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If you wish to speak to any item on the agenda or during the public comment portion of the meeting, please fill out a speaker card. Each person addressing the board shall have three minutes to complete his or her comments on each agenda item for which he or she has filled out a card. The chair has the
discretion to determine or alter the time limits on any agenda item. The board of county commissioners requests that speakers appearing under the public comment section of the agenda limit their comments or presentations to matters relating to county business that are within the board's control,
authority, and jurisdiction. Good evening and welcome to the October 14th meeting for the board of county commissioners. We have a quorum. I'll call the meeting to order. This night uh tonight we have invitation provided by
Pastor Larry Martin, First Baptist Church of Coco. Sir, you're recognized. Let's pray. Our heavenly father, here at the very outset of this meeting, we begin by asking your blessing upon our time together.
We ask that this would be a time of great productivity and accomplishment for our county and our citizens. Remind us, Lord, that true leadership is about serving others. Fill us with your love, compassion, and patience as we listen to one another and
work together for the common good of our county. We thankfully acknowledge that every positive thing that's accomplished here this evening, every success, every achievement for our community comes from you. Indeed, may we understand that we
can do nothing of lasting and positive value for oursel for ourselves and our community without your help. In John 15:5, Jesus tells us, "I'm the vine and you're the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.
Apart from me, you can do nothing." We recognize and acknowledge our dependence upon you, Lord. And we ask for your help in making this meeting productive. I thank you, Lord God, for the many and varied abilities and talents that you
have blessed each and every one of our commissioners with. We ask for your presence in this meeting as we strive to be productive and efficient in our discussions. Help us to stay focused and on task. Give us creative ideas and
solutions that will bring about positive results. In the saving name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Well done, sir. Thank you. Uh Commissioner Alman for the pledge. Please face 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. Okay, commissioners, we have minutes to
approve for the May 20th, 2025 regular meeting. Is there a motion? So moved. Second. I have a motion by Commissioner Goodson. I have a second by Commissioner Delaney. Clerk will call the role. Commissioner Delaney? Yes. Vice Chair Goodson? Yes.
Commissioner Atinson? Yes. Commissioner Alman? Yes. Chairman Felner? Yes. We'll show those approved. 50. Thank you, commissioners. We're going to go to the resolutions. And Commissioner Atinson, you're recognized. Thank you. Um if I may, just a couple of
words before I read the resolution. I just want to say that I am sure that I did not agree with a 100% of everything that Charlie Kirk said and believed. I'm also sure that I am committed to recognizing his determination to
encourage respectful conversation. If anybody from Turning Point USA is in the audience, if you want to come up to the podium. a resolution on behalf of the Bvard County Board of County Commissioners honoring Charlie Kirk and designating
October 14th as a day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk. I would also like to say that had he not been assassinated, today would have been his 32nd birthday. Whereas Charlie Kirk was a political activist of monumental impact, reaching
hundreds of millions of viewers through social media events and written works. And whereas Charlie was a loving father and husband, raising two children with his wife whom he adored. And whereas his accomplishments are extensive, but are not complete without recognizing his
impeccable character, strong faith, commitment to family and friends, kindness, honesty, and genuine desire to do good in the world. And whereas Charlie launched a movement that will have beneficial impacts in our country for decades to come by engaging and
energizing the youth that will lead our country in the future. And whereas Charlie's conservative principles and effective advocacy are admirable and a testament to his pragmatic and logical approach to policy. And whereas beyond his political views, Charlie
demonstrated the importance of civic discourse and the need to discuss issues regardless of their sensitive nature. And whereas Charlie's willingness to stand by his principles and proclaim his beliefs in the face of hatred took courage beyond what many demonstrate. And whereas the loss of Charlie Kirk at
such a young age and in a time when he could still accomplish so much is a terrible blow to our country. And whereas his cause remains just and his message will live on through the videos, books, and public speeches he gave and the people he inspired.
Now therefore, be it resolved that the Bvard County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the exceptional work of Charlie Kirk engaged in and the significance of the legacy he has left, which is worthy of being honored through the designation of October 14th as
Charlie Kirk Remembrance Day. Done. ordered and adopted in regular session this 14th day of October 2025. Is that your motion? It is my motion. Second. All right. Have a motion by Commissioner Atinson. Have a second by Commissioner Delaney. Clerk will call the role. Commissioner Delaney?
Yes. Vice Chair Goodson? Yes. Commissioner Atinson? Yes. Commissioner Alman? Yes. Chairman Felner? Yes. We'll show that passes 5-0. Ma'am, you're recognized. Thank you guys so much uh for bringing this motion today. Um, I just want to
say I'm not all of our students. I wish more of us had come, but uh we're really really happy that you guys had given Charlie the honor uh of a day to be remembered, especially on his birthday. We find it just very deeply touching. Uh
Charlie changed my life. Uh his death changed my life in a lot of ways. I uh was living a life of sin and you know really not doing good and I really turned myself around because of his dedication to truth and speaking out
your beliefs and I'm just so honored that I get to continue on his mission that was given by God. So um thank you guys for You said you're a student. Yes, I'm a student at Eastern Eastern Florida State College. All right, very good. Uh many of us here
are alums. Uh awesome. We used to call it BCC. Yes. Yes. Some some of us do, but uh it's a fine school and uh I was there for ribbon cutting yesterday. Very good. I think uh and we have a you present her. Okay. All right.
Thank you. Okay, commissioners, we're going to move into the cons consent agenda. Is there anything anyone needs to pull off of consent? Is there a motion for consent? So moved. I have a motion by Commissioner Delaney.
Have a second by Commissioner Alman. Clerk will call the role. Commissioner Delaney? Yes. Vice Chair Goodson? Yes. Commissioner Atinson? Yes. Commissioner Alman? Yes. Chairman Felner? Yes. We'll show consent passes 5-0. Thank you very much for that, commissioners. And we'll go on to the G
portion of comments. I think we got a few cards. Should I have five cards? Uh, Reverend JB Dennis, sir, you're recognized. Good evening, everybody.
The first thing I want to do is I want to give some kudos to Miss Katie Delaney for her honesty, her swift action, her professionalism, and being a servant for all the people. With her quick thinking
and action, West Coco did not flood during the rain, just the streets. Thank you, M. I'm here to speak on HB 1365. the homeless crisis. Just over a year ago, the governor passed an unjust law making
being poor and homeless a crime, which also make poor human beings a commodity to be bought and sold and placed in jails to make a profit. I call it modern slavery. These people worked in the sheriff office and in in
jail for free. Once they're released, Sheriff Abbott don't even give them a bus fair. Record can show that I stood right here just over a year ago with suggestions on building a 24-hour homeless shelter and set up 10 cities
owned and operated by the county. There's a law that instructs the county to do so. It's called HB1 1365. We voters and tax bills are sick and tired of a kind of government that caters to special interest in big business having no mercy, no empathy for
poor people and elected officials to serve all the people like Miss Ken Lena does. We see her all over the place working. How long will you disobey HB 1365? How long will you serious special interest in big business? How long will
you violate a state law by ignoring it? How long do we the voters in tax bills allow you to stay in office? We the church goes into the woods to homeless camps. Our number one question is why you here? The number one answer is there
are no affordable housing. 65% of those people in these woods and shelters not I mean in the woods have good jobs but they don't have no affordable housing. So help the poor and homeless get back on the feet. Just one more thing. You
got to start obeying HB1 1365 or state law or you'll be a one-term politician. And if anybody don't understand it, I'll read it out to you. The bill authorized counties and m municipalities to designate public property for public
camping or sleeping by a majority vote. Such designated properties must be certified by Department of Children and Family that the local government and properties meet certain requirements. It may not be used continually for one
year except for properties in fisial constraint counties that make certain finance must meet specific minimum standards and procedures. The the Department of Children and Family, sir, I'll yield you a minute. Go ahead,
go ahead. You got another minute. Okay. Finish up your thought. Okay. I'm going use this other minute. The county leases the Boulevard County Sheriff with 54 acres for a 10-year lease at $1. If you put a fence around his gun range
and take 25 acres, you could take 10 acres and have a tent city under the county's name and those people that y'all got in there for a PE for farm, put them in jail where they belong and the other 15 acres be a homeless shelter, a county owned and operated
homeless shelter. Thank you very much for your time. Yes, sir. [Applause] Teresa Clifton. Hello, I'm Teresa Clifton. I'm the executive director of the Bvard Humane Society and
I just thought I would come down and share with everyone in Bvard County what a true grassroots organization nonprofit looks like. The Bvard Humane Society was created in 1952 by a group of concerned citizens about
the homeless animals in our community. A lot of people know that story and a lot of people don't. What they don't know is that our building on Cox Road was built in 1962. You can do the math of how old it is and it no longer serves its purpose. So five
and a half years ago, I set out to raise the money as a true grassroots. If your community supports you, you will find a way to get things done. I came to you all a few months back when we had the issue with the um center up in uh the
North Animal Care Center, and this is our this is our answer. This is a ren a drawing or rendition of what we are doing our groundbreaking on. I raised $3 million and Lloyd Construction is now
going to be building this uh to make our facility more inhabitable and so that what we had in 1962 will live on for another hundred years hopefully um helping homeless animals in our community. For those of you behind me, you probably can't see
what that is, but this is going to be um done hopefully in six months to a year. Lloyd Construction is guessing. They never know what you're going to come across. We're tearing down the front of our building and rebuilding it so that the cats and dogs will have a place to
stay while we still reduce the numbers of animals that are homeless in our community by spaying and neutering and adoptions and fostering. But this this will be another part to the answer. And it is not costing the taxpayers a dime.
the people who in the community support the animals are putting it their heart and soul and money into it for them for us to be able to do this and that is how we are operating and I just have to brag because if you don't brag about yourself nobody else will
and so I just thank you for your time and just wanted to show y'all this this is our community at work and is something we should all be very proud of and our groundbreaking is next Friday October 24th at 10 a.m. the community is invited to attend. Um, so anyone hearing
or seeing this there Oh. Oh, that's Oh, I should be showing it right there. There you go. Um, so we are very proud and thank you so much. It will hold more cats and dogs and be able to help more of them in our community and we have a solid foundation to continue doing the
work we do without having to have taxpayer dollars pay for it and we are very excited for it. So, thank you so much. Okay. Yes. Good job, Pam. Pam Avery. Hello, I'm Pam Avery. Good evening,
commissioners. Um, I have one thing to say. I am here to ask the county commission to give clear direction today to the county manager and county attorney's office to investigate and document the district 1
commissioner's actions and possible charter violations since taking office so she may be admonished by this commission for her conduct. [Applause] I'm just waiting for a motion. Uh okay. We don't I don't think we do
motions on public comment, but is is that it tonight? That's it tonight. Okay. All right. Pam. Thank you. Thanks. Okay. Jesse Wright. Good evening, Chairman Felner and the
members of the commissioners. First, I want to thank you for the uh approval of the u first trunch of the 2.4 million for my project. If it wasn't because of your approval, obviously we would not be getting that. I have passed out a
pamphlet uh with some talking points. Unfortunately, the project is at halt right now. I can't move forward. What has happened is that the um the property at 22 acres at 3550 South Washington Avenue was a continuous lot and which we
separated in multiple parcels and uh so because of that uh getting financing these days are extremely difficult. Contamination and issues u are the main issues right now that the lenders have.
So, with that said, I was here in August 8th. Uh, Mr. Felner, you asked me to meet uh with Commissioner Delaney, and I did, and I'm just uh asking what is the next step? This is under your jurisdiction. I'm not getting much help
from the city of Titusville. It's been approved through the TEC that unanimously that the city gets involved, but they have not, unfortunately. I have no choice. If you turn into the page three to move forward on creating a
petition for all the neighbors and the residents to uh disclose that there's contamination on the ground and get them involved and once that is done then I have to turn out to the environmental attorney to decide as to which entity
they want to go ahead and sue. I've sent multiple emails to Amanda. I don't see her here and I'm really hoping that something is going to happen with your approval and otherwise this project is
going to be sitting there for a long time to come. It's a $240 million project and it definitely uh helps the city and the county will be bringing close to about a thousand jobs. 26.8 million is going to be added to the
North River County GDP. Uh these are the facts. I didn't make it up. It's it's already been uh done in terms of feasibility study. And that's really why I'm here. You know, two months has passed and I'm kind of used to having
this thing going on for nearly 40 years. Jim has been great um receiving and responding to some of my emails. The last thing that I've heard and I saw from Shell station on Cumberland and Country Club is that their environmental
report indicated that the contamination and the water table is going to the northeast. Maybe that's where Santa Claus is, but I don't think anything goes northeast. [Music] Okay, sir. Thank you. Thank you.
Vern Blanket, sir, county manager and uh county attorney and uh commissioners, thank you for letting me speak. I didn't understand the structure of what how you did this, so I thought I'd be able to speak before the resolution on Charlie Kirk, but that
was taken care of. So, this will be real short. What I want to say to you is that um thank you for recognizing him uh with a day which is appropriate for a Christian martyr like him who laid his life on the line and was taken from him. Um, I had never heard of Charlie Kirk in
any detail before he was assassinated. And uh, I started watching him afterwards to see what what was the controversy that got him killed. And it was simply that he was dealing outright in public on political and religious
issues with college students. And it it opened my eyes. I've watched a number of his. It's all on YouTube. Just go Charlie Kirk debate students or something like that. It's fascinating to see the immense depth and width of his knowledge on all kind of subjects that
he had, excuse me, that he had on like instant recall that he could pull up to answer a challenge. And if you dig in there, you know, you may have heard that college professors quite often are on the left side of politics and they impute that to their students. Well, if
you carefully select your search criteria in YouTube, you can watch Charlie Kirk debate professors and it is amazing. I mean, he is Charlie Kirk was sharper than professors even in their own subject areas. You got to watch that. So, I encourage all of you if you
get a chance and you don't have anything to do in your board, um, go to your computer and go to YouTube and put Charlie Kirk debates college professors and watch some of those interactions. It was wonderful. It was a loss to America to lose Charlie Kirk. He was that that much of a
brilliant mind. Okay, I have a million minute left. So, let me say um if if you will do that, your eyes will be open and thank you for letting me talk about him and and thank you for um passing that resolution. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
Okay, commissioners, that takes care of the G portion of the public comments. We're going to move on to H1. I see Commander Bernath making his way to the box. Mark, you're recognized. I'm sorry, Commissioner Felner. I'm sorry to interrupt. I just want to let
everybody know um our our public comment policy only the first five speakers who signed up um speak at the G portion. The rest of you will be able to speak at the uh I believe it's the K portion after the business. Is is that what you were wondering
about, sir? Okay. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, Commissioner Delini is right. Well, I suppose we don't say it every single meeting, but we had decided the prior board that we would take five public comment cards um in the middle of
the agenda, then the rest we would take at the end of the the agenda. So, those were the those were the first five. So, that's that's just how we do it. Okay. Commander, on each one, good evening, uh board. Uh this is a
petition to vacate a portion of a plat known as Harbor Colony. It's located east of Newfound Harbor Drive. It's in district 2. It's allow it's uh so that a um property can be developed as two single family homes. Um as part of this
uh vacate request or subsequent to the vacate request, we're looking to have two easements uh be approved. One is to cover utilities and drainage in the Voma and Lu Laguno rightsway and the other is a drainage um north south um flowage uh
that goes through several lots as part of Pelican Creek. Okay, commissioners, I do have two cards on this. First, are there questions for Mark on this one? No. Um I have what I guess is the applicant for questions only. Okay. And then also David Berggo
Berg Bergrow Burgio. There he is. Sir, did you did you want to speak tonight on this? Tell us your name for the record. So I Good evening. My name is David Burgo. I live on 1825 V Roma which be uh an eye
shot west of this development. I I've always seen this on the plot plan. Voma was designed to go all the way across east to South Banana. And I was wondering why all these lots
were left undone. But what I did notice what my question is about the right away the Roma was supposed to be extended eastward to South Banana. It's a 50-foot easement and I just didn't understand
how somebody could absorb that right away. And I know that I'm just now hearing about the drainage because it's very sensitive waterhed there. And I think that's what we don't want water
more water coming our way. Understood. I I think that's what they're trying to take care of. Um Mark, maybe you can speak to that. So it's a little vague this uh reszoning. I know there's 12 lots there, but there's if you look at the two lots
on South Banana, the numbers would be uh 8 18 and one. We're not resoning tonight, sir. Um this this is just a petition to to vacate. Uh
yeah, but is somebody going to answer some of the questions that would might come up? Well, we we'll we'll do if if you're done with your questions, we'll we'll go ahead and we'll we'll let them. Okay. All right. Okay. All right. Thank you, Mark. If you could clarify things for us real quick.
Absolutely. Uh so this the uh petitioner owns lots 3 through 7 and 20 uh through 24 which is in the agenda package. Um what the gentleman was asking about via realma is a 50-foot public rideway. Uh the county has no intention uh to
actually connect uh Newfound Harbor Drive and South Banana River Drive. So as part of the partial vacate uh we are vacating uh via Roma, but we are getting back a uh drainage and utilities access easement so that this way the existing utilities can remain and we can get in
there for uh drainage. Okay. Are there follow-up questions to that? No. Okay. Um, that was the one card. Is there any discussion on this item? No. Is there a motion on the item? So, move. I have a motion by Commissioner Goodson.
I have a second by Commissioner Delaney. Clerk will call the role. Commissioner Delaney? Yes. Vice Chair Goodson? Yes. Commissioner Atinson? Yes. Commissioner Alman? Yes. Chairman Felner? Yes. We'll show that passes 5-0. Thank you very much. Okay, we're going to go
on to I1 and Billy. the event you've been looking forward to for a long time. Good evening, Mr. Chairman. I one relates to two letters that Bvard County received from Florida Commerce declaring two actions that this board has taken to
be null and void adminio. That is null and void from the beginning. These two actions are the adoption of the earbased comprehensive plan amendments and adoption of the new Bvard barrier island element to the comprehensive plan. Florida Commerce determined that these
amendments were null and void abinio because it determined that they were in conflict with section 28 of chapter 20251 190 laws of Florida better known as SB 180. This section of law restricts any jurisdiction within the da disaster
declaration areas of hurricanes Debbie, Helen, or Milton from proposing or adopting more restrictive or burdensome comprehensive plan amendments, land development regulations, or procedures concerning review, approval, or issuance of a site plan, development permit, or
development order prior to October 1st, 2027. There is what I hope a fairly comprehensive report on the situation attached to the agenda item and there are a couple of uh action items to discuss. But before I get into that, with your permission, I would like to go
through a short presentation that I hope will illustrate the timeline up to this point. Go ahead. So on November uh sorry 23rd 2023 the first step in our earbased amendments took place and that was a letter that we
sent to commerce and that simply says that we've identified that we do need to make changes to our comprehensive plan due to changes in state law. Within a year of that we had to transmit our amendments the earbased amendments and it turns out the BBIA amendments. what
I'll get what else I'll get into more later. So on November 7th, 2024, we did just that. Then on in January of 2025, Florida Commerce issued their objections, recommendations, and comments report on both of those amendments. That's this is
now very very typical. It's what you'd expect to see in this process. And as part of that orc report for example, one of the things that commerce suggested was that we evaluate changing shoulds to shall in the boulevard barrier island element and in other words tighten it up a little bit and you could argue make it
a little bit more restrictive. Meanwhile on May 1st 20 on or around May 1st 2025 section 28 was added to SB 180 in the Florida legislature. SB 180, as I said, uh prohibits uh uh
local governments such as Bvard County from adopting more burdensome or restrictive amendments. On in June on June 26th of the same of 2025, SB80 was signed into law by Governor Dantis and on July 1st, 2025,
SB80 took effect. However, that effect of section 28 was retroactive to August 1st, 2024. And so, if you go back to the county timeline above it, you'll see that fits in before the transmitt. So,
even though this wasn't even thought of at the time the board transmitted the ear and BBIA amendments, it goes back to that date. But meanwhile on July 17, 2025, the board adopts the package.
Turns out that didn't mean much because like I said, it goes back retroactive to August 1st and it fits in right there. And effectively under Commerce's interpretation that poisoned everything that happened from there on. And so it's everything from that transmitt forward
is null and void as if it never happened. So, as if I go back to what I first said on November 20 uh November of 2023, we had one year to make our transmitt under Commerce's view, it's as if that never
happened. And that's why as of today, they consider us out of compliance with that process. I should note now that we are not alone in receiving these null and void letters. So far, at least seven jurisdictions have received such letters based on comprehensive plan amendments,
and dozens of jurisdictions are having to roll back regulations and policies based on SB80. Putting aside the retroactive nature of SP80, even if we were just starting the EAR process, now we are facing a fundamental problem in coming into
compliance. One of the key statutory changes that has occurred within the past seven years that require us to update our comp plan is the Bvard Barrier Island Protection Act, which institutes an area of critical state concern in the South Beaches area. Under Florida statute,
these unique designations are implemented in places where quote an area containing or having a significant impact on environmental or natural resources of regional or statewide importance. the controlled private or public development of which would cause substantial deterioration of such
resources. The Boulevard Barrier Island Protection Act itself in particular mandates that the county do such things as institute regulations to facilitate prohibiting new shoreline hardening structures and reducing nitrogen contribution into the Indian River
Lagoon among other among other things. In other words, we would appear to be required to adopt more restricted comprehensive plan policies and land development regulations in the area of critical state concern. Yet, Florida Commerce has insisted on applying
SP180's prohibition against more restrictive regulations to our amendments. Clearly, this is a quandry and staff is seeking direction from the board now on how to proceed. As a preliminary matter, first staff is requesting that the board authorize the
county manager to execute any contracts and budget documents necessary to continue to utilize Bonnie C. Landry and associates for planning services. This group assists with technical aspects of development of these amendments and provides guidance to staff of pro procedural matters and staff has been
generally happy with their services to date. Second, we are asking the board to consider the options outlined in the agenda report regarding preparing new amendments to the Bard County comprehensive plan. I will note at this point that the planning and zoning board on their own valition yesterday made a
recommendation that this board either join a lawsuit with other local governments challenging SB 180 or write a letter to the legislature requesting that the law be amended. Staff has identified three options for moving forward with these amendments. The first is to prepare modifications to
the earbased amendments but delay transmitt of both the earbased amendments and the BBIA element amendment until legislative amendments to section 28 of SB80 or until the expiration of September of section of section 28 which is October 1st 2027. In
other words, we wait and see what the legislature is going to do and act accordingly and we prepare as much as we can in the meantime. Option two is modification of the previously transmitted earb element amendments in a manner to minimize
proposed amendments to existing policies in order to meet the requirements of section 28 of SB80. In other words, we just got we do what we got to do to get it through Florida Commerce review under SB 180. And then of of course option three is any other direction as directed
by the board. Okay, commissioners, we can do questions. Okay. And then we've got two cards and then we'll do discussion um questions. Commissioner Atinson Billy, can you tell me um by waiting by
delaying the transmitt, what would be the most negative consequence of us waiting? The consequence today is the only the only consequence that we we're sure that we are facing and probably the only consequence we will face for the time
being is that we can't process publicly initiated comp plan amendments that is distinguished from privately initiated amendments that you see typically in zoning agendas. Those we are in fact required to still process regardless of being out of compliance.
So this would be for example if a public agency county board of county commissioners for example needs a a land use change. It could also be you know if any of the board desires to to initiate some text change amendments. It would prohibit us
moving forward with things like that in the meantime. Followup. Yes for a followup. So with regard to the BBIA that area what would be the most negative consequence of delaying Um well any of the new policies that
were proposed would not be implemented and it would delay the bigger the you know the most impactful thing on that process was going to be moving to the next stage which is implementation of the land development regulations and that we just can't do until SB80 is figured out anyway. So but I would I I
do I think it's important to note that existing regulations that are already in place will remain in place and will continue to be enforced. For example, policy 7.1 of the coastal management element, which prohibits increases in residential density in the area, will
remain in force. Thank you. Other questions for staff? Commissioner Roman, sir. In relation to the lawsuits been filed, what are some of the issues that are being challenged? And I would assume expos would be be one of them. Am I
correct? I've seen numerous uh basis of challenges so far and more maybe speak for I've seen things about the natural resources clause. I've seen the one issue uh come up. There's a there I've procedural matters. There's numerous
basis that I've seen so far. The retroactive application is one of the bases for challenges. Yes. Uh, Commissioner Goodson, sir. Yeah. For a question. Yeah. Question. Which one would you prefer us choose because you're much
more knowledgeable than us? Um, option one, I think, is the is the approach that would allow us to keep in line with what was intended for by a number of laws. Not just BAVAR bear unp protection act, but number of other
laws. So, I think if if we're looking to come into the best possible compliance, um there's been plenty of movement in the legislature already, although not officially hasn't been anything filed, but even the sponsor of SB80 has said that he thinks that there are going to need to be changes in the next session,
so of section 28. So, there is good reason to believe there will be legislative fixes. So, there I think there's a basis for saying let's wait and see before we jump the gun and make drastic changes. Any other follow-up questions before we go
to the cards? Okay. Just one, sir. Commissioner, so we don't engage in lawsuit. Other counties have, and they rule in the favor of those counties. I assume those favorable rulings would apply to us as well.
Yes. Okay. I mean to be clear, there are counts in some of the litigations that are out there that would be specific to that jurisdiction and something that they specifically adopted. But generally, in order for the courts to find in favor of
the jurisdictions that have sued in one of those cases, the holding would be effective to the county as well. In other words, we we could kind of ride along without being a party to the suit, still benefit from the outcome of the litigation. Follow
me. I wonder if our involvement in those cases would be helpful, especially since we're responding to a state law that was passed. and um and if it would be helpful in the bigger scheme of things,
I would support engaging in those actions. So, generally speaking, I I think the only reason it would be helpful in the larger efforts would be if we were going to contribute significant resources in
the form of either monetary support for the litigation or attorney time and resources. Um, so if if we're prepared to do that, it could potentially uh be helpful. I can tell you, you know, my office right now would be strained to
provide much in the way of meaningful support internally. Um, but that's really the only way we could be useful to the ongoing effort if if we were able to contribute meaningfully
in that way. We do have an issue that is unique to us. um in the form of the inconsistency with the Brevard Barrier Island Protection Act that we could theoretically raise separately um
at some point. Commissioner Goodson. Yeah. Well, if you know anything about Tallahassee, they'll send out all kind of crap that you have to go back and change again or multiple times till they get it right. So, do you think this
session is going to be any different than the last one? Billy, I I've I've seen I know there's a large upswelling of, you know, requests that this be fixed, not just from us, but from across the state. I don't know what
the impact of that will be on the legislature. I know our uh the speaker is aware of it as well, former speaker Chris Fully, and he will he's going to be seeking to provide some assistance as well. Okay, there was there so there are two sections of the bill. We've talked about
28 with the retroactive application, but there's also a section 18 that is forward looking so that if another storm passes through and we're within a 100red miles of its path, the we would be prohibited for a year after that event from enacting regulations that are
deemed to be more restrictive or burdensome. That section carved out an exception for areas of critical state concern like the BBIA. Looking at the legislation, it's hard for me to make sense of it in any way, but to think that it was an oversight,
that the same exception was not included in section 28, which is the section with retroactive applicability. Now, I think it would be best if 18 and 28 were repealed in their entirety. But that said, I suspect without having any crystal ball or great insight into the
legislature and what they will do, if I had to bet, I I think there may be a correction to fix that portion at least so that an exception is carved out for the BBIA statute and our ability to do that and and given that the legislature
may be taking that up, uh I think it may be prudent to take a wait and see approach to some extent before we were to litigate. against the state on that particular issue because I, you know, I don't know how they would, it's sometimes said the only thing worse than
suing the state is suing the state and winning, right? Um, and sometimes just litigating with him may may sour uh the water. So, since I think there may be a movement to take up a glitch bill or something to fix what appears to be an oversight there, I'm not urging the
commission at this time to sue over the the BBIA issue that is more unique to Breard. Uh, hold on. Commissioner Atinson, then Commissioner Delaney. Mine's just a procedural question, I think. Um, when a motion is finally made, do we have to make two? One about
our participation in lawsuit and the one about which option for transmitt we choose? You're not required to make any motion at all about participation in a lawsuit. That was a a recommendation by the planning and zoning board of their own valition. They raised that issue. It wasn't a staff request. I think the only
thing before you tonight is a request from staff for direction. Uh you have the options given including the third option, any other direction. Um but that's what staff is seeking from you tonight. Of course, you could make any motion you like in consideration about the ongoing litigation, but there's no
requirement for that. Thank you. and the contract. I'm sorry, clarification. Jim is correct. The request for u the ability to continue on with the contracted consultant. Okay. Uh Commissioner Delane, would it be fair to say that um
adding some potential muscle to this lawsuit would be my my colleague right here that helped sponsor this um area of critical state concern as a state representative. And you know the I would think that that would bring a little bit
more ump to the lawsuit. Would that be fair to say? No, that's not something a court would consider politically. Yes. I mean I think with the legislature absolutely not with the courts, right? But it might is it possible that
it might, you know, encourage others to, you know, participate as well. I think that between um the Live Local Act and then going forward with SB180, there's been a um
it's getting more and more severe the encroachment on our home rule. And so it would be helpful if, you know, more cities and more counties would join this lawsuit to tell the state, hey, like we
have a state constitution that protects this. Uh, Commissioner Alman, sir, for a question. Oh, I I've point at length about it. I've been up there though when the state has been
sued by local governments is 100% correct. When we file a lawsuit against them, it changes the whole way we can interact with them and we are deemed as the enemy. And if there's a chance that this thing could be amended in the legislative process, we probably would
have more of an opportunity to to engage and have a voice if we're not under a lawsuit. So, I I understand where he's coming from and I would hope that if we don't engage in law that maybe we should include this in our legislative packet so our lobbyists can really advocate for fixing the problem.
I I think there two two things there that you brought up. So, let me let me ask a question. Um first of all, what's the chance that this lawsuit's uh going to be decided um prior to session ending uh the first week of March?
Zero. Okay. zero. I wouldn't say zero because I think in at least one of the cases there's a request for preliminary injunctive relief against the enforcement of the bill. So that's something that could potentially be put in place by a court on the front end. But but I think the
likelihood is pretty low that this is decided prior to legislative session. So I think there's um then then fair to say there's probably just an order of operations here. let let the legislature take this up and if it doesn't work then
lawsuits will will continue. I I think so. And I think we're also there's no um you know, if you were to if you were to take recommend option one, which is prepare the modifications to the earbased amendments, but delay transmitt
um you know, you're not forclosing the ability to sue at some point should there not be any legislative relief and should it be determined by the board that that's desirable to do so. So there's no um there's no compelling imperative right now to jump into the
suit. you're not losing any any right or waving any ability to seek that relief should the legislature not come through. I have a question. No. Sitting here one sec. Um with two former members uh and I worked up there too. Um fair to say that that this is
better to fix it in statute than it is to have uh some state judgment. I I mean I think the legislature has the incentive uh to take this up. Is that fair? I hope so. I I hope so. I I would think so. I would think.
Okay. And I think our voice would be a little different because once you pull that legal um action, it changes the whole And not for nothing, I think before we we go that far, we certainly should
consult with um our folks who are um working for us in Tallahassee to to see what they think of that. Commissioner Delaney for we're still on questions. I just wanted to also mention that um so if let's just say um we get through
session the legislature uh fixes the issue with the area of state critical concern. We're able to get the BBIA in our um comp plan. Um but they don't do anything else. I had a
lot of major concerns with a lot of things in in our comp plan. Um I only brought the flood plane um issue up because I just felt like that was the most important at the time. Um but you know there were things in there about
our um portable water and uh different things in the conservation element and um if we're still not allowed to go back and put different restrictions in place
is would we be able to then still join the lawsuit at that point afterwards? Yeah, absolutely we would be. Um, and also, you know, take note that section 28, the retroactive application, does expire eventually on its own terms. Uh, of course, there's always the
opportunity for another storm to come by and extend that uh at any time by by an additional year, but it expires on its own terms. The only thing unique to Bvard and what's happening is the application to the BBIA because we're the first area of critical
state concern in decades. Um but if that if that is resolved by the legislation then all of the other issues affecting our comp plan those are all at issue and the pending litigation that's been brought by other jurisdictions that is you know will almost certainly uh if any of those jurisdictions if any those
litigations are successful we'll be able to benefit from those without even being parties to the suit. But if we need to at some point in the future uh bring action we could do that. Okay. Thank you. Okay. If there's no more questions, we got to missing.
Sorry, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, just following up Commissioner Alman's comments, it just ran is in our legislative packets, we highlighted sections 18 and 28. Uh, we as staff sat down with Speaker Chris Foley to go through all the things. We did spend quite a bit of time explaining uh the
issues with SB 180. So, and I already know he understands it. And actually, on my own, I've had a conversation with one of the representatives explaining the same situation. So, just wanted to make you aware of that. Great. Okay, we're going to go to the cards. Ruth motto.
Good evening. Um, I just wanted to um take a moment and read the actual motion that was made by planning and zoning last night so you could hear it in its entirety and context. I move that our chair draft and send a letter to the Bvard County Board of County Commissioners recommending that they either join the lawsuit challenging
SP180 or draft and send their own letter requesting SP180 be repealed or amended. This recommendation is based on the state's rejection of our recent comprehensive plan which despite reducing previous restrictions was still deemed too burdensome to development.
This action demonstrates how SB80 effectively strips away our home rule authority and significantly impairs the ability of this board to carry out its responsibilities as intended by the residents of BVAR County. Thank you. Thank you, Mark Shantis.
Can I ask one question before I start? Billy, has anyone called the sponsor of the time of SB180? Has anyone spoke to the siglio here? your time started. Oh, go ahead with your statements. All right. So, that's the big question.
Um, this is an absolute mistake by by the legislature. It got done the last few hours uh during the session. It got thrown in. Uh if anyone knew about it, they would have said, "Hey, by the way, stick it into section 28." He stuck it
in section 18. Okay. So um the area of critical state concern BBIA is an is on autopilot stands alone um if you engage into a suit uh having anything to do with that with the bigger picture uh you're throwing the baby out
with the bath water regardless of what happens and um I want to differ with you Mars it's it's not close to zero it is zero a judge is not going to rule on it before they hear what the state does if they do they could get overturned. They're not going to take the risk and
get overturned. We've been through this. Um, BIPA Bar Allen Preservation Protection Association has been doing this for 35 years. We have been involved with unconstitutional issues in suits. We have defended, we have litigated, we have been through all these and we find
that a judge will almost definitely not declare it unconstitutional until they see what happens. Okay, that's number one. Number two, um I I must say that we should file something. We immediately
with the state, even if it is taking out all 40 or 41 or 45 of the items they said were too restrictive, we have then complied with the state. There are all kinds of references in all kinds of legislation that say, "Oh, you got 60
days for this and 90 for that, 120 for that." and we could be violating them by not refiling once the state goes ahead and says, "Oh, you got these problems." So, at the very worst, we should refile exactly what we filed, taking out every
single thing that the state says is more burdensome. And then after the dust settles, we'll refile all the changes that we wanted to change in another amendment. Uh, I don't see what the problem is with that. Um, I don't know. Is that a problem, Billy?
you can think about it. Um, this is a mistake that was done. Um, clearly we should let the legislation take care of the mistake. They're on board for it. I've spoken to people who say yes, we are going to take care of this. We were
at the delegates meeting when Debbie Mayfield said she was going to take care of it and um and Tom Wright said chicken said yes. So, this is going to get taken care of in terms of WBIA. We got to be careful that we are not complying by not refiling as soon as possible once the
state goes ahead and comments to us. We are required to comment within a certain amount of time. Let's comment. Let's redo it. Let's resend it in. Thank you very much. Thank you for your help. Commissioner, I have a question. Okay, Commissioner Delin for a followup. Any questions?
I if you wouldn't mind staying just in case. Um, Billy has I just want to ask Mr. Santis' question. Has anyone spoken to the representative that he had mentioned? I have not called Senator Diglia.
Okay. And then um if we were to do option two, would um would we just get rid of our ex get rid of the language that we sent forward last time and put in our existing language?
be a little uh will be a little more complex than that, commissioner, because the letter they they sent back identified uh 40 something policies in the ear. Then they rejected the BBIA outright. So, it's not clear. we'd have to go
through the technical assistance uh process with Florida Commerce and essentially submit groups of policies at a time, have them sign off on each one, you know, and get have that back and forth. And it may be possible in the
end. It's it's truly impossible. That's and that's the bigger issue, you know, how far are they willing to stretch the Bvard Barrier Island Protection Act for the sake of SB 180? It they they seem to be diametrically opposed. Well, that's that's what your letter says, Billy, but
that's not the indication that I have when I chat with people. Okay. Uh the indication I have is that it's a mistake. The indication I have is that it's going to be corrected, but it will not be corrected until the end of the session, as you were saying, Commissioner Felner, that this session
is going to go on until July again, and we could be in um in violation of answering something that the state has already told us. So if they have not said the reason that they want to reject it, ask them the reasons, let them list the reasons. Okay? Let's get on board
with discussing this with them. Let them list the reasons and let's throw out all those items and let's refile. But there has to be a discussion going on with Stanbury and there has to be discussion going on with the sponsor's office as to how it is they're going to do this. If you're doing this in your own little
quiet little box, you're going to miss what's going on up there. And um I do this, but I'll volunteer to to interact with him if you want. We're we're going to move into discussion here. Commissioner Alman, sir, something else?
I do have a question. Um just so we understand your recommendation. How does that relate to our option one, two, or three? It's option number two, which would be to refile as soon as possible. uh given
that you call up their office up there and um and ask them what specifically you should refile and if they don't tell you specifically what you should refile, you should go ahead and take a bunch of stuff out of it and refile it anyway.
Let them reject it again and ask them what it is and go through the process of interaction with them so that we are in compliance. Don't want to be out of compliance because we miss it by a day. We've already been through some of that in the past and it's not a happy place. Okay, Mark. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner Morrison discussion. Anyone else? No, I think I think Thank you. Thank you. Just to respond a little to Commissioner Alman's question as well, we we have had that conversation with Commerce and I think it's in Billy's report, but you
know, we did receive a a list of the proposed amendments which Commerce felt were more burdensome or restrictive at least from the typical EAR proposal. Uh Billy's correct in saying that with regard to the BBIA, they just outright rejected that. So there's no one reason
they pointed to uh just just in its totality. They see that as more restrictive and burdensome. In my view, I don't think you can comply with the Bvard Barrier Island Protection Act and not be more restrictive and burdensome. So, I don't know how you ever transmit
anything that meets both the spirit of that legislation, but also complies with SB180 that commerce can uh accept, but we're going to have those conversations with commerce. We've already had the conversation initially though with Stanberry and and Commerce about about the direction and path to proceed. So, I
just don't want to give the impression that we haven't made that outreach and staff hasn't had that communication. Billy has uh led that conversation. I've been a part of that conversation with com with commerce. Commissioner Atinson, hold on. Commissioner Atinson
in discussion. I would just like to say that I know that Billy has been in communication because I've been in communication with Billy about this. Um, I am not a fan of pushing something mediocre through,
especially when we know that our legislators realize they made a mistake. We have people who are prepared to lead the charge to fix this thing. So, I feel like we should give them the opportunity to fix it and let us send the thing in
its entirety as we intend it to be so it can protect the BBIA and the rest as it should. I don't want to send something that's just watered down. That's how I feel about it. Okay. Uh, Commissioner Alman, sir. Okay.
Commissioner Delaney, if we did wait, um, would that give us an opportunity to possibly look at some of the other elements and, um, possibly make other changes as well?
I know that's not what you want to hear. No. No. So, assuming Florida Commerce is whatever fix happens doesn't change the status we're in today. that that chart I show where everything disappeared then we're back at transmitt stage. So the answer is
yes. Uh there there's much more when we were when the the board last heard this we couldn't make substantial changes because it was post-transmittal and before adoption that that situation would change. Now we're pre-transmitt.
With that being said, um I would I would be in favor of um waiting and I don't I I would bring this up at another time once we uh um know a little bit more of what's going on, but I would love the opportunity to
talk as a board to um I don't know in a workshop or a special meeting or something um to where we could go through the elements um and you know kind of dive into this thing a little bit more and put our stamp on it
with more refreshed public input um and that kind of thing just because there were some uh like I said there were a lot of things that made me really uncomfortable but the flood plane was the biggest one for me but um the portable water issue I know in in my
district that's a huge issue um and there's a whole lot of other things too but um I would I would really love the opportunity to reopen up this conversation to send forward the best thing we can. Morris, did I see that you wanted to say
something? No. Okay. Um, okay. Uh, an interesting point there. If we were to send it up, just playing devil's advocate and then the legislature makes some sub substantial change, wouldn't we have to come back
and and amend this again or possibly it could be rejected again? Uh I'm not sure I So if we would if we follow option two and then they then they fix it. Mhm. Then the next time we do an ear, they'll probably identify that we have to be
more restrictive in the BBIA as well as other changes in state law. Okay. It's uh Okay. Well, we could in the interim the board could process an amendment if if we did option two and they did the legislative fix. The board wouldn't have to wait until
the next year-based amendment cycle. You could transmit another amendment to Yeah. to implement the BBIA, right? Yeah. Once we're in compliance. Once we're in compliance. Right now, you can't. And that's sort of the risk of option one. If something comes along between
now and whenever we're able to transmit fixes that would require you to process a government public initiated comprehensive plan amendment. We can't do that right now because we're not we're not under a a deadline where we're
in danger of being out of compliance. We are out of compliance because of the strange retroactive effect of this. They're saying that we didn't transmit within a year as required even though we did transmit. They're just saying by operation of this law, it never happened.
I have a question regarding that. Okay. Commissioner. Um, realistically, what what would that look like as far as an example of that? I can't imagine a life and death situation. I'm thinking more of like we
can't proceed with a building of some kind or is that what we're looking at? Most likely. Yes. Yes. I mean there's been a couple conversations of I'm sorry of you know a a small small
area study. Well if you know if you did that you wouldn't be able to adopt any changes that come out of that study but you know there are no immediate I don't know of any immediate reason um why being out of compliance will cause a significant impact on the board.
Okay. It's it's my opinion that uh we should wait. We should get it in the proper posture and um not potentially have a conflict with a state when there's the potential that they're going to fix it. So, uh I I
I'll make that motion. Are you taking motion number one then? Yes. Are you okay? So, no. I don't know which one you taking. Number one. I'm sorry. Yep. You're at one. How about if I just say the motion
or need a second? Go ahead, Commissioner Delaney. And then Commissioner, I'll make a motion to accept option number one. Second. All right. Have a motion by Commissioner Delaney. Have a second by Commissioner Atinson. Clerk will call the role. Commissioner Delaney? Yes.
Vice Chair Goodson? Yes. Commissioner Atinson? Yes. Commissioner Alman? Yes. Chairman Felner? Yes. We'll show that. Agreed to 50. Commissioners, thank you for that. Excuse me, Mr. Chairman. Oh, yeah. Oh, uh, on the consultant, I'm sorry. Thank you. Okay.
All right, commissioners. Uh, we need to, uh, I was just going to say I, my thoughts on the lawsuit is that we should not participate and if the consultant works with you well and you think it's the right way forward, then I think that's what we should do. That's my thought.
Okay. So, you want to make a motion to continue with the consultant? Yeah. Is that Yeah. M. Yeah. Mr. Chair would be the motion would be to authorize county manager or his designate to execute any necessary contract amendments or other documents necessary to continue to utilize Bonnie C. Landry and associates
as the planning consultant to develop, adopt and implement amendments to the comprehensive plan in relation to the earbased amendments and implementation of the Bvard Barrier Island Protection Act and authorize the county manager to execute all necessary budget amendments. I have a question on that. That was longer than I thought.
All right. I have a question. is that um would this would it have to come before the board again if it was above the threshold that the county manager is allowed to spend without board approval or this motion would it would this motion
the attorney can correct me but this motion would allow for us the staff to continue on with it without bringing it back to the board. Okay. So, if it's like a million dollars, then we can we can we put a dollar amount. What if we paid to this point?
Um, approximately $200,000. Okay. It's in the You want to the next $200,000? Is that is that Oh, God. I I know, but um um I guess if what Billy, what would be appropriate? Do you have an idea?
Well, it really depends on what the fix is and what the, you know, how drawn out this becomes. Um, I don't think that everything we've done so far is going to go to waste. So, I don't think it's going to reach the same level, but, you know, can I guarantee it? No. But we certainly we can come back to the board if it reaches anything close to that
level. Yeah. If you guys have a level, we'll bring it back. You want you want to you want to half that make you feel better? Yes. Okay. I'll I'll feel better with that, too. Okay. Commissioner, you can make that's your motion. 100,000 up to
100,000. Above that, they they're going to bring it back to the board. So move. Okay. All right. Okay. You second that. Sure. Okay. Second by Commissioner Atinson. Clerk will call the role on the motion. Commissioner Delaney? Yes. Vice Chair Goodson? Yes. Commissioner Atinson? Yes. Commissioner Alman? Yes.
Chairman Felner? Yes. We'll show that agree to 5-0. Thank you very much. Commissioners, we're going to go on to J1. Peter is in the box. Now let me say something uh after that. Okay. Um I think we'll take a five minute break and just so you know we
have uh approximately an hour's worth of public comment on the K section of the public comments. Okay. So let's get through J1 and then we'll take a quick break. Peter. Uh thank you Mr. Chair. Uh so item J1 is the remainder of the marketing support
program grants coming back. Um, in the criteria, it defined $20,000 per commission district to award to events that didn't meet the criteria in the original um program. Um, I don't have
all of the um details for each commission office, so it might be best if if each um commissioner could could uh speak to that to that. But uh other than that, I'm happy to answer any questions.
Okay. Commissioner, Commissioner Goodson, sir, did you want to say something? Uh, yes. I'd like to speak to that. I'd like to give 5,000 to the Wizard of Oz Museum, five to the Space Coast Art Festival, five to the 38th annual Veterans Reunion Memorial Wall, and five
to the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival. Okay, sir. So, we have Commissioner Goodson's amendments there. Um, I just have a comment. Go ahead. If that's okay. Um, I apologize for not
bringing forward my um my uh events. I'm waiting to hear back from one potential event and I don't want them to miss out. So, if it's okay, I'll bring it back next um board meeting for mine. I don't see why we can't do that. Peter, uh, she can bring that back to us on on the final.
Your pleasure, sir. Yeah. Okay. Um, very good. Um, I I had $2,500 that would go back to the cultural, but I want that also to go to the uh Vietnam uh vets or the all veteran reunion um at
Wickham Park for the moving wall. Um, okay. Commissioner Good uh Alman, sir, you're good with your your two. Yeah, same as last year. tend to Green Gables and tend to u tend to the Green Gables to fill that
um in and and let me say something since we're on this item and Peter and I talked about extensively. So, in the in the last calendar year, uh we made uh an appropriation for the from the cultural grants for the moving wall in Wickham Park. And that was a godsend for them
because, you know, the the the the older gentlemen who ran that kind of cycling out and the the newer I call the young guys, but they're the Desert Storm guys um are the young guys. And they were faced with coming up with $9,500 for um
the park. And so that that really did um that went a long way. Uh what we're doing uh allocates 5,000. If the board could get there for the for the other 5,000 tonight, I think that would be um that would be very helpful. I'll put 5,000 towards that.
Okay, that's wonderful. Okay, I appreciate that. Uh I think that's going to give them 10 because I was at 25. Oh, you said five. Okay. Okay. Okay. Five for you. Okay. Okay. So, I'll do last time I check. Are we Are we clear on on that?
So, five from district two and five from district 1. Correct. And 25 and the last 2500 from district 4. Okay. So, that'd be 12,500. Yeah. Okay. That's I think that goes a long way. Okay. That's great. That's wonderful. Okay. Commissioner Atinson,
I'm going to be the stick in the mud and I am just going to simply say that my funds are being returned because my understanding is this is money that's encouraged supposed to encourage tourists and we are currently giving money
to entities that didn't make the cut. So my belief is either we need to change what our requirements are or in my case I choose not to give money in this way. Not that I don't think that all of these
are great entities. I think that they are. I love that they're in the community. But I think that what we need to do is change our requirements here. Okay. We may revisit that in the future. And then on the time being though, um,
we're going to move forward with this. Are we clear on everything? Yes, sir. Okay. So, we need a motion for this. I have a motion by Commissioner Goodson. I have a second by Commissioner Delaney. Clerk will call the role on J1. Commissioner Delaney, yes. Vice Chair Goodson, yes. Commissioner Atinson,
yes. Commissioner Alman, yes. Chairman Felner, yes. Thank you. Thank you. That and that makes things easier for Peter, too. So, commissioners, let's do this. at 6:15. Let's try to be back at 6:20. And again, we've got about an hour of public
comment cards. Okay. Thank you. [Music] [Music]
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No, I'm I'm good, sir. I have a point of order question if that's okay. Yep. Um Morris, would you be able to just um for for everybody out there, I guess that there were some concerns about us taking a vote on the resolution without
doing public comment? And can you just um let everybody know about that procedurally? Sorry to catch you like that. Sorry, Commissioner Goodson just gave me some candy. So trying to make you sweeter. I've got a crackle bar. No, that won't
that won't work. So, in our um in our presentations, reports, and resolutions, there's no um no public comment for those items on that portion of the
agenda. And those aren't considered true action items of the nature. We are statutoily required to hear public comment prior to the board taking action. They are sort of um ministerial in nature. you know, they're they're not
official acts. Um, so we we haven't traditionally and our and the board's rules don't allow for public comment on those actions, but people can talk about them in public comment in later portions of the meeting. Thank you. I just wanted that to be put
out there for the public. Okay, we'll go to the to the cards. Um, Annette Armstrong Rokowski. Okay. Uh, oh,
Annette. Good evening. Mine has nothing to do with Charlie Kirk, so I'm glad to go first. First or last. Um, I do have some handouts if I'm allowed to hand out Sure. of a couple things just for
good evening county commissioners. I have lived in unincorporated Bvard County since birth 1976. Um during this time I have been active in the home building construction industry. I'm a daughter of a builder developer mortgage professor professor
professional and 23 years small business owner including a valued prefer contractor for Bvard County as well as other local municipalities. I have served on boards and served as adisement projects for special interests such as local preference within Bvard
government purchasing and city councils. I tell you all this to create a backstory and to share the passion I have for this community. I choose to live here. I choose to be active in positive growth and advancement and I choose to make Bvard beautiful. I currently live in district three,
specifically Archie Carr, the South Barrier Island Sanctuary. Unfortunately, I come before you this evening to bring awareness to an urgent concern I feel is very misled in Bard County. a department
that is being ran by interimm leadership and with officers that interpreted their job description to fit their personal beliefs and not that of taxpaying citizens. Code enforcement above our county. Over the course of two years, I have been lied to, ridiculed,
questioned, passed from one department to the other with no clear answers, refusal of ordinance definitions, harassed, ignored, and prosecuted. During the September special magistrate meeting that I was ordered to attend and listening to the many cases before me,
it was becoming very unsettling to learn that I was not alone as I thought with many others are being targeted. Unsettling to know that surveillance by helicopter. Yes, that's correct. Code
enforcement complaint. Bvard County Officer Ashton Styron is using Bvard County Sheriff's Office helicopters to take aerial photos of different code enforcement complaints.
This was not my home, thank goodness. However, the same officer Ashton with the knowledge of acting interim director Denny Long did however orchestrate a Bvard County natural resource boat to navigate him to the waterway behind our home to take photos of the seaw wall he
was investigating as being in code violation. A seaw wall that was clearly from Bvar County archived property appraiser photos been in place since before we purchased. Extremely concerning that code enforcement is going to such measures. Can I just finish my last thing?
Ma'am, I'm sorry. We have a lot of cards tonight. I've got 20 of them here. I I appreciate You have my paperwork. Thank you. Pam Castellano. I think I saw her walk out. She left. Okay.
Jennifer Seismore. Good evening and thank you. My name is Jen Seismore. I'm the chair of the Bvard Democratic Executive Committee. I'm here tonight to condemn condemn the passing of the resolution naming today Charlie Kirk Remembrance Day. It was mentioned earlier that perhaps you don't agree
with everything Mr. Kirk has said, but a few positive comments do not outweigh the negative, hurtful, divisive things that he said. Wrapping hateful rhetoric and Bible verses or passing it off as hard truths or real talk doesn't make it any less divisive. It doesn't make it moral and it certainly doesn't make it
right. He has said that highly accomplished black women do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously. Well, I'm a highly accomplished black woman. Don't let my light-kinn fool you. A veteran, a mother, a child advocate, and a servant
to the community, and I can assure you I'm neither an affirmative action pick, nor am I lacking intellect. He also stated that the passage of the Civil Rights Act was a huge mistake. I could go on, but I know my time is limited. Comments like these aren't just controversial, they're harmful. And no,
they aren't taken out of context because for something to be taken out of context, the intent has to change when the context is added. In what context are these comments ever appropriate? They demean and devalue entire groups of people that you, as elected officials, are supposed to fairly represent. So, I
have to ask, are these the kind of comments you agree with or disagree with? Because choosing to honor someone who says such things sends a message to women, to black residents, and to every marginalized group in in Bvard, that our voices and experiences don't matter.
What happened to Charlie Kirk was tragic and people can mourn his death and celebrate his life as they choose. But Bvard citizens deserve leaders who represent all of us. Leaders who focus on bringing people together, not passing resolutions honoring someone whose words divide our community. And let's not
forget today would have been George Floyd's 52nd birthday had he not been killed. That should remind of sorry that should remind us of the importance of justice, equality, and humanity. Values that should always guide the decisions made in this chamber. Thank you.
Thank you. I think it's Pika Marie Gowski. Okay. Marcus Eugenius. Eugenius. No.
Marcos Kathy O'Neal. Hello. Um, I found out this morning that the commission was taking up this resolution. Didn't expect it to be voted or passed on before we got a chance to speak, but I'm sure you already had your
minds made up. Um, and I can see where you would be motivated to honor somebody like that who you feel strongly about their tragic death. Um, as we all see, it's tragedy. But that doesn't wipe out the hateful, divisive rhetoric that he
spoke during his time on this earth. And many people in this community, myself included, I'm sure many people in here, have been disparaged, denigrated, and talked down to by him. And I don't think
that your action of elevating him to somebody of a place that we should respect is worthy of Bvard County. Thank you. Kathy Lawrence, she left. Kathy Lawrence.
Brandy Flanders. George Frasier, I appreciate that you have nice handwriting, sir. Thank you, sir. It helps. I do have something I want to hand out if you're sure.
Good evening, commissioners, staff, and community of Brevard County. I'm retired Colonel George Fraser. I'm also the COO of Motivate Enterprises, the program director of the success center and
associate pastor of the Faith Life Outreach Christian Cathedral. Today I want to thank you again for allowing us to come and talk to you about a project that we're working on for October the 19th. But let me start by saying this.
We recognize that Bvard County under your leadership is booming. But there are many people in our community across the spectrum who are working hard and can't meet the Alice threshold. They are
working their behinds off. And we're we're talking about our first responders. We're talking about our sheriff deputies. We're talking about our teachers. We're talking about great people who contribute to the fabric of this community. And they can't afford to
live here. Some of them they can't afford to get life insurance. They can't afford to just do the basics of life. And so that's the problem that we're here talking about today. But I want to also talk to you about what we believe is the product and the solution. And
that's on October 19th. We are hosting the prosperity and wealth summit at the flock. And it is a highlight for Bvard County because we are hosting a 15 city
national um uh national initiative to bring wealth and prosperity to every zip code in our county and ultimately in the country. How are we going to do that? The Prosperity and Wealth Summit Conference is about teaching people and
talking to people about how to build their generational wealth, how to be able to afford homes, how to be able to break down the barriers associated with small businesses. It's a it's a a one day that is going to kick off a series
of other other events, masterminds, where we're going to be helping to equip people educationally, but equip them also with the tools and the access to be able to overcome those barriers. And so, we want to thank you. I only have about 26 seconds left, but I want to thank you
all for giving us the opportunity to come and talk to you about it. But I also want to ask you for your support. And I know that you guys have already talked about your awards and funds for 2025, but we're going to be continuing this in 2026, and we're asking you to help and
sponsor to be a part of that. Thank you. Yes, sir. Where's where is your event again? It's in Rockidge. In Rockidge. It's in Rockidge, 217 Dixie Lane. Okay. All right. Very very good, sir. All right. Good question, Commissioner Alman. So, I think this is wonderful. I
wonder what are your sources of funding now? Well, our s right now we're we're working with the city of Coco. They're they're providing us some sources and then uh some of the other um um insurance companies, private industry.
Yeah. Is coming forth and helping us out. Definitely look at it. Thank you. Um and it's Colonel. Yes, sir. All right, Colonel. Uh there was another colonel here earlier, Marcus Smith. Now he he's helping you out, too. Yes. Okay. All right. I think he had he had
we were going to go and speak to the Melbourne city council, but we didn't we didn't realize the way you all separated. And by the way, thank you very much for explaining it and thank you for recognizing the how it looked when when we moved beyond that. Okay. So, he had to run down to
Melbourne for tonight. Okay. Well, we're sorry we missed him. Thank you again. Yes, sir. Thank you. Along with George. Okay, sir. Uh did you have a card? Yeah. Okay. Uh, oh yes, very good. Go ahead, sir. You You want to speak? Also, I want to kind of like uh back back up
what uh Tire Colonel George Frasier said. I am also a retired uh master sergeant. All right. Very good. In the army, 23 years, 6 months, 29 days, 4 hours, and 30 minutes. So, uh but you know,
I've been in this community. I've served that amount of years in the military, but I've also served 29 years as a pastor and a leader in this community. Next year, I'll be 30 years in this community. And I've participated in a lot of events in this community. And
reason why I'm so passionate about this is because one of the most powerful tools we can use is education. And as you know, one of the most tragic things we're facing today is financial
illiteracy. And uh the programs that start even from the White House to the governor's mansion all the way to to your level, people are crying out for help to understand how to uh advance in
life, succeed in life. And we're not looking to we're we're trying to get 500 people in this event, but the people that we're reaching can't afford to pay for this event. And that's the reason why we need sponsors to help us carry out this event because the
people we're trying to change, they're going to impact your community. They're going to become positive contributors. I talked with the sheriff of Koko uh and the chief of Coco. I said, you know, when the economy when people uh change their life by becoming a p a positive
contributing economy, it cause a crime to go down. It caused families to become stronger. It caused communities to become brighter because people feel a sense of accomplishments. They feel a sense of significance. So, I'm not
coming to preach a sermon to you, but I'm coming to you to ask you to consider supporting this event because it's a positive event for the community and it affects all races from all different walks of life. We have a multicultural
ministry, but we also have what we call and maybe you don't know about it, but several years ago, we started a su the success center, which is small business incubator that helps businesses get a start, teach them how to start. That's a
free training that we offer through that incubator system. Now we're expanding it to financial literacy and we're trying to help different families rise up to change their status become a positive
influence in community. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. I appreciate it much. Yes sir. I and I think if you if you talk to us with enough advanced notice um for let's say next year um you know whether Bvard County were to were to
sponsor something or provide the venue or something like that um certainly we we could talk about with more advanced notice. I think it's it's pretty hard when it's it's just in well we know it's the end of the fiscal year or the beginning of the fiscal year. We're in the middle of a government shutdown. But we want to have
this opportunity at least to present our program to you. I I and I and I think that's smart. Um I just think uh for the for the future uh come with a little more notice of of your event around August would be awesome. Sure. We'll do it. Okay. Would you like
next time we'll come with a slide show bells and whistle. Okay. Would you mind telling us when your event is, what time it is, where it's going to be? It's going to be October 19th. It's going to start at 2 pm. It's going to be at the Faith Life Outreach Christian
Cathedral, 217 Dixie Lane. If you remember the old Seals Town Mall, it is right on that street. Okay. Uh it sits between where the Blood Bank used to be and U-Haul. That particular building has been reconstructed. Yes, sir.
And so we'd love to see one of you all there. Okay. If you like to come. I mean, uh Rock Ledge City is coming. Coco City is coming and we have professionals that are going to be there that's going to, you know, make this effort very clear for those that are
going to participate in it. Okay, sir. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Uh Kyle Fitz Simmons. No, Kyle. Okay. Uh Deborah
Kappa Gria. Capagria. Ben Candalura. Ben, Brittany Bowman, Justin Harvey. Thank you very much for having me today. My name is Justin Harvey and today I
would like to suggest that Bvard County designate January 27th to be National Gus Gryom Remembrance Day. Gus Gryom was set to be one of the first three men to set foot on the moon through the Apollo 1 mission launching from our very own Kennedy Space Center. Unfortunately, before that could happen, an electrical fire broke out and killed astronauts Gus
Gryom, Roger Chaffy, and Ed White during a training mission inside the capsule. The Gryom family had reason to believe had doubt from the official NASA ruling from the very beginning. Even before Apollo 1, Gryom received death threats which his family believed emanated from within the space program. There were the
threats were so serious he was put under secret service protection and moved to a safe house. According to his wife, Gryom warned her if there's ever a serious accident to happen with me within the space program, it's likely to be me. But why? Gryom was known for being critical and quite outspoken regarding NASA's
ability to put men on the moon. And on January 22nd, 1967, he gave an impromptu press conference with media and stated they were a decade away from a lunar mission. This embarrassed NASA publicly. He was heavily reprimanded for giving this interview without permission. In another instance, he was frustrated by
not being able to communicate with someone just one building, and he said, "How are we going to get to the moon if we can't talk between two buildings?" And most notably, he brought a lemon and hung it in the spacecraft for all the news cameras to see, letting everyone know what he thought about the Apollo program. again embarrassing NASA. And
unfortunately, just 5 days later, on January 27th, 1967, Gus Gryom, Roger Chaffy, and Ed White were burned alive on the launchpad when a fire engulfed their command module during a test flight. Gus told his wife that the CIA was spotted on the launchpad the day before the fire, and they had never been there before. The CIA also came to the
Gryom home, seized his personal documents, including a report he planned to give to his senator. They raided the home and confiscated the belongings an hour before they notified the wife of the death. So, to recap, Gus Gryom is embarrassing NASA in front of the media, calling the rocket a lemon, receiving death threats, warning that something
could happen to him. Then, the CIA is seen on the launchpad for the first time ever, and he's dead the following day. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that there is foul play and a cover up going on here. His wife and sons fought tirelessly for years to get answers surrounding his death, constantly being
met with resistance. And to this day, they maintain that that fire was started deliberately. Did NASA and the CIA murder three astronauts and cover it up? The public deserves to know the truth, and my hope is that this day of remembrance will shed light on what really happened to these three men and get their families the justice they
deserve. I will also be sending a formal request to the federal government to reopen this investigation, and I hope the Bvard County Commission will support me in that effort. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you. Lance Bur Lance. No,
Donna Glenn Smith. Smi. Thank you. I'm nervous because I've never done this before, but I feel I cannot be silent. as a veteran of nine years, my son who was also serving, my father served, my father-in-law served in three wars and
died young because of Vietnam. Um, I believe in the American principles of fairness, equality, compassion, and humanity. However, I need some clarification uh when reading the thing that you did for Charlie Kirk. Um I wanted to you to
clarify possibly I mean maybe this rhetorical what beneficial impacts what just cause and which of his conservative principles are admirable because this is not the gist of what I get when I see
some of the quotes that he made. Um he wanted at one point on his show he said he wanted public televised executions. Um, I'm not sure if you'd like us to go into the dark ages again or the Middle Ages, but that was kind of crazy. Uh,
then he said the following about Nancy Pelos's husband's attacker. Um, he said, "Why has he not been bailed out? If some amazing patriot out there in San Francisco or Bay Area wants to really be a midterm hero, somebody should go bail
this guy out." So, which people kinds of people does he want executed? Does he want not want people who hit other people over the head with hammers? Um because they have different political views. Uh I'm I'm thinking that his
executions might not be fair have been fair if he ever got his wish. Anyway, um I also I'm a scientist and I want to say that there has never been any evidence that the melanin content of your skin,
that's the chemical that makes you tan or gives people different uh complexions, that the melanin content when it increases does not affect competence or intelligence. And so why would he say things like, "If I see a
black pilot, I'm going to be like, "Boy, I hope he's qualified." What airline is going to put a pilot with millions of dollars worth of airplane and people's lives at stake and staff's lives at stake to somebody who doesn't know how to fly a plane or isn't qualified. And
again, someone mentioned his quote about black women do not have brain processing power to be taken seriously. You have to go steal a white person's slot. He was talking about like Supreme Court Justice Katanji Brown Jackson and other people like Michelle Obama. I mean, how is this
American? How does this make us good? How can you um praise a guy and give him his own day when lots and lots of other people have been shot and killed in this country? I mean, I don't I don't get it. Maybe you can explain how this is an American ideal. how saying that the our
worst mistake we've ever made was passing the um passing the um Civil Rights Act in the 60s. That it's insane. I or I'm insane. I'm not sure which.
Thank Thank you. We have other speakers. Thank you, Julia Anton. A lesson my father taught me. Skin color doesn't make anyone special and doesn't make anyone less. It's neither a reward for being special or a punishment for
being less than. It's just what you were born with. Things my Bible taught me. Do not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Do not take the Lord God's name in vain. What my childhood Sunday school teacher
taught me. Being nice to people who look like you, think like you, sound like you, that's easy. That's not even a measure of who you are, or what you are. It's how you treat people who are different than you that determines your character.
Something else Jesus taught me. All are, excuse me, do unto others as you would have done unto you. Love your neighbor as yourself. Something America taught me. All are created equal. And government is here to
serve all of us. The brown ones, the white ones, the old ones, the young ones, the male ones, the female ones, the straight ones, the gay ones, the trans ones, the Christian ones, the Hindu ones, the Jewish ones, the atheist ones. all of the ones.
All anything that doesn't honor that is not deserving and is absolutely shameful. The question before you tonight regarding Charlie Kirk wasn't was he or wasn't he a racist misogynist pig. The
question before us tonight was who are we? Who do we elevate? Do we elevate misogynism, misogyny and racism and sexism? Or do we elevate liberty and justice for all? That was the question
before you. You completely failed the human decency test. Kirk depended heavily on the false claim that being against white supremacy somehow equaled being anti-white.
Oh, good grief. What a bunch of horsehoy. Bearing false witness against his neighbors was his thing. That was his habit. It was his trademark. It was his
way of being. He harmed people. He encouraged racists and he fed them. And tonight you did that, too. [Applause] Ruth Amato.
[Music] Good evening. Um, I spent my morning at the St. John's River Water Management Board and that is what drove me to come here tonight. I have been trying to talk with them and at my last time there they actually had their engineers get with
Bvard County engineers and they were discussing the flooding in North Bard due to the extreme amount of storm water that we take from all of South County and South other South counties on the St. John's River. From that meeting, what we learned was
there's not a plan. There's not a model. They haven't even thought of us. Not even a little bit. In two years, we might have a model. Today, we have the data to prove this is happening. It's been proven.
What we need is action. What we need is action from this board to direct staff to find a solution for the storm water south of us so it stops destroying our land and flooding us in North Breard.
Did you know that since the rains came, we take all of the count all of the water because it bottlenecks on Lake Harney and every single discharge station south of us has over and above discharged the what the the state has a
regulation across the line and it has discharged excessively since then. Meaning that while the king tide stops the St. John's River from flowing out. All of that discharge coming from all of
those pumps, Tilman, Crane Creek, you name it, south of us. When all this storm water, normal storm water can't flow out the St. John's River because Aster was still flooded two days ago from it. It's going to bottleneck in North Bard. What are we going to do? It takes an
entire board. Like we're just as important in North Bard and our homes and our values and our heritage is just as important as central and south boulevard. And currently right now West Mims is its dumping ground of storm water.
We need people to come to the table and come up with solutions, viable solutions, whether it's infrastructure with different drainage to drain out in different places so it gets ahead of our drainage gets out before South County's um drainage gets to us. But we can't
take it all. And we're taking it all. It's costing our land. It's costing people their homes. I know people right now that can't even get down their driveways because they're coming out on a boat. And that's not going to change anytime soon. And this is a problem for Bvard County.
And you guys as a whole are a board for Bard County. And staff need your direction to fix these things. Thank you very much. Thank you. Uh, last card tonight. Marie Theodore Finel.
Marie. No. Is there anyone else who wanted to do a card that we missed? No. Okay. Commissioners, we're going to go on to board report. We're going to end tonight also with an employee
spotlight. Mr. County Manager and board report, sir. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. actually have two reports if I'm allowed to say it. Go hooers. Rank number three in the country. See, make sure they had it spelled right. But seriousness, um, you know, we've had a bunch of rain in the last week. I want
to point out for the commissioners and the and the staff in the in the audience. We had a number of departments working on Saturday. There we go. There's our pictures. We had the utilities department out there, emergency management, communications, road and bridge. They're all out. I'm sure I'm missing some others, but they're all out working Saturday with
the effects of all the rain. Um during the week we had departments that face a lot of difficulty uh because of the ranges getting their job done. That includes the firefighters, law enforcement, parks and recreation, our bus drivers, mosquito control facilities chasing down items. And once again, I'm sure I'm missing others. Um but if you
look at the pictures, I want to do a very special thank you for the road and bridge crew. We had a wash out in Mims. Uh they were looking, I think he called it Bailey Bridge, which I'm assuming is a temporary bridge. Couldn't find one in time. So, the road and bridge crew got together and I'm calling it a temporary bridge, but you can see the efforts that
they went out there and they did it in about five hours. Um, and they got stranded people back connected in the into the road system. So, just want to say to everybody, I couldn't be more proud to be associated with all our employees and all the actions they took over the weekend and through the week. I thank them very much for everything they
did this weekend. I know we join you in that. Uh, Jim, Mr. County Attorney. No report, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Delaney. Yes, I have a report. Um, Logan, if you wouldn't mind. Thank you.
Uh, so, um, I wanted to give a shout out to our fire rescue. um they put on this event uh for basically new um technology and procedures and things like that in
regard to um EMS and uh it was so professionally done, so uh informative and uh had really cool information. Um, I learned a few things which I was happy to to to do and um, you know, because
all of us, I'm sure a lot of people they, you know, get CPR training and things like that so you can help your neighbor. Um, and there was just some really incredible information that was there. Um, it was a an all day event. I only could stay for the first half, but it was still incredible. So, I just
wanted to give them a shout out. Um, and then if you'd go to my next one also, uh, over the weekend on Saturday, we finally had our ribbon cutting for the Valiant Air Command, uh, event space. And, um, it was a very well attended,
uh, ribbon cutting. Um, there were many veteran families, staff, volunteers, um, community leaders. It was it was a great event. Um and they're actually hosting their first event I believe this weekend. So um they're they're going. So
if you're in North Breard or really anywhere and you want to have an event space that's going to be beautiful, air conditioned, heated, um the the rare occasion that we actually need heat, um we finally have a uh you know substantial venue in North Bard and so I
just wanted to highlight them. Um and uh if we could go to the next one please. So, flooding. We had a massive massive amounts of flooding. And just because um our county manager uh brought up the uh I think our
our public works director called it a blowout, not a wash out. Um I have a video that I'll just play into the microphone that I mean the that was the water. I don't know if people can hear that, but it was it was
incredible. And I just I I am so thankful for our public works staff for just jumping in right away. Um for working overtime. I mean, we had people with water in their homes in North Bard.
Um we we had water all over the place, just I'm sure as much as as you guys did as well down in the south end of the county. Um that picture on the on the left um that's Six Mile Creek I believe and that area just a couple months ago I
was able to actually park my car there. Um so and that's um the ditch that's over there is what leads out from Mims to uh the St. John's and it's probably a good 15 20 feet um deep in that picture
and uh so what um one of our public commenters mentioned earlier um you know this is a real a real thing that we're experiencing in North Bard and I know that throughout the whole county we're experiencing some flooding um on the
eastern uh reg the the regional planning council that uh I sit on the board. I was told by the Valuchia um representatives that they actually have a roundt between the county the county
officials, the elected officials um the city elected officials and some of their staff and it's basically a round table so that they can coordinate um with flooding efforts and storm water efforts. And I don't know if that's something that we could look into to
maybe see how we can plan with our neighbors to um try to bring forward some common sense um planning initiatives, storm water initiatives, things that you know um I know that our uh
restrictions in the county are usually a little bit more severe than in cities as far as building goes. And maybe maybe we can have a round table with them and explain to them what's what's going on and what we're experiencing because if they're building to a different standard,
you know, um that results in more flooding for us to deal with. That's not, you know, being a good neighbor. I know that we can't force them to do anything and this would have to be a collaborative effort, of course. Um, but I just wanted to put this on everybody's radar and you know this is this is
something that's not going to go away. Um, it's only going to get worse. We're seeing hundredyear storms, three or four of them in a year. Um, maybe even more sometimes. I've I think that I've seen three so far since since I've been in
office. Um, will you go to the next one for us, Logan? and the next one. And the next one. So, I just um again, I wanted I said it first, but I just wanted to highlight
our public works staff again. They they um as soon as it was clear, they were out there. They were digging ditches um so that some of the water could get flowing again. And filling in this massive um blowout was just incredible.
I was I was so thankful for them. Um if we could go to the next one, please. All right, that's it. Oh, and um the one last thing I wanted to bring up was I didn't know if um so our our planning and uh zoning board, they asked if we
would either join the lawsuit or possibly write a letter. And so I heard the board say that they're not ready to um move on the lawsuit, but I didn't know if there was any um support for writing a letter to just um
share a heart with the legislature about um how we feel in regard to home rule and SB180's effect on that and maybe that could be something that we could we could share with them. Um, is that is
that something that we could do? It's it's my opinion that we should meet with our uh legislators individually and discuss that. Um, I I I don't know that a a letter on on this at at this time um
when they're considering the issue is is the right way to go. That's my opinion. But I think we should just I talk to legislators all the time and I and I think we should do that. That's what I think is the most meaningful. But I'm sitting here with two former members. Maybe they can weigh in on that as well.
Why not? I would just like to say that I've had a lot of conversation with our state representatives and they are all the ones I've spoken to are all on board about fixing it. So, I don't want to upset somebody by sending a letter when they've already told me to my face that
they're working on it. Is that just in regard to the area of critical state concern or is it the home rule issue in general of it? Okay. Because I I've heard the opposite. So, that's why I'm I'm wondering. I'll I'll tell you that I think we ought
to wait until we see a bill. Okay. And then um and and then we can decide there either collectively or individually um to I mean I don't I don't necessarily um you know wait for a commission meeting to pick up a phone and call a
legislator. So but I think we I think we should wait until uh we can we can see something um that you know is is tangible in the way of a bill. So thank you. Okay. Okay. Uh, Commissioner
Goodson, sir. No report. Okay. Commissioner Atinson, no report. Uh, Commissioner Alman, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, just a quick report. Uh, we really got some fantastic news at the last TPO meeting. I thought I'd bring it up uh here before
the the board. Um, under the Trump administration and the legislation that's passed, the staff at the TPO, quoting them, have never felt more positive ever uh than before that we
will very possibly get funding for the new Bright Line Rail Station in Coco. I I'm extremely excited about that. That's a huge game changer for Bvard County and all of East Central Florida. and I hope that we can do whatever is necessary to
help make that happen. And they mentioned specifically federal Yes. the federal grant. I think that they're right. They've been applying for a federal grant. Yeah. And the amount of money that was in the federal budget to support rail and the Trump administration seems to be very very supportive of what we're
doing. So there's some positive news there. And um I don't have more information, but I'm sure we can get it from the It's a new grant as well. So, the other one's sunset and this one's a a new one that is coming from the Trump administration. So, that was great.
All right. Um, commissioners, we're going to finish up with uh we've done this several meetings. Um, our latest recruitment and employee spotlight video produced by Space Coast Government Television features Misty Shyra from
Planning and Development. My name is Misty Shyra. I am a special projects coordinator for and I've been working with the county for seven years now. Planning and development in our department, we're helping the community. So whether you're a homeowner, a
contractor, a developer trying to develop land, we're going to help to make sure our community is safe and to make sure our buildings are being inspected. Being a county employee, you are never stuck in one position. I started as a certification specialist one in the planning and development
department. I did not have county public experience. So I joined the contractor licensing team. Grew from there into a certification specialist two and eventually a three and grew in that role to get promoted to a department
supervisor in that section. It's very typical of the county for advancement opportunities to be a part of that succession planning. We have to grow in our team, inspire them to grow, focus on their individual development plans. We're going to guide them to go through
those employee development programs. I think there's nothing but room for advancement for my growth here at the county. Coming here has offered me nothing but endless benefits, support, stability. Coming from the private sector, there were times where I didn't have a lot of benefits. I didn't have
health care. And with a young family, it was really important to me to come to the county and and seek the benefits that are offered here to us. I have nothing but support through medical care, vision, dental, everything that I wasn't afforded in the private industry.
Tuition reimbursement program is one of the benefits the county offers us that I am a champion for. I am a lifelong learner, but I decided late in life what I wanted to be when I grow up. And it was kind of the county that helped me figure that out along the way. I decided
I wanted to go back to school. So, I became a student at Eastern Florida State College and achieved my associates degree in 2023. I've really learned through this role that I want to continue that education. So even today I
have just started my bachelor's journey with Eastern Florida and I'm going for uh bachelor's in public administration. So if I were to suggest for someone to come here and to apply for the county, I would tell them to come to one of our job fairs so you can talk to the staff
and really learn about the roles of our jobs and then we can walk them right through applying while they're here on the spot. The county is always hiring. I think that's always a misconception is you don't have to wait for those job fairs. Feel free to look at the county website. We are in need of so much help
to help our community. Are you interested in a job like this? Apply today at www.bardfl.gov. Very good. Yeah. Nicely done. Nicely done, sir. Is that it? That's it. Thank you everyone. Have a
good night. That's it. The opinions expressed by any member of the public during any period of public comment do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the board of county commissioners of Bvard County, Florida, Space Coast Government Television, or the program sponsor and are solely those of the presenter. The board of county
commissioners of Bvard County, Florida, Space Coast Government Television, and the program sponsor hereby expressly disclaim any and all responsibility or liability for any defamatory or slanderous statements expressed by any member of the public during any such period.
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