call orders. City commission meeting. Uh the date is Thursday, January 8th, 2026. The time is 6:00 p.m. Uh could you join us for the invocation led by Deacon Jim Shelley of St. Mary of Blakes's Catholic Church and the pledge
of allegiance led by Commissioner George As. Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. On behalf of St. Mary of the Lakes, their clergy, the staff, and the parishioners on this our 115th year of serving this community. We wish you a very happy,
successful, and healthy new year. Let us pray. Almighty God, you are our eternal father. You are the son of compassion. You are the Holy Spirit of conscience. In the shared spaces of governance, our
city council humbly gather and seek your divine wisdom. Guide them, O Lord, as they deliberate over vital issues of our city and empower their discernment. Illuminate their judgments and plans
with your heavenly insights. May they steward this civic responsibility and create a beacon city for all. With hopeful hearts they seek your grace for better judgment, knowing that in you lies wisdom beyond measure. In all that
they do or decide here today, may you be reflected and glorified first and foremost. And may Almighty God bless everyone present today in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
>> Amen. >> Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Thank you. Thank you, Reverend Shelly. >> Call the order. Uh, Mary, do we have a quorum and proper notice been given? >> Yes, mayor. >> Okay. Uh, Tom, do we have any agenda updates? >> Uh, we do not, sir.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you. Um, next we'll we'll go into the uh the election of the mayor and vice mayor. Uh, since I'm the outgoing, um, uh, I'd like to, uh, say a few words.
And for those of you that know me, you know that I say a few words. Okay. Uh, before I begin, I want to, uh, thank my family, both blood and chosen. I thank you for the support you've given me this year. For many of you, this
journey began six years ago. And you've walked with me through many doors to support our neighbors. To this amazing staff, this year has been tough on all of you. Yet, you remain dedicated to this to this city and its citizens. I've
often said we and uses do so much more with so much less. You made us look good up here, even at times when we may not have held up to our end. I thank you, Tom and Miranda. You both have the
patience of Job. You listen to the ideas and the opinions of five commissioners, each with a different vision or a new idea, all while running the city. At times, I'm sure it felt like hurting cattle, but you both handled with
confidence and ease. It has been my pleasure to work with you. There's no better duo than the two of you. You have confident confidently directed and protected us. We began last year with a different uh
kind of energy uh as a commission. Um different than what we have here tonight. This year has been a test for even the strongest of commissions. It hasn't been easy. from the DOT road project, the Duke Power Poles, and the
downtown building possibilities to name a few. Yet, we still ended up here with undeniable momentum. The learning curve as a new mayor was steep, but I embraced it fully. In this in this role, you are
a mediator, a navigator, and a voice for many. Over the course of my term, I've dedicated nearly every waking hour to serving the citizens of Eustace. I haven't made everyone happy, and I accept that.
Only a fool would attempt that feat, but no one can say I stayed on the sidelines. I've worked hard, and I've loved every minute of it. Together with the dedicated leaders leadership of the Houston City Commission, we have made
significant pro progress in defining our collective vision for the city's future. Through the collaborative efforts of our commission and staff, we have faced tough decisions that will shape Eustace for generations. By prioritizing
transparency and long-term planning, the commission has ensured we avoid repeating past mistakes. putting in the hard work necessary to move our community forward responsibly. When I reflect on this past year, I
don't think about it in terms of a title. I think about it in terms of work. For me, leadership in Eustace has never been about sitting behind a de a deas. It's been about being in the trenches where her residents live, work, and go to school.
My goal this year was was to ensure the city was a constant supportive partner in every corner of our community. That meant being at the table for the useless high school and elementary school renovations and positioning the city to
eventually acquire the Kurtright campus, ensuring that as our school expands, our community's future is secure. That's meant serving on the various school ad advisory boards and the athletic boosters not just as a
representative but as a partner and a mentor because our students need to know their leaders are invested in this success. It's meant serving as a board member at Lake Cares Lake Community Action Trout Lake organizations
that are deeply trenched into the fabric of who we are as a city. A city is only as strong as its heart. That's why I've prioritized the events that bring us together. The special needs prom, Panther Pride events, art around the fountain, Christmas parade,
toy and food drive to benefit our children and families, honoring our veterans, and supporting our seniors. Economic growth and infrastructure are part of our battle. Whether we're driving economic activity
through chamber events or the UCF incubator and 1 million cups, collaborative events for providing a safety net through food giveaways and late cleanups. The mission remained the same to leave Eustus better than we found it. There are moments that don't
make it into formal reports, like directing traffic during a flood, or spending a quiet morning at the cemetery, placing flags on the grave of veterans. You see, to me, those are not tasks. Those are the responsibilities of
someone who loves this city. Exhausting, yes. Worth it? Absolutely. I will do it all over again tomorrow without hesitation because I believe in in what we're building. I'll be asking for one more year, but
not to be a figurehead, but to continue being a servant leader who stays until the job is done. Thank you. Uh, next I'll turn the um the gavl over to the uh city clerk uh for the election
of mayor and vice mayor. >> Thank you, mayor. Excuse me. Um, first I want to give a brief overview of how we will run the election for mayor. Um, following that, the election of the vice mayor will be handled by the new mayor.
First, I will open the floor to nominations for mayor. Those do not require a second. Once it appears there are no more forthcoming, I will ask for a motion to close nominations. That does require a second and will be followed by
a voice vote. >> Oh my lord. >> Sorry. Good. just turned off. >> It's one of my favorite ring. >> Only Mary could do that. >> Um, where was I? Um,
sorry about that. Once the nominations have been closed, we will take the um nominations in the order they are done and a roll call vote will be done in alphabetical order.
Once one nominee has received three at least three positive votes, then voting will stop and the new mayor will be announced and the new mayor will take over and run the election for the
vice mayor. So, if there's no questions, I open the floor to nominations. >> Willie Hawkins. Willie Hawkins. >> Okay, >> I make Go ahead,
>> Emily Lee. >> Any further nominations? Do I hear a motion to close the nominations? >> So move. >> So we hear a second. All in favor flavor favor of closing the
floor denomination say I. I. >> I. I >> any of us on the nomination of Willie Hawkins? >> Commissioner Asody. >> Nay. >> Commissioner Ashcraft. >> Nay.
>> Commissioner Hawkins. >> I. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Nay. >> Commissioner Lee. I >> on the nomination of Emily Lee for mayor. >> Commissioner Asbody.
>> I >> Commissioner Ashcraft. >> I >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> Nay. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lee. >> Hi. >> Congratulations, Commissioner Lee. You
are now mayor. ALCOHOLICS, you know you jealous. You know you jealous cuz you lost. Now you trying to go against Hawkins. Hawkins is a good man. Hawkins is a good man. Hollers, you jealous. Hollis is jealous.
>> I guess they don't care who's vice mayor. >> They don't care who's vice mayor. Okay. Here. >> Good night. >> Take care. >> Well, at least I get to sit by you for
your final. >> Or will I not be sitt Okay, I will. >> I just want to take the opportunity I used to get pretty emotional about things um to thank my fellow commissioners for having the faith in
me. I appreciate that and I know that we will work together as a team. I see it happening right here >> and I feel it. And um I have had the pleasure of working with and learning
from Mayor Holland and Mayor Hawkins. And I know I have big shoes to fill, although their sizes are bigger than mine, but I I feel like I can do this with their help. And if we commit as a team to work together, we're going to
get this city where it needs to be for the future. And I just want to thank you all and I want to ask God to bless this commission that we will definitely make a commitment to work together as a team for the all of the good of the citizens
of Eustace and for the future of Eustace. Thank you. And now we will go to the election of the vice mayor. Okay. So wait, let me get my paper. And now we'll open the floor for nominations for vice mayor of the city of Estus.
>> Michael Holland. >> I'd like to nominate Gary Ashcraft. >> Are there any more nominations? >> Okay. Well, I'm looking for a motion to close the nominations. >> So moved. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. >> All in favor of closing nominations say I.
>> And opposed and don't like sign. >> I I >> Okay. So, not hearing any, let's do a roll call to vote for the two candidates. Mary on the nomination of Michael Holland is vice mayor. Commissioner Asody.
>> No. >> Commissioner Ashcraft. >> No. >> Commissioner Hawkins. Hi. Commissioner Holland. >> Hi, Mayor Lee.
This is difficult. I will say um nay on the nomination of Gary Ashcraft for vice mayor. Commissioner Asbody. >> I. >> Commissioner Ashcraft.
>> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> Nay. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Mayor Lee. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Ashcraft. Congratulations.
your vice mayor. >> Thank you everyone. >> You want to entertain a break? I had a >> Let's take a five minute break. What's the will of the commission? >> Make a motion to approve. I second.
>> We have a first and a second. No further discussion. Not hearing any. Now we go down to roll call. >> Commissioner Asbat. >> Hi. >> Commissioner a Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Hawkins.
>> I. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Mayor Lee. >> I. >> Tom. Would you do presentations, please? >> Uh, yes. Uh, an come on up. Good evening. Um, thank you guys for
letting me get on the agenda tonight. I wanted to introduce you to Faith Dunaway. Everyone here in the commission was here last year when we did our inaugur inaugural um, LEAP award for the library excellence award program that we started at the library and Faith is our second annual
winner. Um, you got the memo that I wrote on all the great things that Faith did, but I just wanted to point out that the position that Faith has is a part-time library page. And that is a position that only the library holds where you have to be in school, either
their high school or college. And we've had a couple pages go all the way through graduate school just so they could stay working with us. >> But Faith has been, it feels like she's been there forever. She's always there to lend a helping hand. and she's very creative and we've tapped into her
artistic stuff as she um gets designs and um displays ready for us as well as the normal stuff that she does. The library work can be really routine. So, anything that she brings that extra punch to, we're very excited to have her. But what this award and why it's so special is because all of her co-workers
nominated her above all the other co-workers. All the co-workers every year get nominated. We had over 60, I think 63 this year nominations, but she got the most. So, we just wanted to recognize Faith and say thank you for coming. And then in addition to just being recognized by the commission, she
gets a free dinner on me. So, >> did you want to say >> thank you very much. >> Hopefully, she takes you somewhere nice like Chick-fil-A. picture. >> Congrats.
>> One more. One more. Thank you so much. >> Congrat. >> We're moving into the audience to be heard. And um I would just caution you, please, if you plan to speak, please complete a card located um over by Mary.
And when you come up, please speak directly into the microphone. and um tell whether you're a resident or not of us. And um remember most of all three minutes. You have three minutes to
speak. So do you have any cards? >> I do. Gail Isaac Thomas. >> First of all, happy new year to everyone. >> Happy New Year. And second of all, need tightening. Come on.
Congratulations, Mayor Emily Lee, Vice Mayor Gary Ashcraft, and the entire commission for 2026. Regardless to who it is, we still have
to support one another because we all abide here in the city of Eustace. Eustus means a lot to me. I don't just attend meetings in January. I attend for years. Thank you. January
18th, Eusters will be having their first Thank you. So funny Sunday comedy show. January 18th, Sunday at 4 o'clock at the Hideaway Performing Arts Theater. I have
tickets with me tonight. $15 or either you can buy four and get one free. We're looking forward to having each and every one of you there since this is the first one for 2026.
And I'm going to bring Darius up and let him finish it. That's my main man. So, don't forget January 18th. Put it on your calendars, commissioners. We support one another.
Uh, thank you. Um, congratulation to everybody that won. Um, she pretty much said everything. Uh, the Highway Performing Arts Theater is in the Big Lots Plaza, the old Big Lots Plaza right here in Eustace, Florida. Um, again, doors open at 3, show start at 4 and you
been doing this. >> We look forward to seeing everybody. Um, we've been doing this right here in the city of Houston 10 years and we hope to keep it going. Thank you everybody. >> Uh, next card is Harold Kelly. I think he's letting
>> It's a high traffic area. >> Good evening and happy new year to everybody. >> Thank you. >> Uh so happy to be here. And my name is Harold Kelly. I live here in Eustace, Florida. Address 2241 Jenna Circle. Um, real quick,
um, every one of you have a flyer that advertises, uh, to the XM is young to come up. She works with us closely. Um, this is our ninth year of doing this, uh, event in town in in in useless. And,
uh, again, we would like your support again on January 17th is let me tell you what we did this year. We involved uh several
communities. This year we have included um Taris, we're doing a breakfast at Tar's civic center. Uh we thought it might be best instead of having a group over here, a group over there, and a group
down there. Let's come together because we celebrating the same person. Dr. King. Everybody knows what he stood for and we just want to support his ideals and everything he stood for. Uh that's on the 17th. On the 18th uh will be a um
ecumenical service at uh the Universalist Church on uh I think it's David Walker. Um starts at 4. I'm going to leave some of these flyers over here just in case someone needs one. And um
on the 19th we'll be here in Eustace at um we will begin at Palmeta Plaza. Um we'll start there at 9:00. We'll do a continental breakfast music and we have a speaker. At 10
o'clock, we will uh with uh the support of uh the police department, Chief Capri and the fire department with uh Chief Swanson, we will uh start out with a unit to walk and we'll walk from there
all the way to the park fairing park and uh we plan to have a happy time, a joyous time. So, we would love to see your faces in the place as you always have. Thank you for your support in the past and uh just like to see you again.
If there any any questions, please feel free. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you guys. >> Daniel Danzo. >> Hello to all. Daniel Dvenanzo here. Uh I am not a resident, but I'm a local business owner. Got a couple of
businesses in town. Um this is a little extemporaneous. The first thing I want to say is Mike Holland is not jealous. Mike Collins's family has served our community for at least three generations. Right, Mike? And uh four generations. And when I came to town, uh one of the I think it was the second or
third building I bought was the uh building where his family had a furniture store for 30ome years. >> 70 >> 70 years. 70 years. And wouldn't it be nice if we had a furniture store again? Anyway, uh certainly want to thank Mike for all his uh many years and I hope you
know he continues to contribute to the commission and the city of Eustace because he has. Um I really wanted to talk what I I came for is I wanted to uh bring up a couple of things. One is um as we're starting out again. I think it's really important to remember that
uh and you know I don't talk a lot about God but I certainly like when we uh start with prayer. You know the whole purpose and a lot of people don't understand this in the scriptures is it's all about family. You know you can look at the old testament and you can look at the new testament and really it
is significant about the preservation of family and I was really uh delighted to see the young lady that got the library uh recognition because you know that's what we need. We need to create a use this where our youth continue on to continue on to be here. However I said
that I hope you understood. uh that they want to continue to be here. So, family and you know that that's a number of that's a number of organizations. Uh certainly I appreciate uh Chief Capri and the police department because I don't know what they've done but there
are not nearly as many as transients uh sleeping behind my buildings. So, good job. Uh the the uh the next thing is because we want to have a safe downtown community, right? We we don't want use this to use this to continue to be
fodder in the news media. You know, we have a lot to offer here. We have an excellent uh 7,000 acre lake, one of the best inland sailing lakes. We have a sailing club, which is awesome. We have a marina. Um we now have the restaurant on the marina. We have future things we're looking forward to. And what we
want to continue to think about is is family. You know what? And so it's really imposed upon you. And you know what's great? I know that all of you think that way. I think all I absolutely and I know a number of you are multigenerational here and many or many
years here and have served this community. So I'm really excited about looking to the year before or to the year ahead. Uh and finally before I close in these these last few seconds is I wanted to talk about accessibility. Um I I just want you to know I am taking
some action on my own. I'm going to be meeting with the county um with regard to the accessibility on Lakeshore Drive and yes, it is somewhat um focused because I have a restaurant on Lake uh Lake uh Lakeshore Drive and it would be nice if I could get a sidewalk. So, I'm going to be following up with that and I
hope to uh I hope you all have a great night and look forward to the coming year. >> Thanks, Jame. Is >> that it? You're up. >> That is it for Curtis. Thank you. >> Thank you all for your comments. Next is
the consent agenda. >> I'm sorry, Miss Mayor. Is there anyone else that did not fill out a card that wanted to speak? >> Okay, seeing none, we'll close uh the public comment complaint. >> Okay, so next we'll go to the consent agenda. >> Move approval.
>> I second. >> We have a first and a second. Roll call, please. Mary. >> Commissioner Obati. I >> Commissioner Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Ashcraft, I'm sorry, >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> Hi, >> Commissioner Holland. >> I,
>> Mayor Lee. >> Oh, that's me. Yeah. I I was getting ready for the next thing to be done. Yes. I all of that. Okay. Um, next we'll go to ordinances, public hearing, and judicial hearing.
So, we'll do resolution. Am I >> that's that would be me. >> I'm sorry. >> Uh we have resolution number 26-01 a resolution by the city commission of the city of Eustus Lake County, Florida to appoint liaison, directors or members and alternate directors or members to
various committees and boards of directors to ensure that the city's interests are expressed through the city commission um as expressed through the city commission are represented on these various committees and boards. Um I think will you take this one, Mary?
>> Um there is a listing of all of the uh committees and boards in the agenda packet and it does show who has been the who was last appointed as well as the previous year's appointees. So it's just a matter of who wants to volunteer for
which boards. The first one is the um and obviously Mayor Lee has been the main person on the America in Bloom and that's the first one we have. Um
that's the one that I basically have taken over and I think stay as it is. >> Unless someone else wants to join in I'll be >> No, that's your Do we need an alternate for that? >> Do we need an alternate? >> No. I just asked them and they were
>> No, >> no. I've I've got good help and a good committee. Um, the next item is the audit committee and that is typically the mayor, but it does not have to be. >> Did Did you do that? Do you want to stay on that?
>> No, it's >> I guess it's mine. I'll claim it. >> Okay. >> The next is the Lake Community Action Agency. >> I'll take that. >> And an alternate.
>> I don't know if we've ever had one. >> Yeah, you had George. I mean, uh, Gary. >> Technically, we have. Have we needed Have we really needed an alternate. >> No. No. >> See, >> next one is the Lake County Educational
Concurrency Review Committee. >> I'll keep that. And then the Lake County League of Cities, >> I think usually >> I'd like to stay in it if I could because I'm on so many state boards for the League of Cities.
>> I'm I'm sorry. Could I back up? Do do we need an alternate for the um Lake County Educational Concurrency Review Committee? >> It only meets once a year. >> Yeah, we at um Ashcraft
>> Commission Ashcraft needed >> but I don't need it. But you can you do the same thing you did last year. >> Nothing. We could lift we could um list Vice Mayor Ashcraft as alternate just in case >> in case I kill him. >> That's not one I don't think we want to
not have someone go to >> in the case of an emergency. >> And I I just want to point out Mary is scribbling furiously because the resolution is has blanks and we have to fill them in before you approve them and
it gets signed. So that's why there are some pauses as Mary scribbles furiously to get everything down. >> Yeah. Hopefully it's legible and alternate has been Mr. Hopkins. Do you want to stay as alternate or does
someone else want to volunteer for that on the League of Cities? >> Lake County League of Cities. >> I'll stay as alter. the um Lake Sumpter MO. That's that's been me. So, I will if it's okay with everybody, I'll keep that
one. >> I think I was alternate to him last year. I don't mind doing that if uh so desired. Um the city manager has been a non- voting exeicio member of the Lake
Eustace area Chamber of Commerce. For the time being, do we want to continue to appoint um Mr. Corino or do you want to do something different? Is it appropriate to just have the
position uh to name the city manager as the representative to that >> as opposed to naming me by name? >> My my thinking is since we're in limbo, I think Miranda Burrough should do it as the assistant city manager. >> Good idea. >> Yep.
>> Give stability to it a little bit until we find a city manager. And I um and the last one is the open door, a city liaison to the open door, >> which has been Mr. >> Ashcraft. Yeah, that's been Yeah, that's
been me the last couple years. I'll be more than happy to keep that one. >> Okay. And have have we had an alternate on that? >> No, there's there's not really a need for an alternate, but I may >> not that we'll >> not last year we didn't. >> Okay. I just bring it up because there is a blank there
>> and so we will um if we don't need it, we'll move on. Do we have a motion to approve the resolution with the appointments as discussed? >> I wanted to see Yeah, before we do that, um I know you have no questions now, but is there anyone in the audience that
would like to comment on the appointments? >> Seeing none, I'm going to close publicly. >> I move approval. I second. >> Okay, it's been approved. A roll call, please. Commissioner Asbody.
>> Hi, >> Commissioner. Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi, >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> Hi, >> Commissioner Holland. >> I >> Mayor Lee >> I that just sounds so weird. >> Get used to it. >> But the way she says it all together, it
sounds like Merly. Okay, we'll move to future agenda items and comments. Okay. >> Oh, me. >> Okay. Um, happy new year to everyone. I want to congratulate uh uh Mayor Lee. I
I think she's going to do an amazing job and I am here to help her in any way that I can. Uh and and she knows that. So, um anything you need, you know, that doesn't violate the sunshine, >> right? Yeah. But um one of the things I
want to talk we have the uh we just got approved for the PAL uh uh at the PD and um I want to thank the chief uh for putting all that together. It's something we started a couple of years ago. Come on up and talk about it for a minute. Chief,
>> what is it? >> Police Athletic League. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Craig Capri, police chief. Yeah, we got the PAL paperwork in National POW registered uh and we're moving forward with it. We got uh some good things. I don't want to tip my hat yet because I got private sector that's going to come
help me. Some people that have that I know are going to help me with with a large amount of money to start it. It's going to be for the kids in Eustace. Give them programs, work partnership with uh our wreck department. It's going to provide funding for a lot of things. It's going to fund our boxing program. Um I'm going to be putting a bid in for
the uh state PAL tournament to have it here in Eustace. They've been running it in Palaca. Uh it brings like 300 people to the town for about four or five days. Uh I'm going to put the bid in here probably in the next month or two. So we'll see if we can get it. It'll be in uh November and uh you know it'll help
the economy here, the hotels, the businesses and it'll be used to put us on the map. So I was on a conference call yesterday with the USA Boxing National Office and uh they're really excited about the event we did at the high school and it's a win-win for everybody. The high school makes money and the community brings people here
spending money and and uh that's what it's all about. So, it's it's kicking off. We're moving forward with it. Uh, like I said, it's all about the community and giving these kids some some options to keep them out of trouble. So, thank you. >> Thanks, Chief. Um, that that's it for me.
>> Okay, Miss Commissioner uh Holland. >> Congratulations, and I look forward to a good year. >> Thank you, Commissioner Ashcraft. >> Same here. >> Congrats. Okay. So that comes to me to George commissioner and body.
>> George is good. George is good. Um >> I uh I wanted to thank some of the commissioners who came out um unfortunately. >> We had a u unforeseen passing of a a leader um in our community um who passed
away at age 53 while playing pickle ball at the peak of his health. fit, zero fat, as healthy as can be. Um, and then just a couple days ago, we have a a great social worker who was up here on Bay Street who's been a part of our
community behind the curtains helping people who are at their lowest points and uh he never woke up when he went to bed and he was 56 years old. So, um, you know, it kind of makes you think. Kind of makes you think. You know, we we all
hear that saying about every day's, you know, not promised and and, uh, and everything. So, um, hopefully we hold on to that thought. Um, uh, then Mayor, uh, Hawkins was there and presented a, uh, proclamation,
um, to, uh, Greg's wife who just fell apart. So, it uh it was a proud moment for our city. Um it was a sad moment to lose a silent leader in the back who was coming in as a uh director in the chamber of commerce. Uh and he is one of
the founders of 1 million cups for Eustace. Uh he was a realtor, Greg Cizer, 53 years old. So, go home and uh hug and kiss somebody. It's uh there's no promises uh on either one of them.
Congratulations, mayor, vice mayor, and uh to uh Willie, thank you for burning the streets up in the city with rubber and uh traveling everywhere, wearing out a pair of shoes. You beat uh I think you beat Tom in wearing out shoes for the first time.
>> I'm built for this. >> You're built for this. And thank you for your public service uh to our community. Um you made a difference. >> City Manager Tom, do you have anything? Uh just a few items. I want to remind everyone that uh well our next meeting
is uh January 22nd. That's a little different in that that's the fourth Thursday. Uh we shifted meetings this month. And then we also have a workshop with Dr. Levy 1:30 on Thursday, January 29th. Uh and I did send everyone uh kind
of a summary docu document from Dr. Levy. And our goal is to present you with some concrete action items moving forward, some timelines and some costs. And uh Dr. Levy has been great in facilitating that with our staff. Um we
um we are doing research on executive search firm. Um we our last discussion at the December workshop was the potential for an RFP, but we may have a solution through a piggyback process uh
where we can identify a good firm uh and then move forward with that firm if they've done work with other municipalities in Florida. The state has a process called piggybacking where if somebody else has done all the work of identifying good firms, you can use
their work uh and piggyback off of their contract. So we are uh working to identify a great firm. Uh we have one in mind. Uh we're doing um reference checks. uh we are pulling their contract
with the the contracts with other municipalities and we'll be getting you some information uh very shortly where you can look at their process and um any quality firm is going to have a very inclusive process with the city
commission. uh you all need to uh work with the consultant to put together your ideal candidate profile and then uh work with them on how they're going to market the position uh what the marketing materials will look like. And so uh
we're going to get you information um potentially tomorrow uh on a good quality firm and get your uh feelings on that. Uh so that's moving forward. Uh and then uh I will be out of the office
uh next weekend. Um I will only miss one day uh of work, but I will be out of the office for the uh MLK events. Uh so I just wanted to let you know that. And uh in my absence, uh Miranda Burroughs will be in charge. Uh and that's all I have.
>> Can you just narrow it a little bit more? So you're going to hear back from them and get something to us in the next day or or two. And then when do we act on it? How do we keep the process rolling versus when how do can you help us see the vision of the timeline?
>> We so we as far as cost uh the cost is going to be below $100,000. Uh which means that staff can move forward. Um you are instrumental in this process. So, we want to make sure that you're comfortable with the firm, but
technically this could be a staff-driven process as far as selecting the firm. That said, we want to get you plenty of information to make sure you're comfortable, but um so because of the piggyback, um we can move forward very quickly. Uh the cost uh is going in my
mind is reasonable and definitely under the $100,000. Um, just to let you know, this this one firm that we're looking at, uh, their current contract with another municipality is for about $31,000,
uh, for an executive search. Um, we're we've asked if they're willing to honor pricing and process. They said yes. So, I expect the process will be about $31,000 with some potential add-ons. Uh, at that level, staff can move forward.
again, we're we're going to move forward quickly uh but at the same time making sure that you're comfortable moving forward. So, I think the answer to your question is we could be under contract in the next week or two, I think. >> And then how long will that process? Did they give you some feedback on that?
>> They they did. So they explain that it takes a couple weeks to work with stakeholders, get the marketing materials together. Um, according to their information, once the marketing materials are together, it's a 12week pot process.
>> So at best 14 weeks at best, >> I would say 14 to 16 weeks is is is reasonable. >> And then when that happens, if we don't find somebody that then the process repeats itself, right? I if you continue to use the same firm,
I would say it continues, but it continues in an expedited way. If you decide this isn't working with this partner, we need to go with a different firm, then you're starting all over again. >> I meant on the candidate side, >> if you don't find any candidates that
you like, yeah, again, if you stay with the same firm, >> I think it moves forward expeditiously. If you don't find any candidates and you say, "This firm isn't working for us," you're starting all over again. >> So, are they going to narrow us down to two or three candidates and then we will
speak with them? >> When will we'll when we get you their information, they lay this process out. >> Uh they will do some initial vetting. Uh they will get it down to a reasonable uh number of candidates and then you'll have to give them feedback on how many
finalists you'd like to talk to, what's the process. I mean, they have a process, but they need to make sure you're comfortable with the process. So, uh, they they do a lot of upfront work, uh, to get you some some really quality
finalists. Um, and then they have a standard process that they will follow, assuming you're okay with the process. >> Thank you, Tom. >> Yeah, >> I have a question. When you piggyback, do you reimburse them for allowing you to use their materials or how does that
work? No, the all we're piggybacking is the contract. The the marketing materials are unique to Eustace. The candidates you'll be getting are unique to Eustace. You're I I want to say this positively.
You are you are not getting someone else's work. You are not getting someone else's candidates. You are just using the process and the contract to get a quality firm on board. if that if that makes sense. So, you're not getting
someone else's castoffs. You're not getting someone else's materials. It is a completely useless process. All you're saying is, and in this case, it was Gainesville. All you're saying is Gainesville, you did all the work
already to identify a good firm. We're going to use all the materially useless process. I don't I I hope I explained that. >> Yeah. So, the piggyback process is basically looking at the different firms who did who help the like city of
Gainesville >> and and that's the piggyback process. It's about identifying that firm that's the best one. >> Correct. The again we're use someone else did all the work and we're going to use their good hard work >> without cost
>> uh with we no cost related to issuing an RFP which issuing an RFP would involve staff time and some advertising costs. Uh we are avoiding that in using the piggyback. >> I I hope I explained that appropriately.
If anybody has any questions, uh, you can certainly ask offline tomorrow, uh, or whenever. >> Okay. Our attorney. >> Yeah. Um, well, congratulations. Um, we have new leadership this year, and I
just I know we have a we're going to be having a a very busy and productive year. So, I look forward to assisting the commission achieve its objectives and priorities for this city. um uh of course through my role in providing objective legal advice and and getting
you guys uh compliance focused support. So I look forward to it. >> Okay. >> Well, it's my turn and I do want to thank you all for your support and as I said, I've had some
really good models ahead of me. So I want to be successful. I want to commission to be successful. So we'll work from there. Today we had a really interesting experience. Our uses and bloom committee met with the Methodist church and they have a
fascinating project that they're going to um implement. And all of the grassy area that you see when you drive past um will become a park with a a fountain and also a community garden. and um they
really wanted the help of our committee and we've just blended well and it's going to be beautiful when you think about driving and that split but there's all this beautiful flowers and trees and they're really talking about butterfly garden and all it's going to enhance our
city when people come into it. So that was very interesting and that's going to be ongoing. We also have another project going and um Alice is working on it and it's going to be for Valentine's Day uh uh allowing
students from the school systems to exchange Valentine cards with senior citizens. And um so one of the things one of the efforts that we really need to make is identifying where the homes are where seniors are living. And so if you know
of any, we would have appreciate if you share the information with us. We we're trying to capture all of Eustace. So um I think it'll be a wonderful project. Sometimes they're very lonely and this will help. So let us know, let us know
about any senior homes that you may be aware of and we could get the information and contact the homes. Um that's about it. I look forward to working with everyone. I look forward to all the things that we have to do. We're
going to do it well. And I am disappointed in the lady who made the comments because commissioners have feelings too. And it was terribly inappropriate. And I hope Michael that you could brush it off. Um, we we just need I want you guys to know that we
care and and when we have comments and we negativity, it does hurt because we do have feelings and we're working hard to to do everything we can for the city of Eustace and our citizens. And so, it would be nice if you think about it before things like that come up. Thank
you. Our meeting is adjourned. That's it. That's it. Good job.