's on the signatures that you got. Hopefully, a lot more issues. You're going to do that again in the future. >> Yes. And I want to thank Patricia for
spearheading everything. I just put together everything, but she definitely did all the the work for that because it affects her. She lives on um six. >> I just want to commend you as as a resident for doing that because I think that's something that I as a commissioner want to hear. I want to hear what the res I can't get a lot of
people to I'm not good as Kennedy and as your husband of getting people or Commissioner Amsa to get people to sign up their emails and this is one of the things that I like to hear is I like to have people participate. Well, that's how important it is to them that >> and I want to I want to commend you for doing that because it's really good job.
Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi guys, Judy Hamillberg, 1015 Northeast 116th Street. Um I am currently serving on the code board. Uh it's very important job. Uh and they need us. Uh
we have an alternate who has shown only to one meeting in the last two years. So, we need our regular people there. I don't know if it's possible or not possible, but if I could serve on the foundation as well, I would be willing
to do that as I am semi-retired, working only two days a week and soon to be fully retired, working zero days a week. So, I would be more than happy to help out George and and the rest of them on
the foundation if there's a way that it it's not a conflict. Um, it it's not a conflict with code and in foundation their workers in two entirely different directions, but I know the whole idea is to have different people involved, but
right now they're down to only two members from what I understand. Okay. Thanks Judy. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um okay, if we have no other uh comment here in the log cabin, we'll turn over to to Zoom. I don't think there's anyone
>> go beyond Zoom. Um okay, so um having we'll close public comment. We'll move on to commission reply to public comment. Um I do have one thing I wanted to say. Um uh one of the things Anna I think you mentioned about you know posting and trying to get people involved in the
boards. It's actually since this is like the one of the last items on tonight's meeting. Um, one of the recommendations that I plan on making for the foundation was if we could start posting and ask people to get involved. Um, and Judy, if if that's possible, I'm going to ask the attorney if that's possible. That's very
kind of you and very generous of you um to to put your hand up and help out. So, I'm sure I speak for the commission when we say we appreciate it. Um, uh, John, not to put you on the spot, since I don't know if you've dealt with the issue before, but is since the foundation is a 501c3,
uh, and a separate entity from the village of Biscane Park, would it be a conflict or I guess an issue? Conflict might not might not be the right word for a board member on one board to also serve as part of the foundation because of the separation between the entities. >> Not necessarily conflict. I I need to look into it a little bit more to
determine if there's potentially a dual office holding issue. Got it. >> Just as a general rule, state law says that you can't serve on two um state created
bodies as a local government. So you, for example, couldn't be the mayor and also be the supervisor of elections. One or the other. I'll look into it and I'll I'll I'll let the manager know. >> Okay. >> As well as you all. >> Thank you, John. So we'll find out,
Judy. In the meantime, I I we'll get to that point, but hopefully we can get some posts out and try to get some other people involved, too. >> Thank you very much. >> I I do remember the last time I was on a commission, that was one of the things that was brought up. I was complaining about two people serving on the boards,
and I was informed that the foundation is a So, I'm glad you're, Mr. Attorney, that you're going to look into that foundation is not considered part of the board. It's a separate tinity. So, they can do both. We have had people that served on the foundation and also served on a board.
>> Um, all right. Is there any other commissioner reply to public comment before we get to down to our reports? >> Yes, Commissioner. >> Go ahead. >> I'd like to say thank you to the parks and parkway boards for all your hard work with the walking workshops and, you know, being at that meeting with you guys going tree by tree, really diving
in deep into, you know, it's going to really show an a definite uh effect to our village and I I really appreciate it. Uh Judy, I thank you for volunteering. I hope that does work out and you can s serve on two boards. I will mention that another resident
reached out to me. Uh and I gave them the application info and I I don't know if Pamela has received their application as of yet, but uh they they told me they applied. So there is other residents stepping up. Another resident also for the parks and parkway board uh showed interest and I gave them the application as well. So hopefully uh Pamela will
will receive their application soon. Uh, as far as the petition, I would uh, since it's submitted to the record, Pamela, is it possible to have it uh, duplicated and sent out to the rest of commission so we can open? I'd like to dive deep into those comments that people had it on there. >> That's all. >> Okay. Uh, any other reply?
>> Yes. So, I'll echo on the last request to have access to the comments and and the streets. This is an item that actually came uh in the commission. I'm going to address the traffic cal measures. Um, if I'm not mistaken, I have to go back to the minutes. I can't
remember right now, but we did talk about establishing SOPs for specifically this um, we need systems so the residents are just not trying to figure it out if they could or what the process might be um, in place, you know, and we
can make it just Biskin Park. It might be copying, you know, best practices like Miami Shores or other municipalities. But we've talked about this. We talked about um uh implementing even temporary speed uh deterrence and 119 specifically because we know the
history of it. So I'd like to uh Chief, are you there? Yes, you're behind. I barely see you. We had the conversation. I don't know if you remember there was going to be some of you finding out what the cost was something like that. I can again don't quote me on on that, but we we got to sort of pick up on that. So
what I propose is if everybody agrees is that we put it for the next agenda to make um uh a conversation about SOP specific to traffic calling me >> on. So is everybody okay with that? >> I was just going to suggest maybe we put it for a topic during strategic planning
that we talked about. Perfect. >> We can talk about SOPs as well as temporary measures we might be able to put in place for you know fact finding. >> How about me money too? So yeah. Okay. >> That works. >> So that's for that. Judy, same thing. I'll echo um I you know appreciate what
you do already. So if you can do more that's wonderful. And then I think we're going to talk about foundation item on at the end and the idea of maybe even opening the parks and park um parks and uh parkways board to out of the village
uh people. We've done that in the past. I believe her name was Mauricea was it Marissa Krin? >> Sorry to reach out. >> Yeah. So people that not necessarily lived within the village, but they were in the neighboring. I think at that time she was in North Miami and we accepted
her to be because we had the same issue where you don't have enough people to run for certain boards. And so that was considering I think at the end she ended up moving something like again don't quote me on it but the idea of this is during the discussions tonight maybe we can explore what it means to have empty
boards. Um, I'm going to go specific on the resiliency that it's in in desperate need and we know what's surrounding us right now when it comes to resiliency and not having an opinion. So, we'll talk about that, but yes, thank you. Um,
thank you Anna for everything you did. Yeah, that's it. >> Okay. Very good. Uh, so let's move on down to our reports. We'll start with our manager report. Mr. Manager, uh, would you like to present uh anything with respect to your report this evening? >> Um, yeah, Mr. Mayor, as I as you as you know, I was in mediation all day, so I
just threw together a few items that uh is not as lengthy as my usual report, but um after our last uh uh meeting last month, uh I flew to Tallahassee the next day. You were already up there. Uh Commissioner Huntington was already up
there. I think we had a very successful meeting in Tallahassee. Uh very uh informative. We were able to meet with a number of state reps, another state senators that uh those two appropriations that we're looking for
funding for. As you're aware, it's uh for the parks and recreation new equipment and then our uh study to convert our septic tanks to sewer. So, those are our two funding projects that uh we're we're uh looking for. And I, of
course, our state lobbyist, David Conertter, was up there u uh lobbying with us for those appropriations. Um, movie night. We had a movie night this month. Um, parks and recreation did a fantastic job. It was well attended.
Uh, we were lucky the weekend before that. Uh, it rained heavily, but we had perfect weather and it was well attended and we had a nice movie. I think some some of you were there. And, uh, it was really a really nice event. Um, public works has been working on a number of
projects. If you uh have the ability to ride around the uh the village, you're you're going to see uh some of the projects they're working on to beautify the village. And also this evening, we thanks to our public works staff. They've got the fireplace going, you
know, and keeping us warm here tonight. Yesterday, I came in here for a meeting. It was 52 degrees in here yesterday afternoon about uh about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. So, we needed to do something. And then we found out our reverse cycle air conditioning, the
electrical hookup, it requires a 55 uh 55 amp power outage and we only had 25 amps going to it. So, every time we would turn it on, of course, it would uh blow a fuse. So, we were able to fix that this morning with John's help and
uh get that going. um police department. We issued an LTC this morning and hopefully you had an opportunity to to uh look at that. We've going to put that on the agenda for next month so the entire uh village um commission could see that and also the our residents can
see it. at uh Hurricane Milton, we had deployed four police officers to Tampa and we were able to uh with the help of the chief and Captain Rosario with their diligence um in pursuing that paperwork, that lengthy p paperwork and getting on
the phone and talking to people up in Tallahassee, we were able to get back $43,000, $46,350, uh which is was just outstanding. and I thought, you know, that money was lost and and that we weren't going to get it
back, but uh they were really diligent in getting that money back. So, uh kudos to them and they're and their pursuit of that. Uh code also has been working hard. Dorian was here earlier, but we're all we're pursuing, as you know, the the
property on 121st Street. Uh they're they're resisting us. Uh there's some uh meeting going to come up coming up this uh this week uh internally to discuss uh there's a a court case that's been filed against the village to to present us for
from uh tearing down that structure. So we we have an internal meeting coming up to discuss the how how to settle that. Um the village clerk position we we had some excellent candidates we interviewed. We're down to the two finalists. I'm going to be issuing a a
uh offer letter this this week and we'll probably have the person starting in the next two weeks. And as uh as I mentioned before, um the law cabinet, I think uh Lyn is our historical expert here said, we
haven't had a fire place going since uh 197978. We had a we had a wedding here in 1980. So, that was the last time that the fire uh fireplace was utilized. And I think the weather was cold enough that we uh
we could utilize it uh tonight and especially yesterday, it was very very cold in here. And finally, u Mr. Mayor, I think we need to congratulate Commissioner Huntington for picking up all the dead iguanas on Sunday afternoon. He picked up over 30 of them
that that were over around the village. Yeah. So, yeah. Thank you very much, Commissioner, for going out there and being proactive and and taking care of that. So, that's about it, Mr. Mayor. >> Thanks, Al. Very much appreciated. Well done, Commissioner.
>> Now, you're in my speed dial. I I want you to know that >> removal service. Yeah. Uh and certainly with respect to the recovery of those funds, chief and captain, thanks very much for your hard work on get recovering that money with the manager. It's um certainly nice to uh find money
that we thought was lost was recoverable. So, we very much appreciate your hard work there. Um are there any questions for the manager on his report before we move on to code? Oh, no, no, no. Okay. Um code, I know we had Dorian with us earlier. Um she is no
longer in in the log cabin. Are there any questions or any discussion points on the code report for this month? No, I'm hearing none. Okay. Um parks and recck. Uh any question on the department report for parks and recck? No. Okay. Um all right. Uh public works.
Uh any questions uh for John on the report? He's here with us hearing none. John, thank you as always. Um okay. Uh police department, we have the chief and the captain here with us. Are any questions on the police department report for this month?
Hearing none. Okay. Um and um commission reports. Are there any reports from the commission that you'd like to present at this time? With >> um just No, I'm sorry. >> Thank you, commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh so, yeah, I traveled with the
uh mayor, village manager, and our lobbyist, David Casserta, to Tallahassee. Uh thank you very much for allowing me to join with the legislative party. Uh it was eye opening to see our process in Tallahassee, and I'm looking forward to it next year. It was a bunch of great meetings. I hope that it uh is
fruitful. I hope our appropriations are uh well recepted and successful this year. I will also be traveling to Washington DC at the end of this month. I announced last meeting to meet with Congresswoman Fica Wilson. Uh hopefully to spread the you know the word of Biscane Park what we have going on here.
Uh thank her for her representation in Washington as well as to maybe get a little insight into the federal appropriations process. Uh we'll ask the commission in uh strategic planning we can discuss just some highlevel projects wish list kind of projects that we could
pitch to her that maybe we can we can put on a federal appropriation that she might support. Uh she did support us in uh previously in other appropriations. So hopefully she will continue that support of this game park. Uh that's all that's all I have.
>> Thanks commissioner. All right. Okay. uh just for the uh I talked to the city manager about it in uh strategistic planning. I hope I say that right. We're going to I'm going to bring up about in reference to having um the in-house sanitation and the garbage be brought
back. So I'll bring that up at the district meeting and also for the upcoming for this budget I think it be for the next budget is that I would like to have it to where we bring back the travel because I you going up there bought an idea that I'd like to go up
there you know and and participate but it's the expense that's the real you know big thing. So when we took out the travel in the last budget, I think that we need to hopefully try to bring that back. That's for that because I think other commissioners, you know, should be able to at least half whatever, you
know, it pays. But I think that with you going up there and mayor going up there, I think that's something good that other commissioners might want to do. At least I know I would. But I think it's the cost is the big big thing for me that I have to take time off from work, which I'm willing to do, but running a
business sometimes. Anyway, that's just it. >> Great. Thanks, Commissioner, Vice Mayor. >> Um, I'll just uh share one interesting uh meeting I had um was actually not a meeting is um the conference called
infra infra infra day. I don't know if you all got invited to that. Um it was here in Ironside and it was also including part of a conversation about cyber security. So I'll talk about it during my adm but a lot of the
municipalities were present as well as vendors and you know um people in general that had to do with govern government government. Um that's it. I think the rest I'll cover during my item. Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks very much. Um I tell he's
already been covered. Um the only thing I will add is that uh I think uh the manager and the commissioner can see the value that David brings in his position. and he's very well respected. Um, and there's nothing but very good things said about him when we go from meeting to meeting. So, it's it's helpful to
have someone of his of his reputation with us. Um, the only other thing I will add about it is that um the the appropriations that we put in for um I was I remember hearing that there was good or or optimism that they're going to be go through because we're asking we're not asking for too much. We're not
a large line item uh that's likely to get struck. So, that's a positive positive feedback that we got while we were in Tallahassee about our items. Um, the other update that I have is that uh we are now having weekly meetings with the county on the property tax issue.
So, every Friday at 4:00 we have a Zoom with all the municipalities. It's it was the original meeting, remember a few weeks back that the may the county mayor convened with the mayors of the of all Miami date municipalities to talk about the effective property tax um changes and that's now been converted to an
every week at 4:00 Zoom session. Uh there was some discussion about everyone getting together in person for day days in Tallahassee, but again to your point, Commissioner, the flights there were like $1,300. >> What? >> So I don't think that will be happening. Um but we we continue to be on the Zoom
calls and just get updates. Um and there there's it's it's ongoing. Um the the county is very aware. What I will say is the county is very aware of of our situation in that all of very large portion you know 80 85% of our funding
comes from it. So they're very well aware and I actually had another conversation with Commissioner Steinberg about that today. Um that you know this effectively would extinguish Biscane Park as a municipality. So they're very aware of it. Um, and the other thing that I'll mention is that the state
electeds are very aware of the effect on small municipalities and rural municipalities as well. So, they're very aware of the effect. Um, and it sounds like that's going to uh factor heavy into any any proposals that they make with respect to property taxes. So, uh,
I'll keep it keep it to that. >> Can I ask a question on that? Sure. Has any sort of scenario been put together or presented on behalf of Biscane Park on what that impact might be? Are other municipalities doing something similar? Um what are the discussions that happen
weekly? Talk about that >> the discussions the discussions are really updates at this point. The initial meeting that we had where we were in person downtown was the opportunity for us to explain to the county what our situation is. I I think that they are also accepting like written reports. So, I'll find out if
they're if they're if they want that. Um, but >> I mean, I think you're going to make a statement by just presenting a paper that says >> Oh, I made I mean, I made a statement. I said, "Look, just so you're all very clear, you know, any major changes to property taxes in the way that's being proposed would effectively destroy us as
a municipality. We would no longer exist." And I think if you were to prove that with numbers and that's why I'm I'm wondering, you know, if that happens because I think in the other municipalities and cities that come along, you're talking millions of dollars budget, you know, commercial and
development, you name it. But if you go and say, I'm going to have $3 left. >> Yeah. >> And I just need you to sh, you know, to see the number. This is not just saying it's a lot. It's it's significant. uh when you see it on an Excel sheet.
>> Yeah, I certainly no I certainly agree with you. I think the first point that I made at the meeting was our budget is approximately 5 million and 85% of that comes from from property taxes. So that paints the picture, but certainly I agree with you if they are accepting written stuff written statements and reports. We can talk about that um Al
about putting something together maybe with with Paul to just send it to their attention. >> Yeah. >> Um okay. So let's uh move on to we don't have any ordinances. So let's move on to our consent agenda. It's as amended. Do I have a first and a second to approve
the amended consent agenda? We haven't approved the consent agenda yet. >> Motion to approve. >> Second it. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. Okay. Amended consent passes. Uh so we will move on to our regular resolutions. And now forgive me. 10B was
what we had removed. So let's start with 10B before we get to 11. So, uh, 10B was pulled from consent, uh, and it is resolution 2026-10 approving Kimley Horn motorized gate project. Uh, John, would you mind please reading the resolution on the record for us?
>> Pleasure. Uh this is resolution number 2026-10 entitled resolution the village commission of the village of Biscane Park Florida authorizing the village manager or designate to approve sign and issue a task order to Kimley Horn and associates in amount not to exceed $6,500 for professional electrical
engineering and design services associated with public works motorized gate and access control project. Authorizing the village manager is designated to do all things necessary in furtherance of this resolution and expend budget funds on behalf of the village providing for severability and providing for an effective date.
>> John, thank you very much. Do I have a motion and second to >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution 2026-10 approving Kimbley Horn motorized castle gate project, excuse me. >> Second. Okay. Um, so vice mayor, I think
you asked this one be pulled. Um, >> yeah. So a sort of consistency to what I've been talking about processes and the charter and what it stands charter or code. Uh apologize. Um this falls within the purchasing power of the
manager. So I again all for understanding what this is and getting to know the details always. uh but it's something that I would encourage to put in the com in the manager's report uh rather the rectify approval from the
commission since we already have defined uh within the processes that it's not needed and I just wanted to double check with the attorney that what I'm saying is correct >> we are already working on that as I >> yes to
those will be potentially not on the agenda if they fall within the authority of the the village mayor. >> All right. Thank you. That was it. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Can I say something? >> Sure. >> I I don't think there's consensus on
that. I think there that uh not all the members of the village are in agreement with Commissioner Amsler. Uh Commissioner Samaria had asked me to for full transparency to make sure that he had no problem with me putting items that were within my authority on the
agenda. So, it was under consent. It wasn't for discussion. It was just uh so there is not consensus during the entire uh commission on that that item. >> Can I can I reply to that? >> Sure. >> So here's the thing um Albert. So I'm
not in oo in in any way in opposition for you bringing this item forward is where they're at. You could bring them for transparency for the commission to understand what you're doing and what money is going where. And I think it
actually is a great practice. I I don't believe within our charter and it's is very clear and specified that you need to bring this to us for approval. That's all I'm saying. So if you were to put that within your reports that sort of
conveys what the commissioner is asking for transparency and that's what I understand. Um it's not needed for the commission to to approve because that that in in a way you're asking us to go against what the rules say. That's how I
envi that's how I see it and that's why I propose always keep bringing it up always. It's a great thing to be transparent but just put it on the commission's report. So um and I know that you know this was a comment made I think in I don't know if it was last
agenda or the prior agenda you know um again this is my perspective as how I read it and that's why I asked the attorney and I had asked Bradley before you know does this fall within my authority to authorize and the answer was no um it's just not needed. So to
commissioner um Samaria, you still have the ability to see and again I promote that 100% but I just want to make that point clear on on my perspective how I read it. >> Well I think what the representation that we've just heard from John unless I'm mistaken John and I don't want to
mischaracterize what you said is that there's going to be some additional clarity or that you're looking at it to to provide us >> the correct framework or your position on it. I guess I >> the end of the day um it's my job as the
attorney to make sure that we're following our rules and there is a section in our in the village code that does authorize the manager to enter into purchasing agreements um without the
need to bring them to the village commission's attention. Um threshold. The initial threshold is $2,500 or less. Uh there's another threshold of 20 between 2500 and 10,000.
Uh and so to the extent that a purchasing item is um brought to my attention by staff that it falls within any of these categories, it it is my reading of the code that they don't need
to go on an agenda as an approval item to the vice mayor's u comment as well as potentially commissioner Samaria's doesn't mean that we can't inform you of staff entering into those agreements
through an agenda report item whether it's public the manager >> understood would you do me a favor John would you circulate to the commission the section that you're reading from because I'd like to read the language >> yeah it's >> that's fine you can just read it now >> section
of the village code limitations >> okay I appreciate it I I don't want to I don't want to parse into the I don't want to parse into the the >> No but I to me I have I have no problem with it being in the consent agenda because I think the public needs to see it. I don't think the public sees the
manager's report. I mean, and I think in you know consent agenda as we have many on is is easy to vote on. We just accept the consent agenda but it's something that the public gets to see and I think that that's what they're transparent having it in your manager's report.
Residents really don't see the manager's report. So on the consent agenda as we have put in here uh we voted to to approve the consent agenda tonight very easily except for one item just for discussion. So I I I want it to continue to be in the consent agenda uh for
transparency >> record- 136 of the village code as adopted by the village the commission subsection B states purchases more than $2,500 but less than $10,000
purchases of or contracts for material supplies equipment improvements or services for which funds are provided in the budget where the total amount to be expended is in excess of $2,500 which is less than $10,000 may be made
or entered into by the village manager or his or her designate without submitted to the village commission without >> that's why Hold on hold on hold on hold on >> no just hold on a And we don't need everybody talking all
at once. Okay. >> Go ahead, Commissioner. >> We're not We're not questioning whether or not he can spend the money. I'm just It's just a It's just transparency. That's just the village. That's where the residents can see what's going on. I I agree 100%. He doesn't have to bring
this to us, but the fact that he does tells me something. >> Tells me he's not trying to hide anything. >> I understand. Commissioner, you're going to make a point? >> Yeah. I'll concur with Commissioner Smary. It says may, so he may bring it before us if he so chooses. I am fully in support of the manager if he chooses
to may bring it before us. By all that, that wasn't great English. Sorry. By all means. Uh he can as he can't will. I I understand Commissioner Aler's point that it might be, you know, wasting some time as but I'm fully in support of it. He if he chooses to bring it, that's
fine. Uh on this one, I'm ready to call the question. I'm ready to vote on this one. >> Sorry, but I haven't spoken. Sorry, >> I I I have a lot of deep thoughts on this matter. Uh but I listen but to Commissioner Amsler's point, I think that and listen, I don't want to put
words in her mouth, but I think her whole point is just that he doesn't need approval. So why are you asking for approval from the commission, right? And I agree with her and I listen, full disclosure, I've told don't bring nothing to the commission. If it's in your authority, do it. Uh, listen and I
know you guys, some of you guys want to see it on whatever, but the reality is there's a there's a saying in Spanish, power that you don't exercise, you lose. All right? The manager has a certain amount of power. It's his responsibility and it's then it's our job to hold him
accountable. So, I'm good if he wants to do it or if he does. But the reality is again he you don't need approval. So he it doesn't need to be put on as approved for approval purposes, just for disclosure purpose. That's what he wants to do. Yeah, feel free. I don't frankly
I don't care. Be honest. >> Okay. >> I can I have one final point on this? Um, so that that's exactly right. And you know, we have another item that talks about processes at the end of the agenda, but um to the comment that that
Commissioner Gonzalez made in Spanish. That's why we have those lines sort of clear. I I think the idea is that um you know, we've heard the manager talk about how much it takes to make a resolution, right? uh the there's a lot of it that
happens behind the scenes. There has to be an attorney that has to you know I think at the end of the day that's not needed in this step um and to come forward and be read uh because we have very clear and defined lines. So that
again that's how I read it. That's how I've discussed it with the attorney before. The recommendation is exactly the same one that I heard from uh from John tonight. Uh that was their reading and that's sort of what I've been following. Um one thing that was ringing in my head
was Commissioner uh Gonzalez, I think you said it was I don't know if it was last meeting or the one before you said you know you're doomed if you do you're doomed if you don't and and I understand what you mean by that because you know otherwise we can continue to be arguing about this whether it's right or wrong. Um but I think that that's the whole
point of the writing is that we are clear what this mean. again, you guys want to keep putting putting because to that point then we can start putting stuff that is $2,500 and I think we have you know so or we can start talking
about whether two 10,000 is not enough when we need 12 which also has been the case when it comes for approval and that's okay because it has to be. Um, I just don't like moving the line. Uh, trying to keep it as as how it's
supposed to be read. And that's why I go to the attorneys for them just to let me know what that means. So, just wanted to close on on that point. >> Understood. Um, you know, I think that the reading I think that the reading of the of the code, sorry, John code.
>> Keep going. It's the Coke, right? >> Code. I think I think that the reading of the code and I'm sorry because this is this is just my mindset. the reading of the code is discretionary to the manager's >> okay >> the manager's preference um it's his may so that's just if if he wants to do it this way look I I would kind of echo
what Art said I'd say Al just do it put it on the manager board and just let us know because then you can just move things forward faster but my reading is that it's discretionary if you choose to put it on here in the agenda in this fashion you certainly may choose to put it in the manager's fashion you certainly may that's just the way that I
read it that it's at your discretion um again I would say just just move things forward But um again it I I think it's up to you. >> To me to me uh it's we have had managers in the past that have done stuff that the commission sees it but the residents
doesn't. So I I I continue to want to have the transparency. Residents don't see residents. I've se yes he has discretion. So we have to trust that he's doing a good job and he is >> but unless the residents see it it comes back to by backfires transparency. It
doesn't take us too long to approve the consent agenda. We did it tonight except for just one item. We want them for discussion. >> I agree with you. >> The residents see it and I think that's important. >> Heard and understood. So, as far as a vote on the resolution,
>> do we all is there consensus to approve the resolution because we have a motion and second on the table? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Is was that an all in favor? >> No. Just because of what I >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. That's all. >> All right. >> Speaking
>> 4 to one. >> All right. So, that approves that resolution. Let's move on to resolution 2026-08. Um, John, would you please uh be kind enough to read the resolution on the record for us? Solution number 202608, a resolution of the village commission of
the village of Biscane Park, Florida, accepting funds from Miami Date County for the replacement of a grand fines removed from village property in the amount of $25,000, authorizing the village manager to accept said funds and spend matching funds in the amount of $25,000. Do all things necessary to
effectuate this resolution and providing for an effective date. >> Thank you, John. Do I have a >> make a motion? Yes. I make a motion to approve resolution 20268 accepting $25,000 from MDC for the tree replacement and match funds. >> Second.
>> Okay. Um, is there any discussion points on the resolution? >> No, just the idea that I want to congrat I want to congratulate the city manager even though I know this was pass city manager that didn't do it, but since he's been here got approved. So, I definitely want to approve him or
whoever else we have to approve. Thank for doing this. And >> it was it was also the mayor's help that in getting this grant and identifying it. But we the reason this is on the on the commission uh this month is you had approved it last month, but in that resolution for last month, it just said
that uh that $25,000 would be spent on exclusively uh um oak trees. So, we wanted to, you know, make sure that if we bought three uh non- oak trees that we weren't going to be in violation of the uh of the resolution. So, that's why
we amended it the resolution with the village attorney's help and it's on this agenda now. >> Okay. Thanks, Al. Uh any other further discussion before we vote? >> No. >> Hearing none. Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I >> I >> Okay, very good. John, I'm going to keep
you rolling here. Our next resolution 2026-14 if you could please read it on the record for us. Number 264 village commission the village of Florida approving and accepting a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the
amount of $24,750 park community forestry project authorizing the village manager designate to exec and amendments to do all things necessary in furtherance of this resolution and expend budgeted funds on behalf of the village writing for seability and providing for an effective date. All >> right, thanks John. Do I have a motion
to second? Yes. I have a make a motion to approve resolution 252614 approving a grant agreement with FDACS for community foresty project. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh any discussion on the resolution before we move to vote? >> Nope.
>> Hearing none. Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I It's nice to approve accepting money. >> Yes. >> Good news. >> All right. So that uh concludes our resolution. So let's move down to our
discussion items. We have a few total. Uh our first is under old business. Our discussion item. Uh Vice Mayor, this is yours. So I'll go ahead and open it up to you to let you introduce it. >> You so much. Let me get to um
the So I couldn't find the agenda online. I don't know if you guys see it. I'm going to my email. Yeah, it was uh it popped up on the agenda. Um
I don't see it now. >> Let me just get it from my I'll go for my um the one you sent us by email. Would that be okay? Right. That will still be the same one, right? >> It should still have the links on it. Uh discuss discussion of old businesses.
Uh 12A. >> It's just I think it's the internet maybe because it's not letting me item. >> All right. So, um, uh, so I wrote this a while back. I think it was two months that I've been kind of pushing it because we had a
switch of hands when it comes to our attorney. And so I definitely did not want this to be the first item that I had the in the in the agenda with John and I had I wanted to have the opportunity to discuss this with him and I did. So as a background, the village
has recently experienced issues related to sunshine law compliance, including delayed minute uh meeting minutes and consistent posting of meeting notices and as I previously previously share concerns about how public records requests are being handled. While
challenges like this are not uncommon for small municipalities, they must be addressed to maintain transparency, ensure legal comp compliance and protect the village from potential liability, especially since some of these issues have um had already some financial
impact on the village. So as a next step, I just wanted to discuss with you um a little bit of that. So uh the agenda of being posted online is is an example of that. you know, we can have issues. And again, I I recognize
we're small. We are uh constricted by the staff we have uh because of the budget that we have. Um I'm I'm recognizing that we can sort of have limited resources at our hands to make our job easier. But uh when it comes to
compliance on specific statutes uh with our processes with our uh resolutions, ordinances, you name it. Uh we as I see it, we need just to make sure that those
are follow and follow through. And it is our job in the day as as I see it that we uh make sure we provide that oversight. And so uh a lot of this has been discussed so I'm not going to go into the details but I did have a
discussion with um I'm going to go to my document. So, I did have a a a detailed discussion with uh our attorney and I had before with our prior attorney about certain inconsistencies that really concern me
and I first off wanted to make this clear because um I think it merits it. I want to I want to make it so that we have guidance on the process from now
on on the record and from the attorney as to how to manage certain things out of compliance when they happen. Um I want to make sure uh we ensure consistency and clarity going forward. Uh and again I think part of what we
need to do is just ask the questions, get the guidance and then improve if it's needed. That's all we can aim to. Um, so I'm I want to rely a lot on on council, but I've shared some of my concerns. He John has committed to
review and compliance of some of the questions and things I brought up. Um, and you know, and also advising on the recommended next step. Uh, I have few questions and I'm going to ask him to address this because it's part of what we discussed. But could you please
outline for the commission the general sunshine law requirements that apply to our meetings, workshops, and advisory processes and share any best practice you recommend to ensure compliance? Yes, as we discussed as a general rule
under the uh reading of the sunshine law uh as it's been interpreted by uh the courts by the attorney general's office um and frankly just the plain reading of the
statute is that in order to comply with sunshine law all meetings that uh the commission conducts have to be properly noticed. The public has to be given an opportunity to attend. The public has to be given an
opportunity to participate. That's why we have public comment. And ultimately the last component of the sunshine requirements statutoily is that there minutes of meeting those meetings then is within a reasonable period of
time transcribed made available put back for the governing body for approval. Um there is um so within that each local
government can obviously adopt additional procedures that may require additional notice or be to use the term more restrictive than what the general sunshine law provides. In the case of
the village, you all have adopted most recently resolution 2024-18, which is soundless your rules of procedure. And within those rules are um the notice requirements that must be
followed uh for village meetings. Um and those include regular conference and special meetings of the village commission with the exception of of course emergency meetings that have a separate provision uh in your charter. How you notice those um that the
meeting must be published at least seven calendar days prior to such meeting on the vill's website, posted in con conspicuous locations at or in village hall, uh sent via email to residents on the village's current email list, and
posted on all appropriate social media platforms for which the village has an an account. Uh I will give you by example. Uh I very specifically asked both manager and the uh clerk with respect to the general meeting as well
as the variance meeting that those rules had been followed and I was informed that yes they they had been and in the case of at least I think the variance hearing the clerk sent me a screenshot of where it had been posted in accordance with this rules and procedure. So that is those are your
requirements. If you then go further into these rules, you'll see that there's a uh provision sub subsection three meetings open to the public. Uh the requirement that there be an agenda. And if you go even further uh to uh page
four of 8, there's a provision for the approval of the minutes, which obviously implies that minutes need to be uh produced and and maintained by the village. All I can say to this commission staff and to members of
the public is these are the rules and you know it's our responsibility to follow and and to the extent that I'm made aware or asked I said verified at least for purposes of today's meeting and the special meeting that we had on
the variances made that inquiry. Thank you John for that. And then if you can explain the appropriate ways those concerns are reviews, you know, appropriate to the this uh uh procedures
if if they were not to be followed, how are they cure and under everything you've read? What are the the curing mechanism? assuming there were to be a violation of >> yeah and thus violation sunshine law the
way that such of a violation is cured is to revisit the item. So if for whatever reason there was an improperly noticed city commission meeting uh I'm sorry village commission meeting and it
proceeded and there were actions taken and in order to cure that problem we would then have to reconvene another meeting. It could be at a regular meeting of the village commiss and revisit those items that were uh
considered at the improperly noticed meeting but that implies that there's been some lack of notice. So that would be the inquiry that we would make on our end um to determine if there's been any shortcoming in our notice uh requirements.
>> Yeah. Thank you. So all right. So I I again I wanted to bring this forward because you've you've guys have heard me talk about processes. You guys have heard me talk about um minutes notice. I mean think I think we've been through the whole procedures that John read
before. Um and it's not my role to say whether these things happen or not. It is uh for uh the attorney to certify if something is faulty. Um but the concerns come from residents to me and I raise
this concern. The concerns brought up for me specifically as well. you know, when I see things are not happening and I ask questions and and I don't get the the answers that would match that. So, again, I I know I'm very passionate about this and it's a boring topic. I'd
love to talk about something more sexy than the sunshine law and all of it, but um going back to, you know, I've been very on top or are we following the process just because it's to the point of commissioner Samary about transparency. This is step number one.
Um and it a lot of the the push back that I get is that um you know uh either it's because the meeting nobody can hear or the agenda link is not posted or because they never heard about it and I think we made few modifications in the
procedures to try to help that. Um but there's a room for also visiting a lot of what's happened and make sure that those are also in compliance. So again, not my job. I need to rely on the attorneys to verify that. This is a
conversation that's ongoing for a year now and I've had with a prior attorney. And I think at this point, I just wanted you guys to know that that's what I'm doing. That's how I'm channeling uh this this questions. And I am very excited that we have a a fresh perspective with
John because it was refreshing to hear during the time that we've met his commitment to make sure that we a follow the law, b follow the procedures in place, and at least I mean he cannot force us to follow, but he's going to be making sure that we are aware of where
we stand. And that's all I'm asking. Uh, and sometimes I know I I I, you know, come in saying, you know, what are we going to do about this? And it's not my role. And I think it's it's frustrating on the other side not to hear you guys come forward and and question the same
thing. So, um I just wanted to know where I'm coming from and when I bring this issues and not because I'm trying to be fighting on the processes and trying to find the loose uh can here, you know, I'm want to make sure that
we're in compliance and we don't owe anything. I mean, we've we've had issues in the past to, you know, financial financially we've had uh issues. So, I think it's um I'm asking for the rest to join me in this effort to make sure that
we we follow through. >> I I >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh look, I I appreciate the sentiment. I I think it's important that that we are sure that we we do what we need to do and do what we're required to do. Mhm. >> So, um I I appreciate you putting this
on here and having this discussion and I certainly appreciate like what you mentioned having a perspective from John coming in and being new to this to the seat well sort of new to the seat for us and and giving his perspective on it. Um yeah, you know, I I think the way that I look at it as I look back at some of the
difficulties that we've had with with the noticing with the meetings and I've seen since that time what I like to see is I think what I this is just me personally in my perspective. I like to see progress. I like to see improvement and you know I see that with with uh you know our IT here in the log cabin. We
have someone that's dedicated here with us now that's keeping an an eye on these things. It's helpful. Uh you know we have someone that's coming in that's going to be assisting the clerk uh in helping with the noticing and helping with the minutes, helping with the meeting. So you know I I look at those as as as positive improvements in in
ways that we can be even more sure that none of these things slip through the cracks. Um you know and I do remember we that we had this discussion uh in a prior meeting where you know we can open up and we can and we can ask you know and we I think we did it at that meeting where we said you know hey for this
meeting has we'd ask the manager and ask the clerk was it was it notice did it go out on the app and did it hit the channels that the app hits and the answer is yes. Um those are of course representations that we receive. You know if we go back later and we find out something's not happening there's a gap in the process then I think we need to address it. Um, and I think that's
something that John can be very helpful with us in identifying and kind of closing the gap. But I do see there are several key pieces in place that are are going to help us correct those things because it it certainly happens. We see it plenty where somebody can't get access to the Zoom meeting and we want people to have access to the Zoom
meeting when people can't make it. So, I find it to be important. I see those pieces in place to help us make sure that this is done correctly and every time and consistently. Um but outside and outside of that I'm I'm not really sure what else what else we can do. Um
we just ensure those things are in place. We make this a priority to say Mr. Manager this is this you know we want to make sure that this is done correctly and we get those pieces in place to do it. Um, I think I don't really know if there's something else to do other than say like we'll keep an eye on it and when those things do come up,
you know, we can turn to John and say, "John, what's the implication here?" You know, what can we do? What should we do? By hypothetically speaking, if we get into a meeting >> and we can't access the Zoom, well, John, what should we do? Should we wait until it's corrected? Are we able to go
forward? Should we go forward? That's a separate question. Um, but I think that's that's all I think that's what we can do and I think that's what we should do. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> I'm your thing. Uh, first off, I'd like to thank you for bringing this to attention, but I think what our present
attorney present attorney is going to solve a lot of your problems because our last attorney will give his reading of the what the charter says because it happened to me. Um, is that and he he
gives he looks into the facts. He gives us the documentation. Uh the perfect example is in reference to my raffle thing. It turns out that years ago we had it, but the law changed. And if the attorney, the past attorney would have brought it to my attention, we wouldn't have had any problem. This attorney, as
I went to him and explained it, he gave me the facts. He showed me the law. So I think with this present attorney, I think is going to answer a lot of your questions because if you bring it to his attorney, he'll have all the facts. That's just my opinion. I think that to answer your question is going to be
solved with this president attorney because he'll give you the facts. He's not going to give his interpretation of what the charter is. He's going to give the facts. >> Yeah. And I think that that that's you know for me is um it's our oversight responsibility to ask those questions
and if we find that >> you know and and again it puts me in a very difficult position >> if I am the only one asking the question because obviously to staff I am asking over and over the same and you know
trying to hope we get somewhere and like we saw today without the link it's just I understand things happen But we to your point, Jonathan, we need to move forward. So, all I can do is ask those questions and then bring it to the attorney um like I did I've done in the
past. But um yeah, I just again, you know, uh help me not be the only one that brings these things forward cuz you hear probably from the same I'm hoping you hear from the same residents in the same manner uh when this concerns come up concerns come up and you know the
zoom I think it's an optional thing and we fix few wordings here and there to broaden the spectrum of how you know we handle certain things but um notice time frame frame agenda links. Uh you know, I
think that um you know, it we rely on staff sorely for this, >> right? >> Um and again on the attorney in this case to see how do we we move forward. So again, I don't want to go looking at the past and my intention is if we can
get best practices from now on if his recommendation of you know the different things we've discussed and um you know and we'll be discussing um that I wanted you guys to be aware that that's >> and I think bringing the attention like you've been doing to this attorney he
can have all the facts that you need and I think he'll give you the information better than the last attorney that we had. That's just my opinion on it. Um, so I I commend you for, you know, it it might sound like I don't agree with you, but you better just like I did with
Commissioner Kennedy. He's good at expressing himself. I'm not good expressing myself. I think that's my problem that I had in the past, which got me into trouble. Now I state just the facts. So sometimes you express things better than I am. And I do agree with you, but I might not express it. So
I just wanted you to know that. state. Don't just talk about yourself. >> Uh, Commissioner, I concur with you that uh, you know, I obviously want to see our sunshine laws in the state of Florida as well as our own resolutions here at home followed. Uh, but I will say uh, you know, I I I understand your
frustration being the only one asking these questions, but I have to say that I'm frustrated being at a loss that I'm not getting these same questions that you are, these same complaints. Uh, I'm can't we can't force anyone to share any information other than with you, but maybe you know >> Mike on >> I'm sorry maybe I'm not speaking into
it. Um, maybe spread the word to the residents to include all the commissioners in these emails or these complaints, however you're getting them so that way we can do the the due diligence as well and share that burden of asking the questions. I would gladly ask those questions if I got the complaints, but I'm powerless if I don't have if I haven't received the
complaints. I have nothing to go on. I only hear your your side of it. I don't hear the residents getting to dive deep into specific situations. When we had an issue with with our email, our app vendor, I dive deep into that to see what was going on to try to help out and and come to the root of the problem. If
I have no information to go on, I I I'm at a loss. Do you understand? I wholeheartedly agree that I want to see these processes followed, but uh right now it's radio silence. I hear nothing. I see nothing. I I go with what I personally see. What I see is like the mayor says, I see improvement. I see
improvement. I see compliance and if a resident has a difference of opinion, I will gladly hear it and gladly investigate it myself personally. But that's not what I see and go with what I see. So by all means share specific instances you have or uh ask residents
who are complaining to forward it to all the rest of the commission so we can all be aware and we can all dive deep into it. Uh transparency and and spreading of information helps out in these kind of situations >> and I think you you you have a list of them, right? I bring forward issues with minutes that weren't kept for a year.
And that that don't necessarily comes because I have a resident saying there is no minutes for a year. I see that within my oversight when I'm not seeing minutes and I can't find information to bring it forward. U you've heard me talk about notices. Last year we had an item.
I was traveling. I asked you guys to discuss it during commission report. It was brought next month. I think the feedback was the staff was looking into to see if compliance was provided or not. We you know it was left at that. So
it it's I don't expect residents and I'm not my oversight and this is me does not come from every question I'm asked as a resident. Residents keep going with their life. that come with two three things but we have several emails and I know you know it's been discussed in
commission meetings so it's public um of different topics related to different areas within the century law that the attorney just spoke I specifically talked about last year meeting uh if you remember uh the strategic planning
session did not hold to my knowledge an agenda a minute a video. Um, that's out of compliance. So, how do we move forward to that? What do you do with that? You know, I was in purview to the conversations the second day. I wasn't
there. So, that affects me directly. I bring those things forward. And so, to your point, I am not going to share with you what residents come to me specifically. That's for the resident to decide who they connect with. Right. And
I'm sure not every resident goes to me that's spoken to you first and that's their opportunity to see their representation of the vote. Um what I do expect is when these things come forward and we have the opportunity to discuss
them then there is a stand on it. How do we move forward? We can't just linger on the fact that this is happening. What I'm expecting and it comes first from the attorney's perspective is what's best practice. How do you solve or cure something that's not in compliance? If
so, so first, how do you address if it is? And second, how do we cure it and do so? And unfortunately, if I'm the only one bringing it forward, puts me in in this odd position, which almost is against, you know, staff, which in in
any way tends to be, but we have to provide a a fix for that. Not just because I want it and I think I deserve to be in the meeting just as an example, but because what uh John read is the law. It's our job. We can't just look to
the other side like it didn't happen. So if I have concerned resident one I don't need all of them to come and talk about to make importance of it or I recognize that there is a pattern where things are not happening. I address it to the
manager. I address it with you guys. That's all I can do and first of all with the attorney. So I I tend to be again explosive with these things because processes you guys have heard me enough about SOP. I'm not going to bother you a lot about that anymore. Um
I just want you to help out when it comes to uh making sure this is top priority for us. Strategic planning session coming up. We talked about SOPs last year. What's pending? How do we improve? Where's the holes? And I'm I'm
just really welcome the opinion of John on all of this coming forward. He again, he was the first one to say, "Listen, I'm going to be the first one to tell you how to, you know, if it's not within compliance, we got to fix it." Okay. How? And so I think that's where we're
at. Um Yeah. So, but I appreciate your feedback. Um, again, John, you you're going to be the one that that's going to, you know, go through uh with the rest of you and we'll we'll see what what what's next.
>> All right. Uh, well, if there's no is there any further discussion points? >> No, that was it. I mean, from for me as a next step, just to close it, I think I put it there. I I will just be working with John to see um the specific issues
I brought up and and others just you know so we can work around with staff as well how to address those. That's it. >> Very good. Well, Vice Mayor, thank you for bringing that forward. Uh if we have no further discussion on that, we'll move to our next item which is our
discussion on new business. Our first is 13A. If I read this correctly, uh Commissioner Hunting, this is one of this is yours. Okay. If you'd like to introduce it for us. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, uh, as as I stated last meeting, I said I would bring a discussion item to talk about issue that's been coming up with uh, the
manager and commissioner Aler the last couple meetings uh, a different opinion when it comes to our uh, the same resolution we're talking about uh, resolution 24-0 uh,-8. Uh specifically, we're talking about uh
item four, the agenda, and we're talking about the 10-day meeting, uh 10day requirement for getting uh uh agenda items to the manager. I just want to see if we can open up an open discussion about it, and we can come to a resolution. Uh I have a different opinion than Commissioner Aler does as
far as what I read in this. Uh so I'd like to just open up the floor, see if we can we can come to it with our village attorney as well and come to a you know, a resolution. I really uh want to advocate on the uh benefit of staff that 10 days is quite limiting
especially when you talk about uh holidays and that this year holidays for or over Christmas was extended the federal holidays were the day before the day day after uh it becomes very cumbersome 10 days I also dive deep into what there's not a lot of data out there
publicly but what I could find from other municipalities they uh 10 days is a little for it. Even Miami Beach, they're at 12 days and their window of getting the agenda to print is less than ours. So, they're more more lenient on one side and
they're more they're more lenient on the other side than we are. >> And our our staff is much smaller as you can you can conceive than Miami Beach. Uh so, I just would like to have this open discussion with with our attorney, our manager, as well as Commissioner Aer. so we can come up to a happy
medium. If if a uh I don't think it's needed, but if a uh amended resolution is needed for next month, I'll happily sponsor it so that way it's something we can come into compliance with with every with this resol sorry with this resolution as well as something that that works for staff. >> Can I ask you a question about this so
we can I can narrow the focus because I may not that I missed it, but I just want to make sure I understand where we want to go with this. The idea is we're going to look at what our what our code requires right now and have a discussion about whether we want to change that based on what you've read. >> Specifically, we're talking about the
sentences, all reports, communications, ordinance, resolutions, contract documents, and other matters uh to be submitted to the village commission shall be delivered to the village man village manager no later than 10 days prior to the scheduled commission meeting. So it says no later than
doesn't mean that he can't doesn't say anything in there that he can't institute a earlier deadline is how I I read that. >> And again just to make sure I understand correctly what you're asked what or what you've proposed or want to discuss is that in in your independent research you found other municipalities provide for a
a wider time window. specifically Miami Beach, they they post their entire year with deadlines for every different department and all items are due to the village the city manager in that case 12 days before the meeting. Okay. Where we go to print uh seven days before the meeting, they only go print five days
before the meeting. So they're allowing more time on both sides than we a small municipality are. >> Understood. And one second, Commissioner and John, would I be correct in interpreting this and that I think I know that we have the power to designate
whatever timelines that we wish? >> That is correct. And you know, not not saying that you should do so, but one way to address this issue is in
the existing rules, a procedure as read by Commissioner Huntington is to say um no later than 10 days prior to the scheduled commission meeting um except as may otherwise be modified by the the
village commission. And so there may be a a a time there be a given circumstance where less than 10 days would be appropriate because let's say a holiday
uh or holidays and therefore you all would you know the manager would notify you at the meeting uh prior to that particular next meeting say hey you know if we go 10 days then you know, we would
theoretically have to publish the agenda or have you all submit items on Christmas Day. No one's going to be here. So, let's move that up one day. Need you all to approve that. >> So, I understand that. Um, that that in
my mind would probably require us to do as Commissioner Hunting says, Huntington says, and set our calendar for the year in advance. We can certainly do that. We approve the meetings every year. We can certainly do that. Let me ask this next question to the manager and to the clerk. Is 10 days not
enough time for you? Reasonably, I mean reasonably. If you say, "Look, we could really use another 48 hours," then that would be helpful. >> Yeah. So, so, Mr. Mayor, if I could >> Yeah. >> So, um, right right now, um, four out of the five of you are meeting the deadline. So that that I said that I
sent uh out calendar invites and tell you what the deadline is and say, "Hey, we're trying to I've been trying to uh go to print at least a week before the commission meeting so that Tuesday before the commission meeting to go to go out to print so that you have you
have uh substantial time to review the agenda." That's uh significantly more time than what's set in the in the resolution. Um uh we haven't ma made that always but this last meeting because we was it was it was uh it was a
shorter time because our our our commission uh meetings were four weeks apart. We we uh we struggled with making that week before. But I I'm sure that this upcoming uh uh March meeting that we probably can go to a print for a week
be the a week before seven days that Tuesday before. So that gives me uh um uh Monday, Sunday, Saturday to work on the the agenda before we go to print. So I'm asking you on that Friday by noon to
give me the items. I think that's pretty reasonable to so that I have the the the rest of Friday afternoon to work on the agenda. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and then Tuesday we're we're looking to go to print. So that's what what I'm was
asking to to do. >> I think that there there's some question whether that's 10 days or not. Maybe it's a maybe it's 11 days or 10 and a half days. But that's what I'm asking to make uh you submit your items to me by a
Friday before we go to print by noon. By noon. >> Okay. That so effectively 10 days before is >> well it's it's like 10 and a half or 11 days I think it is. >> Okay. Now, so I'm just trying to streamline this as poss as best I possibly can. It sounds to me like
the only way to plan for holidays and short meetings where there are going to be times when there are four weeks in between meetings where we just don't foresee it, you know, until we get to it now where you you are under more of a deadline. I I honestly think that what we probably need to do is we probably
need to set these when we set the agenda meetings every year. I I don't really see another way around it quite quite honestly because then we can forecast this type of thing. Then we don't know, >> right? >> You know, then there's no there's no miscommunication between manager and commission about when we need to get it in. Um, you know, the dates are set. So
maybe that's the best way to do it, >> which was something that was suggested by this commission to a prior administration and it wasn't implemented. I think it's a great idea to set the all the the meeting dates are fixed, the deadline should be fixed, and it should just be in one document sent to us in January. Here's the here's the
dates. >> And I know I know we get the calendar invites um as well which I think is I is helpful for me to to put it on my calendar. So let me just um I promise everyone I want everyone hear everyone certainly but let me just ask you one more question. Does that solve help?
>> Right. So so Mr. Mayor if I could. So so the upcoming meeting is on March 3rd. All right. >> Okay. >> That's a t the first Tuesday of the month is March 3rd. >> Yep. the uh the la the the Friday before that is February 27th.
Okay. Yeah. So I I would send tomorrow I would send out a calendar invite to all of you asking that your items be submitted to me by f by Friday um February 27th at noon. And that gives
me uh the 28th and the 29th. >> 28th. 29th. >> 28th. 29th. >> 28th. >> 28th. And then uh the first the first to work work on the agenda and and the
second. And then hopefully we we're getting it out by the 3. >> Excuse me. U I'm >> I think you got it back. Yeah. Yeah. I think >> the 20th. So that would be the 20th at uh at at noon and then that gives me the
21st and the 22nd and the 23rd and we would get it out by the 24th at at uh >> okay so that by my account is 11 days. So I think maybe then what the solve is that we amend the resolution to say what John has said or any other date as determined by the village commission.
I'm not saying we do it that way. I'm just saying suggesting because I'd like to try to get us a firm solution here that we do it that way to allow us to set the deadlines for the deadlines to to get the the agenda items uh submitted um before in compliance with the
resolution. Um and we do it we do it when we set the the the regular meetings every year. That would be my recommendation. And at this point I I'll hear I'd like to hear from >> I agree with you. But I I if I was correctly, I thought that the commissioners was supposed to have it at
least a week before the you know before the um I just think the 10 days is there's no reason why we can't have it later. Meaning get it within 12 13 days because we got a commission meeting a month. I think you know what I'm just
speaking for you. I think you know what you're going to put on the agenda for next month. So there's no reason why you can't get it. Not you. Again, the commissioner gets it to the city manager way before. You don't have to wait 10 days. You can have it 14 days. And there's not an important subject matter
that's going to take that long for you to figure it figure out. Uh I'm one I'm the only one that I get my stuff on a Friday. I get my stuff because I have it printed out. Um so I have it printed out and I get it on a Friday and then I get only the weekend to look at the agenda
items. And it's there's no reason why commissioners can't put it ahead of time. meaning you can even have it after the first after this meeting over the next week or the week after you can submit your stuff. You don't have to wait for the 10 days. I think we need to get the stuff in as fast as possible to
where there'll be less work for the uh manager and the you know that there's no pressure because again that's my choice that I get it printed out but it's unfair to me that I don't get my agenda until Friday and and the clerk works hard to get me the agenda and the staff works hard but
that's you know it's not fair that we get it and I thought if I remember carefully in the past that the commission's supposed to have it a week before and then the residents were supposed to have at least a week before they're supposed to be able to see it. Again, I I think we need to do the
resolution that you suggested because holidays, we know I think I like the idea of put it when we do the calendar for the whole year. We know exactly when the holidays are cuz staff is not going to be there. So, I can't say 10 days and it falls into the time of Christmas.
That's not it has to be. There's no reason why commissioners can't submit stuff, you know, sooner than the 10 days. >> I I concur and I I think that uh putting some language in there for as the village commission deems or adopts works. My only concern is what do we do
for the remainder of this year? How do we how do we you know we just adopt every month as we go or do we ask the manager to look ahead for the rest of this year submit us a document for the remainder and then we'll adopt that document and go forward from there
>> I I it's our being 10 after 9 in still having discussion items I think that we get the resolution with the amended language proposal in front of us and on that same meeting we take up we have one piece of paper with the the agenda with the with the dates on it and we just look back and do 10 days, 11 days,
whatever it is we choose. I It doesn't matter to me. They've said, the manager and the clerk have said 10 days is sufficient. So, I take them at their word. Uh if we want to do 11, fine. I don't doesn't matter to me. 12 doesn't matter. >> As long as they're within that range of 10, 11, 12, accounting for holidays and
staff staffing needs, I'm fine with it. I think that ha having them present a document that has all the data lines spelled out for the year and then we'll just formally adopt that every year like we do our our commission meetings is the way to go. and I'll happily support that resolution for next month.
>> Um, so I I'm trying to understand what you're all trying to do here. So you brought forward a discussion to talk about the time that as commissioners we have in advance to prepare
uh items for an agenda. Our set days are 10. Going back to what we just talked about processes. My last two meetings I brought forward issues of the manager not putting my items although they were in compliance
with the process. At any time I've heard staff come forward to this commission in a resolution to request for more time. So my understanding is this is not
coming from staff. This is coming from a commissioner. I understand the staff might have concerns because November and December were specific full of holidays. I get that. But different than staff, we don't work
on night to fives. We don't work night to six. This is not our job. So, we need to be flexible enough to make sure the five people sitting here representing have the opportunity to manage their time frame as well and have the capacity
to talk to residents, do the work you need to do, however you do it, but make sure you comply with that process. That didn't happen. So, I honestly don't understand this whole conversation just to talk if it's one more day or two. Guys, make it five if you find that
that's needed for us. In five, we need to submit it. But make it happen. It's what I just was talking about. That's all I asked uh in the last meeting. So, I said if you guys want to change change them,
but follow through. So again, I never heard from staff and I always anticipate to the I receive the requests for the agenda to be submitted before. I don't respond because I never know my life if I'm going to be able to
comply with that deadline. So if I can, happy to do that. If I cannot by resolution, we all decided it was 10 days. So again, I let you all decide whatever you want to do. All I'm asking from all
of you is to make sure that we do it. That's it. >> I agree. I think this does that. Um I I didn't hear a change. You know, I said, you know, staff said 10 days is fine. So, I think the resolution is fine, but I think what we're saying is
there's an econ >> I don't I don't think we said 10 days is fine. I think we said I go Yeah, I go. You said what is 10? I said is it 10 and a half or 11 that Friday before is when we are asking the deadline to be met. >> Okay.
>> That Friday at at noon is when we're asking. >> Okay. So then I think the change of the resolution to set the time that the staff needs to prepare the agenda on time and timely so that the commission gets it on time and that we do it in advance of the meeting. We do what we
got to do there. And yes, I agree. If we want to forecast holidays, then we do that and we just do it by by looking at the the the commission meetings and saying it's by this day. And if holiday comes up, then we can change it. Um, but
yeah, I I think to your point, I think that it the the process works. It just needs a small tweak, and I think that this does that. So, I wouldn't mind seeing the amended a proposed amended uh amendment to the resolution from John to
that effect. Uh and then we can take it up at that time, but I think that that's probably the best way forward. >> Yeah, that that's perfect. That works for me. I think what so like using March as an example, the meeting is March 3rd. It would be two two Fridays before March or February 20th would be the deadline
for that specific meeting. Obviously, I will take into account uh holidays and things like that that fall into that window and extend that out a little bit. I would I would assume he should and and like I said, I would like to see that as well for next meeting. >> Okay. Does that sound good to the rest of the
commission? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> See when I get the oven. >> Okay. Very good. All right. So, I think that concludes that item. Uh Commissioner. Yes. Okay. Okay, great. Uh, so let's go on to the next one. Uh,
the Biscane Park Foundation, uh, vacancy item. Uh, look, I I I think that this would be very, very brief because I have a very specific path that I think we need to go. Uh, and I have already pre-discussed this with both the manager and with the attorney, and the attorney uh, on the legal implications can
certainly correct me. As everyone knows, uh, the the foundation, we've already discussed it. I'm not going to go into too much detail, but the foundation just had its chair uh resign Jill, who's done a great job and, you know, very appreciative of her efforts and everything that she's done for the village, especially not just with the foundation, but with the rec center. Um,
so her loss is certainly a big one. Uh, the foundation, as we know, does not have quorum, cannot meet uh per their guidelines for their their bylaws. Uh, so at this point, there's a couple of things that we can do going forward. Um, and this is going to be up to to John to
make sure I'm saying this with legal sufficiency, but I would have a recommendation on how we handle it. You know, one, does the 501c3 dissolve because it cannot meet uh it cannot meet quorum. I don't think that's the correct answer. Uh, two, until it has quorum, do we just kind of shove those meetings for
the time being until we have a third person? It sounds like we already have a couple of people that are applying, so I don't foresee that uh that kind of stay period being very long. And one of the other items that I have discussed with the attorney and and with Al is that whether the commission can take up the
foundation's agenda while it doesn't have quorum. Um we already have a lot to do every month. I don't think us taking on their full agenda makes a lot of sense either. Um and I don't know that there's uh any expediency in us having to to get them operating within the next
day or so. Um, I'd like to see uh the the folks that are interested in in applying and John, if you could look into uh Judy Hamberg here tonight mentioned that she may be able to serve in a dual capacity. I don't want Judy to have to do more than one role. There should be more more than enough people
to help. Um, but I think this would be my my recommendation for the commission to kind of adopt or kind of consent to is that the commission just takes the position that the foundation will not meet until they have quorum. Uh, while we look into having a few people that
are interested join and if they do in in the next 24 hours or so, then this may be a moot point. Um, while John also looks into whether Judy can s serve in a dual role. I know she's already expressed interest. Um, and I completely lost my train of thought,
but I think I think that's it. Um, you know, I certainly don't want the 501c3 to be in any danger of of loss of operation or dissolution because it's important to the village and its function is important to the village. So, that's my understanding. John, does
it make sense if the commission has consensus that the board just simply does not meet until they meet quorum and we allow this to play out because we have a few people that are interested >> legally. The the board the foundation can't board's foundation
>> the foundation's board can't meet if they don't have a court legally. So, you know, they can try and meet, but if there's not enough members there, then they're not going to be able to conduct business. >> And I don't I apologize. I don't want to interrupt you. I so I do apologize cuz I am. But is what is the legal implication
of them not being able to meet? That does not put them in danger of dissolution, does it? >> No. Okay. >> Dissolution occurs in one of two ways under Florida law. You the the entity that created including the foundation takes the necessary steps to dissolve
itself by adopting you know resolution dissolving the corporation or it can dissolve administratively for failure to uh file its u uh annual report with the uh vision of corporations uh in Tallahass.
>> As to the issue of dual office holding I did look into it while we're this is just a brief top answer. >> Okay. >> The uh case law and the attorney general here in Florida have stated that if a local government creates a nonprofit by ordinance or statute and the nonprofit
administers public funds, regulates or adjudicates, executes a public program or makes binding governmental decisions, then it is a office for purpose of dual office holding. And so the there would not be a if someone else was on another
um village board such as the code uh the code enforcement board then they would not be able to serve on the foundation. That would require me and I will do so look into the bylaws look into the articles of incorporation as to what functions does the foundation serve. But
essentially the law is that if the foundation exercises powers of the sovereign of the village commission that you may all have de delegated to it by creating it then most likely it is an office for purposes office holding consideration.
>> Okay. Okay. I I appreciate that John. That's helpful. If I know this a little kind of back in the napkin so to speak. So if you want to if you think look looking into it warrants some more of your time then please feel free to do so. Um so then I guess just understanding that position let's just
assume that's correct going forward for a second at this point I think the best path forward is to just have the foundation held in obeyance until they have quorum to meet and right we have a couple of folks that are interested and also what I would ask the
commission if if we have consensus to have asked the manager to put this on blast on the um on the app uh and not just the foundation vacancy but Anna mentioned a couple other vacancies as Well, that you know it's kind of a call to action and of course of course as always have the commission reach out to
to folks that we know that are interested or that would be potentially good in serving. So did you want to say something? >> I think Commissioner Huntington has um he had told me that he has um some people that are interested in serving on the foundation. >> So this all might be a moot point when I
put this on. We didn't I didn't know that. So you know hopefully it is a moot point. We'll have somebody But that's really it. I just wanted to call this to the attention uh of the rest of the commission and then ask that we do those things to call attention to the board vacancies. That's really it. I'm I'm certainly happy to hear from anyone else if you have any other questions or
recommendations, but I I I think that that would resolve it. >> That's it. I I can concur. We should push it out and try to get as many people to serve as possible. Our government functions better when we have more participation. Uh Pamela should be getting an application. If she it didn't go to her spam folder, she should be
getting it uh tomorrow. and one for the parks and parkway board as well. So, uh, great. That board will be should be full soon and then the foundation should be functioning again soon. >> Okay. >> With the foundation, is there a rule that says how many members have to be on the board?
>> I mean, it has to be >> three for quum. >> Three. No, three for quum. But that means I mean what I'm saying is does it say that we have to how many they have on it? Five. >> No, they have five. Is there a rule that says they have to have five? bylaws would specify the composition the
number of board members >> it has to be five okay >> I don't know if it has to be >> I don't think it yeah by laws because I how many we have now is four right >> has to be there's two >> I might be right >> there's only oh there's only two that >> we need a third to meet quum at least
that's my reading of it John >> based upon what I know you are >> okay so again this all my he pointed to bring it Uh so 100% uh this is not the first board that sort of dying down. I think
we need to communicate. We've talked about this before. We just need to launch out a campaign to get people interested and by that uh you know by the apps mean by the website by talking to residents like I think we all do and that's the way to do it. Um so
foundation, the resiliency board specifically and then um parks and parkways and parkway. >> Um with that in mind, are there uh John is a question in terms of is is it is it
mandate mandatory for uh any board any board member of any of these three boards that I just mentioned to reside in Biskin Park. They have to be residents. It depends upon the
document that creates them, whether it's the code, charter, or a resolution, what's the residency requirements specified in there. But as a general rule, it's been my experience that for 99.9%
of boards or bodies that I've seen created by local governments is there is a residency requirement. So, I figure that um I think might be something for us to look into. Um if you can just let us know if that's what it says based on
what you read in our code and then if so, uh if the majority are residents to allow at least one to be non-resident opens the pool. And I'm just going to give an example specific example. Well, there is a gentleman that lives by uh
when you turn on 107th nearby my house at the south of the village 9inth and 107th when you go to Aldi >> when you go train drive >> and it's it's in the border of the village doesn't fall within the village he comes to the meetings he goes to the
park he enjoys and he says I want to be part of the uh parks and parkways board because I love the canopy I enjoy I've lived here so many years same thing with the border of North Miami and people that really come to our rec center,
people that walk our streets come from sometimes I mean Mac used to say right he lived in North Miami he used to come to this game park >> um they're very uh you know committed to the community that uh that Biscane Park is. So I think maybe re v revisiting and
I don't know what that means in terms of allowing someone else be part of it could be an option to help us with the numbers as well. >> Yeah, understood. I appreciate it that we could always annex them. That's I I think also that we find in
the past and I'm not saying this commission has done it or the commissioner before uh is in the past is that people don't want to join boards because commission I'm not saying we have to follow their rules but we don't listen to them. We don't listen to what they say. We had a couple people on
parks and parkway that left that have been there for years left because commission didn't want to listen to them or listen to their advice. I mean, we make the final decision, but we have to listen to the board members. They, you know, they're volunteering. They're
giving their time. We need to listen to what they have to say. And Parks and Parkway, we lost. I'll give you an example. Barbecue was because the commission was not listening when her board was making suggestions. And that's what I think we have to take into consideration. Just like we are
commissioners who are volunteer in our time, these people are volunteer time. We have to not always take their advice, but listen to what they have to say. And I think that that's something that we need to do. That's why we're not getting people to sign up. People don't want to volunteer when you're not listening to
what we uh were taking time to meet and you're not listening to what we have to say. That's just my opinion. That is the that's what has happened in the past where the commission doesn't listen to what let's say parks and parkway because they do trees. Nobody wants to listen to their ideas. I think that this
commission needs to open up that if you do that, you'll get a lot more people to volunteer. They don't want to volunteer if nobody's going to listen to them. And that's that's a fact. Thank you, Commissioners. Okay. Um All right. So, uh hopefully
those applications will come through and that problem will be resolved, but uh if not, we'll have to take it up further. Uh that's all I had for my item. So let's move on to the last item um which is the discussion on cyber security and vice mayor I think this is yours.
>> Yes and let me try to open again the um this agenda to get to it. Can I get >> I I have it here. Do you just want to You can look at it. Yeah, sure. This is the This is like the I don't know if this would be best.
Thank you. Um, so yeah, I I am I I was blown away uh by this item that came up at the uh League of Cities best practice conference and it was a whole day conference as Jonathan I saw you there
together with the manager and I had the opportunity to share um a lot of back and forth with different colleagues for different cities and this was specifically um one of the conferences that was given by a panel of about four or five people and it is very
interesting and they talk about um the effects of AI what that means uh cyber security as a whole but uh with technology at increasing a speeds that we can't even understand how important is to be ready and that's the reason why
at the state level if I'm not mistaken and John I'm gonna ask you to clarify that but I know there was a um statutes that passed that require us to be in in certain compliance So thank you. So yeah, access compliance uh
it's Florida statitude 2823185. Review and document whether the village is in complian with the requirements of Florida statitude including adopt a cyber security standards require employee training and incident reporting preparedness and report those findings to the commission. So that's my next
step. So yes, so uh you know this this Florida statute is asking for municipalities to get today sort of like you guys need to have all your ducks in a row when it comes to cyber security. So it requires adopt and document cyber
security policy and standards to ensure it is IT system and data are protected using recognized framework submit compliant notices to the Florida digital service and fulfill with uh reporting training requirements under under local
government cyber security act. So, um I had the opportunity to speak specifically uh to a former uh village uh manager uh city manager for North Miami and he kind of shared firsthand of the experience that they went through
with a cyber security ransom which blew my mind. I didn't know that that it was even a thing. And so um here as a next step when I'm asking and and an and understanding of that actually he did put me in touch with a gentleman that helped them out and he said you need to
talk to the specific uh vendor at the time was able to put together a plan for us and he was fundamental for it whatever. So he gave me the contact. I spoke to the gentleman. The gentleman sort of explained how the process worked for them, the case, you know, the
scenario that was given in North Miami and you know my question was like how does it work like what do you do first? So there is a whole certain steps you need to follow and um he also mentioned and I don't know if it was uh uh was the
I don't know if you guys got to see the the attachment Mr. manager. Was it also part of the agenda? Okay. Okay. So, I just want to make sure you guys saw it. It was a presentation. Um,
yes. Okay. So, that was an unsolicited presentation he had done to the village in 2016. I know I'm like, that was ahead of a curve 10 years ago. But it literally that's sort of what they they were
offering at that time because that was an increasing concern with digital becoming uh at the for you know forefront of government. So uh this is to say as my next steps if you don't mind because I don't know your computer >> see that we have our resident uh
resident expert here up at the podium. >> Yes. So um so here were my next steps. So first to assess where we are. So I wanted to understand where we stand with that statue and the requirements that were um
as as I understood uh uh starting uh 2025 evaluate a targeted risk assessment and and again this is coming from what I've heard you know expert sharing colleagues um review grant funding because then we
got to pay for whatever we want to do and I know there's been funding um back and forth uh you know being offered and training we did we all had to do certain training here in the DEAS at least and I know I had to do one um and return with
finance and recommendations if anything a where we stand on each one of those things or where we stand what's the assessment look like if we need to do one what would it cost how would we funded um so that we are in compliance but ready to you know deal with any sort
of uh circumstance like that hopefully never, >> but just be ready for it. >> Yeah. So, uh I can't go too much into detail. Yeah. >> Obvious reasons. Um >> when it comes to cyber security, you know, all these
webinars and stuff, they're they're they're meant to sell basically. So, they kind of have that, you know, scary thing. Um we are a small um
city so it's there's a lot of things most of our systems are in the cloud so we we don't even have the responsibility to protect them right so a lot of a lot of the stuff it's it's already protected by the vendors that you that you have
these systems with um and like in reference to like North Miami we are a completely different system not what they have. So, it's not the same risk. Um, we do obviously we do a lot of stuff to protect the city. I've recommended
over the years a lot of things. Obviously, there's been a lot of changes over the years. I've been here since 2015 around that time. So, I've been here for a bit. Um, I try to push as much as possible. Uh, but there's always a cost.
And in terms of grants, um, in my experience with other municipalities at this size, that it usually costs more to ask for the grant that what the money you're actually going to get due to the small size of of the city. So, um, I
would be happy to create a report for you on things that, you know, we can improve on um, and the cost and we can go from there. And if you want to take this, you know, into more of a private and we can discuss more into details,
then we we can do that. But we definitely are protected. We definitely do. We we've done many things over the years, too. And uh like I said, I've been here for over 10 years and uh nothing has happened. So >> that might be one of the most efficient
responses I've ever heard. >> Mr. Mayor, >> go ahead, Mr. Thank you. Sorry. Go ahead, Mr. Manager. So, um just um I was as I was flying up to Tallahassee, it was just coincidental that the director
of uh FIU's uh um cyber security division was on the plane. And so I I had a chance to talk to him about that. We had a pending item that was coming up on the agenda. So, um they do um I would rather the FIU look at doing a a risk
assessment. I would be leerary about hiring anybody that is submitting an unsolicited proposal to us, but um the director and I have been playing phone tag and I hope to uh schedule a meeting with with him the upcoming couple of
weeks for him for their department to come in and do a risk assessment and then determine where we're at. And I'm sure that uh it's going to be a lot less than what uh what this uh vendor is proposing and they may even be doing it for free. So, it's under the government
school of public policy. So, that's >> that's great. That's fantastic. Um, I think that I would certainly welcome it. I think that it's it's an important item, Vice Mayor, that you brought up. I'm glad you you brought it up here because it's always all these systems are always worth revisiting. Uh, and always worth kind of reassessing and
seeing where vulnerabilities may lie. >> I just want to So, a couple things. So, thanks for for your feedback. Um, it's important for me to understand where we stand with Florida statue. So, that's the one thing. U Mr. Manager. So my next step here is I want to know if we're in
compliance. Uh the second one is I'm not deciding who the vendor is. Never because that was suggested. I want to be very clear with that. I never go to negotiate with the vendor because that's not my role. In this case, the proposal that was 10 years from now uh was very
key on highlighting the specifics of what that would look like in terms of assessment. and FIU was actually at the conference themselves. This was the League of City best practice conference. It wasn't just a webinar. Um and FIU
president was present during this um um meeting. She she was in charge of another discussion at the time. Uh but this they are partners in government. So we would definitely welcome the fact of their knowledge, you know, their uh ability ability to do this at the
cheapest and I don't want to say cheapest is bad, at the best value possible to us. So yeah, I just want to see um uh you know the next steps come forward. Uh Mr. manager whatever time frame you advise that's needed but again
uh because of the requirements of of the stat statue and again I I go back I say these things out loud and I can't even pronunciate statitude I always get stuck so I look at the attorney to my left um and then you know same thing I'll I have
a conversation as to what that means for us and I don't want to make any cyber recommendations to anybody that's listening and but uh deficiencies we might have clearly uh we'll talk those internally but I'm I'm excited to bring that forward to all of you to know
that's that's what's uh happening >> and ju just for just for the record I don't think we have any deficiencies at all correct >> you know and we're and uh we Mr. Mayor, you you know you know personally that we we are attacked many times, you know. >> Oh, with the fishing attacks. Yeah.
>> Yeah. We get all kinds of fishing attacks. >> Apparently, you all get emails from me constantly asking for like Amazon gift cards. >> One like two weeks ago, actually. >> So, there there's not there I don't think there's a a week that uh goes by that we don't have some type of attack, but uh I want to make sure that we're
very clear that we uh so far as myself and the IT director is, we don't have any deficiencies at all. Very good. Well, >> I definitely welcome any uh you know, no one knows everything. I I don't know everything. Always great to have
especially from from these uh specialists in cyber security. So any audits, any study, uh you know, I'm definitely welcome. Uh because for me it's it's also a a great opportunity to learn other points of views and other
things out there that we in in in a small environment may not be exposed to, but in in in their in their environment, they are. So I definitely welcome uh that report. >> Excellent. Well, I appreciate it. Thanks for jumping up here and throwing your hat in the ring for us and keeping us
safe. And Mr. manager who will be looking forward to seeing what FI has to say. >> Thank you. >> Uh all right. So I think that's it. So uh having nothing further and having nothing to roll over, I'll ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> Oh, sorry. Wait a minute. Somebody's p Yeah. Yeah.
>> Honor and a privilege to be here at this first meeting of >> Oh, that's right. John, I am I am remiss that I I neglected to to say welcome to your first meeting with us. Thanks for being here. Well, John, we're happy to have you. Happy to have you with us. Uh, okay. So,
motion to adjurnn.