##VIDEO ID:rfC9EtllFwo## you will be leading Us in the Pledge of Allegiance we like to call the regular order meeting held January the 14th 2025 beautiful downtown Coco Village 65th Stone Street would everyone secure your cell phones Pages etc etc etc our invocation will be formed by councilman go and pledge will be done by Tiger Pride would everyone stand please for invocation you will by your head father God thank you for allowing us to be another day thank you for another day of life health and strength Lord bless us as we go through this meeting as we make sound decision for the city of coko bless everyone's home as they're away at this meeting Lord bless everything uh within the city of coko bless all walks of life in the city of coko in Jesus name we pray amen amen I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all thank you state champion and Super Bowl champion Madam clerk may we do roll call please ma'am yes sir mayor Blake presid ma'am Deputy Mayor weeks here council member gos here council member Hearn here council member C here City attorney gargan here and City manager Whitten thank you thank you very much ma'am uh for doing roll call proceeding on to item number 2- one excuse me a regular meeting held January the 14th 2024 what are the wishes of council move to approve we have a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor weeks second second by councilwoman C all in favor by saying I I eyes have it unanimously proceeding on to item number 2-2 regular meeting of September the 10th 2024 what are the wishes of council move to approve we have a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor weeks second second by councilwoman C CH is GNA call the question all in favor saying I I eyes have unanimously third and final minutes regular meeting of October the 8th 2024 word of The Wishes of council move to approve we have a motion on the floor by deputy mayor weeks second second by councilwoman cost chair's going to call the question all in favor by saying I I eyes have it unanimously moving on to delegations we have one two three four five 6 78 Gibson nine okay thank you ma'am we have nine cards and I see a lot of these cards have Matthew's Hope on it are you going to have one keynote speaker or shall I just listen to each one for three minutes what are your wishes I I think they're each touching on various issues with this so yes each three minutes okay that it is Lieutenant cus sir Paul cus 116 Olive Street Coco uh I think it was last meeting I brought up the idea about a three-digit phone number for watermain leaks 426 also H2O easy to remember um I'm getting ready to go to Orlando for a pension conference I'm now on the general pension plan as a trustee and uh you know during our downtime folks approach me and say hey what's new and happening and Coco so if I've had some direction you know I'd be really happy to say hey we got this idea called the H2O three-digit number in case the water main break um I was just checking to see if any movement on that I haven't heard I've shared that with um from on a state level you have already yes so does we are in collaboration with that okay so with that being said said could I get your blessing so when I do go to this conference and I'm ask what's happening in Coco I could say this is what's happening as president of the Florida League of cities Paul I mean that's all I can excuse me Lieutenant cus that's all I can do you know it's up to them uh various committees to take a look at it and the Big Wigs because you know you must go through the process and personally I feel as though this is something that shouldn't just be a state of Florida I think it's something Nationwide regardless if where you travel in this country if you come across something like that it's just like calling 911 so if you don't mind I don't mind sharing it with the folks because I think you said there's like 410 municipalities 41 brother you're on it 411 well you're counting co coco as well as 4 411 right but some more being added so okay well in the Florida public pension Trust Association fppa it's known as it's a organization that helps teach the trustees how to administer pensions um I think their figure is 400 484 uh participating plans so that's that much more that we could put the word out so fingers crossed thank you for your time and I just wanted to apologize because I was being presumptuous at that last meeting when I came up and I I woke up at 1:30 one morning and had my coffee and a thought came to my head and it was you know you all come on to this council with an empty plate and then you get folks like me to come up here and here I am putting something more on your plate and I didn't think about that until that morning it's like here I am adding more to your plate so I just want to apologize if if you know that's more than I me I'm more than happy to take it off off your plate and give it somewhere else you know so that's all I want to and as always I love you all thank you for serving our community you have a question hold on LT oh my question was more uh for the city manager I think I'm I'm just wondering what our capability is to pursue something like that is that something that I mean how would we go about doing something like that it's a federal application and so and so those are those are given out not by the city not by county or state there it's it's a it's it it literally is a process that you have to go to to uh have approved make the case to and have approved by I don't know if it's the FCC but it's a federal agency that has to approve three-digit designations so it's a it's a long extended process so I should look federally then all right yeah we need to figure out the process because it's a great idea well if you look at 911 it's was instituted in 1968 from Alaska and eventually made its way around the country so we just figure out how they went about doing it we do the same thing all right thank you uh one more for you LT we have one more question sorry without taking up too much time I just wanted to uh take a second to commend you and thank you uh we had our event for the Coco high school football team the other day and um it was pointed out to me actually by councilman goes while everybody was celebrating you were out there actually picking up trash well you know what how it's doing that sir bent knee I'm glorifying God oh yeah and by picking up the litter that's thanking our veterans I don't always get to thank a veteran I want to thank you for being an excellent citizen hey thank you all 2416 baby U Mr Willie way sir I would like to say good evening to everybody this is uh my first time here I've been a longtime citizen of Coco since 1989 um I'm here I have a concern that I want to bring before everybody and I spoke with um deputy mayor Patricia weeks the other day um I live uh in Coco North off of State Road 524 and the issue and the problem I have is that for a while now uh when you get off 95 and Head East on 524 coming into the city there's nothing but a lot of trash a lot of litter and it's not a good look for the city and a good eyes sort uh I live in the Coventry and when we come out the entrance there straight across the street on the south side if you start at Cox Road and head east all the way to Industry Road um there's nothing but letter paper trash I spoke with um a guy named Drew he works for the Florida Department of Transportation he told me that uh from Cox Road to Industry Road is uh supposed to be managed by the city of Coco Public Works I spoke with someone at the city of Coco Public Works they said that they outsourced that work to um us Lawns I spoke with someone in the US lawn and they said that they only supposed to cut it they not supposed to pick up trash uh I just think it's a bad look uh bags bottles plastic there's a lot of building going on up in that area and a lot of new apartments and uh to get off 95 and come into all the way to the post office it's just a just a eyesore um lot of trash a lot of paper uh sometime they cut it and then they don't pick up the trash I don't know what the situation is back in the day when I first moved here that used to be a job that that um the chef department and the inmates used to do I don't know whether that's still an option in the future but I just would like for the mayor or the city councilman to to find out if it's the city of Coco Public's works that that needs to be picked up every at least once a month they're trying to tell me that because the dump is out on Adams Road that the trunks come down on that road all the time and the debris fly out but I've been signing the alarm since August and this the trashes it looks really bad and I supposed to meet with a guy named Gary on Thursday morning and we're going to I'm going to meet with him and we I'm going to show him what I'm talking about so uh that's just my concern I I live in Coco and uh you go down to Vieira and and you don't see trash and papers and Bottles everywhere and uh so I would like for my area to just look just as nice thank you thank you for that thank you okay we'll proceed in this order um L is first uh Council go if that's all right Deputy Mayor weeks and then councilman go yeah I just wanted to say we did talk and I uh told him it would be a good idea to come tonight to bring up because he has tried so hard to reach so many different departments and um and I too have seen the trash all along 524 I do have pictures if I want somebody want to turn them in I have pictures that I've Tak in young lady right there on the corner Mr Will Wait so I want to thank you for for coming tonight um and uh again bringing it uh back up I believe I I talked to the city manager at one point about who was responsible for picking up the trash along uh 524 and um and he said part of it was Coco and part of it was others so uh by you coming tonight we'll get to the bottom of it so thank you appreciate it um Council mcon yes sir um just just based on my experience the responsibility is normally on the um contractor um I I've never as far as what I've seen I've never seen a company just go out and just cut and just run over trash that just really doesn't make sense to me that mean that we we have to uh maybe uh have a deep conversation because this came up before I think maybe last mon I think me and Miss Morgan talked about it as well and um it sounds like it's still going on so that's something we really need to bring these this company to the table and really really can't be a slap on the wrist right at this point cuz this is numerous amount of people that it's not just him that have said this and I think we all have seen it at some point um but if they're going out just cutting that's just laziness right and they they they just don't care and then somebody in their company is not following up with their workers that's another problem so but it it all end up falling back on who us and so um yeah this is my first time hearing and Miss who did you know who you talk to at us L did you have a person that you spoke who told you that someone in the office she said they were they were contracted out to the city of Coco public work and she said that they were just respons for cutting and then they would they were respons picking up the lit and then I talked to uh a guy from Florida Department of Transportation he said from Cox Road to 95 ran by CMT or some other yeah yeah yeah but but from Cox all the way down past the post office that's supposed to be maintained by the city of Coco public works all right I appreciate you thank you y so that that just my my only statement is just that it's GNA fall back on us and so we just you know if something need to happen if that get to the point where they're not feeling their obligation then we might need to find another contractor I just how simple that could be um and I'm pretty sure there's other companies out there that be willing to you know cut that corridor and so if that's what we need to do then that's what we need to do so thank you light please um I've traveled throughout the city of coko and rockage and throughout the entire State of Florida like everyone else sometimes you will see a sign that says Adopt A Highway so that's something you know Boy Scouts my like my fraternity we have Fisk Boulevard from Kennedy Middle School all the way down to say Lowe's so we clean up that area too as well in conjunction with the city of Rock LGE um something to think about Adopt A Highway but yes after you have that meeting with the company I think U I've personally uh two years ago a gentleman came by with cans beer cans and I guess it's container burst and it's spewed all on 524 I got a phone call guess who was out they own 524 picking up beer cans and aluminum cans so I get it I understand it so I thank you okay next um is it Mr Ted four yes sir that's Mr Aquaman Mr Aquaman a squeaky wheel that's right squeak squeak okay now I just getting an update on the on the Water Station see what if there was a solution or if it's still in paper thought or if there moving forward or what when was the last time you here Mr uh Mr uh a month or so ago okay Mr city manager I know it's a process but yes it is a process um have can we shed any light on this sir it's still under research he was here the I don't know if that was a special meeting but he was here right before the holiday break there so it's still under research I I matter of fact Mr Walsh and I talked about it at our last meeting on Friday I was want to see if there's a temporary solution there's many solutions I can get water but it's if the willingness of the water company you hit the thank you ma'am oh I'm sorry you good brother it's not you you know there's a there is a method you put a a meter on a hydrant and you get the count your name and you use the hydrant with the meter in conjunction what you use and you get you know you get build I don't know what the length of it is I seen this out there on Satellite Boulevard man numerous times and I've done it myself numerous times on construction jobs when you need excess water they do this and they keep saying they don't put water taps at the end of the road and people run them down that road well that's not so I have pictures and time but we'll get into that to another thing they just put a brand new meter in the other day and they truck that line wherever it needed to go and it didn't go to that first lot so you know they keep saying this ain't happening it is happening so I don't know if there's a water official on board now or not or do y'all get a hold of wash he's here he's here okay oh he's right here I'm sorry I didn't know who he was well I got snake i' have been bit you would but I went to Tred to talk to him but they told me I couldn't talk to him at the water facility because I didn't have the something or didn't know so I didn't know and I asked Mr you know Alex if he could touch Bas with him I didn't know if someone else had to talk before I talked or how this worked but there got to be a solution we can put a rocket on the moon and we can land it back so I don't see how we can't have water clean water you know what I mean so and I've even asked I I brought a well driller out there they wanted $5,600 to drill the well they was going to drill the well right then and there but the guy told me he was a good guy he said Son don't drill this well you're just wasting your money the water stinks you got arsenic I have 13 animals also I didn't last time it needs water and I know you know in a lot of cases people say well you shouldn't have moved out there well we shouldn't have a 16inch water man down on the road that all of our taxpayer money's paid nobody can use it so you know there is a point to this so I hope you know we keep moving forward and I know it's a process but the property did come up for sale beside the old water uh Pump Station so I don't know if the whole station's for sale or this a lot for side so I hope they ain't getting rid of it real quick in case you need to use it but I don't know and if someone if Alex could call me or Mr walshy s and see if we can have a temporary solution for water so I know we can do this we just got to work forward and move together so and you know it's just not fair for us at the end of the road to pay the same taxes as the people at the front of the road to me that's not fair but you know if I can't have water they shouldn't have water I'm you know regardless if it's maintained or unmaintained and I don't know why I can't run the water line down the road and they hook it to the meter since I own the road and I'm going to be maintaining it and taking care of it and sign a disclosure that that's all me so you know that's what we need to move forward Mr for we're going to give us the chance to process and it's as always a pleasure to have your fa in the place with I'll be back okay arold okay next will be Scott blo good afternoon evening my guest it is uh city manager mayor council appreciate you I'm reading my statement this evening to say stay on point and not get into talking about the millions of dollars that we've invested into this community and the benefits receives received and the lives impacted since December 29th I have sent several texts and left a few voicemail messages as have a couple of my members of my leadership staff for our city manager to look for a guidance if you will regarding an opportunity for Matthew's hope that has a timely factor to it and to further address the is issues created by this newly implemented October 1st 2024 State Statute 1365 which basically criminalizes homelessness no matter what some may tell you or want you to believe recently we were contacted by Amber Carroll the director of Bard Homeless Coalition asking if home Matthew's hope would be willing to take the lead in locating shelter and operating dignity buses which are basically Greyhound sleepers much like you would see on an amtr train the state has allotted $10 million that must be spent by June 30th specifically set aside for as many shelters to shelter as many people as possible at night but again that must be spent by June 30th low Berry housing first guideline housing first guidelines are to be placed in with security at each location whether that would be a camp a hotel a shelter a bus or what have you these would only be used as sleepers Matthews hope already has condos and hotel space we rent locally and have negot negotiated additional space as needed the beauty of these buses that they will address the need for a place of safety and rest for the homeless men women and children and we have the full acknowledgement that no community no community in Bard thus far has raising their hands or has the resources to have her brick to have her brick mortar shelter these buses would operate throughout Bard and would park in designated areas in the various municipalities willing to partner with us these individuals seeking shelter would be returned the next morning to wherever they were picked up so we are not an Uber service if we pick you up in St John's we take you back to St John's this new law has many flaws but one of the worst is the number of working homeless now becoming unemployed because no call no show because they are arrested the night before and could not call their job our ask this evening is to ask that one of you make a motion of for the following a vote of confidence by the council based on our two and a half year history of serving this community to support Matthews hope parking these buses on our privately owned parking lot when not in use and vote of confidence that Matthew's hope taking the lead initiative with this based on Coco where we currently operate our ministry min have parked buses on vehicles on their private property for years now so not asking perm I don't think it's so much asking permission is it is simply asking for cooperation and your backup the last consideration because we are based in Coco is to benefit Coco directly and that's the fact that if I can get the people out of the park out in front of the local uh vendors and companies from people sleeping there we can take care of that and it will change a whole lot for something that's not being addressed at at all anywhere and you will soon be sued for this for some weird reason thank you any questions I'm more than happy to answer AB Hearns Mr Hearns brother Excuse me yes I was just um made aware of this situation uh councilman Hearns I I can't hear you out here sorry I was made aware of this uh opportunity I think that was Thursday Friday I spoke to you yes sir uh which you know to me it was kind of short notice but was such a a big opportunity and um it was my hopes that we can actually bring this up for uh Council discussion and see if this is something that the city is uh uh looking to uh entertain or uh go into um so if there's any other council members is willing to join me on exploring those or this conversation um and the we do have it's very timely we had tried to try to contact the city for some guidance because we realized there was such a short area of space the state has done this the state representatives put this in place put the money in place and Bard Homeless Coalition came to us because quite honestly there's no one else that can do it we have also I'll mention this too is is that this is all re reimburse expenses so we have secured $300,000 upfront from one of our donors to support this and moving forward on getting the first buses done okay so that we've already done all that all we have to do is Bard homes Coalition is hoping to sign a contract with us by the end of January so that we can figure out how to get all the money spent and everything in place by the end June 30th so uh I'll just finish like I say uh it's a big opportunity um but there's so many details that I think needs to be brought before the council and and we really need to have this discussion um if if it's something feasible for the city um so I'll just leave on that have you talked with any of the merchants which Merchants are you referring to downtown Coco Village area I have not okay I think it would be wise for you to reach out to them as well so you can know all the ins and out and what it states on the contract um sir M that's what my concern would be um there are some other concerns I do have but I think that we'll we'll just see how things develop from here and and and that's that's a good uh good point there um so that's why I say it needs to be a robust conversation among Council um I'm not sure when you said this opportunity came about but I wish it would have been brought in before the council it was not brought to us uh councilman Hearn and till January 19th in which time I made my first phone call and text message to the city manager December 19th December 19th what I say January I'm sorry December 19th and I have left uh I think seven messages since then because we were looking for guidance not knowing what steps had to be taken if any right and and that's that's my big thing uh we we were to able to have this conversation you can have the merchants in the building you can have all the citizens that that want to have a say in this um uh so I'm looking to have a more of a conversation on the details and and see if this is something that we're willing to engage in so um councilman goens yes sir uh Mr gargan I ever since he called me I just I'm been having a little trouble with understanding why would he even need our permission to park a empty bus anyway like what why why would why would he need the city's uh approval of parking of a empty bus as in um Church van Church charter bus um what's what's the ramifications of empty bus versus I just I just don't understand why would he need our permission and we're trying to ask the same question and it's why we try to contact the city on several occasions uh we we look at it this way as a 501c3 uh a 501c3 religious organization the reality of it is if you know the ins and outs of that and I know you have Council here that can give you information on this is for the reality of it is is we could do it no matter what but we're not looking to take that route we have always tried to take The Upfront transparency route trying to ask want to be good partners I mean in two and a half years I think we can all agree we have impacted this community in a pretty tremendous way and when I see you all being pushed against the wall by the state which is I think you're being held hostage uh for them to put a law into place with no funding whatsoever and then tell people then a follow-up law that they can sue you and it's going to happen it's already being it's already happening that you can sue you because you've not because an officer chose to be compassionate and not arrest somebody and someone says well you didn't do anything because you're supposed to take you to a camp that doesn't exist coun do you know the end and out of the contract that's the first question you need to uh no but I I my question is still on the table though I'm just I want to know I just want I'm asking do you know the an and outs no I don't I don't be honest with you it don't it doesn't matter to me right now I just want to know true because then you have to understand I understand people area I understand that I still I have a question on the table all those individuals I get that's not what he just said so that's I'm just that's not what I'm asking for I'm just that's what that's what my conflict is my conflict is parking of a empty bus do we need approval of parking of a empty bus on a church property that's my question think you really you need to know the rules so then you can make a well-informed decision okay is any so the contract that he's speaking of is any way you can forward that to usad tomorrow would have done that weeks ago thank you I would do that I just cuz I I don't know that but my question is still on the table about a empty van and or bus on Church property that's what we're asking for well that that's that's that's that's just such a routine question right so you know depending on the zoning of the property the city would go and look or the or the property would go and look in the city's zoning code to determine whether or not uh the parking of those Vehicles is permitted on their property like for example you know I don't know the an I think it's commercial property so what are the commercial on-site parking regulations you know those are the regulations there's no vote of the city council that's required or any endorsement it's whatever the regulation States now if the if the property is residential I did a quick search parking buses on on residential property and streets is prohibited I don't know if there's a you know a Prohibition to park it on a church church parking lot that's again it's a just general routine parking regulation issue so y That's how I understand it now it may be you know wrapped around some other issue but the question you ask is routine and it's just whatever the zoning code provides more taken all right I I think I think we all know what the concerns are the concerns are um would that open the door up to potentially Matthew's hope um allowing individuals to sleep on a charter bus at the facility that's really what the the elephant in the room is and can is is that a possibility and I I definitely understand the residents concerns in that I got text today about it some I was kind of unsure why I was getting a text about because it wasn't on the agenda at all but but I get it that also means that people are concerned and so that's I'm just letting you know you know I'm always straight up with you to let you know what's I appreciate that the ins and outs but um people are concerned about that being a possibility so just and and for the record House Bill 1365 doesn't constitute us to be held hostage yeah Point Tak okay so um not only take this point but take the point of it's going to go to the state and take the point that it's going to side with the state it's going to side with the state on a state level now it may make it to Congress uh to the Supreme Court or whatever appealing court on a federal level but I can almost assure you that what is going to happen what will happen is that the state will side with that because of the current conditions in which it house build 1365 was applied so be mindful of that sometimes the wolf will come in sheep clothing but you have to be wise as a serpent to as well and that's the point that I'm saying I'm not intimidated about this the the lawsuit because it's not just any old lawsuit there will be other municipalities our municipality will not stand by itself and I believe in our legal representation as our municipality because the last time I look I have a super attorney down on the end so and he has one recognition Statewide so that is the reason why I believe in him and that's the reason why I'm asking you to see the contract in in detail that's what I'm asking before you make a decision a well-informed decision you need to know the the pieces to the puzzle that's the most accurate way so be careful understand that because there's a lot of information that's out there go ahead um did you have your live on deputy mayor or weeks okay councilwoman call uh no I'll I'll defer to we'll wait to get the contract I just had questions that should all be answered with the contract and I'll look forward to that discussion um do we have I will ask you this do we have any other um municipalities that have come forward with locations for parking the bus uh Bard Homeless Coalition has mostly talked pal Bay has shown some interest they are talking to others that's not part of our conversation okay yours is just the bus we would simply implement it and run it and have a place to park in our private parking lot we don't have any intentions of Sheltering anyone on those buses on our property however I will say this I have to believe and maybe I'm way off on here that if I can get homeless people off the streets onto my parking lot that might be a benefit knowing that there's security there paid security armed security okay that will watch over those 20 people that are there that night I think Coco just benefits cuz we're here but I do know one thing no matter what happens with it going Sue or no Sue I personally don't care I what I have seen has been shot down by the Supreme Court the same version of this uh they did shoot it down and open it up uh what I am concerned about is we can keep kicking the can down the hall and in the meantime we still have homeless people at an alarming rate throughout the Florida not just here it's everywhere we serve 17 municipalities right now and it's it's bad everywhere but I can tell you that it's worse where we're not at so that's it we just have the opportunity they came to us we have the space and we have the expertise to be able to do it and and that's why we we are are asking for that like I said I don't I'm pretty confident I could be wrong again legal council could tell you otherwise I don't believe we could be stopped by parking there we have our buses there now along with our medical bus along with uh Vans and and other I mean we have something like 12 Vehicles parked out there now that belong to our ministry however we come in good faith saying hey we would rather be rowing in the same direction than not rowing the same direction okay thank you the contract itself separate issue I I just want to go back and clear up my comments um what I was referring to is whenever something a b a big initiative like this come forth I would appreciate as a council member to be able to have these conversations before the council uh as as the mayor alluded to that we need to read the contract I haven't had an opportunity to read a contract because it hasn't come before a council so um anytime that the city is presented with something like this I would appreciate uh even if it's a hard not we feel that we like this I would love to be able to look Mr Belo in his face and say hey we don't want it here at least give him an answer uh that's been the conversation has been talked about and thought out by the council as a whole um this isn't a oneman decision that could be made by the city manager uh sounds like a council policy issue so I would I would appreciate to be able to have these conversations with all the facts before me so city manager sir thank you Mr Mr Mayor uh Mr Mayor this is this is not a an issue that uh that uh I did not present to the city because it's not uh an issue a contract being presented to the city uh 1365 was passed last year um Bard Homeless Coalition as the as the lead agency got the money as a pass through from the state and uh established the subcommittee of uh all the cities in the county uh the Sheriff's Office a couple of other agencies and and we've been sitting uh in uh those meetings uh coming up with ideas to address the problem and so this uh the dignity bus idea uh was presented uh we went away from the last meeting knowing that that was on the table we also went away knowing that uh she could uh utilize spend the money by Pur purchasing uh hotel rooms and so and so there are 16 I think other cities in the county and so th this is this is uh all of a sudden this is your issue or something that I didn't present to you which is absolutely not true um so so again this is Amber Carol and the Homeless Coalition going to a service provider and asking if that service provider wants to provide the service Services these are not buses these are not Cars recreational vehicles these are mobile shelters so 20 beds on each bus for a total of 60 beds there and so that makes it a little different I don't know what is ask of me is there I don't know what guidance I could have given him uh if he's asking if it's a matter of a zoning issue then I think you have to actually finally determine what's being part what's the service that's being provided what's potent what potentially could be the service that's being provided before you can answer any of the zoning questions there so so again um it's it's it's not it's not a city issue the contract that was offered him or vice versa between Matthews hope and The Bard Homeless Coalition is just that it's a it's a it's an issue between those two entities issue on a policy matter is whether or not the zoning allows it whether or not you're going to actually support that because again the concept and it's a concept the concept is there are three buses that will go up and down the 72 miles of County and we'll pick up the unhoused and we'll house them for the night parking in various places there I'm not sure that that's that concept is fully developed but again again we're here uh as a result of uh The Bard Homeless Coalition reaching out to to one particular organization and asking them if they want to provide the services remember down in Melbourne there is the the daily bread and so and so it it is an issue that the entire County and councils and the County Commission be should be talking about as opposed to singularly cities the city of coko uh talking about and that's how the law was written yeah even the Florida League of cities clearly indicated that from Eric Hartwell to Craig Khan clearly indicated it's not municipalities issues it's the County's issues gentlemen and we brought that once before even councilwoman C had lived to Once Upon a Time she even addressed uh that issue about House Bill 13 65 and clearly it's a county issue so who they really should be going to is to th those five County Commissioners the cities have they can ask the cities to participate and the city has a right to say no but if you say no is there repercussions think about that one that's the reason why I'm saying know the full context of it before we even talk about entertaining anything that's that's all I'm I'm asking okay all right are you finished Mr City maner I'm sorry I might okay next Miss Charlene the [Applause] witz good evening all happy New Year um so I guess my my comments have shifted just a little bit um with some of the discussion that's been going on first I want to make sure that I acknowledge that our uh relationship working relationship with the Coco police department and the fire department has been awesome it continues to grow um it it's just really just a great partnership um so I always want to make sure that you know that your guys are and girls are doing very well out there and and working with us um one of the things that we're talking about the merchants were mentioned okay I I'm a little surprised that we're we're so concerned because I really think this would benefit the merchants you know I've often heard discussion about the merchants saying that they come in or or they see people sleeping by their um their businesses um part of that I can tell you that when they're my guests are uh woken up in the middle of the night and they have to pick up and they have to move somewhere chances are they may be moving near a business if you have something like this proposal nobody has to be moved anywhere because they're going to be settled in for the night so just to put that out there as well um I understand the idea of other cities but let me just give you a little bit of loose numbers here before I came in I did a real quick glance in the time that we've been here we have when I say registered that means they come in we get their information they receive Services okay we have re we have registered close to 3,000 people everybody got that 3,000 people when I register someone I ask them where did you stay last night or where do you normally stay 1,500 1,500 of those people that were registered have told me that they are right here in Coco this opportunity that's been brought before before you is an opportunity to help the very people that are here in Coco so I really just want wanted to make sure that you understand that although it's Bard County okay they'd be you'd be servicing your own residents they are residents they are here in Coco thank you next Shelly Bradford and then after Shelly will be Shannon Diaz hi y'all um as you know I'm Shelley Bradford and um really honestly I'm going to just say with the um tense feeling here I don't really see the need in saying anything extra because Scott really addressed it all with a lot of your questions that what I was going to say but timing really is of the essence and we do have to have this have some sort of decision on this pretty quickly because time run time's going to run out so quickly so if you'all have any questions just let me know thanks Shannon Diaz and then after Shannon Diaz will be Sarah dit witz hi my name is Shannon Diaz I am the Orange County director of Matthews Hope Ministries I was homeless from 2014 to 2020 in 2020 I heard about Matthews hope through a 12-step program I was in I came to Matthew's hope broken a shell of a person I had a hard time making eye contact I I had been clean for about 3 months from IV heroin use my childhood is riddled with tr I never learned proper hygiene money management manners or any of the things that I'm sure many parents teach their kids I feel my mom did the best she could with what she had but that doesn't mean it was enough coming to Matthew's hope I didn't know what to expect what I learned through the program in the staff at Matthews hope has literally transformed my life I graduated the program in 15 months and started out as an admin in the office so often people say why can't they just just get a job well speaking as someone who was previously homeless not knowing where I'd be able to sleep at night was a huge hurdle for me um and that was before HB 1365 with this new law in place that is another step in the wrong direction for people who already don't have a sense of security maybe a good night's sleep will be just what someone needs to transform their life so often it's easy to get wrapped up in the knot in my backyard how different different would our community be if we all thought if not I then who I can't imagine where I'd be if I wasn't given a chance through Matthew's hope these blesses could change 60 people's lives 60 people could get a good night's sleep and be able to put their best foot forward after a good night's sleep not having to worry about how this law is going to affect them I don't think this is going to solve homelessness but I do feel it's a step in the right direction thank you thank you ma'am Sarah dtz good evening everyone I'm here for the uh posos um I want to take a moment to speak about the anxiety and fear that our guests at Matthews hope are facing due to this house bill for many of them this bill has added an unbearable level of stress to an already difficult situation imagine losing not only your home but your ability to find a safe place to rest with each new day there's a looming fear of being forced to move once again whether you've been working hard to get back on your feet or simply trying to survive that constant disruption affects more than just where they sleep it impacts their ability to hold down a job stay healthy and maintain a sense of security for someone already struggling with the trauma of homelessness this bill only intensifies those struggles for those of our guests who have managed to find some stability whether it's a temporary job a connection with Healthcare or even just a sense of routine this law represented a crushing setback every time they are forced to leave one location and move to another their health deteriorates chronic conditions worsen because they don't have access to regular care or a stable place to rest their physical and mental health are impacted making it harder to get back on their feet most tragically this law erodes their trust in the very system that is supposed to protect them it's already incredibly difficult to feel safe when you have no place to call home but this law exacerbates that fear it sends a message that they are unwanted that their very existence is criminalized even though the police officers we work with at Matthews hope are often compassionate and supportive the perception of being targeted constantly under threat wears on the spirit that's why we believe a mobile shelter like the one Matthews hope is proposing is a critical part of the solution it is a proven Concept in cities such as Chicago this mobile shelter will provide our guests with a stable safe space something that many of them haven't had in a very long time more than just a place to sleep it will offer them the opportunity to focus on getting back on their feet we've all had moments when one bad day throws everything off balance for our guess they had one bad day and they became homeless but we've also seen how one good day one opportunity can make all the difference with a dignity bus more individuals will have that chance to get back on track it will offer them the breathing room they need to rest heal and take the next steps towards rebuilding their lives we are not asking for your permission but we are asking for your support through this next Endeavor to help the thousands of homeless not only in Coco but in bravard as a whole thank you thank you Miss Victoria Jones ma'am do we have any other cards Mrs um Sanger no sir Mrs Jones mayor I wanted to address the council uh under a specific item okay my apologies ma'am okay thank you Mrs Jones Okay this concludes this portion of delegations we will proceed forward to um award sorry um I I did ask about Awards and presentations and I do not see any on consent agenda what are the wishes of councel to approve second have a motion on the floor by councilman go uh Hearns and the second by councilman go ch's going to call the question all in favor of saying I I eyes have it unanimously okay proceeding on to public hearing oh miss miss neita had a card that's what I I was my apologies thank you councel come forward miss you did submit your card good evening everybody good evening and a Happy New Year and 2025 is our year going forward for bigger better things together um I just want to speak briefly uh myself personally in my community not just me and my neighbors next to the left my neighbors next to the right but in my whole Diamond Square Community if I run into people that are disenfranchised by saying well um I'm not going to the meetings I'm not going to participate in Diamond Square meetings that they have because they're not going to do anything and my focus in life from a child is that if you don't do anything don't expect anything and don't complain um my issue uh is that I'm not going to keep beating the same issue since I've been beating since October but I was personally somewhat salty as to uh several documents that took quite a bit of money to give to almost every member on the council uh different agencies on my personal issue and the number one thing that came back to me was that um we we don't have that in the budget to help you with your issue it's not just an issue it's a critical issue for me and my family but my thought on that would be if we got seven to 10 people on a panel not just saying the people in front of me just saying say the promisee keepers um or of the county and I've contacted numerous people and so um we okay all of us we don't have the budget for this that you need and that because it's really my issue is really critical and I'm not going to speak on because I think everybody knows what my issue is but it's really critical so what my thought and what I want to say is there that seems to be on the way to me I feel that if we got 10 15 people together and they say we don't have it in the budget for the city um but this one don't have it in the budget okay pieces and parts of whatever you need to get your area cleaned to be livable for you and your children to be able to be livable not anything that's way off like you want new curtains or new this is a crisis for me but I thought about this and I've kind of I rounded it off um I think yesterday I got a call from a certain person and she relayed a message uh from the city manager and I have taken that uh as to what it is and I I said to myself I said you know what I'm going to stop going to the meetings I'm not going to uh tell my neighbors come to the meetings voice your opinion whether goes left goes right but you know you tried and you didn't sit down with your thumbs circling around saying which way do we go so I was a little bit salty I said I'm not you know I'm not dealing with the meetings I'm not dealing with diamond Square meetings but me my personality even though I'm still going to this issue right now today I say still I'm going to stay involved I'm going to stay engaged and I'm a God-fearing woman and I know God's going to work it all out for me thank you thank you ma'am lat Miss n to come back to please I'm just so I see I'll be real quick I just want to let you know I am I just got your packages I'm going to look over this uh so it's not that I'm ignoring it I just got these packages from you today just got today yes it was in my mailbox it's Christmas wellu around Christmas time so but I I have them okay thank you we okay that's light please sir you good proceeding on to are there any other cards so I don't want to mess up thank you for your patience public hearing item number 6-1 uh Second and final reading ordinance number 13-20 24 second reading amending zoning ordinance of the city of Coco to add major Recreational Equipment sales and rental and limited types of commercial vehicle and heavy vehicle equipment sales and rental to the list of permanent uses in The General commercial CG zoning district and establishing conditions for such use 202-10 October the 2nd 2024 pnz recommend approval by the city council December the 10th 2024 city council unanimously approved this and this is a no-brainer but I Surrender the floor to you Squire gargan sir okay ordinance number 13224 an ordinance of the city council of the city of Coco bvar County Florida amending the zoning ordinance of the city of Coco to add major Recreational Equipment sales and rental and limited types of commercial vehicles and heavy equipment sales and the rental to the list of permitted uses in the general CG zoning district and establishing conditions for such use providing the repeal of prior consistent ordinances and resolutions incorporation into the code severability and an effective data as you noted mayor second and final reading also public heing item no changes have been made since first reading thank you esquad gagan Mrs Webster ma'am yes sir thank you um staff has nothing to add and it there have been no changes since the first read thank you very much do we have any questions for either staff here at Council saying none CH like to close this portion Council open to the public please come forward to the podium and state your name uh you have 180 seconds to elaborate expound or discuss this particular item number 13-20 24 going once going twice CH like to close this portion to the public and return to the council what are the wishes of council move to approve we have a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor weeks second by councilman Hearn she's going to call the question in favor by saying I I any n eyes have it unanimously proceeding on to item number 6-2 ordinance number 15-20 24 second and final reading of ordinance amending the official zoning map designation of 16 Parcels of real property totaling 8.3 8.36 Acres more or less and generally located adjacent to State Road 520 near the intersection of Virginia Avenue Ruth Street Aurora Street in Coco Florida more particularly depicted and described on exhibit a attached here to from bavari County single family residential r-9 General retail commercial bu-1 and Retail warehouse and wholesale commercial bu-2 to the city of Coco General commercial CG 2025 D12 Squire gargan e okay ordinance 15-22 24 an ordinance of city council City Coco bvar County Florida amending the official zoning map designation of 16 Parcels of real property totaling 8.36 Acres more or less and generally located adjacent to State row 520 near the intersections with Virginia Avenue Ruth Street and Aurora Street in Coco Florida more particularly depicted described non exhibit s here 2 from bvar County single family residential iu19 General retail bu1 and Retail warehousing and Warehouse commercial bu2 to City of Coco General commercial CG providing for the repeal of Prior and consistent ordinances and resolutions severability and an effective date this is second and final reading also a public hearing item of this city initiated rezoning mayor thank you squar GES and I think nothing has changed but I will surrender the floor to you Mrs dster thank you sir you are correct um uh there have been no changes since the first read and staff has nothing to add we have any questions for the young lady saying n chair like to close this portion to counsel and open to the public please come forward and state your name on this particular item uh 6-21 1524 calling once going twice CH like me close this portion to the public and return it to council what are the wishes of council move to approve we have a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor weeks second yeah everybody that's a good thing man you're alert and tenative that's wonderful who would like to get y'all tell Mee okay who would like U okay all right Deputy excuse me councilman Hearns second it Mrs um miss Monica we have it ma'am thank you count ma'am all in favor saying I I and the N eyes have it item number 6-3 I think it's our third and final number item for um public hearing I think there may be a a modification to this but I'll just wait and I'll just expound on ordinance number 14-20 24 second and final reading of an ordinance adopting a large scale comprehensive plan text Amendment amending a policy in the future land use element related to the mixed use future land use category establishing the authorized uses permitted on the ground floor of a mixed use building such mixed use buildings being eligible for residential density bonuses generally of an additional five dwelling units per acre for vertical mix use buildings and up to 125w dwelling units per acre for vertical mixed use projects in the very limited geographical area identified in policy 1-1-2 D6 of the comprehensive plan and requiring a development agreement by the city council on certain terms and conditions deemed necessary and acceptable to the city council 2025 on November the 6 pnz approved and recommended Council approve this ordinance the proposed comprehensive plan text amendment was transmitted to the Department of Commerce for state agency November the 12th 2024 the first reading of 14- 2024 was approved by the city council and it's been reviewed by the state asquire gargan floor is yours yep ordinance number 14-22 24 an ordinance of the city Council City cocar County Florida adopting a large scale comprehensive plan text Amendment amending a policy in the future land use element related to the mixed use future land use category establishing the authorized uses permitted in the ground floor of a mixed use building such mixed use building being eligible for residential density bonuses generally of an additional five dwelling units per acre for vertical mixed use buildings and up to 125 dwelling units per acre for vertical mixed juice projects in the very limited geographical area identified in policy 1 Point 1.2.6 of the comprehensive plan and requiring a development agreement by the city council under certain terms and conditions deemed necessary and acceptable to the city council for the repeal of Prior and consistent ordinances and resolutions incorporation into the comprehensive plan and severability and an effective date and legal status of the plan Amendment and this is an adoption hearing following um the transmitt as you mentioned mayor the state has reviewed this provided some comments back to the staff that were unrelated to the Amendment um but we're um gu technical guidance on um other other other matters so this is ready for consideration for adoption thank you very much esad G Mrs Webster ma'am yes thank you sir um that is correct there were no modifications or changes to the amendment itself uh only that it was sent to the the Department of Commerce for review and there were no objections received from any um that from that agency or any other state agency thank you c ma do we have any questions either for the city manager City attorney or staff Mrs Webster saying none we have a light okay oh yeah I was going to ask what the technical issues were they there were no technical issues um just referring to comments from from the state agencies that reviewed um there were just a technical assistance comments uh REM as reminders for us they were related to the amendment and um they were just change reminders for us uh to implement incorporate changes when we do redo our comprehensive plan so one of them was like updating the water supply facilities work plan consider updates the capital Improvement schedule related to uh bmap projects and those types of issues you know staff intends to okay deal with at the appropriate time okay uh well this is the ordinance well we had discussed it before um and I brought up before and and still believe that the additional dwelling units that we do for mixed juice is a benefit to the citizens of Coco I understand that we're reducing those by 50% right based on this am I getting that right we're talking about the mixed use this allows for mixed use that the developer could do mixed use for just 50% of the ground floor and still receive the benefits for increased density that's correct well so so more specifically that the the developer can is is um can do up to 51% residential on the ground floor and then the rest must be you know um non-residential use okay and and I think I understand the market forces behind this what's driving it um there's less need for commercial space or at least since covid those Dynamics seems to have changed um and overall I really don't have a problem with it except for the Bank of America building which is what is really driving us to do this now because that is such a key piece of property in Coco Village and having that vibrant and having that that commercial space available that is really a benefit to all of the people in Coco rather than just 50% which would increasingly or would privatize it more that space um so you know I still feel darn because I would support this otherwise but for that particular property and I know we're going to do a specific development agreement for that but given the fact that that's what's driving this anyway I feel like it's a loss for the citizens and for the village and and um maintaining or building its vibrancy which is why we want that property developed so that's all I have to say on it Deputy Mayor weeds I just wanted to say um is uh that particular property there's no saying that whoever develops it would do any residential on the first floor because to me it would make more sense for them to do all commercial on the first and have the residential up so I I'm in favor of it because I feel like they would probably want to utilize all the first floor commercial so that's all I have to say I just going to it is a framework group that purchase the property and it's based on their requests that we're making this they are looking at um um using part of that for private um to serve those that are renting those apartments and of course all of it is dependent on the development agreement but yeah but you know if we're going to provide services for the citizens of cooko and especially the downtown area with the demand that they request right councilman former councilman Greenwood and all the other businesses and entrepreneurs we must generate a revenue to cover their services and I'm a firm and believer in this and if we'll build constructively but more so than anything else that is ecstatically pleasing to the eye to support the downtown area and it's foot patrol I'm in favor of it so chair like to close this portion to councel and open to the public please come forward and state your name if you have any concerns on this particular item going once going twice chair like to make a motion to approve staff recommendation you got me second second by councilman go chair's gonna call the question all in favor by saying I there you got me any n n there we go let the record reflect 41 do you have that Madam clerk yes sir all right thank you very much ma'am proceeding on the council business item number 7- one okay this is you Mrs Jones yes ma'am thank you and I do apologize to you and Miss neita I had got your cards across my apologies um Council approved on the updates to the upstart Coco minority and small business program to Foster the growth of small businesses in the city of coko and approval of budget adjustment to roll over allocated funds from previous years 2024 d243 commercial economic development director is that you yes sir ma'am um go ahead yes so this is making um is requesting approval to make some adjustments to our upstart program um and I'll just go over the few adjustments that we would like to make um and then I just want to make a note on the baf the adjust budget adjustment rollover um the amount should be 32,500 and not 22,500 so I just wanted to make that note as well um so the require the adjustments that we're seeking um one is just an a easy name change on the uh resolution we it off uh refers to the office of Economic Development which it's not the office of Economic Development anymore it's the communication and economic development department so I'm just making some minor changes on that and then we are suggesting um and when I say we I did list in here the the committee that was set forth um the committee has discussed these changes um and is suggesting these changes so um and I don't think we have anybody from the committee that's here today um so we are requesting that we change the eligible business originally it was a brand new business it had to be a brand new business um and we would like to change that to less than three years old um because as we all are familiar and know may know um most businesses tend to not succeed in the first three years um and so we want to take a business that maybe one-year-old that still needs assistance may still need the coaching from we venture or whatever service provider we have um and still be able to utilize those services and be a successful business in the city of Coco um and then we also are asking the to change the diamond Square requirement to less than 5 years old and the reason for the difference in the diamond square area is because we are have we have a very a shortage of available property for for businesses to lease in the diamond square area um so we have a we're having a hard time with businesses right now that are brand new finding locations in Diamond Square so what we suggest is if there is a business that is possibly four years old in the diamond square area they already have a location let's assist them let's make sure that they stay in business let's make sure that they succeed um and so that's why we we are asking to make that adjustment to the diamond Square era just because of the lack of uh available properties to lease um and then the um allowing eligible businesses to reapply after six months um again they can get their feedback from the committee um make adjustments as needed and then come back and reapply for the program instead of one year um removing the requirement to submit a business plan with the application um we have asked we venture to provide us with questions in the application that would serve as the business plan what we were finding is that most businesses that submitted their applications and their business plans they weren't really business plans anyway so what she did is she kind of broke down that business plan and put it into questions that we could get useful information from them and then the we venture program is to help them create that business plan um so we just felt there wasn't really a need to have it at the beginning of this application process um and then um added in the resolution it says that we would one of the eligible expenses that the businesses could apply for was an uh one-year membership in the Coco Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce we as we all know we have multiple Chambers in this area um we have the uh Space Coast Black Chamber of Commerce and the hisp Chamber of Commerce so we just wanted to add those in there as well um as eligible expenses so it's not just coca Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce um excuse me and then we met with um a representative from the Small Business Development Council that is located at Eastern Florida State College um and they had talked about we talked with them about the possibility of meeting with our applicants prior to them coming to for the committee um and they we talked about the idea of them helping them get prepared and ready for their committee meeting so the count the committee loved that idea um and thought it was really would be helpful for the applicants to be able to sit down with this person from the sbdc and discuss um who their competitors are what it is that they need to look look for when they come before the committee what are the things they need to um know about their business and be ready to answer questions um so we would like to add that as a prerequisite once we get the applications we will work with them to set an appointment with someone from the sbdc um who will meet with them and get them uh ready and prepared for their committee meeting it is she's not selecting people that is the job of the committee um that the council uh appoint set the committee um but it is a way for us to get our applicants a little bit more prepared and ready for the process of sitting down with the committee um and answering questions that that they're going to ask um so those are the things that we are asking for um and then again the budget amendment is there to help us we had um a few years where we didn't allot any budget um because people didn't complete the process the the we venture process and come forth asking for the remainder of the loan um so we have some budget to roll over so to to be able to to um equal us out for the people that we do have in the pipeline right now we are asking for that budget adjustment for the $2,500 to roll over and I'm available to answer any questions that you all might have sta council do we have any questions for M singer okay I see a light on councilman go it really wasn't a question I think to there two things that stood out to me that could be very successful for a lot of business which is number three uh allowing eligible businesses to reapply to the program CU we know that some businesses do not come in prepared there their first time you know going for a grant such as this from a city and I think this allows them another opportunity in a shorter period of time so I think that's a good thing and then the second thing which is amazing is the four applicants in the program that are completing we we venture program that is big because we know it was a little shaky at the beginning uh some people didn't finish um cuz some maybe didn't understand the commitment level of it um but but to have four applicants in the program um looking to complete the program is a is a beautiful thing if you look all across the county you really don't see a program such as this from other municipalities so for us to be committed to other businesses is is really a good thing so um that's the only comments that I had I think you bring a very valid point councilman gor because throughout my travel throughout the state they they're aware of our program here and it's the Talk of the Town and we technically have five in the pipeline right now okay um Deputy Mayor weeks yeah I just wanted to say I love the uh fact that you are going to have them meet with the Small Business Development because before I did a business back in the 1999 uh many many long time ago I met with them and uh wrote my business plan and did all those things and uh they were so helpful and so uh I just love that because that really get you on the right path so that's awesome and we have a great committee too we have a very Dynamic diverse committee um of people who have been very helpful um and I think this is a great way to kind of set them and get them ready for the committee so y it's awesome thank you Mrs Jones would you come to the podium please no good evening Council Victoria Jones uh even uh do I need to do my address as well no ma'am all right uh good evening council tonight I stand before you wearing multiple hats as a resident and taxpayer of this great City I am deeply invested in the decisions that affect our community additionally I am here representing the Space Coast Black Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO I appreciate this opportunity to address you on matters that are great importance to both our citizens and local businesses I urge you to table the amendments to the upstart Coco program it is crucial that we hold a public forum to allow taxpayers to voice their opinions and provide feedback furthermore inviting past applicants to share their experiences with the process can offer valuable insight as a resident I believe that informed decision making by our council members is essential to the success of this program as the president of the Space Coast Black Chamber of Commerce I wish to bring to your attention an email I sent to this entire body on December 29th 2024 in the email I requested a special meeting to address the conflict of interest in the upstart Coco minority Small Business program the email contained detail information obtained through public records requested from the city clerk and other City staff each of you has sworn an oath to act ethically moving forward with any changes to this program without first addressing the outlining complaints would be contrary to that oath as a whistleblower I have brought these issues to light and I urge you to consider them seriously before proceeding thank you for your attention and consideration to these important matters to Residents and Advocates like me thank you thank you Mrs Jones um do we have any other cards out saying none what are the wishes of councel motion to approve second have a motion on the floor by councilman gos and the second by Deputy Mayor weeks chair's G to call the question all in favor saying I I and a eyes have unanimously contct info please who who do people call Samantha Samantha right okay thank you item number 6-2 consideration of the 2025 city council meeting date addition and cancellations uh 20 25-25 administrative Services director ma'am yes sir this is an annual item that we do that we normally bring in um January of every year so that allows the city clerk to set the calendar for the year and help staff plan um for special meetings and helps us cancel holiday meetings that take place at the end of end of the year um I just wanted to add um after this item was created there was a couple things brought to our attention um that we wanted to point out um one of them was we were requesting to cancel um the first meeting in March and after that it was pointed out that there's also the the legislative action days are taking place in March that will conflict with our second meeting in March and per our city Charter we're required to have one meeting a month so um so I think that'd be best for Council to discuss the March meetings um as a whole um so so we need one we need one meeting date in March March the 18th the 18th is the day I had planned the uhpa in legislative week yeah I'll be there yeah I'll be there but that would be on the 20 unless I mean oh no that would be 18 so yeah okay let me read this little caveat special meetings may be called by the mayor or the city manager from time to time as may be required yes sir so that gives us flexibility so that's the reason why I'm saying to you um you know that caveat is a way that we can still navigate and still maybe have a meeting maybe three in the month of of of February who's to say I mean it doesn't have to be a a a meeting that's going to be 25 items or whatever the case may be yes Mr city manager but you you got to have at least one per month per month and I understand that yes sir yes sir yes sir I'm just saying out of the four I mean two per month normally two per month maybe one of those yes and if we do something during the month of March ladies and gentlemen I'm thinking maybe the latter part of March it's whatever the wishes are I'm flexible I'm flexible well the 24th and 25th and 26th is the fora League of cities thing in Tallahassee correct so so it would have to be either like the Thursday or Friday or that's why I thought the week this 17th through the 21st yeah somewhere in there right we just double double up on those March workshops I'm actually G be gone on the fourth Great American Real days I'm I'm thinking well it's look at your calendars what does February I mean no March the 17th through the 18th looks like what do you have on the 18th well the 18th is when I had planned the um I had arranged to have it at Orchid Lakes the town hall that did not go so well last October so but we could make that the meeting and I can try to rearrange that date 18th okay so if I hear you so we'll have one regular we'll have a special council meeting the month of March and we'll make it for 6: pm on March 18th which is a Tuesday correct okay that's what you got right so we'll be canceling both regular meetings of March okay and then another um thing that um was found after this item was published was we had put in here to schedule a state of the city meeting for Tuesday October 14th um that was a typo because that meeting actually falls on a regular meeting um of council so this text was copied from last year's item and um and so that we we didn't catch that we can be it at make it at five o'clock I me an hour early and Mr Mayor and council members that's that's me that's me attempting to do the the state of the city because I just like that format um we can come back uh later and and ask look look at the calendar and ask uh about that meeting you don't have to do that tonight so okay yeah we can bring that back another time I was just looking over with Mr I'm sorry Mr uh Brown uh I know it Reed some event uh notifications is coming up I just want to make sure none of those dates conflicted with that I know we are c yeah you talking about I know we had the FBC uh Leo and there was something else we were sent what is that yeah something that's coming up like next month or so uh I believe it's October 22nd through the 24th I need to there coming up more February 27 through the 28 okay this year 27 is this FBC okay so so that shouldn't conflict with anything okay it's a black oh okay and you can attend and that's right we do not discriminate we do have European Americans in our organization and they have one former Latin Brothers to and sisters too as well Key West oh it's in Key West that's why he's Key West oh okay where's the meeting at the oh Orlando okay because I'm doing the reading at Saturn Elementary on the 28th you are too yeah is that wait a minute is that the one for Mrs Brown Kathy Hamilton Brown no well she wasn't the one that wrote the no I got a letter from her okay that should complete um everything so um we're requesting yall to um to approve um the dates that we requested and cancellations with those changes um that we notated um from the mistakes that were in the item so that would give us the meeting in March um March 18th and um and removing the state of the city that was suggested for October 14th so they're moving the 11th to the 18th yes yep yep y okay okay I already put that in it okay yep yes sir yep you need a motion right ma'am move move to approve we have a motion changes we have a motion on the floor by Deputy Mayor weeks to approve the Motions that have been stated and and amended and a second by councilman go was that you sir yes uh no that was you Council I'm sorry sir parone me I'm like granny in Beverly hillbilly speaking my good ear all in favor by saying I in eyes heav unanimously man I'm telling my age I'm proud of our final item for tonight City business bavar County and a local agreement for billing fees related to fa and sa let me be first to say that um the original interlocal agreements between the bavar county property prais in the city of Coco for the billing fire and storm water assessments was in fire assessment may 2026 storm water assessment June 2029 excuse me 2019 did I say 2026 my apologies May 20th excuse me may 2016 the year 16 okay and these billing fees are assessments that are included at the adoption of each annual budget do we have any questions seeing none chair like to make a motion to approved second and I have a second on the floor by Deputy Mayor weeks chair's going to call the question all in favor by saying I I I in a eyes have it unanimously thank you madam director Mrs Rebecca B thank you okay information you can see that report you can see that it's the city manager thank you thank you Mr Mayor so yes sir thank you sir am I the only one we we have a two reports tonight I'll just note to you and I think you probably noticed the difference there uh Chief Hennessy is sitting in for chief lamb um the award-winning Chief Hennessy yes is a sitting in for chief lamb and so we have Mrs neuter and Mrs singer with reports okay I'm I'm gonna go first because mine's pretty easy I just wanted to remind everybody that um we have our Economic Development event tomorrow uh it's our business showcase and economic development event um and that is at uh four o'clock at the Coco Civic Center tomorrow square and then I have something pretty quick as well um I am pleased to announce that the uh historic uh renovation and restoration of the windows and doors at the Harry t- Mo Center where the Leon and juel Collins Museum of African American history and culture is complete um $278,000 of Renovations that were paid for through a grant through the uh State and uh we finished it and it is absolutely beautiful uh we are excited to have those windows and doors in uh the the best thing about it is is it will improve the Energy Efficiency of the building um it'll improve and decrease some of the issues that we had with those windows that were installed in the 70s and 80s and and really improve the look of the building so we're excited about that if any of you would like to uh look and tour the the building with the new windows and doors just please let me know and I'll be more than happy to uh meet you over there and and take you on a tour thank you very much question yes ma'am I'm sorry um when is it going to be open to the public or is it now or what hours it's open by appointment only they have to contact Ryan Brown okay and and then we schedule time for folks who are interested in uh visiting the center is there plans eventually to have it open to the public and have a curator or funding oh always yes and could you could charge people which is one way to bring money in as well correct or no I'm just I don't know how well that would go over Deputy I'd rather be honest with you I'm not saying that is a good idea traditionally it would work but let me I hey I identify the white elephant in the room location location location that's I'll just say it that way okay okay if if it was on Michigan Avenue by the be by the okay we are currently looking for volunteers uh to be ambassadors to help us uh provide uh tours inside the museum and uh and work with uh visitors who would like to see the inside okay wonderful thank you m Mr Mayor you you you reminded me that and I think we sent the notice out to you and you'll see it uh publicized that the uh Space Coast transportation planning organization was awarded approximately 5 million in rail Crossing elimination grants um for seven rail crossings within bvari County um and that's great news for bvar most particularly there's a even better news for city of Coco because we have three of those Crossings and so that's to make the crossings um uh safer um remember we talked about uh that the uh and so we have three of The Crossings I forget exactly where those Crossings are but that's a that's a big deal for us uh it's Michigan Avenue Dixon Boulevard and West Highlands Drive and I think that's it for us sir okay sir thank you okay esquad garanes no report okay who goes first this time de uh councilman Hearns is it even this time even two and four two and four two I don't I can go first floor is yours ma'am okay I'm good I was planning a uh Community or town hall on March 18th so I'll be looking at another date for that um and the high point association meeting I'll be attending next Monday um that was last week but it was cancelled because it was so chilly still chilly their annual meeting yes Ma so and that's all I have happy New Year to everyone looking forward to working with you number two I'm guessing my photos didn't go through oh I need the first for a second start it off I justum okay this photo right here is located in District 2 um over the weekend I took it upon myself to drive through my district took me about 20 minutes to drive through the whole District even drove through a little bit of District Four and district one and this was a common thing here wasn't as bad as this but I count it I have about 43 properties where there's similar situations like this um some of those situations look like residents is just uninformed on the process but uh a few of those photos that I have to me this is just blatant disregard um for the city of Coco um I just tell you as a council member especially as a representative for district 2 I'm not going to stand for this anymore I would love to see uh action taken Swift action taken as far as some kind of penalty um clearly this is done by the landlord um we you know I would like to call it a slum Lord uh for you to allow something like this this this wasn't done by the residents this is done by the property owner um so I'm hoping that we uh we can come as a council with some kind of policy to allow uh enforcement to take swifter action into uh adding penalties on situations like this um I don't know if my other photos ever came through okay all right so um other than that yeah this this becoming a big issue especially in my district um I saw a little bit in other districts as well this weekend I don't know how bad it is street is that that's uh Hickory this is Hickory you go down another street over on Hill Crest it's it's probably twice as bad as this um like like I said I have 43 photos which is 43 properties uh similar situations here and um something has to be done I rece I'm receiving phone calls e even from uh residents that's not in my district uh I even got cursed out over the weekend about this situation and uh it's not funny but I've been there I know what it's like you know it you know hi what's your other Street uh Hill Crest oh you just just hit every street on this on off of fist Boulevard you'll see a situation Highland to and um I I know the the the council members as a whole um you guys don't like seeing this as well and um it just gives an appearance that we're we're turning a blind eye to it um which brings me back to something I've been harping on for the past few meetings I would love for it to be uh some kind of sticky note sticker or something posted in every city vehicle um not making it mandatory but at least letting our employees know if you Ro past something like this call it in uh make a note of it send an email to proper uh Personnel um you know like I said I took it upon myself in my personal vehicle I don't get reimbursed for gas and I drove through and and saw so much of this um I think as a as a employee here you should have the same cares the residents here you see something like this don't just drive by it um this also another issue that I seen that comes from issues like this we have meter readers that meet the uh they read the water uh meters there's no way they're going to be able to read a meter with this here so that that's holding up City business so uh that's all I have for district too yeah respond just to that because um yeah two weeks ago actually it was uh New Year's Eve got a call from Mr Wilson maybe you did too and uh about do because I'm on the other side of uh Dixon you know that's Pine Ridge on the other side as as well so and I drive through you know the whole district and that Pine Ridge area in particular just about every block had a pile of furniture discarded Furniture other items I think it's after the Christmas season and maybe people don't realize but of course Mr Wilson is on it and um he has every right to be you know he keeps his yard well and uh several of those piles have been sitting there for quite some time so um if we can be more proactive that would be really helpful because this the biggest complaint I get as well yes sir um I think a policy change uh such as uh making it mandatory for uh landlords and I know we don't have technically a list of every individual resident that has um a rental property we don't we don't technically we really don't know uh you have that but you have some individuals that don't go through that BTR process but when we see this amount of trash out there we know more than likely this is a eviction situation and so when when code enforcement sees this we we need to have something in place that we make it mandatory that they have to get a rolloff they have to get some sort of a service to remove these items because waste management is not picking that up that's not going to happen not what it being all strolled over the the whole yard and you seeing this everywhere because when people see see it on the side of the road they going through the draw trying to see what they can get out of it cuz most likely the people wasn't home they changed the locks they just threw everything out and so um I think that's maybe an action that something that we can do right away because just putting a notice out there right then may still keep the the the trash out there for another two months CU we just seen it on um on Stone Street at apartment complex right next to the church we've been seeing that for years when they evict somebody it stays out there for a long time and so maybe make that's something that that I just thought about you know just this morning uh when I went by there as well and something that we can they have to get something or a company to remove that debris from the side of the road and so maybe that's something next meeting or a meeting in the future we can come up with what we need to we need whatever that is or maybe look at another city to see what they have for uh landlords Andor Apartments um and try to compare ours with their because I I don't believe we' have anything like that um inside of our ordinance I just wanted to respond to that if I might for a moment um I will say that uh many landlords that do the eviction um they do put it out by the road uh but it behooves them to get it cleaned up because nobody's going to want to rent that apartment point taken until that stuff is gone and um and there are things in leases that um that they can't just dispose of it there is a time period too uh that that stuff leaves out because many times the person who's affected comes back to get some of their stuff yeah so there's that as well so there's more yeah but I agree it looks horrible sitting out there like that um but there are other factors at play as well so where's the medium on that I don't know yeah okay can I just can I say go ahead ma'am okay thank you um so I did call the city manager I know he followed up with waste management but Mr Wilson's point and it's a good one um at because I explained of course they need to call in get it picked up his point was that if they're not calling somebody better pick it up anyway business so um I don't know did Waste Management respond to our request to clean up Pine Ridge yes ma'am as a matter of fact Mr a singer and I had a meeting this morning with Waste Management on the topic topics of bulk and yard waste uh pickup there so so we we had uh that discussion we've come up with some things um you know they are pricing out um I forget what it's called Samantha it's it's the it's a regular pickup so it would be a regular yard waist pickup yeah a regular yard waste pick up and so what that is is is that um you wouldn't have to call in bulk yard waste you would uh it would just simply be scheduled just like your recycle and your trash uh there is a cost associated with that so so again we will bring that back to you um so math I forget the things we talked about this morning in terms of solutions so helped me out yeah I mean they they specifically mentioned we we mentioned the Pine Ridge area they're they are doing when we bring to their attention they are going through and focusing they have made it a point to have their drivers try to make note of some of the areas when they're driving through if they notice it to make note of it to come back when when they do have the service so they are doing things to try to address some of the issues that we've been bringing up and I think on on our side we talked about uh I think we are now Chief carer fully staffed in Code Enforcement yes we just hired uh two new uh code officers so uh we'll be be in a position to be a little bit more proactive yeah and so the combination of of being fully staffed and code enforcement and again we we do a lot in terms of uh of uh Public Works and what they do but maybe the combination of uh those two agencies and and again I'm going to bring back to you their price proposal on the regular regular yard waste pickup there but but again I think we're going to have a better better ability to actually um pass along um instances like that either put them in our system or put them in the waste management system so that they can get taken care of more expeditiously I want to say thank you all for um burd Plaza Parkway that back way to bird Plaza we had a lot of uh debris green waste there from the storm and it's clear now I can see clearly now so yes and it was a lot but you all responded immediately over there by fire station number one by Tyler Furbish you guys did a job that is phenomenal right people got the right information kudos to you so yes ma'am yes sir um yes it's accountability and we're going to get through it it's a work it's an ongoing working project period Point Blank sorry okay whose turn is it yours okay have mayor okay what do I push first one right it's on here who's that gorgeous young lady there oh that's that's wrong picture first oh there we are okay so Lorraine and I went to the rotary um oh I forgot about that yeah the rotary dinner and um so uh that was their hundred year right 100 Years of the rotary so we attended that I I attended on your behalf mayor thank you deputy and then um I don't have a picture of it and I can't believe it I went to the uh police the Christmas police lunch and uh stepped in and spoke to the folks there and thanked them very much for their uh for their fine work that they do here in the city of Coco and I we took a picture but I don't know why I don't have it so if you have one of the ones that was taken I'd appreciate you sending it my way because I sure would like that um then we did the turkey distribution and this young lady here is 92 years old wow she looks good and doesn't she look good for 92 so she was so happy but she couldn't lift the turkey so we had to set it there to take the picture but that's okay and uh then this is another lady who um very very poor health and she was so happy to get the turkey these were all folks this is a widow lady that I know who got a turkey as well and uh this is another Widow lady who got a turkey so they were all very happy so this was just four of the ones that um it felt so good to to be able to help folks out like that and uh then went to the uh to the fun day at the community center and of course the mayor and I were there I did not know they had cheerleaders and basketball and all that I learned so much that day and uh there's the mayor over there talking to the folks and um there's the cheerleaders they did some performing they had crafts and these are some of my grandchildren some other kids that were in there doing crafts and they made um use their hand and made uh flowers out of them they were so cute it so creative and of course I have to show pictures of my GRS and the other so there were four of them there and uh so anyway that's uh all I had but it was um um those were benchmarked between the holidays and uh so and I want to tell everybody happy New Year and thank you to all the staff at City Hall yall do a phenomenal job I keep telling everybody I just am so impressed by how you all do your jobs and how wonderful you've been since I've been on the council so thank you all very much and the council too but I mean you know I love it I love it I love it I'm sure you want to say something counil g go ahead man um you can take my time that's fine this really is to the mayor because I know he he made a phone call to I believe most of us about the turkey and so I just wanted to let him know and the council know but him more specifically um because of the phone call um to me about the turkeys I ran into two young ladies uh in my district um that that kids really haven't ate uh in the last couple days and so that one phone call from you to us about handing out turkeys really opened up resources for those two that they were they had a you know had a little pride issue that they didn't really want to go out and reach out and ask for help but because of that phone call something that was simple um to us really helped out a whole family so I wanted just to I I I'm glad you had those pictures it kind of you know went went out of my head but I really appreciate that phone call and sometimes we don't realize little things uh can mean so much to other people so yes I just wanted to bring that up you guys hit the nail on the head uh this goes a long way man um um uh councilman uh councilwoman cause we we as share your portion to as well you had something allocated I know you were not present at the time but you were in the formula so because I know someone did their due diligence and I'm just leave it like that Teamwork Makes the Dream Work man that's what it's all about um we as counsel we as staff we as citizens of Coco and even citizens is on the outside of Coco amen mad love for you brother but everyone I can guarantee you that sits here and in the audience but um our 400 plus employees are committed and dedicated to the city of Coco rest assured and it's all about timing and and I believe in TTP TTP means trust the process if you trust the process in the end it will reward you so I'm a firm believer believe in that so I thank you all Coco's finest Coco's with an arm in a sling doing your thing to the advocus to lifting heavy equipment to to to to the stadium to the community to we got to have that liquid goal to administrative secretaries even all the way down to the it and the clerk's office I thank you all all employees of the great city of Coco I am not going to have my display today because we're getting out of here before eight o'clock what can I say except you gonna take up five minutes with your I'm not even gonna do that you all done a phenomenal job go in peace God bless all whole mother state champions and Super Bowl champions cocoa hot chocolate thank you yes sir motion to adjourn sir all the favor saying I I can't wait to see you in two more weeks baby thank you go in peace