is Monday, October 13th, 2025. And if you will stand with us while council, ladies and invitations and then pledge. >> Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for all your many blessings on up on each one of us, Lord, in our city
as a whole. Lord, this week's fair week. We pray that you will be with all of our citizens and the public safety and first responders that will be working that event. Pray that you will grant us a safe week at the fair, Lord. and uh good fellowship with one another. Pray dear
Lord you will be with us tonight as we go through this city council meeting that you will grant us clarity and wisdom in our decisions father that we will carry out business lord what's in the best interest of the people in accordance to your will father we ask these things in Jesus name. 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.
>> All right. Well, we will begin with the consent agenda. We would entertain a motion app to approve as written or if you have something that needs to be removed and put on the regular agenda. Uh you can let us know at this time. >> Mayor, I have one thing I'd like to move
to regular. That's okay. >> Okay. >> If we can move I one position description update. We move that under me on the regular agenda. >> Okay. So like uh seven. >> Yes sir. Be 3C7. >> 3C7. Okay. Motion to approve with those
changes. >> Second. I have a motion and second. Um I think we are at Who are we at? >> Who did we do last? >> I think it's Mr. Harrison. >> I think [Music] >> you go ahead.
>> We'll go Mr. Harrison. All right. Starting with Mr. Harrison. >> I >> I >> I >> I >> eyes carry. Thank you very much. >> And um now as we go to the regular agenda besides the one add anything
else? No sir. >> Okay. We we entertain a motion to approve the regular agenda with a one addition. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. Um any other questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I.
>> I. >> I. >> I. >> I carry. Thank you very much. And now we'll go to 3C1. Uh Mr. Townsen. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um just as a kind of a u to to bring to the council's attention if you have any questions, comments,
concerns. Uh the senior center u Miss Balo worked with the members and they would like to make two notable changes to the senior center. The first being dropping the word senior from the title to make it life enrichment center. U and then the second one is to adopt a new logo for the center. And if you'll
scroll down, you'll see that uh there. So, um, can do this in our dayto-day, but we wanted some of the council's input and see if you had any questions or, uh, comments, and if not, we'll move forward. If so, we can talk about those and bring back if needed. >> Motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Motion to second. Uh, questions or comments, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Go ahead. >> So, I I fully support the the um the request and think it think it's a good idea. I think the one thing that I that I mentioned to Kobe during our meeting was uh let's make sure that this follows
in with the same pattern that uh we have for all of the other um branded entities within the city. So for example, the airport Lakefest um I'm trying to think of what else. Um several years ago we we
adopted a new city seal coloring font and then we also adopted several logos for the specific functions of um the city. So to me this needs to be matching with what is we've already previously
adopted. So that that would be my only request is that we somehow make this kind of fall in line with that. I would like to see it is the defi springs life enrichment center. So, we would like to see our city seal on it or or something something acknowledging the fact that it
is a city function. >> Is it city or county? >> I mean, we're we're servicing everybody though, right? We're not just >> But it's our it's our life enrichment center. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They they contribute quite a bit. uh county does, but
doesn't ma matter to me either way. But uh >> did you do that in the form of motion? >> Well, there's already a motion on the table, so I was hoping that we could just have some discussion. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Is it is it does it not conform now? What? >> Not not generally. I I would just ask
that it we look at it and make sure that it is framed and and formed just like LakeFest, just like the airport, all those other functions. We have we have logos and designs for them. So, let's just keep it consistent with those. >> And I might not have been here when
we've done those branding. Can Could you bring that back to us, Kobe, or >> can we approve it with with that change as a >> Yeah, if you are good with it, get we'll get with Susan and we'll get with Denise and Christy, look at the color the color
choices for the logo, the official colors, the fonts and stuff. Uh, and make we can look at some changes to it and bring it back. >> And I'm not I'm not saying >> Well, can we approve it with those with your motion or with your addition? I'll add what he's asking for into the motion.
>> The branding just that is consistent, conforms with the other. >> Yeah, I'll add that to to the original motion. >> Did I? >> Okay. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. We will uh we'll move forward with dropping the word senior. Go ahead and do that. And then the next meeting or so, hopefully the next meeting, we'll bring back something with
the colors and uh somehow incorporating the name of the city in there. >> And not just that, Kobe, would you please bring back all of them because I might not have been here and I'd like to see all of them. So, >> I think that was done back in 2019. So it's it's been >> exactly so uh it would be a good educational for all of us. >> Yeah. I believe it would be the
obviously the cities was done at the time. Uh Lakefest airport I think CRA too at the same time. >> Yep. Yep. That's right. >> Thank you. >> So yeah, we can bring everybody. >> U any other comments question from anyone? >> All in favor say I.
>> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. Carrie. Thank you very much. Uh back to you Kobe on the C2. >> Thank you mayor. This is RFQ 202506PW
asbestous concrete water man replacement project design and CI agreement. Uh the council a few weeks back uh awarded this project to Ankor CI. Uh they have given us the contract back. I provided that to Mr. Atinson. I believe Mr. Atinson has
reviewed it and um we the fee proposed by Ankor is in the amount of $565,590 and council recall we budgeted this year we received an SRF uh last year in the amount 50/50 in the amount of 766,000 so this is roughly $200,000 less than
what Deubberry submitted the application for us um anticipated. So, uh, if you have any particular questions on it, um, I know Brian is here as well tonight with Anchor. He he can gladly answer any of those questions. >> Bless you. >> I do. Um,
Kobe and I talked about this in our U draft agenda meeting. Um, the 6 and 8 in 68 10 inch ductile iron is what they recommend over PVC. Is that kind of
which I would say yes myself, but uh my question is really for Chief Sheffield. Uh Kobe and I talked about this by by doing these requested upgrades. Um it allows for future growth, right?
Expansion of fire hydrant system. And so my question is, Chief, if you don't mind, if if does that in any way potentially lower our fire rating uh by by having those size
pipes at this point in time if we go ahead and install those? Um can that reduce our fire rating at some point? Which >> I think he's asking about the size of the pipe, but in turn the number of fire hydrants, right? the rating more related to the number of fire hydrants rather
than pipe size >> or is you know because I don't know is there a ratio uh per square mile or density related to how many hydrants you have to have. >> So basically the diameter the diameter of the pipe is a max a minimum of six
inches on it depends on where it's located at. We like to see a fire hydrant um a minimum of every 600 with 300 feet of distance between each fire hydrant. Brian, um would that be as part of the
design we'll incorporate fire hydrants in accordance with the LDC and any fire standards? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, um Dubberry's already done a little bit of a a study on it as as part of that that grant and then three notches as well is doing a study of the of the water line. Um so, we work with both of them to make sure
everything's adequately sized and spaced. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I I was just I was just concern not concerned but I mean that's kind of exciting that if we if we up the Annie and go with their recommendation on this I think hopefully that would help us at least maintain the
the rating that we have in which affects homeowner insurance and business insurance and all that kind of stuff. So >> good. >> And hopefully in our water study as well that y'all approved in consent agenda, um they'll also identify and we can work with Chief Sheffield and consultants too
about areas of the city that may lack fire hydrants or the distance in between of those fire hydrants. Uh and like I said, some of the projects we're doing this year particular, the Hill Street uh upgrade and replacement project for the Warline, uh it is to also add fire hydrants that don't currently exist. So that should also help if more we add throughout the city.
>> Good deal. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, go ahead. >> So, is it going to be six inches in diameter citywide? >> No. So, I think it's going to it's going to depend on the area. It it'll vary based on the area of the demand within
certain areas of the city. >> The reason I'm asking is because you brought up a good point about um allowing for growth >> by having a a larger pipe as development continues. So, that was question number
one. I'll wait for you to for question number two. >> No. So, so Deubberry study did identify some areas to be um to be upgraded, upsized. Um so we will incorporate that and that did uh include some growth. Like I said, three notches may get further along um and say, hey, there
needs to be some other stuff. So there'll be some time to to do that as well to take a look at that stuff. The reason I bring that up is because as growth continues, we don't want to go back and dig up streets and replace a 3-in pipe with a six-inch pipe. If we all did it,
you know, planning for growth ahead of time, that would be a plus. Um, the second thing is, um, these asbests pipes that's providing all of our drinking water, do we know where all these asbestic pipes are or is it a citywide thing? Is it is it a certain area of the
city or is it everywhere? >> Dubberry's preliminary uh design, not design, but the preliminary work and and in our application and prior work that been done by Dubberry in the past. That's what I bring Brian was getting at. They've kind of already identified where a lot of that is existing. It's more so in the older parts of town
because at certain point they got, you know, became illegal. Therefore, on our outer banks of the system, we no longer have those. So, it's more so on your inner side inner of the city and your oldest parts of the system. A lot of that's already been identified as to where it's at. What they're going to do in part of the process is not only make
sure that's where it's actually at, see if there's any damages to it, but al more so it's the design work in relation to our replacement of them. So surveying, design, geotechnical, all that stuff when we get ready to dig it up and replace it. >> So would it be safe to say that all the asbestous pipes are in the historic
district since that's the oldest part of the city? >> I wouldn't say they're all there, but I would assume a majority of them are. Yeah, but more majority of them are also right along the the highway here, there's a there's a big chunk that's as bestus. Um and then just uh just north
of the of the highway too um here on the on the west side. >> Okay, that's all my questions. >> Anyone else? >> I think it' be important to note, mayor, if um this we're not this is not unusual. We're not the only ones doing this. This is all over the state, all over the country. This is a mandate from the federal government a few years back.
So we're not the only ones having to do this. We on a PA system down here. Can we run it up a little bit? >> Can't hear. Can't >> hear. >> All right, guys. I'm keeping mics close to you. You hear me now?
>> Hear you now? >> All right. Okay. All right. Anyone else? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Eyes carry. Thank you very much. All right, Kobe. We'll go to C3.
>> Thank you, mayor. Uh C3 is a Trustmart Bank Treasury Services contract extension. Uh the council were calling 24 our agreement with Trustmart was coming to an end. Um so that time we engaged the bank for a 12-month extension at which time they were they were immenable to do that and the
council approved that. At that time the change being we then started collecting interest on our operating accounts. Um, we then started, you know, going through the year, um, we did not get in time an RFQ out for banking services with the contract that ends in December of this year. Um, and so I'm asking for another
extension that 12 months. We've worked with the bank's representative. I spoke to Mr. Atkinson. He seems comfortable with it. Uh, and I'll note that the maintenance fees for the for the accounts are still zero. The bank has continued to wave all those fees associated with our account. And our interest rate on operating will actually
increase from 3.1% to 3.25%. 25%. So I just ask for approval of that contract extension for 12 months. >> Motion to approve. >> Second comment. >> All right. Go ahead. >> I just want to share with everybody that I had talked to Kobe. You know, 9:30 we
just end finished our fiscal year end and we still have now gone a whole year without a finance director. And I know that Kobe has placed this on the agenda a little bit further down because Danielle working by herself and what she had to tackle. I know the whole team was
not able to go out for RFP, but that doesn't mean that we still don't need to do this. And I wish that it was done. I understand that we that that we got pushed to this place, but as soon as we can, we need to get a finance director
and get these things started because again, she's going to be faced with now we're year end, our audit's going to start come January, February, and I just don't want to see it keep getting prolonged. >> Uh, so that's my only comments to share.
>> Any other comment, question from anyone? >> All in favor say I. I I >> I >> I >> I carry. All right, Kobe. We'll go to C4. >> Thank you, mayor. This is a uh a memorandum of agreement with the community redevelopment agency in
relation to abatement. So, this conversation started back a few months ago with the code review and land use committee. Um you know, we and then ultimately the city council uh approved an updated ordinance uh for an abatement process for the city. And then at the same time thereafter, you approved a
policy for that abatement. and you know the criteria how we go about doing it and the parameters and so ultimately what we'd like to do uh speaking with Mr. Irvin, the CRA, and the code of review and land use committee is uh we would like to have an agreement with the with the CRA that when the city's
magistrate orders an abatement uh and in this instance as to meet the criteria set forth in the policy. Um but when she does that um we would like the ability to give that abatement order to the CRA and let them fulfill that responsibility on the city's behalf. And so, uh, the CRA in this agreement would have the,
uh, the decision to budget as much as they like every fiscal year on abatements. Uh, we will work closely with our code enforcement officer and the CRA executive director on that, what we expect the number to be, um, and of every year. And so, ultimately, uh, we
would like to approve this so they could do those abatements. When the abatement's completed, uh the CRA will provide to code enforcement the cost of that abatement at which time we would then proceed to a non-avorum tax assessment which is what you have approved within the policy given that
the property owner property owner doesn't come forth for that and pays the difference and so that is what this agreement is before you and we are looking for approval of the memorandum agreement. >> Motion to approve memorandum agreement related to abatement. >> Second. All right, we have a motion and
a second. Any questions, comments? Yeah, go ahead. >> I just have a comment. I'm not a fan of giving away our responsibility to uh the other agencies. So, uh my vote will reflect such. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yeah, go ahead. >> So, this is not a giving away of our
responsibilities. This is actually working together with the CRA to address identified problems. So from the code review and land use committee, we identified a situation where we have properties within the city that are in
violation of our codes and they sit there and continue to rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fines in many cases. Uh that's reflected in in the city manager's monthly report. There's millions of dollars of fines
sitting out there. So what was proposed and what what has been worked out is to address these concerns, these code violations before they reach six figure sums. So the CRA can step in and say you have a code violation, we're going to
abate it and then we will take the necessary precautions to protect the taxpayer in terms of leans and and tax deeds. So, this is a way to keep the city from becoming derelic looking while taking our CRA dollars, which are specifically when it when it was formed
were there to address blight >> and to address blight before it gets out of hand, before it becomes a $100,000 fine before a roof is caving in. >> It's not it's not a giving away of our responsibilities. Linda, and to be clear, the city cannot lawfully
appropriate funds for the use on private properties, even if we do deem them to be blight or abatement. We can only authorize abatement, but somebody still has to fund it, whether it be a property owner, a not for-p profofit, or some other organization. So, all this is doing when you look at their
responsibilities, they're providing the financial assistance, they're engaging in the contracts, and they're required to provide us all the documentation, ensure compliance. So, they're actually doing something we could not do as opposed to them taking something over
for us. >> Mr. Mayor, >> go ahead. >> Um, my comment to that would be we have a code enforcement officer. We have a code enforcement team and I think that we should give them the responsibility to do this function. they've they've had
this responsibility for some time, but I don't think they we've ever like empowered them to do the job to do that. But I know he does a lot of work in that respect and I think he should be the one that's doing this. >> Well, well, he is going to be doing the
first half of this. To be clear, if you look at the city's responsibilities, identify violations, issue notices, coordinate hearings, make recommendations for properties for abatements, monitor the abatement activities, and assist in cost recovery.
Pretty much every bit of that falls right on Mr. Strong. So, he will continue doing everything he currently is doing. The only thing the CRA is doing is providing financial assistance to the person in violation. And so now if the council wishes to allocate I don't see how we're going to allocate general fund money to private
properties. >> But if we have another pot of money that we think we can dip into then I'm willing to look at that and the legality of it. >> But Mr. Strong will continue doing everything he's currently doing. >> Go ahead John
it. And again, the purpose of this is to remediate the blight to fix the original problem so that not only does their property values, the issue with the leans continuing to rack up and the fines, but also the neighbors that are surrounding those properties so that
their property values stay at a higher rate than what they would from being next door to blighted properties in issues. So that that's the original purpose of the program and why it's being done this way. >> Yes, ma'am. And then how do we discriminate against those people that aren't in the CRA district that have
this problem? >> It pretty much covers >> the CRA covers the entire city limits with >> they don't cover Pine Shores >> because Pine Shores was determined at the time the study was done not to have blight in >> but there could potentially be others outside of that limit. >> That's completely appropriate under the
law. It is not discriminatory for the city to designate an area for community redevelopment. That's within your statutory authority and the city has done that. City could always add areas to the CRA if it wanted, but I will say we have one of the most expansive CRA boundaries of any local government in Florida. We effectively covered the
whole city. >> Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. >> No, no, nobody else has either, mayor. We hear that all the time. >> But, uh, anyone else? Any other comments? All in favor say I. >> I. Nay.
>> I I nay. Eyes >> carry. Thank you very much. Okay, Kobe, we'll go to C five. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, this is a memorandum of understanding with the community redevelopment agency uh in relation to lean reduction. So, again,
the council a few months back at the same time as the abatement policy, approved a lean reduction policy. That policy is geared toward the ability for staff to work with property owners who may have outstanding leans of a certain amount to come forth and try to get
those reduced uh reduced showing that they put good effort into the property. They put money they they've done what they can do to help bring that down uh and correct the violations. Um also other thing we see, you know, people buy properties off of tax deeds, right? And may not do their due diligence, but they bought the property, they've either
gotten rid of it completely and built a new house. So, we want the city when we've all passed this to incentivize people to do so to to bring properties for useful value to the city. And so, uh we've been working through that with at least one person and maybe more at this point in that new policy. Uh the CRA
would like to uh have an agreement separately in that same fashion with the city. Uh ultimately, uh if properties were to meet certain criteria laid out, um and then go through the proper process that the city would reduce, uh leans on properties that the CRA may
purchase. uh to fix violations to a number of $2,500. That number comes from what we estimate to be our average cost per parcel when doing code enforcement violations from the time that Mr. Stron starts the process through um notices and mailings
and magistrate hearings. And so, uh we we first did this number $2,500 when the CRA purchased those properties across from the courthouse. if you all recall that they bought those, cleared them all to work with the county in that case. And so, uh, that's the number they've come back forth in this agreement as
well. And so, this is before y'all to consider. Um, staff would see favorable to this, um, because we believe it's working to the mission of both CRA and the city to help get lighted properties cleaned up and back on the tax roles. And so, this is for y'all's consideration for lean reduction
agreement with CRA. >> Motion to approve lean reduction agreement. >> Second. I have a motion second. Questions, comments? >> A question on um properties that the CRA might acquire.
Um what about the turnaround time for those properties? I mean, because the whole idea here is to increase property values, right? um and and get that get them back on the
tax ro and and generating money. So would there be or or is there a limitation on the number of months or years that they could hold on to a property without doing something else with it?
Um the CRA that is >> the CRA. Yes. No, there's not a general prohibition against them holding it for any period of time. I imagine the real challenge, not a prohibition, is going to be an audit flag. If you've expended CRA
monies, acquired properties, not clean them up, and return them to tax roll, you might get by your first audit, but by the time you get to that second audit, you're going to be in violation of the trust fund restrictions on the use of your money. >> Okay. Well, that answers my question then. So, that's that's pretty >> Yeah. Now, can I tell you it's going to happen within the same year? No. I
think, you know, like anything, you're going to have a management response to an audit if they say, "Hey, we've tried to sell the property five different times and three contracts have fallen through and >> you know, two people didn't show up." >> But no, the whole purpose of that money, if they spend any money from that and it
does not show a use, they've got an annual audit just like you do, and that's where you have that identified. >> Good deal. Gotcha. >> Any other comments, questions? >> Just one. >> Go ahead. >> Have Have we had any of those issues, Clay, in the past? >> Not that I'm aware of. >> Okay. No, I've not seen where I mean the
CRA's bought property that is intended to utilize certainly the um antique store that they intend to utilize directly and that's was specific part of their plan they were allowed to do. But I'm unaware of the CRA having acquired any of the properties they've not transferred back out. The only two
pieces that did not transfer back out on the tax role were the two pieces that went to the county, but they were transmitted out and cleaned up and became part of that master plan that the county already has. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> All in favor say I.
>> I. >> Nay. >> I. >> I. >> Nay. >> Eyes carry. Thank you very much. Go. We'll go to the finance director's position. >> Thank you, mayor. Just a quick update on the finance director's position. So, as of this morning, uh, speak on Miss Chance. We have not had any more
qualified applicants based off the, uh, the the job descriptions requirements. And then I know Councilman Hein and I discussed about this about where we're noticing the paper uh or noticing advertisement. We do that in our local newspaper uh on Indeed uh the GFOA
website uh FCCMA Florida League of Cities Cities website and employee Florida. Uh Miss Chance has also reached out to surrounding cities and counties that she has contacts with to see if they've had any, you know, applicants on file from previous job postings or the
like. And they have not provided they do not have any. So, um, that's that's where we stand on the finance director position and I intend to give an an update pretty frequently. So, any questions we can go from there, but just an update. >> So, how many how many candidates have we received that did not meet
qualifications but applied? >> Um, I I have to I didn't get any she just told me was it didn't qualify. I know the week prior there was none. I want to believe uh last week there was one that did not. I'll have to verify that. I didn't ask. I just asked to qualify. Okay.
Yeah, go ahead. >> Um, council, what else do we believe we might be able to do to attract somebody? I don't know what made y'all go out like you hired that um preme. I know you hired a a committee or
a firm actually to go out a head hunter basically. And I know that was a lot of money. So, I'm not advocating for that, but it's been over a year now since this >> Well, we we piggybacked on a county contract to use a a firm that the county was using, and I think the general
sentiment was we nobody was happy with the performance of that firm. Um, for me personally, I don't I I consider that an outlier. I was in my professional job, I was hired by a head hunter, so I I think
that they serve a useful purpose. Uh, so I don't think we need to be afraid of them just because we had one bad experience with them. So, I mean, I'm willing to discuss and debate whether we consider doing that. Uh, I can tell you that the quotes that
came back in for uh the EDA position when we were considering it at the EDA, they were averaging between 20 and $30,000 and and they varied. Some were fixed fixed price, some were a percentage of the the salary, right? So,
you know, they they sometimes have access to a talent pool that we we wouldn't otherwise have access to. >> Well, I think we've been trying this for over a year now, and I think we need to try a different strategy because we absolutely need to. I mean, here we are,
year end audit time, going to have to go out for bid for banking service. There's a lot to do. >> So, and I'm concerned that she's not going to be able to she's going to get overwhelmed. So, I believe the the proper process, Clay, correct me if I'm
wrong here, would be for us to task staff with coming up with an RFP for a search firm to to fill this position. >> That is correct. >> So, I I'll make that as a motion. >> Second. >> All right. I have a motion and a second.
Questions or comments? >> Mas from anyone? I mean, Kobe, do you need any more information other than than that? >> No, I've seen them pretty pretty regularly, so I can reach out some contacts, get them from other cities, and then I think I think I have a few
contacts myself we can pass out to uh firms that may be interested >> before we vote on it. Is there do you know is can we piggyback on somebody else's? Is there another city that might already have one in play or the county again or >> I mean yeah I mean there's plenty from from people I communicate with and see
on my connections that you cities and counties all over the state that hire these firms. So, I mean, assuming we find that we we reach out to them, get the contract they have with them, then yes. >> Yep. >> You know, because I mean, it's easy if Julie knows who >> who her contacts are and she's already reached out to them to see if they have
the talent pool, then maybe, you know, they'd be willing to share. >> So, it's So, it's up to y'all if you either want me to bring back an RFP to put out or >> I think we should add it. >> You think we should what? >> Reach out and find contracts. maybe modify his motion to add if if that's a
viable option. >> Well, you're still going to have to approve the P back in public. So, what he's proposing, I think his motion covers both. If they can bring you back a contract without having to develop one, >> that may well be the situation. >> But, but it but we could at our next
meeting or whatever then piggy back say, "Okay, we don't we're not going to go from scratch. We're just going to piggy back off of this guy or we're gonna mimic this guy and go out. >> We're not going from scratch just to be candid. we're just going to use what we did last time and update it. Be quite blunt. I mean, >> I'm I'm I'm fine with that. I'm fine
with piggybacking. I'm fine with going out on our on our own. Uh I will say I guess maybe the the only thing that I would request is that staff contemplate and and put in some I wouldn't call it aggressive, but some
timelines for communicating with us. That was one of the issues last time was that we felt like we were just kind of sitting in limbo waiting on uh that particular firm to communicate with us and provide candidates and a list of candidates and
and then process those candidates. So, I I'm going to leave that up to staff, but I'm going to ask staff to not let it be just unopen-ended to where they they have, you know, 30 60 90 days like, you know, they need to be communicating with us on a regular basis and whatever whatever is appropriate, I'll defer to
to >> and regular for me. I ask Kobe to put this on the agenda every every week now, every time we meet, I would like to see the update what has happened in the prior two weeks. So for me, routine or regular would be every two weeks. So I
agree. >> Any other comments? >> In the in the meantime, we're going to simultaneously continue to be advertising like we're doing now. >> Correct. >> Gotcha. >> Any other comment? >> Yes, ma'am.
[Music] >> Hi, Kim Winterberg, citizen. This may not be the brightest question, but uh how do we know how competitive the salary is compared to other cities? And is that an issue? Would it make s and I don't know, would it make sense to just
simply bump up the salary 25,000 and see what we could get versus and I'm just throwing this out here. I'm not saying it's 25,000, but I think you guys know where I'm going with this. I I don't know the answer to that, but I'm asking. We have a lot of uh data from surrounding cities and counties that Miss Chance has pulled together. So we
can go through there and do our own, you know, average meetings like that. Um but we have budgeted last year and this year the top of the range for this position both years. So um from my perspective, we are within a competitive range. But you know, I was but who knows? We may not be anymore. But considering
surrounding cities that I've communicated with and seen, we seem to be in a competitive range. But you know, that might have been a year ago, too. Yeah, I'm just thinking, you know, if from my real estate perspective, if you get a lower offer, yeah, you may not want to take it, but how much is it going to cost you to hold it until you
get the next offer? So, that's kind of how I'm thinking about it. How much is it going to cost us to not have that person in place? So, just a thought. That's all. Thank you, >> Yes, ma'am. >> Kobe, do you know how much we how much did you budget just for the salary, not
for the benefits? >> Um, I can't give you that. It's one and a quarter or >> 109 is some change >> 109 and change >> and that's just a size that's not considering uh everything else >> and that's the top you said of the scale
>> and some of these that were hiring I noticed you did go above the scale because you've had to bring them back forward so if that was the case then I you know >> I don't know where the funding would come from but >> anyone else
all in favor say I >> all I I >> I >> I >> I carry. Thank you very much. And then we will go to >> I have a number seven. Mayor >> 71. All right.
>> So this was uh what would have been two I1 position description updates. Yes. All I'm asking is uh if we are would approve the job description for the assistant fire chief draft 102025 and then do not approve the inmate
supervisor draft. We will bring that back to the next uh meeting. >> Motion to approve with those changes. >> Second motion second. Questions comment >> anyone? >> Yeah. >> Kobe, can you tell us each of the
positions that are on here? Uh this so assistant >> besides that one >> and inmate supervisor. >> Those are the only two. >> Only two. >> Okay. >> And the inmate supervisor. We've always had that. You just modified it. Correct. Miss Chance, you know, have we've been in the last year or so, every time positions come vacant, she likes to we
want to go and update with new information and our legalities and stuff, but uh she mistakenly left in the terms transportation and some other stuff that no longer applies to us because we've changed things during the budget and reorked. And so we just want to make sure we got it clean before we approve it.
And you're calling it a foreman? >> No, ma'am. So, it's uh would report to um that's who it reports to. >> Yeah, it would be the parks and grounds forman. So, like I said, she left some work transportation in there, but all that should reference parks and grounds. So, we'll bring that back.
>> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> I. >> I. >> I. Eyes carry. Thank you very much. Thank you, Kobe. All right. Request to be on the agenda. We have Ben Neighbor, Hope Housing Alliance. >> Good evening everybody. Good evening.
>> How you doing? >> Do you want me to present or I'm sorry I don't really know the format here. >> Well, just just share what you're hoping to get done. >> Okay, sure. So, Hope Housing Alliance is a nonprofit housing developer. We're based out of uh Palm Beach County and um we are uh tax credit developers and
hoping to potentially build some elderly housing here in DeFiak Springs off of 90. And so we've identified a parcel we think it's uh it's well suited for 60 units of affordable elderly housing. Part of our application process requires
and let me just correct this. in in the form here I put that it requires doesn't actually require a contribution from the local government but because of the scoring that happens um if you're not maximizing your points you're basically not going to get funded and so
essentially it is kind of a requirement to to get this local government contribution $5,000 the $5,000 can come in the way of either an impact fee waiver a grant or loan the net present value of a loan just to be clear $5,000 and each county sets this local government contribution at different
levels based on the size of the county. So, Walton County, it would be considered a small county. So, $5,000 uh is what they're asking for for Walton County. And this is the state uh agency Florida Housing Finance Corporation. And I believe that you guys went through the
same process for Arbor at Emerald Springs, the 84 unit apartment building that's being uh funded and built. And so, exactly the same thing here. It's just instead of family housing, it'd be elderly housing. So, Defunia has, I believe, four tax credit projects that
were built and uh they're placed in service around 2009 2010. Nothing has been built to date. So, the housing affordable housing stock, there's about 150 units in service today with a population of, you know, 67,000 folks. That's less than 2% of the housing stock
dedicated for affordable units. And so our hope is to uh with your help get a $5,000 impact fee waiver uh apply for this affordable how excuse me apply for this affordable housing tax credit financing. If we get awarded then we would move forward with the project. If
we're not awarded then the impact fee waiver is you know null and void. And so that's that's the request here today. >> Clay on the there's no complications it being now capacity. >> No I mean we have more flexibility now it's capacity being an impact fee. We used to have problems doing this with this an impact fee. I just requested the
council approves it that we would wave $5,000 of the total capacity fees due >> because the capacity fees may well exceed $5,000. So, >> and they typically do, >> just to be clear, >> but this is common. We've done it before.
>> Yeah. >> Do we have I I just kind of want to reiterate that point that this was a waiver of 5,000 out of the total. It's not a complete >> correct. >> It is a $5,000 credit. We're basically providing them to the capacity base.
>> Do we have a rough idea of at 60 units what that would be? What was the total capacity fee? Do we know? >> We should be able to >> um I don't know if Chris is going to have the exact number, but like Arbor's uh that that we mentioned that we did do that for I believe Arbers is like 84
units and after the 5,000 waiver, they still paid just shy of $800,000. So you're probably going to be in that over 10,000 for water and sewer combined right now for capacity fee. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. So the combined total is going to be north of $10,000 per unit. So
>> 600 >> 600. So 595 versus >> one of those 60 units. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. So motion to approve capacity fee waiver for $5,000 to the Hope Housing Alliance. >> Second >> comments. >> All right. Go ahead.
>> I appreciate uh you coming forward and asking. Uh, in my opinion, the city's not fiscally able to wave such fees that we still find ourselves in a bit of a crunch where we're trying to save money. So, I won't be supporting their motion.
>> Thank you for that. >> And thank you for what you're doing. >> Short comment. Good question. If I got a couple it if you weren't to get the funding, how would that impact your say you don't score well enough to get your grants? Would you continue to
move forward with this project irregardless? >> No. This would this would essentially just put a stop on the project. There's no point in us applying if we don't get this. >> And what does affordable housing look like to the seniors under this development that you're looking at doing? >> So, this would be a 60-unit development.
It would be a mix, a unit mix of studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms. And you know, rent would start at call it $380 or so, plus or minus. That's on the lower end up to maybe $1,000 a unit, $1,200 a unit, depending on the size of the unit.
>> And from what I've seen, these are for individuals 55 plus. >> That's correct. >> Um, what's your typical age range of? >> It's it's restrict income restricted and for folks that are 55 plus. So the difference here between what you guys
have today is that this is elderly housing for folks who there's no elderly housing in defunct today, right? And so this would this is the kind of different differentiating factor here. >> And what's that age or what is that um the income for your typical income based
off of the restrictions? So everything's based off of the area median income in in the local municipality and I I believe the AMI median AMI here is around 35 $38,000 something like that. So it'd be 80% of that and lower. So
everything's 80% and lower. And actually I believe um let me correct myself. It's at 60% and lower for this project. So it's really for folks who need it and it goes it dips all the way down to 22% of area meaning income as well. >> I'll be supporting. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Another comment where on 90 is whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. Uh you you need to come to the podium to make comment. >> I'm happy to answer it. It's right off of 20th Street 20th and 90. >> Thank you very much.
>> Sure thing. >> Any other question? >> All in favor say I. >> I. Nay. >> I I nay. >> Carrie. Thank you very much. >> Thank you council members. Have a great evening. >> Look forward to seeing you. >> Thank you.
It kicked off there. Okay. All right. We are going to 5B and Tim Parsons from Liberty Partners. >> Hey, good evening, council. Just a continuation of the conversation that we had at the last council meeting regarding the city's major project
funding list uh request as as well as the city's 2026 legislative appropriation request. Um, I think since that last meeting, uh, Kobe and our team done a little work on the list, made the changes that were expressed by the council, and now we just we just need to
get those two or three projects, uh, finalized for the legislative session. Mayor, you'll be in front of the delegation uh, next Wednesday offering these uh, for support. So, tonight, we just need to uh, get those finalized.
And um just to just refresh it, remember it sound like there was a general consensus around the affluent line being the top uh main priority again this session as well as support for the AC water man to to also be one of the projects. So um and then there was a
little bit discussion around a fire truck and so just want to pick that up tonight. >> Right. >> Jesse, will you go to the uh last page of the PDF? all the way to the end. Can't miss it. >> Yep. So, uh, council, I took the the
major funding list we talked about from the old one. I try to put in the format of our CIP just to be consistent. Um, added some information and the funding sources, where they came from, how much we've secured, unsecured, and then I rank them based off of the priorities of the city at the moment. Now, if the
council feels differently, we can definitely change those. Uh, but I present present this to you. Unless Tim has objection, I I recommend we approve the major funding list document for fiscal year 2026 with with that being effluent line as A, number one, AC water
man replacement as B, number two, um, the runway expansion winding project C number three, and then the hangers 181 1920 development as D, and then everything else falls in line from there. Motion to approve with those suggestions. >> Second. >> Motion.
>> I can go ahead, >> Kobe. Uh, we didn't add anything fire department on there, did we? >> No, ma'am. I took any everything you see here on this list is also on the CIP that you all approved prior to the budget. >> Okay. So, you removed all those things we Thank you.
>> Any other question or comment from anyone? >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. I >> I >> I carry. Thank you very much. Thank you, Tim. >> What else you got there?
>> Ju just based off of that, we still need the two or three >> U for your 2026 legislative priorities to take those forward. >> Um, no, I heard >> I heard A, B, C, and D, but >> I think A and B were ones that y'all
wanted to to submit. just wanted to see if there was a >> a C or a third a third legislative appropriation request. >> I would say it would be the continued projects at the airport. So the the runway lengthening and widening
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. We it's a little bit vulnerable if we don't get this done can mean cost us a ton of money. So it is critical that we get this finished and it's it's something they seem to like that
makes a big difference too. Yeah. >> So we need that in a form of a motion >> motion for those three. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. So in that motion you're you're covering one, two, and three. >> One, >> AC water main two and runway 920 927
expansion and winding number three. >> Okay. >> Good to Yes, sir. Any other question or comment on that? >> Just just a comment. You know, I brought up the the fire engine appropriation request, but you know, Kobe and I have talked about this and it it appears that
we're really a year out from from that probably. Um, then it takes some time. You you might clarify our conversation, but it might it takes some time to once you order it, it takes a while to get to to get it in.
Um but so because of that and we have some time before we actually have to replace that that engine, it makes more sense possibly look at that for for next next year. >> Yes,
>> if I recall correct there was a discussion about a grant or is a city going after that again this year? I think the final year the AFG grant again you know we may or may not get it. We have not been successful the last two years. uh and council councilman Harrison's comments and we talked about um the chief and I the chief has
presented to me the five or 10 year plan that we talked about so we've been finalizing that um we've been going forward and gathering information that the council directed us to do um and then on top of that we talked about what the CRA has done been looking at the building so for me and I think the fire chief may agree may disagree um it may
be a little premature if we were to get a truck right there is there's time required to get it whether we buy a truck from the lot or not still takes time and but the building is not situated at this moment to even fit a 32 foot truck, which is there's no need in getting a much smaller one than that. So, we'd be putting we wouldn't have
anywhere to put it. So, >> that's right. >> It's going to take some time, but that's I think that's what councilman and I talked about the reason for this year. >> Okay. All right. Any other comment, >> mayor? >> Yes. >> So, it's the affluent line and the uh
asbestous pipes, >> AC water. Yeah. And then in order to complete the runway, we need uh 2.1 million. >> 2.6 I think maybe the exact number 2.6 >> based off of what we're looking at right
now. >> And those are the three things we're asking the legislation for. >> Those are our top three properties making three APR requests. >> Okay. And it doesn't have anything to do with hangers, just the extension on the runway. Correct. Correct.
>> The widening and lengthening. Okay. Yeah. All right. >> Just want Tim's here to verify. Tim, you still understand the council's stance on the harp and field property from a few meetings ago. >> Resate that. Was that a question? >> The harp and field, you clearly we're
trying to have that turned over to the city for our use. >> Yes. Yes. And we >> request for money, but we want to make sure that's >> in addition in addition to I understand that that language is being drafted now. um city should have it in advance of the delegation meeting next Wednesday, but
at that time the delegation will uh will present and consider that that bill. So uh that that will be in addition to these >> requests. >> Is that you helping with that or is that Representative Abbott? >> I have >> I believe he's talking with Representative Adam. >> Yep. >> Oh, okay.
>> And we're working with them. Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. All right. On this motion, any other comment? >> All in favor say I. >> I. I >> I >> I carry. Thank you very much. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you, Tim. >> Thank you, Tim. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Is Josh in the house? There he is. Josh C1. Josh Irvin. For the record. Good evening, Mayor, council, members of the public. I'm before you tonight uh with a new concept. We're calling concept D. After our last meeting back on September
the 8th, you all gave some recommendations to keep the angled parking along the northern portion of the section of between 7th and 8th. We actually reached out to our engineering consultant uh and asked them to make that recommendation uh on on the site
plan that came back with a net gain of six parking spaces. I took that to my board back at the end of last month and they did not approve that. We went back with uh a concept E which keeps angled parking on both the north and the south, but we did remove the two additional
accessible parking spaces along that northern portion for a net gain of 11 spaces. So, we're requesting to reconsider the previous decision and accept what the board is uh asking for here, which is on the screen.
>> Motion to approve. Second. >> Just to clarify, Josh, you said angle parking, but you me head in, correct? >> That is correct. Yep. So, so the recommendation from the council was to leave the angle parking on the north portion, uh, but leave the head in as depicted on the southern portion.
>> Go ahead. >> Sorry. So, you're gaining 11. We're going to gain 11 additional. >> This plan that you have here will gain you 11 additional parking spaces. The plan that you all wanted to proceed with was a net gain of six parking spaces.
What about the remind me because I remember we were talking about bike racks andor uh >> Yes. So that that space there uh along the I guess southeast corner there was some concerns about not having enough area for parking but I believe there is
ample room there to be able to accommodate that and as I understand will probably be incorporated in our railroad crossing design. >> So that so there is bike parking here bicycle parking >> there is room for that. There is not as part of >> but you all won't be putting it in
>> not for this particular plan here. >> Okay. And which corner? >> It's the southeast corner. >> This one. Got it. >> Any other questions? >> I make one comment. I I didn't catch the last time that that sh center lane had
actually shifted um southward during the last meeting we were at. I observed all the comments and and um and commentary back and forth in the last CRA meeting. It all made perfectly good sense to me. Um I agree we have plenty
of handicap space on the corners to accommodate that to where those other spaces could get utilized in higher traffic. So I'm I'm supportive of it this go around. Thank you for the work. >> And and and I do want to clarify so so that center lane as it sits today is basically in the center of those two
island areas. uh with that um center lane remaining in the same location, you'll have a 12T wide drive lane from the end of that parking space to the center line. Yeah. >> Without shifting anything, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yeah. Go ahead.
>> Uh Josh, how many handicap parking spots do we currently have and have those increased? Because I do see the two that you got marked there very clearly, but th >> those are the existing. Uh the only difference to them is their head in versus angled.
>> Okay. And did we gain of the new 11 did we gain any of them that were no >> additional handicap? >> Not in this plan. We we do not. >> Okay. >> Yes sir. >> Are these standard parking places or compact? >> They're standard 9 by 18.
>> What size? >> 9 by 18. >> If you ever were to go to Lowe's, same configuration. Any other comment? >> Make your motion approve. >> Yes, sir. Okay. All right. I Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Just one more question. How
soon will you all do this if this is approved? >> Uh, well, we'll take it back to the engineering consultants to give them formal direction to move forward to formal design be well into the the first of next year. >> Will there be road improvements? Yep. Oh, yeah.
>> The uh the roadway would be milled about an inch, inch and a half uh and resurfaced. >> What about underground utilities? >> They're there. >> Mhm. >> Do we know what kind of condition they're in? >> I believe uh one of the utilities of water line is actually the asbestous
water man. >> So, we're going to have to end up digging up that new street to replace them. More than likely it's going to have to be when I I don't know. Uh you know I think we're just now in a position to move forward with design as I understand it. So it may be a function of you know
two three years before that happens. >> Once design's completed the city will have ample opportunity in terms of the bidding of the process along CRA to join that end of the project if we have the funding and availability to replace the line at the same time. >> Is the asbestous pipes the only thing uh
under the street or are there other utilities? I'm not 100% sure. I do know that there is that water man under there. >> Okay. Thank you. >> There's a gas line that runs underneath the southside parking room spaces. >> Under which? >> The south side.
>> So, >> in terms of the of the AC line also, I mean, there's going to be certain portions of the city when we go through that project, assuming it's allowable for some unforeseen reason, you don't have to dig it always dig it up. There's a way to drill it out and and bore bore beside it, through it, whatever. So it
can be replaced without having to tear roads up. That's going to have to be the case on some spots because we cannot afford to tear up miles and miles of our roads. Can't afford to put them back. So um those that do not exist within the rightway, we're going to have to get creative anyways, >> which is going to be pretty common with a lot of especially in historic district
concrete roads. >> It's going to be the vast majority of our AC water main replacements. >> So all we're all we're doing is uh approving a design concept. >> Yeah, >> that is correct. But when will we have the opportunity
though to say, "Hey, stop. Don't do this yet, CRA, because we're not ready to do the utilities." You know what I'm saying? I just don't want to be in conflict with the CRA. >> Well, I mean, I would say that if if you guys uh approve this concept tonight, then that pretty much gives us the green
light to move forward with the design so that we can quickly get this finalized and out for bid and constructed. The hope was to have this done before the mistletoe market. Obviously well beyond that now. Um I mean if the council desires, we don't have to mill and resurface it. We could go out there and
do what we tried to do with the street painting and remove the stripes and wait to mill it and resurface it until the water man is is ready to be replaced. I mean it's totally up to you. But if I were making a decision, there's no way I would do that. So >> say that last sentence again.
>> I said if I were making a decision, I would not do that. I would not recommend waiting to resurface it and going out there and blasting the striping off. I I would go ahead and pay the or allow the CRA to pay for the the milling and resurfacing so it all looks fresh and new.
>> Mr. Irvin, there's certainly no reason why obviously this won't come up during your tenure at this point, but there's no reason why the CRA could not advise the city manager when they plan to let such a procurement so that he can advise the council. >> No, not a problem. It will have to be advertised like we do any other
procurement unless the the value is less than than the threshold which I don't think that's going to be the case. But >> but even if it is, we're still going to have to have public procurement through that method. >> That's correct. >> So once we get quotes that can be addressed and the city would have the opportunity then if they wish to talk
about the replacement at the same time. >> We got a hand raised. Yeah. Go ahead. Rob Hamilton. For the record, I was really trying to just sit down and be quiet, but um we have an opportunity to get something done. Finally, just
something done. Uh I I do understand the idea of well, let's wait until we can do everything all at once. But my favorite analogy with that is if you have a a cracked windshield on your car, but you might not replace that windshield because you might have to get tires and you might have to replace your engine in 10 years. >> Are you going to wait to fix that
windshield or you going to fix your windshield? >> Yeah, >> this is a windshield. This is something we can fix easily and relatively quickly. I know there's a process we have to go through, but it's something we can get done that should have been done a long time ago. Now, if you're happy with the hopscotch board we have looking out there right now, then leave
it the way it is. But if you want to get it fixed, let the CRA who has the money to do it get it fixed. There's no reason to sit here and go back and forth 20 times. And I'm just going to add one more thing. I think it'd be really really helpful if we did more than one
joint meeting with the CRA and the city council. If we can get that to a point we're doing it quarterly so we can have these conversations at those meetings >> and not waiting until the CRA is ready to do something before you guys give us input, it might make things happen a little bit more smoother. Um, but on top
of that, there is a an optic right now of the CRA and the city council just butting heads at every meeting. And I don't know if y'all are getting tired of it, but I am and the CRA board is and the public is. We should be working together to accomplish things.
>> There's a lot that the CRA can get done if we're working together, but if we keep fighting and going back and forth, nothing's going to get done. >> Thank you. Okay. Am I looking at this right? Y'all are taking the angle parking spaces and put us straight in and straight back. Do you
know what that's going to do to us old people? >> I mean, really, are you thinking about that? >> Yeah, we've been talking about that. >> Well, I haven't been part of that, but why did we decide this? >> To increase parking places. >> Uh, increase parking spaces and
accidents and what else? >> Everything you just said. I mean, really, let's let's stop and think about it for old people because I I guarantee you th this I can't park like this that straight in and straight out.
>> And I brought all that up in the last time I talked about it. >> Then why were you why why aren't we still talking about it then? >> That's not >> you know there's a lot of old people here in this town. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Can we get your name for the record, sir?
>> I'm Kenan Powell. Mayor. >> Okay. So, the last time we talked about this, the compromise was the angled parking for that very reason, the senior citizens.
And I thought that was a nice compromise. And then that's out the window. And the emphasis that I was trying to impress was senior citizens. Angle parking is
parking friendly for senior citizens. And I still like the compromise half and half, half angled, half straight in. So mayor, may may I address the question?
So the reason that we brought this forward is we had a parking study and in that parking study this particular block which happens to be the busiest block was reaching 100% occupancy at various times throughout the day. The parking consultant studied this block and
recognized that there was a lot of depth here unlike the other adjoining blocks and as such found that a reconfiguration of the parking from angled to head in would add an additional parking capacity that would hopefully alleviate at least
in the short term some of the congestion. So that's why we have presented this. We did not dream this up on our own. This was included in the parking study. This was included as a cost-effective measure to increase parking capacity by 26% with minimal
expense. So what we have here is the opportunity to increase parking by a 11 spaces by simply reconfiguring the way that parking uh is conducted there. This is not an unsafe practice. It's a typical and it's meets the standard.
Again, if you go to Lowe's, this is how you're going to park. If you go to city hall, this is how you're going to park. So to say this is unsafe or dangerous is just not fair to the engineering consultant. The engineering consultant is not going to produce a plan that does not meet the standard. They're going to
sign and seal the plan and testing their certification and their license. So this plan is safe. This plan meets the standard. So I I don't really understand why there's such reservation about head-end parking. I get it's change. Change is is hard. I don't like change.
But we're not going to produce something that doesn't meet the standard. >> Any other question? >> Yeah, >> Josh, did you say earlier that the center line would not be moved? It would be in the same place. >> So, the center line is almost within the
the middle of the two curb areas along the south and northeast corner. So there's very little room for the center line to shift without altering that island in the curbing. So where that center line is today is more or less in
the middle of that space. >> Mr. Mayor, I I'd be willing to say that that drawing that we're looking at, that center line has shifted and my decisions based on the way that that drawing is is laid out. Um much like Mr. Powell, I
prefer angled parking. However, I realized that the compromise is worth it here because there would be additional parking on in in that area right there. If I prefer angle parking, I'll park on the angles on the side streets. Um, and that's why I made the comment about the
handicap spaces on the end, but that center line on that drawing is shifted compared to where it is today downtown. So, it does provide adequate spacing so that you can make those right 90° angle turns and get in those parking places.
from what I see. >> Oh, and with the finished product, you know, like after it was milled and uh covered and then I guess striped, right? >> Mhm. >> Uh the stripe is going to be equal from
one parking space to the other as far as what's the center line or are those curves going to prevent that from happening? So right now I went went out and actually measured this today. From the edge of the angle parking space you have now to the center line is 12 ft. >> Yeah.
>> From this drawing here from the edge of that parking stall um to the center line is 12 ft. >> So the 12oot standard is going to be the same whether it's angled or whether it's head in. >> Yeah. So two things. What Josh just
said, I think really needs to sink in. Whether it's angled or whether it's straight in, it's 12 feet. It's the same amount of room to back up no matter what. Number two, as someone that as a citizen
participated in the CRA meeting, I was impressed that our CRA who is representative of this city because it's it is people from this community that are working on our CRA to better our city. I was impressed that they were concerned
about this being cost-effective. They weren't just willy-nilly doing projects that were put in front of them. They were counting the cost and looking at it and saying, "If we don't get the maximum amount of value out of this, we're not interested." So, I commend
them for wanting to maximize our tax dollars at work. and to improve the downtown which on a regular basis as someone that sits on the next block and regularly observes that all of that area completely full. Gaining these spaces is
a benefit to everyone, not just certain businesses. It's a benefit to the thousands if not tens of thousands of people that use that block on a daily and yearly basis. >> Okay. Any other comment?
Yes, ma'am. >> Michelle Kitch. Um, I don't have a problem with this plan. As long as y'all leave some of the angled parking on the side roads like they said and maybe the other two blocks, that will somebody who really has struggled parking this way,
they can move on down. But what I do have an issue with is I'd like to see a little more handicap. We have a lot of elderly in our community. That being a busy block. Um, and I also want y'all to think about I was downtown recently.
Your little paint job over them letters when the governor sees it, we're getting fined. It's coming off. It's coming off. But the letters underneath are not. So the paint job we did, there ain't no hopscotch. There is no hopscotch. The letters are
bleeding back through. And so I think this project needs to be done. So we're not giving money away that we don't have. >> And I encourage all of y'all to vote for this project, but remember that you're going to keep or increase handicap spots. Easy for people to get on
sidewalks. Um I've realized after a daughter had major surgery how important a handicap spot is. >> Mhm. >> Nine screws in her foot. So it was uh fun. But y'all need to deal with this road thing before we start getting fined
by the governor because y'all don't have the money. >> Thank you. >> Mayor, if I would just add, regardless of whether you have regular parking spaces on the north side or an accessible parking space or two, the count will remain the same. So, in other
words, if we were to add two additional accessible parking spaces to the middle of the northern portion, we would still have the same amount of parking spaces, 11. The difference would be two of them being accessible. So if there is a desire to do that, we can do that with the same amount of parking spaces.
>> You mean add two more? >> That's correct. In the middle. >> Where in the middle, Josh? >> Pick a spot. Just right in the middle. >> And you're saying on the north side, not on the south side. >> Why would you Oh, it's >> Yeah, >> it's the closest to the >> closer to the building. >> Yeah.
>> So, just to clarify, Josh, you're just simply going to stripe those as handicap, right? There won't be the curb cuts and the additional walk lane and all that stuff. >> There would have to be curb cuts to to meet the the standard uh and a five foot wide gore in between the two spaces. Where we're making up the difference on
that gore, as you'll notice, the gores to the left and right are fairly wide. So, by adding the additional um accessible spaces, that five foot wide aisle would be um spread across those two stripe gores that are there that are
there now. So they'd be shortened. >> Yeah. >> So you wouldn't, in other words, you wouldn't lose any parking stalls by having two additional accessible parking spaces within that northern park. >> Go ahead, >> Josh. I'm for the plan. I don't have a
problem with what you're presenting with the net gain of 11. Here's where my problem lies is when the discussion came up with the foundational work of us having to replace something underneath that ground once you do the milling and
the surfacing and the striping. So my I don't know who my question is to you Kobe or what can we do while they've got the road tore up to fix whatever is underlying >> in that in the space that they're going to do because I I don't want to see us
doing it twice and that is where I'm struggling in my mind not because of what they brought forward. I think that's a great use of what the CRA does, but I do have a foundational problem with >> Well, like we mentioned, we can coord we'll coordinate with CRA um when they
plan to do it and the bids and all that type stuff. Um and they coordinate with Anchor who's doing the AC water main design, assuming there's not any conflict with us replacing individual pieces of AC water main, which I don't see why there would be. Um if it's not a big of a deal, the city could go in and replace it ourselves. We're going to
tear the road up. you're going to replace it, fill it back, pack it, and then they're going to mill it and and cover over it. So, there's the ability for us to work together and to be handinand the time they mill it up for us to dig it up, replace the line, and then pay back over. >> But my question will be, I don't want to see them held up with timing and or can
we afford it at this particular time because now we're going to have to go figure out where how much that would cost so that we can coordinate it in a timely fashion with what they got because we probably didn't put that in your >> Yeah. >> budget. So, that's where I'm struggling like how can we do that and still be
timely and allow them to continue the project. >> We just coordinate with with anchor on on the lines that run through there. Um, again, they're not that far in design. So, we just have to be their anticipation is on the line. Is it going to stay the same or upgrade to a bigger size? Um, we have the funding in R&M for water. This we anticipate some of this
in R&M for these types of things. On top of that, we had a healthy reserve set aside this year in the water budget for again it can be used for things just of this nature. So I think the funding is going to be there. We just coordinate with anchor and CI and CRA at the same time as this is going on.
>> Okay. All right. So >> mayor motion. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> So when you grind the street down, is that when we would replace the pipes if needed? >> Yes, sir. Well, we'll we'll grind it down, work with the CRA if that's in the
time. >> Let me just clarify. So, so milling is an inch, >> okay, >> to an inch and a half worth of surface. That's it. So, this much just to get down to a layer of asphalt that can be repaved. We're not trenching. We're not digging up the roaded. We're simply just
lowering the asphalt enough where a new layer of structural asphalt can be placed on top. If there is a desire to do a water mane replacement, that completely changes the scope of what I have before you. The scope that I have before you tonight is a simple milling,
resurfacing, restriping. That's what the task order is with our engineering consultant three notch group. If it if there is a desire to add more to that scope, that is certainly fine, but it lengthens the time to get there.
>> And my suggestion is not at your cost. I'm suggesting that the piece that I'm talking about would be our cost. Does that >> still impact your time? Because I don't want your timing. >> I I I don't know. I mean, I don't know what is involved in replacing that to
what degree it needs to be replaced to. What What's I I I don't know. So, it's hard for me to say. All I can say is with this particular project, it's fairly simple. Uh the engineering consultant could probably wrap this design up here in the next two weeks, get it out for bid, have it out for bid for 30 days, and probably be in a
position hopefully to issue a contract to a contractor by the first of the year. Um I would think a project this small that could probably knock knock knock it out in a couple of months. So that puts us February into February March um you know we have thought about some constraints as far as work hours.
We don't want to disrupt the commerce in that block. So limiting construction to Sundays or evening hours is something that we're considering putting in that bid package. So that makes it a little bit more difficult as far as timing is concerned. But you know this particular project's simple. If we want to add
layers to that we can. Not a problem. It just adds more time and cost. >> Mr. Mayor, >> yeah, >> I don't mean to sound mean. I don't mean to sound curt. I'm on my third dose of migraine medicine today.
>> I think we have made it abundantly clear that we want the city manager who is more than competent and capable to work with the CRA to coordinate this. Let's vote, please. Okay. Any other comment? All right. I'm going to close the floor for comment. All right. Uh we have a
motion to second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Nay. >> I. >> I. >> Nay. >> Eyes carry. Thank you very much. Okay. >> All right. Good deal. Okay. We're going to Where are we right
now? We're on citizen comments. Is that where we are? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Welcome for citizen comments. Please give you up to three minutes to make a comment and uh Yes, sir. Come on. And we will uh please state your name
and you represent an organization. Do that as well. >> My name is Rick Rule. I'm here on behalf of Crudiac. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council. It's been 13 years since we talked to the council and the
mayor about having a grow fest. We brought it to you happily for the last 12. We got a 13th coming up in next year here on the January 24th. Thought it might be nice to pop by and say I don't want any money.
>> I like that. But if you have any questions, um, some people don't really realize what our organization is all about, how we work, and what we do. Um, number one is fun, number two is community, and number three is charity.
And so we are nonprofit and everything that we do, we direct toward people that need help. Um, we work in conjunction with the women's club. Um, we do Christmas parade, we do Halloween on the circle and spend thousands of dollars on candy for these kids that come around
three times. Um, and of course the GR Fest event that we started, um, it's a lot of work, but we do it with pleasure and so we thought it'd be nice if I just popped in. If you have any questions that you want to direct, have any
issue or anything else that you might want to know about, I'll answer it right now. I am currently the vice president. and I did six years of president. So I know a few things. Been there for 14 years. >> Anything at all? >> I'll just make a comment that you guys
have been overboard trying to, >> you know, help us serve us and worked with our city police. >> Yeah. >> And uh kept everything very orderly. And so I I greatly appreciate what you do and and uh hope you continue. >> Well, we'll try. Thank you so much for
your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. You bet. And that date? >> 20 uh 24th. January 24th. >> January 24th. Okay. Yes, ma'am. >> Michelle Kitch um I wasn't here earlier when the gentleman talked about the
senior homes and I want to say thank you'all for approving that. Um I think we will get our return in water and taxes and other things. So, I do think that was a good project and I think it's very very needed in this community. >> Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Lord have mercy. I can't believe Donald ain't got up yet. >> Come on. >> I got a question. My name is Dexter. >> Dexter. >> I've been staying this county here for too many years now. >> Okay.
>> I move back to Chris here. Why come a general law enforcement officer can't be work with police department in this county? >> Say again. How come a general law enforcement officer cannot work here in Walkton County? >> Well, I have no idea. >> See, everybody don't have no idea. >> Yeah.
>> Ain't going to say no more about >> All right. Thank you. Anyone else? >> All right. We'll close the floor for comments and we will move to uh Miss Heavlin with the uh
I miss somebody. >> Clay, I don't have anything. Okay. He'll usually put a note out there. >> I'll catch you if you get pass. >> All right, Miss H. >> I brought forward um uh a copy of the letter to the editor from Sunday. I
think it was October 1st or the first Sunday in October. Um and then I've gotten several calls and um I wanted to begin by acknowledging the CRA plays a valuable role in improving our community. But tonight, I think we've
reached a critical point where we we need to reassess perhaps the purpose and fiscal sustainability of our CRA. You know, the CRA, I've said this before, is now proposing to borrow about $10 million. They've got a contract out
now, a request for proposal, and in my opinion, that's going to place the city in serious financial distress. And we currently have no emergency reserves built up. We have no sustainable plan to provide fair raises for our staff and no dedicated capital
to address our most basic needs, which is clean water, reliable sewer systems, and essential infrastructure upgrades. Now, at the same time, I think we're facing the possible elimination of property taxes next year, which the
governor is working hard to get past. And if that happens, we all know that's the main funding mechanism for the CRA. So before we can even consider taking on new debt because that will become the debt of the city if the CRA is
successful. >> No ma'am it won't. We've covered this. >> Clay, let me finish. Please not about the city's financial responsibility. I've read the statute out loud. If she's wanting to disregard Florida statute, then I'm going to interrupt her. Yes, ma'am. That's in. >> Mayor, I am the elected official. I'm
not asking for his legal opinion at this point. >> Okay. Finish your point. >> It's the time to focus on the basics to invest in what our residents depend on every single day. Water quality, sewer reliability, and emergency preparedness.
And those are not optional services. They're foundational to our public health, safety, and confidence in this local government. We cannot afford to continue funding a separate agency that borrows millions of pro dollars of to do projects that don't directly address the
critical priorities. It's both fiscally and morally responsible to return these funds to the city and direct them where they are most needed. Given these realities, I propose that council take the bold and necessary steps. I'm proposing to eliminate the CRA entirely
and redirecting all available funds back under city control where they can be used to address the urgent tangible needs of our citizens, in particular our water and sewer infrastructure. And I'm urging my colleagues to consider this proposal seriously, not as a political
matter, but as a matter of sound governance and stewardship of the TA dollars, tax dollars that we're in charge of. So that's my proposal. You got a motion? >> That's a motion. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion. Second. Any questions or comments?
>> Oh, I got ahead. >> So, for six years, I've been pounding this dis about a flat budget. That's the simple solution. For six years, if this county or this council had maintained a
flat budget, we would not have been in the situation that we're in. You know the the letter that was attached references reserves being low. Interesting thing about that is that is a a twist of the facts aka modern
parliament that would be gaslighting. There are no designated reserves when it comes to the general fund. There are reserves when it comes to our enterprise funds. To say that unrestricted fund balance in the general fund functions as
a reserve is a twisting of the facts. If there were designated reserves, then there would be an audit finding which there hasn't been for multiple years if our reserves were so supposedly dangerously low.
The second thing, and I have asked this this year already, if you want to eliminate the CRA, you want to return that $1.1 million, not the 1.4 and the 1.7 that gets commonly referenced, the $1.1 million.
What are you going to do with that $1.1 million? And then what are you going to do to plug the hole of the $2.8 million transfer that we now have? If you want to have a serious conversation about infrastructure, let's have it. But when you talk about infrastructure, are you
talking about roads? That would be general fund. Are you talking about parks? That would be general fund. If you're talking about water and sewer, those are separate funds. And those funds have the adequate and necessary reserves and they have adequate and
necessary um money in them to do infrastructure improvements. Case in point is us signing the loan to the asbesus water mate. You can't get more current than that. We're replacing our es asbesus lined pipes with with water
funds and we're signing an SRF deal on them. So let's have a conversation about infrastructure. But I haven't heard that. I haven't heard anybody bring forth any sort of proposal other than, oh, we just got to
get rid of the CRA. Oh, we can't do we can't do this, we can't do that. Again, like I asked for earlier this year, give me the plan for that $1.1 million and I'll match it. I'll support you because I agree we
should have reserves. I agree we should be addressing these issues but the CRA is not the silver bullet that and it's not the the boogeyman that is constantly presented. Now, also in that article, it mentions
some legal and ethical concerns. And I want to go on the record as saying there are none. No one on this council has received CRA dollars.
And even if they did, it's not illegal to receive CRA dollars because that is not doing business with oneowns agency. The CRA consists of citizens of this community that are appointed by us. That is not doing business with one owns agency. If
you want to get into the ethics of it, none of us control more than 2% of the of the impacted area. But let's go a step further. These improvements that the CRA are doing downtown, whether it's the the
alleyway, whether it's the parking, whether it's the amphitheater, those benefit all of the citizens of not only DeFiak Springs, but the surrounding communities. So there is no direct impact on anybody
downtown. And and those are facts. It is not illegal. It is not inethical for for the CRA to do things downtown. And I want to make this very clear. If you want to say that there is something nefarious and there is something illegal or there is something unethical going
on, you have been put on notice that that is simply not true. I have not received one dime, one penny, one cent from the CRA. If you continue to make those statements, I think you'll find out just like Tucker Carlson versus
Dominion Voting Systems, how that works out for you. So do that at your own legal peril. I think it's disingenuous to say that there's no dedicated funds for clean water for employee raises. The city
manager was tasked with addressing the $2.8 million transfer. And yet here we sit not implementing what was proposed. Here we sit because it would have meant
making some serious cuts to the general fund across the board. Evenly applied, consistently applied. So, I'm quite frankly I'm sick and tired of the the gaslighting, the manipulation
that is going on with the facts when it comes to the CRA and the city's overall health. We have beat, let me get that up closer. We have beat this horse to death over the CRA and yet we hear it time and time
again at every meeting. Robert's rule of order, um, Clay, if a vote has, and I realize this is different this time. This motion is defunded all the way, but we voted on do we maintain the current level of funding
for the CRA in this budget year, the budget year that we're in today. And this council, council as a whole, the voice was we continue to fund at the existing level. We cannot sit here like we have a crystal ball and factor what the legislature is going to
do with the funding levels for Avalor taxes. We already know that we're in the hole when it comes to Avalorum taxes for funding public safety period out of that general fund. It cost us six $6.1 million and we take in 2.8 roughly. So
we know right off the bat that we're in the negative on that. That's why everybody's water bills are so high have been for all these years. We have to come up with ways of funding it. We I've been here for a little over two years now and one thing consistently that I've spoken about is I want to see the
infrastructure fixed in this city. Water and sewer. Within the first weeks of me being on this council, I went out and found out from various departments how each department is carried out. What are the issues? What have we got to fix? How can I help? Let's try and figure this
out. And the simple fact is we're doing the best that we can. I viewed a C. At first, I thought like Miss Hein did, strip them of funding all the way down. They can't do anything if if we cut their funding level. At that point, it's like, what good can I do with the funds
that you've given me? They're taking on the capital improvement projects for the city. If those funds were cut by any percentage, that funding that comes back goes into the general fund, we will eat it within a matter of a couple of months. Something's going to break and we're going to wind up spending it. and
turn these businesses that are downtown. The one hard part about this job is not to speak about liability sitting right where we're at because we can be sued for anything that we bring up. But let's state the facts on a couple of things. We have sewer issues downtown. Those
businesses get backed up. Those businesses have to close down. They have come in here and stood right where Miss Kit is and told us about this time and time again. The good thing is they haven't sued us over it yet. But if we don't fix those issues, they can. We
have issues with the fire department. We have issues with this facility. We've got to fix these things. But the thing is, we we shouldn't sit up here time and time again and hammer the CRA when they're actually trying to work on those capital projects for us and fix some of
these things. There are group of of volunteers. Either way you look at this, these people, we go, sure, we go out and ask them, will you serve on this board? But these are people who volunteered their time to sit on those boards and hear all these same issues. But yet, Mr. Just like Mr. Hamilton brings up and has
brought up time and time again, he stands before us and hears us beat them like a dead dog. And yet, we're asking them to do things for this city. I commend them on the service that they're providing to this city. I thank them for the time that they put into this because
they're not getting paid for it. They're getting beat over the head with it. and yet they keep doing it time and time and again for us. That's all I've got. I I do have a question about Robert's rule though. I would like council to clarify that for us as to what what remedies there are for that or how the rules
work. >> So ultimately the motion nothing can be done this year because we're in October one. I mean what's happening this year is done. We've agreed we've pundited it. There's no way that that motion can be taken up to undo what this council's
already done. It would be inappropriate for somebody who was on the losing end of that motion to bring it up. I interpret this motion to be something that would take effect fiscal year 10126, which would be next October. Therefore, I believe under Roberts it's appropriate. If the motion is actually
to stop it right now, then no, that motion's already been defeated um to take it down. Um this is just another attempt at the same thing. I don't believe it would be appropriate to revisit it because the issue of funding at what level we funded was determined when the budget was passed. But I'm
interpreting this to be request to defund the CRA effective next fiscal year. But I'll allow the council woman to clarify. >> Mr. Mayor, I want to say this is not a comfortable conversation and it brings out the ugly in uh a lot of what we're saying and I know it's passion and we're
all trying to do the right thing as to what we believe is the right thing. So, I just want us to stop and think about how our decision, whatever it's going to be, it's going to be how it's going to impact our future. >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. Um,
I think all this is is the communication problem. Uh Rob Hamilton suggested um workshops again uh quarterly workshops would not be a bad idea or more often if if necessary. But that to me that is the
key to making this successful all the way around is communication. And uh so I' I'd like us to get back to those to those meetings. And it's just like the amphitheater project. Sure. It's a big project. It's a big long um alleyway.
All these things add up and it does make us nervous, but we we um you know, personally I'm I'm confident that this will will work as long as we keep those lines of communication open and we know where we stand. The reason
for their existence is to help this city. So I don't think they're going to go an opposite direction of what the city wants. As long as we are have opportunities to express what we what we want and what we need and what would be the most help to the city as a whole. That's the whole reason for their
existence. So the the workshops to me are are critical to keep that communication open um and and make it work. >> Go ahead, Dan. As a compromise, would the council consider
instead of being 95% of the increased abilorum tax going to the CRA and 5% to the city as a compromise, would y'all consider uh to help our finances at the city level? Uh what's the lowest the CRA
can get? 55% and that would give us 45%. Is that the way it works? Well, if if that if you were to pass a motion, that wouldn't take effect till >> October one because that motion's already paid. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And you know, the thing is is like uh
you know, I've I've had situ I used to vote sometimes and u and uh I gave that up. I gave it up and I don't regret it. Uh >> but anyway, and you know, you'd be on the losing end of a boat and it
sometimes when you think it was a very very important issue, it stings a little bit, but you just got to swallow it and move on. You can't keep bringing this back up and just wearing, you know, the internet up, the newspaper up, the
council up, the people that come here. I mean that that and and that's just really that's one of the reasons that rule is put in now into uh Robert's rule and uh now of course you brought up a little bit you changed the language a
little bit this time but still it's like you're bringing something up you lost and u and you seem to be very passionate about it and that's fine but you know passion needs to be put to bed sometimes. Go ahead. >> Amen.
Mr. Mayor, this is something that the community has reached out to me. They've written in the paper and and that is I'm okay with being on a losing end of a vote and I understand that happens. It happens quite often to me as you would uh see if you go back and look at
history, but this was something that the community wants us to talk about and that's the reason I brought that forward. And like I said, this is not a comfortable conversation. I mean, I don't want to bring this up. I don't want to keep bringing it up, but
it just it had to be said, >> and it is it is what it is at the end of this this vote. So, >> thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> How how how much reserves do you do we need? >> What's what's the dollar amount? >> I I don't want to have a debate, but the auditors tell you that you should have
three months of operating expenditures set aside in case of the event of an emergency. That is a standard policy for any city. >> Okay. So, I did the research and found out what that would be. I know that answer. It's either $3 million or $6
million. So, I will support a motion that will reduce our transfers from the water and general fund so that we're not robbing Peter to pay Paul when it comes to infrastructure so that we can then establish some
reserves. But that's going to mean cutting at minimum $2.8 million if not $3 million from the general fund. I will support that. I'll I'll make the motion right now if you want to.
>> You have a motion on the floor. >> I can make a substitute motion if I so please >> let let's have if if we want to have difficult conversations. Let's have difficult conversations. If we want to establish a three or a $6
million reserve, I'm all for that. I have talked to countless city managers about it at this point. I'm in support of having a reserve for our general fund. And again, I want to state on the record, we have reserves for our water
and sewer. They are adequate and they meet what they are supposed to be. I support a reserve for the general fund. >> How are we general fund pays for emergency, not the water and sewer fund? >> How are we going to get there? That's
what I keep asking. If you're going to take either $1.1 million or as Councilman Kosen brought up $550,000, what are you going to do with that money? >> I think we're moving in the right direction. We need a finance director that can put these things. You're
>> you're not answering my question for me to answer. >> Yes, ma'am. It is. You are an elected official sitting at this dis. >> Go ahead. Call the question. Let's see how that works. >> That's fine. Um, we're gonna go ahead and have public comment though, Mayor. We can't call the question to eliminate
all public comment. >> Okay, Mayor >> Glenn's got a comment. >> We have not actually voted to call the question. >> Go ahead, M. >> Well, I'm gonna let him go first. >> Well, speaking of a finance director, I mean,
anybody that's considering applying for that job might very well be listening and watching our meetings. it could very well be the problem with hiring a finance director. >> Uh so, you know, I would like to see us
move forward and be positive and optimistic and work hard to make these things work that we vote on because we have that responsibility and I'm going to lose votes in the future, but I came into this with with with the view that
if I lose a vote, that's the way this country rules, uh majority. And if I lose a vote, I tried my best to make it work like everybody else. I might have lost a vote and but but that's just me. But I I would I would ask that we we we
do that because we are trying to hire a finance director. We spent so much time on the on the description of the job that we we didn't, you know, we didn't get anybody hired. But it it's it's time that we move forward and we we present ourselves in a in a way that that would
make somebody want to come work here. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Michelle Kit. So, I want to say that when all this started about the CRA funding, I spent a lot of time speaking with multiple people and well, he left.
Um Josh, I called him and I sat down and I went through all of it and I came to a grave understanding that y'all can't bond the money. You get that money back, you can't bond it for projects. That is a big difference. Our goal now, because
we lost the vote, we beat a dead horse, we lose everybody, including the audience. And that's where we're at. I spent six years on a project with this city, and I finally gained it. But I couldn't beat them at every meeting. I couldn't beat them at every turn. I had
to pick my battles. Robert's rule says you pick the battle, you lost, you move on. You get next year to bring that battle back up. But what I want to see happen is us pivot and let's focus on the infrastructure. Let's focus on the
needs before the wants. I'm sorry. I would like an amphitheater, but we need a fire station. We need a fire station. And I want them to bond the money for the city's needs, not their wants. And since I only have a
little bit left, I want to talk about the downtown project, the back alley. There is rumors going all over this town that oh, it's going to benefit and raise the property values for this man. And he knows I've had one conversation, I think, with him about his car.
>> Correct. I think so. >> Have I ever called you? >> No. >> Okay. No, >> I shop at his store. I have never met Reynolds Henderson, but here, but I will tell you it is a city's responsibility
to take care of the alley. It is not the owner's, and I'm going to give you a paraphrase of that. I ran a hockey league in Pensacola for several years, hockey league, children's, and it's still going today. But we had to work with USA Hockey out of Colorado.
And the the what the civic center, which is now the Bay Center, presented. And what the county of Escambia County presented was a contract that said if we brought the individuals to the building and they fell in a pothole,
they needed to sue us and not them. Well, you can't farm out liability. Am I correct on that? >> You cannot effectively farm out liability. We have sovereign immunity. So that is what my USA hockey even though we fought on it every year eight years in a row for six months. Why can't
why can't they? Because the hockey league is not going to repave that pothole because it's not our responsibility. It's city or county property and we're not going to do it. All of these people that you are talking about are in the same position. Just because that's their their way of making a living does not give us a right to
dish them or say that their property values are going to go over something that needs to be there and operate correctly. and it's not fair to the other citizens out here who have businesses with sewage. >> So, I'm I want to put an end to it and y'all move on. >> Thank you. >> Well, I for one, mayor, wanted to be
very clear since you mentioned it. I hope my property values don't go up. I I don't particularly want to pay higher property taxes, but I feel quite confident that the property values of downtown go up based solely on the alleyway improvement. It'll be true for all of the parcels. And last I checked,
we had roughly 83 parcels in the downtown business district between 11th and 4th that go between 90 and Baldwin. >> If we look at how many of those there are, I'm assuming the value of all those are going to go up equally and that is not a disproportionate or special private gain or loss. I second Mr.
Beerbomb's statement that if there is some suggestion that there is any type of conflict of interest, misuse of public position or otherwise that that is completely inappropriate in a case like this. And you know, while I've not had anybody directly ask me that, I can tell you I don't vote and the board
votes in public on what they choose to do. But if we're going to get into the spot of saying paving roads in this city is a disproportionate benefit to the people who live on those roads, we're not going to have very many roads paved because we all live on some roads in the city.
>> Yes, ma'am. those properties that may benefit bring in far far more taxes than one residential property. And I think people need to consider that. That's I'm just responding.
Um I was sitting in the CRA meeting when they voted not to do the alleyway. Two things came up after that. Number one was the city's request that they reconsider that and do it.
Number two was the fact that there were public health concerns about the sewer backing up in the in the alleyway. And you know that's very expensive. It's growing and growing and growing in expense because of your preferences to put this underground and to do that and
do the other. And that's the reason they may need to float a bond or whatever they're doing to get more financing. It's not them. It's what you want and it's what is best for the city.
>> Thank you. >> Actually have something prepared for this one. Rob Hamilton, CRA board member. This issue has been discussed, debated, and voted on multiple times. The outcome was not unclear. The majority made a decision and that decision needs to
stand. Yet here we are again circling back to the same conversation under a new headline, the future of the CRA. Let's be honest, this is not about the future. It's about trying to undo a vote that didn't go someone's way. That's not leadership. That's obstruction.
At some point, we have to ask, how many votes do we have to lose before we move on? Because dragging this out does not make you look strong or principled. It makes you look weak and unwilling to lead when the outcome doesn't suit you. Good governance means respecting the process
even when you don't get the outcome you wanted. Bringing the same issue up meeting after meeting doesn't make the result change. It just makes the city look divided and distracted. The public sees it, the business owners see it, and frankly the CRA board feels it.
The CRA was created to invest in this community. It can't do that if it's constantly being used as a political punching bag. So, let me say it plainly. The council's already decided. The vote was taken. It's time to accept it, move on, and let the CRA do its job. Every
time we waste another meeting relitigating the same issue we're holding the city back, the people of Phoenix Springs deserve a lot better than that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Anyone else? >> Spoke.
>> We got a motion in a second. >> Motion. That's Amy's motion. >> Okay. We have a a motion and a second on the table. All in favor say I. >> Nay. >> I >> nay. >> Nay.
>> Nay's carry. U. We will move on. Okay. Um, now we're to Mr. Conurs on his CRA appointment. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, a month or so back, uh, I had a position that was
available for or vacant on the CRA. The council, uh, voted with me to, um, appoint Mr. Joiner to that seat. Mr. Joiner had to resign um, based on some personal issues. So, that has left me
with a vacancy yet again. Um, so this time I'm coming for the council with a local resident, local businessman, someone who cares as much for the east end as he does the west end and that he does for the downtown area and the things that we talked about here
tonight. It's someone who believes in the focus on blight, which was what the council was originally tasked the CRA to combat and the things that we've spoken about here tonight. He's someone who is committed to supporting public safety and taking care of some of the issues
that Mr. Hamilton and Miss Kit have talked about in the past right here before us at the dis. He's someone who also understands the liability that comes from us not fixing some of these same issues that we've talked about here tonight with infrastructure. Um so he I believe this individual would
focus on the capital projects that we've tasked the CRA with combating and getting accomplished. And the key word there is getting accomplished, not just let's go through the layers of bureaucracy forever. So with that, tonight I'm recommending and asking council to support me in a motion to
appoint Mr. Donald Graham to the CRA. >> Okay, second. >> All right, that's motion and second. Any questions or comments? >> All in favor say I. >> I. Nay. I >> I >> I
>> eyes carry. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Graham. [Music] >> Now he needs to say something. Don't know. >> He's killing. >> Thank you very much. >> You know, I you know, I like to be, you know, quiet, but I also at the same time
at the same time being quiet is going to turn into a surprise. So, uh, I appreciate it the opportunity to, uh, be on the board. I'm proud to represent the city of Shack Springs, and I'm coming with positivity,
facts, and to get things done because we don't waste a lot of time going back in the past. Let's go to the future, infrastructure, the fire department, improving the city, east side, west side, north side. So, that's what I'm here to do. and just you
know when you call me I'll be there for you. >> I'd like to thank you very much. >> All right, airport. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, um through some of my activity related to the EDA and the airport, um
receiving feedback from businesses that could potentially be interested in the airport. Um and and all that that brings with it. Um there's been a couple of things and I think it's important over the over time as we we receive these
this type of input that we respond to it. Um because I think it quite frankly it puts us in a better position. If businesses are asking for something then I think we should respond to that. So with that, I would like for the the council to consider directing staff to
pursue a fourdigit official airport identifier code um through the international aeronautical civil organization. I believe that's the correct acronym for IACO or ICO. Um, and then also I wanted the council
to just simply acknowledge that there is a long-term plan that once we get beyond 5,000 ft with the runway, we have a beautiful new terminal, uh, and we we've widened the runway, we've expanded the runway, and we see hangers 18, 19, 20
built, that we would as a council acknowledge the fact that the logical progression would be for us to continue our path of growth that would allow for eventual class C and D approaches into
our airport. Now, what are class C and D approaches? Basically, class C and D approaches are what they call IFR approaches, instrument flight rule approaches. Um, and so, obviously, at that point, that would mean we would have to meet a a litany of requirements
from the FAA. It's not something we can technically do ourselves. We technically have to prepare the airport for it. And then when when we're ready, the FAA says, "Congratulations, you have met all the requirements. You now have class C and D approaches." So, it's not so much anything that we have to do tonight as
it is just simply acknowledging that that is the long-term goal. That is the direction that we're headed and then simply directing staff to pursue an actual official four-letter designation for the airport. So, what I would like to request is for staff to um pursue the
K54J designation as well as to evaluate pursuing a KDFS, you know, for Definiac Springs designation as an alternate if we could get that approved. We may or may not be able to get the DFS designator approved,
but I would just like to make that as a motion to direct staff to pursue that and then at least have some agreement and discussion with the council on the long-term approach. Again, we're talking very long term that we would eventually obtain those class C and D
certifications. >> So, I'll make that as a as a form of a motion for discussion sake. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. >> Go ahead, Amy. Didn't we have a conversation where we asked for the EFS to come back already?
>> We did staff uh there's a form you have to fill out with the FAA, but since then like said council Gbomb's have conversations with particular entity and so no need to for me I don't see why we would duplicate work. So I think if we're going to pursue the four then we might as well do them at the same time.
I think that was what he talked about with alternate. Why would question for Todd uh why would you want 54J before the DF and the alternate to be DFS? Why not try to get the DFS as the primary?
>> I would love I would love to get KDFS. Um I think that there might be some concerns about whether they'll grant it to us. My understanding is it's a little bit easier. We already have the 54J and depending upon how you search it, >> K54J already shows up and from my from
my research >> it's it's already implied that that that we are K54J and when you search it online it actually comes up that way for some databases and then other other databases it doesn't. this business entity simply pointed out
that in certain airplane databases we don't show up as a fourdigit identifier and and in their point their viewpoint getting that fourdigit identifier means that we have stepped up our level from
just a sleepy regional airport or you know small airport to we're taking that next step. Would you consider flipping those and making DFS the primary to staff and and your 54J which we already >> Sure. Sure. Because I could support it
then wholeheartedly. But I would like to see that KDFS. I >> I would too. I would I would >> as the primary on >> because I think we are up and coming. I think that is our ultimate long-term >> objective. >> Is the K is it mandatory?
>> Yes. Yes. That's the >> So any any airport based in the US has is prefixed with >> K is the American or >> KDFS. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I'll amend my motion that we pursue KDFS as the as the initial request. >> Second.
>> Follow that back. I think he's already seconded. >> I'm in the second. But but again just maybe also part of my motion is that as a council we are affirming that long term we want to see our airport grow to the point that we then obtain those
class C and D classifications for for approaches >> out of your research. What does that entail? >> It's not a tower. We don't need a tower. >> You don't need you don't need a tower but there's a pretty extensive list from the FAA of of equipment that we would
need. Um and then obviously we would be working with our friends over at Eglund to to establish those approaches. >> Um >> that that's could be the big one. Making sure Eglund allows clearance for IFR approach. >> And and again this isn't something that's going to happen tomorrow. This is
more about the council saying as we we cast vision long term and when I say long term I mean probably 10 to 20 years that this is this is where we want to go. and it the the the business just simply wanted to hear that that was our direction. So I told them that because
that that topic had never come before the council. I was not comfortable confirming that. I wanted to bring that back to the council and have the council actually vote on that. And so that that's why we're having this conversation is because I didn't want to misrepresent the council's long-term
desire and goal uh when it when it came to those class C and D approaches. And again, it's basically just do we get instrument approaches because right now it's VFR, visual flight rules, which means they can't make approach into the airport unless the ceilings are at a
certain level. Whereas with C and D approaches, IFR approaches, they can they can go down to a lot lower minimums to actually land. >> All right. Any other comments on the airport identifier? >> All in favor say I. >> I. I.
>> I. I. I >> carry and and I'm glad to kind of uh talking a little bit longer about our approach certification because you know our uh one thing I want to say is our
airport uh staff our manager and and several others they are deeply engaged for the next year and a maybe year and a half. I don't want to put anything else on their plates in regards that airport that we have to we
need to chew what we've already bitten off. >> That's a lot. >> All right. Okay. Well, at this time, um Toby, what you got? >> Mayor, only update I have the visitor center, the bathroom update there. If
you've driven by, you've seen they have poured the concrete for the 88 ramp accessibility. Um, and uh, we do a walk through tomorrow, kind of see some of the work they're doing on the inside. They replace the front doors. So, hope to have that done here very soon and uh, in in use for around Christmas reflections and to homes and stuff. So,
hopefully we'll get that done. >> Absolutely. >> County, we appreciate the TDC TDC project. >> Yeah. I was trying to figure out what that big old bright red and white piece of equipment they dropped off out there in front of the depot. Um this so this morning I was coming to work I seen a
bucket truck and a wood chipper. So I pulled in there and I got out and I and the man was standing I said we get really nervous when we see wood chippers in the lakeyard. I said so what are we doing and they said well we're you know we're contractor FPL. There was some trees behind the vacant building there that was interrupting the power line.
They were cutting them down. So that's fine but okay. >> Yeah we get nervous when we see things like that. >> Okay. All right. Anything else? >> That's all. >> Okay then we'll go to Mr. I'm so glad to see pavement on 331.
>> It's coming good. Lord have mercy. >> I've heard a lot of complaints about it. >> All right, >> we're getting there. >> Dan, >> are we talking uh council comments now? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, I wish you were still here,
but as many problems and bumping heads as I have done with the CRA, um, I would like to say that Josh and I have maintained a friendship and I understand he's leaving us. I'd like to say for the
record, he's done an outstanding job. He's represented the CRA in a stellar way. Um, he has done his absolute best. Um I understand he's going to the county and that his position is um being considered to be filled and uh we look
forward to that position being filled in the near future. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh the next thing is our next meeting is going to be um it's going to start at 4. It's going to have an airport workshop.
>> Correct. So, I want to put a little information out here to the public uh on what we're looking for, or at least what I'm hoping to find in this workshop is we want to hear things that if you think this is going
to hold us up and there's anything that's on the radar that would prevent December 31st, 2026 from us being complete of all all our obligations and not lose any money.
That's what we want to hear. If you come up here and say, "Well, we'd like to have a concession stand in the terminal or something like that." That's irrelevant. We don't want to hear any of that. We are so laser focused right now and there's so much money at
stake to make sure that all of the agreements that we have to make, all the requirements we've got to meet, um, we make that deadline and we don't lose any money. and leave uh leave any money on the table. So, we're hoping to get a lot
of public feedback on things that maybe we haven't thought of. Um but so far, I've been checking into this and attending a few meetings and I think we're heading in the right direction. I really do. But I'm I'm
always open to any outside opinion, especially professional opinions, people who's in the aviation field. So, that's a little heads up on um our workshop coming up. Um the PA system, I've heard
from multiple people. It wasn't just Mr. Powell, but maybe it's because we're not leaning up and talking into the microphone. Maybe it's not a technical problem. Maybe it's our problem. Um, and Greg Cresan, I told you that I would put your uh concerns on the agenda. Um, Kobe
asked me to hold off on that, that you and him are going to have a meeting. And Mr. Powell, uh, the same with you. Uh, you were, uh, I asked you if you wanted to be put on the agenda and you said you and Kobe are going to work that out. So, I listen to the public. If the public
comes to me with a problem and they're not getting satisfaction at the city level, then I'll bring your concerns to the dis. So that's all I've got. >> Okay. Huh? >> So, as the representative on the EDA, I
did want to update um we met on Thursday. Um conducted interviews for the next director for the EDA. Um and we extended a um offer letter or voted to extend an offer letter to one of the candidates that we interviewed. Um
everyone was thoroughly impressed with him. So, I'm hoping I'm hoping he is engaged in negotiations and we will have some positive news there on on who it ends up being. But, uh, there was there was unanimous support for the candidate. So, I think it's going to be a fantastic
candidate. He's a local candidate and he's heavily invested in in our area. Um, I do want to say again, unfortunately, there there is a particular item with the EDA that I'm under a little bit of a non-disclosure agreement on, but I want to complement
the EDA. So, we had an opportunity come in through a state agency that got passed down to us and the coordination between the EDA and the city and the school district and Northwest Florida State College and many other entities
that I have observed over the last two weeks was nothing short of absolute professionalism. And um I think quite frankly we've already heard we've already heard back our our um our opportunity, our presentation pretty
much took us to the top and I I'm hoping that to share some positive news very soon. I'm I'm literally waiting any day for some positive news there. But I want to thank uh Mr. Hughes because he sent he sent a gentleman that represented the
school district well. Uh Mr. Brown from Northwest Florida State College sent someone from the college that represented college well. And I remember when I was giving them a tour of Defunia and I was sitting in the back seat, they even complimented. They said, "Wow, our education the education system here is
even willing to do X, Y, and Z for us. That's impressive." Um, and they've since told us that that our our proposal pretty much ranked us at the top and we actually beat out other areas in Florida
and we actually beat out um, five other sites. My understanding is we beat out five other sites they had already selected that were not even in Florida. So they had originally toured 30 sites and down selected to five and then uh Florida wasn't even on their
radar and at the last minute we we became on their radar. They looked at three different sites in Florida. They they have supposedly selected us as the finalist for Florida. And uh but again it is um the coordination, the
professionalism that I have seen out of the EDA and its partners is nothing short of amazing in the last couple weeks. So hats off to them and thank you for all of that. That's all. >> Thank you, Josh. >> Um everything's positive. I invite everybody to come out to the fair this
week. Um looking for a good time. I know it's not necessarily our venue right off the bat, but I think it's great for the kids and the families, the camaraderie. I'd like to thank Chief Graham for being here tonight and for willing to serve. >> That's it. Thank you, Mayor.
>> Yeah, I just kind of want to echo what Rob had said earlier. you know, we not just this city, but several cities and counties that uh you know, we have u we've kind of turned our meeting space
into just mudslinging and all this type of stuff. We and then we want to keep directors. We want EDA directors. We want CRA directors. We want city managers. We want city finance directors. Uh that's the worst thing we
can do to try to bring them in. And uh and you know, sometimes it's hard much harder to uh do this more diplomatic. You know, everything doesn't have your laundry doesn't have to be exposed out in the public meetings every time we get
together because it just doesn't make good sense. You know, you say, "Well, I I want to be transparent." Well, you know, the scripture says that a fool utterth all his mind and so it's not it's not always the smartest thing in the world to share every thought you
have u because you got to think of what are the repercussions. So I'm just telling everybody on this dis and if I could speak to the county I'd say the same thing. Calm down. Just calm down. >> All right. Well, thank you very much and
we'll call this meeting a journ.