mission. Um it is May 7th, 2026. The time is >> 6:34. >> 6:34. Thank you. Uh we will start with a um moment of silence then followed by pledge of allegiance by Commissioner George As.
Please stand. Thank you so much. Please join me in the pledge. 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. >> Thank you. We'll officially call this uh meeting to order. And has there been a proper notice been given in a quorum? >> Yes, vice mayor. >> Uh Rick. Um any agenda updates?
>> Uh yes, sir. Under item 2.1, we are removing the meeting minutes from April 16th city commission meeting. Um there was some emissions and and corrections that we need to to get in. We'll bring that to you in the next meeting.
>> So it's just the 16th. We're going to go ahead for approval for April 7th. >> Yes, sir. Please. >> Okay. Uh commissioners looking for approval of minutes for April 7th only. I have a first. >> A second. >> Have a second. Any further discussion? Roll call, please.
>> Commissioner As >> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins. I >> Commissioner Holland. >> I >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> I uh presentation Police Department swearing in. >> Come on, guys. Guys and girls, come on
up. We're going to do this quick. As you see, we got we're swinging in six new fulltime officers and one parttime officer. I got to tell you, I got to thank the city manager, deputy city manager, and the commission because we were in a unique opportunity. We're going to get a new position every
October when the fiscal year starts. We had a really good candidate now. So, I asked them, can we get that position now instead of October? Absolutely no problem. Commission, we have a commission here and city function
and I can tell you that we're 48 staff. We're full staff right now. Now, the men and women up here, they've been working for a while. So, they've already been technically sworn in. This is the set of moments where So, they're all trained here on the streets and I'm proud to say we had 48 full-time police officers here
in Houston protecting this great city. But, it doesn't happen without leadership from the city managers to the commissioners that are involved 24/7. Okay, that being said, we're going to do a little bit different today. I'm going to swear and I'm going to have the loved
ones come up while they're all stand $50 gift card for the first person. [laughter] >> I state your name. >> A citizen of the state of Florida. citizen of the state of Florida >> and of the United States of America >> and of the United States of America >> and being employed
>> and being employed >> as a police officer >> as a police officer >> of the city of Jesus >> of the city of Jesus >> who solemnly swear >> solemnly swear >> or affirm >> or affirm >> that I will support protect and defend >> that I will support protect and defend >> the Constitution
>> the Constitution >> and government of the United States >> and government of the United States >> and of the state of Florida >> and of the state of Florida >> against all enemies >> against all enemies domestic and foreign. >> domestic and foreign. >> And that I will bear true faith >> I bear true faith. >> Loyal and allegiance
>> loyal and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same. >> That I am entitled to hold office >> that I am entitled to hold office >> under the Constitution >> under the Constitution. that I will faithfully perform >> that I will faithfully perform >> all of the duties >> all of the duties
>> of the office of a police officer >> of the office of a police officer >> of the city of Eustace >> of the city of Eustus >> Florida >> Florida >> which I'm about to enter >> which I'm about to enter >> so help me God >> so help me GOD [applause] [applause] and police departments that are 100%
fully staff. We are that's an accomplishment from the leadership police department. I can't stress that enough. You can't come to work and you're not able to do your job. It's not pleasant. Every day coming work here is fun. Do a great job. So, I want to
stress that. Okay. We're going to do pinning ceremony by the loved ones who actually pin their backs on now. So, Bradley Donaldson, you come up here. [snorts] He's going to be pinned by his grandfather, Adam Donaldson. Adam, you wearing shoes today. [laughter] >> Adam
is a retired Daytona Beach police sergeant. >> Huh? >> What? >> I'm sorry. You [laughter] >> I was thinking we came up and went to school together at UCF at Daytona Beach. So that was in my head. In 2020, we were in college. >> I know. >> Something like that.
Ask the tire to do his grandson. So another generation of police officers. >> I want you to draw blood. Ladies and gentlemen, OFFICER BRADLEY [applause] Alison Sullivan and she's going to be paid by her daughter Leanne. Come on,
Leanne. [applause] Oh my god, >> that's so cute. That might be the coolest pin I've seen yet. [applause] >> Officer Johanna Lopez and she'll be
pinned by her wife Shelby Lindsay. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> Ladies and gentlemen, OFFICER JOHANNA [applause] Lena Vanete. Now, she worked me in Daytona Beach. [clears throat] >> [laughter] >> And she's going to be by her boyfriend
Jason Lel. [applause] Ladies and gentlemen, OFFICER [applause] Andrew Patrick. Come on up, Andrew. and he's going to be pinned by his mother. [applause] Last night, last [applause] week, 10 days ago, we had a uh violent felon POS
that was out here, went behind went behind an elderly veteran in his yard while he was doing yard work. Cold clocked him, robbed them of money, came back, tried to rob him again, and fled. We were able to develop a suspect. We got the bull out. These two guys last night, random guys. saw him, ran him
down, caught him. He tried to bite. Which one? Tried to bite you, right? Try to bite him in the leg. And so these guys, brand new cops, out here doing stuff like this. [applause] >> We'll have you out of here quick. >> They told me I got three more minutes.
>> [laughter] >> Ladies and gentlemen, [applause] [applause] Dav come on up now. Barney Dav worked with me in Daytona Beach for over 20 years on the SWAT team, on the special events teams. Bernie's retired lieutenant. He just couldn't give it up.
So, he wants to come back to work part time and help us out. He's a master motor fire instructor. I'm talking too much. His wife can't. [laughter] But we're lucky to have a guy like Bernie with all his experience. [clears throat] [applause] Ladies and gentlemen,
[applause] >> last but not least, Officer Steven Cook and Commissioner Hawkins, who's retired, agent, is going to do [applause] >> [laughter] >> Yeah, absolutely. Thanks. Thanks. >> Ladies and gentlemen, OFFICER STEVEN
COOK. [applause] >> [applause] >> HANG ON. You never done it. And I can assure you citizens and the commission, the city of Houston has a very bright future, the safety and security of the city and we're going to keep moving forward of your leadership and want. So thank you everybody.
[applause] We're good. Sir want me. >> What's my name? >> Oh, I don't know. >> I don't know. >> Okay. Maybe not. >> What? >> Maybe not. >> He's not. Congratulations.
>> See you later. Okay. >> He's not. Oh my god. Sometimes. Sometimes. Yeah. Oh. Um, amazing race for charities presentation 3.2. Who's uh who's taking it? >> Uh,
>> oh, okay. >> Good evening, commission. I'm Sher Moan, director of events and communications. As you all know, on March 21st, we hosted our second annual amazing race for charity. And I'd like to introduce a couple of my team members
here. Anne Hessup was our primary event planner for that event. [applause] She did an extraordinary job having no prior exposure to this event. None of us, her and I were both brand new. and um her and Christine carried that event
forward and they are going to be handling the check presentation tonight. So Christine Juprey is our vendor coordinator and uh so they're going to take the floor. Thank you all. >> Thanks Sher. [applause] >> Good evening everyone again. Um as Sher
mentioned this past well this year we hosted the second amazing race. Um, what started as a fun and interactive community event has continued to grow into something truly special. Bringing together local nonprofits, businesses, volunteers, and city departments and
residents all for one purpose, supporting organizations that make a difference in our community every single day. It has been an incredible experience to help [clears throat] to help plan and host this event alongside so many dedicated charities and community partners. From the creative challenges
to the volunteers working behind the scenes, every organization played an important role in making this year race a success. We also want to recognize the support from our city staff, Eustace High School, GRTC, Target, Eustace and Bloom, volunteers, sponsors, and
everyone who helped bring this event to life. Um, I will be calling each organization up one by one to receive their checks and take a photo. After your photo, I ask that you please line up against the walls, whichever side, and after, we'll be taking a group photo
with commission in the events team. Ready? >> Okay. The US events team is proud to award $35,255.82 to 14 local charities this year. These charities were chosen through a formal application and selection process. Each
organization was required to be a part of the annual Amazing Race for Charity by supplying volunteers in a challenge station for race participants. Three groups went above and beyond hosting more than one challenge and or water station, bringing dozens of volunteers
and creating an exciting atmosphere for our race participants. I'm going to start. So, just get ready to come up here. Um, starting off we are going with handinhand recovery. They are they will be receiving $4,498.36. [applause]
>> Oh, you sure? Okay. >> Turn. >> Give us. You want them to come back up? Thank you. Next, we're going to have the USUS Africanamean Heritage Committee. They will be receiving $3,60052
$52.18. [applause] [applause] >> [applause] >> Um, next we have Habitat for Humanity of Lake Sumpter. They will be receiving $3,229. [applause] That was quick. Um, Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, they will be
receiving $2,30082. Are they here? Jump back. I was like, I remember. Um $2,382.91 [applause] Police Charities in the amount of $2,382.91. [applause] [applause]
Humane Society of Lake County. >> Okay, I don't think they're here. So, we'll move on to Lake Care's Pantry. They'll be receiving [applause] $2,382.91. Perfect. Um, Lake Support and Emergency
Recovery, Inc., also known as laser here. They will be singing 2382 [applause and cheering] project Noel. Awesome. In the amount of $2,382.91. [applause] Perfect. Triangle Community Alliance,
Inc. Awesome. In the amount of $2,382.91. [applause] [snorts] Next is Trout Lake. Awesome. Perfect. [applause] In the amount of 2,382 91.
We have Worth It Suicide Outreach and Support, Inc. in the amount of $2,382.91. [applause] And those were all the um charities that hosted challenges. We have two more. We have Ali Academy. Um, they provided the
bus transportation for the participants and they will be receiving $1,215. [applause] [applause] Okay, perfect. And last but not least, we have Love Extension, Inc. They helped us out by doing a water station
throughout the whole duration of the event for $1,215. [applause] [laughter] Okay, >> you guys can stay up. You guys can stay up. Actually, >> you guys can stay up. Um, can I have everyone else come back up for a group photo, please?
Um, and thank you all for the charities here tonight for your participation, dedication, and continued support for our community. We are excited to announce next year's race is April 3rd, 2027. Okay? So, if you're if you're ready to run, please register. Um, and then for a
charity application, they are open. They open on May 5th and the deadline is October 31st. Can't miss the holiday. Wonderful. >> Thank you for your help. >> Oh. Oh, the big one.
One, two, three. [applause] >> I know you guys helped out, but thank you so much for that. Thank you so much. >> Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Okay. Thank you,
>> sir. >> And my favorite lady. How are you? >> Congratulations. >> You have to kind of tilt it backwards on the wheels. I know. I needed that. Thank you, [snorts] >> Mr. Vice May. Mr. Vice Mayor, why
they're clearing out um just a little bit. Uh Tim Totten is the one that brought this race to us and Tim is still in ICU fighting constantly for his life. Um he is showing improvements but doing
better. So we need to still thank Tim and his organization for bringing this. What a great mechanism and a way for our organizations to get funded without without city taxpayer money being put into the into it. So Tim and his group
needs a bigger amount of applause. >> They do very much so. Very much so. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, I think we're ready to resume item uh 3.3, annual comprehensive financial report.
>> Um Lori Barnes or Lori >> Carr. Is Lori on that one? Rick? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Did I miss something? No. >> Hi, Lori. Yeah. >> Yeah. Hi, Lori Carr, finance director
again, and um the auditors from Pervis Gray are here to give you the results of the uh September 30, 2025 audit for the uh for the city, the financial statements. Helen Painter and Lorie Walker.
Uh good evening, city commissioners again. Uh thank you for having us here today to present the September 30th, 2025 audit. Uh you'll see here that uh in your board package, this is the document for the annual comprehensive
financial report. Uh this report is submitted to the government finance officers association on an annual basis and the city received uh our certificate this year for many continuous years for excellence in financial reporting. Uh so
we want to congratulate your team uh with uh Lori Carr your finance director and in the back Mary Leon uh the deputy finance director. So we'd like to thank their team. Uh we perform the audit. Uh we come in in the summer for some
interim fieldwork and then after your accounting records are closed out. Uh we come in the month of February to do the annual financial report. Uh and uh we're happy to say that for the second year in a row with your new finance team that the annual report was filed timely. Uh
it's due by March 31st to be in this program and it was filed timely. Uh we had previous some management letter comments and recommendations. Uh one of which was uh the excess reserves that were in the building fund. Florida
statutes wants a plan. Similar to the CRA on what you're, you know, making sure that you're not charging uh more than what you need to run the fund. And so what happened um subsequent to year end, uh you all purchased the Wells Fargo uh bank and you're going to be
moving that building department over there. So that's what you've done with those excess funds. So that comment and recommendation has been resolved. Uh we also had comments regarding uh your capital assets, making sure that they're properly reconciled. It's it's a big
project and uh that was done timely this year. And lastly, your pension funds. You have a pro fire and police pension funds and the accounting work for that was done by two different accounting um companies. It's not done internally in
house here. That was something that was voted on by those two different boards many years ago. And one of the accounting uh companies, it was a retired gentleman and he was having a hard time getting us the records in a timely manner. And so they've moved that
over to the other uh accounting firm and uh we were able to receive timely pension accounting records. So those were three areas that um we had issues with in the past and all three of those areas uh have been resolved this year.
So we're happy to say about that and uh so our purpose is to give an opinion on the financial statement based on the results of our audit work. Uh so we're happy to say that we've issued an unmodified opinion that we believe these financial statements are fairly stated
in all material respects. Uh we also would have to report to you if we believe that there is any significant deficiencies and internal controls. We had no issues. We have to look at your investments to make sure they're in accordance with the Florida statutes. Uh
and there's no issues with your investments. And any other uh items or issues we need to bring to your attention, we would have to report. And we're happy to say that those prior issues uh have been uh resolved. So, um, we're happy to answer any questions
about the audit process. Uh, but again, I'd like to thank your finance department. It's a new team. Um, and they've settled in well, and, uh, they're doing a wonderful job. We appreciate what they're doing. They're always looking for ways to improve processes and correcting, uh, areas
that, um, are brought to their attention. >> Um, just one question. Um, [clears throat] what was our reserves at the end of the um, at the end of the September? our our general fund reserves. >> The general fund reserves. >> Yes. >> We'll take a look and let you know. Turn
right to it. >> Uh 20 million and change and some of that is restricted. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> 20 million. >> Good question. >> Thank you. >> Especially because it's budget process time.
>> Any other questions? Everybody okay to receive the report as is? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Have a good meeting. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Down to appointments. Uh appointment to the code enforcement
board. Is that you, Rick? >> Um that would be Chief Capri. >> Oh, okay. >> I'm getting the next group ready. >> Okay. >> Oh, you got to do the appointment of the code enforcement first. live.
It's time to you guess, right? >> Yeah. I mean, in the past, um in the past, Tom don't really uh handle the appointments. I don't um least presented them anyway. So, >> yeah. >> Um got the uh info in here.
>> Okay. Um so yeah, we um this is consideration for Jessica Carmona to the code enforcement board as an alternate um filling the current vacancy. >> Okay, >> I move approval.
>> I second. >> All right, I have a first and a second. Any further discussion? Uh roll call. >> Commissioner Asat, >> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins, >> I. Commissioner Holland. >> I >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi.
>> Okay, we are down to audience to be heard. This is your time to speak. >> That's okay. >> Yeah, we'll go ahead. >> So, I've got some cards. >> It's okay.
>> No, it's okay. No, it's a large group. Shut up. Wow. >> Good afternoon. How you doing? My name is Kaylin Ellison. I'm the president of North Lake Bobcats in Eustus, Florida. First and foremost, I stand I stand before you with our organization and we
first want to say thank you. Thank you for the city support that we've been getting throughout our season. Um from the from the police department, from the commissioners to all the way down to the recreational centers with the practice facilities and every type of assistance that they've been allowing us with for
our season. I'm here to acknowledge the fact that we have I've had two age groups of my organization which is a 8U organization 8U division and a 6U division that we've recently won the state championship. So we wanted to bring that attention to YOU [applause]
[applause] congrats everybody up this week. Now, we um you know, we at the city, we appreciate we appreciate we appreciate you uh taking the time to
pour into our kids. And guys, uh you know, we want to get something for you. And who's Okay, there you are. Okay.
Okay. Thank you. We appreciate you guys. Let's give a hand. [applause] [applause] That's what it's all about. Give these kids opportunities. support you 100%.
>> And not everybody gets in trouble. There's no particip [laughter] [applause] Congratulations. [applause] We we've had some we've had some really large groups today. Uh yeah. guys, too. That's amazing.
Okay. Um, back the audience to be heard. Um, this is your chance to speak to the commission that's um to anything that's not on the agenda. Uh, please fill out a card if you haven't already. Um, approach the podium. uh state your name and address
and um if you're a US city resident or not. Uh any cards? >> Yes, sir. Um first one, Blake Griswald. >> Good evening all. Blake Griswald, uh Hazelton Street here in Eustace. Been here my entire life. Uh Sunday evening.
I live on Hazelton. Uh, as much effort has gone into trying to slow them down with sides and speed signs and speed indicators, it's not working. We just had two dogs killed Sunday night run over by a truck who's a habitual speeder on that road. Very distinctive exhaust
system. We know who it was. Killed them dead right there in the road. Drove off, left them, came back later while we were all out there trying to to console the owners. The dogs had gotten out from a fence in yard, made it out there. My concerns is my niece lives right next
door to me. Twin third grade boys and a preschooler across the street. I got two elementary school kids. What's it going to take when one of those kids get hit and killed on that street? I sit on my porch these last couple of weeks. The evenings have been fantastic. I've been sitting on my front porch and I just watch them between four and six o'clock
at night. They come up to Lake View. They hit the gas as fast. There's a young lady on a green motorcycle. If there's somebody in front of her, doesn't matter. She's doing 60 70 miles an hour from there to Washington. You know, it happens all the time. We The signs are great, the indicators are
great, but unless we get some kind of enforcement done on that street where people can actively see the police officers pulling people over and making them held accountable for the speeding, it's not going to stop. The 25 miles speed limit is nothing to these people.
You know, it's hard. I see school buses go by. I see mo I even see the the electric bikes go by faster than 25 miles an hour on that road now. Some way or another it's got something's got to happen. I they can park in my yard and pull them over all day long if they want to. The 25 mph sign down there. I know
it takes some information and some data on there, but they're gapping it from Lake View to Washington. That one there's two black trucks and Commissioner Holland knows exactly who I'm talking about because I can hear them coming all the way up Lake View. They get to Hazelton. I hear them go all the way across Hazelton. I hear them go all the way up Washington and can hear
them on the other side of Lake Netti. That's how loud this truck. I don't know if we have a ordinance for exhaust. I'm pretty sure that an alternate exhaust that's that loud should be taken care of. These guys are habitually there and some ways got to stop. I don't want to see somebody get hurt or injured or
killed. We got with the sidewalk that you guys put in, it's fantastic. We have a lot of people walking their dogs, pushing their kids in strollers. We don't need that kind of speed on that road. I don't know what can happen. Personally, I think it ought to be a concerted effort from the police department to
uphold that 25 mile. I don't care if they're doing 30. That's too bad. You know, there's a school zone that's right there, too. That's 25 miles out. Nope, they don't care about it. I get people driving on 25. They'll be behind me riding my tail until I turn into my driveway and then off they go again. So,
something's got to happen down there. I know it's not just my street because I know Country Club Drive has the same issues up there because you put the same speed indicators there. That's not working. Something else has got to happen. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> I'll just respond. I mean, I just tr First I'm hearing about about the dog. He's very tragic. But
>> officer showed up. So, >> I'm just waiting till Thursday night. Three weeks is I need to be called notified right away on this stuff. I can tell you we've been doing a lot of traffic enforcement on there and I will get numbers to you tomorrow, Mr. Garrick. We've been intensely over there with traffic control devices. Speed
speed speed uh the speed trailer. Uh officer Stroop has been out there many times. We've got I I'll give you the tickets. We wrote a lot of tickets on there. Here's a couple of issues here. There's a lot of people moving here. There's a lot of traffic on these roads and I'm not making an excuse for anybody, but we're we're hammering
people with tickets. I can tell you we've wrote a bunch of tickets on Hazelton. I'll get you those numbers. That's one of our top areas. Um I I can't think of the gentleman's name right now. Pete, uh, Pete Ratic, he's got me on speed dial two or three times a week. He's calling me and we're we're on top of stuff. So, uh, we're doing
everything we can. We take it serious. U, >> but I I I don't know about the people, you know, I can't do something. >> Yeah. >> Pick up the phone and call me. >> Thursday night at a commission meeting is not the place to let us know about complaints. You got to pick up the phone and call the police. >> Is there is is could this be road be
evaluated for some uh traffic calming? >> We have we we have we put speed tables up. these speed studies on there and the last time I and it was recent. I'll get you the numbers. It didn't rise to the level of an actual speeding problem. Perceived problem. Perception is reality. The problem is you have two or
three idiots out there that are driving like this. We've already targeted some of them. We've already got made contact with some of them. So, we got the the two or three guys. But, I can tell you it's not for a lack of effort. And I'll get you those numbers tomorrow. And uh you can have you can see the tickets we wrote out there. So, it's not for a lack of effort. So, but I'm sorry about the
dog. Nobody wants to see a kid get killed or hit by a car or a dog. I'm a dog lover. I hate I hate that fact. And I wish I would have been out there. We would have tracked that guy down that night and >> by three times. We stopped him in the road. >> Did you call us? >> Uh there was police officer on scene at one of he had left by the time this guy
came back around and we stood in front of him and had the police department on. And what happened? They just couldn't get there. They were busy. >> They backed that kid back up. It's a high school kid. She knows who >> if you just get me his tag number, we'll go. We've g we've gone to their houses. >> Two people over there. One guy with a green motorcycle. We went to his house
and we told them we're going to get and so we're all over. Trust that that we know all about that. We we diverted over to Lakes Shore. We've hammered the hell out of him on Lakes Shore now that nobody's speeding over there. I mean, we're getting no complaints. >> And that's all I'm asking for. >> No, we telling you. >> Can you get Can you get with Mr.
Griswell after the meeting? And >> yeah, I think he's he to I think he told me what I need to do. So, but I can we've been out there now that we're full staff. >> We're adding to our traffic unit. These are all part of the plans. But I'm going to get you numbers tomorrow and you're going to be pretty shocked by how many tickets we wrote on Hazington. We've been working on this perpetually,
>> right, >> for a long time. Okay. >> We're doing everything we can. We'll definitely step it up and trust me, we're writing people tickets for 5 miles an hour over, too. And for anything else we can get them for, >> all right, >> we're full service police department. >> Thanks. >> We want to satisfy our customers. >> I know. I know. We Thanks. Thanks, Chief. Thanks,
>> Mr. Vice. Just I just for a quick second I was going to bring it up at the end of the meeting but now seems appropriate. The the electric bike issue is something I think we got to have a discussion of. I just got passed on Grove Street doing 30 miles an hour. I got passed by electric bike. Well, and I've and I've
uh >> and thanks for reminding me because I've actually brought that up um even before I knew it was going to be a problem because >> and I know the state um the state legislature is actually looking at this right now, too. >> We're working on that. We'll have
something for you. It's been a problem not just in our city, in cities all across Central Florida. And we're seeing an uptick in stolen. They're stealing these things, too. And they're driving them like lunatics and it's unacceptable. I can tell >> they're running down Fairen Park along the waterway. Well, we're out there hammering them. We're see I mean I know
our guys are we well we we write a lot of tickets. >> It's a new it's a new development. We >> No, it's No, we're on top of it and it's a statewide issue and there's there's been some reports coming out from Tallahassee on it and everybody's experiencing this. So, I'm sure something will come out soon on that. But anything we can get these, you know, we're going the extra step. We're
actually following up and going to people's houses >> and we have no we really shouldn't be going over there, but we get their tag numbers. We go and we talk to them. We know what you did. We know you're speeding. If you do it again, we are going to write you so many tickets. I'm I'm telling you, you got to stop. Have respect for your neighbors. And it's
just a couple two, three anomalies that it really is at the end of the day. And we know who most of them are, and we wrote them tickets. >> My point was if if you need some type of ordinance, I I' I'd be in support of whatever we could do to help. >> I think the state's working on something that's going to be more effective with more teeth. And uh it's coming. I know
it's coming because I saw a guy flying down on one of those two wheelers like stand like 30 mph down um Gro Street right here. You know, ones with with no handlebars, just like the thing, >> like two wheels and you stand and he's flying. >> Thank you, Chief. >> I appreciate it. Thanks, thanks,
>> Rick. Anyone else? >> Yes, sir. Next car, Latoya Young. >> Hello. >> Good evening, >> Mayor Lee. In our absence, commissioners and city staff, thank you for allowing me the opportunity again to speak with
you. My name is Latoya Young. I am a resident of the city of Eustace. I'm the administrator at Trinity Family Medical Center located at 1850 Pro Street, the corner of Provide and David Walker. I came before you um the commission in
March uh to respectfully request that the city reconsider the closure of the roadway. As of today, the road is still closed. The same issues exist. The road has been functioning for years,
been open, and people are accustomed to the road being open. So, it's calling causing confusion and disruption to the public. Patients are frustrated arriving late. And GPS hasn't changed. Google Earth is still the same.
Apple Maps is still the same. It's still pointing everyone to Pavat Street from David Walker. In addition, I would like to bring to your attention that the city property adjacent to the road is beginning to sustain significant damage and
deterioration due to the vehicles that are bypassing the closure, including the contractors that are working on the new construction building directly across the street from us. Given these circumstances, I believe that this matter requires more immediate
attention. I again respectfully ask the commission to review the decision to to restore access to provide from David Walker. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. >> Yeah, I can follow up on that. Um,
we did design in our engineering department. We sent that over to Lake County. We got some minor comments. We did a revision that was approved this week. So, we did get the approval. Um, we've got our sign shop has already made all the signs and we met today with the
subcontractor that's going to do the striping. Soon as we get those quotes in depending on the threshold, um, I think it's something that I'll be able to approve myself. Um, I would expect next week we're we're in there. We're doing the modifications. >> Awesome. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you
so much. Thank you. >> Thank you. And thanks for your patience with it. Good job, Rick. >> Do we need Yeah. Yeah, Rick. Thanks. Because actually that was on my list of updates. >> Yeah. And it was all mine to hit later. >> Um, do we do we need more any more Lake County approval on that or not?
>> No, we have their approval. We're ready to go. We'll as we finish, we'll bring them in just for >> final acceptance. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Next card is Lee Owen. >> Good evening. Thank you for letting me speak tonight. I'm not a resident of Eustace proper, but I'm here
representing Habitat for Humanity of Lake Sumpter. Um, as you know, we um bring people together to help work together to solve affordable housing issues and make housing accessible um for people who make 80% or less of the area median income. It's a real
challenge as you know. Uh we are here tonight to thank you for your diligence and hard work in support of what we're doing. in particular, we want to thank you for the support of the repair program for housing and also um you recently um passed a surplus land
program and that's really um important to us. So, we appreciate that. Um I also just want to let you guys and everyone here know. Um we have two neighborhoods I wanted to tell you about. Eustace, we have Sagers Cove. It's what we call a pocket neighborhood. It's just five
homes and we are um close to finishing the site development on that project. Um it is uh it has the underground water, sewer and roads put in. Um [snorts] we have a few more things to do like the final grading and uh Duke Power getting installed. And then when we get closer
to that being finalized and we get ready to start going vertical with construction, we want to do a celebration and invite you guys out and invite the community out as well to see what Habitat does. And then we also um have a 55 plus community in sorry it's not in used it's
in Tavaris uh but if anyone is 55 plus and is interested in affordable housing again 80% or less than area median income seven homes are still available in that community and so they can go on our website and learn more. So, please share that information. And then if
you're not 55 plus, and some of you here aren't, or you know people who are not 55 plus who are looking for affordable housing, we are going to be opening applications for all of our homes um in miday. And so you can go on our website, send people to our website, they can
learn about it. There will be two workshops at our restores in Leburg and Eustace uh where people can come and learn more about what it takes to be a Habitat homeowner. Um, and again the website has all that information. So, thank you for your support. We appreciate all that you do.
>> Is the 55 plus the one that uh used to uh high construction academy helped with? >> I believe so. >> It's the one down by the O'Reillies off of 19 behind it. >> Yes. >> Yeah. They they were they were >> Yes, they they were involved in that.
And this Saturday we have our women build wall raising celebration. So, they're kicking off the women build week. So, if anyone's interested in seeing that, come on over at 9:00. There's going to be a brunch and there's going to be some awards and you get to see the women bill program in action. So, we'd love to have you out there. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thanks for all you do. >> And the last card is Raymond Rivera. >> My name is Raymond Rivera. I'm a resident of Terraris, Florida, and I own a business here in uh in Eustace. Um I
have a gym, boxing gym that I'm trying to uh get off the ground with the PAL program, and we are looking for the support from the city because uh I have a lot of kids that I don't want to be turning down and um it's it's rough for us.
>> We're going through a patch that is rough and we want to help all these kids. I got a lot of kids that their parents come in and I tell them what we charge for their fees and they say, "Yeah, okay. We be back." But I see the kids face and I don't want to let them
leave. So, [clears throat] um I'm in the verge of closing it up because we we can't meet our financial goals. So, I'm looking for the support of the PAL. I know they there. They could help us. and I was born and raised
in the PAO programs in New York City. So, they're very, very helpful. We just got to get it off the ground and get it going because I got a lot of kids that I don't want to be turning away. And I do. I got kids that come in from the rec department once a week and then they come back with their parents and I speak
to their parents and when I tell them what we charge, they take the kids out. They only come once a week with the wreck. And um I I spoken with uh Rodney to give to give them more dates and I'm doing that for free. So our business is
suffering and I want to keep it going. So I want to thank y'all and I'm sorry about the way I am but you know I it's a passion I have for for the sport. I've been doing it all my life and I've helped a lot of kids. I've turned kids in New York City into police officers,
>> fire firemen, correction officers. if they don't if they don't want to be uh in competition boxing or boxing, I move them towards a profession >> and I try to do it as much as I could, >> but it's very hard and and we we are struggling and and we need the PL's help.
>> So like that we could uh keep going. I'm getting offers from Colorado to um host shows for them. I did one November 1st. >> Um and that comes all the way from Colorado. They called me. They told me, "Raymond, do you want to host a show?"
Willie helped us. The chief helped us. And we did a great turnout. >> And they now they just called me and they want me to do a fundraiser with them for the kids that are going to the National Junior Olympics.
And I'm in I'm in the deadline and I I don't want to turn them down, but if I can't afford to do it, I'm going to have to turn them down. But it's good thing I'm trying to bring it into the city of Eustace and I live in Tvaris and we was in Mondora and I came over here to Eustace because this is where I see they
need the program. >> We got an opportunity. Let all the kids in use go there for free is what I'm trying to do. So any any Eustace residents kid go there for free. Working on it. We also got an invite from uh the president of Boxing Ireland. He reached out to me said, "Hey, we want to invite you bring some the team over there in
September to fight." So we're looking at bring a couple fighters over to Ireland. What an opportunity. You got kids from Eustace going to Ireland to fight on an international stage. So, uh, it's going to come together. It's going to come together. Uh, but we're just trying to do something for these kids to get them off the streets cuz juvenile crime, especially in the summer, picks up
[snorts] and it's out of control when the kids are out of school. A lot of parents, you look at the prices of gas right now. I mean, give me a break. I mean, the price of food, everything's going up. So, we got we got to we got to just do something for these kids to prevent crime and change lives. So, I got some great ideas, some things I'm doing. We have a lot of money, seized
forfeite money that you can use for these programs for crime prevention that we're trying to do to get these kids off the streets. The end of the day, it's about saving lives and changing changing these kids, giving give them a fight. These parents can't afford summer camp. Thank god our city's helping out some of the city employees. These summer camps are out of control. I mean, the Eustus
uh community alliance is doing a lot with scholarships and we're helping them out. So, >> well, that actually chief, you're actually reading my mind. I mean, we all know so many people in here that we can get get him in touch with people to do fundraising. Yeah. to try to >> I also bring over um professional boxers
>> to talk to kids and to teach classes there every now and then, >> but you know, these professional guys, they they want to get compensated for what they do. So, I can't bring a lot of them, but I bring as many as I could and they talk to the little kids, the little bit of kids we have there >> and and that's what I want to continue
doing. if I can't get the support and the help. >> We got some kids that have behavioral issues that we've actually brought in that that >> gotten better without medication, right? >> Just have need an outlet and they need somebody to kind of coach along. So, I can tell you lives have been changed from him already that I've I've seen it. So, we're going to keep we're going to
make it work. We just want to just >> we got the PAL started, we got the PAL, we got it all registered and stuff. We're just going to do some fundraising, try to keep this thing going. My goal is to every kid in Houston, regardless of income, could come there every day and train. >> Yeah. Well, if you if you need any help from the four of us,
>> you know what else is good? >> Just I mean, we know enough people we could probably put you in in contact with people that can do fundraising. >> Even for like, you know, they don't want to fight amateurs, but it's for physical fitness. I mean, look at obesity levels of these kids. They're eating all this junk and there's food out there. That's so anything you can do to keep them
active, get them off the the video games and and and the iPhones and the iPad. So, uh this is a good man right here. He does a lot of good stuff. And I can tell you, we both went in our own pockets and and paid for some stuff. So, I know he does that all the time, too. Well, um, we'll get you we'll get you some people that may we think you can help. >> All right. Great. Thank you. I appreciate your time.
>> You're welcome. No, thank you. And thank you. >> Are you a 501? >> No. >> What's your tax status? Okay. >> We are LLC because uh we applied for 501, but they told us it was like a year and a half, two years wait. So, >> okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you, sir. Good luck. >> Yeah.
>> That's right. We can do it through pal. >> No more cards. >> Thanks. Um, would there anybody else in the audience like to speak to the commission? Seeing none. Okay, we'll move on. Uh consent agenda. Commissioners, what's the will? >> Move approval.
>> I second. >> Any further discussion? Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Asbody. >> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> I. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi.
>> Okay. Ordinance. Ordinances. Public hearings and quasi judicial hearings. Uh Sasha. >> Yep. Thank you. For second reading, we have ordinance number 2026-9. This was presented uh for first reading on April 16th, 2026. Um
an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Eustace Lake County, Florida, amending the city of Eustace comprehensive plan pursuant to section 163.3187 Florida statute changing the future land use designation of approximately.2 2 acres of real property at alternate key
number 1761310 located at 1430 Morren Street from suburban residential to residential office transition. Do we have any additional presentation on this item? >> No additional >> commission have any questions for staff on this no
>> ordinance? Okay. Do we have any cards? >> No, we don't. >> Would anyone in the audience like to speak on ordinance number 2026-9? Seeing none, I will close the public hearing component and give it back to you, Mr. Vice Mayor. >> Mr. Vice Mayor, I move approval of ordinance number two 2026-9.
>> A second. >> I have a first and a second. Any further discussion? Roll call. >> Commissioner Asat. >> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> I. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> I. Ordinance uh 26. Oh, go ahead.
>> I got it. No problem. Um so we have next for first reading uh ordinance number 2026-06 07 and08 which will be presented to you all at once um by Mr. Richardson. Uh, starting with ordinance number 2026-06,
an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Eucis, Florida, voluntarily annexing approximately 10 acres of real property at Lake County Property Appraisers alternate key number 104141 located in unincorporated Lake County, Florida on the east side of the
intersection of County Road 44 and County Road 44A. Mr. Richardson. >> [clears throat] >> So we have before you the ordinances for annexation future land use and design
district for WD of America. Um as the property owner Travis Suk is the applicant. Um the property is approximately 10 acres in size to be annexed. Um this is a smallcale comprehensive plan amendment going from Lake County urban low to city of Eustace
general commercial um and a sub suburban corridor design district. Um uh this presentation does cover all three of the actions and ordinances associated there with um and
let's just move on. Location um the intersection of county 44 A and 44 um just north of Osprey Bridge.
Um the request for annexation the property is within the Lake County city of Eustace joint planning area. Um the notice was provided to Lake County in January of 2026.
Um notice provided specifically for this hearing um in the daily commercial on April 27th and May 4th. Again, current future landies is Lake County Urban Low
requesting to come into the city as general commercial. The current traffic volume on County Route 44A and County Route 44 is 4,400 trips per day on each of those segments.
Um all statute statutory com for the urban sprawl analysis under the future land use all statutory indicators have been evaluated um and addressed logical extension. This is a logical extension of the urban service boundary for the
city of Eustace. Um proposed design district matches the suburban corridor. um suburban corridor over rural corridor. As far as for a choice, the suburban corridor actually gives a little bit heavier on the design
districts which are also addressed within the development agreements that will apply to this property and to the next set of ordinances that we will hear in a few moments. Uh suburban corridor designation, it gives for clear site design standards,
building design standards, and landscape buffer standards. Utilities are available to the site on county 44 and county 44A. Um property is not impacted by any flood
zone. Wetland generalized recharge for the property is in the medium to high range at 8 to 12 in per year. uh soil suitability the to have no limitations or no indicators of
limitations. Um development services has found the requests consistent with the with the comprehensive plan land development regulations and the Florida statutes. We now present it to you for
your consideration. That is all. Are there any questions for Mr. Richardson? >> Okay. Do we have any cards? >> We do. We have a card for each of the
items. Um, first one is Trina Marquez. >> Miss Marquez have three minutes and I can speak for all three at one time. Okay. Good evening everyone again. I never imagined being present again so
soon objecting to proposed annexation. You all know I'm very proud and passionate concerning my community. WD of America and TS Florida Partners, Inc. can build according to already existing and valid PU PUD. No one's saying they
cannot build. We all follow social media and we've all seen the outrage of Lake County residents regarding overdevelopment. Does the city of Eustace concur with the Mount Dora mayor proposing a countywide agreement to combat high and density
growth? If you're not aware of it, something to consider. Don't allow this proposed annexation to turn an agriculture residential area into just another concrete jungle. Listen to your community and maintain our hometown
appeal. Thank you. >> Thank you. Donald Doyle. >> Good. Good evening. My name is Donald Doyle. I do not live in the city of Eustace, but I live just across the street from the subject property. Thank
you for your efforts to limit the impact of the proposed development on the surrounding neighborhoods, but there is more to be done. used to Eustace development services tells you in their staff reports that this development is not a big change for these properties. It is a big change. The staff report
states the urban low future land use applies to these properties but they do not tell you that these properties are part of a planned unit development PUD which significantly limits [clears throat] the permitted uses there. For example, Urban Low allows four dwelling units per acre but the PUD
only allows one dwelling unit per acre. The PUB does not allow civic, institutional, commercial, or office uses even though urban low would allow them. Limited light industrial uses are not allowed by the PUD even though urban low would allow them. The staff reports
tell you that these developments are compatible with the surrounding land uses. I believe they [snorts] are not. In the standard for review dealing with inconsistent with surrounding uses, your staff states city commercial future land use has been designated for the west
side of county 444A intersection. The general commercial FLU would not be inconsistent for the area. The staff does not mention the uses to the north, south, and east, all of which are residential. It appears to me that the general
commercial FLU is inconsistent with the area. I believe the same is true for the mixed commercial industrial FCU on the 2.8 acre parcel. Any use which attracts significant amounts of traffic will put additional strain on the nearby roads. Multiple
vehicles entering and exiting the property will disrupt the flow of traffic. Crossing multiple lanes of traffic to turn left when exiting the property will interrupt the smooth flow of traffic and will cause accidents. In the past, you denied this development
because you recognize that many of these uses allowed by general commercial should not be allowed near our neighborhoods. I'm very disappointed that you are allowing a resident I mean a restaurant with or without drive-thru
even after I reminded you during the LPA meeting of how much the residents of Parkplace on Lake Joanna objected to the same thing across the street from their neighborhood. Um I ask that you deny these these
recommend deny these proposals. Thank you. Thank you. >> I have no more cards. >> Would anyone else in the audience like to speak on these items? >> Okay, I know we have Mr. Sach here. Would you like to speak to the
commission? >> Thank you for letting me come back to the committee here. Um, I understand all the concerns and I don't want to make this personal. I want it to be business. The reference to the other subdivision in Mount Dora in the light issue won't
be a factor because nothing ingress or egress will be pointing at any residential development. The PUD was developed by the previous owner of the property and it was consistent with seven other properties. All those seven properties now have been
sold to different owners and that PUD will never exist. It will never be what it was designed for 15, 20 years ago. So, I'm left with this 10 acres and I'd like to be a part of something very special for the city of Eustace. I think
our design plan exceeds greatly the minimum standards that you request. I think this will be a benefit to the area. It will not be a challenge to the traffic. Uh, in fact, it will diffuse the traffic. I live right there. I see the all the complaints and all the
issues. I see them myself. If this was a residential development 4 to one on 10, that's 40 houses with an average of 80 cars coming and going out of there. Now, that would be an impact. And it would be during times of going to work in the morning and coming home at
night. That would be impactful. This is an area. This is a service plaza that's going to be helpful. It's going to diffuse traffic. It's not going to be during the the key issue times where traffic is important and is a problem. I
I'm not going to be the impact that they're worried about. Um but I wanted to speak mostly about the PUD and it's nonrelevance. >> Well, I want to clarify there is relevance to the PUD. >> Sure. because we've dealt with this before and that was um and I did contact the county
attorney as you know and I that email has been um shared with the city commission as it stands right now in Lake County. It is it is under PUB and it is subject to the PUD which will dissolve once the property is annexed um into the city. The purpose of the
development agreement is to create those restrictions so that at the time the property is annexed, it is subject to the development agreement which has those use restrictions we've covered previously which um appreciate that's
much clearer than what I was trying to say. >> Yeah. And just for clarity, what what's the density on the peed? >> Do we know from Lake County? >> The density do >> I mean is it [cough and clears throat] Oh. Oh, you It's okay.
>> No, I mean is it 4:1, one, two one? >> The PUD actually had was written very specific. Um, >> so I I guess the point I'm trying to make is is, you know, it's either 40 homes or this or >> Yeah, the the land. This is actually a
copy of the PUD that is on your screen. It was 20 residential dwellings, single family, detached or attached at one dwelling unit per acre. However, it continues on that that would also include potentially agriculture, non-int
non-intensive agricultural uses, but a bed and breakfast with up to 50 50 guest rooms, >> right? >> Okay. So if you consider that on a unit traffic basis, it's >> and if you go back to the what we had um because the county attorney did state that of course he can also if he chose
to stay in the county uh apply for reszoning and still u proceed with um some his project or something similar. So the the objective of the development agreement was to essentially make sure that the uses that were of
concern um were uh something we can hold Mr. Sachug to and his development and future uh property owners. >> Yeah, we we um sorry I didn't mean to cut you off, but I know we've all sat up here so many times before and it's a
catch 22. I mean, it's either homes or something else and and it's the thing I think we have a hard time, you know, you know, dealing with because, you know, he has rights too for his property and as long
as he is abiding by everything that we ask him. I mean, I think I mean, personally, I think I'd rather have this than 40 homes across the street. I mean, I really would, but that's just my opinion. >> Yeah, I agree. Thank you. Does the commission have anything further from Mrs. Sachuk?
>> I think the only thing I have to say about it is the same thing. I'd like to see us control it. I'd like to see us regulate it. I think we can give the community around there better tight ring on what's going on if we control it. If it goes to the county, >> it's going to be anything. >> You know what? And we we've been I'm
sorry, and I'll this will be the last thing I'll say. We've been down down this road so many times where, you know, one developer comes in and they decide to leave and another developer comes in and they come in with the zoning that we have done and they
won't even consider talking to us. You've got a gentleman right here that I think is being the most sincere, that's willing to do everything he can because he lives right over there. We all been in that situation. So I for me it's it's
It's it's [clears throat] the worst situ situation to be in, but if we can control it, I think I think it's better. >> Okay. >> This this project that's being brought forward um is the most friendly that I think we're going to put on that property, especially if you look at the
vacant land that's out there and knowing and seeing what some folks have projected for the property in that area. Um, we're going to I hope and pray that when that comes back in front of the commission, the rest of those open
properties out there that people will work with us like Mr. Saulchuk has done because being born and raised here, I'd love for it to stay just the way it is. my my aunt and uncle lived out in your neighborhood and I really wanted I I
would love to protect that area with state laws and the state legislature. We're doing the best that we can protecting that and I think if we miss the opportunity to control it ourselves. If there's a change in the county commission, no telling what could happen
out there. >> Well, I just I need to close public hearing first. So, um, and last time uh to speak on this item. Okay. I'll go ahead and close the public hearing portion and I'll give it back to you, Mr. Vice Mayor, for a few further discussion if you'd like. Or
>> Mr. Vice Mayor, I move approval of ordinance number 202606. >> And I second it. >> All right. I have a first and a second. Any further discussion? >> Okay. Roll call. >> This is with the exceptions that we mentioned in the previous comes back in
front of us. If it's not there, I will vote on it. >> But yeah, let me be clear. Procedurally, this is just the first reading. Um, so it'll come back to you for second reading >> and that's at second reading. You will also be approving the ordinances that have the development agreements. So all
of that is combined, >> right? >> But this is annexation separately. These are >> Right. Okay. All right. So we did get a first and a second. Uh, roll call. >> Commissioner Esbat. >> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> I. >> Commissioner Holland. Hi,
>> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi. >> Okay. Uh the second component is ordinance number 2026-07 an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Eustus Lake County Florida amending the city of US comprehensive plan pursuant to section 163.3187
Florida statutes changing the future land use designation of approximately 10 acres of real property proposed for annexation into the city of Eustace at alternate key number 1040141 generally located on the east side of the intersection of County Road 44 and
County Road 44A. We've already had a presentation. Are there any further questions from the commission for staff? Okay. Uh do we have anyone in the audience wishing to speak on ordinance 2026-07? Seeing none, I will close the public input and give it back to you, Mr. Vice
Mayor. >> Vice Mayor, I move approval of ordinance number 2026-07. >> I second. >> Okay, I got a first and a second. Any further discussion? No. Roll call. >> Commissioner Esbott. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> Hi.
>> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi. >> Next is ordinance 2026-08. An ordinance of the city commission of the city of Eustus, Lake County, Florida, assigning the suburban corridor design district designation to approximately 10 acres of real property
proposed for annexation into the city of Eustus at alternate key number 1040141, generally located on the east side of the intersection of County Road 44 and County Road 44A. We've had a presentation. Any questions from commission for staff?
Would anyone in the audience like to speak on this ordinance? Please, >> I just have one question. >> You could restate your name, ma'am, for the record. >> Sorry. >> And you have three minutes. >> Trina Marquez, my one question is I emailed a couple of you a few months
ago. Why don't we want this to go to county? Why? What the reason behind that it wants to stay in Eustace? Why don't we want them to go to county? The county is under a lot of pressure right now because they've been okaying everything. People
are outraged over it. So why don't we want it to go to county? >> Why >> do Do you want my opinion? >> Yes, sir. >> I mean, honestly, I I I mean, he the county picks and chooses on where they do where they do their um
conservation um land uses. And I think in my opinion, he could go to the county and have it reszoneed and you can have a developer come in and put >> apartment complex, >> put apartment complexes. You could put gas station >> 40 40 to1 homes if they zone at GC. You
could put a gas station. >> So I >> know how I feel about gas stations. >> I know. And believe me, we hear you. We hear you up and down, >> right? >> And I mean, and from sitting up here, it it looks like it's the best option. I mean, I'm not saying the county could do
it, but um knowing that there's GC already around everywhere in that area, they probably would consider a reszoning. and it could be residential, it could be even more commercial. So, this is like a balance of the two. Um, but that's just my opinion.
>> Okay. Thank you. Because I was always wondering why. >> Yeah. >> And you said it yourself. The county is approving everything you just said. >> Right. But they're under fire now, >> but they're still approving everything, >> but and there's several of them up for reelection, which I don't think will get reelected. >> I can vote for count.
>> And there won't be a gas station. So, there's that. [laughter] >> I know. Would anyone else >> on that? >> Would anyone else like to speak on this item? >> All right. Seeing none, I will close the public input and give it back to you, Mr. Vice Mayor.
>> Mr. Vice Mayor, I move approval of ordinance number 2026-08. >> I second it. >> All right. I got a first and a second. Any further discussion? Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Esbody. >> Hi.
>> Commissioner Hawkins. >> Hi. Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi. >> The next group of ordinance first reading is uh 2026-0910 and 11 which will be presented at once
by uh Mr. Jeff Richardson. We'll start with ordinance 2026-09 an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Eustace Florida voluntarily annexing approximately 2.8 8 acres of real property at Lake County Property
Appraisers alternate key number 3959037 generally located in unincorporated Lake County, Florida on the east side of intersection of County Road 44 and County Road 44A. Mr. Richardson, >> as we have been over this and they are
adjacent properties, we can probably go a little bit quicker. So the property owner for this is and SFL partners. Uh Travis Sachuk is a representative. This parcel is approximately 2.8 acres in size just to the east of the 10 acres we
previously discussed. Again, the future land use is Lake County urban low. In this case, the request is go to is to come into the city as mixed commercial industrial again with the suburban
suburban corridor design district. um location map and aerial. Um this aerial clearly shows the existing structure on the site. Um this property is within the city of
Eustace Lake County joint planning area um for annexation following statutes. The notice was provided to Lake County on January 29th, 2026. um notice was ever or the notice was
posted in the daily commercial newspaper on April 27th and May 4th for two consecutive weeks prior to this hearing. Oops. And there's quick aerial of of the building that is on the property currently. Um
again, future current future land use is Lake County Urban Low. requested future land use is city of Eustace mixed commercial industrial. Um this request is consistent with Florida statutes city of Eustus
comprehensive plan and land development regulations for the future land use. Um and mixed commercial designation requested supports mixed commercial uses. Um these uses will be limited by
the development agreement which will be subsequent to um approval of or yeah approval of the annexation. Again uh average trips on um county 44 44A are 4,400 trips each. That's two-way
traffic north and south, east and west. Um all statutory indicators for urban sprawl have been evaluated. Uh this actually is a logical extension of the current Eustace urban development
boundary. Design district is suburban corridor that matches with the suburban corridor extending from the um west. Um the Spurban corridor offers clear site design standards, clear building
design standards and landscape buffer standards. Those are also reflected in the developers agreements that you have um heard earlier as the OPA. City of uh Eustace utilities are available at the site on 44A and 44 and
county 44. Um there is no flood zone impact on the property, wetland impact on the property. Um generalized recharge is medium h medium to high uh at 8 to 12 in per per year. Uh generalized soil
suitability, there do not appear to be any limitations on development on the property. And uh with that being said, um development services presents the annexation of future land use and districts to you for your consideration. >> Thank you.
>> Did you mention the um publication issue? >> Uh yes, for the design district, there was an error in the heading. However, um development services discussed that with the city attorney this morning. The issue should be fine. It will be
readvertised correctly prior to the second reading. Actually, it's already been sent to the newspaper to advertise appropriately. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Are there any questions from Mr. Richardson from commission? Would anyone in the audience like to
speak on ordinance 2026-09? >> Two cards for each of the three items if you'd care to speak. Uh Trina Marquez. >> All three of those. >> Okay. And Donald Doyle as well. Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You said three cards. Anyone else?
>> Two. Two cards for each of the three items. >> All right. Seeing none, I will close public input and give it back to you, Mr. Busman. >> Move approval of ordinance number 2026-09. >> Second. >> All right. First and a second. Um, roll
call, please. >> Commissioner Asody, >> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins, >> I. >> Commissioner Holland, >> hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> hi. The next ordinance is 2026-10, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Eustus, Lake County, Florida,
amending the city of Eustace comprehensive plan pursuant to section 163.3187 Florida statutes changing the future land use designation of approximately 2.8 8 acres of real property proposed for annexation into the city of Eustace
at alternate key number 3959037 generally located on the east side of the intersection of County Road 44 and County Road 44A. We've had presentation. Are there any questions for staff from commission? Would anyone in the audience like to speak on this ordinance?
Seeing none, I will close the public input. Back to you, Mr. Vice Mayor. >> Thank approval of ordinance number 2026-10. Second >> roll call, please. >> Commissioner Esbody, >> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins, >> I. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi.
>> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> I. >> And the last ordinance is 2026-11. An ordinance of the city commission of the city of Euses, Lake County, Florida, assigning the suburban corridor S um SC design district designation to
approximately 2.8 8 acres of real property proposed for annexation into the city of Eustace at alternate key number 3959037 generally located on the east side of the intersection of county road 44 and county road 44A. We've had presentation.
Any questions for staff from commission hearing? None. Would anyone in the audience like to comment on ordinance number 2026-11? Okay, seeing none, I will close public input. Back to you, Mr. Mayor. Move approval of ordinance 2026-11.
>> Second. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Asbat, >> I. >> Commissioner Hawkins. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi. >> Thank you. All right. Down to other business.
>> Yes. Uh thank you. I just uh have a few updates. Um the first item I wanted to start with is um our agenda essentially our rules. Um we have in our agenda order that the comment section
has follows city commission first and then we go city manager, city attorney, mayor. Um because we're trying to be more proactive in providing updates to um commission. I know sometimes there are items that you have questions on
that um just like today we had an example that was answered uh by Rick earlier. Um yeah, [laughter] exactly. Of what we were thinking that might be best is if we just reorder it so that um I could provide an update first. That way
some if some of the items that you have questions on get answered by the update. That would be the time for for that to be addressed and then I can kind of take all those comments and then it'll um you'll have an opportunity to then hear
Rick out. So, we'd have the city manager and then uh city commission would be next and then the mayor would close out because it's kind of I think it's a more fluid order that way. That way, um you guys can get the information you need up front and kind of perhaps even cut down
some of what you have to write down. >> Okay. >> So, um I'm just looking for consensus on that. Um >> it's a good idea. >> I'm good. >> Just to >> give it a better flow. Okay. Great. >> Yes, sir. Okay. >> Excellent. Thank you. Uh so uh first I wanted to provide you with an update on
where we are with Spring Ridge Estates. I've completed the draft of the um emergency infrastructure stabilization and cost recovery agreement. It has incorporated into the agreement uh the emergency record repayment structure, the lean and assessment protections and
enforcement mechanisms that we had discussed. That draft has been provided for review to the HOA's attorney, the HOA management, and to the city manager and deputy city manager uh for comments. I've requested to they could get their
um comments to me by May 16th, which is um next Saturday. So, um, and then we've also in my correspondence, I suggested, um, a meeting if they have any questions, um, or they want to
discuss any items with the HOA representatives and council. That way, um, we can address any remaining issues. And the objective being that I can provide an update to you all by next commission meeting um, and and or a an
agreement for you to um, have before you. So, I wanted to give you that update first. >> Are we allowed to ask questions as you go? >> Yeah, sure. >> So, any any word from the insurance for them? >> Yes. Uh, the insurance has issued a denial.
>> So, they >> surprise. >> Okay. >> They have. So, >> that's that's really unfortunate. And then I know I sent some information to um to staff about um about possible
FEMA FEMA FEMA possibilities with this as well as some grants. Um I think we should do everything we can to try to put all this on to the residents. But >> is that I'm sorry. >> No, go ahead. >> Is that a possibility with that that
other thing that uh we we got from uh Congressman office. >> Miranda Burrows, deputy city manager. Swanson, are you here? Do you want to talk? Do you want to address FEMA for Spring Ridge? We did look into FEMA for Spring Ridge, it does not apply for
that. >> Really? >> It does not. Correct. >> That's not what the representative is telling me. >> Yeah. >> No. Well, all the stuff [clears throat] that we have access to for FEMA, I I don't know where else you could look, but FEMA only [clears throat and cough] only funds projects that are like shovel
ready or that they're not going to come in and fund something that's already been done and already been it didn't go through a process that that >> well um >> that they have. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Well, the I mean the [clears throat] FEMA representative I've been talking to says that since that is a private bridge and it it is the only
access to those homes that it might it might actually qualify. >> We looked every possible way. >> I' I've I've gone through through the processes that I can through lake mitigations and strategies and it's it's got to be it can't be done already and it can't be already funded and paid for
>> and that's what this is. >> Okay. um that there might be other projects out there that are outside of this that I'm not aware of, but in the world that I've always worked in, >> I've already I've already searched and can't find anything. >> Can um [clears throat]
>> can um and can we reach out to Randy Fine's um um aid to see if they can try to I mean I I mean we I'm just looking at every >> every possible way to help those residents. So they they don't get stuck
with that $1,000 a month uh >> HOA. We thought the original denial from the insurance company was because they kept calling it a bridge. >> Yeah. >> And uh it's not really a bridge. It's a covert system. So we we try to get away from that. But >> Right.
>> Um >> that's that's a good idea and they're wonderful and she's very responsive. So absolutely do that. And then and then I sent you that email from the um guy from the >> the disaster recovery. Yeah. >> He said there there could be a
possibility there. I mean even if it's not for the whole amount. I mean I think we just and I know I mean they need to get they need to do some of this work too. But I mean I think we owe it to them to try to at least reduce some of the cost so the so the residents are not
there's only so many people that were affected but the whole neighborhood's going to have to pay for it. >> Oh absolutely. and and >> we let >> and if you're looking I don't know what the terms of the payment agreement are, but if you're looking at another $800 or $900 a month to those residents, it's I I just know there's got to be a way.
Okay. But thank you. >> And we are we we we honestly we did look I did go to meetings. I've gone to EOC. I've gone through that. But remember a lot of the stuff that I go through is uh community hardening and uh that that's what medica mitigations and strategies
those brick grants and things are for are for hardening and those are for proposed projects. >> But even even if even if we had infrastructure out there our lift station is the only way to get to it from that bridge. >> We had infrastructure under the bridge.
>> Yeah. >> So we had you know we had a vested interest in getting this done too. >> So Okay. Mhm. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> And Mr. Vice Mayor, the agreement as drafted does incorporate still the option of whether it's insurance proceeds, um government funds, grants,
any kind of assistance that they um are eligible for. there's a cooperative component to it and that that would be essentially applied and we would reassess >> on uh either depending on the terms that we end up getting to either quarterly or on an annually basis if those you know
assessments could come down. >> I mean even if we get it down to a quarter of what what it is it would be such a but okay thank you I I understand that. All right. And as far as the final thing I wanted to update you on was the um uh MMTC
ordinance which we talked about last week, ordinance 2026-20. Um I am currently preparing the uh legal memorandum that we discussed because the ordinance itself was tabled and it's still under a consideration. Um, so I am
addressing all available legal and policy options that are associated with the proposed ordinance. That does include analysis relating to the non-conforming uses, vested rights considerations, operational restrictions, uh, the relocation expansion limitations, and potential
litigation exposure. And as if again um, we'll include a section as to what other municipalities have done as well. I did receive and respond to correspondence from um the attorney Sheri Stefen that was here for Mega 2901 LLC. I've advised
her that I am preparing the memorandum uh for your review. I've invited her to provide um any proposed revisions, any authority that she has um that would support the vested uh rights procedure red lines um if she uh has those and any
operational concerns. So um those could be considered as part of the review process. I've also told her I would inform her um you know hopefully my intent is to get this to you by next commission meeting that um once the memorandum is completed I would share
that with her as well um since uh there's been instruction to do um some cooperation that way she could also come um and you know if she has anything to add to that because I ultimately u would want commission to consider exactly what
up what avenue they you you would like to proceed with and determine um you know if if we are going to leave the ordinance as is or if there's going to be a substantive revision we would essentially have to start the process over. Um, so I wanted to make sure that
we had that very clear so that way you had all the information you needed and um, all the participants were notified and we could receive further direction um, on how to address that policy concern. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Sure. >> So >> that's it for me. >> Okay. >> So we're going to Rick now for updates. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Immediately. Um, couple of comments. The on May 22nd, we have a CIP workshop
planned um that'll review all of the the U CIP budgets. Um, originally we had scheduled that for 9:00. Um, we push that back till 10:00 and we're doing from 9 to 9:45 that
Friday morning, uh, the unveiling of the Veterans Memorial at Greenwood Cemetery. So, that should give us time. Um we've got East High's RTC um that's leading that effort. It should be really nice. Hope you can make it. Um June 18th, we
have a the general fund and the CRA budget workshop scheduled. Also, we were planning on continuing that and doing the downtown master plan workshop on June 19th. Um that is a federal holiday. We need to reschedu
that. >> [clears throat] >> Um, I have tried to reach out to most you all to see if either Wednesday the 24th or Friday the 26th would work that morning. Um, I am hopeful we can finish
the budget workshop on the 18th and just have this be [laughter] the um downtown master plan workshop. So, if if either June 24th or 26 and I can reach out to you via text, you're confirmed tomorrow.
Um couple of couple of items ahead. I'll try to go pretty quick. It's getting late. Uh Publix partnered with Eustace and Bloom. They sent about 75 volunteers. Um we replanted the Clifford House and the community center projects.
Uh we lost a lot of that material in the freezes we had. Um great effort they had and they also presented us with a check as well. [snorts] um the uh edits to the city manager's um
recruiting profile. Uh those are going back to the consultant, getting the consultant's hands. Um we had a decent amount. We wanted to go through that that effort first. Um I am hoping that they will have those incorporated and
back to us um early next week. And at that point, I will send them to all the commissioners um for a final review. I'm going to ask for a quick turnaround so we can get this um this vacancy posted and get that process started. So, I'm
hopeful uh the end of next week um early the following week that should be be opened up. Um I am planning on closing on 21 North Gro Street next week, probably midweek. Um, I think we're in in good shape on
that. Uh, the economic development marketing consultant, those interviews, I believe they've have reached out to you. If not, please let me know. Um, those interviews are starting next week. Um, I have a construction manager at
risk, the RFP that is out on the streets now. >> Um, RFQ, thank you. Um, that is due May 18th. The selection committee will follow on May 26th and that'll be a continuing contract for um construction
management. >> Uh the softball lights were changed out to the LED. Um the lighting levels exceed the 20 foot candles which is a recommended recreational play except for one area we're getting 15 foot candles
and we couldn't change those elements out because there is an active osprey nest um when that um osprey either leaves or nesting season's over. We'll go through and change those elements out. >> Yeah, I was um I was under the lights uh Tuesday.
>> Is it better? >> Uh it's much better. >> Okay, great. and everybody and everyone could see it too. >> Great. Thanks for >> It was on my list. Thanks to you, >> Mr. Dobbins. Thank you. It's I mean it's they couldn't believe the they couldn't
believe the difference. So, thank you on >> Good. Good. Yeah. Did you hit the ball? >> Yeah, I hit the ball. [laughter] Prevat Street we spoke about and um Greg I would ask you to please reach out to uh Miss Latoya Young and keep her up to
up to speed on what's happening with the quote we get back on the striping so we can let you know what's when we'll be in there. Um Harper's Alley the four Sylvester palms we have those are really expensive palm trees. Um one of them has a blight. it
it got a um an insect in there and it it creates a a disease in the tree. That tree is dead. We are going to remove it. Um we've been recommended by our arborist to get it out immediately um so it doesn't spread. We have to look and see. We have six of those palms. We have
two more down um between Bay and Fair Park Drive. Uh we need to do a kind of monitoring program. As long as those are clean, we're okay. Um, if we find it, they have to be removed. There's nothing that that we can really do to salvage
them. So, I will keep you up to speed, but that one tree is coming down. I will make sure we talk to all of the uh the businesses and through our process with um Officer Stling, we can get the information out. We'll let them know.
And um lastly, public works was back out at the community center again, flooding the roof drains. Um we do have a a draft um uh scope of work planned for purchasing on the roof, but again, we
really want to make sure that uh those roof drains are flowing and that that's not part of our problem. Um, so we're plugging those, we're flowing it, kind of searchcharging them to make sure that there's no leaks coming in and that it's not, you know, within the internal
piping in there. So that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thanks. Thanks for the problem. Okay. Who'd like to go first? [snorts] >> Any comments? >> I don't have I guess I'll go. I don't
have really much to say, but u I I I think uh Commissioner Holland touched um on, you know, keeping uh some people in our prayers with Tim Totten and also keeping our state representative and her
family and son in our prayers as they go through some pretty difficult uh times today. [snorts] And uh with that, I I am also thankful for Rick and the work that he's he's been doing and the amount of money that
we're saving by doing stuff in house. Um I I knew he would do a decent job. Uh but he's far exceeded that uh when it comes to those capital things that we're working on. So um I don't mind taking shots on him when he's up here, but I sure enjoy better uh thanking him for
everything that he does. and uh he's done a great job. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> That's it for me. >> I just want to say good job tonight, Gary. >> Thank you. >> Nice job running the meeting. We miss our mayor, but um she is with her brother tonight. He's accepting award
for auto dealerships, which we're proud that he has one of those dealerships in our city. So, um congratulations to him as he accepts an award tonight. Um, also just wanted to say to the heartbeat of our community, to our mothers, happy Mother's Day.
>> That's it. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Tonight was a um to me it was a a a feelood night. Um, you know, with the pinning of the officers and and having the Bobcats come in. Um,
that's that's what we're about. So, to me, it was a feel-ood night. Uh I uh had an organization reach out to me, a planners organization, and they would like for me to come and participate in a
um uh a presentation uh at their annual at their annual planners meeting planning and zoning conference on the 27th.
uh in Sarasota. Uh so I'd like to uh ask to be okay to go. It's just a one day thing. Um I really don't want to drive over there, but
uh it's just to go and present. And the uh the presentation would be is they like what we're doing in Eustace. Uh it's about uh community and building and and how we're doing everything that we're doing from the kids to the uh the
seniors to the special needs and they'd like to see about other communities uh learning what we do. [cough] >> Good. Yeah, I'm good. >> Is there any cost to the city for that? >> Well, it be just the hotel because this is Sarasota. So, how far is
that from? three three and a half hours. >> Yeah. And it said I have to speak at >> 10:30. >> Yeah, it's Yeah, I'm getting up by that time. >> I know it. I'm >> okay. And that's it for me. >> Okay.
>> Update on Hazel. I just >> Yes. >> Officer Stroop. He's outside. Uh there was a section of Hazelton that was at at 30. He already lowered it a while back to 25. So, it's all 25 there. He said he's been out there for numerous hours.
Not lot not a lot of activity. Um, I sent the captains out tonight to go get with the sergeant. They're going to uh Mr. Griswald gave us the tag number. We ran it. So, we're going to go pay that gentleman a visit tonight, have a talk with him. And so, that's why they left. They went out there to go there tonight, deal with it tonight. But, we're also
we're going to do some enforcement this weekend on a Saturday and uh we're going to be out and about. So, that's going to be the priority between there and Lakeshore >> and uh we're going to put some some uh resources on it. Okay. >> So, just that's just the update. >> Thank you. I appreciate that.
>> Okay. So, um for the essence of time, I am not going to ask for all these updates I had planned because I thought we were going to be out earlier. I'm just going to list them and if staff can try to get me some um information uh earlier this week for the essence of
time. So, um I'd like um I'd like an update on Lakeshore Drive. uh update on the right turn lane from 44 to 452 that we're working with the county. Um attendance for the last two festivals,
update on the notification to the downtown events when we're shutting down um the streets in downtown. Um update on the Bri the Brian Kersstein matter. Um, Rick, you already gave me an update
on the city manager, but what about the other two department heads? Can we get an update on that? And if anyone else wants these updates, please. So, we talked about the grant possibilities, update on the city trails, just kind of see where we're at on that. Talked about the softball lights. These two will be
budget items. Um, you know, I you know, we've been talking about the community center for a while and and I was over at the um the performing arts theater that's in the Big Lots Plaza. There is a big space there right now that's empty.
>> You have a Big Lots. >> The Big Lots. >> Why Why don't we consider maybe when soon? I mean, it's got to be big in there to see if that could be a temporary community center for us. It might might take us some money to to to
get it what we need, but for a temporary community center, I think it's a I mean, we'll probably have to lease it, but I think it'd be an a great idea. Um, you know what? Uh, Mike was right. We have a lot of we have a lot of longtime residents that are fighting some things
right now. And um, don't know if um, how many of you know Chris McCullum. He's he's fighting something really bad right now, too, medically. So, please please try to keep them in your thoughts along with um everyone else that's uh going through uh going through something right
now. Um I think I think I think that's it. And >> these updates that you ask about, would you make sure that the whole commission we'll respond back email to to the commission? >> And uh and just lastly, May 7th is a
special day for me. It's uh Jamie and I's anniversary. Her only thing she wanted tonight was to get out by 8:00. So, sorry, babe. I I I did everything I could to try to get us out. I'll see you I'll see you in a little bit. But, uh
you know, she uh she sticks through me, sticks with me through thick and thin, and even things that uh that are even hard on her like being up here. So, uh thank you for everything you do and happy anniversary. And that's it. We are journ.