Is there anything else? >> Is this one >> It is. >> Oh, I see it. Yeah, it is. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, this is the rescheduled Amtrak meeting Thursday, July 2nd, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in City Hall. We have a quorum for the meeting. I'm
going to open up the meeting just to sort of recap where we are as an advisory board. You may have heard or if not, Martin Van Walsum has tendered his resignation. He submitted that to the mayor and council and it was accepted,
respected his desire to do so. So, we're going to be looking to nominate a chair here today. But before we do that, I just wanted to talk a little bit about the construct of the advisory board and moving forward how we can sort of work together on this.
Um In the past, there have been different initiatives and projects that the city Dennis, could I ask you to turn that down? Thank you. Sorry. Um has come to this committee on and asked for your input. Recommendations,
modifications to something that we're, you know, making a change to, whether it be fees, whether it be beach concessions, any of those things. We would continue along that pathway. And I'll talk about one or two that may be coming up in the fall as a consideration. The other part of it is,
I'd like to ask if amongst the committee you could organize, if you have a list of projects that you're considering working on or are working on, I'm not aware of all of those. I know them by title, but I don't have any of those details. I would ask if someone
could be the point person to organize those, okay? And what I would ask for you to do is just give some type of an explanation. What's the intent? What's the purpose? What's the achieve, you know, what are you looking to get out of looking at a particular initiative or
a project or something to that nature. Um, I would then share those with the mayor and council. What I'd like to be able to do is give them the benefit of looking at them so that we're valuing the time, energy, and expertise of this committee um, because
there are times, one, that there may be an initiative or project that you want to work on that the council at this point in time may not really feel is appropriate or has the appetite for, you know, I'm just being honest and frank. And I don't want people to feel frustrated by spending a
lot of time and energy on something that does not result in being put forth or being implemented. Um, so I'm just being, you know, aware of that. The The ordinance on the books that's been on the books for 2 years, I'm sorry, resolution that is associated with all,
you know, advisory committees, just talk talk to the council liaison and what my role is and and each of us who is on one of those advisory committees has a similar role. To take a message back between the council and the mayor
and the committee. So if we if you could do that, it would be really helpful. That way I can make sure that if there's something that you want to work on or are working on that I'm letting them know that in advance and they can give me some feedback or recommendations on
well, that sounds great Maureen, but maybe we want them to take a look at this instead or you know, a different direction on it or a different vantage point etc. Does that make sense to everyone? And I'll open it up for discussion. Please
give me your feedback now. >> Uh so yes, I appreciate I appreciate those comments very much. I think my sense >> [clears throat] >> is that um that that position has not been clear.
So my sense is that the committee I'll I'll I'll take it personally. I signed up. I I served up my candidacy to be on this committee as an opportunity to contribute
uh to making the city you know, a better place through some creative thinking and working with like-minded individuals. And my sense more recently has been
more of a position that the committee needs to do what city council tells them to do. And if that's the case, I don't Listen, I'm I'm super busy and I'm sure everybody else has lots of things going on in their lives and I that's not what I
signed up for. So my my perception is and I I'd be interested actually in your perception Maureen. Your perception as to why we lost Martin as the chair of this committee because
my perception has to do with that topic. >> Okay, I'm he tendered his resignation. That is the only explanation I can give you. There was no other explanation that I that was included in that communication. I would say ask him. Ron, back to your point there is this is
not limiting creative thinking. This is just asking as an advisory board that works at the direction of council and the mayor for them to have the opportunity to know what it is that you're thinking. There are times and you know, that some of the subject matter
can be sensitive sensitive whether it be to residents or commercial the commercial property owners or businesses. And so we just want to have an understanding of what that is. My role is just a message. My role is not gatekeeper. And let me
make that very clear and I'll say it again. My message is not gatekeeping. My message is to to take the information that you want to work on and share that with council. There have been initiatives at times that have come up for discussion and I've taken them and I
have been given feedback from my fellow council members and the mayor. No, we're not interested in taking a look at that right now. Um and that is just you know, I'm going to be honest with you. That may happen. So I'm trying to be respectful of the fact that the people who serve on this committee are all very
busy individuals. Um and we value your time and energy and the expertise and your backgrounds and your professional accoutrement. What I want to do is be respectful of that and balance it. And so that's where we are. I would say
give me a chance to to work on that with you and if you still feel the same way at the beginning of the year then you know, we can talk about it. >> Sure. >> Um but you know, I'm I'm working off of what is a resolution that that passed it I didn't write it.
You know, it was Give it to me like it was given to, you know, Steve Bodner for environmental and Lorraine Baldwin for beach advisory. It's all the same. >> I guess uh yeah, it'd be helpful to to have that resolution. I guess I could look it up, but maybe you could uh send
that around to >> Okay. >> everybody just >> Yeah, it's in the packet for reorg. Um so, I can I can share this with you now. >> around so we can read it. Yeah. I I would just say I you know, I've been a member of this committee from pretty much the beginning. I think Dennis, right? Uh and
my only, you know, com- comment would be a couple comments would be that when I looked at the the list of of all the things that, you know, and Dennis did a great job before of, you know, keeping track of all the uh you know, the the projects and recommendations that came out of the
committee and where it stood, you know, with council, etc. and a study, which of course was made available to council uh on a regular basis. Council got this. And I would suggest, and and I could be wrong, but I would suggest the vast majority of what's on this list that's
been accomplished >> Mhm. >> did not come from council. It came from this committee. It came from this committee and from the discussion that took place within the committee. And I would hate to see that aspect of it. And when you say, you know, if we have an initiative, you
know, write it down and put it in organized fashion so you could take it. Well, a lot of this stuff was just from discussion in the committee. >> But I I have to be honest with you. None of this has been shared with me. I'm not pointing any fingers. I don't know what you were working on.
So, other than the topic that would appear on an agenda. >> Well, there wasn't I don't know which topics you're talking about. We didn't >> Well, uh I think >> of something we'd be aware of. >> Uh accessory dwelling use. I did not
know why that was on on topic for Amtrak. It's a planning board and zoning board issue. Uh master plan re-examination. I I didn't know >> that it's exclusive. There's things that we can add to these discussions as >> that I'm I'm not here to argue that, but
before it would get to something that Amtrak might be involved with, it's been on the books for quite some time. And I think that the planning board and zoning board haven't made any modifications and changes to it. So, you know, >> What's the What's the harm in discussing
it? And if the time comes, then we can be prepared and say, "We've been discussing this as well, and these are our thoughts as a revenue >> that is perfectly fine. I just didn't know what it was that you were discussing in the context of that particular topic. >> I haven't been to a meeting in several
months, so I don't know either. I just But I see how it could apply to us. >> I'm just using an example. >> Yeah, I I think my I I may be wrong here, but I think most everything has been pretty much discussed in the committee. Most everything.
That I can That I can think of, Marine, to be honest with you. There may be an exception or two. Not saying there aren't. >> Okay. >> But I would say, when you look at this list of 20 What was it? 24 things, Dennis, that you worked on, they were all discussed openly in the meeting.
>> I'm only talking about right now. >> So, I I I guess I would I would offer >> [clears throat] >> perhaps a slightly different uh uh propose method for going forward, which would be for again, uh
you know, the Amtrak committee, of which you are certainly a valuable member of the Amtrak committee, that the committee um I'll really oversimplify it and says say, "Work on whatever the committee
wants to work on, honestly, as as independent or as a as a committee of volunteers as long as it is legal and ethical and you know all of those things and that the that the committee as
respected volunteers in the in the community have the opportunity to present the results of that to city council and that city council obviously has the decision authority to say yes or no to whatever it is that the committee has
>> for a list in advance that's all that's all I was really asking for I'm not saying that can't be done and also know that the methodology that it it is it is a written document that gets sent to the city clerk and then she shares it with council and then council makes a decision as to whether or not they want
a formal presentation or want the information to go for further so just want to clarify >> I personally don't want to work on anything I don't care what the results are if city council
has in its mind that it doesn't care so I think that's a waste of all of our energy here is the point you know so we made we made come up with a great idea and we may come up with facts that we think are
very helpful and city council might say I don't want to hear about it I mean what you know there's multiple reasons for that and one of them is could be this is an election year and guess what you know it if we're working on something that's
sensitive for them they're not going to want to hear about it maybe later understood I get that but all I'm saying is that you know I know I know how council can be and I
understand the reasons for why they do what they do and all I I think we should keep on coming up with all the ideas we want to and we can we can talk all we want in this in this forum here, why not? Um, however, to get into a lot of
work that's going to go nowhere is not what I want to do. >> fairness, Michael, though, we did previously [clears throat] decide not to tackle something when the liaison told us that, hey, you know, now's not the time. And we didn't spend
a lot of time on that. We talked about it. >> Mhm. >> And we said, well, we'll put it on a we'll put it on a list for later discussion. Maybe it comes up next year. >> And I think that's all she's saying that >> that's fine. >> the way it could work. >> Well, I think I heard more than that, though. It wasn't a
it wasn't as formalized as what you're saying, Maureen. It it really wasn't. It was an open discussion and it allowed people to be creative and and come up with things. And let's face it, you're right. What we we may have a mayor change, we may have three council we have three open seats, right? Coming
up. Guess what? Next year's council may think that idea is brilliant. And most of what we worked on wasn't something that was implemented within 6 months. My goodness, you know how it works here. Most of what we worked on were things that went out 1 2 3 years.
I mean, if you look at the list of things that's that's how it all happened. It wasn't it I mean, at this point 26 is done. 27 is pretty much done. I mean, it's a little bit done. So, that's all I'm trying to say. And look, I I get it
and we I agree with you. I agree with you, Maureen. I agree with you, Michael, that I don't want to waste a lot of time on things that the council really thinks is totally out of bounds. Of course not. And we said that before. We we were in the meet when
Dennis ran the committee. We had things that Dennis wanted to work on and we all sat around and voted and said, no, this probably doesn't we have more important things to work on right now that are more immediate. So, let's put them >> So, all I would ask is what is it that you have on your list to
>> right now. >> Oh. >> This is a This is a discussion. >> Oh, okay. All right. So, so there's >> I was using I was using the list of 24. >> Okay. All right. And I I think we would all acknowledge, and Dennis is in the room, that the work that Dennis did was at a time when Here's a couple of things
that are factual. The city was not very sophisticated in how they analyze fees on a consistent basis. There were no objective metrics. There was no analysis when you went in to do a negotiation for shared services or contracts. >> Great example. >> All of these things, since I've been on
council, have changed tremendously. Every effort that I've been involved with, and I think Dennis knows this, has been with objective measures. The shared services agreement that we just executed on with the police contract, I was intimately involved with. I spent months
working on the analysis, the objective criteria, and the methodology on how that will be applied. >> about This isn't about >> No, I I'd like to finish. >> about you. >> No, and it's not What I'm trying to say is the city was not very sophisticated at that time. And so, the opportunities
that Dennis brought forth, and the ideas that he brought forth, were ones that this city had never even considered as a business unit. And some of those things have certainly been applied and have been to tremendous benefit to the city, and have changed the way the city
operates. And it's all good. I'm not saying don't you know sit here have discussions. I'm just asking to have an idea of what it is that you want to discuss. That's all. That's really what it comes down to. >> Well, you're on the committee. >> No, I was Well,
>> Then why >> I'm the council liaison. >> by that is you're you're a liaison that sits at committee meetings. >> I sit at the committee meetings, but I'm only here to liaison. I'm not here to influence your decisions. I'm here to communicate back to council and the
mayor on some of the things that Amtrak is taking a look at. >> No, but in the past, Marine, we have asked you whether or not this was something that you thought that council was interested. >> And I've taken some of those messages back at times where some you know, I'm not here to argue with you. I'm just I'm just I'm trying to move this forward
um in some form or fashion. >> Well, I guess the question I have for back to you then is this. If you're or if you're saying the city has basically come out of the dark ages and now, you know, does things in a very
rigorous way. We have totally you know, revamped the way that we go through our process and and analysis etc. And really at this point maybe there's not a need for Amtrak. >> I would say to you that there's still we
value your your review of things. The fact that you've taken a look at things in a different way. On one side of this, I may come to you in this in the fall and say here's two things I'd like you to look at and give us feedback on. One of the which is
we're we're going to do a look back and see what the impact was. This is not so much an analysis but an impact on how we change the parking fees for the business district. Two things that we did there. We changed the fees and then we also took off the three-hour time limit. We're trying to figure out what is that
impact? Are you having cars parked there longer and therefore potentially restricting or constricting turnover and is it negatively impacting, you know, the experience of people wanting to park in that district? We don't know that. We finally got access to Parkmobile and we think we can get to that data with a lot
of work on the part of Paul. But we're hoping we could get there. There's some other things that might be coming up in the 27 budget that again you know, this think tank has been very valuable in looking at that and providing feedback and different perspective. I know those things should
still occur. We still value this you know the citizens and the volunteers on that. All I'm asking for is in this, can you just give me an idea of what it is that you would are working on, like to work on, or you know
I don't know. I don't have a >> I guess I may maybe I'll I'll try one one more comment. When I think about the things that you just illustrated uh uh for example, the city would like to you know to look at some analysis on uh parking fees. I
that's fine. I would say I believe a better way would be for the city to hire a financial planning and analysis person and and they could do that in a heartbeat and I I I have less interest in spending >> And that's not going to be on you on you, Brian.
>> Yeah. No, I just I I'm just but but when I think about the opportunity for the talent that we have in this room, I guess I think the fundamental question is is are we taking advantage of the talent in the room for their ideas to decide on
the right things? Or or is it that no, no, the city and the people that we've elected to that, they know best to begin with and they will tell us whether or not these ideas are the right ones before the the work has been done because they know more and and for sure
they are more intimate with some of the inner workings of this. I don't I don't deny that, but I would I would hope that the elected uh officials would welcome uh the input if if this team feels like another topic painting all the buildings purple, just
for example, were the right thing to work on, I would hope then that the city council would say, "If you guys all think that painting all the buildings in town purple is the right thing, I would love to hear why why you think that because we value the opinions of
this team. So that that obviously a ridiculous example, but that that one as an example, I would fully expect you to just the city council say, "Nope, we don't want you working on that, so don't." And that basically says that the people in this room have no idea what they're talking about because if they
really thought paper painting all the buildings purple were the right thing to do, I would I would be disappointed that city council knows so much as to say, "Nope, that is completely off limits." So I think that's where the that's where the stumbling
>> I'm not I'm just not articulating this well. I am not trying to limit you in any way. I'm just asking for the benefit of knowing what it is that you want to work on. That's all. >> Yeah, and I guess the piece I'm I'm uh confused with Marine is I thought I I
just assumed that the liaison that sat on at these meetings I don't think we ever had a meeting without a liaison here. Would therefore know what was going on because every topic I thought was discussed at the meeting.
That's where I'm confused. >> [clears throat] >> If that makes sense. >> I'll try and be delicate. There were things that weren't necessarily always shared with me and certainly not, you know, um in advance. Um uh and I tried to message that.
So. >> And they were brought up here in the meeting? >> At times, yes. >> Okay. All right. Well, anyway, I Yeah, that I don't know about, but I'm just talking about the time I've been on. I mean, I I I found it very
refreshing. It's been a great uh exchange of ideas, a lot of different perspectives, and uh that's the piece I'd I'd hate to see um >> And it Russ, if anything that I said gave you the impression that that was not going to continue, that is not what
I'm saying. Please. >> Yeah, because I don't I I mean, maybe some of us are going home and thinking of all the creative ways that we can screw up the city, but most of us aren't. I mean >> And you're not >> [laughter] >> And I don't want anyone leaving this room believing that that's the message
I'm trying to give. I am not trying, and I'll say this again, this is not about gatekeeping. This is just about me getting further aligned with what this committee wants to do. >> Well, I think >> And I And I I'm going to be honest with you, that has not been the case. And I'm going to just leave it at that.
>> Yeah, well, hopefully um hopefully you would be because I think that I I agree that the liaison should be understanding what's going on in in this in this in this meeting. I I have no disagreement with that. I just I just don't
I think I said what I said said. I mean, I I I sort of agree with Ron, too, that you got to you I found that that if if if somebody on, you know, Michael brought up an idea and then Kelly added to it, and then Russ added to it, and then, you know, that
that's where a lot of that discussion took place, and and Dennis was was great at that. He you know, he he kept us thinking in that way, and you know, >> And and I would just say to you, as a council member, I'm not going to get
into a confrontation at a committee meeting with with volunteers. So, you know, I I I tried to do some of this behind the scenes, and that's all that I'm trying to be honest with you about. Um so. >> Yep. Okay.
We didn't hear from everybody. Does anybody else have comments? >> Um I don't see the harm in writing down what we're working on. We used to do it all the time with Dennis. I haven't I think this might be my first meeting in 2026. So, I am a little bit in the dark on
what we're working on. So, it would certainly be helpful helpful for me. And, you know, if anyone has the list in their head, let's put it on paper. >> Yeah, it sounds like more to me that it's not a static list you're asking for. It can be dynamic and we could add
to it over time. So, I think it sounds like the best of both worlds. >> Yeah. So, I mean, if there's the next meeting is not scheduled I'm sorry. The next meeting I'm sorry. Bob, I'm I apologize. Until October. So, we have time and that and partly for
there's a lot going on right now in the city and a lot going on I'm sure in all your personal lives, too. So, I did it I kept that was the scheduled time. I kept it on there I figured to give us some time to regroup, organize that, get feedback going bidirectionally on on
what is currently on the list, who's going to take the lead on it, who's going to work on it, you know, whatever it might be. Um, and you know, and what is needed and necessary. Um, and then, you know, get back together in October. I know that Paul and I have one agenda item that's
already teed up. It's just sharing with you some of the parking analysis data. I think it's important work with a time was spent on that in this meeting in this group and wanted to provide you feedback along with taking a look at it from the city's perspective to understand the impact. Um, and there may
be one or two other things that we we we've been talking about um not ready to share yet, but may very well be in October that have to do with implications for the 2027 budget. So, um that's on our side of the table. So, on your side of the table, you know, you
may come up with ideas between now and then, quorum, subcommittee, or whatever it might be. Um, and come to that meeting ready to prepare um something to discuss at this table with your colleagues. >> Bob.
Some of us we all know that can be I'm sorry. Uh, political we're between, you know, and we don't want that and I think we try hard to stay out of the politics even though we know it's going to go to the politicians to make the final
decision. I mean I've heard both sides and I I know where Russ is coming from. Ron, I and it's it's a it's a tough call for you. You got to sit there and like
Yeah. But I think the committee's done well in the past and I I would assume it's going to do well in the future and and why not? We got some smart people here, smarter than me. >> [laughter] >> So can't go too wrong, I don't think.
I'm sorry. >> I mean, one of the topics that we were getting into somewhat was obviously how well um you know, the policies we put in place were actually um being being followed.
Uh, did we have enough enforcement folks to make sure that for instance that somebody that advertised as a a home that rented for 14 and we're only paying for two that we did something about that. And uh so that was certainly one of the things
that we felt it did have an impact on uh it was a fairness issue as well as a revenue issue for the for the city. So I know for one that was that was something that I felt that we were sort of starting to move into the whole enforcement issue.
>> Well, I I do have an update to give after we got through some of this business on the mercantile licenses for this year, but if you we can parking lot that and I can give that when we're we're done with this. >> Other than that, I don't know. We we finished with the parking analysis that >> Mhm.
>> I didn't was were there a bunch of other things that were sitting out there? I mean, we sort of talked about some of the things we'd like to work on, but that never went anywhere. Did it run? I mean >> No, I think I mean my own perception is yes, we've talked about a number of
things. I know and and I'm honestly have I'm a little worried that I was the origin of this. I had suggested before that we we get together a a vision and a mission
for this team so that we can align and this is me applying my what I do as a consult you know, what my my day job kind of thing in my retirement. And so that was my intent was let's get everybody aligned on what we're trying
to accomplish and >> So do you know that there is a there already is one? >> Well, so I am aware that there has been one in the past and that there's a that there is a um resolution. I am [clears throat] aware
of that. I I feel like it's always good for a current committee to align we don't have to start from nothing, but for for the committee to align on whatever that should look like. I that just as a matter of practice so that
everybody can get you know, their heads together and agree on that. And I know so I have been asking Martin to um to align on that and and I my concern is that that was the thing that put it over the edge to say I am
you know, that that Martin was resigning as the chair of this committee. In fact as far as I know he's not resigned actually from the committee. He has resigned as the chair of this uh of this committee. And so that's what I'm a little worried about. I I still believe that the right answer that the
right thing to do is to spend a little time as a committee and get really lined up on what we feel like we can do for for the city. And that it's it's fine if we don't want to do that. It's no no concern, but again I guess I go back to
the a couple examples you gave Maureen and say, you know, we'd love to see the analysis on the parking and and those kind of things which is fine. I'm less interested in that. So I I again I don't think I'm a good use of your time. I would suggest let's go hire a an
FP&A person and and we'd probably get some really great analysis out of that as opposed to me and I can't speak for anyone else on the team. So that's where I I would feel like the right answer is let's let's really get together as a team and and
line up on a vision and say here's what we think and we we had brainstormed before and we have not necessarily aligned on very many things and my the other piece is I feel like is again, not speaking for anyone else
here. The person that did the far my perception is the person that did the far most amount of work on this team is not sitting at this table today. You know, most recently it's been it's been Martin and so who has done just a a lot of work
and I and for whatever reason, you know, didn't line up with how best to interface you know, with with you Maureen and how how that how we can make a a really good relationship there, but I think um
that that is a it's sad to me that we that we got to the point where Martin said I'm I'm you know, share. >> Dennis did the far amount of share of work beforehand as well. I I my the number of exhibits that I that we have from Dennis that
could fill up >> Yeah, again, which is why I really think that's that does not that does not connote to me a highly functioning committee. That connotes to me a you know, somebody who is who is doing a bunch of work and get some other some
other people's opinions and I again I I can only speak for for what how I want to spend my time which is >> But then we all we all had input on it. Yeah, I don't know. I mean I I I heard about this mission thing too. I I would
just say this. I mean I've been in as you have Marine I mean in the corporate world you look at your mission and vision every 5 years and it's been at least 5 years for this committee and I think the HPC just went through the same process. >> And I had a conversation with city solicitor. Specifically about that.
And that was you know, they are a commission. Protecting a historic designation. Every other mission statement that's developed for advisory boards is done by this you know, the city solicitor is it when the committees are put together.
Um If there's a significant change in the direction of that group or you know, whether it be let's just say it started off I'll give an example as the bicycle committee and then they added the pedestrian and then they would have rewarded it kind of a thing. It's my only example I can come up with in my
mind or something changed about beach advisory committee or the library advisory committee. So those things come out as a result of reorgan you know, so it it internally driven was with the city solicitor writing that
with John Becker. That particular example Ron and that's HPC's and I think that was done to my understanding really to make sure because they are public facing. Very much public facing
and but at the same time in a protection you know, mode because of the historic designation to balance the two to be able to say to people when you're coming in please understand we're doing this for this specific reason And to make sure that people understood
that it was just not the people sitting around the table wanting to, you know, create havoc in their lives or be difficult, but that there was truly a mission that was beyond what was occurring in that room. That is my understanding of how that came >> That's what makes sense. >> Yeah, that makes all the sense in the world.
>> And I'm not saying you can't I you know but >> I mean I I what I don't know. I mean if if one of the members of the committee wants to to have us revisit that and and say gee, does this still fit? Is it great? And great or there things that that the
committee would like to see tweak, go back to the city solicitor and it's like >> Exactly. >> Hey, you know, this is what maybe we wouldn't mind this little tweak here based on, you know, what's going on. >> Yeah. >> Uh isn't that a doesn't that fit with the model that you just spoke of?
>> Yes, and I attempted to do that. Additionally to leave. I'm just not going to get in you know I attempted to do that. >> We could review it and say, yeah, this is it. >> This is it. >> That's what we're doing. >> [laughter]
>> All I All I was trying to do was to find out the why. >> [clears throat] >> And to say there is one. What is the intention and purpose of this? And >> The new members on the committee wouldn't be a bad thing to go through the mission once again anyway,
>> Exactly. No. And I I that's that's as far as I got with it to be perfectly honest with you. So, I I really don't didn't want to spend a lot of time on sort of how we got to this point. I can do that with any of you offline. I am more than happy to talk about it. Um not
really, but I will. I respect that. Well, only because there's not anything that I can do or change about it. >> You know, >> I think it's an important discussion [clears throat] though Maureen because I I mean let's face it, we're you know, it's changed and and and and
it's helpful as a committee to understand, you know, what the new parameters are and and uh >> I I I I would just say Russ, these are these aren't new. I'm just trying to bring some clarity to what has been out there and, you know,
>> Well, okay. >> Okay. Yeah. >> I hear what you're saying. >> Yeah, that's all. That's all I'm trying to do. >> On that on that subject, I too came from the corporate world. Now I I'm not corporate anymore. I have
my own business. And guess what? Uh yeah, but I had I don't have mission statements. I had enough of the mission statements when I was in the corporate world and I hated revisiting them every 5 years. Um because it was a, you know,
if you ask me it can be constraining. I thought we wanted free thinking, free flowing. Why don't don't narrow our focus with uh you know, something that's And again, I'm good, you know, let's look at the mission statement and we might be might
be happy with it. Um but I'm not I'm not interested in working up a new one. >> Good. >> So, I'll I'll be silent at that meeting. And everybody else can I'll be glad to listen, but I'm not contributing.
>> [laughter] >> Which is why you work for yourself now. >> That's why That's right. That's why I'm on that island all by myself. [laughter] Just just my two cents. >> So, um can we move on just for a moment cuz I would like to open it up for nominations
for um an advisory board chair? Um and I've had a conversation with Mike um and he's willing to serve if anyone would like to put forth Mike as nominating him as the chair. >> Sure, I'll put forth >> Okay, do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. Um all in favor?
>> I. >> I. Thank you, Michael, for serving. Okay. >> Thank you, I think. >> Yeah. >> All right. I'm just going to bring up I'm just going to give you an update on mercantile and then we can go back to open discussion. Okay? Um, so mercantile licenses for 2026,
um, at present there are 1,354 um, mercantile licenses that have been issued. Um, at present there are about 155 that are missing some aspect or required data. Um, this could be anything from they didn't get their fire
inspection scheduled, they didn't pay the complete fee, uh, they didn't submit their insurance form data, um, etc., etc. Uh, some these are at this point on their third month of fees being assessed for
late fees. Um, they are July 1st, the third month was starting. Um, I I spoke with Aaron later earlier today. Um, she is will be circling around with the city manager and code enforcement, um, as to what the next
steps are. Some of these, um, may have already received notices or letters and haven't responded to those. So, I just wanted to give you an update as to where things stood for this season. And Paul Yeah. Yeah, and Paul's going to give you some comments.
>> So, I can give you a little bit of comments on that. The, um, I think last month there were like 300 over 300 that were delinquent or outstanding in that list. Code enforcement sent out notices to those
300 plus. So, we kind of cut that almost in half. You know, as far as we had a flood of people come in and, you know, they got their 10-day you have 10 days to comply or you're getting a ticket, so to speak. So, next week they were sent out in three batches. So, next week code
enforcement's going to start reviewing, okay, these are have been checked off the list and as those 10-day people are up on their 10 days, they're going to start getting tickets in the mail starting probably next week. And we'll work from them.
And we'll whittle down those 130 and >> is that core is there a correlation between the whatever the 1324 and one whatever that number is, 1500 100 call it. Is that correlated to the database from the I forget the company we were at.
>> So so this is not these aren't this is these are total mercantile. I don't think right these are right this isn't just the short-term rentals, correct? I think that 130 outstanding are Is that just >> ever asked for the short-term rentals.
I'm not necessarily looking at seating and all of those other things. We've never sort of got into >> Okay, I'll I'll have to circle back with Aaron and because we have other ones that are non-compliant that aren't not short-term rentals. >> So of the short-term rentals then has
there been a I don't really care about the number. Is there has there been a correlation between what we think have should have required a mercantile license and the and the mercantile license that they actually did or is that >> This number is consistent with prior
years. So I did confirm that with Aaron specifically. So yes, and I will full disclosure we did not renew the license with Rental Scape for this year. And the reason was is because it was $20,000 and it was not really a value from an
ROI standpoint. We did not although it was very sophisticated and it really drilled down and and it took us a long time to find it but they were unwilling to work with us on a better price point and we had let very little utility for it.
And so for $20,000 um know, the the decision was made this really is not something for us to continue to invest in. Um these numbers, as I said, have are consistent with last year, so we don't think that we're losing anything um on that. So, I just wanted to share that as, you know, full
disclosure. >> And it was also they weren't scrubbing the electronic data for a lot of, I'll say, the real estate company. >> Yeah. >> You know, the I'll say the private real estate companies. I know you did a lot of work on, you know, scrubbing those. So, it it it didn't get us the bang of
for the buck of, yeah, it searched the the Airbnb and the Verbo that are the big, you know, commercial ones, but it didn't capture the local real estate agents that have it there that information out on, you know, cuz obviously that's a
a part of that pie that we couldn't really close the gap on because that Rentalscape didn't capture that data and those units. >> I >> just feels like there should be some mechanism. Hire an intern for the summer or I I
don't know. Some mechanism that is a a person or a tool that is monitoring additional I'm I'm just I happen to have knowledge of of um additional rentals being put on the market. I have no idea if they have merc licenses or not, but I
know that it's that there are additional rentals and it sure would be nice if somebody or some system was monitoring whether or not they're in compliance with the merc license. >> That's why we were hoping that Rentalscape program was going to be the
the answer. And you're really spending and and think about it, you know, for for if I hire a part-time seasonal part-time person, that's $18,000. It's it's that's not cost-effective. >> No, no, I I guess >> To get to get we recouped all of
>> I I I understand that. I'm more of I I guess my maybe my numbers are off. I would have thought I would have thought we could go grab an intern as a as a data project for for uh not very much money. But I >> Well, unfortunately >> Maybe it's the >> It's harder it's harder to get the
interns down this for >> No one No one wants to come to the beach in the summer? >> Yeah. >> They want to be on the beach. >> Well, they want to be there. >> [laughter] >> Well, that's They don't They don't have a place >> I would have loved that job. >> They don't have a place to stay. >> Well, that part is true. >> That's Yeah.
>> Okay. So, um back to open discussion. Anything else for the good of >> I will say on the good news, we hired one additional parking enforcement officer. So, So, from an enforcement standpoint, we were able to get find another body for >> So, where Where do you stand in terms of
total folks that actually do enforcement at this point? >> Code enforcement or police? >> Code. >> Code. So, we have uh one full-time and one seasonal I mean the other one works for us he's
a year-round part-time. He works a little bit more in the summer, a little less in the winter, but he does work for us year-round, but So, right now we have two. >> Okay. Maybe it's enough. I don't know.
Seem hard to believe, but >> Any Anything up? >> To that extent, we have had an ad running for 2 months for a seasonal part-time code enforcement officer and we have gotten zero >> Zero applicants? >> applicants. So, it's not it's not for
the lack Yeah, we have had the ad out there. So, if you know anybody that wants a seasonal part-time code enforcement officer, stop by and uh make an application and I'll put you to work tomorrow. >> What's the pay? What's the What's What's
out of interest, what's the pay? >> I think it's 1825. >> Yeah. >> Don't Don't quote me, but it's probably listed on the job ad on the um on the city's website, but I think it's like 1825, I think.
>> So, I just just look from the council perspective, um Paul and Al provides us with the, you know, monthly manager's report. And what we get in there is the detail that the police department, because code enforcement reports up through Captain Walker, and they have
list every single property that they go to. Um now, they don't give you the address, but I can tell what's in our area, Ron. Um and it's, you know, it says, you know, violation, violation. I can tell you, you know, personally, in the last 2
years, they are a lot more active, um and uh doing a lot more stops. They're on top of things like tarps on dumpsters, which is critically important, you know, when the weather comes in. They're making sure that after 6:00, we don't have contractors out
there working who are not familiar or, you know, uh choose to not comply with the rules. Um and so, those things are happening. Um they are on top of some of the things with, um you know, trash being put out or recycling materials well in advance of when they should be, and they're all
over the street. Um you know, these are minor things, but they're quality of life improvements. Um so, I would say to you personally, I've seen a significant uptick in that um kind of uh presence out there, um and that they've got they're very
good at documenting all of those. So, I'm encouraged by that, to be honest with you, because I would have said the same thing. Um there was always, you know, a feeling like this was not an area that we focused a lot of attention on. Um and I will give credit to Paul uh Chief Fashaw uh and now Captain Walker
who you know these these gentlemen are very responsive. >> So we have had I'll say over the last couple weeks now you you calls about hey contractors working late and stuff like that so we've in the last several years we've always have a code enforcement officer working on Saturday
so we do have somebody around checking on those construction sites. Captain Walker just actually pushed an email and he's been much more proactive and on these quality of life issues and and making sure he's keeping code enforcement eye on the ball kind of a thing.
He's actually asking them to flex some of their schedule during the week to every once in a while hey pick a Wednesday and work till 6:00 and stay late to circle the neighborhoods and and check for those contractors so um we're we're trying to address some of
those issues that we have calls and concerns about. >> Hey I'm Marine I was glad you actually reminded me on the recycling. One of the things that you did say or we said that we were going to look at is that recycling and do an analysis of that to
see whether it was working effectively this year you know this year that was going to that was one of the topics that was going to come >> Yeah Eric just gave an update on the tonnage as part of his report. I don't recall the numbers but the numbers are down compared to where
they were which is what we want to see honestly. Um as Paul has just mentioned getting people to work even seasonal positions here has been a challenge and public works has certainly been a challenge. We outsourced some of the lawn cutting
because they could not get anybody you know because we need to keep the city looking nice and so that was the most effective way to do it because they got absolutely no applicants [clears throat] when they had several open houses. So it is a challenge and um
but they've done a really good job and I think that the there's been very good compliance from residents and the homeowners on the >> So, so com- I'll just jump in to student compliance respect, you know, the residents and the commercial businesses have taken
the new ordinance and and everybody is in compliance. And really at the end of last year, we had full compliance. Um, you know, we see much more activity, you know, we see a lot of the commercial properties they're they're taking their recycling right over to Canninghouse Lane and and
dropping it off. So, we have definitely seen an uptick over there so much that we've actually are purchasing a roll-off truck for the city's use so that we don't have to contract out with Waste Management or whoever we haul you know, that hauls the containers back
and forth. We're hiring you know, bought our own or buying our own roll-off truck so that we can shuttle those roll-off containers and not you know, kind of save $80,000. I think we pay over $80,000 a year and just the the hauling of
the roll-offs back and forth. So, um we have seen pretty I think we're in full almost full compliance with that. Now, the next step obviously we're we want to try to work on is curbing the hey, your trash day's on
Thursday and the recycling can't sitting out on Monday. Um, now, from a trash can's perspective, we can't regulate the trash because we don't know who you've contracted with to know who is coming out. But from recycling standpoint, that is one of the things that our guys are are looking at and doing. But that's
really the I'll say from a compliance standpoint, that's the one thing that public works we're still looking at from code enforcement standpoint of how to fix that. >> Yeah, and part of what I was talking about though was also which you won't know until the end of the year, we were
going to do an cost benefit analysis on how whether or not the the new approach was actually working out. Cuz we we obviously, you know, we were overspending, right? In that particular area. The board. >> We weren't overspending, we weren't getting the work done. And that was
because we were having to spend 2 days of extra commercial recycling pickup, we weren't getting other things done. So, we're able to now get our workload done um because the the trucks finish a little bit earlier and then they're able to go
do some other tasks during the day to uh >> So, we're not spending as much on overtime. You're not having all of that stuff sitting on the street, you know. >> Right, which is >> Yeah, which you know, it's it it goes to some of the quality of life issues and it also just goes to the fact that, you know, we workers comp claims probably,
you know, we I don't think we've had one that I'm aware of in what public works for the the truck for the recycle guys, right? Am I >> Just had one yesterday. >> Okay, never mind. Okay, we'll move on from that if that's okay. Okay. All right. Um is there anything else right
now? Okay, so next meeting, what you know, if there's anything that anyone's got on their mind that they want to put back on an agenda, have a discussion about, free form, whatever it might be. Um
the list, if there's a list um I don't know if I, you know someone wants to organize that. >> Yeah, I think that uh probably go back through all of the um basically everything that's been done
and documented and see what's open yet, put that list together and I think that um why not take a quick look at the mission statement at the beginning of the meeting and see if the warrants >> that? >> I I just said you can look at it. I didn't
I just said >> That's what the mission statement so everybody else except me >> can look at it and no, I'm >> That's what I heard. >> I'm okay. >> [laughter] >> I'm interested in looking at it. I don't think I've ever seen it. I just don't you know >> Well, I think it's a
>> modification will be not my Sure. >> But I I sure as hell you have it somewhere in your file dude, but I don't >> supposed to memorize it. >> And and listen, listen, I I I I don't really care about the verbage of the
mission statement, which is true that a million companies have focused all their efforts on where is the the and where is the other word, which is meaningless [clears throat] to me. It's >> That's not what I was saying. >> everyone aligned on what we are trying to >> do accomplish.
>> So I I guess my recommendation is let's spend just a little bit of time on getting aligned to what we're trying to accomplish and let's take the list of 20 brainstorm things, whatever it is and prioritize and say here are the top three that we can go have people work on, which is exactly what we can do.
>> So my takeaways >> I'm trying to remember did did someone take the minutes when we did that brainstorming? Cuz it wasn't me. >> Yeah, if I don't find it online, you know, in the email then it's gone unless somebody else would have it.
>> Yeah. I can look at my I'll look I didn't bring my my Dennis file with me so I don't know. >> [laughter] >> So I will make sure that a copy of the purpose and charge statement for [clears throat] this committee is shared along with the resolution. >> The resolution it was a resolution,
right? >> Yes, reorg resolution. Yes. >> Okay. >> And that was okay. >> That applies to all all these these these committees that are advisory. >> So meeting adjourned? Anything
Oh, I'm sorry. Oh. Mr. Public. >> I'm the public. Hi, I'm uh Dennis Crowley. I'm formerly chairman of the MTAG Committee. I live at 806 Lafayette Street. Let me just make a few comments based on what I've listened to and it's a very
interesting concept that you've laid on the table for us. Uh It's my sense that we need to separate You need to separate two things, the mission statement and which is what you do
and how you do what you do. And Ron has raised a few raised a few points which are salient Frankly, there some of the points I've heard today are the one of the reasons why I felt the need to step down from the committee because the committee contains so many
so many expert people, people with experience and knowledge and and and the abilities that that the the city needs. >> [snorts] >> Uh and but it has to be the process that goes forward. It's not this this it's not It's can't be the people.
And what I mean by that is that um the committee's mission was to examine the the revenue and the spending of the city and when when appropriate, make recommendations for how things can be improved in those two areas.
Uh the mission statement to me remains pretty solid. Uh what what needs to be addressed is how this committee up functions under that mission. And one of the reasons why I got uh tired of the burden of of doing research
was the very reason why the committee should restructure itself in its operating system. And by that I mean when an idea is identified the workload should be shared across the whole committee. And that and that uh um
>> [clears throat] >> the process begins with a with a fact-finding mission. The finding of those facts becomes the substance of the discussion of this committee. Once that once those facts are assembled, connected with the issue that was
originally raised, a recommendation can be then formed by the committee to go to the council. Because I I was I was trying to think as I sat here and thinking of a of an analogy that makes sense to me about how what this committee is, and I think it's it's
an Uber driver. Uh and the city government is the driver and the owner of that Uber vehicle. Uh a passenger gets in who happens to be a a certified auto mechanic.
And they drive down the road and the auto mechanic listens to the car and says to the driver, you know, uh there's something wrong with your engine or it's making a different noise. It's not functioning the way it I think it should be. The driver at that opportunity to say
mind your own business, and then the guy would say I'm an I'm an auto mechanic, so maybe my my my business is the maintenance of machinery. And the driver could also say, well, what do what do you think is wrong with it? And how can we fix it? And that's
all Amtrak was ever designed to be. It was designed [snorts] to be a group of people who were interested in the way the city functions, uh what it's doing now, what it isn't doing now, what it could be doing now to help it function better. Those recommendations went to council, and
Russ alluded to uh the 25 or 26 things that we that we recommended. Uh those things went to council. A lot of them were adopted by council. Others were told uh no, that's we don't want to do that right now. It's a good idea, but we don't want to do it, which is fine.
Our job is not to run the city. Our job is to tell the driver when there's a funny noise coming out of the motor of his of his car. Uh but it seems to me as though the way you do that is to get all the facts solid together,
get a committee member who who will champion that issue, and then come to this meeting, which is what we used to do when I'm I'm you still do it obviously is to discuss, exchange, and come to a consensus on whether a solution is
viable, effective, and then pass it on. That's all the committee ought to be doing and so the looking forward in the future revising the mission statement is not as important as tightening up the process by which the committee does what it
does. And that's really all I'm all I want to suggest and and and that is that we did we did have a I think at our last meeting we shared a a page of 25 or 30 issues connected with the function of
maintenance pardon me function of revenue and operation and budget which which remain on the table as far as I know and that should be a good starting point for where you could look at issues to to generate your your coming agendas. So, that's my only suggestion and I wish you
luck doing it. Thank you. >> Thanks, Dennis. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thanks, Dennis. >> Okay. Anything else? Meeting adjourned. >> Hard stop. >> Yeah, I appreciate it. >> Thank you for your >> Yes. >> Thanks for the feedback. >> Oh, thanks. Thank you.
>> Well, if if you find it, can you share it? Yeah, okay. All right. Circulated around. Dennis, thank you for your input. Meeting adjourned.