want to do. Jane's got it. Mary and Jane's got it. >> Oh, good. >> Good morning, everyone. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning, everyone. >> Good morning, mayor. >> Good morning. >> It's been at a lot of meetings lately. That's everybody says hello or Good
morning. Uh, welcome to the Braden City Council meeting, Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. in City Council Chambers. At this time, I don't know, I haven't seen Father Brady yet.
So, we're going to ask Councilwoman Coker to do the prayer and then we'll ask Colonel Lee, even though it's one day after our Veterans Day, to lead us in the pledge. We all please stand. Okay, we begin in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, we come before you with gratitude and reverence during this armed forces week, honoring the brave men and women who serve and have served in our military. We thank you and honor
their courage, the selfless sacrifice of those who put their lives on the line for their comrades and country and their unwavering dedication to protecting our freedoms and upholding for peace. Greater love hath no man than this that
a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. Bless our service members, those on the front lines, those in support, and those who have returned home. Surround them with your protection, strengthen them with your presence, and grant peace to
their families who carry their own quiet burdens with strength and love. Lord, we also lift up our leaders, both military and civilian alike. Grant them wisdom rooted in justice, compassion, and humility. May decisions reflect your
guidance and serve the common good. inspire leadership with integrity and to always seek peace over conflict, truth over convenience, and unity over division. We ask all this in the name of the Lord. Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. Colonel Lee,
>> please to the flag of the United States of America >> and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you.
At this time, we'll call the meeting to order. Madame clerk, >> the first item on the agenda this morning is a proclamation for Farm City Week. November 10th through the 22nd, 2025. Whereas agriculture continues to be a
major contributor to the economy of Manatee County with an approximate market value of agricultural sales of 322 million and more than 213,000 acres or 37% of Manatee County land used for
production agric agriculture which con includes vegetable crops, livestock and forage, citrus, ornamental horiculture, commercial fishing and marine aquaculture and other products. And whereas this year's farm city week
celebration will be keeping a alive in 2025 to educate residents with an emphasis on youth on the importance, the value, and the career opportunities found in global agriculture, food and fiber, and natural
resource systems. And whereas agriculture producers have a long history of preserving natural resources, farmlands contribute to green spaces, providing habitat for native and
endangered species of animals, reptiles, birds, plants, and trees. And farmlands also provide resources to clean water through natural filtration systems. And whereas the first Manatee County Farmity Week celebration was sponsored
by the Bradenton Kuanis Club in 1955 and the tradition has continued to be supported and funded by Bradon Kuanas for the past 70 years. And whereas the Farm City Week committee supports this year's theme by contributing to
educational opportunities for students. These activities include a venture where Manatee County 4 provides educational opportunities for over 1,200 Manatee County youth in agricultural awareness essay and speech contests and the beef
workshop and prospect show preparing youth to show their livestock at the Manatee County Fair. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the city of Bradenton, Florida, do hereby proclaim November 10th through the 22nd, 2025, as Farm City Week, and
urge all citizens to recognize the importance of agriculture and its contributions to the local economy, our environment, and in the development of youth, and to participate in the many events that are offered during the annual celebration of agriculture in
Manatee County. Sign Jane Brown, Mayor. >> Thank you. And obviously, who do we have coming today to present this to us as most always? I think we've missed you >> last year. >> Last year, but we we uh we're glad you're here this year.
>> Well, uh thank you very much. Uh unstable is the future of a country that has lost its taste in agriculture. My name's Ralph Garrison, a mante County agricultural activist. longtime past president of Manatee County Farm Bureau,
longtime chairman of Farm City Week. Uh I know a little bit about agriculture in Manatee County with it and we're really proud of what we do in the home base here in Manatee County. This is the 70th year that we're celebrating Farm City Week. Uh and Farm City Week brings
awareness between the Earl residents and the city folk, between farmers and the city dwellers. So, we'd like to go ahead and make some uh remarks, excuse me, this morning about that. It was kind of
cold when I was saddling up my horse early this morning with it and all. Many county's heritage is agriculture. Our forefathers settled on the banks of the Manatee River, grew food crops nearby, put the crops on the
boats, sent them up the river up into the Gulf of Mexico to Cedar Key. Why Cedar Key? Well, that's where Mr. Plant ended the railroad at the time. So, we have a deep history that goes back to the 1880s of
growing agriculture in Manatee County. Today we in Manatee County continue to grow safe, affordable and abundant crops. Back to the boats going up the Manatee River. That's where the city of Bradenton has a big influence and everything is uh Palmetto started with the agriculture and their history was
over on the north side of the river. But Manatee County or Bradenton came in with the Fogerty brothers when they started building the boats and these were the same boats that they would use to take the fruits and vegetables and everything up to the train. It was a big boost and everything when that train came to Cedar
Key. Uh it just saved a lot of time and and it really expanded into the first uh commercialization of farming in in Manatee County. It brought a forth that way with it. So you can imagine where you fogerty some of us maybe all of you know where the Fogerties ended up
settling there by 26th Street if I'm not mistaken right Maryanne right in there and all and uh they were a big asset because they had to have the boats with it. So the city of Bradon played a big part in in you know the early history of agriculture. Now today I don't know if
there's much agriculture in the city of Bradon at all. It's kind of gotten more of urban. That's the reason I'm here is to tell you all that there's a few farms left out east. It's getting pretty urban out east also this day and age. And so farming is a big impact to the economy
of Mante County. It was mentioned in the proclamation that's 322 uh million dollars. That's cash sales at the farms. If you go ahead and include some other things which I'll talk about in a minute and everything, it's much larger. So this farm city week, as we gather
with family and friends, let us count our blessings and give thanks to the bound to the bounty we enjoy and to this celebration. The safe, plentiful food that is available to us, the products used to produce from food. This is eyeopening.
clothing, housing, medicines, fuel, and other products we use on a daily basis just did not appear in a store. I got a brochure from Farm Bureau and it talks about exactly how the money of a $100 or $1, however you
want to say it, breaks down and everything. And the farmer really gets very few and all like that. He ends up with 20 cents out of the dollar. It's simply because of all these other people who are involved with it and everything. You have your labor, which is the the largest cost in agriculture. And you
have your little things like advertising, taxes, transportation, and this and that and all. But when you think of it, the farmer only comes down to 20 cents on the dollar when you go ahead and you buy your food. The the wholesalers and brokers, they all all take into that and all with it.
uh as we mentioned in the resolution about the Tuesday's activity, it's going to be at the uh leadership manity tours coming up, the Bradenon Farmers Market. We have a farm tour coming up. I'll go over those in in
just a minute and everything, but it's amazing to see it. It's uh the 4 doing their group of kids and children and everything at uh at the fairgrounds and all and the 4 has really picked up this year Mary and they're up to like 1,200 kids. It's double what they've done in the past and everything. So that's kados
to them. In a few weeks as we celebrate farm city week let us remember these vital farm city partnerships that have done so much to improve the quality of our lives. Rural and urban communities working together have made the most of our rich agricultural resources and have made a
significant contribution to our health, well-being, the strength of Manzy County's economy. For this, we give thanks. You know, like the old commercial says, you got to eat, right? You got to eat with it. As mentioned, Farm City Week
keep agriculture alive in 25. I want to bring your attention to the coffee mugs that we gave and the a facts that are in there and everything. Enjoy them. They could be a collector's items. So I think they come to you about every single year with it. And uh uh the the the facts and
everything agricultural facts is very eyeopening also. Now let's go over a few activities and and all. And Friday they having a farm tour that's open to the public and they're going out to West County which only has three or four agricultural entities left in there but
it's a lot of history. Uh growing up here in Bradenon I remember in the late 50s that area called Village Green. Is that in the city Jean? >> Yes sir. >> Okay man. Oh man. Tomatoes gladiolas were all vegetables all grown out there. If you ever It's that nice sandy lomy soil that we have in Mante County. If
you ever go out there, the landscaping is always marvelous right there. They got perfect soils to grow their there's trees and shrubs in their lawns and everything in there. And uh that was my first recollection of uh farming and everything. And then of course uh called Manatee Farms now. They still have an
entity out there. Cortez are visiting visiting Cortez as part of agriculture. It's aquaculture and they pay a vital it's a vital industry in in Mante County with it. and uh Orbin's nursery plant nursery out there along with Pomicola
Botanical Gardens out there. They're going to have a great time on the tour with it. We got Heather with Braden Farmers Market inviting the FFA and the 4 to come down and uh this Saturday I think and everything. So, I don't know what they're doing. In the past, they brought a a cow and a milking machine
and just they usually get pretty good draw pretty good amount of attention to what they have. It's all kids oriented with it. So, that'll be Saturday. Many of y'all have been invited to the Braden Quanis lunchon and we were talking about that earlier and that's on Tuesday. I hope you can attend that. That's when we
introduced the agriculturist of the year award. A leadership vanity tour is going on November 19th and they are going to see out east different agricultural entities. Uh they have a hall of fame lunchon on Friday where Mr. Courtourtney
he's an he's an old-timer compared to to to all of us. I think he came to Mante County from Oklahoma in the 1880s. His whole family did on a covered wagon and some of the family stayed in Palmetto. The rest of the family moved to Arcadia. And Mr. Courtney was a Wheeler and
dealer and he was a politician too. I guess it goes along with that. But he loved to to broker and sell vegetables and he was one of the first main uh people in Mante County that would put those products on the boat and send it to Cedar Key. He is very innovative
about that approach and uh he was the first one that really started agricultural big time getting exported from uh Manatee County. And then on the 22nd we end up farm city week which was called a beef workshop. It's where the FFA leaders can come in and go and get
some tips. They have a lot of veterinarians there of how to groom and how to feed and how to be able to get the most out of their buck during the Manty County Fair when they have the uh the steer show and the pigs too and they all get to get a show with it. So I
appreciated again the opportunity to come here and everything. I did bring a box of tomatoes this time with me. This is the first crop out of Mante County that came out of Duet. I'll let you take them upstairs. Y'all can divvy them up or throw them at each other.
Now, these tomatoes are not quite ripe yet. They may hold till close to Thanksgiving. My tip is do not put it in the refrigerator. Leave it out on your counter. Let it ripen by itself. When it feels good and soft and really looks that dark red color, which it'll come,
it'll come naturally and everything. Then go ahead and slice it open and eat it. They'll be juicy and delicious. I have one more quote I'm going to leave you with and everything. I guess it's a quote that I use all the time and everything is as we go about and we meet with friends and family at Thanksgiving
and we all have a bountiful amount of food. Let's think of uh where it comes from and everything like that. We have a wonderful country that God gave us that we can grow agricultural crops in and we're very very blessed to have that opportunity. We're very blessed to have
this sandy lomy soil that comes from the northern part of Mante County all the way down to the celery fields in Sarasota that we can use for farming and and all. So, let's count our blessings uh this Thanksgiving and never speak poorly about the farmer if your mouth's
full of food. Thank you very much. I appreciate the proclamation. >> Thank you, Ralph. Uh just a couple of comments. in the 70s when I was in middle school um his name was Mr. Jackson and he was the a teacher
there at Harley Middle School and we had we grew corn and then we sold it on Saturdays and so I was in that sixth seventh and eighth grade then in high school got to Basher High School in 80 and Mr. Uh Hewitt was there, Henry Hewitt. Henry >> Hewitt. >> And uh Henry, we had pigs, we had cows,
and we had almost 20 acres of strawberry fields that we grew right there at Behore High School. And so I went through all of that FF wonderful >> A and and all growing up. And um this week being at a couple of events at the school board and different things. And and when we were in school in those
days, there were certain classes you had to take at least one of. You didn't have to take it all, but I think with what you do to continue to bring this to light of our history and because sometimes if we don't bring up history, good or bad, you tend to repeat the bad
things more than the good things. But but just thinking about that, we just want to say thank you for all that you do. and we did miss you last year because when you weren't here, but it was a matter of just saying thank you and what you do to the school system, which is educating our younger people
about the past and and the current and the future if we don't do good things. So, I just want to say thank you. And uh I know that thinking back that was probably some of the most fun times I had in school was with Mr. Jackson and
Mr. He which were great friends after and unfortunately both of them have passed now but but just great people helping and doing things and and it wasn't about the money at that point. It was about teaching the future generations and even though I don't do that I love it and I I think back of
fond memories and am glad that we're still keeping that in the forefront. So >> thank you. That was a fun period in the life of Mante County back then especially at Bashore High. You could go across the street and I think Manty Fruit Company donated a lot of land to to grow all those crops and and you'd be
able to leave the campus a little bit and go over there and learn an awful lot. I knew both of those gentlemen and we do appreciate the the school board. We have a very strong FFA program in Manatee County and and that's through the school board assistance and everything that that operates and everything. And I met with uh for
example the one of the team leaders at uh Braden River High School. 400 students are involved in an FFA program with it. So, they get to learn a little bit and that's the importance of what we have with this a venture. We started with with 200 kids, went 400, went 600.
Now, Alex wants to to put in 1,200 kids in this thing. It's mainly third graders and uh I was participate in it for years and years and all with it and and one of the teachers asked their child, "Where does milk come from?" You know, we're going on this tour, where does milk come
from? And little Johnny, you know, Johnny's always first to answer and everything. Johnny raises his hand. He says, "It comes from Publix." >> Thank you. >> It is eye opening. Thank you very much for your remarks, too. Have a great Thanksgiving. >> You, too. Appreciate it. >> Thanks, Ralph. >> Thank you.
>> All right. >> Presentation scheduled for today. >> All right. So, we'll go to citizen comment. Citizen comment will accept it during the citizen comment portion of the meeting on any non-aggenda items, agenda items, future agenda items, or
topic of relevance to the city. Comments will be accepted on the public hearings at the appropriate time. So, I do not have any cards for citizen comment. Do not have any cards. All right, moving on. Madame Clerk, >> the next item on the agenda is the
consent agenda and staff is requesting approval of items A through a H. >> All right. Chair will entertain a motion. >> Um, Mr. or Mayor. >> Yes. >> Um, I move to
adopt the consent agenda A through >> Just tell me what you want to remove. It's easier. Yeah. >> Um, yes, it is B. Remove B. Yes. Okay. All right. So, we have a motion from Councilwoman Moore to
approve the consent agenda minus B. >> So, is there a second? No, Miss Coker. All right. Any other discussion? Hearing none, we'll start the vote in ward two. >> Yes. >> Three. >> Yes. >> Four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> And one. >> Yes.
>> Approved. Five to zero. Miss Moore. >> Uh, Mr. Brutil has this. This has come up before because I'm currently serving on the board of stepup Sun Coast. Mr. Russell has given me information to u determine maybe more with some more
confirmation that I might potentially be able to vote on things when it's a nonprofit board. However, I have not had the opportunity to really digest that. So, I think in an abundance of caution, I should probably abstain. >> All right. So, then we'll look for a motion with um to approve consent agenda
item B. Is there a motion for that? >> So move. >> All right, Miss Coachman, is there a second? >> All right, and then we will Any further discussion? We've heard Miss Moore's information. >> And hearing none, we'll start the vote
in ward three. >> Yes. >> Four is abstaining. Five, >> yes. >> One, >> yes. >> Two, >> yes. >> Carries four to zero. And of course any of the proper paperwork will be done to
take care of the reasoning and all of that. So perfect. Approved four to zero. >> All right, Madame Clerk. >> Item 7A is the public hearing for resolution 25100 relating to revising the operation and
maintenance agreement with Woodard and Curran. >> Mr. Perry. >> Thank you, Mayor. Thanks. Mayor, councel. Um, this item is basically um an extension of the wooded
and karin. It's a outsourcing agreement um that we had previously approved um in in March. I believe it was March of last year. And what that was basically was we had Woodard and Current who's here today um some of their representatives and they're here often as you probably
recall um have had them take over the uh wastewater treatment program itself. But wastewater is composed of two major components which of course is the treatment um facility itself and the series of of processing and and heavy um
equipment of clarifiers and ox ditches and tertiary treatment and and everything in between. That's what we call inside the fence. But outside the fence, basically there's a whole collection system that uh is described in in in one of the exhibits to the
contract that's attached here too to the resolution number 25100 before you that we're seeking approval of. Um with that, it really highlights the magnitude and scope of the collection system itself. It consists of 185 miles of gravity
sore. That's uh 6 in to 30 in, which is a big shoreline itself. 30 in when you think about it. And it also has a a great deal of what's called force mains. And force mains operate off a system of pump or list stations. We have 64 of
those in the city. Um there's a series of 4,200 roughly manholes that attach to this. And uh there's re relief valves, odor control, and all types of upkeep, maintenance, and service programs. The city does that basically with two major
sections within public works. And those two major sections are going to be the collection section and the mechanical se section. Those those two sections basically are composed of the better part of probably about I'd say 23 24
employees. Um I believe there's 14 in in mechanical and about 10 in collections. and uh those those employees basically have to service um our system. When you look at that scope of service,
it's defined in exhibit B2 which is the facility operations itself that deals with the daily operations of the collection system, the repair and maintenance of the system. There's project management that is very complex that has to be done when we decide we're
going to redo a collection uh system. There's information systems and technology that's applicable to it. Um the in the in the exhibit there's operating cost and expenses that are displayed biotoxins reporting
requirements that have to be filed with D other regulatory agencies. The capital support that's being done by wooded and current is a major component. I think it's no secret to anybody that we're kind of in a face it and fix it mode. And that face it and fix it mode deals
greatly greatly not exclusively but greatly with our wastewater system both from the from the perspective of the wastewater treatment components itself being improvements that are made both operationally and facilitywise at the
wastewater treatment plant. When you go out there you see some major construction projects just to name four right off the bat. our clarifier basically, which is a $16 million uh improvement, is almost complete. Um it'll increase our capacity
significantly and and and our our wasting um and the separation of solids, which is very important to the overall process. We have a a temporary EQ tank that's the size literally of probably four football fields and it can hold 3 million gallons. It gives us the ability
to basically store water temporarily, begin the processing of it by irriation and other types of processes, biochemical type processes, and then basically uh treat it when the flow isn't quite as high. We're all familiar with the problems we've had regarding
capacity. The plants rate about 9 to 10 million gallons a day and during high flows of last year, which which of course are an anem, but those flows reach 30 million gallons per day. It's not uncommon during rainy season to hit 14 million gallons a day. Unlike the
county that has reject reuse capacity um and storage capacity with other EQ type basins when the water first comes in, we never have that. It was never designed, never put into our plant. So, whatever comes through the headworks has to be processed currently. It doesn't have a a
diversion capability or a short-term storage or an interim uh treatment component. And so those two improvements are significant to adding to that particular upgrade. And Wooden and Curran has done a really good job of working with our engineering and and construction services staff um who are
here as well. Many of you know that that that Colonel Lee himself is is an engineer and has an environmental background with these types of things. Mr. Ference we've bought on, he's expert in collections in particular, also water distribution, but came over after 30
years with the county. I've never seen anybody be able to pick up a system so quick and and really run with it like he's worked here 30 years. So, thank you, Mr. Ference. And we have our engineering staff who's done a great job with Kim and her team. Uh they're the people I've been looking for for five years, frankly, and I'm getting them in
the right place. But this this initiative is also to get people in the right place because we're in a capital expansion, capital improvement phase right now. And in order to do that by taking the operations and maintenance piece away a little bit from our our our
from from our main kind of lane of travel and moving more towards capital improvement, construction and and and improvement of systems. It provides us more bandwidth and we've added additional um uh bandwidth and expertise
in this regard with a couple other folks we've been bringing in finding the money for these things. >> Can I approach through this corner here? >> Sure. >> You got it? >> Yeah, I think I got it. Maybe.
>> What do you need? This is a list of the capital projects that public works and engineering is putting together. I believe there's about 34 different projects that are on there. And all of these projects are fairly costly projects. They range anywhere from, you know, hypothetically
10 $10 million to probably 250,000. But you talk about multitasking. That's what we're able to do now on the face it and fix it thing is try to hit everything that we're dealing with um across the board as it relates to water, clean water, drinking water and the like. And
this helps us do that a little bit. Um in order to do that, you need a lot of money and typically traditionally that money would come from a rate. You'd go to your taxpayer, your rateayer base. And it's interesting because if you looked at the press the last couple of days, there's been several articles that
have come up on my news break about Manatee County and their need to increase their rates. And those rates they're talking about are proposal for a 5-year increase of approximately 8% plus a year to meet their five-year capital goal of having to meet all of their
needs and requirements. You think about that and it's an astronomical number. It probably adds up to over a billion dollars in capital needs. And we're probably on the area because I always phase things in we're about a tenth the size of the county in a lot of ways and
and everything else. We're we're we're probably proportionately similarly situated and the county has been capitalizing and and and repairing and replacing a lot of their assets. But as it grows it grows uh on the east as Ralph Garrison told us about you know
there's more needs. Um, our problem is is that it hadn't over time really kept up and we're doing a rate study now, but the rate is the last thing we want to hit. What we want to use is that term that the European economists called leverage. Of course, it's pronounced
leverage here. It's really the use of other people's money, whether it's a little bit of debt, whether it's grants, whether it's direct appropriations, um, and a whole host of other funding that comes both through the federal and the state government. Um, I have a
telephone call with with DE D and SRF regarding a 1, it's 1.6 billion that deals with clean drinking and storm water. Um, uh, it's actually 1.2 and then and the rest deals with resiliency. And we applied for that
funding. We're we're we're positive. Uh when I say positive, we're viewing it in a positive manner that we will we will obtain substantial funding from various federal sources that are related to the hurricanes, both Milton and um and and uh
>> Helen. >> Helen, >> thank you. Helen, uh that were related to the EPA. The funds come basically through federal EPA um and federal FEMA down to the state to DP and they get administered through the SRF, the state
revolving fund. That's the state bank. They're they're the best bank in the state. They process more and bigger amounts of money than any any commercial bank that we probably have in the state. And they're good at it. That's why they're the ones handling it. We have SRF funding for our three major um projects over at the wastewater
treatment plant and the like. So, this all fits together and and I don't want to belabor the point because now I have to go into basically what the statute requires when and this is an amendment to an existing uh uh contract that we have. But again, crossing over and and
furthering on into the component of the collection system. Um and and and and as it relates to that, I will incorporate by reference um all of the information that I provided back on the prior resolution that was approved um because
it handles and hits a lot of the same subjects. But I need to talk about um about 10 different statutory requirements. So the most recent available income and expense statement for the utility is what I'm going to have to get. And I think I have that in a file right over here.
I'll need Elmo, Miss Melton. Or do you have that? >> Does Mr. Williams have that? >> I have the paper version. >> Looks like he >> You got the paper version. >> That's it.
Yours is good, >> Mr. Perry. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Will you look at the screen? >> Is that it? >> Yeah, that's it. Thanks. >> Apologize. >> Thank you. >> So, moving on into this operating revenue and expense category. Um it
shows a little bit about what what what the two sections basically show for operating revenue and and expenses um for the fiscal year ended September 30th, 2025. And uh
there there's interesting data in here, but the main point is basically we operate at a loss. Um as you can see, a slight loss in this category and um and and that's why there's parentheticals under the operating income. But of
course, a large section is depreciation and amateurization from an accounting perspective. It's not non-cash expense. And so that's why we're able to kind of hold our head above water. Um, we believe that this contract will assist us basically in in in going one step
further and becoming more efficient. Um, one of the reasons might be is that when you look at rate getting back to rate, we this is the first year we had a 3% rate increase and I have to talk about that the rate in just a second by statute and and we hadn't had a rate increase for two previous years from
what I understand. So if I go to the next one, Tammer, next financial statement. This is going to basically uh deal with our revenue um verse our our operating expenses. And you can see that basically
between the two our oper operating revenue is about 28 million. um after you actually take in all revenue, it's closer to probably about 30 32 million. But the way the accounting standards apply and there's Heidi and I have had
interesting discussions about about accounting standards as it relates to utility and believe me you don't want to get into the difference between generally acceptable accounting principles GAP or government accounting standards bureau gazsby and how you have
to capitalize assets. But one of the problems is is that when we make a repair, I'm g try to keep this simple like we're making on 14th Street, we have to basically go all the way from 14th Street where the at 17th Avenue where a major storage uh breach occurred
and we have to go all the way to 16th Street back because that's how far we had a chase bad pipe. And then beyond the intersection, we de uh FDO F dot requires us to go 50 feet further on each side and then we have to go up 17th
AB. That's about a it'll probably be up to $500,000 in emergency repair. So, do you capitalize that or do you write it off as an expense and and and that has a lot to do with your operating income statement on how you treat it? Because if you basically treat it as a
capitalized asset, then you get to depreciate it. Whereas if you treat it as an expense, it comes away from your operating revenue and hits your bottom line on an annualized basis. Technical stuff, but but we're kind of trying to work through those issues. And
really what it is is that traditionally um there was just a decision made to treat it a certain way. It does impact the financial statements. However, there's differences of opinion. If you go to accounting professors at University of Florida, Florida State,
you might get different opinions of it. If you go to Florida government accountants standards, you might get different opinions of it. I would imagine that if you go throughout the state of Florida, there's a lot of people that do it different ways and and I don't know if if it's wrong to do it one way or the other, but I can tell you the fiscal
impact can be significant as it relates to the financial statements of the entity. So, we'll keep moving on from there. a statement of existing base rate for the utility uh for regulatory purposes. I just want to give you a quick shot on that. So the water rate is 1744
uh per month. The sewer rate is 2576. So the total base fee is 4320 and then there's consumption on top of that. Again uh those rates are under study right now and matrix is under contract. We've already had the first couple of
meetings on that. I talked a little bit about the county's uh uh endeavors and undertakings on that. We need to look at that as well. Um this particular uh contract before you should not be affected. It should not affect rates
significantly um because it's it's no it's really little more than what we're paying now. And I'll get to that in just a second. already. Uh the next item is the physical condition of the utility being
purchased, sold subject to wastewater contracts. I think it's no secret that we know we have an age system. Um I went over the scope of the facility, the number of manholes, the number of miles. I could probably get up here for an hour
and detail and and and that would be a summary version of of of what's broken, what's aged, what's been repaired, what we're doing, how much it'll cost, where the money comes from, who's doing it. A lot of moves to that, huh? It's like a
dance. Um we we need to continuously repair our system, invest in it. And one of the things is if you don't if you don't, we will end up in the same place we are right now. It it it it's it's it's not a good thing to have to raise
rates. But if I go to Walmart every 3 years and the cost of milk's gone up, then the cost of utility has to go up too because it's inflationary pressures basically. And we have to keep up with the repair and replacement of things.
And that's just the reality of running a business, whether it's Henry Ford's Automobile Company and all the tooling that's at those plants up in Dearbornne and in Michigan or whether it's us and the tooling that's in our collections and our treatment system and our
distribution system. It constantly has to be replaced. It breaks down. It's expensive. It has to be maintained. It has to be taken care of. Moving on um the from physical condition the reasonleness of the purchase sale or wastewater facility privatization
contract um we I I think it's smart to bring the collections piece to the wastewater treatment piece because one is downstream of the other and uh they really impact each other in in a lot of
ways. If we can improve our collection system by eliminating minimizing INI, then obviously the the plant doesn't have as much volume coming to it and isn't stressed as much um with that particular problem that's occurring. And so I think you'll typically see that
when there is outsourcing of the functions, they there will often be done together and and I'm going to ask probably Ryan Watson and Brian to maybe talk a little bit about that as I try to wrap this up. um the impact in purchase of the of the contract on the utility
customers. I talked a little bit about that. I don't see it affecting rate. I do see it probably improving service. Um it's going to take a little bit of time to do that because we are challenged. Um a lot of people don't see that necessarily. They read about in the
newspaper with environmental types of things. We don't, you know, we don't discharge untreated sewer water into the Manatee River. It usually always comes in. There are sometimes when it gets into storm sores local, but they're fairly small volumes. Most of the time
it does come into the plant. Um the uh additional investment that's required and and the the the willingness of the of the private firm to do that. This is a unique contract to the extent of this isn't privatization where they're buying
our asset. It isn't privatization that's being monitoriized uh through capital project of a parking lot. You'll see a lot of that. Some states have sold their toll systems on their highways. And one of the reasons why they do that is they get paid upfront money and then the
electeds and policy makers can say, "Oh, now we have money to fix something else and and everything." We own these assets. We will continuously own these assets. We will continually improve these assets. This is strictly an operations and maintenance contract. And when I say assets, both those
capitalized assets that I talked about, non- capitalized assets, it's really going to be property, um, plant, and equipment, cars, loaders, we own all of it. The things that have to service the system, too. So from that perspective
working with Woodard and Karen and and we've just kicked off an initial assessment of capital repairs that are more process related at the water treatment plant that they've been observed now by Wood and Car and their engineering and scientific people uh for
the better part of six months along with our engineering staff and they've basically been identified as kind of short-term fixes of moderate cost not major you know, tens of millions or or even millions that can improve the the
uh the processing over there at the water plant. So, under this contract, Wood and Karen will do the same with our system and look for opportunities to probably add technology, um different types of of of inline
processing, odor control, things like that. That's typically what you'll see. Um, as far as investments, the contract itself says that anything over $5,000 per incident needs to be approved by the city. And and we've had that happen out there at the water treatment plant. And they've been good about letting us know
every time. We had to replace a carousel motor and gearbox and everything else. And that's a huge huge piece of of apparatus that goes and circulates ariation to um to clarify our basins. Keep going on. uh uh in case the
wastewater facility private contract the term and conditions of which the firm will provide capital investment. I talked a little bit about that. Um the alternatives to purchase and sale of the facility itself. Well, I think the alternatives are basically that we are going to have to stay focused and that
will detract from our bandwidth to do capital improvements of face it and fix it. And we have a lot of problems with recruitment, retention of skilled labor in that area. I think that kind of shifting it over to an outsource component, they're going to do a better job with recruitment, retention, and
training of the employees. That's certainly been the case over at the wastewater treatment plant. I would think Lance has defined helped a lot with that. A lot of our other folks have, but um also there's, you know, uh continued basically strategic kind of planning of how to work and blend the
capital improvement with the maintenance and operations piece. So you have this more strategic focus. You have technology um benefits that are coming in. So you have asset management right now. Um GIS meaning that how our our information and computer tracking of
where these valves are and and different types of assets and things like that. We're trying to complete that on the system. Really what you should be able to do is go to each one of those valves, put a phone on it. The QR code comes up. It tells you when the valve was tested,
meaning last time it was turned, that it worked, when it was installed, other information about if it was repaired regarding packing or other things. We we have none of that information right now. It it's it's absolutely incredible that in this year of technology, the city of
Bradon with all of that aperture out in the street does not have a tech technology platform that has that. As a matter of fact, this week on 22nd Avenue East, when there was a water break, we couldn't get the valves to to turn. And so our our crew was out there and we
finally got the problem remediated. But we have to basically go manual on that stuff and kind of just I don't know. I guess it's a like process of elimination. You hopefully and and you wonder why like why wouldn't you why wouldn't you test the valve? Some of
those valves are so old. We have water going through it right now. This was a distribution line. We don't know that if we test it, it will shut water off and then open back up. And so they're almost afraid to to to do it because the valves haven't been turned. There's no inventory of active asset management.
This is the type of technology and accounting and a and maintenance and operation that needs to be done at a minimum. Um, moving on and completing this, we believe that that wood and car will maintain high quality and cost-effective
utility service. They've done that thus far. Um, over at the wastewater treatment plant, they have a record of doing that in other um the jurisdictions that they work within. I've already from the past um contract, the initial contract we did check their references
and found that their references gave them very high marks. my dealings with them is that uh some of them ought to I don't think they do, but they probably should vote here in Bradenon because they're here so often and and and they live in, you know, Jacksonville and other places. Really, I mean, it's
almost weekly for a couple of days and and then sometimes you might not see them for a few days. That's uncommon for a contractor. You you think about it, you know, these guys have all kinds of contracts all over the place. There's 1400 employees in Wood and Karen. And to that extent when you have that type of relationshipbased
u partnership it's pretty responsive and when we need something Mr. Watson and the rest of the team are pretty responsive in in in responding to us and getting back and and us working through it. So um we think it'll increase the the
effectiveness of our program and ultimately uh carry out the our obligations to our customers as well. Uh they have technical expertise. I talked a little bit about that. Um their engineering staff is is excellent. Their fiscal their fiscal management staff um
that we have been working with has put in for over $200 million in applications for improvements for infrastructure. And again, we have that call at 2:30 on some of that funding that we'll find out a little bit about today. and that uh the
last matter as far as item 10 really doesn't apply to us. It's it's that monies that they would pay for purchasing the utility would would would go back to taxpayers or rateayers. And of course, as I said, we own the facility. So, with that, I think I have
probably exhaustively covered most of the information that's required by Florida statute chapter 1801. And >> Mr. Barry. Yes. Um, so if you can explain like we did originally how this
would affect our city employees because I think that's going to be a question that will come up. >> Um, where as we know through the first transition for the wastewater reclamation facility. Um, we've only heard good from the employees that
>> transitioned. Yep. >> So, yep. Give us an update on that how this would transition that. Well, I I think that it's, you know, the employees are tremendously important. There's a couple different ways to look at that. We have looked at it from the perspective of of
the the trans transition to Wooden Curin and also other vacancies we have in distribution. So, we have several vacancies in distribution and and and and a few other positions where there's going to be opportunities for some employees to transfer because they've been with the city longer. They have
experience in those regards. they performed well and everything else. Um, as it relates to transitioning over to wood and current, we actually had a meeting that I attended um, along with wood and current people. I think most of the people from the collection section
and uh, mechanical were there and we basically said this is what they attempt to do and I think this is why they were successful at the wastewater treatment plant. They try to keep the employee whole. And what I mean by that is they take into account what the employees um certifications are, how long the
employee has worked for the city, what the employees specialty is, um what the salary of the employee is, and they basically try to in that case with the wastewater treatment plan, I think almost all of them ended up getting a raise, frankly. Um and and one of the
things is well, you're comparing apples to apples and and retirement programs. We they as most private employees would incur does not have a defined benefit pension plan but what they do have is an investment plan and financially they have to look at each individual
situation you may be better off in an investment plan and I what I told them when I was asked that question I said and I think what an encarin's HR department echoed this sentiment you probably need to talk to a personal investment advisor about which one might be best if you want to move forward with
the city and stay on with them because you're really interested in the defined benefit plan opposed to the investment plan. And the second thing is that Wooden Current is an employee owned company and so they get they get, you know, uh equity interest at a certain
point in in in in that as well. Um, I I'll tell you that I think generally speaking, the wastewater treatment plant has done a really good job um and and turning around a couple employees and really getting them to see the potential of how their skills and how their skills
can rise within this company both locally on site and otherwise. And a few of them um haven't risen to the challenge. An example of that is that just like in the collection or or distribution, you know, distribution, I should say a treatment has an operator
trainee, you have to have a license from the state, uh operator C, you have to have, I think, six months as a trainee. And then to go from a C to a B, you need, I think, one year. And then to go from a B to an A, you I think it's 4,000
hours. So, it's a minimum of two two years. And a few of the people have told me that work for us, you know, I want to put food on the table for my family. So, I always took advantage of trying to get this advanced certification and make a couple bucks more an hour because it makes a difference, you know, when you put everything together. And then other
folks have told me within our department, and some of them are crew chiefs, that some of some folks just say, "Well, I'm good where I'm at." And even though we hire them both in the water in the wastewater collection where you need certifications of CDLs,
confined space, um, uh, hazardous treatment, heavy equipment operators and the like, we have folks that haven't taken advantage of that. And so the ones that have, there's not many of them. And I've had crew chiefs say, "I got to go out all the time because I don't have enough heavy equipment operators when
something breaks." And frankly, what they did at the water treatment plant when they had these operators A through C was they said, "We're going to do just like the county does. We're going to basically start enforcing this. If you have to get um if you have to advance and and you agree to advance under this,
you know, employment agreement type situation that we do with them, but we don't enforce, um then we're going to enforce it." So, they offer three employees the opportunity to take the next level test and what current actually gives them the free material. They have, I think, online assistant
type programs with studying the material as well as kind of um on-site tutoring, so to speak, with people with the higher levels that can help the student master the materials. And out of those three students, oh, they give them time off to study for it, too. Out of those three
students, one person picked up their books. Now, what does that tell you? That unfortunately some people are apathetic and and and they don't want to take advantage of it. Okay, that's fine. But the reality, >> they had opportunity. >> They had opportunity and more opportunity, right? And and when you're
running a business, you have the responsibility to basically have employees that that will continue to get advanced training. It's just required. And and and and the county basically says, "Ask Ed." From what I understand,
they tell you if you didn't get it, you're going to have, you know, last chance rights to get it, but but sooner or later, you'll get a notice that this >> So, basically though, all of our employees will have an opportunity to continue on and even a chance to improve
their lifestyle if they want to, right, >> with that because one of the things to me which was so important was this company with Woodard and Current is employeeowned. So when something's employeeowned, they care more about the employee maybe to a point. Not that others don't, but they that actually is
impressive. Um, one of the things you mentioned about Manatee County rate increase when you if you read through all of the stuff that's coming out, um, they're still saying after a fiveyear, and we're going to have ours, so we'll be able to to do it. Even after five years, they will still be below most
surrounding areas on their rate. So that shows you that, you know, we're facing and fixing it. We're not looking at the past, but sometimes the past hasn't kept up with just current times. And there's a couple of uh media outlets in the
room, one print, one television, that have been on the tour, uh Wastewater 101 if we want to say it, and have done a great job at getting the correct information out where the social media and other times it was releasing raw
sewage. And it's a terminology thing, but we were not ever releasing raw sewage. So, they've done a good job at at getting out the information. Mrs. Shadic has done a great job at sharing and getting more out. And that's I'm I'm the lucky one that gets to go to the plan every day with them when we go over
there. And if you haven't been and you want more information, it's something good to look at how we fix step by step by step by step. And without financial responsibility, we can't fix step by step. And you know, we have got tens of millions of dollars in all different
ways of grants, appropriations, obviously the >> loan that we have, but we've got to be in a face it and fix it mode on steroids in my opinion. We've got to do it right, but we've got to do it where we've got
to fix this quicker than others. And when some of the things we've done well before any lawsuits, well before anybody was looking at us, well before any major three major hurricanes that hit us in 2024, we were already looking at that.
But some of the the uh eyes on us have made us be a little bit more responsible, I think. And I say we in general because, you know, we're not going to blame the past, but we are going to hopefully for be able to do
some things now to get things in order. I'm not for privatizing everything, but certain things privatization can do it quicker, help us more, help us be more accountable at a point. And if we don't,
you know, then our children and grandchildren who are sitting up here will be saying, "What did they do 30 years ago?" And we see that with traffic. We see it with every other entity that we deal dayto-day. So, I just believe that really trying to
figure a way and and and you know, almost to a user fee, you know, we none of us up here want to get more fees or do more things, but we also don't want to see the headlines in the the media saying that we're not doing anything.
And we were lucky so far this year, knock on wood, that we didn't have the volumes. And the volumes of water aren't just hurricanes. It's rain. It's other things, flooding, it's hurricanes, but but even this year, it's high tides. How
much of the other things that we look at, especially in Ward two and four, more than anything, that the tide, the tidal wave makes a huge difference in their ward. And some of it's living in their home. It's driving on their
street. And we in my opinion have to be responsible to make sure that as we coined about four and a half years ago, face it and fix it. And you know, we've really realized that face it and fix it goes to a lot of other things, not just
our collection, our um storm and our drinking water. So, I just think um you know, it's something that is so not only fiscally responsible um community responsible to continue to try to fix our systems while protecting
our community. And I saw Councilwoman Coker, Coachman, and then Moore in that order. >> Okay. I there's a lot of discussion about the rate increase here. Uh but we're only approving the contract right now. Correct. >> Oh, yeah. There's no rate increase on
this. So, okay, >> that's going to be when the study comes out >> cuz there were some things in there. I know, uh, when it was talking about the water reclamation, which said I think it, if I was understanding it properly, it was 25%.
Um, and that the the revenue that comes from selling the rec the reclaimed water that comes from outside of the city, right? We sell it to county and >> and Tropicana and Yeah.
>> I mean, and if we're at a loss at that, I mean, I don't understand that what at all. Why wouldn't we be at least covering our cost? >> Initially, a lot of the infrastructure that bought it over to Lakewood Ranch was paid for by the the water district. Um, we've been having conversations with
the water district out there because they're expanding actually out into Lakewood Ranch area with some of these f either further east and other types of developments. They actually want another couple million gallons a year. Those rates were negotiated well before I got
here and can't tell you about, you know, what decisions were made about that. But I can tell you that Colonel Lee and I as recently as Monday had a conversation about and and some of the wood and current people too with Fred Rogers and the like as far as >> well we were in a pickle because I'm sure we were
>> because we can only release so much into the river per day. Yep. >> So we had to figure a way to get rid of that water and I I was on that council at that point. We voted they paid for the transmission line and so they could start taking several million gallons
because I think our forefathers in our administration saw that at some point we were going to get into more of a pickle with the amount of water. So one of the things we're doing now looking at that is not only you know we can we can release so much of legally into the
river now we can sell it to Braden River watershed we can sell it to Tropicana we can put it on our golf course and we can put it on Lecom well obviously we're not selling it to our own properties we're trying to get rid of the volume and if I'm wrong on this is what I understand you're pretty close
>> yeah it's it's we're trying to get rid of the volume now we just spent $6.6 $6 million to put a well down that we will be able to put that reclaimed water down in the the aquafer of 10 million gallons a day. We're hoping to up that to 15 by
the time it's all done. So, we are setting this city up for the future. Now, you know, like I said, if Brain River wants more water, and we saw this last year, we were in a conundrum last year because when they have a lot of rain and water, they don't want to buy
our water. So, we have to they don't want as much. So, that's something that the administration now is looking at what is a you know, because again, we can't charge them for other water that we're using, >> you know, we have to. So when you look at capital expense, I know that in 1995
I had to go to a course and I think I've said this before because we were getting reclaimed water out of my funeral business that we were opening up. It was on 43rd Street. We had to go through a course before that you could get it because you had to make sure that you weren't doing it wrong and drinking it.
That course in 1995 was talking about all the problems with it, the iron in it. So, if you're going to sprinkle your yard, you're going to have to fertilize your yard differently because the iron would kill the grass in a way if you didn't do it. So, all that logistical
stuff, but long story short, >> if we wanted to do a distribution system in our city, the cost would be overwhelming to try to get it to the neighborhoods because of our system, you know, because
again, it's putting more pipes and it's putting it down it. Now, if there was a way to do that would be great, but I don't think that system would ever pay for itself because of the cost of the millions of dollars to get it. >> I think we we want to look at that possibly
in in in Ward One that it may because we we did have the county look at the possibility of extending it out to Pico and they have problems with their their purple pipe out there because they don't have it and they can't get potable water because the county doesn't let them anymore. They're grandfathered in if they were. But most of them are on wells
and in the case of where I live out there um because of saltwater intrusion and things like that the wells are kind of following the landscape water and everything's >> but I think that's something that's for another day >> entirely for another day >> because you would have so much capital expense most of Manatee County
>> has down their roads that go through the city some of the lines they have the down 43rd Street I'm in the city for my business but I've got county water and county reclaimed water. So, there may be ways that we can work with the county,
but that's again, this is another day. >> We've got to fix what we have now >> and come up with a way to then set it up to succeed in the future. us putting this water down in the aquafer um 1600 ft actually helps in possibly if
I'm not mistaken some of that saltwater intrusion because it's putting a level of water that will stop some of that coming up to the 600 feetish area of our drinking water. So again, >> well, you know, I it
>> I just don't I mean like the face didn't fix it and we feel like possibly things could have been done before now. I feel like this could be something like that because using portable water to sprinkle everyone's yards >> at some point, you know, as we're
talking about growth here. Um that'll help take off some of that pressure for the increased need for the portable water if we can use that. Well, >> and I understand it's it's a big investment and we've got >> and it's also a bandwidth thing right
now with what we're doing, but I I feel like I just have to continue to beat the drum every time I can about it because I think I don't want to be whoever's sitting here in those weeks later going, why didn't they do this back before? Especially because there are pipes that
literally run right behind my house. >> Well, that's the county. Well, exactly. >> That's what I'm saying. >> But I'm saying to work >> is there ways to work. >> Is there a way to work there might that and that's again why we collaborate so well with the county. Exactly. >> Is there a way and it might be easier to
pipe some of our water to their plant because their distribution line. But again, that's already always being discussed in ways. Okay. >> But if we don't face and fix the first problem, >> you know, you got to crawl before you walk. And we're still crawling right now in my opinion to get the catastrophe of
last year under our belt to face and fix which we already were but it's all about funding and that so >> well I just I wanted to bring it up and then it did I was curious about the rates um why we would be at a loss
selling um the water >> if we outside the city, >> right? If we gave none to them and we had to release it, we would be above our limits >> limits, >> right? Yeah. For the permits in the river. >> So, no, that's and that's why we want it
to the golf course which is saving us money. We want it to Leecom area which is saving us money. Tropicana, there's Mr. Perry and I and this is a little bit off, but Mr. Mr. Perry and I've met with some other people that are still looking at ways that we might be able to do something else even at our plant that
could do something that's innovative and really only be a user fee, not a cost, capital cost to us. So, we're looking every day to try to improve the quality of all of the things. So, >> that's pretty exciting as far as the technology.
Actually, >> I saw that. Yeah, I saw that. So, Mrs. Coachman, >> thank you. I actually removed my card. I'm sorry. No, no, no. It's okay. But I can explain why. Um, when you initiated
the conversation about the employees, that was really where my head was. Um, I I think the reason why some former employees may be looking at us and saying, "Why are you privatizing? You're, you know, you're taking away
from the employees." But this is not that. it it's our bandwidth prior to this null almost um and I don't think and we often talk about the past and we say wow
they should have done and and and we don't blame I I like that that we don't blame because think about it they weren't in the position we are with technology and a whole lot of you know more information about things and
materials and stuff So, you know, it's kind of understandable and who's to say 40 years from now they're going to look back and say, "Why didn't they do so?" So, because their technology will be off the charts. But um but I was concerned
more about the balance of our employees uh with with Woodruff um in understanding that they have the opportunity to to >> actually elevate >> elevate themselves. That that that's
important. I'm I'm I was glad to hear that and I thought that was what was going on. But how long will will there ever be a time that we all of our employees will be doing what Woodruff is
doing for us or are we going to always what current? >> Um I'm not so sure >> if C can you ask that question? Okay. >> We're not selling our system where we're totally out of it. We're just like letting them operate it
>> from a dayto-day standpoint while we still own the part of it which again if something goes wrong >> we're back operating it again. Got >> so you know again if there's an right now if you come to the city of Bradenton and you're working there this is what I
envisioned they're working there and they don't want to leave Bradon. >> So they want to work there. They don't you know they're happy with the salary. They're happy with all that. But right now, if you get a job, and I would assume this to be true, all of a sudden you're one of their superstars working there. >> You got to go to a plant somewhere else,
you have upward mobility that because they're going to want the best people. So now you have maximized your level here. Can't go anywhere else. All of a sudden, hey, over at this plant, they own how many? Hundreds or Yeah. You can
go and now even get be a better >> upward mobility. So I I think there's great opportunity >> about that question and the mayor's absolutely right in that answer is you know with e-commerce right and distribution centers what's interesting is that most of the people that are
engaged in e-commerce uh they don't own the distribution centers a a separate holding company owns the the distribution centers and some of the times the tooling in it but Amazon might run it because they're the one using the distribution you know chain logistics
supply chain type of thing here. It's kind of the same thing to the extent of we own the asset itself, but they run the nuts and bolts of the maintenance and operation business of it because that's their core, too. And they have probably more bandwidth than we have and
expertise and things like that. I mean, we have to run the police department, the fire department, uh this, you know, everything in between with planning and everything. And so we're not dedicated like they are to running utility type systems and generally they can when they
have that expertise they can be more kind of employee centric like we're talking about and train better recruit better >> and uh provi provide that career path better so to speak but our responsibility is to own the asset
>> I think one of the most important things to remember as well is government is we talk about running it like a business, >> not total business-like. But unfortunately to get the bandwidth, we
would have to hire a lot more employees to continue to grow. With this, we're able to sub out part of that where when they need something, they have the bandwidth outside of the local part of it to go. now you know because again
we've got to be lean and mean in a way that is helping while not while transitioning not hurting of any of our employees that are there now that's the most important I think that we go through >> yeah that's where I am and and also I mean is there the potential to maybe
even attract more people that are up to the level or the standards that they're bringing to our employees I mean are we going to always you know, >> well, I think that's what they bring to the table. And again, it's a contract. So, if we see something going wrong,
then we have to have our administrator and chief operating officer along with Colonel Lee at the time. um making sure that those things and again proof is in the pudding in today's technology with social media and all of that and you
know some of the things that that you know sometimes things happen and that's where it gets out there differently in the past than in the past. So, it's a great opportunity I believe. >> Miss Moore, >> thank you. Um, I have a I have four
questions. Many are simple. One might be a little bit more complicated. Um, I think both of us were not feeling well when we had our >> I hope you're doing >> I'm going to go I'm going to go easy to more complicated. Um,
>> don't come over here. I'm not >> I know. >> I'm trying to contain my germs. I have no place to go. >> I know. I'm so sorry. Um, so I hear that I mean I hear we're retaining the asset and I hear I see in the contract that they're going to be
interfacing with residents and I just want to confirm because I've had a few complaints. Um, I had one complaint about the landscaping vendor potentially using unmarked vehicles and I did recently have complaints about our staff uh from a storm water management um
aspect. And I just want to make sure that people, residents, when they see people out there doing the job, that they are aware that it's city and that it's okay. Um, so we're keeping our own vehicles and they're using our vehicles and they're branding like their their
badges, their shirts, whatever. Are they going to be reflective of >> Yeah, I mean >> that they're with the city. >> It's interesting. That's a good question. To the extent of we say they wear two patches. One is the city of Bradenton. The other one is Wooded and Curran. and and uh they bought me a
shirt nice kind of you know polo pullover deal and it looks like a city shirt >> but there's a little thing that says wooden and current on it too. I think eventually our vehicles will probably be equally branded and the like and it's not uncommon to do that where you see
that type of partnership. Um it's projecting to the public that image. They might not know what wooden occurren is. They probably most citizens don't. But they typically when they see the city seal on a vehicle, on a shirt, oh the friendly se city, we all understand
the brand that I've worked hard to kind of continue to >> embed so to speak. >> Okay, great. >> One quick thing to that. I just saw the last couple days around downtown, you see some work being done on the power poles. >> Well, it says Pike on the truck,
>> right? But there then there's a big sticker that says, you know, something about working with Florida Power and Light because we don't have Pike in this area, but they're in now doing some of the work. So that's the same thing that I would envision that people, but I think more ours will be more branded
city with the Woodard and Curran as the second part. That's what on that shirt you have. That's what I've seen because they have it on the sleeve, but our city logo is there, I believe. I think >> correct. Yeah, I think correct. Yeah, >> cuz I think to date I have, you know, um, for the most part, I usually get
complimentary, you know, when they are interfacing with staff and that sort of thing. So, I would like to keep that, you know, I think people would feel reassured if that similarly, that behavior continued and they knew it was the city. >> It's a good concern for sure. Yep. >> Um, and then the second one is is so
we're doing the collection system. I know the INI will be reduced and that will help. Is there any overlap or is storm water management relevant to what we're handing off to them to the extent that you know like sometimes for example the check valves um they're in the same
road they're in the same area >> they there should be no >> so it's a completely different system and it's not >> but we're not going to fix a storm water a wastewater pipe and dig up the road without making sure the storm water is being checked if it we're not going to
dig up a road once right >> fix the waste water system and then come back a year later and fix the storm water. >> Yeah. I mean, storm water's interesting because it has a separate permit called the MS4 >> and there's both maintenance operations and uh other other types of reporting
that's required for the MS4 permit. But what Mer points out is that when you're underground in the rightway, you can go under there and find water distribution. You can find storm. You can find potable uh I should say wastewater force mane
gravity fiber gas lines. >> Mhm. >> You're underground. >> Yeah. We want to check that out and and try to work and minimize any complications and contrications related to that. However, that being the case, those are separate
dedicated lines. Um, when we pump storm water out of our vac trucks, we can't you when we pump waste water out of the vac trucks because there's a break um in in a sanitary line. We can't then put storm water in it if we have to clean
that out without disinfecting the truck. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. So, they're two completely separate systems and we think it's going to be fine to have >> not have the same entity do the thing. Okay. the the only time waste water goes into a into the storm system is if there's there's some sort of discharge
um at the road and it pumps up and then goes into a storm drain. That that can happen. That's most common way to do it. >> Okay. >> But we are looking at we're focusing on the system being fixed and a lot of it's lining you say the eye and eye and that but with the lining you don't have to
touch anything in the road right you know virtually. But the goal is to say, "Okay, if we're going to fix a roadway, let's fix everything we can at once before we spend the money to pave it." >> And that's what started in 2014, a 10-year plan.
>> And it was, you know, >> can't believe that's over with, but need to start focusing on some of that again >> for sure. And just like in your neighborhood with doing the readjustment of 13 and three, >> there's going to be some things that will be looked at that will be fixed
before you go back and pave it to come back. That's awesome. Now, we have to That's something that I know I'm getting some looks out there, but if we don't do that, that's not facing and fixing. Shame on us. >> Yeah, I love that. Um, and that was going to be actually my next question.
So because we have this massive collection system replacement project happening with the expansion of three and the and the collection system around that and decommissioning 13, who will be how are we managing that? Who's like is Woodard now going to be the point on
that project or >> No. and and and that and that's a really good question that I think people have to understand about why we're doing this is because that is basically a replacement right program of major construction and so we basically have to
hire um engineers to design it as you know and we're in the process of that there's a matter on the agenda that deals with that >> and then we have to get a semar to basically utility contractor to build it after it's all built and it's all approved and and stamped and everything
else and closed out that will be part of the assets that we maintain and wooded and current will do the operations and maintenance of that system. Mr. Demonia from construction services and some of the other folks um Mr. fairance and the like really taken over those types of
projects um along with the the technical component that's necessary from an engineering perspective and Miss Clayback from the long-term planning and if we have other civil engineering needs you know project management we have that so 13 and three no
>> okay I saw I mean I knew that that those things were on the consent and I was happy for that obviously but um but I wasn't sure how you know whether it was going to continue to be Mr. Demonia that was kind of managing the project. And then the the more complicated one was I we talked briefly about how I anticipate
getting questions about the budgeting aspect of it. >> Um when I tally when I look at the budget that's proposed in the contract and the first slide that you showed us about operating in the red um are those it doesn't seem like you know obviously the line items are not matching up
>> right. >> Um this is a one-year budget that look seems that it's mechanical and collection. yours had them separated out, >> right? >> But when I add the two uh expenses, total expenses line item, >> it it looks to me like we're spending
almost $5 million currently, but their proposed budget is a little over 4.5, >> right? >> But it seemed like you thought that we were spending a little bit more. No, actually when you do the kind of math that that looks like it here, um, and and and a lot of it does have to do with
the accounting differences of how they're cost accounting certain expenses or capital repairs and placements and whe they're entering them on a general ledger and ultimately how they're handled from an accounting perspective. um this the total budget amount here
that they have in in in existing budget and I think it's contained in exhibit C2 is $4.2 $2 million and the total budget amount otherwise that's being proposed is 4.57 million. And so that difference of about
$300,000 is basically both transition fee of of 50,000 and then basically roughly it's cost plus. And so that difference of 300,000 is basically what they think
they're going to have to spend on the total budget to do an applesto apples comparison. >> Where did we get the 4.2? >> It's on exhibit C2 on the annual budget that's contained on the contract that you're approving. >> That one is that's C2 says that they're
at 4.5. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Hold on. >> But you're saying currently we're spending 4.2. I think it's a comparative deal that chose the 4.2 as well, >> Mr. Williams. >> Yeah, they they essentially and much like the water uh reclamation facility, they they took our exact budget
>> and use that as their starting point. Um, every year they'll submit a budget to us during our budget season as to what they're going to need or what they're projecting to need and all of that is discussed prior to the presentation of the budget to council. So, what you're saying is much like what
Mr. Perry said is is our exact budget for these two um areas for the collection and the lift stations and then um there are some components of the cost plus factor that are factored into what this expense is. So when you when you look at the budget or you think of
the budget you they're actually taking our existing budget and using that as their starting point and then adding a few minor components in to get the difference of what you're seeing with the 4.5. Maybe if you look at the first slide again, um you'll see that if you add up the total costs of the collection and
the mechanical, it's almost five million. >> Does that make sense? >> Yeah. And and and some of that is there are some um I guess quirkiness in the reporting u because it doesn't really we don't really break out um collections
and and and lift stations because they're not revenue generators per se. 402, which is our water, water and sewer fund, is is a whole fund. Um, and that's where we get the rate, you know, our rateayers pay their monthly utility bill. That money covers all of those
operations. And so when we break it out, we try to do we for this purpose, we were trying to pinpoint as best we could with Heidi and Linda and their team as to what the expenses and what the revenue associated with those expenses would be for those two operations when
they're really not broken out in our budget that way. >> Okay. >> So, it's you're you're going to and you're going to have some depreciating pieces to it that you know, like Mr. Perry said, or more of an accounting feature. It's not really a dollar
amount. It's not a cash uh amount to it. Um so it's not you're not going to see it penny for penny uh to be exact. But again, what an incurrent takes our existing budget uh for that area. And again, as best we can for those two pieces to say, okay, this is our
starting point. And then we're going to have the the the cost plus piece to it. Um, and then there's some there's some analysis, additional analysis on their part that they need, you know, going forward to say to really kind of assess our assets and to be able to bring
forward for the next year, what expectation, what kind of what kind of capital improvements they would recommend, where are we going to get the best bang for the buck, the most, you know, the quicker resolution kind of a thing. So, you're not going to get penny for penny in the comparison.
>> So, is it is it are we really operating in the red right now? currently >> for 2025 we did. Correct. >> Okay. >> Y >> I think that's important is as we look at this and if they can bring us something that will help speed up a
process, then I think we're going to have to look at it and say how much are what are we willing to do to help that process go quicker in facing and fixing it. >> Um and that's what any good business would do is say hey you know okay do we need to find this money? Do we need to
borrow it? Do we need to take something? Do we need to what? I don't know. I'm not saying anything particular, but as this I would rather do a 5 to 10 year process in three to seven years, you know, and that's important. And some of the depreciation is what really throws
that off balance because again, it's depreciating, but it's not hard dollars. >> Not a dollar. Right. Exactly. And and I think the other thing to keep in mind when we talk about rate, you know, when you look at the operations, and we kind of talked about this when we were talking about that 3%
increase a couple meetings ago, when you look at the operations and the fact that we didn't increase rates the previous two years, this is what you start to get. You know, you start to get that operation and and you're operating in the red. are operating negative because
costs are expenses and we may have some additional you know things that we had to fix that we weren't predicted throughout the year. Uh but those expenses rise the revenue does not. So what you start to get is that offbalance. So this the study that we're doing the rate study that we're doing
will show here is your here's your operations and then plus our capital items that we're looking to improve. So we can have a plan, you know, a fiveyear plan to say every year we need to increase the rate x number of dollars because what we don't want to do is not
increase rates for several years and then one year just have this massive rate increase. I think that's just it's just unfair for everybody and it's not feasible in an operation. So when we look at the rate and I think this is an important piece to when you say when your question is are you operating in
the red the answer is yes and the reason that is is because we didn't increase rates for two years and expenses went up. So kind of keep that in mind when we talk about rate and kind of that have that conversation in the future. there's a necessity to it and it's not uh you know we talk about capital items and and
getting other people's money those that's what we're doing for those large capital improvement projects and we've been very successful in doing that we have great partners with the state and the federal level um and we have great uh you know grant writing uh vendors now
that are helping us Jeremy's done a phenomenal job helping us manage it but when you talk about >> when you talk about me always I'm going to kill somebody over this. I just want you to know
>> they're glad they're cleaning. >> Yeah. >> Well, yeah. But >> when you when you talk about maintenance and operations, that is going to be your your user, you know, that's going to be your rate and that's something that has to be it may be a minimal change because
the you know, the cost to operate um is more efficient. It's the just the costs aren't aren't increasing like we've seen in the past, but that's where your that's where your financing for that service, for that maintenance is going to come from. >> Okay.
>> Um, and I agree with you that um I think there's value to speed. I think that >> well I think we've seen and in it in its other areas of our city as well especially insurance that we're trying to help the employees that we've
not done a great job at at least keeping up a little bit. >> We've just laid off laid off laid off and now we're at the point where you have to have that bigger increase and you're trying to how do you you know do you cut a little bit or do you cut a lot? And it's just, you know, we've got
to continue to look at ways with facing and fixing something that is going to get done, not well, let's put kick the can down the road, you know, and I don't blame that. We all do that at our own homes. We all do it, you know, with things that we're trying to to get. But it comes to the point sometime you have
to fix it and that's the point. So, um, this again, we're a little bit off target of what we're talking about right this moment, but I think it plays into the overall picture and, um, anybody listening out in the audience or anybody going to watch this on TV, we want the
transparency out there. We want to show why we have increased things to face and fix. We want to show how we're doing it efficiently, whether it's employee numbers, whether it's, you know, farming it out to a point and what we can do
because we're going to have a lot more discussions on other issues too that are going to come up that we have to face and fix that too. It's just not our water. It's a lot of things, but the number one thing is quality of service >> and that's what we're trying to take those next steps. So, I know this is a
public hearing. So, anything else before we go to the public hearing? I know you have to open it up. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, at this time we've had exhausting discussion, which is good, but um, we'll open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing
to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Hearing none, we'll close the public hearing. Mr. Ruticell, anything else we have to do with this before we go to a motion and further discussion? >> No, Mr. Barrett just to be a motion to
approve resolution 25-100. >> All right. The chair will entertain that motion. I'll >> make a motion. >> Motion to approve resolution 25100 and authorize the mayor to execute amendment one to the operations and maintenance agreement with Woodard and Curran.
>> Thank you. >> Second by Miss Moore. I heard. All right. Any further discussion? Miss Barnaby. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I think it's important that we all realize I think we do here and I think staff does but for
everyone out in the community this is our city trying to get more businesslike and to run the city in an appropriate fashion and that's why I'm going to support this >> and I think bringing to that point Miss
Barnaby when you look at and again we talk about the social media the the media coverage. When you see those negatives in the headlines, this is us trying to eliminate the possibility of those negative
headlines from the standpoint of saying, "Hey, if we don't face and fix it, then you can't blame people. you've got to say and facing and fixing it is doing the right things and trying to run it business-like like you said and really
taking a positive light on what the future's going to be. So, I appreciate that and and again, nobody wants to raise fees, nobody wants to raise taxes, but sometimes you've got to run a business or you're out of business and we can't go out of business, you know, so that's important.
>> Any further discussion? hearing. None. We'll start the vote in ward four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> One. >> Yes. >> Two. >> Yes. >> Three. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Carries. Five to zero. Um I'm we're going to take a break in just one second, but I just want to say one last thing from kind of on this general
topic, but we and we talk about this a lot, but we are very fortunate to to not only have a a good council, I believe, you know, one of the best in our area and in the state working together. We have our times where we,
you know, word smmith through things and go through it, but we are very fortunate to have the staff that we have and it starts right at Mr. to Perry and goes all the way down. You know, we always don't always agree on things and but you know, some of those things we go through
and the bandwidth that we've carried over the last four plus years from that July day back four years ago when Mr. Perry started and really started to build his team with um not very many new people, but a few new people. But we're
just fortunate that everybody's willing to work together, get things going, and set the stage for what the next Bradenton will look like. And obviously, it's clean water, it's entertainment, it's different things. And that's what
I'm proud to be a part of. And I just think that there's so much negative out there that people want to do, even in our community and others. But you know what? We're going to continue to do this for that next generation. and uh so many other exciting things. So, we will take
a five minute recess. >> Thank you, >> Mayor. Thanks for that acknowledgement to our team. They're they're a great team and whatever we I want to ask Mr. Garrison if I could get some some s some seeds for these. I want to plant these.
Madame clerk, >> the next item on the agenda is 8A and it's the school zone speed camera annual report. >> All right, Mr. Giddens. to come forward and give us a 5-second response why you're here just
so people think it's >> uh statute requires that we give an annual report. >> Um there's certain data points that I need to read aloud and then have an opportunity for a public comment. >> Yep. >> Which is why it's on your agenda. >> Um I gave a just for history, we gave an
initial report back in January which covered some of our initial data from late last year, but we certainly have much larger data sets. So, before I get into the um dollars and cents, which is what a lot of folks like to focus on, I would like to draw your attention to the conclusion of the memo, which really addresses, I think, the facts and the
data. Um on March 12th of 2024, we did our speed study. On that one day of our school zones, we captured 3,464 speeders. If I fast forward a year and pull a comparison data on a similar day, which was a Tuesday of March 4th of
2025, we have 326 violators in one day, >> which represents over a 90% reduction. >> Um, for those that for the public who focuses a lot on the dollars and s which is a portion of that, I I certainly can't brush over that. Every which way I run these numbers, it is effective
program. the um data and the stats of the other reports showed it um the speed to reduce within the area and that those also extend into the neighborhoods which creates a u safer environment for all of us. The state of Florida consistently ras in ranks in the worst for speeding
and vehicle crashes which is why I think this program came about >> and Manatee County continues to be one of the highest in the state. Generally man county is towards the the top of of the worst which is a category we don't want to which is why I think city council supported this program why our state legisl state legislators gave us
the opportunity and it is effective if I move even forward uh into the data if I look at the beginning of the school year for the first 60 days in comparison of August 12th to September 10th to September 11th to October 11th we go from 2376 violation violators down to
1,259 or again a 47% reduction in just the 60 days within the school, the current school year. Um, so that's kind of the data I wanted to focus on before I get into the statuto requirements of the dollars and cents and the figures. Um,
our highest speed was recorded on May 14th of 2025 of 73 miles per hour on 59th Street in a 40 mile per hour zone. We're talking about internet interstate speeds on a local road uh in front of a school. And that's why we have the
program and as I said it's it's very beneficial. Um and I think the data supports that. Per statute um between October 1st 2024 through September 30th 2025 we issued one thou 16,937 notice of violations. We had 11 of those
contested locally. We had many others that were contested at the clerk of the court's office. But we here the city hosted 11 contested. Eight were upheld. Three were dismissed. 2,928 notice of violations were converted to a uniform traffic citation. Um, of those
10,460 were paid uh for the public safety initiative, $389,766 was received by the city of Braden. $200,180 went to the Fort Department of Revenue, $30,27 for for Department of Law
Enforcement Training Fund. Um $120,18 to the Manatee County School District for school enhancements and safety. And then our U Crossing Guard uh program received $50,45 and then Red Speed received $29,874
uh which amounts to 1,1,156 uh dollars. Um our expenses of the the money received 189,256 went to police vehicles supporting um some of our cars and then we currently have $200,510
that are held for police initiatives that has shifted into this fiscal year. Um that is the data that I'm required to read. I certainly am available for any questions. Um we did work with for department of transportation. Um they are converting
uh in front of Manatee Elementary and State Road 64 that is slated to become a school zone uh during the holiday winter break. Florida Department of Transportation should be updating the signage there. Um if we choose to uh pursue that for a a school zone uh area,
we would then need to repeat a a study to find out if it's warranted and then present that back to council to add that location. All of our locations are up and running now. Um, we do by weekly what I call quality assurance checks. We go out and ensure that the lights are
working, that the signage is there. Um, we have not had any terrible issues in in court. Um, we we seem to have gotten through any of our issues with that and I think the public and we've marketed um throughout this entire time. We've
continued to market out publicly both in social media, print, and interviews. the the public has, I think, begun to accept the program. It is effective. I've I've read you that data. Um we we operate a program where I have no problem speaking to anybody. If we need to take a look at something, if there was an error, we'll
take a look at that. Um but I think we have a good program that we manage well. >> I questions. Kemp? >> Yeah. I just I just want to say initially, um anything we can do, I'm I'm fully in support of uh you know, slowing down traffic and getting people
to pay attention, which is what this does. uh particularly around our children. Uh the question I had was regarding the financial impact and the amounts we've received. Um did we have you know now that we're a
year into it, did we have an initial study in terms of what the projected revenues uh would be versus where they are now just as kind of a >> Yeah, I I some of that I wasn't involved in. I want to say that those numbers were estimated uh north of a million,
1.2, 1.5 or so. I am not sure that we're going to meet those numbers because folks are slowing down. This is a program where >> which is a good thing. >> I don't think you can suggest that it's going to be X, Y, and Z because you're and I like to move away from the dollars and cents. We're looking at compliance
and if we're looking at compliance and we're seeing those numbers going down, then we're obviously receiving less revenue, which I think is the point of the program. >> Absolutely. So um those initial numbers are lower than we are now which is the success of it.
>> Miss Moore and then Miss Coachman. >> Um that I was going to ask about that too because I agree that the goal should be not revenue but compliance. Um and so I just wanted to clarify because I think you already answered the initial question I had. My understanding was that we that state 64 in front of manl
is going to be a school zone. >> Correct. F DOT was able to conduct a study. Anytime you deal with fourth department of transportation, it seems to take quite a while. They did do a study there. Um I did receive word late summer that they have agreed to move that into a school zone and they will be doing the installation winter break
>> and then later that because I was reading the memo, it sounded like what you just said and then my next question was going to be adding cameras, but it sounds like that is a thing that will happen later if council chooses to do that. >> Correct. I I think it would be I've worked here for 28 years. I I I think
it's going to be an area where people are still going to speed app, but we'd have to confirm that with a speed study, determine if it's warranted, and then determine if it's necessary to add cameras, bring that back to you. So, there is going to be some steps. If it were to qualify, the council agree to do that. Then, we'd have to do a 30day
advertisement, make sure we have a public notice. So there are some steps but >> I anticipate that um this is just my observation not you know a formal study but um there is a lot of speeding that happens in that area and um I think you're going to find I felt like there
was growing pains in the beginning and I was getting a lot of complaints um and I think you're going to find the same thing is going to happen there too because people are just so accustomed to whizzing right by it. I think engagement with the community is is important. Um, >> giving everyone a heads up.
>> Engagement with the community is very important. I spent two years as a traffic officer. Uh, Manatee Avenue, we've had many traffic crashes, fatalities, speeding. It's coming off of the interstate. It's a thorough affair right in front of a school. So, I would anticipate us having grown pains if we
moved in that direction. But again, I think communicating with the public, ensuring that we have the signage, doing enforcement. we can always have a traffic unit out there as well. We can hopefully bring some compliance there. >> So, just to to bring up something, we just put in some do not block the box
>> areas and if you read the social media that's out there, you know, it's split, but people want us to enforce those laws. If we're enforcing those laws the way that we could every day, it's hundreds of dollars more than these
cameras. We just want people to abide by the law and not do get anything. So that's the whole thing and that's what people got to understand. You know, we we can't hire enough officers to be at every light in every school zone every day 247.
But just slow down. Slow down. And coachman come. >> Okay. >> May I respond? When I respond to the community many times with the program, I just point out that we did this program, the city ordinance statute didn't change anything. We're just asking you to observe the posted speed limits are
already there. Nothing changed with how the school zones were posted, although there even enhanced signage. Just follow the law. Slow down and there's no violation. In fact, you get 10 11 miles per hour as a grace period for it. So, just slow down, >> Miss Coach.
>> Thank you. Um and and on top of that, if an officer rode a ticket, it would be more than $100. Correct. You're probably north of $3 plus impact on your license and insurance.
Okay. My my question is and one thing I'm I'm so thankful that this council we stuck to our guns. We got through the growing pains and it sounds like we might be going through it again, but that's all right. We ready. Uh I I wanted to ask does this state statute
that allows this does it expand to neighborhood streets because we have so many neighborhood streets throughout the city that people think is a little bit of a racetrack and it's just a matter of time. I just wondered if we could utilize >> it's not it's isolated the school zones
and school areas which is which is why these are up. I I can say the data that we've received, at least the studies show that there is an extension of safety into the neighborhoods. People that slow down a block or two tend to carry that forward. Um the the program is designed for the school zones.
>> All right. Thanks, >> Miss Barnaby. And then Miss Moore. Um, I just again want to state the obvious here that the monies that we collect, where that money goes was in the state statute as to what we had to
do. It wasn't it wasn't the council making this the decision. It was in the state statute and we abide by that statute. >> That is correct. U my other question is is if we're going to do a school zone at Manatee Elementary, will they be
looking at a school zone on Manatee Avenue by Miller Elementary? >> They studied both schools at the same time. Um whatever criteria they have, they've determined that there is not a need on State Road 64. I certainly can ask them to repeat that study. I'm I'm
just curious because, you know, I I do not spend a great deal of time going east these days, but I am going west for different appointments and things like that. And if I'm going
the speed limit on Manatee Avenue, I get passed. >> Oh, yeah. If I may. So, >> I spoke directly to DOT about that and um the what was conveyed to me is that they did not have enough walkers.
>> Oh, okay. >> Enough pedestrians at Miller. That's what was told to be. >> Um so, in that study, that's part of what's what's but I agree with you. I almost got plowed over in front of manatel because I did slow down into the
school's speed zone and I mean I was just being passed and almost run up on >> and we've had a crossing guard hit there. >> Yeah, >> we actually had a crossing guard and I think two officers. >> Yeah. Yeah. And hit in that area. So because people speed they're trying to hurry to get through the light
>> or the turn light. So >> that doesn't count though. >> No. Miss Moore. Um that I was going to I I'm glad to hear that that was one of the determining factors because um I was going to note that it to your question, this was outside of the thing I was going to say, but um that I know
personally at least two people, one is the crossing guard that has been there for ever. >> Um I know they have been personally advocating to FDOT directly to make that a school zone because it they do have a lot of walkers. >> Um but my question was going to be shoot
I hope I don't forget it. It was not that, but it was um Oh gosh, it might be out. I might have forgotten it. >> I did. >> You can get with me. Yeah, it'll come back to me. >> Any other questions? >> Is always available. >> That's true. That's true.
>> Anything else we need to do just other than the we we offered public comment early on and they didn't take it. >> I'm not sure if I need an approval, but I would probably say a recommendation of approval for the report just in case. I've got to submit it to the state. So I would rather have it than not. >> We have a motion to approve the
information in >> so moved. >> All right. Second. >> Second. >> All right. >> We have a motion by Miss Coker, a second by Miss Barnaby. And if had discussion start in ward five, >> yes. >> One,
>> yes. >> Two. >> Yes. >> Three. >> Yes. >> And four. >> Yes. >> Approve five to zero. Thank you very much. Appreciate all you do. >> Mr. Perry Mayor. Um the emergency purchase report which is fairly brief
today. Item number 8B includes one one emergency purchase. Um I'd spoken about it earlier which is the 14th Street Tamiami Trail um sanitary sore repair uh at 17th Avenue. And this is a $500,000
um project. And and one of the reasons why is that because um we had worked out on on this section of the sanitary sewer probably about four to six months ago as I remember and and it failed again and breached. Um we
we've had problems trying to chase it back to good pipe that we could tie our repair into. And so we basically contracted with Woodruff and Suns. um we had to end up chasing it all the way towards 16th um Avenue and again it's a
DOT roadway so it included the repair itself along 16 along 14th Street north to south actually south to north in most directions and then had to chase it also along uh 17th Avenue both east to west
and so with those repairs we had to basically do curbtocurb repaving um of the cut the open cut repair that we had to do and uh state FDOT requirements require us to go I believe it's 50 ft um
further on from where the repair area is in both directions. So it was a major undertaking. Uh the work has been mostly completed. I think we were working on um 17th AB west of 14th Street as the final
section of that repair. Dawn isn't here, but is that I'm getting a nod from our folks over there in public works. And so it was $500,000. That's an awfully expensive repair repair. >> And Mr. Perry, and I know that's been discussed, I don't know if at meetings
or at other, but if you go to the west on 17th Avenue, you can tell there's other issues on that road that are going to be coming up because that road is like a roller coaster that has been fixed. So, those are the things that I
think we obviously, as Miss Moore brought up earlier earlier about different things that we're always looking at. How do you repair one, two, three? But sometimes it takes a little longer because you're trying to make sure that we don't dig up a road, fix waste water, but we're not fixing the water lines or the storm water. And so
this is a and as we've talked in the past too, Tampa has hundreds of these a month. we probably have tens a month that we find these emergency issues and and it's hard to to say, "Okay, tear up
the whole street and do it because it's just not budgeted." But I think this is something that again, face it and fix it as much as we can and then the emergencies we we get to. >> Yeah. >> This is just information only, right? >> It is. It's just information. I'm
required to basically I authorize the repair and so I have to bring it up the next council meeting and that's why I did it. there really wasn't much of a choice in there. Um, and I will point out also that that particular area where the cross-sections of the utility are is um, you know, a spaghetti model
underground basically with all types of different utility that cross over, go underneath, go around. >> Well, it goes to our major our most major right >> master lift station >> on 17th. So, yeah. All right. Thank you.
Next, Mr. Perry. Next matter mayor is going to be item seven believe it's seven 8 C >> I'm sorry 8 C 8 C and and that is the purchase and sale agreement uh between New Rogers Garden Limited Partnership
and the housing authority of the city of Bradenton and I think I will proceed to the podium just for some comments. So, what is before council for approval is basically authorization for the mayor to sign that purchase and sales agreement. Um, I I think most folks know
and the out the the memo outlines that this is the purchase of 11.3 acres that basically is currently owned by the Bradenton Housing Authority. However, the agreement is what I would call a tricated agreement between multiple parties. Although the fee ownership is
with Bradenton Housing Authority, that it's on a long-term lease with the former um uh general partnership that was formed by Tellesus. And of course, Tellesus and the founder of Tellesus um uh the late Marilyn um she she passed
and it went into an estate administration. um it was approved by HUD to come out of that estate um proceeding and and and the successor in interest is a company called Windgate basically and I want to thank Mr. Allen for bringing Windgate to
us and uh Mr. Tatum who who is the capital officer at Windgate and I and a whole host of other people have worked on this very very complex uh convoluted type of acquisition. It's necessary
because it it basically will provide the land mass and footprint and property um for the PAL building of city park and that's an obviously important community component of it. Um, at the same time,
the southern portion will handle the storm water obligations within a currently applied for under a concept plan and ultimately will have to be approved on engineered drawings to basically encompass up to a large
section of the both the north and south central the north central boundary of that parcel. It's fairly rectangular down to the south 17th Avenue all the way to Bradington Village to the east and back up to some property that we have and kind of acquiring on the west
side. Um it it it's an important piece of property. Um as far as the cost of the property, basically we are basically taking that property out at the same level that Windgate had had pro purchased the property from. They ended up having to purchase that property for
$1.35 million. So $1,350,000. The way they did that was they put $200,000 down and basically have a purchase option to take out the rest of it on the lease. And when I say purchase
it, they leased the property. They they assumed the lease and transferred ownership of the lease based on HUD's approval and Bridge and Housing Authority approval. So they put $200,000 down. um they own the the vast majority of of of the partnership is owned by one
individual who was associated with Tellesus. Uh she's listed in the closing um memo, not the memo, but in the purchase and sales agreement. And so that's about 1.15 million. So all total 1.35 million.
And then ultimately what ended up happening was there are different types of uh of administrative cost associated with it as well. Attorney's fees, title fees, administrative fees, and everything else. And so we will be purchasing that property um to get fee
ownership of it. the city will own the the property all the way from the boundary up at 13th Avenue um to 17th Avenue on the south and as I pointed out Braden Village to the east and up to a property line next to Rogers Garden
coming down to some other smaller parcels as well as a parcel we acquired uh entirely necessary for the city park project. Um the terms are again replace uh uh taking that out at the same cost that Windgate procured it from that lease and ultimately the Bradon Housing
will relinquish their fee ownership >> and they've already approved it through their boarded. It has to come to us and then it would go to HUD and we're hoping that HUD within the 60 days will will process it. Hopefully the government gets back open this week. >> That's basically it. Um,
>> one of I'll say a couple things to this is a process and kind of how I've evolved through this process from wanting home ownership in that area and what the Braden Housing Authority is now doing through some of the SUG and other
um opportunities to add hundreds of more homes on some of the properties already owned that they're doing. Braden Village is doing a RAD grant now that's going to remodel all of those and they've already done some roofing. They've done some
things that are through the process. I think that Wingot through John Tatum and his group see the value of what this will actually change generationally give a neighborhood an opportunity to
feel seen, heard, and growth. And probably when Braden Village was done 25 plus years ago, they felt like they had that at the moment. I don't know if it's ever got to that, but part of it was a
community center and it didn't happen, you know, because it kind of stopped. It did stop the flooding that was from Rogers Gardens apartments that were there, but this gives us an opportunity not only with other things the housing authorities doing to build more for
those that need it, but this gives it in this neighborhood an opportunity to save kids' lives. And um Monday night at the school board, there was a group that went up through the the PAL and community support with uh Saurin for the
principal at the school, the obviously the great board of PAL and the contractor and that and um it was probably a 30 minute presentation. There was about 12 people that talked and it was just we didn't practice the presentation. We just knew what we were
going to say. 1 2 3 4 and it was like school board approved it five to zero to help the process of funding some of that building because it is creating something that bar none in my opinion will be a campus for Rogers Gardens area
Rogers Elementary School which I made a statement and it was not in disrespect to that community. It was from a former school board member that was on the board when they voted to put Rogers there and it was also from several teachers that have taught at Rogers that
it's a failing school. It was not that it's failing in what it's trying to do and the teachers are not failing. The principal is not failing, but we've never given that community a chance to succeed at that school. And I believe that this does that. and $1.35 million
is a lot of money, but when you're going to change the lives of children forever and a community forever and and and by the way, we're getting City Park with it, you know, from the standpoint of logistically. It sets us up to succeed
not only for city park but also for a neighborhood community that in January we'll start seeing more about our strategic plan through do coal and the EDC that all of this plays into that. Mrs. Coachman,
>> how did you know to say something? >> Thank you. Th this this whole process um and I'm going to get through this without tearing up. Um, this project
is going to revitalize an area that had been stripped. Um, it once was made up of a community of teachers
for all kinds of professionals as well as public housing because at that time black people couldn't live anywhere else but where it was designated you could stay. So, you had everything and and it was good. However, things changed in
across the entire country. Those kinds of neighborhoods just kind of fell apart because when it was more acceptable to live where you can afford um you people were out of there. So, it it
it declined. And then there were decisions to take the youth center away. uh and the Boys and Girls Club left and that just that was a hold that was a
void that then the young people there didn't have 13th A moved miles away on the east side. Nobody's going to let their child walk across a highway and not and and everywhere else. Even though back in the day my cousins used to walk
from Fourth Street West all the way to where the pool is on the east side. um and get chased back to the west side when they got upset with them. But anyway, um so and I appreciate you saying it's going to change generations
because it it it will because there has been such a decline and this is definitely going to change things and and I like that the focus isn't just on children because that's where we tend to we say well we can get to the children
everything will be all right. That's really not the be all because those children go home in an environment where the adults, you know, at the time they just didn't bother to really pay attention and get
an education. So now there'll be something in that area that these young parents, they don't have to travel very far. It'll be right there. And
I'm trying not to and I I'm just so excited about this. I'm so excited that you got excited because you're the one that's just really working this and everyone really. I just um Okay, I'm gonna stop.
>> All right. Any other comments or anything for Mr. Perry? I know we've talked about this a lot and again I'm going to say before we go to a vote >> and I want to say this I noticed the press left you and I
noticed that and I guess this isn't important enough >> but yet >> but if the press hung around and really promoted this for us I wouldn't be getting invitations like this you're
cordally inv invited to speak to the Manatee County Democratic Black Caucus. Your topic is what, if anything, is being done by local officials to reinvest in
neighborhood uh neglected minority communities. That's what I got as an invitation to speak on. And I just wish the press would stay and kind of help us out a little bit. But um >> we've got them to help us on the to face it and fix it because it was such social media
>> um out there. But this this um if we build it, they will come. >> Yeah. >> And I'm very confident that's going to happen so they can >> and um one thing again, Mr. Perry, I want to say and it's a kind of a little different group of people, but it's still the top with you and Mr. Williams
and and um a group of people that is just unbelievably dedicated to making this happen because it would have been so easy with all the obstacles >> to say let's just put in a couple of baseball fields
>> and try to figure that out. But I just want to thank you. I want to thank everyone else. And it goes beyond just our staff. It goes to the school district. It goes to Manatee County. It goes to state. It goes to federal all of our elected officials. It goes to those
companies that will make a little money whether it's the engineering or the surveying or all that. But I believe that they are doing so much more and because they see the excitement of what this can do to help others and we
have a great um uh community of development people, developers and that sometimes that's used as a negative connotation, but the people that are doing this project are putting in more than just I'm gonna make a buck off it. they're they're putting
in their heart and soul behind it and willing to make a difference for others. And that's so important. Um, you and I see it every day, but most people don't see it. And that was the comment I made to Councilwoman Coachman when our two
media partners that were here today got up and walked out when this conversation started. But good for them because they'll be at the ribbon cut, the groundbreings and the ribbon cutting of the next things and they'll see what this city is doing to help its people and that's important. So
>> So those are great comments by by by both awesome leaders. Um, this is going to be a showpiece of urban redevelopment and one of the reasons why is that it is so impactful on the community, the educational components, the
opportunistic components for life betterment, quality of life, transportation, economic development, um, and the redevelopment associated with it. and you put it well that I've never worked on a project where so many
different people had to come together of different disciplines and really you can tell that there's there's a fire in everybody's belly and we we work on this constantly. You you you you know how often I'm on Zoom calls with lawyers trying to do land acquisition or
architects or engineers or surveyors and everybody in between. And um I think it's going to be a great groundbreaking when we do do you know and and it's right around the corner. I mean frankly we've already done some of it with the demo acquisition of land that we're doing today um and other types of pieces
and and it's the Bradenon of tomorrow and and it will represent a generational project of folks that you know they they don't want to hand out they want to hand up and that's what we're trying to do. >> Yeah. And it's within months away, you know, 24, 36 maybe, but
>> but within months, not we're not looking at things that are, >> you know, >> I think people, they go, "Oh, it's going to be baseball fields." It's like, it's so much more >> more than that in community. It's it's a it's a playgrounds. It's a a miracle field, right? Then baseball will help for a few weeks during sick
>> library services. Library services. SOA and 4, which if you haven't heard of SOA and for what the Ross camps and the school district and through manage community foundation have done, look that up. And that's not only for the kids, it's to help the parents because
when you have children going home that can read now or trying to learn to read before third grade and their parents can't read, it's it's tough. So this is this is why it's so engaging of the the
community that's come together. Um, but I also want to thank obviously John Tatum in a way if he sees this but because and and Ron Allen who brought John Tatum in and some of the things because that was the Braden with the estate situation
>> that was with all over the country that was dead in the water >> and that group realizing what a benefit this is to make a difference for a community because for them they could probably make more money off of this but to get to give us the property, get them
out and this is really going to go to fix up Braden Village quicker than the other and which is in the process already because people have seen work there. So, Mrs. Coachman, do you have a motion for us? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. >> Motion to approve proposed purchase and
sale agreement and authorize the mayor to execute on the behalf of the city. >> Second. >> Second by Miss Barnaby. Any further discussion? hearing. None. We'll start the vote in ward one. >> Yes. >> Two, >> yes. >> Three, >> yes. >> Four, >> yes. >> Five,
>> yes. >> Carries unanimously. Thank you. >> And just lastly on this, um I'm glad Corey Foron doesn't isn't an outside attorney and bill us by the hour because she would have thousands of hours into this. But her skills as a former
attorney with this type of purchase, the title issues related to it, the survey issues, the encroachments, the different types of land ownership, and everything in between. She's been invaluable to getting this piece of property done and and a lot of the other things. >> There's like 11 different
>> some >> entities that twist and turn and >> from 150 years ago. >> Right. >> Thank you, Mr. Perry. >> Okay, we're going to move on to the item D, which is the public works engineering report. Kim's going to take about 10 minutes. We think we can wrap this up, but I think it's important basically
because a lot of you have mentioned, well, we want to know like what you're doing strategically for the future. And I think we're doing a lot better job of that and and and some of this will showcase that. You'll probably have some questions. So, good morning. Still >> good morning everyone. It is still
morning. Yes. And so today I'm just here to give you a brief update on what we're working through um in engineering in conjunction with all the improvements that you've heard about uh from our wastewater side and the things that we're actually doing
and what you're going to see coming before you. Today I think we had 11 or 12 items on the consent agenda for construction design services um advertisements for a multitude of things. We have some semars going out construction manager at risk. We've
always done that with vertical construction. We're now moving that into the utility realm as well. So we've got a couple of projects out there. Some of them are funded with appropriations. Um some of them are being funded through impact fees or developer fees. So, we've
got a couple different avenues there. We are updating our professional services library. There's five that we put out this last month to Aaron in purchasing and she's got them advertised to start updating and expanding our library
because we would be overwhelming the number that we had on there with utility services contracts and everything else that we do. Survey, simple as survey. Um, we need help. And while we have a great staff and my engineers today are
out learning about Seymar, they're taking classes in Tampa on Seymour and how to manage through those projects. Um, we do need help in some of the things that we do. We've got storm water planning and compliance. We've got new regulatory requirements. um a utilities
library, survey and mapping, Seymour for utilities and CIP project management, which the last two are new categories for us. >> And if I could just comment on that, that's been something that we were lacking in the past, which really cuts off um a great deal of procurement that
would have to be put out to the market and the work associated with that procurement. >> Kim, coughed her up. >> I'm good. Thank you. All right. Um, so, so Kim and and a lot of our other folks over there, um, Ann and Don and Herb and everybody else and David, they they
said, "Let's put together an approved library because the county has that and and and they can get out this work a lot quicker." Um, when when CCNA is involved because it goes over certain thresholds, it kind of puts it out where procurement has to be done a certain way. But this
is for doing largecale construction, but being able to do it based on this um continuing services list of contractors and you know even things like paving. I mean we had terrible luck with our paving contractors and the like. But
we're trying to expand out so we can do more outsource these projects, get more done quicker, more economically. Go ahead. So Aaron's going to bring the contracts that we put out to her in October in the December January time frame. You'll all
be seeing those come to you some a little later for the for the professional services, but please um we're in a cone of silence right now, but if you have questions, Aaron is here to answer all your questions. I know she's going to appreciate that. Um,
>> Erin probably is not real happy with Lance and I and Kim because we've we've put a lot on her to work it through, but that's why we brought her in and she's good really good at it and and she's she's risen up to the bell as well. And remember again that a lot of these projects are funded with uh other type
timeline grants and loans and things like that that have timeline requirements that make them particularly sensitive. And if we don't have the bandwidth or the time to go through that that that RFP put it on the street come to three different council meetings and
things like that um that that there's a problem. So we're trying to streamline it. You certainly policy have to approve everything ultimately but you'll be approving the contracts with explanation opposed to the various phases of a contract. >> Yes. So >> that's appropriate. We'll make sure that
we do it that way and have the next one that actually addresses that issue. >> We've got a couple more things that you'll be seeing a little bit later in the January to March time frame that again will come through Aaron for you all to look at. Design build for lift
station 8 right downtown. Uh improvements to our lift stations uh 2735 24 and 10 that are across varying uh wards. But with the discussion that that Mr. Perry had earlier and the
moving mechanical to O andM with Woodard and Curran that you all approved, um we are still responsible for the capital improvements there. And this is part of capital improvements. And while panel installation doesn't sound like a big deal, we're going to be spending over
$200,000 just for installation. We've already spent $200,000 on acquisition of the panels, but it's another $200,000 for the um for the installation. We're doing some work at our water plant, and as the year goes on, you'll hear more about improvements out at our water
plant that we need to make. Um the Second Avenue East streetscape is going to be coming around soon, finally. I think we got it in good shape. Uh we've got more professional services contracts here and there will be more coming after that even. We're we're adding some more
contracts to our library. Uh street light installation. We have a small project for street light installation. We've got a drainage project just south of Manatee High School and Kingston Estates in cooperation with the fire department. We voted on what we needed
to do where we have some fire flow issues and Kingston Estate rose to the top of the choice of five that we had. So, thank you for the fire department and helping make that decision with us and there we go. Um, couple different things
and I'm going to start with compliance which is at the bottom corner. Um, Senate Bill 64, which is several years old now, we submit a report annually to them on the wastewater improvements and our five-year capital plan. Uh, just to let you all know that that's
>> He's going he's got it, Mr. >> That that's something that that's part of our regular routine that you may all not know about. Uh, we have quarterly consent order reports to D and we've got that submitted. Um if you uh waterkeepers, our semi semiannual report
is due at the end of the week and that's a huge report. We have consulting services that help us with in coordination with our our um construction group. We are coordinating inspection on our manholes. We have
4,200 manholes in the city were responsible for and another almost 700 manholes are due for inspection by the end of March. So, it's a huge effort to do that and we we are thankful our construction group's able to help us
there. BMAP basin management action plan is a storm water program. It's a an unfunded regulatory mandate that we have to comply with and we have information due to them in January. Uh they
the upper part of the Manatee River used to be part of a BMAP. Now the lower part of the Manatee River is part of the BAP. So that includes all of the city of Bradenton. And we have an adaptation plan which is a resiliency and uh redundancy plan that and hardening plan
that we've we're working on. It's the complement to the vulnerability assessment that we've already completed. Um storm water, we've got a couple things going on out there. That's usually our slowest group. We've got some lining that's going on as well as a
um over in Ward three, Fairfield acres drainage project is kicking off. That's on 25th Avenue West between 26th Street and 22nd Street. We have a storm water feasibility study that we're kicking off. I met with a um consultant last
week to talk about a scope and we'll be getting a scope to you in the December meeting. Um, we have the 6th Avenue West and 30th Street West. And this is in that sketchy area that I never remember if it's W two or W three or somewhere mixed in between.
>> 16th Avenue. >> 16th. I'm sorry. You're right. Craig. 16th Avenue. It's two streets, three, four streets south of Manate. So, >> I think it's mine, but I'm not going to arm wrestle Mr. Chel. So, and we also are going to be doing a
small storm water project up on 22nd Street Court Northeast where um a homeowner developed their property and took the entire storm system out. So, we're coming back to do that. Um water projects. I know I'm going in a weird order here. Uh Braden Castle Water main.
Uh we have a a hanging water man over our channel that we want to provide a little more protection for. That's going to be that's already been approved. if you all approve that and they'll be doing that work in December. Um downtown Bradenton water main improvements is
we've got the design in progress. We're going to be directionally drilling a water mane from Manatee Avenue up to Barker to provide the first phase of the loop system for all of downtown for the proposed development that's going on not just at city center but out at
Westminster and um where the library is if that ever comes to fruition. so that we are well prepared and ahead of the curve there. And we also had a new development come in south of Manatee Avenue, right on the corner of the old city hall site. They they brought that
to the uh development review and um this will be part of the water supply for that as well. Um HSPS, high service pump stations, we're going to be putting in some supplemental lines. Um you approved the design scope for that today. uh 13th
Avenue West and Second Avenue West or Second Street West, typically known as Mini Rogers. We're going to be starting kicking off that project. Uh we have a meeting tomorrow to decide what we can do before the holidays and not cause so much disruption, but we've got that
project kicking off. sedimentation basins at the uh wastewater plant being rehabbed and the intake structure and pipe rehab out at the water plant to start providing some additional resiliency out there. Um and then we've
got some of this is redundant. You're going to see approximately 160 manholes on the December consent agenda for lining. And this will take us almost completely through the mandate from water keepers for the lining assignments
that we had. Um the panel installation we talked about. We have two new uh power sources we're getting for two lift stations to improve service there. And we have water reclamation facility our incine projects in lie of paying fines.
We actually have projects that we propose to DP and we're doing the reuse tank upgrade improvements out of the what's typically known as a Tropicana tank and that will allow us a little more functionality in the reuse system.
And we're doing some clarifier upgrades on the existing clarifiers, not the new clarifiers. Um, and that takes me through just about all of engineering. >> Any questions for Mr. My bad. >> I have one question and and I don't know
this may be for fire but um >> is anywhere in here I know we had some issues with some fire hydrants over in Village Green. Is any of that in here? >> That was when we had discussed the five areas. We did talk about the Village
Green area and with Ed here he's got some other techniques that he thinks he can do some of those improvements as an interim step. um when we had to actually go through a matrix and say this is how much money we have to spend and these
are the issues um unfortunately out at uh Kingston Estates rose to the top of the heap um and that's why we're moving forward with that one but Ed has some some techniques he's going to be using um it's not going to be particularly clean but um he's got in
terms of you're going to have a lot of road dirt um people are going to have to go around and things like that, but it will allow us to get those fire hydrants functional again. >> All right. >> So, okay, >> Miss Moore,
>> minor quick. Um, and I don't want to we don't have to get down in the weeds of the actual project, but it was just a mental reminder that I'm seeing you to ask about the community meetings for the um the three >> three and 13 community. I just want to
make sure I know that the grant is up in the summertime, so I didn't know if we needed to do something or talk about scheduling those. >> We're going to be working with Tiffany to put out updates and we'll let you know if there's another community meeting in person, face to face that we'll need to have. Okay.
>> Um the design scope um is out is is already in progress and or yes, are you approved today? And so that's moving forward. And then the Seymar, we still have to go through the process to get that built. But yes, we are required to
have public meetings and public outreach as part of that. >> Okay. >> So we're still >> Yeah, that's what I remembered. So I just >> And we have a beautiful brand new fire station that we'll be having those at. >> That sounds amazing. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Yes, very much. Um and then I don't know if this is a question for you or Aaron.
Um sorry, Miss Jones. Um but for some of the things that we're trying to collect the library um you guys all know I serve on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council with city council hat and they offer some of the ser the professional services they have planners on staff
that do some of that work and I wasn't sure if they have to respond to the bid or if it's something that I just need to like introduce you know our liaison so that Miss Jones might know that there's that available to us as a member of that organization. I don't know what this has
to do with the library. We don't own any library. >> No, no, no. The library of professional services. >> Professional services, >> us building our categories, >> right? Yes. Yes. >> If they want to be part of it, >> that does not work. >> Okay. So, it's not like they're a member and you can just talk to them directly. Okay. >> And most of us are for most of ours are
for engineering or or very specific services or architecture services and not necessarily planning services. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. Do we have to do this is just information. Yeah. Yeah, that's what I thought. All right, perfect. >> You all need anything? Let me know. >> Thank you, Kim.
>> Thank you, Kim. Play back. >> Do we have Do we have that? >> Yeah, we can electronically. >> Oh, yes. >> We can get it. I >> I'll get a copy of the PowerPoint if that's what you need. >> Yeah, >> for sure. >> Okay. As we whittle down to the end, I see um the team from the Tropicana
project, uh Sweet Sparkman here, and we pull that up and we have the report. So, this matter before you basically um is a request for approval to move forward with the we've done the master
planning and now we're at the process of of of trying to deal both with the temporary site and the permanent uh site for the public works out on the the Tropicana property. We have a beautiful >> It's a city of Braden property next to
Tropicana. >> Yes. Thank you. Somebody thought we bought Tropicana. >> Said, "No, no, no. We just bought the outer skirts of 30 plus acres." >> Where do they think we get that money? >> Jesus, why are we going back?
>> I get so Why did we do this equipment and we're going back to putting stuff on? >> Do we have any uh do we have an easel >> or Carol Merrill or Vanna White?
Yeah, but I'm going to kind of show it. >> Maybe if we move the >> lean it up against a tomato box. >> Got an easel. >> They got kind of go together. >> You know, in the old days you did this
and then you went to computer stuff, but I like this better. >> You can hold it up. >> We actually have power. We thought about it would have been here. >> Yeah, we'll see. >> That's okay. >> No, it's not. >> So, before us is is the architectural
model. >> And do you guys want to introduce yourself? >> And the giant pumpkin. >> Yeah. Right. >> Charlie Brown. >> Pumpkin's awesome. >> I'm so glad I bought those for >> really.
Good job. All right. So, >> so Todduite is obviously the owner and principal of Sweet Sparkman. Um, you may remember Ram. He's worked with us before. He's uh he's one of the senior architects and and guys over there we
work closely with. Um Joe uh is from West Western Samson and they're out of Fort Meyers is it? Yep. And he's been done a really good job on on this project and I know you guys have a few other folks there. I see John Totty. And so with you guys,
>> Kevin. >> Yeah. Yeah, you got Kevin back there, too. And so the short version is we've challenged these guys to come up with um a plan that involves both a temporary solution as well as the master planning
for the the project at Tropicana for the development of a full public works facility. And that's what's before us. What we're going to be asking for is just permission to move forward with the the architectural work that has to be done, not the contract uh specifically
for that as it relates to any construction, but I thought it was important at this juncture to bring you in and try to get you all kind of in in in moving ahead mode. So, if we could go through this presentation again, the partnerships that's involved in this um
there's a lot of different folks. This this slide basically shows the two parcels of land that were involved in the 32 acre acquisition that we did um with with Tropicana to get that former um site that was owned by Tropicana and go to the next one.
Um, we have site development guidelines here and they're kind of small, so I don't know if we can read them, but we we we basically had things that we wanted to do as we developed the site. Um, and one
of it one one of those items was to centralize our operations. The second item was consolidate and maximize the public works footprint and then minimize the internal street crossings within the complex itself. uh it has to provide 247
access to fuel and we have to separate and provide direct access to solid waste operations which is a daily major roll out rollin type operation obviously um establish access from US301 which of
course is the FDOT roadway and maintain service access to existing water tank um and maintain existing storm water uh flows. One of the reasons why if we go to the next drawing is in this drawing you'll see the storm water pond that's
kind of on the northeastern side of the complex. That pond basically we didn't want to tamper with it because it's permitted and it provides storm water for surrounding adjacencies. Basically Red Barn Flea Market um our site itself
and and I think Tropicana may may have been on there as well and potentially the railroad. I don't know if they have It's coming from 301. It's coming from >> this is >> I have to come up to we've already had
>> uh good morning. I'm Joe Zongo with Weston Samson part of the uh site civil team. Um so we wanted to maintain existing storm water flows that come already come into the site from other joining uh properties. So the Red Barn facility on the west side has um a swale
that comes in and there's a there's an existing swale that runs parallel to the CSX railroad. We want to make sure that we maintain the existing storm water flows. Also, US 301 has a large covert that's contributing to the site and it cuts across the site. You'll see that by the smaller pond that's shown on the uh
the eastern part of the site that we want to redirect that swale and get it back into the swale that runs across parallel to CSX has multiple culverts that then cross onto the Tropicana property. Um permitting with CSX, putting in new railroad crossings is
costly. um also lengthens the project um timeline for permitting. So the intent on this one is to collect all the storm water that's generated from this site within the two new storm water ponds. One of them is actually an expansion of an existing infrastructure on site. Um control that internally and then
discharge it into the swale as it currently flows. >> Okay. Excellent. Obviously storm water's a crucial preliminary component of of this type of site development. And again, as Joe pointed out, we wanted to do it in the most minimal way possible as it relates to cost and and eating
away at the at the footprint of the facility. So, this is the scenario that we came up with, which is to basically utilize existing and where necessary expand to existing types of bio swells and other types of uh of conveyance that's on the site. Uh the second point
with it is that we had to do fairly fairly deep dive environmental um assessments. And so >> you're not on the microphone. >> I'm sorry. We had we had Teraccon do a phase one, a phase two and uh and a PAS
groundwater study. And as a result of that, what we ended up having to do was file um file file with DP a brownfield designation. And so that site where solid waste is um is really where
probably the more significant contamination was. And it wasn't when I say significant, it would be things that would be typically associated with grow fields, arsenic, and things like that. It's not uncommon. um it was many years ago but as far as the levels of it went
there were exceeded that triggered the the designations related to it. So generally speaking when you build things on those types of minimally designated um environmental sites with environmental challenges I
don't want to call it pollution or anything like that. things like capping it or are acceptable under the brown under the brownfield designation, the D deed restrictions and the like. So, we thought basically if we could put solid waste over there in that area, um it's
probably the best area to put it in and cap it with with uh you know, parking area and the like. So, what ends up coming uh out of this is this master plan development with a lot of different components that hit on those guidelines. If we go to the next slide,
uh the one after that that shows a little bit of bioell. Um just as it relates to what Joe was talking about. Um and and now we we've come to this site and I think I don't know if you guys can see this any better. Hopefully you're >> you can expand it on the
>> I'm sorry >> if we it's you included this in the um in the packet. >> Yeah. >> So if you're if you have it open on your iPad. I've been I've been just zooming in. >> Are you able to do that on your iPads? Good. Excellent. Thanks for that information. But but here basically what it shows is the major um vertical
construction that's related to the facility as well as surface construction and circulation and the like. And if you look at the reference to building 1.0, zero. That's the fleet um facility fleet maintenance that we have right now that
there's there's square footage I believe approximizations on there and it's hard for me to read it but I believe that represents 21 or 22 bays. Um it's 11* 2 so it's 22. We think we can cut that
down by a couple at least. Um and and but but we run a fairly largecale fleet maintenance program as >> and one of the things with building this facility, we will think we think we can bring more stuff inhouse. >> Yep.
>> And hopefully scale efficiencies by doing our fire trucks and maybe even doing other fire trucks that don't have the capability from other fire districts which then will actually bring in some income. Yeah. >> We have the proper facility. >> Yeah. Emergency vehicle maintenance is
pretty high demand. >> Ambulances too. >> Ambulances too for the county and things like that. And usually you need a special designation. It's called EV techs to do it. >> Uh Chief Candidate is intimately familiar with all this stuff and Chief Kramer is probably as well. But um but
but we're looking at the possibility of doing that both for our own services but for right now it's North River I believe does it? >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Yep. East Mate is also looking to hire an EVT. Um 108 their rates just went up
to I think $25 an hour for labor. Um so it'd be nice to have a quality EVT in house. >> Yeah. Yeah. So so we're kind of considering that. But we'll we'll we'll uh we that's EV we will ve and that's
that's value engineer. >> Well, but I just wanted them to realize why you might want >> more excellent point. Now's the time to >> strategically set us up for the future as well as not overbuild, right? We don't want a Taj Mahal. >> No, we don't want that.
>> But we want something that fits within >> Why are you looking like that at me, Lance? >> I'm looking at Lance. >> I know. But but again, it's it's the concept of, you know, we've got to do it correctly now because that again sets up the future. >> Yep. Yep. For sure. Um the the other
vertical structures on there of significance are going to basically be um building number four which is the central operations center. This is where really where a lot of the public works personnel are now um from our various divisions and sections that are in
Tropicana uh at the headquarters site that we have. We we lease that facility from them. We would basically move people into that from the Tropicana facility and basically take that amount of money and probably put it towards whatever debt service would be required
on on this particular facility. By and large, public works, you know, works out in the field. Most of the field folks do that and and everything, but they still need areas to muster. Um they need areas to basically do their planning and have meetings and things like that. when you
go over Tropicana, um the layout over there right now, which is pretty efficient actually, you know, you have obviously all the engineering and technical people um that have to be behind um a computer screen and plotters and other things like that. But you also
also have a lot of folks that have to that the superintendants and crew chiefs and things like that that still have to have office space, either a cubicle or office space. So that's that ma major structure. um and try to keep everybody
together. Uh structure number three basically is purchasing. We have a warehouse currently where we basically stock all kinds of items that the city uses. A lot of public works items in there and everything that's over on the annex right now. It's still um up and
it's a pretty pretty old building that's over there. I think the roof leaks and it's got a lot of other problems but we have we have to have a certain degree of uh storage for for those types of uh items that are maintained in an inventory that is controlled by
purchasing. Uh building number two B basically is purchasing itself and they again have a whole host actually building number three is purchasing building number two is the solid waste office.
>> Thank you. Um what else is really important here is the circulation. And so the circulation basically shows public works being in the far I guess it's the northeastern part of the the area and and that's
going to be depicted over here on this map. Um there's really three points of ingress and eress which are really important. Um Joe and his team and some of the other folks on the project got with the traffic engineers at FDOT to
see what we could get for an ing ingress egress point. And what they recommended was there was a couple of different points that they they uh thought were possibilities. But at the end of the day, from a circulation perspective, both internally as well as from a traffic engineering perspective,
you can see the curb cut that basically um is off of 301 at the end of the divided median there. And and and and that would be a turn-in um area. The other point of entry is is obviously off of 9inth Street East. And so you got a
an ingress egress at that point and then ultimately at the f further end um you would have a right in write out I think is what they were suggesting even though they don't do right in write outs that we could internally make it that correct that was my understanding.
>> Um so so that's generally what we're talking about. Can we keep going through this Tamara? Thank you. This is a rendering of what the site looks like um as it relates to kind of a 3D um dimensional type of situation. Again, you can see Solid Waste. Solid Waste
would have basically surface parking for its vehicles right now. Um it would also have a fueling station, a wash bay, and um and other types of additions that need to be associated with our fleet.
And the way we we service um our solid waste sanitation department, the other facilities on this side through the middle, kind of the upper section, that's covered storage. We have things like bucket trucks and lifts and other types of heavy heavy equipment that
really you don't want exposed um to the to the elements and you know, they they're expensive assets and they need to be basically um covered in storage and other types of things we store and covered. They don't necessarily have to be environmentally controlled and air conditioned closed bay. Some of them do,
but but we have outdoor storage. And if we go >> That was one of our facilities that blew down in Milton last year. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Yep. >> If we go to the next one, just another picture basically showing this um from a different orientation. That one looks
like it's off of 301 to the west um a little bit to to the northwest angle. And you can see kind of 301. You can also see that curb cut off of 301. If we keep going, >> that's the end, Mr. Perry. >> Okay. So, that's the permanent basic um
design that we we've come to and we've went through several iterations of of the layout of this. The next steps will be um DD design development. That about right, do you want to talk right now about that a little bit? Hi everyone. Ram Vancet from Sweet
Spartman. So the next steps typically >> can suggest the microphone sir because >> is that better? >> That is much better. >> So typically the next steps after master planning stage would be um kind of building and site design development.
Typically that design process takes place in three parts. There's a schematic design, there's a design development phase, and then a construction documents phase. So that produces the set of drawings that we would then bid out to contractors to then be going to construction. So that's
generally the next steps. So that >> Yeah, that's perfect. Yep. >> And and John Totty's been kind of walking us through this and he's been really great on this project as well internally as a vertical construction project manager. So as this is kind of the first look at this, what is the
first step we need to do now? I think quite quite honestly just probably a a motion to proceed with moving through the the DD process, the design development process and as Ram pointed out, you know, to be schematics about
okay, how big are these buildings really and and and where are the entry points and other types of things and then secondly, let's design them in in in in principle and ultimately they'll move towards a construction drawing or at least a 30 and and and probably 60 90%
maybe use some pre-construction services try to get them ved a little bit and then ultimately they go out to the street for a semar to come back to you to say well I can build all this for a certain amount of a guaranteed maximum price so I think that's kind of what we're looking at um estimated cost on
the project is probably ve down I I think you know Brim's going to th him him and I gave a nod at a number a little while ago and we took a stab at a different number but I think we can probably get this down to somewhere between 45 and $55 million for everything. Yep. You ask where that
money would come from. Basically, it's a great question. We have utility reserves that would contribute to that amount. Um, remember that the vast majority of public works is utility. Um, when I say utility, it's enterprise. So, you got solid waste over here at running one
enterprise. Um, you have and there's reserves associated independently with solid waste. And then you have water store, you have golf, and you have storm water. And so when we talk about rate increases, you don't have to build this. You absolutely don't have to build it.
But if we don't, the little man from the moon isn't going to come down and basically build it, you know, for free. It's a support facility for our program. And so we will try to put together how much the allocation would be to basically raise the funds necessary to
build this structure. And again, this isn't general fund like the fire department and the police. This actually has a funding source associated with it. And that funding source is a rate. And maybe there's other funds we can get as well, but we need to know how much it would cost and what we need to do. And that's what I'm asking for. This isn't
an approval to build it. I want to be perfectly clear about that. But I don't want to get out further than my skis. As I always say, um, without telling you this is where we're at, and at some point we I mean, we have to get off that current property that we're on now. That's just the reality of City Park and
the project there. Coachman, go ahead. >> Um um are um are you having conversations with the drivers in terms of the ingra? >> This was all Yeah, this was all done through the process.
>> Yeah. Yeah. They actually when they were doing mass plans, it's a really good question. They went to all of the superintendants and crew chiefs and things like that. From what I understand, there was a whole programmatic discussion, right? And usually when you go to programmatic discussions, you get a lot of good information that you wouldn't get from
other people, but you also have some folks that want to build the Taj Mahal or things like that. We've seen that, right? And so we don't we don't need we need what we need. We don't need everything, you know, forever kind of. >> I wasn't thinking about asking them for
the Taj Mahal, but in terms of mobility and and you know, and actually turning these big huge trucks and stuff off, you know, >> Oh, yeah. 301 and the timing because in the afternoons it does get >> Oh yeah, >> in mornings it's it's okay because
they're leaving 5:30, 5:45 or what have you. >> That's the interesting thing about the roll out and the roll in and the timing of it. But it's a really good point you have and we took that feedback and FDOT had a lot of questions. I remember when I was on that call about particularly
ninth 9inth a 9inth street uh that comes out there and the backup from Tropicana of the existing trucks and we've all seen it >> and 301 yeah 301 gets kind of backed up around >> yeah and then 301 backup is you know it's crazy as well >> I go that way that time of day
>> miss more than miss Coker >> um so the what you're looking for is just an approval of the of the concept and then the next phase will actually do determine some pricing Yeah, I I I think my motion would include the authorization uh for the administration to um advance
the the architecture and engineering forward um through the design development and and up to potential construction drawings. And is it safe to say just because of the process and the timing that we would be looking at when when you come back with some some
information about cost >> that we would be kind of looking to in the next budget cycle do the thing where you phase the construction >> as they you know not in other words not throwing the entire amount on one year.
>> Correct. Yeah. >> Yeah. But starting with the future, the next fiscal year, I mean, the next budget cycle, >> right? Yeah, there's some there's a little bit in our budget this year for the design and what we're looking at now. Um, but yeah, we'll have, as we do with our other multi-year projects,
we'll budget them in multi-year budgets. >> Let let me move a little bit to the side and keep going through this presentation. >> Let me get Miss Coker's >> Oh, okay. Question first. >> Yeah, I actually have two questions. Uh, first off, uh, what exactly is that amount that we are approving for the design? Do you know that amount?
>> Um, what do you know what to >> amount the total? >> I don't have that off the top of my head. Yeah, we can get it to you. Yeah. >> Okay. And and I mean, and maybe this isn't the time for it, but I mean, are we getting any update on city hall and all that? Because
>> it's coming. >> Okay. Well, we're >> we're in the dark. >> We're planning this and Okay. Just want to make sure. >> I'm very fiscally conservative, so it's coming. where we have meetings in December. >> Yep.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um if I could, I want I want to show you the temporary plan that kind of talks a little bit about the cycle. If we can keep going, Tim, or jump over to the temporary. Uh this is basically a construction trailer. The temporary plan
will be built on the uh southern area of the site that 4 acres that we we own off of 9inth Street East this way. And if we can go to the next the next one. >> It's where Tropicana sign is right now, right? The big sign. >> Yep. >> You can see it depicted on the right lower corner of that where where that
overlay is. >> And if we could go to the next one after that. Tamara, thank you for helping me. This is a little bit of a a floor plan, so to speak, a layout um of how that will be in there. And it'll it'll basically come from 9inth Street East.
There'll be a control gate in this area for access and entry. Um, we may have two particular buildings that are fabric type buildings. Um, because what's going to be in there is solid waste. This is basically entirely just to to get solid
waste off the site they're on right now so we can continue with advancements and and and development at City Park. And and that's kind of the plan is to get them out of there. We can still have the wash there and we can have their fueling station there as I remember Mr. Williams. But the reality is we have to
get them relocated. So in order to relocate them, we need just a general kind of area where they can again muster and kind of go over their plans for the day. That'll be a temporary construction trailer, double wide type larger uh structure for that. And then basically
there will be um uh low impact type of of ground surface done there so we don't implicate um the need for um we still need a swift mud but it's called a a self-certifying level two is it
>> it's called a 10 two self-certification >> okay >> 102 >> yeah so it it has to do with if you're not impacting that much of the the land itself from what I understand you want to do this Yeah. Yeah. So, um so the purpose of this site is essentially it's a uh it's
a large parking area. It the internal island that you're seeing here has 47 parking spaces for all the solid waste fleet vehicles. Uh parking along the the boundary areas for the white fleets for the um for the workers personal vehicles to pull in and out in the morning, park
there overnight. Um we've been trying to expedite this process because we understand the city has um certain contractual obligations to vacate your current site. So we wanted to keep the site disturbance and everything as minimal as possible to decrease any permitting. Um so what we're talking
about now is a 102 certification through D uh storm water certification. So the way that the the regulation reads is that if a site is less than take 10 acres, which this is, and you're providing less than 2 acres of hardscape, then the engineer can self-certify that the storm water system
is compliant with regulations. Um and what we're doing here is this the storm water system is actually shown um pretty much in hiding if you will. So the entry roadway is proposed to be uh proposed as asphalt as well as the loop around the parking area. The parking areas are
going to be stabilized stone um gravel system with a geogrid matting that's placed on top for for uh stabilization. It's going to about 18 to 24 in of stone beneath that. and the stone within that system is going to provide the water storage and infiltration for the site.
Then there's going to be an under drain system that'll discharge out to the swale. So basically, you're containing the storm water right below the parking lot. Um trying to be as efficient as possible. There isn't room for storm water ponds and other things. Um but what we've been able to do is get get uh
the FD to sign off on this geogrid stone system to count as 50% hardscape. So in doing that, that gets us just under the twoacre threshold because you can see that the site is is essentially covered with proposed um improvements throughout
most of the site. So in taking this approach, it helps expedite the process um and uh maximizes the value of the site. Did that cover? >> Yeah, that's that's great explanation. Thank you. >> And and the cost with this um I believe
was estimated at was it one do you remember exactly what the amount was? I don't not off the top of my head. I just asked I emailed Linda and Mary to try to get that number. >> Okay. >> Real quick, but yeah, it's it's budgeted for >> I think it was like 1.1. >> I was going to say
>> 1.3. Is that what it was? >> 1.3 >> for for just the temporary >> design. Yeah. No, no, for just the temporary. Does it have to be done to the temporary? >> And is that going to be in addition to the 55 million or is that part of it? >> It's pro. It depends what that number comes from. >> We don't know 55 million.
>> We don't know if it's 55 million. Yeah, that's saying 45, >> right? And there's potential to, you know, ve it down even more. Um, but the reality is is that that's going to be necessary probably for the better part of three years.
>> Yeah. >> Because we can't just build this type of facility. It might take four. >> That that's a pretty major undertaking um that that we're >> Yeah. So, four years, things are going to be spaced out over the next several years. One of the things and I'll bring
up because obviously people can say we don't break the sunshine here because we haven't talked about city hall. We're in a public meeting. We talk a little bit about city hall but it's two different funding sources. First off, this is an enterprise zone. So city hall will be f
some from a funding source that'll be other and you know the majority of the sale price of this property. >> The goal is to cover city hall. >> So that's what we're looking at. How are we going to do that? I believe if we would have programmed city hall four
years ago, we'd be paying 30 to $35 million if we had done it back then. I believe we're going to be able to be closer to half of that. But that will be, you know, so it's out there now, but now it's location, location, location, and we'll be discussing that in December.
More to come. >> So, none of us have ever broken the sunshine law on that because nobody knows. >> Totally in the dark. Okay. Well, and are we keeping an eye on or just factoring in the possibility of the changes that
are could be coming in terms of property taxes and how does this get affected? >> We certainly are. Um, >> that's been talked about. We talk about that almost every day. >> Yep. But remember, this is utility, >> right? >> This is a business we own. >> I'm talking about city hall. >> Got it. Okay. Y.
>> But again, that's that's like you said, we're selling this property and the goal back when we decided to sell this property was to cover as much of the city hall project with that income from there. >> Am I correct on that, Mr. Williams? >> You are correct.
>> Yes, sir. >> So, again, when you say we're not starting a city hall at zero, we're starting it with more than $10 million. So, that's the goal. >> Yep. And and the other thing is when you do have to finance this, they they look obviously at the rate and what your
operating expenses are and your revenues are. Um our bond ratings are strong over on that side. I mean, they're strong across the board, whether it's general fund and and special revenue um or or this type of revenue as it relates to um dedicated enterprise. um they're pretty
strong and so we want to keep them strong and and at the same time what are you looking what what would this city look like if we build this we built now two new fire stations a new police department an emergency operations
center a generational um you know ch change project at city park um and everything else I don't think you got a whole lot more vertical construction to do in a new city hall um that's probably 50 50 years 40 years worth of vertical construction
and and and we can do multiple things at the same time because this again comes out of enterprise and we have to leverage the enterprise piece separately because that's the business the tax base that we own is related to uh AV
advalorum and property tax is separate and apart it is impactful don't get me wrong for the general fund projects but we have to be able to um simultaneously address these fiscally and programmatically and ultimately you as
policy makers. There's no doubt. >> No. And that's why this has taken a little longer to come to us because we're trying to really have some detailed financial plans going down. But, you know, until we have the the workshops and the different things, we can't
discuss it outside of this room. >> I I don't know. You know, I mean, I got I got a whole another business called the the underground business that involves all kinds of utility repairs that isn't underground there. It's underground the utility.
>> But again, I got a call at 2:30 that might be really helpful to >> we're hoping >> supplement us on that side of the house. So, so we're trying to do everything we can. >> Do we need two motions right now? >> Um, >> one to continue the plan and one or to continue. You just need the one >> the one to do
>> working on the temporary buildout and the master plan. >> Mr. Rudicel, it's okay to do one motion on that. >> Yeah, I was just pulling up the motion that's in there. >> There's none. >> What's that? >> There isn't one. >> There is. >> But I found >> there is in my agenda. >> There is
>> not where Oh, no. >> There was >> motion. There's no >> to approve proposed public works master plan for Tropicana site and authorize city administrator to move forward with project design >> development procurement of additional services semar permitting
>> prayer funding scenarios. >> It's not in mine. >> It's in my special agenda packet was online. I'll motion to approve proposed public works master plan for Tropicana site and authorize the city administrator to move forward with
project design, development, procurement of additional services, Seymar permitting and prepare funding scenarios proposals. >> Second >> second by Mrs. Moore. Any further discussion? Any questions?
So plan on as we get going, we talk about it and sometimes, but we're going to have start having some more workshops and processes going through. So >> great. >> All right. Um, we have a motion in a second. I'll start the vote in W two.
>> Two, >> yes. >> Three, >> yes. >> Four, >> yes. >> Five, >> yes. >> One, >> yes. >> Carries five to zero. >> Can we find out though why that's not in Granas? >> Yeah, it's not. It's not in ours. So now should we >> How do you get it, Scott?
>> I get it. >> You go online. >> Mine was on the online version, the emailed version. >> That is an attachment. >> Yeah, Miss Miss >> Melton. I'll research it to make sure or find out why it wasn't in your app. >> It's usually >> It's on the online version, but it
sounds like it's a problem with your app. >> Yeah, but it normally >> I just refreshed. >> Didn't refresh. >> No. >> All right, Mr. P. Oh, unfinished business. I do I do have a matter of unfinished business and if I could just have these guys take beautiful model
away >> 10:30. Huh? >> Yeah. I was thinking but I didn't think that one thing would take an hour though. >> You know how that goes. >> It was good though. >> Yeah. >> Tomatoes.
>> Make a tomato if you want one. >> Just don't throw it. >> Yeah. You can't throw them this way. So, I wanted to bring something to the attention um of council, which is a change order for the police department basically. And um there there's several factors that have come to to
my attention and that have contributed to this particular change order. It it's actually what's called a negative change order, meaning that um it the it it it contains within it a multitude of different things that we've prepaid for.
And so, um, the the things that are additional that that have changed to increase the cost of the project, um, are offset against the one the items that we've basically already paid for as as pre- purchase things. But if Ron can
come up here, m Mr. Allen from NDC, who's of course with NDC construction and our Seymar construction manager at risk, I think he can explain a little bit about this particular change order. Um, typically I I do change orders myself and it's within the scope of the
authorization for these projects, but because this particular change order, the nature of the the the u facility itself um and and kind of the history of some of the delays and cost increases related to it. I think it's important
for Ron to probably address that as the Seymar. But I will point out that the vast reason for the for this as it relates to the uh additional cost is really it's related to delay and the delays in in in finishing this project
and particularly delays with pulling subs on demobilizing remobilizing cost associated with that and the like. And I think we're all a little bit uh a little bit uh disappointed in the timing that it's that the project's been delayed
because you're talking about the better part between 12 and probably 14 months according to my calculations. Ron might be have have a little bit more or a little bit less of that. There's a history about those delays and it kind of started basically when we were ready to get going on the project
and we had a site related delay which was the designation of a brownfield to the project itself and then we had because of DP's requirements um and its designation as a brownfield we were required to do a sue which is a
subterranean underground examination and that involves environmental testing um of test wells and things like that to try to confirm where contaminants may be and what would be requirements for
handling the contaminants as well as requirements for removing the contaminants and and and infilling with non-contaminated things of that nature. It also involves processes called dewatering where the material is taken off that does have contamination has to
be either treated and returned or completely removed with unclean situations. And so what we ended up with is having to do this sue. The good news on the Sue is that it didn't have a really heavy load of contamination from my understanding and it didn't require the more extensive
remediation efforts that are associated with certain contamination levels. Um we also had the situation with um AECOM and and and that dispute um that was taking us quite some time to resolve. >> We have we had discussed that. >> We had discussed it. I took that to your
attention, right? And and got approval on that one. Um and and that took the better part of about 3 months basically um as it relates to a delay and and then we had the onsite issues with a high service pump and having to relocate
certain utility that is very critical there 30-in lines distribution lines and 24in lines and 12in lines that go through the middle of where the foundation is for the facility and some of that was not necessarily where we
kind of thought it was from public works perspect perspective um to start with, but but also remember that we had a contract with uh with Gator. We didn't have a contract with them. We had basically we had we had an emergency, okay, that
that they were going to come in and do some of the relocation and and and they said, "Okay, we're going to order some of the equipment and the lines and and the valve stops and the saddles and all that stuff." And then all of a sudden in December, uh after about 3 months, they said, "Well, we're not going to do the project." Well, they were supposed to
start on a Monday and on Friday they called and said they weren't going to do it. >> Yeah. Yeah. It was rather abrupt, >> right? So, it was very disappointing. >> Yeah. Very, very, very disappointing. >> Unfortunately, their previous owner had died. They got a new owner and >> Yep. >> they weren't honoring some things. And
again, one of the things that I thought it was important that maybe administratively this could have been approved and just gone through, but if you looked at the numbers, it just was and and the political world we live in, it's not right to blame the person that
has to get additional money, you know, and that's where it was like, hey, wait a minute. Let's when we get all this figured out, let's bring it to the council and let them understand why. And also, we had three hurricanes in the middle of all of this >> that didn't help either. So, um I think
we can get to the point of, >> you know, where we're at. >> Yeah. I mean, that's where we're kind of, you know, looking at that whole delay type situation. And then ultimately, um Woodrift did come in and they did a really good job to basically
and our folks did a pretty good job. Um, I wish we had done some things that would have helped like soft digs and other things in advance, but we had to relocate some really sizable utility like >> but I will say probably one thing that
impressed me the most was and it's the local contractor. >> It's because of a local contractor. >> We have a building that I think anybody else probably would still be dirt. they were able to figure a way to start on
the back end of the project, build the parking garage and then start to build where they could build knowing that hopefully they wouldn't be delayed, >> right? >> But if real in reality, we could still be looking at another 24 to 30 months if we would have been waiting for these
other projects and situations to happen. >> Yeah, I think the contractor would >> but Ron and his team through all the people started at a parking garage. You never build the parking garage until the end. >> But they were trying to keep this project going to keep a timeline. So,
you know, and that's not giving my friend kudos. That's looking at a project outside the box and saying they were trying to help us. >> And unfortunately, all of these other factors outside of the contract that Seymar was not their fault.
>> Yeah. No, I I I I agree with that. And I think had it been a different contractor, you're absolutely right, they might have said, "Look, we just have to pull off and >> or we can't start. >> We can't start or or we're going to pull off and tell us where you're ready." What ended up happening on this project, and Ron can speak to this a lot more because it was kind of on again off
again, you know, that that creates a problem. But if you go completely off, it might cost you more on the back end to come all the way back on. And and who knew that it was going to be like one delay after another that I pointed out? Ultimately, Woodruff has gotten in there. They've done that. I think we're
good to go. Um, you can see the site looking like, you know, a lot of it's been done, both site development as well as the vertical structure going up, but they couldn't put the main foundation. >> In full transparency, that's why we're bringing it even though you possibly could have approved it. Miss Coachman
has a question. >> Um, it started off the delay was when it was designated a brown field. Was that the first delay? >> Yeah. >> I'm surprised that that was a surprise. >> So are we. Well, yeah, that's a really good point. And and I the only thing I
can tell you about that is that early on in that whole phase, we w we talked to the architect on there. >> The architect said, "Well, we could do some underground DD, but we don't want to pay for for a lot of that if we're not sure where the
buildings are going yet," and everything. and they never went and did things like ground penetrating radar that might have found um where some of that utility was. So they tracked it. They didn't do things like test wells um and other types of things that might
have detected in advance so that they had that type of the their answer to it and understand that that delay that three and a half month delay. I read their contract carefully and I actually I I actually hired a construction litigation attorney to look
at our contract with them and say how much of this stuff and what kind of case do I have? >> And there was challenges to it as it relates to to to responsibility fault scope of contracts obligations professional standards industry
standards and things like that and everything. But the reality is, I think, for the benefit of getting the project complete based on an architect that had basically walked off the job. They walked off the job >> and and and they said, "Yeah, you know, you're not going to sign the change
order. We'll walk off the job." And they did >> and everything. And then what we had to do, >> Mr. Perry, negotiate the change order that we brought. >> We had to modify the services for construction administration and other aspects. Please, please. >> Good morning, Ron Allen, uh, NDC Construction Company. Um, we always hate
having these kind of meetings, but I think it's important for some of that information to be truly understood. It was divined as a Brownsfield. Um, what I think you have to go to the next level. The Brownsfield had had its preliminary through the architect um, approval that
the site was okay. When we started digging test um our first footers and our first for the lakes basically or the retention ponds, we started getting um a whiff of something that is not conducive which required us then to stop
>> have the architect, engineer and the city go back through that sue process we talked about come back with the whole program of what do you do with the dirt that you're digging up and you're and you're now creating because most of that dirt had to go offsite because we didn't
need it for fill anywhere else. You have to then go through and get a written um engineered um way to re ret to remove that that uh material and where it needs to go. I can't take it to the landfill. It has to
go to a special area. So, we went through about a three and a half month process with that. Then as we started into the next round uh getting us started which is our first site on the on the uh the program um there was a
contractual argument that that came uh forward between the city and the architect uh which uh Mr. Perry described as about a three and a half month delay. how that affects us as a construction manager. That was at the beginning of the project. And if you're
familiar at all with construction, at the beginning of the project is when we submit tons of submittals uh for concrete design for um almost everything in RFIs as you're trying to get your
product on, especially long lead items ordered. Well, we went through a three and a half month process where we were submitting all our submittals and our RFIs related to that start of the project that were getting ghosted uh in
the process. So, that set us back again for that three and a half months because we weren't getting any information. I couldn't even order the stone that was necessary for the undergrounds. I couldn't order the foundation rods. I couldn't I couldn't order any of those
kind of things because I had no direct approval which is required by contract from the architect. So that's our next three and a half. So we finally got through that portion of the process and then we started um working on the
building itself, the garage. And again uh we appreciate the the comments from the mayor and from Mr. Perry. our team did say the last thing we can do is just stop. What can we do? And so there's a lot of activity you've seen over there,
but it's almost been like a jigsaw puzzle of where we can go and where we can't go. Um when then the next part was the main part of the building, the most northern part of the building uh which houses most of the functions for the police station itself um were
interrupted because we had to move this 30in when I say we the city had to move this 30-inch water line that wasn't where it was supposed to be. And again, that's nothing I think unusual for the city because that line was put in I
don't know how many years ago. Um, but a it was in the wrong place. So when they started digging for it, they didn't find it. When they did find it, now it was too close to our building that we had to then have redesign done so that if there
was a failure of that 30-inch line, it didn't it didn't create a problem with the foundations for the building. So we had to go back in have the architect redesign those things as the gator discussion of calling and saying you know we're ready to start work on Monday
and by the way we're not doing it. Um then the city had to go through the process of of engaging Woodruff. Woodruff had to learn um uh you know go through their normal processes and they physically just finished um that portion
of the work um two weeks ago. So we are now as of two weeks ago officially 100% full boore back in the project but we haven't even been able to do the foundations on the northern third of the building. So that's where we are. So
we're roughly about 14 months uh to 16 months behind schedule from a schedule of the whole building. We've been able to cut that down some because we've been doing the work we could do to get to this point. So now we're at a point where we have we know where we're at. We
know where our our we we do what we do and we're comfortable. We're okay now as far as getting rolling. But we we have that 14 month that we've been able to do some things. So we're down to around 10 months that is really truly a delay process for us which is cost that we
have to incur. The change order has three components to it. It has um as as Mr. Perry described it has the reductions in our contract based on the on the dopos which are the direct owner
purchases uh for savings of sales tax which is a big negative. It's somewhere in the neighborhood of of four plus million dollars. Then you have our delay which is NDC constructions because we're t we are event we are specifically 14
months behind in our ability to capture our fees and those kind of things in the process. Then the third component is we have we've gone back to all our major subs because with that delay comes material increases delay delay claims.
we've been able to curb that to somewhere around $300,000. Uh which we think is a great idea or a great realm to get to that point. And those are mostly I would say 99% are material escalations because as an example, you
have an electrician who is buying fixtures that they thought they were buying them a year ago. So they've gone through a price increase and it's those kind of things. So we feel very comfortable right now. This is where we are. um in in the process to be able to
deliver the building uh the end of October, beginning of November next year. Um again, albeit if we don't have any storms um that show up. Knock on wood, but we were fortunate this year. Uh but that's sort of I don't know, Mr.
Perry, if that's a if that's sort of the overview um that you wanted. Um you know, we're dedicated to this project. We've tried to work every day that we can work out there on a square foot of land um that is allowable for us to do.
But I think the last piece was the water the whole water pipe system that functions for almost that entire section of the of the city. And so it wasn't something that we had any interest in
trying to push the envelope on. Um because the last thing we wanted to have is is for my superintendent to call me and tell me that the tank is draining. Um which is a big scare for anybody um if you had an if you an instantaneous of that tank draining.
>> So that's the sort of the overview from our perspective. >> Miss Coker, >> I have a question. >> Go ahead. So, um I don't know who to answer this, but what does this put our budget to now for the police station? What number are we going to be at with
the change order? >> 39. >> Yeah, probably above. >> Well, if you notice during some of the things we've talked about, we're saying 35 million. We're still under that. >> Right at it. >> He just said 39. >> No, no, 349 is
>> Oh, 349. We're still within >> what we ant we didn't anticipate this delay with others. >> Yeah. And we are still working every day. You know, we have contingency and we're working on we try to build that contingency as we go. >> Um so we hope that that when we come
back to at the end of the project that we'll have something to give back as part of that process. >> I think it's also mindful just on that is that um you know we did as as Mr. pointed out, we've done the direct owner purchases and things like that. And so
it probably won't increase the the the GMP of the project in and of itself, but the total budget of the project and project costs will go up probably 35. But remember that we this is land that we already owned for the most part. We had to pay I think 175,000 for the fryer
piece on the back that we ended up having to do take on. Um it it was a nice piece of land because of the size of it that in a good area geographically um for the police to use programmatically to kind of centralize
their their their police operation. Um but it was a former gas plant and and and had all kinds of other industrial types of things in the ground that we did not know about. Um, and so even though we didn't pay for it, you know, sometimes
>> you pay for it. >> You pay for it. Yeah. Free. There's an adage called free pays twice. >> I'm not so sure that there isn't that going on a little bit here with >> Miss Coachman and Miss Moore. >> Well, I wish you had asked me because I could have told you it was something going on funky on that that plot of
land. And it I pretty sure thought it was a brownfield without even looking. But um my question is when we had to do that little tweak, that little redesign, did we lose anything, square footage or anything? >> It really, when I say redesign, it was only a foundation redesign. It didn't
change the building at all. It's just creating a more substantial foundation, which allows a failure of that pipe not to affect without tearing >> not undermine the 30 inch line. If that thing ever blew out, it would blow out probably 20
feet around it. >> You have a couple You've had a couple street activities that I think you've noticed what happens when you have a failure. You put that right next to a foundation. I better be sure. >> That's more >> I just want to make sure I understand what what has happened and what we're doing.
>> Um so please I'm going to reiterate it and then you tell me if I'm wrong. Um, so we had an architect that had a problem not locating these problematic underground lines and then we got into a dispute with them
which I believe we settled and they continued to act as the architect. >> Let me let me rephrase that a little bit. The business dispute with them wasn't necessarily about these underground lines. The business dispute with them is that their proposal
contemplated the police department building. I want to say a 35,000 ft building, no parking garage, and a whole host of other things. They said, "Oh, after we're through with programming in DD, you've got these elements." And so the total project cost has now gone up
to 30 million when we thought it was going to be 18 to 20. >> They get by their law uh by by by their contract and associate it with what the building standards are under the state. They get a certain percentage
of that. I think it was 5.77%. As I remember and they said, "Now you owe us million dollars more because you built a garage and you built a bigger police station." That's what the that's what the crux of their of their grievance with the city was. And when
when I said, "Well, we're going to have to talk about that." They said, "Okay, we'll talk about it, but not only for so long." And they ultimately pulled off the job. >> Okay. So, they're gone. No, no, no. They're not gone. They're Oh, they're back. >> Yeah, we Okay, we I took that to you and
>> I got that. >> The option about you don't you don't just fire a contractor. It's not like, well, get the get the window covering guy and now I'm going to go to Home Depot. >> Well, I wasn't sure if the settle if the if how you landed on the dispute included them continuing to perform or
if the nature of this of the resolution of the dispute was >> So, we'll go back. resolution dispute involved us agreeing to basically pay them about $900,000 more 900,000 in change as I remember and they were going to drop some of their contract administration services and things of
that nature and from what I understand even moving forward there have been all kinds of requests for information on this project and >> and then who I'll see has had to work with them through that in in in somewhat of a challenging manner let me be polite about it
>> the work the work that then we had to pick up because they were dropping off who performed that work, us internally or NDC? >> We thought what was in there could be cut frankly. Uh we thought it was a little bit fluffy, I think, on the front
end and that we could handle it, but there still has been work with request for and and let me have you take >> Yeah. I and I will tell you that I'd like to take this minute to to share that I can't thank the city administration and and public works
because they're having to pick up some of those responsibilities that are not being performed. So, it sort of has been a a committee of us as NDC and the city sitting down and defining what is from a
good constructibility standpoint. We need to have the architect engaged in in those things that are more aesthetic or or nonstructural, non-issuebased. We've been using a lot of the city staff from it to to the police department. I
don't want to forget the police department in this in making some of those decisions that would have been a RFI, which is a request for information to the architect response. and we've taken that into our hands uh with the city uh folks to um come up with what
that that decision is. So, it's sort of been a little bit of a peace meal. Um not affecting quality or anything to do with the building. Don't get me wrong, I don't want anybody to think that that's the case, but we're we're saying we've got to get this done. If it's if it's
not coming from somebody, we're going to figure it out. And that's sort of what we did. >> Okay. And then um and then we purchased some things, some materials it sounds like. >> Yeah. >> Sales, right? Yeah. Which you which you then receive. >> Then we didn't need it anymore or had to purchase some different things.
>> No, no. You you purchase it's called dopose. Direct owner purchases. You you buy those things directly. We do all the paperwork. We set it up. You basically just >> sign the purchase order and and cut the check. And if the state's listening, I
don't want to I don't want to say much more than that because um we don't but we handle all the processing and it comes through our subs, the whole nine yards, but you directly buy that. And so >> I'm just trying to get at did we buy stuff that we're not using? >> Oh, no, no. You like as an example, you
bought concrete, you bought the HVAC system equipment, >> the generator. >> The generator. >> 1.3 million on the generator. 7% on the generator comes out to about what? 90 grand on there. And then for Gator, we did have to pay Woodruff presumably separately
and that's not included in our discussion. That was purely with the city. >> I think it's relevant to the cost if there was a you know problem there. And then >> and then now we're here with the change order and it is because the delay
contractually we owed fees because of the delays. >> Yeah. By by contract we should be finishing this project this month. So when I signed my contract as NDC with you all, it included so many months of
general requirements of fee, those kind of things. Um and basically it's been a year that we're out. Um where we have kept people on the job, kept it going doing those things. >> We're still doing work. >> Yeah, we're still doing work, but it's going to take an extra year and those
dollars have to be covered. So that's the first leg. The second was um was that we do have a few major uh uh subcontractors that have asked for delay claims. Uh so we've worked those through. So we know where we are today.
Um so we feel comfortable that this is the change order that gets us to conclusion, but it's a necessary because from our perspective, we should have we should have been able to collect all those dollars by now and we're now a year later before that happens. So
>> then what happens at the conclusion though? We pay more dollars. >> Well, you you're paying a change order fee the now. Uh but at the end of the job it it it's our original contract plus that change order becomes the total contract at the finish
>> which is under the 35 million. >> Correct. >> And we're still trying to work that down. >> We would had a different contractor it would be a lot more. >> Yeah. I I guess as a side note, I will tell you that had and not that we're anything great, don't get me wrong. I'm
not trying to to toot our own horn, but if we had stopped the process of the work on day one when all this thing started happening, um I bet you that we would probably be looking at a claim in
the neighborhood of three to three.5 million if we' have stopped. and >> and we had lots of conversations with the city administration, police about should we stop because is it more beneficial to stop or not stop. Um and
we chose to to keep going through. So um you know I think we did a a valiant effort with the city under the circumstances to try to keep those dollars down. >> Thanks. >> Miss Coker, you have another question?
No, >> I don't need any any motion. >> No, this is just aformational and and if you want any more logistical information, go talk to Mr. Perry. Yeah. >> Only I I actually audited what what was brought to me by NBC for the subs and
things of that nature and general conditions. I mean, >> what he's saying is he beat me up. Okay. That was not my first my first report that went in is not what we're talking about, >> right? He he actually was able to bring it down fairly significantly both from their c
>> and we're still working to see if there's some more. >> Yeah, we're still working on it. But the reality is I have a binder of of everything that's documented because I said to him when him and Les came in I go how and we talked and and what and and it's it's there. Well,
>> Allen made a crucial statement at the end of his conversation now that we would be probably moving in in the next month or so instead of 12 months from now. And that's what we had planned and that's where the snowball of whatever's
going on. >> Yeah. >> Series of unfortunate events. >> But the good news is is that I mean it's a it's a worldass police station. it will be a worldclass city asset when it's done. Um, and it's not uncommon, unfortunately, for when you're dealing
with sites that are like that to present different kinds of challenges. I guess what isn't uncommon is the hurricane season last year, >> a contractor that pulls off out of nowhere. I mean, there's certain nuances associated with it. >> Yeah, this was a new one for me. >> Yeah.
>> Well, thank you very much. We appreciate the information. Anything else, Mr. Perry? >> No, sir. >> All right. Um, council reports will start in W two. >> How did I know that? Um, I I was very happy to be able to participate at the
uh uh memorial program for Veterans Day yesterday in Palmetto as well as the Veterans Parade. And I want to thank the Manatee County Veterans Council for all the work that they do to put that on. And uh seeing as we're not going to have
another meeting before then, would like to remind everybody that Winter Wonderland will be on Saturday, December the 6th and realize Braden has worked very very hard to um put a wonderful family-friendly event together. And also
shout out to them for the um long table dinner that was Monday night because that I thought was other than the fact that it was really cold >> um and windy, I I I thought it was just amazing
>> to be able to sit outside and and help raise money for an organization that does so much to represent the community. And then I just want to say happy Thanksgiving to everyone. So, please, if you're traveling, be safe. Um, if you're not traveling, enjoy the weather here.
Hopefully, it's going to warm up a little bit. >> Thank you, Mr. Schustler. >> Yeah, I just wanted to say that, um, you know, now that we're on the other side of a major national election. Um just want to say how proud I am to represent this great city of Bradenton and to work
alongside uh Mayor Brown um the fellow council and city staff um that every day keep moving our city forward. Um so you know happy to uh be represented and do that. Um,
in mid-occtober I attended the Florida Redevelopment Association with uh uh Councilwoman Lisa uh Gonzalez and uh where the Bradon Community Redevelopment Agency was recognized with two statewide awards uh for outstanding new building
uh projects, Historia on 9inth and MET won uh both new housing communities that are helping shape the future of our city. And uh finally, last Saturday, I joined Mayor Brown and community volunteers for the Keep Manatee Beautiful cleanup and
mulching um in downtown Bradon and Village of the Arts. It was great to see so many residents come together to take pride in keeping our city clean and welcoming. >> Thank you. >> Thank >> um I um let me see if I can read my
notes. I wanted to um since we are not meeting I don't think again we're having a Thanksgiving event um the Wednesday before Thanksgiving so that will be something to look forward to if you're not pre-cooking as I usually do. Um I also wanted to just I mean as a to keep
everyone in the loop I shared a video with Mr. Williams who gets the brunt of my videos and pictures um and Mr. Perry, uh, the wind on Monday, uh, Monday night blew off one of the hoses of the
temporary. And so, if you're curious to know what sometimes our staff has got to deal with, it was not good at all. If you can imagine that, >> oh, >> it was just spewing in the air like it was like snowing. Um, so it was really
horrible. But uh I just point that out because I can when I heard about it I immediately like my mind just went right to oh my gosh the poor guys cuz by the time I saw the video it had been corrected. >> Um but by the time I mean but my thought was oh my gosh what they had to probably deal with to get that under control. Um
but so anyways if you would like to peruse you can ask them about it. Um we um I wanted to say thank you to Miss Shadic and her team and everyone who was involved. I emailed them and I know they know, but to let everyone know that if
you were not able to make the um the Halloween community event at Fire Station 2 in the evening, it was just so great. It was so well attended. They ran out of candy. Somebody had to run and get more candy. Um it was just really um
I feel like a testament to the hope, you know, that this kind of new thing can bring uh to a neighborhood and a community. I think it speaks to you and your um excitement at City Park being in that area. And I think the way you I wrote it down, you said investment in our community and I really feel like
that translates to um fostering, you know, neighborhoods within our our city community. Um just really feeling like they're they're getting attention, that they're feeling cared for. Uh and I think that kind of thing is really important. So for me that kickoff party was just really representative of a
neighborhood that is excited that things are happening and you know the city is actively investing in that area. Um and thank you to you guys that uh did all the heavy lifting to make that happen. And then finally another thank you uh Mr. Williams. I get a text about this as well, but I am I know this is nerdy and
silly and small, but for my personal family, every year that we see the snowflakes go up, it's like, "Oh my gosh, the holidays are here." And last year, of course, we couldn't do that. We couldn't make that happen because of the storms, but um I did not know they were going up. I had the joy
of just driving by and seeing the the guys putting it up, and it was just so exciting, and my whole family geeked out on it. So, thank you. the the snowflakes are back and I'm very excited about it. >> I'd like to thank Ross Peterson and his for doing the >> thank him for that and >> banners.
>> Yes, >> banners down Main Street. >> It's those little things sometimes that lowlying fruit, you know. So, thank you all. And that's all I've got. >> Miss Coachman, >> I'm so glad you brought the snowflakes up, but I also want to say dittoric.
Uh Shadic >> Shadic. >> Shadic. I said I gave you an R. Uh but um ev everything has been all our grand openings and and activities have just
really been phenomenal and I did not I was not able to make a lot of the different events in the past few weeks. Um but it was very touching when I got to my office and saw the different things.
Okay, not cry pan it to to commemorate uh the the new fire station even though it moved out of war five is across the street in war four. That's okay. I can still walk over there. Um but but it it it just was just
absolutely wonderful. Um, and the snowflakes. I'm so glad you brought that up because one night I was driving uh and I saw the snowflakes and I was like, they're not usually there, you know. I I just did not remember the snowflakes
ever being in certain parts of MLK. And yeah, it was just really nice. It did bring a smile. I've even had some uh neighbors say, "Oh, y'all got snowflakes?" So I was like, "Okay,
maybe." But anyway, um just really really great. We have a great staff um from top to and I don't like saying bottom because as far as I'm concerned, what we call the bottom is the foundation. It's like a flip pyramid.
You know, the bottom is what we got and it's it's what makes us great. And not to say you guys, you know, admin, I'm sorry. I I'm just going to stop talking about that. Everyone is wonderful. Um, I liked the the phrase that was brought up
about Farm Week, keeping aggive in 2025. It kind of made me think a W five is alive, you know, and that was really catchy. Um, and we just had a lot today. We had a lot. We talked about Face It and Fix It. You okay over there, Mr. Perry?
>> All right. >> We talked a lot about Face It and Fix It. and and normally because we talk about it too at nauseium but anyway we have to talk about our water system but this council is finding that we have to
we're going to have to face and fix a lot of things across the board um not just buildings um but our people we have great people working for the city and when we compare and I know somebody's going to say she's
bringing this up again when we compare salaries and how people are compensated. We're not as up there with uh surrounding uh communities and and and we're talking about rate hikes and all of that stuff. I just and I know that's what you're
talking about too when you say face it and fix it on other things. Um because we got great people. We're working them hard and it's going to be hard to get 100% plus quality when you've got one
person working as three or four. But I guarantee you if we if we can, you know, attract people to add to what we have, uh, we will definitely be 200 and, you know, percent and plus that. Um, don't
know why I went all into that, but Face It and Fix It is really deeper than the water system. Um, and uh, a lot of other stuff, but I don't want to
really bring it out. We hashed it out pretty much. Um, oh wow. It's just great to be in this city. I can't and be up here being a part of it. Um I won't see some of you uh until next
month. So happy Thanksgiving and just find some time to reflect and be with family because they are very very important even though you work for us like like you you know it's 247 it's
not you know enjoy family. Um war five is alive. Thank you. >> So much more, Miss Coker. >> I'll try not to let my snowflake envy show here. Um, anyhow, uh, first and
foremost, uh, had had an opportunity to go with with I think everybody up to Tallahassee. Oh, no, Kim. That's right. >> Um, to see, uh, Senator Boyd installed as the president designate. And I don't
know that the general public understands how important that is for our community um to have him in that leadership position and what it what it go what it does for us and uh I thank him for his leadership and um I'm looking forward to
uh having that extra representation up there for us because there's a lot coming down the pike in at the state level. So um it'll we're very lucky to have him. Uh, also I know I said it in my invocation, but I I don't think we
can ever give enough u gratitude to those who served and are still serving in the armed forces. Um, as we I I as a proud um daughter, granddaughter, wife to veterans, I just want to thank each
and every one of you again. Um, freedom isn't free and we're very blessed to have that. Um, also wanted to with regard to the farm city week I to uh Mr. Garrison for him to come in here and do this. It it really it's so important and
it's you know we are losing a lot of our farmers and I think even society is getting more and more wanting to be closer to the source of their food. And so I'm so we are so blessed in Manatee County to have such a a a big agrarian
community and to have this close by. And uh so I'm appreciate him coming and it's exciting to hear so many in the 4 uh in the school system to hope that you know that the next generation will continue on with that and uh I guess um I as well
want to give thanks and um wish everybody here a happy Thanksgiving and I hope you have a good time with all your families and that's it. >> Good. Thank you everybody. And obviously a lot of things have been said. I'm just going to touch on realize Bradenton what they do obviously the farmers market
which is now the public market but we all still consider it as that to a point but um and what they did with the long table and seeing a hundred people go out there and sit on the street and that blowing wind and sand. It depends where you were getting the sand but just a a
great group of people that love Bradenton and it just was really a great event. Um, Saturday morning we were out early spreading almost 600 bags of bark mulch that had a great group through Keep Manity Beautiful. Jennifer Hoffman
and her group does a great job. We were able to help out a little bit there through basically around the judicial garage and then through village of the arts. And you could see people knowing that we care about them, you know, and that's what a lot of people say. Some of it's just knowing that you're touching
them. Um can't say enough about what um our veterans council and Palmetto having the parade over there. I talked with Mayor West obviously while this was going on and get a little bit more involved because it's easier to do their streets than it would be to do our
streets and but just celebrating our veterans and families and you know all of us have had family members and and some have had the family member that got killed in service and it's just an honor to to see that it's still celebrating and when you unfortunately Mr. Ski who
was our oldest living veteran here, 107, died last month and uh but was a great gentleman to talk to. Talked to him probably about less than a year ago and 107 years old and still there. So it was just amazing but sad to see him and
family and him passing. Um, obviously all the activities downtown, winter wonderland, Thanksgiving coming up with the event before that and just anything downtown is is happening which is spreading to the rest of the city. Um, just remember the snowflakes look great
the on the lawn, you know, all of the ornamentation out there. Um, I've been involved with that since 1998 as a volunteer when we did that. And the last time we purchased those, city had to save the money and purchase them. It's
getting close. Irv would probably say it's getting close that the the uh it's getting old. So, we might be having to look at that because that is such a staple in our community that brings things and and I know we lost most of it in W two and never been in W one on the
polls, but maybe in the future we can find some areas to kind of to share the love of that. Um because I did hear about it when DOT changed the light poles on Manatee Avenue from 15th Street West to the west
>> and they did not put plugs on them. So that's why there was no more lights on those and DOT has changed some of their rules where if it's a DOT pole they don't want external cities doing stuff. So we may have to look outside the box.
>> Much to do with solar now. Yeah, maybe there's some opportunity. We can do something. But but again, great things. Fire station opening was was unbelievable. And seeing something that that started about four and a half years ago with Chief Edwards at the time and
Chief Gear rode with us and you know finally something came to start it, get it done and move on and that's what we did but for the good of the the whole and you know I'm looking forward to obviously other buildings opening up. We know what the peace was. We know our fire police station talked about but
just all the other stuff underground is just fun to see as we come to the year end you know calendar year but we still have another meeting but just those things and the staff is working unbelievable you know and you can go down the whole list everybody in this room that does everything every day and
and uh some of the people you see more than others HR it you don't see as much we talk about a lot of the other crap right so can say it But uh but yeah, but we're doing it. But but in a good way. No, it's all the good stuff you talk
about. And I you know, I was disappointed that our media left, right, when we talk about one of the most important things in City Park and Community Center that's happening that those are the things that we should be celebrating. But when people see what we're doing, and you know, it does cost
money and it's different ways and and again, we've got a great staff working out things. and uh unfortunately we can't talk about him outside this room for a lot of it, but timing is everything and it'll happen. So, appreciate you taking the faith in that.
Um Chief Kramer, >> uh thank you. Uh briefly, um well, two things. One, yes, there was media who left. There's still media who's here, and that's the people from MEV >> who really are the ones who get our message out, I think, to more people
than ever. Um, thank you again, Rob, and to Ron, who's obviously left, uh, for what they've done to keep the police build going. I think it was my first meeting I went to when we found out about that 30 inch pipe, and I I thought it was
shocking that nobody thought to look for it before, but, you know, that's the way things go. But again, thank you all for keeping things going. Um, and I've got other stuff, but I really just want to thank everyone who's reached out and said prayers for Pastor Don. He's still in the ICU. Um, such an integral part to
our department and, uh, spirit, the spirit of what we do, um, lives through him. So, uh, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. And the family obviously u, I don't say thoughts and prayers, I just say prayers because that's what he needs. >> Thank you. >> Yep.
>> Chief candidate. >> Yeah. Um, our open house was a huge success. So, uh, thank everybody that attended. Thanks for thanks to BPD public works, man county EMS, all the volunteers that participated in it.
Also, Tiffany, I want to give her a shout out as well because she was uh, huge into planning and uh, coordination with everything. So, thanks again. Uh, looking forward to doing future open houses with maybe the next one at station three.
Thank you. Irv, can you come forward, please? >> Unless you don't have any comments, but I have a question. >> Colonel Lee. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, and we did not discuss this earlier,
but it's not really something that But I think you can probably pretty much go off the cuff. Um, the email we got last night about low tides and all of that or yesterday. Can you give us an update on some of our low tide areas that we're going to be checking and making sure that we're making sure our equipment is
working to the best of its ability? Yes. Uh specifically the uh uh the the to kind of bring everybody into the the scope of the conversation. Um there have been
some discussion about whether the valves the check valves that had been previously installed uh one section was done by contract and the other section was done inhouse. There was discussion about whether those valves were working.
Um I believe about two weeks ago um at your request we met out there with uh we had staff with with uh Mohawks large pumps uh to to pump out one of the inlets just to to see um you know what
the dynamics were going and and as a matter of fact we we discovered that they were holding. We we uh put a mark uh on the inlet uh and and watched as the tide on on the
outside of the seaw wall. Watched as the tide came up and the the level inside the the inlet stayed relatively the same. >> It was >> and uh that's that's the west side. >> That was the west side. >> The east side I know there's some other that they're working on. and and on the
east side, uh it it quite interestingly um uh a project that had previously been done over on um on the Manatee near the Manatee Moral Hospital side of Riverside
Drive, um we discovered that uh inlets there where where water had been coming up. We thought that uh check valves have been installed there and come to find out um they were scheduled and for some
reason it never happened. We coordinated with the contractor. They came in, put them in and I know uh Mr. Prairie runs in that area on a regular basis. They've been fairly dry. That contractor
then helped us over on uh >> Riverside Drive, >> River Riverside Drive East, further uh over to the east near uh 20th. Mhm. >> We installed a check valve there uh
where previously there had not been a check valve and it appears uh we're going to continue to evaluate that one because it it runs at a different angle instead of going through uh down the seaw wall um uh in into the river. It
runs actually diagonally across and that uh check valve was was the source of a lot of local flooding. So >> it appears that that one is holding and we will continue to evaluate
um the efficacy of of those check valves. Uh but again, >> as well as now that the tide's low, we're going to have people going out and making sure everything is flowing and clean and >> and and that's that's uh again part of the maintenance effort that that uh
we're doing to uh uh again maintain uh the system. Thi this is something that as we as we look to the future and we start uh thinking about how we move ahead we will incorporate these
experiences and the maintenance effort into what what we eventually decide we're going to do um to address because this is um uh this this uh as best I can tell now I'm I'm in my second year uh
this has been a reality since I got here um and I I've heard folks say, "Oh, well, this didn't start until 5 years ago." I'm not so sure about that. >> It's gotten a little bit more often, right? >> But it's it's happening. One of the
things that >> that um I don't again, this past weekend, we had the highest of high tides, three tides. Yes. >> And we're having the lowest of low tides. >> Yesterday was unbelievable. I've never seen it that low. But um it it's
something that we know we're looking and we aren't just doing nothing. And unfortunately when you live at it and you see it every day, you do have a little bit more of a what are we doing? And and that's part of it. But indeed more has something. >> I just I wanted to clarify because I
think that the email that the mayor was referring to >> Well, I get a couple of them though. >> Oh, okay. get a bunch and I get a bunch and Rob and Lance and >> is the one that um it's a section of Riverside that does not have the check valves and it need it just needs something. You know, you this is the
area that's 24th Street to 20 to Brown. Um and the resident that sent that email has an engineering background and likes to share that uh knowledge, but I just wanted to clarify. I mean, maybe I was misunderstanding because maybe it was another email and I was super excited
about the check valves on the 20th west being looked at and and replaced, but this particular area doesn't have any kind of mitigation at this time. So, I think that the purpose of the email was just to uh give a heads up to when to the way that you can look at the tides
so that you can gather data to see what will work in that little section. And we do have a project uh that that's on the horizon to to put in an additional um
>> additional drainage capacity for for local >> awesome >> issues. I think we talked that's the one from Manatee Avenue, >> right? That's the >> hold more capacity. >> Yes. Right. But I think this one the email to that too is I was talking about another one
and that one. But um it's he think he feels that if there's some blowout of when it's low if we can clean it out that might help some of the capacity >> and that's that's what we're doing. >> I knew we were planning on it and that's what I wanted to get. >> Exactly. Exactly. But again um
>> the these are not uh issues that that they're no miracle fixes here. This is uh >> it's I I consider it mitigation. You're not you know I know you can't perform miracles. So we're just I mean I look at these little things as how can we just ease it a little bit. You know there's
going to be water there of course but it would be nice if they didn't have to watch the tide to get in out of their house. >> Uh again um we we we prayed for Pastor Don. Uh we're going to need prayer for
that because it the the the uh the the influence of the tides and and the and the moon um is something >> Yeah. We we're just we we take advantage. We we leverage that to be able to do uh what we can. So um and and
that will that consideration will be part of our fix in the future. >> Fix it. One of the things that we did realize with doing the ones on River Boulevard West is the basins with the duck valves are working, but they now
have put hydraulic pressure on the wall and the it's blowing up underneath and through the wall. >> So, we fixed one thing >> and we were there, we saw it and we found >> and so, you know, we can try to temporarily patch some of those, but we
believe that it's just going to keep moving unfortunately. So even though and we said that when we put the duct valves in long time ago on east and then recently more on west that this is a trying >> it's not necessarily going to fix right
>> and we not today but another day you can give the seaw wall 101 that you gave me and why things are a lot more difficult than they seem. Oh it's easy just put a wall down. No that doesn't create it. All right. That's what I wanted. But we are talking about it. You're working it.
We answer the emails and sometimes they don't get the answer they want, but it's at least we're processing it. >> And uh uh again, there's there's not many problems we can't solve out there without a little more money. So, >> all right. Thank you. >> Anybody else?
>> M Mr. Mayor, I have something just super quick. Uh, Councilwoman Coker, to answer your question, back in 2025, we budgeted $5.9 million for the public works annex. We're carrying over 5.4 million to continue the project of the presentation you saw today. So, I just wanted to give
you that answer. Uh, the other thing I wanted to thank, Miss Shadic, and I also want to thank uh, Miss Rebecca Dish. >> Yes. >> Who also helped um, worked very closely um, with Tiffany and and did a a great job at fire station, too. But I also
want to thank uh Chief Kramer and uh and Chief Canid and Chief Gear. One of the things that I've noticed that I've tried to get over the years is both of our agencies to participate together and the last two major neighborhood events we've had, they've done that and that's
because of the leadership that we have today. So, I just wanted to thank the both of you and please pass that on to to Chief Gar. Um but that that's what we need to see. You know, we're one city, you know, one team, that kind of a thing. and it's really represented uh today. So, I just I'm very appreciative
of that. >> Thank you, Mr. Perry. >> No, sir. >> Mr. Rudis. All right. Thank you very much. We'll be adjourned. Happy holidays.