Mika, an invocation by Jonathan Lamb, our chief. Would everyone please secure your cell phones, ma'ams, and sers? Let's pray. Our dear gracious heavenly father, Lord, we thank you for this day. We thank you for all that goes on in our
city, Lord. We pray you continue to watch over our council, Lord. Put a hedge of protection around our community. Also, Lord, we pray for our troops and you watch over them. Keep them safe, Lord. In your holy name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> All right everybody, 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, madam clerk, may we do roll call, please? Ma'am.
>> Yes, sir. Mayor Blake, >> present. Ma'am. >> Deputy Mayor Goins here. Council member Hearn, Council Member Cos >> here, >> Council Member Weekes >> here. >> City Attorney Gargani >> here. >> Thank you. And city manager Whitten
>> here. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Madam Clerk. We seeing that we have a quorum here. Item number two, approval of the agenda. Agenda special meeting for 19th of March 2026.
As you know, this is an extension of the resolution that has been presented to us previously and we would like to extend it a few an additional week. I want to give you the actual correct term so it's
not misconstrued but we will extend this particular state of emergency 2026-016 of this resolution due to technological incident affecting the city city's critical technological infrastructure.
Okay. So Mr. City manager is there anything you would like to share with us? >> No sir you you uh covered it. This is again the I think this is the fourth extension of that. As you know the resolutions in the state of emergencies
can only cover a 7day period. This is a retro to the Tuesday's date. >> Okay. Councilwoman calls. >> Yeah. Will we be getting a briefing? It's been a month now that we've been um in this situation. Will we get a
briefing soon? >> If if you guys want to come upstairs after this, we can do it individually. Um probably take 10 15 minutes individually. >> Mr. S. Go ahead. >> And and um and this order is basically
for overtime and special purchases. >> Well, it's not for overtime. It's it's it's it is an emergency declaration that gives the city manager certain
authorities um including purchasing. It suspends um certain um approval authorities. Um it's it's pretty much outlined in there. section
section 2 uh.7 goes over the authority of the city manager in terms of the spending authority. Um it allows us to request federal state assistance um and do all of the uh open up the
emergency operations centers, but we have not altered the work schedule and so there's no um no emergency pay. Um, there may be some overtime, but there's no emergency pay contemplated under this
emergency declaration. >> Is that it, ma'am? >> Yeah. I'm just I'm trying to figure out >> Well, I guess I need a briefing to understand the being still in the state of emergency. >> Well, ma'am, let me let me answer it
this way. Mr. City Manager, is there not a state mandate that limits the amount of information or talks about I mean I recall distinctively with um uh former employee beach stating that there were certain things that
pertaining to technological infrastructure um concerns that we're limited at uh the information that we're acceptable to. Has the city shut down, sir? Yeah, we we all of the all of the statutory uh
guidelines the city attorney is covered in the emergency declaration, those are our current situation is exempt uh from um the public record. Um that's covered. We're still providing services
um to to uh the citizens, to the visitors, uh to the businesses of the city of Coco. And so, uh, garbage is still being picked up, police are still patrolling, fire is still responding, uh, water customers are still able to
pay their bills, water is being delivered, uh, toilets are being flushed, and so and so we obviously we're doing that under workaround uh, situations, but the citizens are still receiving the services that they would
normally receive from the city of Coco. >> Thank you. So on that motion on that statement, >> chair would like to make a motion to approve the resolution, but I'm talking right now, ma'am, cuz you said you would. >> I had the floor. >> No, no, ma'am. >> I'm making a motion to approve this resolution. And I need a second. >> We still got to approve it. We haven't
approved the agenda yet, either. >> Well, we'll take care of that. That is a resolution. But most important thing is this. Yes, sir. This resolution. And I need a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Go ahead, ma'am. You got the floor. >> Yeah. I just I need a briefing. and
mayor, it's because my constituents want to know. So, you know, nobody, of course, we've it's been pretty flawless. We're not seeing too many issues, but a month later,
we're still under the emergency. Um, and yeah, people want to know. So, I think that >> um I just like a briefing. I would have preferred it before voting on changed. >> We haven't lost not.
>> But something should have changed. It's been a month. There should be some progress. >> Storms last four years. The city of Santael Island is still under FEMA guidelines and rules and regulations. And that's been over three years, ma'am. So, I'm just saying >> after one month, there should be progress in this regard. I you know I
really think I really think just let the city manager and his staff and directors and the employees do their job and they do effectively well and that's the most important thing because as the city manager alluded to the city did not shut
down where I'm just coming from Washington DC is shut down ma'am and we're still having >> familiar with I know ma'am well I'm just reminding you just in case if you have a moment that we may have a tendency to forget that we're still under shutdown
and we're still working effectively. Our men and women are defending our country effectively. So that TSA is working without a contract, but we we do not miss a beat with our city, ma'am. And yes, your constituents, they do ask me to as well, and I give them an effective
answer. Not only just your citizens, but all citizens of Coco and the surrounding area, >> even at our Space Coast League of Cities meeting. So the thing that I'm saying to you and being the president of the Florida State League of Cities, um there was a city Osmar that had SOMETHING
COMPARABLE TO THE same situation and they did not meet miss a beat, ma'am. So let this man and the staff members and the directors do their job and they do it effectively well because we're still operating and I believe in them.
>> Notwithstanding all your credentials, >> I'm not >> I still need a briefing in our progress. Yeah, >> it's an issue. Our role is accountability. That's all. That's why we need briefings. >> Okay. Has anyone in this audience missed
the job uh been affected by this emergency resolution or shut uh uh operation? Has anyone any of my directors? Uh Chief uh Lamb, have you missed any calls, sir?
Uh, commander while we're at >> still operating. Um, finance director, >> we're good. >> Still operating. >> Still doing banking. >> Thank you, ma'am. Our public um utilities or public works, excuse me.
>> Yes, sir. Okay. Answering. >> And notwithstanding our operations. >> Has any overtime gone in exist? >> Just want a briefing on why we're doing an emergency. >> Has any overtime, sir? >> Why we're in a state of emergency? If nobody's >> the question I'm talking to the city
manager >> having any problems. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, we we we always have overtime. I don't know that we've had any associated with this. And if if we if we do, I mean it it is to keep the services flowing for the citizens there. And I I'll jump
back in at the appropriate time, Mr. Mayor. >> All right, sir. Uh, Council Gome, >> I I I think this the city may the the city manager already made the statement saying that he willing to do a briefing if a council member uh wants that to he he already made that statement. So, I think we're good on that.
>> It had and wasn't able to get it. That's all. >> So, so let me I'm just asking this question. So, when when we got this put on our calendar, you did not reach out to Sigma. You did and you asked several
questions. He refused to answer questions. >> No, when I was called by the clerk, I asked to have an opportunity to ask questions before we did it. >> And you called the city manager. >> I when the clerk called me to announce this meeting, which I believe was yesterday
or maybe it was the day before. >> Yeah, it was probably earlier this week. >> It was Wednesday, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, it's >> Monday, please. >> I guess I guess >> I'll I'll get my briefing, but the point is it's it's a month.
>> Constituents are asking >> and I I just want to know what kind of progress we're making. It's that simple. And if it sounds like we don't even need an emergency order
from what I'm hearing, but that's why I just want to know what the progress is. >> Okay. Yeah, Mr. Mayor, I can guarantee you you need an emergency order. Uh I don't know what questions the citizens would have
if they're receiving their services. what I tell you upstairs in the briefings in the briefings you can't share with the citizens because it's exempt from the public record. And so and so the fact that the uh city
attorney is able to call in uh as opposed to us having to call him on our cell phones is progress. The fact that the internet is now up is progress. And so we're we're making progress. But again, whatever I say to you upstairs is
exempt from the sunshine because we're still under the declaration. We're still covered by our Florida statutes. Um, whatever those sections are, 252 um 252.34, 252.38.
Um, and so we'll we'll we'll give uh any council member that wants a briefing a briefing upstairs. It it it is going to be uh Greek to you. We'll we'll break it down to the extent that we can, but we
are making progress. Again, um the staff has worked extremely hard to continue to to uh make sure that there have been no service interruptions for the citizens of Koko. And I think that's most
important to them. Now, the details of the technological incident, um, I don't know why they would care about those details. Again, all they should care about and, uh, is is the trash being picked up and the other
services that are provided to them on a daily basis. But again, happy to to, uh, have staff give you the briefing upstairs. >> So, in essence, Mr. city manager, we will equitably receive the same all five
of us, including Councilman um Hearn when he has his meeting with you, receive the same identical information. Nothing will be modified or hybrid or anything be amended. We will get the same information. Yeah, it's it's this I mean
it's the same again it's a it's a technological incident and to the extent that that uh you have expertise in technology it's it's difficult to understand I mean that first uh shade meeting we explained to you the specific
nature of the technological incident that hasn't changed um and we're we're in the recovery mode um that hasn't changed that's not an overnight thing. I can't tell you uh when uh that ends, but
but again, we we are continuing to work on that every day. We have a motion on the floor to approve this resolution. Chair's going to call the question. A second by Deputy Mayor Goins. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor saying I. >> I.
>> Any nays? I have unanimously. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Uh, deputy mayor going chair like to approve the agenda. >> Chair like to make the motion to approve the agenda. I'm looking for >> Okay, it doesn't matter who said it first. Who made who said it first? Okay.
Second by councilwoman Weeks. Chair's going to call the question. All in favor of saying I >> I >> I have it unanimously. Got it. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Hearn. Again,
I just want to tell you thank you each and every one of you all because you all are making a difference in the city of Coco effectively well and I believe in each and every one of you all because I'm old country boy cream councilman deputy mayor Gins can attest to that to
this cream always rise to the top and right about now we have a creamy situation and You're filtering all the foolishness away from us and nothing but positivity will come from this. Amen.
>> Thank you, Mr. City Manager. Yes, sir. >> Paisano Angelo, are you on the phone? Angelo, >> thank you. Paisano, I just want to make sure you're on the phone >> because it's his middle name. That's the
reason why. And I want to give you another shout out to all the staff members. Again, I'm giving you a diff I'm shifting gears. I'm doing a 180. Great job on our most recent lawsuit victory again.
It's contagious. It's a well greeted and welcoming situation. But I just want to say thank you from all of my heart. Damn the bottom of my heart because at the bottom of my heart is tadpoles, flounders, and catfish. With all my heart, it means the world to me. And
that's what you all do. All 411 employees and the citizens of the great city of Coco. Regardless of the situation, we always persevere. That's team Coco. That's Tiger Pride. That's Ly D and everybody. Amen. So on this
motion, I would like to entertain them. >> Mr. Mayor, >> what's my C? Cuz I'm fired up and ready to go. You better speak your piece now, sir. The floor is yours, Mr. Orange and Black, cuz I'm ready. >> No, I It's really yours, Mr. Mayor. You got one more item under council business
that y'all will need to approve. >> Yes, sir. >> I thought there was >> Yeah. And then and then I have anformational item. And so the the item under council business is uh is exempt from the public record. Again, I can
explain to you what that is uh in the briefing upstairs. >> Motion approved. >> Second. >> Third. Call the question. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any nays?
>> Eyes have unanimously. Um Monica, just for the record, ma'am. Um Deputy Mayor Gins made the motion. Councilwoman >> um Waters Waters Weeks second. All in favor by saying, you know, it's already been approved. All right. Anything else?
Yeah, Mr. >> Waters. Where did that come from? >> Mr. Mayor, the the write up of that item is actually in your agenda package to the extent that we can we can give you the information that's in your agenda package. >> And and just one other item, you may see
a strange or unfamiliar face uh in the staff seats there. And I'd like to introduce to the council, Mary Hbert. Hbert. Uh Mary is the city's new uh director of business systems and
innovations. I'm passing down to you Mary's resume and the uh job description and and um and so Mary just started this week. >> Um bless your heart. >> So she's she's four days in.
>> Okay. Um, and we're happy to have Mary and and again, uh, happy to go over what her job responsibilities will be, but again, I've given you her extensive resume, her, uh, job descriptions, and
you can see it's a new new job uh, title and a new role here in uh, in city government. So, but again happy to have Marin and welcome her aboard and and uh good good morning for her in terms of
see the dynamics of the council man. >> So So thank you Mr. Mayor. That's it for me. >> Okay. See if um I was drinking that good old cocoa water I'd be a hell of a lot calmer.
But I'm drinking pure life right now. But I'm appreciative of everyone. Seriously, thank you. >> Counsel as well. I'm appreciative because you keep me on my P's and Q's. Um I have 16 grandkids. I've just found I'm having enough.
>> Thank you. Yeah, that's what I said, too. >> Deputy Mayor Gins, sir. >> Um it it was just one thing. Um, I want to thank um the public works and and and uh uh our city manager for allowing
public works to install the um flashing lights on VAR. I got a lot of calls last night and this morning about them. I believe um those lights will stop people from speeding through those stop signs
hopefully. Um but but again, just appreciate um getting that getting that done. I think we we um talked about that and made a motion on that maybe, you know, a few months back. Um but I appreciate it. Thank y'all for doing that.
>> I'll relay the message. Thank you. >> That's it. >> No record. >> Take me to the water, Mrs. Weeks. A gospel song, ma'am. That's what's Yes, ma'am. Okay. Seeing any other comments
before we conclude. >> I I would like to make a quick comment. Yes, ma'am. Go ahead. Last night was my uh town hall and we had uh and I will have pictures uh next week when our meeting. But anyway, I just wanted to thank Samantha. Wonderful job. Thank
you, city manager. You earned your money last night. And um and Abby, thank you for coming. Uh and uh Brianna was there as well. But um and thank you to the council members who came. I appreciate it. Um it was a lively meeting. I will
say that. And um uh but anyway, thank you all so much. And uh I think it was successful because everybody sure got to vent. Um >> uh but anyway, uh and uh Mark um the uh police officer shoot his last name. >> He was wonderful.
>> Yeah, he was very good too. Huh? >> Lieutenant. >> Yes, he did a great job. So anyway, but thank you all so much for making that successful. Appreciate it. >> That's it. >> All right. Uh since we have a motion on the floor and it was second, we're going
to adjourn this meeting. All in favor saying I. >> I. >> Go in peace. >> Uh Alex made the motion and councilwoman week second. >> Go to the conference room. >> Third floor conference room or second >> third floor.