And then there's always standing. It's never >> Wow. >> That's crap. >> They've ruined a perfectly good product. >> They have because I mean I've loved him where I haven't had any issues with even when he was jumping over to Cisco, you
know, Citrix. I had no issues with him. Just don't do nutanics, man. >> We're already here. We've had nutanics. >> I'm trying to get a lot [laughter] All right, everybody else here, right? >> We want to call this uh city council
meeting to order. Today is Monday, November the 24th, 2025. We'll begin with the application. >> I'll let you do. >> Okay, I'll tell you. Okay. And then we'll follow the pledge of allegiance. Heavenly [clears throat] Father, we thank you. We love you, Lord. We're so grateful for your love toward us. We ask
God for your grace and uh Lord, direction to be on this meeting tonight. And Father, we just ask that all things be done according to your will. And we thank you for your blessings on this city. Help us, Lord, to continue to be good stewards. We ask this all in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. Amen.
>> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay,
I'm going to quickly read the state of the union or state of the city and then we'll have our visitors come in for a a picture with the council. Uh, let me go ahead and
Oops. That is not it. [laughter] All right. All right. Let me begin by saying first and foremost that I believe the state of the city is strong. Phoenix Spring is in great shape and improvements are being made regularly by our city manager, our
city council, our staff, and the many, many wonderful volunteers who support our community. I want to take a moment to acknowledge our volunteers. We could have not accomplished what we do without your dedication. We're deeply grateful for everyone who serves on our planning
board, our cemetery board, our CRA board, even our county EDA board, our tree beautifification board, our code review board. Our city has been truly blessed with volunteers who work both with the city and alongside of the city. Many of our events are supported by
volunteers, including Christmas reflections in December, Lakefest in May, ongoing Main Street activities, Veterans Day on November in the 11th, parades, and much, much more. Our city manager has made several management changes to better serve our community,
has consolidated our water, gas, sewer departments along with utility building into a single department with its own director. He's also reinstated the public works director to oversee streets, facilities, parks, recreation, cemetery, maintenance facilities, rentals, and more. Several projects are
uh either in progress or have been uh recently completed. Uh the final plans for arbors at Emerald Springs on North 20th Street have been approved. the tractor supply that has been constructed on a new facility on 331 South which is
now fully operational. A ribbon cutting was held for the Wendy's on South 331 which is now open. Lakeside Town Homes on Circle Drive and Historic Funia have received final plan approval. Aspen Dentl has completed their offices along
with the new Verizon store now fully functional on South 331. Bay Springs with three single family phases and one town ho town townhouse phase south of I 10 and west of 331 is under construction.
Michael McCormack, who began all this, also has a project under construction where Walton Road intersects with Highway 83. there. They'll have 65 homes, most likely a big Circle K on the corner, and two commercial businesses
that will probably be fast foods. Walton School District is building a new district complex on East Walton Road. Village Springs, thank God, has revived their housing project on Orange Street on Orange Avenue and 17th Street. uh they had to reduce that and they tore
down some of the units to make it pliable which is was 50. Now there will be 39 units there in that uh um neighborhood. Uh Habitat for Humanity on Van and Third Street, they're now building nine homes
out there which are very very much needed. A number of other housing projects are being considered for approval coming soon. In partnership with Tri County Community Council and the Walton County Board of County Commissioners, the city brought the life enrichment center, senior center under
city management. The city has received a grant from Northwest Florida Water Management District for the affluent line replacement covering design and engineering. Uh the HCA freestanding emergency room received final approval and is now under construction.
expected open by February 2026. That's at 331 South and Interstate 10. The city took ownership of an old rundown trailer park on West 90, cleaned it up, and it has been purchased by a developer for future development
that was out at 21st 22nd Street. Along Highway 2AB uh out on Eagle's Crossing and US 331 South, significant water and sewer infrastructure has been constructed. The city is nearing completion on repairs of the historic library, including a new roof to which the
library is the oldest operating library in the state of Florida. Numerous improvements have also been made to our parks, including Chipley Park in the Lakeyard, Florence Park on South 11th Street. I'm pleased to report that our 2023 24 financial audit was submitted on
time. The auditors found evidence provided both sufficient and appropriate and marked a very marked improvement over the past audits. We're very proud of our finance department with a special mention to Danielle McDaniel and our accounting firm. One of our premier
projects is the Phoenix Springs Airport. We have completed the new terminal which is a beautiful facility now being occupied. Our engineers are actively working on the runway extension, so road access, commercial hanger construction. The city also purchased five acres off
Huckaban Road to access the southern portion of the airport, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in future road construction. This past year, the Phoenix Springs was in receipt of a $3.1 million grant that goes toward our new commercial hangers that we will build.
In closing, let me say that the state of the city is strong because of thei united uni unified efforts of our employees, elected officials, contractors, engineers, consultants, attorneys, legislators, and most importantly, the citizens of this great city. Together, we'll make the Fiana
city we'll all love and all be proud to call it home. Thank you, Mayor Bob Campbell. [applause] All right. This time we have a uh special team that we're going to bring in. Let me first tell you that uh this
is the Walton Braves Junior League. They're nine and 10 years old. And uh they have gone all season. They had their regular season was uh eight games and they won every one of them usually by at least a 20point spread.
And then they won both of their championship games following that. And then they went to what they call their Super Bowl and they went into overtime on that one and they won it. Uh so let's give them a big welcome. [applause] You tell them come on in.
We're going to line them up back here. We'll move these chairs and let council pick with them. And there's a lot of them. So we'll squeeze them in here. Go bring him in right here. Yeah, there you go. Come on.
>> Come on, everybody. >> All the way over to the side. >> Okay, >> congratulations. >> Yeah, y'all keep coming on over. She's She's gonna She's got a frame that'll fit this whole time.
Good job, guys. >> All right, these are all you guys come on down front here. [applause] [applause] [laughter] >> Come on. Talk to us, coach. Here you go, coach. just uh just tell them about these guys
a little bit. >> Yeah, this is a 2025 junior team from Walton County Athletic League. They uh they've put a lot of hard work in since the beginning of July. Lots of late night practices, lots of team bonding. Um they've had several events where they
they just get together and and have fellowship. And that's the biggest thing that makes this place tick is the family brotherhood that these guys they put in every single day. Um we're super proud of the hard work they did with it. You were at the game. It was a very hard fought all the way to the bitter end. We couldn't be more proud of what they've
accomplished this year. >> All right. Thank you very [applause] much. >> All right. And um Vickiy's going to take a picture from the back. So tell us what to do. Vicki
[clears throat] back behind you. That's about as far as I can see. So, the boys are kind of okay. Okay. But the coaches >> make [laughter] [laughter] Got a guy >> team effort.
>> Let her get a play, get some picks, and then she'll give you the whole floor. >> All right, Miss on your toes. >> [laughter] >> I think that'll work. >> Thank you very much. Let's give him a big hand. [applause] Congratulations.
Give us go. >> [snorts] [cough and clears throat] >> All righty. We will uh begin with the consent [snorts] agenda and we will look for a motion to approve and if there is
something needs to be pulled off of there which I think Kobe's got something. >> Yes, mayor. We could um we could pull 3F1 and put that on the regular agenda. We could stick that under a 4C1.
>> 3F1 4C1. >> Motion to approve with changes. >> Second. >> I would have a motion and a second. And who's next? Josh. >> Uh Josh. Okay. I favor >> say I >> I
>> I >> I >> I [clears throat] >> All right. Josh can't hard talk, but we'll >> I'll do a thumbs up if RPL needs me to. [laughter] >> Okay. All right. Now, we're going to the the regular agenda. Um [clears throat]
they had brought one addition to it. Um now Todd tells me Clay says that the council has to approve of it. In the past, it's always been the manager and the mayor could go ahead and add at the last minute, but I'll tell you what it
is. It's a it uh it has to do with the um Main Street and the some of the vendors downtown. And the reason it was not put on the agenda is because just found out about it in the last 24 hours. And
uh it's going to have some real impacts before we have another meeting. In other words, that's why it was urgent because by the time we have another meeting, the impacts will already be made and uh I'm sure we have some people here that will share some of those impacts. But
basically what I'm being told is that you know some of the a couple of the restaurants are very very concerned about it's a little bit beyond the Saturday uh farmers market. It's going to be a lot more events which is going
to uh make it to where you can't it's harder to get their restaurants and plus they're going to be competing competing with many more food vendors. So um if it's we want to take this to a vote as to whether or not to allow it to be
on the agenda. Um I will uh >> have Mr. Mayor. >> Yeah. Have we allow have we allowed enough time for the business owners and the vendors to to show up for this one though? Because I think this is the same topic we talked about at the DBPA um
town hall that night. Is is that what it is? >> Okay. >> That was kind of contentious. the I know the Main Street were going to have a meeting today and they were told well ahead of their meeting and uh and I
know at least one vendor I don't know about two that knew that we were going to have the meeting. Yeah, we have two that were aware that we're going to have the meeting. So uh there has been a little bit of
notification but the you know again the reason this thing is even urgent is because by the time we have another meeting most of these activities would have already been done or be set in place. So, you know, I'm I I tell you, I just
came back from uh a rural economic development and I tell you, you know, what we do with Main Street and a lot of things we do downtown is very, very critical for our city. But I also know that our, you know, we've got to take care of our
existing vendors, uh, who pay god knows how much money, you know, every month to just to rent their facilities. But um we want there to be a good compromise. It's not one or the other. And so that's the reason I figured we
ought to have this discussion to see if this can be any kind of a compromise brought. >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes. >> I I'm of the opinion that this is an issue between the merchants and Main Street. The the council has voted months ago at this point to authorize the the
closure and to to bring this up at the last second. Um, basically on the afternoon of of the the council meeting, uh, I don't feel is appropriate. Um, I received some phone calls this afternoon. I know that people were scrambling to get here that were out of town. I don't think it's appropriate to
consider it at this time. I don't even think it's appropriate to consider it, period. We voted if if there's an issue, then they >> you express your opinion. We're going to bring it to a vote and the council can decide whether or not we take it up or not. >> Well, I'll make a motion to reject that addition.
Okay. Is there no second? >> I'll I'll second it for discussion. >> All right. Second it. >> Um, any other discussion? Go ahead. >> I I didn't I was not here for the DPPA thing, so I don't even know what the issue is.
>> Uh, if it was discussed, >> allow it to happen. You'll find out in just a few minutes. Well, that's what I'm saying. Can somebody educate me? >> If that's okay. I'm be as close to Mr. Atinson again as possible. I think we probably went as far as we need to go. We need to add it or not add it. I don't think we need to have discussion on it
unless we add it to the agenda. >> Correct. >> Well, there's a first and a second for discussion >> to reject to >> addition to the agenda. >> Oh, >> yeah. Not the not the actual item itself. >> I >> I just don't want us to get into territory we might get in trouble with. >> How how long ago was it that we were at
that DBPA meeting? Because that seems like it's been two or three weeks ago. It was Yeah. >> And then we we approved the uh agenda item for the closure >> either September, October. >> So there's been plenty of time to bring
it forward before now. >> Yeah. Well, reality has struck them, I guess. >> And I know that there was >> Okay, let's stop discussion. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> All right. Let's vote. >> Okay. Uh, so I'm going to ask a all in
favor of you reject or not allowing it to be put on the agenda say I >> I >> I agree. I >> I'm a nay because I'm aware of of some
of the circumstances but and I wish we had a chance to discuss it >> since the people are here. I believe they deserve the right to voice their opinion. Nay. >> I >> I carried. >> Right.
Okay. Well, I hope every you know it's correct in what you said there, Mr. Berbomb. Um, of course, you guys can always protest anything outside put on the agenda. U, but that's that's probably the way it should have been. That's okay. Either
way, I would have lost. So, it's not going to go on the agenda. I am so sorry that we're not going to have any discussion about this. Um if uh you want to make a comment, public comment, that's fine, but >> we're not going to have a an agenda
item, so it won't get voted on. >> Okay. >> Motion to approve the regular agenda with the one change. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Uh >> second. I don't think they heard you, Josh. >> Yes. Second. Thank you. I'm sorry. >> All right. We have a motion and a
second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Eyes carry. Thank you very much. And we will now go to I guess Mr. Rob. Is that right? >> No. Mayor will be a 4C1. >> That's right. We got 4C1 that came off the consent agenda. >> Yes, sir.
>> And so you'll go ahead with that. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, council attached was the uh was a quote to purchase a stationary bypass pump for Pinehurst lift station number two. lift station at Pinehurst number two. I'm sorry. Uh you
all recall a few months back when you when you accepted the final plan for Pinehurst 2, there was a condition that the developer would pay the city the amount needed to buy a bypass pump. And so they did that. We carried that forward this fiscal year. And so we want to get that bought. Um on the agenda, you have a quote for 60,000
$6,000 $60,96. We have got a new quote um Friday and that is in the amount of $53,686. You each have that quote in front of you and I'll make sure Miss Rafie also has it. So, I'm asking you to approve the quote in front of you from Exim in the
amount of $53,686. This lift station would come off the Florida Sheriff's contract uh number FSA23-EQu.21.0 item number 313. >> Motion approved. >> Second >> discussion. >> All right. Uh you go right ahead. Um,
Kobe, will you refresh my memory? Did Did you say we went out to How did you get these quotes? Because >> the quotes here in front of you today? >> Yeah. I mean, was there a deadline? Did people >> No. So, because it's on uh state contract, we reached out to one vendor. Uh, ran, we always try to get as, you
know, three best as possible even on state contract, right? But we reached out. The first one came in like like I said, the developer paid the city $57,542. That is what we quoted them at the time. Uh the first one came in at 60,000. So we got another one that came in at 53.
And so we feel comfortable moving forward with this one based off state contract. And it is under the budgeted amount. >> And and when was the first one dated? >> Uh um Michael, if you'll go back. Yeah, looks like 116.
>> Thank you. Got it. >> All right. Anyone else? [clears throat] >> All in favor say I. >> I. I >> I >> I >> I carried. Thank you very much. Now we'll go to Mr. Rob on the CRA. >> Yeah, we need to move back.
[laughter] >> Congratulations, by the way. All right. Thank you. All right. Rob Hamilton, executive director, CRA. Uh, per the adopted CRA charter and chapter 163, uh, it is your guys's, uh, job to
appoint the chair and vice chair for the CRA annually. Uh this is for the calendar year. At our meeting on the 19th, the board unanimously recommended to appoint Kathy Mosley and Brutin Campbell work as chair and vice pair uh vice chair respectively. Again, this is
for the calendar year. So I just need a approval from you guys to do that. >> Let's do Kathy first with the chair position. I'm make a motion [clears throat] to appoint her as the chair. >> So moved. Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Any questions from anyone?
>> All in favor say I. I >> I >> I >> I >> I [clears throat] carry and now with the vice chair. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion second that >> any any comments? We got a motion
second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. I. >> I. Carrie. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. We appreciate their volunteering. I know it's not a very heavy paid job.
>> [clears throat] >> All right. Um, we will go now to citizen comments. So, at this time, if you have a comment to make, uh, keep it less than three minutes and, um, and just state your name, business you're representing
and we'll go from there. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Tammy Henderson with Sweet Southern Comfort. Um, I'm here tonight. I was out of town when the town hall meeting was uh for a
food show in Orlando and I went to directly to the director of Main Street, six weeks ago. Been talked to her every week since. Jaden Broadway, I think is
the name. letting her know that if they set food truck Friday up on Friday night, farmers market on Saturday morning, straight through close to Saturday evening, that it was a detriment to our business as well as other business
owners that are here as well. I was told and um that the food truck Friday was going to be moved down to last stop. I did not find out that that had changed until Saturday night. >> I'm sorry. What what went to what went
to the >> food trucks? >> Food truck Fridays. >> Okay. Thank you. >> They did not come back. She did not come back and tell me that that was not the case. So, I had dropped it and was willing to live with the Saturday
morning and Saturday night. Last year, farmers market stopped and then mistletoe market started. So, you weren't closed all day long. Now, we will be shut our street, our
block only will be shut down from 3:30 3:30 3:30ish every Friday for 5 weeks straight through Saturday evening, 8:30 p.m. We are struggling in this economy to
make it. We believe in this community. This is supposed to be a hometown community. We're not trying to cause division. We're just trying to survive and shutting us down on our busiest Friday and Saturdays is when you make
your money. I've been here for two years as of the 1st of December. The money you make in December is the money that carries you through what is considered the slow season in DeFunia. When everybody's leaving Defunia, going to the beach, going to the springs,
that's your slow season. The month of December is when we make our money to carry us through the year. The businesses were not approached and asked what we thought about closing that block down for the entire day and
extending the farmers market. We had no idea this was happening until it was supposedly too late. Last year, I was told it would be addressed for this year. how they were doing them all of the that stuff and
shutting that block only down. Now we're at this year and I'm being told it'll be addressed next year. >> Thank you. That's all the time I can give you. >> Ma'am. >> Yes, sir. Go ahead. >> What's the name of your business? >> Sweet Southern Comfort.
>> Thank you. >> I left. >> Can I ask a question? Um, what just so I understand from what time to what time on Friday and Saturday are the streets closed to your customers? from 3:00 3:30ish on Fridays for food trucks to start setting up
and then we will be shut down the entire day on Saturday. So starting >> five weeks you're Saturdays. I thought the farmers market was only from 8 to noon. >> They're well those now the farmers market's not going to stop. They're going to stay all the way through
mistletoe now. So they don't want to have to take those booths down and move them and move all of their stuff and then come back and set back up. So they will stay in place and it will be farmers market till noon and
then farmer uh it'll stay closed with their booths still in place and then the mistletoe market people will come in and set up their booths. So it will stay closed the entire day. We have no parking. >> Understood. Thank you for that clarity.
Thank you very much. >> Anyone else? >> Yes, I have. Go ahead. >> Yeah. >> Um, just want to say thank you. I know everybody's trying to do the right thing for Definiac and and my name is Dan Bailey and my wife Sally. We own Pearl Baking Company right there. In a similar
way, we're impacted by this decision. And I'm not going to repeat everything she said, but but we were not informed, you know, and matter of fact, we don't feel we've ever had a voice in this decision. and and I mean concern how Main Street even gets the power to make decisions over how our parking or our
collective parking is being used. Okay. But we were surprised on the 21st of November and it was we were discovered that they were going to make those changes really through a group uh a a merchant uh gathering. That's how we
discovered it and then all so this was a complete surprise to us as well you know and you know we employ a on our peak maybe 15 to 20 employees they pay taxes in this community they live in this community they're their wages often a good part of them depend on tips okay
you know so and we pay rent here okay and you know and there and we every year we have to go on a basis of being able to predict how we're going to do and we have to make these decisions okay, on how we're going to survive here, you know, you know, and we started on on,
you know, on Baldwin in the beginning. We took, you know, we rolled the dice. We believed in this community. We thought it was special, you know, and so as it changes, the only thing we're asking for is we just need a voice, okay? We need to be heard. We we we don't need, you know, I'm not sure how
how and how this happens, but we need to have a voice. Main Street should not be able to come in and shut down our streets. and and I'm not sure how the internal workings occur, but somebody approves this. Okay, they get these permits, but nowhere are the merchants
boys in that conversation. You know, and maybe that's my fault. I need to be more aware when these meetings are being held. I'm with you. Um, you know, I'm sorry I didn't get your name, Todd, but I agree. This is really a main street. We should be able to work this out, you know, but right now it's it's not. we
should be all being able to dream the same dream and figure out how to work toward this so that we're all healthy. Okay, so that's my comments and she gave you all the details of what's going on, you know. >> Thank you so much. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. Can I Kobe? One question.
>> Kobe, I don't want to talk about it right now, but will you please send me the meeting minutes that say we approve the street closure of from 3:00 on Fridays to whenever on >> Saturdays. And if it's multiple meetings, would you just send that to me, please?
>> Yeah. Uh Mr. Ali, he'll if he can he'll pull the minutes and he'll pull the agenda in which the special events permit was approved by the council. >> Okay. I do remember us approving like Missile Market or whatever, but I didn't I don't ever understand when we closed uh the streets from
uh I thought it was 8 to 12, I guess, uh for for farmers market. And I do understand that and I think we did extend that. But >> Mor, >> thank you. Just just for the councilwoman's information, the the original application was brought I think earlier
in the year and was approved and then Main Street requested a modification to extend the market hours and that modification was approved. If I remember correctly, and I don't quote me on this, but if I remember correctly, it was sometime in either September or October. >> Okay,
>> is when when the modification for the main street. Now, I would like to add as someone that has volunteered to assist with the shutdown of the of the farmers market and the opening of the mistletoe market
where I do want to point out there are over 300 vendors scheduled to appear, many of whom are local to this area. Having to go into the businesses and say, "Do you have a car out here? You need to move it. We're closing the
street. you're going to get blocked in by tents and everything else. That was a logistical nightmare from my point of view when this was requested and this was approved. That made sense from a logistic standpoint to have the road closed so that you can then you don't
then don't have to chase people down at 1 and 2:00 that are trying to get either a coffee or a lunch or whatever the case may be because that's what I had to do personally had to do was go into those businesses and say, "Hey, the white minivan that's out here or the black
truck that's out here, you need to move your car because we're setting up for Mistletoe Market and you're about to be blocked in." And then we had people that refused to move that were in in some of those businesses that after the tents were set up, we then had to escort those
vehicles out around people that were walking and setting up and including young children. So from a from a safety perspective, it actually makes much more sense. I will also offer up my observation because this has been occurring for five
plus years. the businesses that got up here and spoke. I have been in both of those businesses before during these events and seen it packed. So, something's not driving here because I've se I've seen with my own eyes those
businesses packed out. >> May I have a comment? Is it possible? Okay. >> All right. >> You didn't use up all your time. You got 30 seconds. >> Well, I think the biggest change is is those streets close at 6:00 a.m. Okay. from prior years and we've been we
understand the benefit of having them there. But when you close our streets at 6:00 a.m. till that time, most of our customers are in in that range from 7 to 11. The old farmers markets and so on used to start much later, but you shut off there. And I'm just speaking for me.
I can't speak for the pink house or what what they do in in in as well, but that's these are you're shutting down the whole you're pushing customers and by the way residents that normally go there out of the way and these supply I get the benefit here but those nobody
out there pays rent. Okay. All right. We do. All right. And now you're asking 300 vendors to come in and you're going to shut down our business for a full really a day and a half. That's and that's in my opinion is not fair. Okay? There's right is right and wrong is wrong. Okay?
And that's all I'd ask you guys to consider. There's a compromise here and I understand it's inconvenient to get the parking arrange but you're taking our customers away. Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. I disagree with that assessment. Like I said, I've seen those both of those [clears throat] restaurants packed out during those
events, whether it's the farmers market that occurs in the morning or whether it's the mistletoe market that occurs in the evening. Go ahead. >> Well, [clears throat] my my concern is when we approve the farmers market typically ends in mid November. So, this
is the only year where the council has approved the the market to continue into December. Now, when that came before the council, I assumed that the business owners had been asked. It's my understanding now that they have not. Maybe some were, but
evidently uh all were not. I would not have voted for it had I known that. Um because Main Street exists for those brickandmortar businesses. That's always been my opinion. That is Main Street programs. The events draw
people down there. And on one hand, it is up to the businesses to get those people in their door once they're there. Um, but I understand the concern here, you know, with [clears throat] the food truck Fridays, especially um in front of two restaurants. Um, that
that's hard. That's hard. If I were one of those restaurants, it'd be hard for me. Um, I I have to I have to admit that. Um, it has been held on other blocks uh prior uh to uh this time. And so, you know, I have I have read some
concerns about that. It's unfortunate we are are here. Um I will do everything I can if if if this doesn't change. Everybody that walks up to my tent uh for kettle corn, I will be
sending them your way. Um and uh I hope that we can leave spaces open in front of these businesses. That was discussed. Jaden and I had that conversation. Um so maybe people can just funnel in and to them. But you're right, uh, Councilman,
that a lot of businesses have praised, um, the the closure of the mistletoe market, the overflow of traffic in the restaurants and what have you. This little bit different with the the the Saturday morning uh, being closed off completely, but it is an absolute
nightmare setting up vendors um, you know, even in the middle of the day and and and vacating cars so that vendors can set up. So that's always been a problem. So maybe the time in the future needs to be adjusted. But that's my my only hesit my only I feel bad that
I I wasn't aware that uh all business owners have not been asked. I think they should absolutely be asked with every decision that affects their business. Um because that's what Main Street is there for. >> I concur.
>> Uh yes ma'am. Hi, my name is Bailey Rushing. Um, I'm a board member on Main Street. I want to add a couple of things. Um, first, the permit extension, we added 3 hours total. Um, and a large part of the
reason why we decided to make that change, as Mr. Beerbomb expressed, is a safety concern. Um I personally last year we had one vehicle that I had to get law enforcement's help with escorting that vehicle out. And to me
when the idea of just extending for 3 hours and allowing our farmer farmers market vendors to remain there also instead of having to break down and set up those two things were a huge reason why as a board member I voted to request that change. We went through proper
channels and submitted that um to you guys and it was approved. I completely understand our merchants issues uh with parking. Unfortunately, I don't know what the answer there is. You know, we're not the only town that
closes down a street. Almost everywhere I've traveled closes down um during the holidays to have events. I don't know that I've ever traveled somewhere and not had to park my vehicle for one in one spot for an entire day and walk. And that's part of Main Street's goals. We
want people to walk our town. Um we've offered several solutions to the merchants that have come to us uh with their concerns and unfortunately every solution that we've offered has been turned down. Um one business we
specifically offered to renovate their um back door area. so they could have their guests um and customers come in there. That was declined. Um and we've thought of of of several solutions, you know, offering or changing it to one-way traffic and having people be able to
park. I I safety is what I think is my biggest concern, especially after seeing vehicles have to travel through that market and having to get law enforcement and we honestly we don't want to have to call in tow trucks. Um, I think that
would be a huge detriment to the people in our city who are spending money downtown is to have to have their vehicle towed because it's a safety issue. Um, and another thing too, uh, walking into each business and having to announce that if you have a vehicle
parked out here to come move, I don't think that generates, um, a good relationship with our, you know, uh, merchants or our our people that are coming in to to spend money downtown. Um, so those were kind of the, uh, thoughts that went into the decision
from the board to extend it. And I'll agree, maybe there wasn't great communication. Um, we've had a couple of employment changes here recently and there probably was not enough communication. I, as a board member, I'll definitely own that. Um, I also have a full-time job and most of our
board members do, so we probably dropped the ball on that, but we're definitely listening and we're very we are considering a lot of changes next year. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Yes, sir. Hi, I'm Garrett Henderson with uh I'm a
local W County DeFi Springs resident. Um my concern with everything is not that we are opposed to the street being shut down. We're opposed to it being shut down for how long it shut down for.
We've always been in favor of uh the farmers market. We've always supported the farmers market. We're out there shopping every Saturday for the farmers market. I believe that there is a solution solution to this. There are uh other
blocks that are not uh restaurants that would not be in competition and would actually probably benefit from the flow of people coming in. Um I do disagree that most of the food trucks are not local residents.
I haven't talked to him, but I would I would have to guess that. Uh, I think that their, uh, last stop, Brew Vault, would benefit greatly from food trucks being outside of their place. I think that people
could grab food, go in and have some beers, hang out, play pool. I think they would benefit greatly from that. We do not. We come in, we put into this community. We love this community. We want to see
this community grow. We also want to grow with this community. Putting food trucks and competition in front of our door absolutely negates any of that. We are looking to expand. We are in the process
of remodeling right now and expanding. You are killing us. You're absolutely killing us. That's all I have to say. >> Thank you very much, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Are you with the last stop? >> I am not. Um, I work for Sweet Southern Comfort.
>> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Councilwoman, to answer your question, uh, the Mary Main Street and the Farmers Markets initial applications were approved on January 27th of this year. And then on October 27th, there was an
amendment to the farmers market application uh, that extended it into December. That was approved. and the mistletoe >> that was approved January 27th >> on that. Okay. >> So, so mayor if I can some someone
mentioned Jaden I don't think you were employed yet at that time back in October were you? Um, >> you got somebody on the podium? >> Well, yes. >> The main street lady, I think. >> Well, Ba Bailey mentioned the transition
of of executive director. So, that's I agree with you. That's that's >> we just like to come to the podium. >> Yeah, we can do that. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Oh,
can I ask a question? Hey guys, >> let her ask a question real quick. Mark. Okay. When is mistletoe market start because I like the do I like his solution. When does that start? >> 11:29. Correct. >> 11:29. >> I'm hoping my prayer is that you can work with Main Street to maybe to see if
they would change their change their block. But >> we tried that. >> Well, I'm not here to debate it. I'm just saying I like the solution. >> We'll let Mark weigh it. >> Yep. Well, I was here to answer questions, but Mark Bird, uh, lifetime
city, uh, resident, uh, vice president of the Main Street organization. Everybody up there knows me. Miss Tammy knows me and I don't know you. Um, it's the timing. That was done on October 27th. Our last
three board meetings has literally been consumed with fixing that problem. Totally aware. Even though at the merchant mingle it was a great night, I never heard one complaint at our merchant mingle, which would have been a
great time for us to get ahead of this problem, you know. So, what I would like to say as vice president, I set that farmers market up almost every Saturday of the year. And I have a
bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich from Soo. And I have a caramel, not sure what all they put in that, but it's really good. [laughter] And I say that to say we're trying, you know, we really are. We want the best
solution for everybody. dumping the food trucks on that block is just because people love that block. But I'm with Councilman Beerbomb. I've eaten at Soo twice because I could not get a food
from a food truck. I I think the runover helps. I know Tammy and I have had that discussion before. I understand and I want you to know that. I mean, we've got a 12 member team and our heads are banging right now. We're we're working towards a solution. The problem is
Thanksgiving's Thursday. It's just a little bit too late. But I just want them to know that we are doing it. It's going to happen. We're going to figure it out. We're going to make it work for everybody. But again, we've offered some compromises. They get lost in translation, but we're getting there.
They the brick and mortars are our heart. We We know that and we don't want to do anything to to mess up that relationship. Anybody got anything for me? >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Yes, ma'am. >> Can I say one more? >> Well, I really It kind of crosses the rules. Your husband certainly can. [clears throat] >> Get get your dad. >> Yeah, you both have been up. I know, but
I still had more time whenever I left. But >> well, let's let him see if he can >> We'll see if he can make a mess over here. [laughter] >> Well, see, we've been told ever since we moved here that that come this time of the year, this is when we we're we'll be
able to make our make our money. And >> we the uh the thing was up until last week we were under in in the understanding that everything was going to be down at the other block and then
all of a sudden they said oh no no no it's going to be here. We we have no clue. It's uh uh I I don't know who dropped the ball. Maybe I don't even know they had a meeting on this. I could have we could have came and voiced our
opinion. We we are no one lets us know anything or or maybe we need to know how to get involved with it, but you know, we uh we can't we I don't know how we're going to survive this if we if we shut down for five weeks, the best part of
the year. You know, we do everything we can to struggle through and get through. We have we have a a like you said, we we've got over a dozen employees just from this area, >> you know. I mean, it's it's uh and a lot
of those people depend on that check every week. >> Sure. >> You know, we pay a lot of rent. We play we pay a lot of payroll. It's uh we don't make a lot. I don't know what everybody thinks, but we don't make a lot out of it, >> right? >> It's a lot of work, a lot of hours. If
you broke it down into that, you would be surprised, almost volunteer. >> So, >> but um but anyway, it's just this is it's almost impossible to try to make a living with the economy. It's been so bad up till, you know, it's finally
starting to get better and now we're going to get shot in the foot. >> So, we were not going to be able to make any kind of decision tonight. uh [clears throat] y'all shared some education with us on both sides and uh and uh I hope that we can come back and and make everybody as happy as possible.
I'm sure that it's going to be a challenge. >> Well, Mr. Cameron, we was told last year that that that it would be looked into and then here we are again now and we still have the same problem. Actually, it's even worse this year than it was last year. >> Yeah.
I I apologize. I'm sorry. Okay. Anyone? Yes, ma'am. Now, this doesn't this doesn't all have to be about [laughter] uh Main Street. So, if you have something else, you're welcome to come. >> Well, I'm Cammy Morgan and I'm with the Pink House. I just want to say that I'm
in support of all of the main street functions that happen, but every time that there is anything that blocks our street off, it really affects our business. Um, if it was a positive for our business, I wouldn't be here right
now. I would be at home with my kids. Um, but every time that the streets are closed off, people stop coming in. um on Small Business Saturday, we're we're good all day long up until um they start
blocking the street off and people just quit coming in. Um it's the same with the food trucks. Nobody comes in when the food trucks are there and we have appointments on Fridays until 6:00. Um, so we have to cancel those because the
people that visit us after they've had a treatment done, they don't want to walk out to a street full of food trucks with there's, you know, people that may know them, recognize them. Um, so it does really affect us. And like I said, I
wouldn't be here now if we didn't feel the impact of that. And the the idea of letting people into our back door, through the back alley, um that just doesn't work. You you go into our break
area, through our storage, like it's just we try to keep it clean. We don't have rats and mice, but nobody wants to go in through the back alleyway. and [clears throat] nobody wants to walk around the building. You can't pass. Two
cars can't pass in our alleyway. Um, so I don't really see that as being an answer to what we need. And I do want to work with the community. I want to work with everybody. Um, but [snorts] I just
wanted to let y'all know how deeply it affects us when our street is blocked off. So, >> thank you for sharing that. Yeah. >> What's your business? >> The pink house. [snorts] >> The pink house. >> Okay. >> We're beside Pearla. >> Okay.
>> So, we do have a lot of people that come in and ask to use the restroom, but they don't do anything except leave a mess and they don't buy anything. >> So, but >> will you share your name again with us? >> Tammy Morgan. >> Tammy with a C. >> Oh, Cammy. Thank you.
>> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Anyone else we wrap this up? Okay. All right. We're going to shut the floor for public comment. Uh take the information you got and just be as
productive with it as you possibly can. We we it's we don't want this to be just a two-sided polarizing city. We want it [snorts] you guys think about how we can come to a good compromise and and uh everybody
benefit from it. So, thank you very much. All right. Attorney's not here, so we'll go to Mr. Beerbomb with the CRA uh reappoint. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll make this short and sweet. I'd like to reappoint Reynolds Henderson to the CRA. >> Second. >> All right. There's been a appointment in
a second. Um any questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. I. >> I. Eyes carry. [clears throat] All right. Mr. Connor, uh you have a request for our manager. >> Yes, sir. I'm gonna try and get through
this as quick as I can, Mr. Mayor. Um, currently we have 211 houses under development along Walton Road. myself and uh city manager Toby Townson spoke recently with a fellow county or one of our county commissioners about the need
for roadway expansions or an assessment so that we can evaluate the conditions there given the two schools three schools that are on that road as well as the school district under construction and additionally the 211 houses that are
coming. If you add up two two cars to every household, you got about 420 cars being added to that roadway when it's already highly or heavily congested. Um I understand that we have a red light coming on 83 and Walton Road in the near future. However, I don't feel like
that's going to meet all of the issues given the three-way stops that are on Walton Road. So, my request tonight is simply to send the city manager to the BCC to request that a traffic assessment be performed on Walton Road for a needs analysis on what we actually need there.
If it's a third lane for turning or passing or whatever >> motion >> and that's a motion. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Uh, any questions about the motion? >> This is over really overdue. >> Yeah, absolutely. And he's got our city
manager's got some background on it, too. >> Just to clarify, councilman, you want me to get on the board of county commissioner agenda for their formal recognition of >> Yes, sir. And and the reason for the need, Mr. Mayor, is this is something that's not new. It's something we spoke about in the past. However, when Mr.
Townsen originally spoke to Chance um Powell, I believe is the last name, the county engineer, it was almost like it wasn't on his radar. So, it's something we definitely want to get on their radar and have them look at it. Okay. Does the chance um I know he used to do most of his concentration on the south end. Is
he up here? >> He is. Mr. Pal's a county engineer. When I spoke to him, come said they just had not had anything in the plans for Walt Road at the time. Um so that's kind of where we had left off at. >> Okay. All right. M >> comment. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Just clarification. Are you getting on
the board or is he just having a meeting? >> Meeting. Just Well, >> I think he asked me to get to to have an agenda item on the board of county commissioners agenda. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Mr. Mayor, I'll just add to it. I've had several people along Twin Lake Drive
approach me about their concerns about >> that becoming a through road once those houses get in there at the the end of Walton Road. So, I I think that that needs to be included as well. You know, what what can we do to kind of limit that through traffic and push that traffic either to 83 or 331? Certainly
needs to be considered. >> Well, that should be considered every artery. What do we got? Uh we got 20th and then we've got Lake View. >> Yeah. 20th Twin Lake Drive, Lake View Shoemaker. >> Got Twin Lakes and >> Shoemaker. >> Twin Lakes going to be a very big
popular once we once we repave it, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So maybe we need to consider I hate to say it, but maybe we need to consider some stop signs. [laughter] >> Yeah. Well, I tell you, if you ever go out there and they let school out, God help you.
>> Yeah. Uh but anyway, okay. Uh all in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. I. I. >> Eyes carry. Thank you very much. All right. We uh got some comments. >> A couple quick ones. I will be sure to get on the county's uh soonest agenda.
The chanc did have been very responsive in the past. I feel like we'll get somewhere. Had brought to them the concerns about Walton Road where I think the buses have been stopped and they kind of like curl the road up. Public works for the county went out and fixed this. I think we'll get somewhere. Um just a quick update on the finance
director um hiring process. Miss Chance and I had conversation last week with the consultant. Uh we provided them all the documentation they requested in terms of uh job description any information they had checklist. We gave that to them. They will be um reaching
out to you and I will get their phone get everyone's contact to them. They like to reach out and talk to each individual council member and the mayor you know 15 20 minutes to kind of go over your ideas what you think of the individual. They have some questions, pre-prepared questions. So, be on the lookout for that. We'll be working to help set that up. And then they are
currently working on creating the brochure right now. So, they're getting that finalized as well. >> Um, and then lastly, uh, remember Christmas Reflection starts this Friday. So, staff's been been busting it. Public works has really been put in a lot of work and doing great out there. So, we
appreciate their hard effort. And that starts this Friday. Did you get u some of our vendors from around the community companies I should say? >> Correct. So this year we have two um two carriage rides vendors that work well >> about like you know people from Leecom
or Telco. >> Oh to volunteer. Yeah. There has been a number of volunteer. I'd look at the calendar to say exactly who but yes there's been a number of people willing to volunteer. >> Okay great. >> Can I comment? >> No. >> I don't want to. [laughter] I'd like to say congratulations to [clears throat] Jesse. I missed you all
at the Chile Cookoff this past week. Mayor, you were out of town. I got to play you for a for a day. And uh congratulations. >> You got to do about >> Yeah, I did get three three days. So, uh but I I just wanted to give Jesse a
shout out because he was waiting for that trophy. [clears throat] He didn't get it. He was the reigning champion, I guess, for a while. And uh yeah, >> a blind taste test and he became the champion again. So >> before you move on, thank you very much. I heard you did extremely well. >> Oh, thanks. >> All right, Glenn.
>> Um try to do this quickly. Uh on Main Street, sometimes uh so many folks that are here, I know Main Street has reached out in the past for data. >> Um and decisions are often made best >> based on data. So when Main Street asks
you for your sales during these events or your traffic or whatever, that information helps them make decisions and they don't always get that information back when when when they do ask businesses. So I will say that and we all tr truly do want to work together
and I think that would help tremendously. Um uh Christmas reflections uh crews worked uh hard to get that set up. Uh this Saturday, Smalls Business Saturday, kickoff mistletoe market, shop downtown, please. Local all over town. Eat downtown
restaurants, please. Um Mayor and I went down to uh Ocala for a three-day rural economic. >> He wouldn't ride with me, but we we met down there. >> Well, [laughter] I wouldn't ride with him. I feel bad. >> I think he got I think he got home in 45 minutes. Um but anyway, it was a
tremendous Tim Parsons was there from Liberty Partners. Um uh Jordan Johnson from the uh Economic Development Alliance went down. Uh Mayor Barley went down. So we had good representation of our county and uh down there. Uh tremendous summit, a lot of information
about rural economic development. Um so a lot of good things coming. Tallahassee is putting a major emphasis on on economic development in rural communities across the state of Florida. So, good news. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dan.
>> Next month, are we going to start over with uh having the airport uh workshop at the second meeting of the month? >> We don't have the second meeting of the month. So, last meeting we decided to have the first one in January. >> Okay. Um and
I didn't get the memo on why it was cancelled this time >> because we don't have a second meeting in the month of December. This this meeting this this is the second meeting. >> Is this the second meeting? >> This is the second meeting. >> We I can't we never specifically talked about it. I think we did not schedule
because we were on the fence whether we were going to have one or not at all. >> So we didn't schedule a workshop. We didn't know. >> Has there been any change since last time that you know of or with Liberty would you know? >> I let Tim speak on that a minute. But uh in terms of design the project, Andre
and I have met with Garber to go over the design work. 60% complete on design. Um, and so they're working with DOT uh with that and the funding and so we hope to have they're moving forward with that pretty fast. In terms of FA, we have not received correspondence from the FAA as
of today. >> And that's the major hold up. >> Correct. I know I know Jennifer has spoke to uh someone higher at FAA in that same office and we got very similar responses we had received previously. >> Yeah. Just uh quickly, Councilman, uh
like I said, had the workshop on Monday, November the 10th. That was when we were given the direction to follow up with FAA. Uh Jennifer did communicate some additional information specifically as it related to Gene Hurley Park, uh to make sure they had everything there at their disposal. Um and their response
was it's still going under legal review. They appreciated that additional information. Uh, as you know, I think the shutdown ended that week, so hopefully they're getting back up and running. Um, I know there was discussion about whether or not to travel to
Orlando to sit down with them. Um, I think at this time we think they've got sufficient information to make a make a decision here soon and we'll take it from there. Um Kobe, there was some discussion at the
last workshop about uh putting out some bids. >> Yeah, we at our monthly airport meeting, we talked about it as well. We're not there yet because this Garver has not gotten substantial design complete. So we get closer to 90% 100% design, then we can start looking at the options of
putting out for bits. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Bon. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll be real real brief. Um it was an honor to uh represent uh not only DeFi Springs but Walton County as the vice chair of the TPO. Uh so next year I will serve as the
actual chair of the TPO which I was I was humbled to uh to be appointed by uh Walton County Commissioner uh Tony Anderson to that and the and the TPO approved that. So this was technically my first meeting because they had canceled the >> the meeting in the summer uh for lack [clears throat] of of agenda item
surprisingly. But we are ramping up. Um they they kind of did the initial overview for for this review cycle of the next 5-year plan. They mentioned uh the the road expansion at Rock Hill. They mentioned the 98 expansion. Um so there there was a lot of things covered.
Um I came away from that. I immediately called Kobe as he was driving north. I was like, Kobe, this is what we got to do. And so, um, I mentioned a couple of of opportunities that were brought up at the TPO that I'm hoping that, uh, Kobe
can work with our grants coordinator and we can get put into the the DOT system for sidewalks. They have, um, it's called TA, transportation alternatives. And I'm really hoping that we can get a couple of our sidewalk projects put into that. We're allowed to submit up to
three. And I was told kind of behind the scenes that in the past there's only been a couple submissions. So hopefully we can that will hold true again this year and we can submit maybe we can I know. [laughter] >> So uh good good meeting quick. It was a
quick meeting. Um but I'm I'm honored to to serve on that. I do want to mention a couple of things. Uh I did um have a conversation with Mr. Bryant Palk of FD do and as far as this road construction goes, he invited us specifically you and
the city manager that as you see uh a lack of activity out there to call the operation center over and I believe it's either uh it's either pos >> uh he he invited us to call and let them know because they actually track the
number of days that the contractor could have worked. worked and chose not to work. And he he explained to me that there are only two approved contractors in the state right now for or at least in our region >> for these projects and they basically
have so much to do that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. So he invited us that if we see these projects not having a lot of activity on it that is completely within our our right to call over there and say, "Hey, what's going on with this? We haven't seen a lot of
activity much like how they paved and stopped right there at Bruce and have left it for a couple weeks. I mentioned that to him. He said, "Call. We can't do anything until you call." When you call, we have leverage to go to the contractor and say, "Hey, what's going on with this?" >> It's still got a big bounce down there right now.
>> Yeah. Correct. Yes, sir. >> If you're somebody one of these, my wife's got these low profile tires. >> Holy cow, they will run them. >> And as soon as I mentioned that, he he hung his head. He knew exactly what I was talking about. So he said for us to call for you know I explained to him
that the citizens have come to our meetings and expressed their frustration. I've seen it on Facebook. I express that expressed that to him. He said we have to call. That's the leverage. That's the lever we have to pull. So call. >> Pass that number up, brother. [laughter] >> He mentioned you two. So I'm I'm gonna
put it on. >> Well, I talked to them all, you know, at the the secretary's retirement, but you know, and of course some of them say, you know, you're going to have to go over their heads. Well, I don't want to go over anybody's head if I don't need to. No, but but he he really explained that that when we call in that gives them the impetus for then calling the
contractor and saying, "Hey, we're receiving public comment that [clears throat] there's an issue here. You guys need to get out there and finish the job." >> And I asked him about why it takes so long. It's it it literally has to do with the fact that they give them a certain number of days and what it what it bottom line what it amounts to. the
contractor knows that they can do it in a certain amount of days and they'll go here, do a little bit to show activity, and then they'll run to the next job, show a little bit, do activity because they're so overloaded with work. >> But he said, "Call and we'll get them back out there."
>> But they need to do like we need to do with like we did with our terminal. We won't ever do that again with no liquidating damages. My god. >> I I kind of pushed him on that a little bit. He he just said, "Please call. Please call. You'll never reiterate. >> I'm so sorry. Were you done?
>> I'm sorry. Yes. >> I just noticed that I got electricity. Thank you, whoever did that. >> That was Jesse and Poet Works. [laughter] >> Jesse and Michael and Poet works. >> Good. Well, thank all of you and uh guys, whatever side you're on, let's reach across and let's uh let's don't
give up. We love this town. We love all of you and we want it to, you know, to work for all of us. And so, thank you. Be patient. We will try to work with you better than we have in the past. Thank you. >> [clears throat]