p.m. uh city commission meeting. Uh please join us for the invocation uh led by Pastor Renee Hill, Win One Ministries, and the Pledge of Allegiance uh led by Commissioner Emily Lee. Please bow your heads with me.
Dear Father, we enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praises, asking that you forgive us of all our shortcomings. God of love, we trust in you with all our heart and lean not into our own understanding. We do
not rely on ourselves for effective results. It is you who know all things. So we are asking you to have your way in this meeting. Please show us great and mighty things that we do not know
that this meeting can fulfill its role for our beautiful city. Let the efforts of our city leaders be kingdom motivated and spirit-led so that there will be a great oh father a great
outcome. We seek you for guidance and instructions. We seek you also for wisdom, divine wisdom. We believe that you will withhold no good thing from our beautiful city
and the residents. We are reminded of your word according to Philippians 4 and 6 that we ought to be anxious for nothing but in every situation by prayer and
petition we present your request. Our request to you dear God. Colossians 3:17. And whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we do it all in your precious
name. And in my conclusion, I lift up our amazing city leaders. Mayor Hawkins, Vice Mayor Asc, Commissioner Holling Hollands,
Commissioner Lee, Commissioner AsBody, City Manager Corino, Assistant City Manager Miranda, Chief of Police Capri, Fire Chief Swanson, City Attorney Sasha.
I pray God and I plead your blood over our city in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. 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. Okay, call order. Uh Christina, the quorum and proper notice been given. >> Yes, mayor. >> Okay, think thank you. Uh next we'll
have agenda agenda update. >> Mr. Mayor, >> if I may. Um, you might recall that on Monday we had a request to uh remove resolution number 25-72 which is the guidelines for commissioner communications with developers sunshine
law compliance from today's meeting and according to our uh commission rules of order um section 10 which covers presentation of agenda items, revisions, additions and deletions. Subsection D on delet on on deletion says that any agenda item
which has been noticed to the public can only be removed from the agenda with the approval of the city commission. If the city commission agrees to remove an agenda item then the presiding officer which would be you Mr. Mayor shall first give the public an opportunity to speak
on the item. So at this time I would like to given the request uh poll the commission as to whether they would like the item removed from the agenda this evening um or not. And if so then we would allow the public to speak. Um it
would be appropriate assuming someone is here for that particular resolution perhaps to do it um as part of audience to be heard but just have them speak first. Okay. >> And then continue with audience to be heard. Okay. >> Thank you Emily.
I would say remove it. >> George, >> yes, also remove. >> Okay. Mike, >> leave it. >> Gary, >> um, removed. Okay. And I would leave.
>> Okay. So, we have a consensus to remove the item. So, then 6.1 would not be part of the agenda. So, that would be the update. And then anyone that's here to speak on res at that resolution 25-72 uh please speak uh during audience to be
heard we will hear you first and then we will proceed with everyone else. >> Thank you Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you Sasha. Okay. Next up we have approval of minutes uh approval of the July 18th 2025 city commission workshop and the September 18th 2025 city
commission meeting. >> Move approval. >> Second. It's been moved and properly second. >> Can I have a got a question on a little discussion on that? I know that we pulled it before and we didn't approve it because there were some questions as
to some discrepancies on there to what uh >> on what >> on the uh minutes for for it. >> So I looked at them and they're still the same way. So it it uh
>> which minutes are you talking about? >> The minutes from that workshop >> that we're about to approve the the July 18th >> uh specifically when it talks about um some of the parts up in there. So I'm concerned about that. That's not
reflecting um what we initially pulled it back then for and no changes have been made to it. Um so There's there's clearly discrepancies in there and I would love for it to be accurate
and reflect everything. So, I don't know if we want to have a discussion on that or whatnot, but >> do we know if >> Tom has a >> Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead, Tom. >> I could speak on that. Um, we did reach
out to Mr. D. Vanzo. It was Mr. D. Vanzo that identified uh some issues. Uh we did uh uh reach out to Mr. D. Vanzo to identify some specific items. Uh I think he did uh speak to the clerk but was not
able to identify specific items. So the um uh assistant city manager uh reviewed the video and the minutes and worked with the clerk's office uh and what you have before you we feel is an accurate representation of of what happened at
that meeting. >> Well, I'm talking about specifically the minutes state that the city manager, Mr. Corino, would contact Mr. Levy, arrange a meeting and put him in contact with Mr. Goolan. That direction was not given
by the commission during the workshop. The video reflects that our consensus was limited to allowing Mr. Gleman to move forward with his outreach to the developers while the commission scheduled a workshop for Dr. Levy for
his input. Um although I note the inaccuracy, my primary concern is that the minutes should not assign responsibility or actions beyond the commission's formal direction. Uh so for accuracy and transparency,
I can't vote to approve that and it is clearly inaccurate. >> I don't think that uh and this is just me. I don't think that the minutes are supposed to be verbatim. No, I'm I'm not I mean it wouldn't wouldn't be a bad idea for transparency to be that way,
but when they're pointing different um I mean how can we say okay >> okay all right well uh so I mean so the biggest concern is do you want them to work independently
correct >> yeah what what it I want them to just do what we directed them to do which what it's what uh Emily had uh said and I and I think you uh
Gary was that you wanted a opinion a separate opinion uh and I think we've worked through it all that the issue is the issue itself the subject is kind of irrelevant because it worked itself out but the minutes reflect differently.
What I mean what >> what what not changing the minutes do do >> if is the outcome what we wanted the outcome to be? >> Yeah. Can you give us some direction on that? >> If it's not I mean they're not supposed to be verbatim as long as it essentially
covers the votes that were made >> or the direction that was given. You know, we have a a video, we have audio. Okay. >> Um so it's not it's not meant to be verbatim. I mean, if it's an egregious error or a complete misrepresentation, then of course that could be corrected,
but I'm not sure that that's the consensus there. >> So far, it looks like we're heading toward what we agreed on, but the minutes just don't reflect that. That's what I was trying to convey. So, >> it, you know, I guess I read that. I'll give a copy of what I read to the clerk
to put into the minutes and >> Okay. All right. Uh, roll call, please. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I. Commissioner Obati, >> no. >> Vice Mayor Ashccraftoft, >> hi. >> Commissioner Holland, >> hi. >> Mayor Hawkins, >> hi.
>> Okay, next up we'll have presentations. A presentation by uh Debbie Winert, the Dolly Parton uh Imagination Library. Miss Don, >> good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Commissioners. Can you hear me?
>> Yes. Marissa, is that all? >> Okay, thank you. >> Did you hear me? >> Okay, thank you. So, um, thank you for the opportunity to present to you. This is, I think, my fifth time to come back in front. I feel like we're old friends.
So I have um good news that there's,270 children enrolled throughout Lake County in the funded cities that are receiving a monthly book through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. And I'm in hopes that Eustace will involve some of the
children to receive the free books. So Dolly Parton started this particular program 30 years ago in 1995 and she's now mailing out more than 3,100,000 books a month with 287,52
children enrolled over the years. So, the statistics show that one in seven children in the United States are enrolled in this program. Right now, uh there's 18,000 children in Lake County, of which we're hoping to get a substantial number of that. I've
enrolled 1,270. >> So, you have the PowerPoint, right? >> Right. Okay. So the imagination library serves the children and families and communities regardless of race, religion or economic status from the richest to the poorest. It's a proven winner
program in that Dolly Parton has sustained this for 30 years to they offer no um overhead that's passed down to the community partners of which there's 4,500 community partners in the United States right now.
The books are high quality and age appropriate and imagination stimulating. Those books are chosen by an expert panel of child literacy um people and the book free book monthly is a gift for the families. It Dolly
Parton Imagination Library is the only program in the country that I'm familiar with that starts as early as birth and goes up through age five with a monthly book being mailed to the child addressed to the child in their home. The child is able to accumulate almost
60 books that would be in their personal library that they get to keep and read over and over again. Each book has a pamphlet on the inside of it and how to use the book instructing the parents who may not have um knowledge or experience in reading to their children. Bringing
your attention to the next page. Triangle Community Alliance is the not forprofit that I started and started that in n 2022 and of course had to do all of the legal works in order to be affiliated as a not for profofit with a Deliwood Foundation. There's only two
criteria for children to be involved with the Imagination Library and that is living in a funded zip code and enrollment between the age of birth and four and a half. I'm seeing an increase in newborns being enrolled now which I think is quite exciting. They'll be able
to get 60 books by the time they're five. The enrollment phases started with Tavveraries in Deer Island and then recently opened up last year about this time Mount Dora and Leburg thanks to donations and the next phase will be a few other cities where the fourth grade
reading levels were lower according to the census and that means that the children came in at kindergarten underpar and below standards. Um, since we last talked where I gave a brief talk, we had 1,55 children enrolled and
I just closed the month of September with 1,270 children having been enrolled and a few have graduated since then. I think that's really remarkable. The impact that it's going to have on Lake County will be substantial. Better employees,
students that are happy in schools tend to stay in school and graduate. the program expenses. People want to know why doesn't Dolly pay for the books and that kind of thing. So, I wanted to break it down and give you an idea of what Dolly pays and what we're responsible for paying for as the
community partner. So, the Dolly Parton F excuse me, the Dollywood Foundation pays for the staff salaries and benefits. They pay for the software, all the foundation expenses. They pay for the rent in the building of the warehouses. She's built three warehouses
to be able to print 3 million plus books every single month. She pays for the printing press and the truck drivers that drive the trucks and she may or may not own or rent the trucks driving the books once they're bundled and impiles up to the bulk mail
center and then back. It's a 247 operation to get that many books out every single month. What we pay for as the community partner is the books that are printed. We pay for the label and the ink and the addressing. We pay for the cellophane wrapper so they arrive in
the mail. And we pay for the bulk mail. So bulk mail is $4.80 per child over the 12 months. So Dolly Parton does have a formula that she recommends 65% of the children. And so if you have 18,000 children in Lake
County, then you would take 65% of that and start with those numbers. But that doesn't mean we have to stay there. The same thing works with Eustace research continues to show that children who live in a house with books that are age appropriate tend to do better in school
as opposed to the children that are living in a home without age appropriate books in the home. In Eustace, it's the same criteria living in a funded zip code. You have two zip codes. You know that. And again, children from
the age of birth to four and a half can be enrolled. With so many children enrolling, the extended time is really um at four and a half, we have to cut it off in order for them to make the mailing. The books do continue to be mailed
through the um fifth birth date. I gathered the information from the census that was done in 2020 and according to that Eustace has 1794 children that would be eligible. Now since the census of course some of those children have turned five but then we have COVID
babies and then there's a recent surge in babies being born. I don't know if you've seen the carriages going around town. It's pretty amazing. So the starting formula taking 65% of 1794 children with a 5-year goal enrollment
of 1166 children hitting kindergarten with u grade standard readiness excited about school and ready to read. So on page eight, if you're following along, there's a little bit of a projection with the two zip codes taking
children under five and then 65% of those numbers. We're looking at about um $12,564 at $36 per child to receive a book a month for a year. The process does take a little bit of
doing. You know, I'm looking forward to having some volunteers assist so that we could participate in the first Friday, you know, events here in Eustace. We can have a table, sign up parents. We go wherever the families go, daycarees, elementary schools, Walmart, the grocery stores, and so on to find the children.
We have had a lot of people inquire about Eustace and when can we sign up and so on and so forth. And I welcome your questions at this time. >> Questions? Yeah. How many um cities have funded you so far?
>> I have two that have given money and that is Tavaris and Mount Dora. >> Can we ask you what they gave you? >> Toaries has given $500 over two years and I'm asking them for more money this year and Mount Dora gave us $10,000 to
fund 300 children. I completed that grant in the middle of August and I completed the grant not with 300 children but 311. So, we exceeded the goals. They're reviewing that re um grant summary and I expect to hear back
from them and I expect to receive another invitation for approximately the same amount of money and that may come in December or January due the setback that they had with funding. The other thing is that there are some other groups that are doing some fundraising
and sometimes they are allocating their funds for restricted they might be restricted to a particular town and sometimes the fundraisings go for just general funds and then they have the ability to allocate funds to those cities that are not able to step up or
support the children that they have. >> I think what you're doing is fantastic. >> It's Thank you. >> It's great. You know, there's a lot of great programs out there. That's the problem. But, uh, I think what you're doing is great. What she's doing is phenomenal. I saw a little special on TV about about her place. And, uh, it was
it was it was pretty cool. It was pretty cool. >> She is awesome and doing a great job. >> Yeah. >> You know, I'm around town now, particularly when I go to 1 Million Cups. I'm seeing young professionals that receive these books as children, and I'm getting ready to revamp the website and have an area where I can
interview people. Perhaps yourselves would read a book and we could have that on film. But these young professionals come forward and they say, "I received those books." So, we're going to be interviewing them about the impact of hitting school ready to learn and able to read. >> Is um is there is there an object
objective way to measure outcomes with the program though? >> Well, that's a very good question, you know, whether they come to school ready to read or not. Um, in kindergarten they have I forget the name of the test, but within the first few
weeks of kindergarten, all kindergarten students are tested. So, I've been running this program for two years now. I think we need a little bit more time to see if there's any kind of appreciable percentage that shows. So, we're going to be able to take the previous years of scores for children
entering kindergarten and then go back and compare them to the children that I'm sending to kindergarten or that we're all sending to kindergarten ready to read and compare those scores. So, right now, no that I'm familiar with. There may be somewhere in the country that's been running a little bit longer
>> and I but I think that's a good question. We want to know that the dollars are being well spent, >> right? I don't think you see the value in some of this until you you sit in a classroom uh with a sixth or seventh grader and they can't read. >> Um so I think it's important what you're
doing. Uh I like the idea that the books come to them, you know, when kids go to book fairs and they can pick out a book that's the excitement >> and the mail coming in the mail which be pretty cool.
>> Yeah. So, uh, and if it comes to the house, the parents are more inclined to read it to them when it comes to the house. Um, I I really like this. >> You pointed out the zip codes. Um, just for my in the zip code, did you target
just the ones that are in the city because some of those zip codes are not in the city of Eustas proper? Did you break down to that level or you just took the general zip code? >> I I took them from the census. Did I miss some zip codes in Eustace? >> Some are some are No, some are
unincorporated Eustace, but they have a Eustace address and they have that zip code. That's that's what I was asking. >> So, in other words, 32736 goes all the way to the county line with Valuchia County. So, part of 32736
is in that zip code, but not in Eustace, if that makes sense. >> What city would it be in? >> It's unincorporated Lake County. So, their address might be Eustace. Uh but they I think the question is it did were you able to separate how many
people in that zip code were used and I don't it's difficult to do that because the post office sets the zip codes not the cities. >> That's right. Yeah. There's boundaries that kind of become very blurred. No, I did not separate that out. Are you concerned that some of the dollars that you might donate would go to children
that don't live in Eustace? >> That's possible. >> Was that where the question would be coming from? >> Okay, Emily. Yes, I was listening to that. Yes, that that may be a question we would have also, but I'm also a little bit concerned because I believe I saw at the
end it' be like by the fifth year would be 42,000 was did I see that correctly? >> Um, yes. So, so like for the first year for example, if you don't mind if I go back >> as let's see if we fund it at the the level that she wanted, >> right?
>> Yeah. >> Okay. So, my what Yeah, there it is. What I'm concerned about is that I was when I was in Michigan, I saw a library that was beyond understanding and the the service that they provided. We've
had cutbacks and everything. So, I'm concerned about how will that should some of that be in our library or what kind of um impact will that have and is it something that we could put into our library to um increase services?
When when I asked that, that was what I was just curious about. But what you're doing is phenomenal. So I don't want to take away from from that. I was just statistically curious in the sense that if we do anything to help you, we're taking Eustace City taxpayer money. I'd
like it to go to Eustace citizens. What you know, if you end up helping somebody else too, God bless you. That's great. But I that's why I asked that question. You know, we might be able to do something like if you could provide some statistics with all of the research and resources that you have and say you have
10% of the children that are living in an unincorporated area. Perhaps I could match that 10% unincorporated area expense so that you could feel free that everything is copacetic. But I would like to go back and address the library if you don't mind.
>> So many states across the country are running this program through their library services. they have somebody there who coordinates the program and enrolls the thing, but that still has to be paid for. Somebody has to step up and pay for that. I look forward to working
with the library system here in Lake County, and there's been some magical breakthroughs right now. I want to thank Ann Ivy, director of the library, who's extended her hand in um cooperation and working with me um and providing the
books for the children. But as far as um making use of services at the library but not offering duplicate services, would that be part of your question? >> Exactly. >> Okay. So, initially when I came to town, no networking, no family and that kind
of thing. We were, if you don't mind a digression for just a minute, we bought a house and we prayed for a small house, big shop on a sidewalk. I left out of my prayer habitable. So, here we are. And then we have to do sewer lines, electric, new roof, insulation, air
condition. It was unbelievable. Nothing worked. So three and a half years into this project at about the two-year level, I said, "Honey, I'm done. Stick a for sale sign in the front yard and I am out." So I said, "Good luck." I had no idea it was another year and a half for
him to do this seven days a week. So I went to the Tavar's library and I would sit there and enjoy the air conditioning. So I got in there so often they'd say I became like family with them. And they said I said what is the deal here about the friends of the library and they said oh next time you're in we'll let you know. So I went
in one day they're having a meeting. They said it's in the back. There's three offices. Open this door. There's no one there. Open up the second door. They're in there. And I close the door. I'm expecting 20 30 people just like you would in a meeting, right? So they said come back. What are you doing? I said I'm looking for the friends. They said well come on and sit down. I sit down.
They go you want to be president? I'm like wait a minute. I could have a wanted poster at the post office here. what's going on. And so from that experience all the way through becoming the interimm president and being there for five years, we raised money through scarecrow contests. And on that
scarecrow contest, I walked the streets, knocked on the doors of residents and businesses. And I had many people say to me, "Where is the library?" And I had other prominent individuals say, "I don't read very well." I thought that was a wonderful confidence to share with
me. I had other um families that say, "I don't even have a library card. I never take my child to the library." So, that was a huge eye openener to me that we have a great population in Lake County that's underserved with the library services. They don't read. They don't go to the library. They don't put their
children in that. And then we have the other side that go to the library two or three, four, five times a week. So, I think that we're capturing parts of both of that. If a li if a book from the Imagination Library goes to the home addressed to the child, then in one
capacity for a parent that's a single family, single parent income family, they know if they're not feeling well that month or they had to miss some work or there's a birthday coming up, they know one day this month there's going to be a gift for the baby. I call all the children babies because I don't know
where they are in their age. And so the mother or the dad could relax a little bit. In addition to that, once we get the children reading books and engaged with the books and learning to read, they will demand their parents take them to the library. They're not excited about the library when they're infants
and they can't read. But if the children can read and they get excited about books or more books, more books, more books, then mom and dad will go there. In addition to that, if you don't mind, we're finding that the bilingual families who don't speak English very well are using these primmers with
simple language, age appropriate, imagination stimulating thoughts are learning to better speak and understand English. >> So, I could go on and on. I'm pretty excited about this program, but >> I want to make sure I answer your questions. >> Okay, any more questions?
>> Should An comment for us? Do we want to hear what Anne thinks? She she's our Are we taking money away from our library? >> Spending her on the spot. >> I think I think it's a wonderful program. I think it needs further discussion. We need to >> I do have a question.
>> The um you had mentioned Mount Dora uh and enrolling uh 300 children. >> Is it a multi-year commitment? Meaning it would be terrible if you get if you get 300 children into the program in year one and if the funding doesn't
continue, it would be terrible that they is there a process where a child comes off the list because the funding hasn't continued. >> Well, that's inevitably what could happen. So, you know, that's why the last time I was here, you were very just I'll give this and the police chief said I'll give that. I said, I really want you to understand the program. There's
nothing that's going to be more disappointing than get the children excited about books. Then boom, in two years it dries up. So I'm looking for a five-year projection whether it's a total buyin or not, whether we work with city businesses here around the community and they begin a sponsorship,
but it would be nice to begin a foothold here in Eustace and see where it takes us. It gives me time and and with all of your help to promote the program to businesses and see where they could step up, but if there's no money, then it would have to close those zip codes. >> Are you a volunteer?
>> Completely 100%. I probably have 3,000 hours in in the last four years. >> Beautiful. >> And I did tell her and before we talked before the meeting, >> I would really like to see her uh go after some grants to help her. She wasn't really familiar with that. I think there's some great opportunities
with grants for that stuff. >> Education and reading for kids. I mean, everybody wants to give >> to support that. >> I'm looking forward to finding those grants. Caught me off guard. I hadn't even thought about >> grants. I'm I'm uh surprised that you haven't hit it pretty good, but please
>> do some of that. >> Yeah, >> I'm very supportive of Debbie. I' I've I've been one of her biggest cheerleaders since she first step foot in in the community. Um and I've tried to work to get her and an together for many years, and I'm glad that they've
been able to talk. Now, the greatest fear I have is that we start a program and don't can't fund it. And I just want us to have that open dialogue and us to put this on something down the road where we can talk. One of the greatest
things, Willie, and you mentioned it, is to watch a child's expression once they're able to read, right? Once they get a book in their hands and to know that's coming, especially in a community where we have a lot of kids that can't afford books. >> Yeah.
>> You know, and we can't get kids to our libraries. One of our bestkept secrets in this community is what Ann's running right up the street is our library. Um it is phenomenal and the staff she's put together. Um and you know I fought for a
long time for us not to partner with the county on that system. But I think the partnership that's worked out and having Kirby here tonight with the county commission is a big help too. Uh being able to hear some of this discussion. We
need to work this out somehow someway whether we are able to fund a minimal amount um and then work in our community to try to find the funds to make this happen. Greatest economic development tool folks that we have in our community
is education and it starts at a young age. >> That's it. >> Birth. You know I'm sorry I'm exceeding my time but I've got to share. There was a virtual conference held worldwide by the Dollywood Foundation. and so many people they couldn't rent a place big
enough for people to come in from around the world and participate. It went from 5 in the morning to 5 at night over several days. And of course there was speakers everywhere from the average Joe up to highly educated individuals. I was most fascinated with some of the more um
um doctors who were talking about brain development and the neurologist and they were saying that when a baby is growing they're having 1 million synapses per second in the brain. So it's it's just amazing what the
children are doing. You imagine they're starting from zero and by the time they're five they're walking, talking, thinking, imagining and now we expect them to go to school. So this is a definite enhancement for early literacy. I want to say that the chamber has also been very very positive. I've been a
member now for two and a half years. Going to be renewing soon at the beginning of the year and every time they have an event they call how about this, how about that? How about that? And I'm say I do not want to tease the Eustace parents and give them hope when it's going to start. But when we do, I'll be there. And I think that the
membership in the chamber may step up with some donations as well. So, whatever we can do to work and collaborate together, I would be most interested in further conversation if you're unable to make a decision. >> Yeah, we'll we'll have to get together
and discuss it. Um I I I'm going to be be upfront. I I'm very supportive of it. Uh so, um we'll we'll get together, we'll talk about it, and at a later date and we'll
we'll let you know. Thank you very much. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate about contacting me. I don't want you to go uninformed. >> Okay. Great presentation. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. >> Thank you for all those hours. I mean, people don't realize what some people don't realize what you're what you're
doing. >> It's incredible. We're at,270 kids. >> I'm talking about your personal hours that you're giving that you're donating. That's that's very important. >> I believe the it's like $33 an hour for volunteers. So when you multiply that times them out 3,000.
>> So thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you so much. >> Okay. >> All right. And and thanks Mike. I was going to do it uh after we did the update with Gman, but uh I just want to recognize uh County Commissioner Kirby
Smith. We appreciate you you coming and slumbing with us. U so is there anything you'd like to say? >> I'm just putting you on the spot. You don't have to say anything. library. >> Commissioner, can you go to
>> How's it feel standing on that side of the [Laughter] >> So, uh I won't take up too much of your time. Um Miss Winer and I have conversations once a quarter.
>> Yes, sir. >> Once a quarter. Um, I'm very passionate about this program. I personally gave um money to the program. Each of y'all can personally give money to the program. We pushed the county to uh give money to
the program. And for um the city manager uh to me if it doesn't matter where they live, I don't care because I donated my personal money to whoever it goes to. Uh Mayor, you are 100% correct. Um, it's
more exciting to get a book in the mail because some of these parents one don't have the time or the means to go to a library. Uses has a phenomenal library. We have several fantastic libraries in Lake County member member libraries. Um,
the county assist all the member member libraries and you have a great one here in uh city of Houston just doing a phenomenal job for your citizens. But let's think about the citizens who can't make it to
the library itself. Um I think it's important that we get these kids and and um it was mentioned that this is one of the best economic
engines we have and that's 100% true. If we can get kids excited about education, not only will they excel in future growth, but they may start a business here in Lake County and be one of our
economic drivers as we move forward. So, whatever the city of Houston deems appropriate, um I would make it a reoccurring thing. Uh we give grants out all the time. City of Taris gives grants, Lake County gives grants. I'm actually working with the
early learning coalition center to give a massive grant that's going to be reoccurring for this program alone. Uh so anything the city of use can do. Uh I don't know your budget. I know the budget season just got finished.
Congratulations on getting through your budget. Hopefully it was easier than ours. Um, but this is a a great program um that I think every kid needs at least have the opportunity. I did a board
shorts on it um on this program. The I had positive and negative comments. The negative comments were I went to it and my zip code's not recognized. Isn't that a shame?
So, if we can get every zip code in Lake County, whether through government sponsorships or personal sponsorships, I know each of you know people who are willing to give, I don't know,$500 or $1,000.
That goes a long ways in this. So, whatever the city can do, I would appreciate. Whatever you can do personally, I would appreciate. So, and thank you for your time. And thank you for not starting the timer on me. We we know better than that.
>> Do you have any questions for me while I'm here? >> No, none at all. >> I think I think Senator Esus is um doing a good job and um I appreciate the support you all have given me and Lake County and I think that we are starting
on the right track of working together. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. I I know we want to push this down a little bit, but I really would love to see us commit something. >> Even if it's a first step, even if it's a good down payment,
>> call it a down payment. >> Is I guess that puts the pressure on Tom and the budget and and all that. Can we >> can we send her out of here with some commitment? I mean what what it you know I hate to put you on the spot but I
>> I don't want it to I don't I don't >> we don't want to start something we can't we can't go on sorry >> and we have other we also you know we do the other grants and things like that we need to look at the total picture I think >> I'm I'm with George um you know I we say
we're going to talk about it do we come back and do it I'd like to even if it's just for one So, but >> well, I'll make it easy. I You said some commissioners gave some money. How How much did you give?
500. I'd like to match that. I >> For how long? >> Hopefully until I'm no longer here. >> I don't know that I could do that without the wife's permission, but I I I would I will give you a check today.
>> So, thank you. And I know that uh I I did uh the last time and I know the chief at our last meeting he said that that he would he would also donate. So >> I think he already did. He already committed. Yeah. >> Yeah. So
>> Okay. Okay. All right. Thank Thank you. >> We leaving with something. >> Okay. Next up we'll have update from uh Mike Gman. Welcome. >> Thank you. Good evening again. My name is Mike Goldman with Goldman and York
Property Advisors. As you know, uh we provide economic development support alongside your senior staff here in in city hall. And this is the sort of brief monthly update that you asked for. I'm happy to provide. So, uh, if you remember in the, uh, early September
update, I was talking about the generic information package that actually was being wrapped up when I was doing the update in early September. So, that package was put together and basically it's a package that contains much of the information you've already seen in the PowerPoint presentation, sort of the
market opportunity, a lot of demographic and socioeconomic information along with traffic counts and a lot of other information that investors are looking for. Uh the just a reminder that this is a uh process. We're very very early in
the process and the process involves uh getting that package complete uh and then once it's ready to go making personal contact first with people that we think are good candidates uh to look at uh opportunities and uh to do
projects in the market. uh once we've had a conversation with them and that's usually the senior officials, the presidents and so on uh then we'll customize that package that generic package as I called it uh to to cover the specific area of activity. So in other words, if we're talking to someone
who does hotel projects then we'll make sure that the focus of our package that we we're going to send them includes a lot of updated hotel market information. So uh that process is is underway now. Uh again, uh just as a reminder, our f
our focus is on a firm is on firms that have uh a proven track record. Uh they've done projects like this before. Uh financial capability. We know they've got access to capital. Uh current capacity, you know, even the largest
developers have a maximum capacity for the number of projects that they'll take on at any given time. So, uh we want to look for people that are actually looking wrapping up projects and looking for things to do. Uh the process also involves at this stage at least uh focusing on our
focusing our contacting on the larger uh regional and national firms and the reality of doing that is simply that those firms have larger pipelines, greater capacity. Uh they have longer horizons. They'll start working on a project two or three years in advance.
Uh so now's the time to talk to them. And quite frankly, they have more patient money. uh they're usually backed by private equity or some similar uh equity source and uh you know they look farther ahead and they're looking to they understand that the process of developing a project might be starting
today and not getting cash flow for four years or so and they understand that and they they can live with that. So again uh the process that we're doing isn't an email blast. Uh we we've never had any luck with email blasts. the return rate's very very low and often the
return rate is represents people that are we we would call them colloquially I guess tire kickers or people that need you more than you need them. So it's a very targeted uh approach. >> Mike Mike sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you. When is that data going to be done? >> Well the data the generic packages are
all done. >> Uh now what we're doing is we're customizing each one. So, if we're talking to a, as I said, if we're talking to a hotel developer, we customize it with a lot of >> Is it possible for um for us to get a copy of the generic data? >> Sure.
>> Yeah. You've seen a lot of that information already, but we'll give you the >> I would like to just like to have it, you know, all together. >> Yeah, that's fine. Uh so, we have begun discussions uh with about 22 firms as of today. That's the count. uh four or five of those firms so far have said
indicated they're going to pass on it uh or we believe that they really have little to to no interest. Uh we'll continue to have discussions with those uh that we've uh we've contacted and as you might expect I mean you can't be discouraged easily in the business that
we're in. So, a lot of times it takes three or four or five calls before somebody starts to say, "Okay, you know, why don't you send me I looked at the package. Why don't you send me a little more information? Here's some questions and we'll get going on it." So, uh it takes uh a number of calls before we get
uh reaction. And of course, that list is sort of always expanding as we go along as well. The 22 will probably grow, I would guess, to you know, roughly 40 to 50 if if past experiences is any guide. Now the process also involves uh again
as I said you can't get discouraged easily. The first response you often get is kind of negative. That's the nature of the beast. You know the the uh people we contact will tell us well they've you know is it in Orlando? I'd like to be in Orlando. And I have to say no it's not
quite in Orlando. Uh >> so are you sorry once again don't mean to interrupt you. >> That's all right. >> Did you um are you keeping track of that feedback? >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. So you're ahead of me here a little bit. >> I'm sorry. uh the some of the feedback we've had so far and you know again we
don't treat this as negative we treat this as sort of a request for more information uh but you know some people that we've talked to have and I'll go down the list of kind of comments because I thought that would come up uh the market feels a little early you know they they like Orlando they like the
immediate ring of suburbs around Orlando uh 45 minutes from Orlando 40 minutes from Orlando feels a little farther out uh you know the comment we got from one guy said, you know, keep me within 20 to 25 minutes commuting time to the center of Orlando. Uh some have said, you know,
that it feels a little pioneering. Uh that's a common term we hear from people. You know, they don't no one likes to be the first uh in any uh market like that. Uh there's a lot of economic uncertainty out there. We've heard a lot of that talk and that's not specific to our work here in Eustace.
You know, we're working in a little over 40 communities and uh there is just a lot of market uncertainty. Lenders have tightened up rules on big projects. The cost has come down a little bit. You know, you saw a a modest decrease in
interest rates recently. I don't think that really moved the market in our world that much. Uh it's it's better than having it go up, but it hasn't really changed things. there there's still this concern about uh where the economy is headed and I think that's
just going to be with us for a little while. >> But I was looking for specific to >> not specific to Eustace just generally but what happens when you get this kind of market uncertainty and as you've heard me say I've been doing this all my life so I've seen more than a few downturns. Uh what you see is capital
tends to flow uh to the best locations in the strongest markets when things get a little bit uh uncertain. So, we're seeing a little bit of that. Uh, you may have read a little bit about the opportunity zone regulations that recently were, I guess I would call it,
liberalized. Uh, this area is in is in an opportunity zone. Uh, we are in in the right situations. We're talking that up. The big change about opportunity zones is that the you're not facing a deadline. You were facing a deadline before and you know, it just went away.
Uh so that's changed but there are some other things that have changed. There are pros and cons to the opportunity zone uh system but uh you know picking the right opportunities to bring it up and talk about it is uh is the way you sense um tell us a little bit more about
opportunity zone what that means. Yeah, I mean the the it's unfortunate but the the intent of opportunity zones initially it was as it was initially envisioned was to help disadvantaged areas to help spur economic development in disadvantaged
areas. So what happened was some communities applied for opportunity zone status and uh they got it but by doing that you sort of send a message to the market that you are a disadvantaged community. So, you know, we for years
since we the OZ regs came out, uh, one of the things we've struggled with and and not unusual to us, uh, is that if you said it was in an opportunity zone, the immediate assumption was you were talking about a market that was a disadvantaged area. Well, in in reality,
in the process of implementing the OZ regulations, uh, there was a level of, I guess, political involvement at the federal level. And uh we saw uh congressional districts and communities
get designated as Oz because they felt it would take it would give them another tool in their economic development toolbox when in fact they are not disadvantaged communities. So you know it it wasn't it it didn't get implemented the way it should have been implemented. So we find ourselves
and again this isn't strictly uh aust issue any many of the areas that we have done work in that are oz are not disadvantaged areas at all. So you have to be able to frame it and say this is a great opportunity for you. You have to
be able to say that it has all the the demographic and socioeconomic indicators that that that you want as a place to invest money in and it has layered on top of that the the advantage of being in an opportunity zone. So you have to be able to prove to them that with the
data that it isn't a disadvantaged area that you know there's a lot of developers that a lot of investors that will say there are disadvantaged areas. That's not what we do. We don't do you know affordable housing and things like that. you know, we just don't do it. So, we have to be able to counter
uh any push back about why is it an opportunity zone with data that shows that it in fact is a very strong market. >> But then what's the advantage of being in one? >> Uh the advantages are mostly tax advantages uh you know that uh improve
the rate of return for the project basically. >> Okay. Thank you. It's a little lot more detailed than that, but that's >> geographically the opportunity zones are based on census tracks. And so in Eustace, it includes all of downtown, but then it extends east. Uh it goes as
far north as County Road 44. Uh and then uh kind of uh citrus orange would be the southern boundary of our opportunity zone, >> right? >> But there there's no like federal subsidy. It's just tax. >> No, there's no subsidy. It's just it's a
tax basically >> and it is it is a all of the benefits are federal tax benefits. So while we have a local opportunity zone, there are no local incentives as part of that opportunity zone. It's all federal benefits, >> right?
>> So does that help us or not? >> Uh yes, you know, explained properly and and what I would say is that sophisticated developers understand how that program got implemented and they know what happened. So, it's not a surprise, you know, it's not it's not a big lift to be able to say this is one
of those areas that in fact is a pretty good opportunity. It's got a lot of great socioeconomic uh and and uh demographic indicators. It's a good fit for you. Uh but it happens to be designated as an as an OZ, which is an added advantage for some people. So,
it's just important to frame it uh correctly. Uh so, other feedback we've had so far, there are low traffic counts on on Bay and Grove. I mean, the the general rule of thumb for certain types of businesses is 20,000 cars a day and is sort of the
minimum level. We're kind of barely at that on Bay and Grove. If you think of uh 441, 441 runs 50 60,000 cars a day. So, you know, the the the bane of of our existence sometimes is you market a site
in in a market like this and they do their own traffic counts and they say, "Great idea. Put us over here." No, no, we don't want you over here. That's not why I called. I don't want you going to 441. I want you to look at this. But it is what it is. You know, we've just got to make the case for it. Uh, so the
question is, >> Mike, sorry once again. Yeah. So, so how do we how do we combat how do we how do we defend that? What I mean what tools will we have to combat that? >> I mean all you can do is go to the data. These guys are very driven by the market
and uh you've got to explain to them. You know, look at I'll give you a quick example. Uh if you have uh an easy one for everybody to understand probably is uh banks. We do a fair bit of work uh quite a bit of work uh for banks and credit unions that are looking for
markets and you you will find a street like 441 for example or a corridor like 441 where you can look at uh the data around bank deposit volume which is publicly available data uh and you can show uh a banker that in fact 441 is
overbanked. There's too much competition. There's too many places. So the the gap in the market could be here in downtown Houston and you can show that with data, >> but they've all left. >> Yeah, that's right. Well, there's been the the problem with the the banking world. >> Well, no. So, actually, you you brought
up you brought some really good points and things that that that that I've been thinking is like, so we we we identify that they don't want here. So, do we go after developments or or or businesses that don't rely on traffic counts as heavily?
uh you know I think >> and are there any out there that do? >> Yes, there are many out there that that will uh you know the if you're talking to a real estate guy that says uh my quot is I need a project that I can count on being under construction next
year. Uh then he may say he wants to be on 441. If on the other hand he says look I'm I'm full for the next two years or three years he may look at a market like we have in downtown and the the reality is that uh and this is maybe one
of the most important points in the feedback we've had so far. Nobody has said to us it's not a market uh of of the people that have expressed interest. Nobody has said I'm just not going to look at it. And I agree with you that Eustace appears to be all the data you
sent and all the information you've provided, Eustace appears to be in the so-called path of progress. So it's just a matter of timing in a lot of cases. You know, it may be that they would do a location on 441. Let's pick on a bank for an easy example again. They may they
may look at doing a location on 441, but they'll keep a useless the potential for a location in Eustace on the radar screen and we'll continue to talk to them. Or is there are there any development or companies that rely on variable traffic counts because ours go down in the summer, but they really peak
in the winters. >> Well, I mean the the uh we usually use what's referred as a AAD, annual average daily, so it's annualized numbers. Uh but you can you can certainly >> you understand that I'm trying to think out of the box. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Absolutely.
>> Yeah. No, I'm with you. And >> Okay. >> I mean, the the devil's in the details on all this stuff. you you got to be willing to drill down and really look hard at at what drives their business because at at the end of the day that's what we're looking for. We're looking for that hook, that thing that drives their business that will get them
interested and get them having a conversation uh with us. So, as I said a minute ago, you can't be discouraged easily when you do the work we do at the the initial reaction of anybody we talk to is kind of prove it to me. You know, here are my objections to what you're
trying to tell me. And our job as simply stated is to respond to those objections. And as I said earlier, you know, you have to look at those uh objections as really being a request for more information. You know, answer answer the questions I've got for you. And that's our job. So, you know, our
ongoing work is just to continue these contacts. I'm hoping we'll start to be able to do some market tours. I've got two people who have said to me they're they're going to have people representatives in the Orlando region in November. So, I'm going to get them here. I think I've got a good shot of getting them here. And and that's a, you
know, kind of an afternoon or all day driving tour and talking about what's going on and sitting on in a car on the street corners and watching what's happening and and basically telling that story of what the opportunity is uh here in Eustace. So >> Mike,
with your driving tour, what would you show? >> Everything. >> Okay. >> Yeah. You got to go up and down the streets. I mean, it really depends on the individual real estate rep that you're working with. You're going to find some of them who will say, "I want to drive the neighborhoods and see what kind of cars are in the neighborhoods."
That'll tell me a lot. I want to drive the neighborhoods and see what kind of houses and how well they're maintained. That'll tell me a lot. You know, do the do the main commercial corridors. Let's go up and down those a couple of times. Uh we have one guy that we've done a lot of work with, uh a very efficient guy,
and he does everything by helicopter. And the reason he does it by helicopter, it's incredibly efficient. you can cover a tremendous amount of geography, but one of the comments he made to me one time was, I can see the places that have swimming pools, and I like that. That
makes it a lot easier, and I can I can zero in on, you know, the kinds of uh uh socioeconomic uh profiles I'm looking for. So, >> what's the time span that we're looking at as to getting this done, accomplished, or how long is this going
to go? Yeah, it was it was basically 90 days. >> 90 days is what we come back to. Yeah. >> So, >> and at the end of that 90 days, are you going to give us all this data that you're talking about? All the people I'm generic now. >> Sorry. I know. Sorry, George. You're right. >> Either one you want to go. I don't >> No, no. I just >> That's my question. >> I just want
>> Are you going to give us all that data and the contacts who you talk to and and all of that? >> I'll provide them to your staff. Yeah. >> And we are in how many days now from that? >> I think they started in September. sort of 30 days in. >> Yeah. But Mike, you can provide kind of
the general package uh that Vice Mayor Ash >> I'll get you the general. I'll send it over to you tomorrow. >> Okay. >> And with the four or five people who showed no interest, did they say why? >> Oh, well, yes, they did in each case.
And in one case, it was it's too early for me. Uh the other cases is where I've got too many other things I'm looking at. I mean, there's a lot of hot markets out there right now, unfortunately. You know, Nashville is really hot. One of the guys that I talked to said that
their focus right now is Chattanooga. >> Knoxville's really hot, too. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, it's there's a, you know, it's a it's an interesting uh conundrum in some ways because you you get people telling you there's just a lot of market uncertainty and then the next breath
they tell me that, you know, they're really focused on the Charlotte area, >> you know. >> Do you do all phone calls? Do you ever do any um face to face our contacts? >> Uh, a lot of our stuff now is done virtually face to face uh by Teams or Zoom or whatever the platform they use.
Everybody's kind of moved on to that. It's pretty efficient. Used to be years ago, it used to be that everything had to be done in person on site and that was that was hard. That was hard to schedule. I mean, it it would take six months sometimes to get somebody to come out and look at something. Now, I can get somebody on a
team's call in a day or two typically. >> But the goal is to get them here to use this. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Good to see all of you. >> Good stuff. >> Thank you. Uh we're going to take a
three minute huh >> five minute break. >> Be back at 7:05. >> 7:05 Okay, we're back in. Uh, next up we'll have uh audience to be heard. Uh, is there anyone here that would like to
speak on the um on 6.1 item that was removed from the agenda? Uh, please come forward, state your name. Seeing none. Okay. >> Uh Tom, do you have any uh cards? >> Yes, I have a card from Gestner Harris.
>> Miss Gestner. >> My name is Jess Harris and I live in the city of Eustace. My beautiful lady um My coming today is to say thank you. It is to Mr. Sam Brenson. Uh the Golden Seniors, we do bingo every Tuesday out
at uh the garden room. He has renovated the room. It is beautiful. We want to say thank you for that. And he has given us additional time. Last month we had Mr. Pernell Mitchell there and he spoke
to the seniors on wheels, Ladybird and Living Wheels. It was very informative. He offered his services to the seniors and we appreciate him for what he's doing with us. Last week, our oldest
member that come to the Golden Seniors turned 95 and we had over 50 in attendance to celebrate uh Miss Dorothy Ro. Uh we look forward this month to having Chief Swanson speak to us and
we've had someone out from Medicare and over the summer we had a lady that came and spoke with us on health and fitness. So, we're doing good things out there and we just wanted to come and let him know that we appreciate the city and for what he's doing for us out there. And my
mom said with 20 years, she'll be cooking a feast at Christmas. >> All right. >> As uh >> All right. Thank you, Miss Gman. >> As someone that's been spending some time out there, uh I encourage everybody to go look at the at the park and rec center. They they've really done some amazing things
>> um out there. So, >> yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I think we all agree. Okay. All right. Okay. Tom anymore. >> Uh Gary Winheim. >> Okay. >> Good evening. >> My name is Gary Winheim. I'm not a city resident. I'm a retiree of the city
having served with Eustace Police Department. I know each of you up there. Some of you I've known for a long time and each of you knows me. I'm here tonight regarding your chief of police. In June of 2021, I was a captain assigned to the Office of Professional Standards. I received a complaint on a member of the agency alleging the member
had been tipping off drug dealers. The complaint was specific to an individual and I gave the complaint to Chief Capri, whose response was, "We have Serpico working here." I explained to Chief Capri that as an agency, we're required by statute to investigate all complaints and he took the complaint I gave him and said he would take care of it. I
subsequently left the agency the next week for reasons y'all are aware of. So, the agency member named in the complaint has since retired. He went away quietly. I found out in October he's employed with another law enforcement agency. So, on October 16th of 2024, I emailed Chief
Capri and asked for the internal investigation of the complaint I submitted. Chief Capri responded that it was an ongoing investigation and he would send me nothing. Chief Capri's response was contradictory to everything I know and state statute regarding internal investigation. An investigation ongoing for three and a half years made
no sense. On November 5th of 2024, I was waving a candidate sign in front of the community center. Chief Capri drove by me, pointed, laughed at me, and gave me the middle finger. I called him to ask him what he was doing. He responded stating, "I know where to find him if I want to come talk to him like a man." I told him I was waving a sign, and he
could come talk to me, and he did. He had no body cam on, so I recorded the conversation, and he was aware. During that conversation, he brought up the complaint. He stated I gave him a crumbled up piece of paper with some writing on it, denied that I gave him a formal complaint, and didn't recall making the Serpico comment. From the
video, it's clear he contacted the complaintant the day I sent him the email request in October of 24 to cover up the fact that he failed to do his job in 2021. He was able to contact the complaintant from alleged crumpled up piece of paper
given to him three years prior. To be clear, he lied. He changed his story and he had memory issues. It's on video. I later met with Tom, Miranda, and Karen Crouch with HR, and I also brought retired Chief of Police Fred Cobb with me to the meeting. I presented all of
this information to Tom, and I have since asked for any documentation of my complaint at that time on Chief Capri and was told that there is none. When I determined nothing was being done on May 5th of this year, I sent all of you an email with this information and included the email chain documentation.
I've shown you that mere months after Chief Capri started with the city of Eustace, he failed to perform his duties regarding an officer complaint duties defined in both department policy state statute. Years later, when questioned about it, he lied. You are elected by the citizens to guide city staff. And
when you see an employee is not performing their job duties with effectiveness, integrity, or honesty, it's your responsibility to ensure that employee is held accountable through Tom. I'll leave with this. Patterns of behavior will show you who someone is. There are clear patterns of behavior
with Chief Capri, and he's showing you who he is. If you have any questions, you guys have my contact information. Tom has it. I'd be more than willing to have a dialogue. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Nicole Jenkins. Miss Nicole,
>> Mr. Mayor, Commission, um I am not a resident of the city, but I am an employee of the city and I'm not here about any customers tonight. I'm here about my two grandsons who are both autistic. So, I'd like to read to you from the National Autism Association an article
that I felt was really important and eye opening. Since September 1st of this year, at least 10 individuals with autism, including eight children, have died after wandering from safe surroundings. In addition, a young man with autism was
shot by officers after he left an assisted living facility unnoticed, and he called the police for help. In another recent case, a 13-year-old with autism drowned after being deliberately pushed off a pier by two individuals who
knew he could not swim. Earlier this year, we stated, "We must now repeat that every I'm sorry, nearly every one of these deaths and injuries was preventable." The majority stemmed from a lack of awareness, insufficient training, and a critical absence of
support and safeguards for individuals with autism and their families. As it stands, an average of seven children with autism die each and every month in the United States. Unacceptable. This is after leaving a safe place like
a home or a school. My grandson that goes to Eustace Heights last year made it out of the school off school property and ran all the way two city blocks. EPD officer, school resource officer
captured him two houses from Lake Shore. I literally owe that officer, my grandson's life. At the National Autism Association, our mission is to respond to the most urgent issues facing the autism community. This
includes reducing the risk of harm and death related to wandering and alopment, raising awareness of daily fear and isolation of many families, and advoc advocating for safe trauma-informed police interactions during wandering incidents and during
times of crisis. So, we're just not really educated as as a society. And um the chief's going to help me change that. So, we appreciate your support. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Uh any more? >> Um Pam uh said she would like to speak. Pam Rivas, >> Pam, >> good morning. Good evening. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, commissioners. Um I didn't fill out a card because I was coming in late. Um, I
was coming from the UCF um, excellence in in entrepreneurship class and I just wanted to give you guys a little bit of feedback what I saw tonight because it was absolutely amazing. The class is going to help entrepreneurs through the next um, from o through October and
November. But that room was filled with it was outstanding outstanding. The even the director from the UCF incubator said he's never seen so much talent in one room. And I pulled the room then and they're all local. These are all local people. They're tech companies. They're
um startups. I mean, I can't even tell you all the stuff they were doing because some of it's still proprietary, but there's patents already out there. And the experience that was in there was just so encouraging. And the um comment that was made more often more most often
was that they were so glad that they had a place that they could come and get help. And I wanted to thank you guys for making that happen. It was just absolutely incredible. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, >> that's it as far as cards. >> Uh is there anyone else that uh uh would
would like to address the commission? >> Okay, seeing none. Uh next uh next up we have the uh consent agenda. Is there >> Mr. Mayor? I'll make a motion to uh
approve. >> Second. Okay, it's been moved and properly second. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Asbody, >> I. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> I. >> Commissioner Holland, >> hi. >> Mayor Hawkins, >> I Okay.
Okay. Next up, since we've removed that one, other business. Uh, Tom, is that you? >> Yes. >> No, on the discussion on the build build of the launch. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. You're right. You're right. I'm sorry. All right. I have a brief Sorry, let me
get to the mic. I have a very brief presentation for you. Um this is um uh Vice Mayor Ashcraft asked that we take a look at our portfolio of available properties uh
to see if we have any properties that are buildable uh that could be put to uh a higher and better use. a little bit of history. Uh, as you know, we had a program called Mode to Own, uh, which was effective in getting properties out of our maintenance portfolio, but I
think we were disappointed in the results of the program in that they did did not result in construction and with higher taxable values. And so, we discontinued the program and we've kind of been holding on to uh, properties in
our portfolio. Uh that said, we did get the request to take a look and uh I've got uh like I said a very brief presentation. We've got three properties uh that have been identified. So this is Gul Street. Uh this property is um that
is Palmetto Street and Bates Avenue. So just northwest of uh Palmetto and Bates Avenue. um that is um that property is uh 66 foot wide by 132 deep. Uh and so that is
uh developable for a single family home. Uh on uh Daws and Getford Court. Um we have two parcels probably subdividable into three buildable lots. Um, but we have two uh the southern property is 45
by 85 and then the northern is 66 by 85. So you might be able to do a platted 33 foot wide lot uh two of those uh as part of number one. And then uh Pinkney Street um we have a property here uh
this is about 60 foot wide by 170 deep. Um and so those are three um it's four parcels probably could be subdivided into five buildable lots uh that uh we've identified as uh ones that could
be uh developed for single family homes. They are all in the CRA and so we are required for all of them uh to follow 163.380 which is the statute that requires we advertise the opportunity. Uh so we
would have to advertise uh for a minimum of 30 days that these are available. Um, but we wanted to poll the commission uh to see if you are interested in uh making these available for um at least
advertise the opportunity. See what kind of response we get and uh potentially transfer these to uh either nonprofits or uh for-profit developers that would be interested in developing these. >> That's all I have. I think when we
brought this up before and and thank you Gary for for bringing this up. One of the things that that we said was we wanted first time uh look at uh firsttime >> home buyers >> home buyers having the ability to to
start with some equity. Uh so so I like this. Uh, I don't know if there's a way because I I'd rather not see it go into the hands of of someone that's just going to hold it >> and just sit there.
>> Maybe we can put requirements on that, right? >> And that's what I was going to ask. Can we put requirements on? >> Yeah. I know Tom um Tom and I actually talked about that there's >> there's I think there is a way we can save >> if you get it and you don't use it within a certain amount of time and please help me then it would revert it
would revert back to us because you know the mo the mo the own program it it it ended up not really being what we wanted. This is what we want. >> This is what we want. So um you know they're not being used right now. We're maintaining them. They're not getting us any value at all. So, I mean, I think
it's a win-win for everybody that we can we can get someone interested in these lots and, you know, and affordable housing is we we've talked about it before. It's hard to find. So, I think I think this is a good thing for all of us. >> We Something else we can do is uh
163.380 uh offers some flexibility. So, we can define exactly what we're looking for >> uh and only entertain responses that meet the criteria we're looking for. And so in that solicitation, we can say we
want a home built. Uh now, I mean, the mechanism or the or the clawback for how do we get it back if we if the home doesn't we'd have to figure all that out, >> but we can be very specific on what we're looking for as part of the solicitation. >> You know, it it would be great if we
could do something to where, you know, there's a builder that that that has a family uh identified or a family that needs to And you know that's um sorry I'm sorry that's >> is that a habitat that's exactly that's
exactly habitat right there they they have and there is there is someone here from Habitat today too just in case you want to ask any questions but they they have they have families that are waiting right now I mean they they have families in the pip pipeline am I correct >> correct
>> I would want usually open up >> please state your name >> Matt I'm with Habitat for Humanities so Now, we we usually have uh families that apply once we open up a build site. So, we never have a lack of people that are
interested in the process. >> They do have to meet certain criteria. Sometimes it may take them two or three years to get their finances in order in order to be uh a viable candidate, but we always have somebody for the for the properties. And we would be interested
in in partnering with the city. Yeah, you are correct. We do get some parcels from Lake County that have usually like a three-year turnaround on them with the ability to do an extension. So, we we do we are familiar with that kind of stuff. We also partner with Eustace High
School. So, we're always looking for lots to build close to the high school so we can do the youth construction academy. So, we would definitely keep an eye on this and express our interest. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Okay. Well,
my concern would be I definitely would want a family. >> That's what I was going to say. >> Number one. And uh and and I think getting it built as quickly as possible, not two years, three years. And and what I'd like is, you know, Tom said there's five buildable uh you know, it'd be, you
know, great to to have Habitat or whoever not whatever nonprofit have some and then, you know, actually someone alone on their own trying to to get it done. So >> I think that's important. >> Yeah.
>> Where the where the biggest need is where the biggest need makes the best sense. >> Okay. Families with autism like spoke about might be maintain a point system maybe, >> you know. >> So, so you're saying a family who would be willing to work at building their own
home and working at it, >> right? >> And that way they start with their own equity. >> I like that. >> Yeah. I mean, those lots are probably worth >> 25 grand. >> No, no, I don't believe >> I believe 6,000 6 to9 from what I saw. >> Property appraisers market value is in
the $6,000 range, but we know that that's generally a little lower. Okay, I like it. >> If I may just >> Yeah. Yes, ma'am. >> Um about restrictions on the properties, there are certainly ways to do that. Uh we have we can condition a certain
timeline for building. It could remain for instance, if it's going to be an affordable housing program that uh that home if they sell it in the future, it has to go within the parameters of affordable housing. uh we could cap it
at a certain amount of years that um they can't sell it for profit in excess of a certain amount otherwise the city would be able to capture that back. >> Um so there are a lot of of avenues that we can pursue. I don't know if it's best in considering this if you would like to
see kind of what what the options are and build those in before we put out um the advertisement >> just so that you know what you can work with. >> Okay. Yeah, I'd like to see see the options. I agree. >> Okay. All right. Good job. Okay. Okay.
Next up, uh, future agenda items. Um, >> I kind of wanted to talk about, uh, American Blue. >> Okay. Uh, that would be your future agenda item. >> I think she got on agenda right now. All those awards down there.
>> I want to um to definitely thank the commission. Actually, we had a little video and I wanted we were supposed to show it. I think it we forgot about it tonight, but the most important one was the the award that we got for uh vibrancy and I was so surprised to get
it. But I did thank you guys and I still want to thank the commission and everyone here and the city and and um who's just supported us and and as a result you can see the awards that we accumulated and I think we're the city
who got the most awards and um I want to tell you a little bit about the awards. One of them we got was the um Dwight Lund Community Champion Award winner and that I was presented with that award and it recognized an indiv recognizes an individual who exemplifies community
leadership through actions that reflect the American and Bloom American and Bloom mission. The award recipient who must be from a community that has participated or is currently participating in the program will have demonstrated a vision and selfless commitment to moving the community
forward. The award was renamed in 2019 to the Dwight Lun Community Champion Award to honor Dwight's longtime volunteer service to American Bloom and for his tireless support and commitment to communities. And um we also
um got three years in a row recognition for community vitality. We got an outstanding achievement award for community vitality and uh and the championship award. Also, we were quite surprised by this. This is the only
shirt that was ever made. Um, and the gentleman who had it decided that we're the butterfly city. So, he presented it to us and next year we have to find the butterfly city and present the shirt to them. So, we have it for this year and
we have all the awards and please come up and look at them. But, it's just the beginning. there's so much that we can do for our city and um we have a lot of projects going on and we were in um
we were in Rochester, Michigan and I my teammates were amazing, Michelle Saxman, Alice Foreman and Brent Matthews. So we were the team representing Eustus this year and uh we were very fortunate to
have the awards. We got lots of information. The best part about attending that conference is that we learned from other cities. They learned from us and they were very very uh coming to us and want to know how did you do this, how did you do that and
getting ideas and we in turn learn from them. We first go to the city where all of the events and meetings are held. The next the next day on Friday they take us on a tour to a host city and this time we went to Orient Township. I thought
townships were it's a fascinating thought rather than a city but um we got to see all of the things that they have accomplished. They take us on a tour bus and we get to see the things that are possible for us. Um, the one that
impressed me the most was the library and what I saw there and the outdoor seating area. They have you drop your book in and there's a conveyor belt that checks it in and takes it in and dumps it into where it should go. Um, there was some they have a lending where
people can come in and they can borrow a bread maker, they can borrow a a fishing rod, they can they can check all of this out from the library. It was just amazing to see the things that they've done um the artist colony. But I want to tell you about our program now.
We have so many people who are just daily contacting us and wanting to be a part of American Bloom. So therefore, I know that our city is going to be fabulous and the things that we're going to do and we still have in motion. We I didn't know we had so many artistic
people in Eustace and they're all wanting to join forces. So you're going to see murals. you're gonna see all kinds of um beautiful eye catching things that's going on. So, we're very excited about it and we invite your support, your continued
support. Um we're going to have an event with the schools where the kids are going to decorate Christmas trees. We'll have those in here. We have all kinds of when you go to the conference as you come back just filled with stuff you want to do. So, each one of you got your um little
>> hammer here. And that's to tell you that next year we'll be in Washington DC and then we're going to be hosted by Maryland and we're going to eat lots of crabs and this will remind you every time you see it that you're going to support us in what we're trying to do >> and you're going to be in Maryland eating crabs.
>> Yes. >> I'll eat one for you. Thank you. >> All right. Great job. Thanks. >> Oh, wait, wait, wait. >> Go ahead. >> We had an auction. Um I thank you for kind of Susie Clingberg is our local artist and at the um expo
in two days she created this beautiful painting and um so we in partnership with the uh chamber we auctioned it at the chamber breakfast yesterday morning and the highest bidder was Nan Cobb who wants to take it to to Tallahassee. It
was $800. And so the second bidder, we talked to Susie and she agreed to do another painting. So we made $1,600 on that auction and we're very pleased and you're going to see a lot of good things coming out of our committee. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, uh, Mike. >> Sure. Excited about American Bloom and all that it's doing for our city and, uh, you can see changes already. Emily, thank you for for being invested in that so heavily and our city staff. Um, I
have been appointed by the Florida League of Cities to four or five different committees. Um, we have started work already. I've spent some time in Orlando um over the last couple weeks. Uh, working on the legislative session that's upcoming. Um, there are
some things that are going to be coming up that we as a city need to prepare to fight on. um and the league is prepared to fight on. So, we are working on that. As I get more information, I will be bringing that back and letting city staff share that with you as a
commission. Also, I've been appointed to the Federal Strike Commission uh for the Florida League of Cities. So, we will be doing a lot of work in Washington DC this year as well. So, just keeping you up to date on that. Um and I will bring reports back as we get along with that as well.
>> Okay, great. Thanks. >> Okay, George. >> Yeah. Uh this past week as some of you know we were lead had their um annual dinner and and I know the mayor was came thank uh great to see us
represented uh there and uh our city manager was there as well and uh it was a little bit of the mini Eustace is on the move show and uh there is so many things coming and and
evolving. and businesses from international uh landing here. Uh thanks to to the efforts of a a large group of people, a total community, everybody from uh from Brian at the UCF incubator uh all the
way uh all the way down to SBDC and and their they they told me actually that they touched 170% more people so far this year versus last year and they were already in Eustace. So, there is a lot of need for it. They're offering a full
certified public accountant to sit with you for as long as he needs to, gives you homework, and it's all free of charge. Um, the UCF incubator is now also doing a a pre-sitdown chat where they'll sit with you, bring somebody from the community if need be to help
mentor you, and that is free of charge. Outside of that, uh, lead is is working with Jose, if you remember, who came before us to put the the discount dollar store up there that we that uh this was before my time, but that you guys uh
didn't give the zoning change for, which has turned out to be great as he's working to to uh to bring several other businesses, including some manufacturing to his property, and lead has been phenomenal to help us. And I thank you guys who were here before me who who saw that uh saw that ability. So, we've got
some manufacturing coming with some great jobs, higher than the average income in Eustace and and that goes credit to the commission that that uh was here last year. Um, so there's a lot of great things going. I'm thankful for the commission that we have and the
participation that we get from all of you in different ways and and uh it was a proud day um for for Eustace. Uh I thank of course in all clear uh interest my wife Pam who who who drives that and
uh contributes tons of time to it but uh it is truly a community thing and this commission uh has a lot to be proud of and I think and uh Eustus was mentioned more than than any other city uh and I
think we were probably represented more we had the uh city manager, assistant city manager. >> That's right. I'm sorry. I forgot you were there, too. Sorry. I knew you were there. >> There were probably like six or seven of us there. So, yeah, I think it's a good
thing that we were there. And and and I think they see that Eustus is on the move. So, >> we're planting seeds. You know, one of the one of my favorite quotes is, "Blessed is he who plants a seed, whose shade I shall never see." >> And we got a lot to be proud of for
that. everyone up here right down to the city manager, the staff, and everybody. We have a lot to be proud of. >> Great. >> All right, Gary. >> Okay. Well, let me uh let me piggy back off of uh lead. I uh I was trying to get this under a discussion item, but I I
think I sent it too late. So, um I have been working with lead as well, and they they are interested in doing a site readiness study on the property we have out on 44. uh totally paid by them. Nothing nothing nothing needed from us
besides our permission for them to do that site read readiness study to see what it has, what it doesn't have, and what could be attracted to it. So, I'm asking for um for consensus to allow them to do that. No charge does.
>> Could you explain what a little bit more what >> what do you mean that >> say on 4? Yeah, the the parcel we have on 44, I don't how many acres is it? >> 72. >> 72 or so. About half of which is wet, >> right? >> Um Al, do we has there any So, we we are
supportive of that. My question is has anything been done to date to kind of start that process rolling. >> Was there any any data from the movie theater uh due diligence that we could use? But lead is willing to do this free of charge um just to see what that
property really has. >> Understand the last uh guidance we got from the commission uh was that uh you wanted to do um a commission consideration for the future of the property. There had been a discussion
about moving the aquatic center out there, maybe the community center. Yeah, this this is this is no commitment from us to do anything but have them just look at the property and see what it's good at, see what it's not good at, see what would need. Um I mean I see it as a win. I don't I mean
>> Yeah. So I I from a staff perspective, yes. I don't think there's any reason why we wouldn't want >> We don't They're paying They're paying for the whole thing. We get the data and and and we we make no commitment to to anyone besides just having the report to
see if that property is even >> Mhm. >> Well, we can do that. >> Yeah. I mean, could they even put a a movie theater on it? I don't think they could have. I mean, I think it's the reason why he didn't. >> Just to touch on expanding what a site readiness meeting is. They have quite a few of them. They've had them all at the
mega workplace and uh you'll have a representative from Duke, a representative from every aspect of the development side and they'll share everything from capacity. Uh I know the city was was there, Al was there for him as well and they they give a global
pre-step into what that property can offer. >> So that's pretty much where you get capacity, power, water, sewer. uh Greg uh commented about that. So, it's the first preliminary step to see what we got there.
>> And just uh just so you know, as a part of the um strategic site readiness effort, total effort, uh the property, there's an opportunity to market the property through Duke uh and their strategic sites, um website, um to
international and domestic clients all around the country. >> Okay. All right. and lead also puts it out to all of their all their people. Yeah. >> Right. >> So, Vice Mayor Ashcraft, if it's okay with you, I'll have Al work with you to move forward on that. >> Yeah. Just need to contact Mason or Mike
at lead. They uh I spoke to them yesterday about it. They're uh they're excited. They've they've actually had a lot of people ask about the property and they were they were being respectful and not not you know not offering up until they had talked to talk to us and all
they want to do is just see what you know what could be done on the property. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thanks. >> All right. Thank you. >> And then um lastly for me is um do we have an update on the title surge for the community center? >> Uh yes. Um, so we um, well Sasha's been
doing some work on this. Sasha, do you want to give an update? >> Sure. U, we're at a point where we're looking into getting the survey. We requested the, um, scope of work and quote from the city surveyor that we
work with for all of the other um, department um, needs with development services. It came back a bit high. was about 22,22,555 >> to do a survey >> for the scope of work. They're going to need to do a new legal description and
things like that. The scope of work is accurate. We had our um our real estate attorney looked at it. Uh we did feel it was a bit high as well. So, uh we also confirmed with our staff here, uh Mike Berson, Tom had a meeting, uh with him
and to see what they thought of the scope of work. Um, so the idea is to I'm gonna I just got some additional documents to see if our the company we work with uh would reduce that. If not, the recommendation was to
put it out to an RFP just based on the amount that is being charged. >> Yeah. >> And we would need the survey for purposes of a title commitment because of the the how old these deeds are. >> Okay. We have two deeds um that don't
have exact um descriptions. So, they actually have to map out and ensure that it covers the areas that we have and then essentially write up for us a modern description consistent with what we now have in in
the park. So, that's really we're we're obviously not going to shell out money that amount. So, >> I mean, yeah, we're just trying to make sure that we get the best >> Okay. >> best quote for what we need. >> Okay. All right. I'm sorry.
>> I'm just I mean, I'm I'm from the real estate world. I just don't understand why a survey would cost that much. Um, you know, we have a you would as an attorney, you would do the title search, right? >> We did the title search. >> Yeah. and um we were able to pull the
deeds and we were able to look at so we're in a good place as far as having reviewed the um the estate records. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. The the only condition left is a survey because of the fact that we want to make sure there are no gaps in in the title given the differences in the deeds
from the original conveyance back in 1906 to the conveyance that we had in the 24 to the last conveyance to the city which happened in 1959. and then we would need to modernize it to conform to our current, you know, basically the the streets that
we have today. But that can only be done by a licensed surveyor. Uh we've supplied everything. Again, we looked at the scope of work to see if maybe it was too excessive, but um it was already reviewed and that is consistent. So, we even checked with our staff to see where we could reduce it. If we can't come
down um to a number that is a bit more acceptable, then the recommendation from our real estate department was to put it out to an RFP to see if we could get someone that could do the work for less and in a quicker time frame because the time frame that was uh quoted was 7 to
10 business 7 to 10 weeks, sorry. >> So that's where we are. >> Okay. Right. Thank you, Sasha. >> Anything else, Gary? >> Okay, Tom. >> Yeah. Uh a couple of items. some scheduling items. Um I know it's crazy,
but we're looking at December. Um >> it's crazy >> and uh so I have um question for you on December. Um so first meeting in December is uh scheduled for the 4th and
um Commissioner Holland just mentioned uh I think league legislative stuff is happening on the fourth and fifth. So, uh, we and then the second meeting of December is scheduled for the 18th. And my question is, are folks starting to check
out for the holidays by the 18th? So, we were considering consolidating into one meeting, but the date that we're throwing out is the evening of Panther Pride in the Park >> on the 11th. And so, I guess I'm looking for some direction from commission. Do
you want to meet on the 4th? Do you want to meet on the 18th? Uh would you like to try to consolidate to one December meeting? Uh it seems like there's stuff going on uh on both the 4th and the 11th of December and so I don't know what
your thoughts are and and also is the 18th getting too close to the holidays where we're not going to have good attendance and folks have already checked out for the holidays. >> Do we have to do it on a Thursday? >> We don't. Uh we can look at other dates. So yeah, if we can do it on a a date,
especially with enough notice on a date other than that, >> December 9th, >> uh we could do the 9th or 10th. Um 9th is Tuesday. >> Yeah. And historically, we've usually only done one meeting in December anyway. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> Let's do December 9th. >> You want to do the 9th Tuesday?
>> This is not going on on Tuesdays. So >> Okay. >> And Wednesday's a church night for most folks. So >> is that good for you? >> Yes. >> And Wednesday doesn't work for me. >> Okay. it would have to be the 9th. >> Okay. So, uh everybody is available on
Tuesday, December 9th then and that will be our only meeting in December, >> right? >> Uh and then the other item I wanted to ask about scheduling wise uh January 1st uh is the first Thursday of the month and so we are not going to have our
organizational meeting on January 1st. I think you have already agreed to have that meeting on January 8th. My question is the um the second meeting of the month would normally be one week later on the 15th, but there are five
Thursdays in January and so is it acceptable for us to meet on the 2nd and fourth Thursday of the month, >> the 22nd >> 22nd. Uh you would still have a week in between your first meeting in February on the 5th. So,
>> so January, we will meet on January 8th and the 22nd if that is acceptable. >> Good for me. >> Why would he have that on here? >> Uh, January 8th has already been moved. Uh, because we knew we couldn't meet on the 1st, >> but our next meeting would have been a
week later on the 15th. And so, I think what we're asking tonight is, are you okay with the 22nd? >> No, we didn't have any. >> Okay, great. >> All right. So, we will plan to meet January 8th and the 22nd in January. Uh, and then a couple of other items. Um,
the um we um talked a little bit about uh the great things happening at Mega Workplace and the incubator. Uh I want to let the commission know that we are the um I am introducing the folks from UCF on October 14th at the county
commission. uh the county commission uh Lake County has been a great partner uh related to the incubator and mega workplace and so uh I am introducing UCF who will give uh their presentation to the county commission on October 14th.
>> You're not going to FRA conference. >> Um FRA actually starts like later that evening. >> That evening. Okay. >> So, uh my plan is to be at the county commission on the morning of October 14th. um and then uh start heading towards uh
FRA. Um couple other things. Uh on Monday uh September 29th, we had a joint meeting with the county uh and 14 municipalities uh with the county. That is something that we're going to try to do regularly.
The big topic of conversation is something called transfer of development rights or TDRs. uh and they are looking I I won't get into a lot of details but uh my question is would you be interested in having a workshop to discuss TDRs how they work
uh because I think the county will be asking us if we are willing to partner with them on a TDR program. I think it's probably too early to give them a definite yes without knowing more about what TDRs are and how they work. Um,
basically to summarize, uh, you protect certain lands in the county by taking away their development rights, but then you shift those development rights to other areas called receiving areas, and you in effect get to develop more densely in certain areas. The trade-off
being you have protected other areas. Um, there are uh examples around the country and here in Florida. And my question is, do you want to learn more about TDRs? Uh, and then potentially work with the county on that. >> Oh, yeah.
>> Yes. For me. >> Yeah. >> Okay. We will uh we'll schedule something. >> Um, if that's okay, we'll schedule a workshop. >> Um, I wanted to mention uh everybody
>> a date for that. I'm sorry. Did you pick a date for that? We got dates everywhere. >> We don't have a date for a workshop. We'll have to get back to you on that. >> Is that going to happen? What month? >> Uh, I think it should probably happen relatively soon. I don't know if October will work, but we can look at uh October
or November. >> Okay, no problem. >> Um, everybody knows about Senate Bill 180. Uh that was legislation passed by the state, but our legislative delegation did reach out to all the municipalities asking for feedback on uh
what uh can you identify issues with Senate Bill 180 so that our legislative delegation can go back and work on amending that. Uh and so we have prepared uh the the uh city attorney Sasha has prepared uh a letter that we
as staff have reviewed uh that has gone to our local legislative delegation uh as to the uh issues we've identified with Senate Bill 180. Um we are happy to provide you a copy of that if you'd like to see that. Uh we'll get it over to
you. But I wanted to let you know that happened. And again, our legislative delegation has been great understanding that there are issues and I think they want to help us work through those with uh the the state. And then um
Elena, did you want you passed out some stuff about National Night Out? >> Uh the chief's going to come up. >> Okay, great. >> Chief, >> that's it. I'm done. Good evening, uh, Chief Capri, USUS Police Department. We have our national night out on Tuesday, October 7th. This
will be the first one we've done in the city itself at Fen Park from, uh, 5 to 8. We got the fire department partnering with us, our SWAT team, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Mount Dora, Tavaris, Umadilla, they're all together going to work with us. We got games, a DJ, face painting, Kona Ice, uh 25 plus food
vendors, and it'll be a fun night to engage with our community. We do a good job, a great job actually engaging with our community. This is just going to be another part of that. So, we hope to see you all out there. It's going to be a good time. >> Can you tell us what you did yesterday? I don't know if the commission knows
you and Lake County at the uh the rest. >> Oh, yeah. We went out. We got invited to the Bay View um uh I guess it's a assisted living facility >> and they had coffee with the cop there
>> and and it was pretty amazing. I've never been inside the facility but to check it out and see it and uh and the people were really happy we were there. We had and then we we're looking at doing a Christmas party with them in December. Uh >> I had no idea that that was in our backyard and and and and and seeing the
the horrific effects of dementia when you go on the second floor and see some of those patients is sad. So, uh, but they we had a good time. The sheriff's office partnered with us and, uh, it was a great time. We had a good time engaging coffee, donuts. Uh, it was good stuff. >> And, and lastly,
what you did today. >> Yeah, we, uh, today we had, uh, we we we met, me and the mayor met Olympic, you know, I'm doing a lot with the boxing here. Actually, November 1st here at the Eustace High School will be, uh, USA boxing day in Eustace. So, we have, uh, USA boxing, the board is coming in from
Colorado. Wow. And we're going to have probably about three to 400 kids here uh competing in in in tournaments as well as training for the uh referees uh getting certifications done and whatnot. We partnered with the high school. It's going to be a fundraiser for the high
school. They'll get 100% of the of the concessions that are going to be there and that that's a big thing. But also we we've been partnered with uh Amari Jones who is uh an Olympic bronze medalist from the 2024 Olympics. He's out of Orlando and he has a great story of how
he started his career and through school and through education and we've we've had him come to about what four or five schools now speak to the kids and it was very well uh uh received and the program he does was pretty unique as far as uh it's he breaks out and and it's a
question and answer during that and if the kids answer the questions, pay attention, they get prizes. So, it was a it was a good time. I mean, he's he's a good kid, 22 years old and uh uh he's an Olympic medalist right here in our backyard. Not not what he say today one in 10 million >> or something uh people >> crazy
>> get to get to even go to the Olympics and when you think about it on that scale >> uh it's pretty amazing feat and to finish in the bronze >> uh is good he meddled so not too many people can say that so we're doing a lot of stuff with with with the kids in the community working with park and wreck and uh and the fire department everybody
here works very good together we thank you for your continued support uh you guys get the message of uh we got we got to engage our community and and we got to you know that's why we don't have these crime problems like we have in other cities and all this other stuff. It's kind, you know, we embrace our community and we do everything we can
for them. And we're going to continue to do that and move this department uh forward uh as as things get tough around the country. You know, here in Eustace, things are done right. It's a great city. It's a safe city and it's a city that supports law enforcement and and fire department and all the departments
here. So, thank you. >> Thank you, All right. Okay. Madam attorney, you're done. >> Okay. Um, >> before you do, I just want to one more thing remind you guys we printed out a
copy of our evaluation from when the advisor came. So, everybody has a copy. Please look it up. >> Okay. All right. Okay. >> Okay. Um, you know, I um uh
I'm I'm glad I and I actually I had the chief, you know, to talk about some of the things that that we're doing with the kids. I think that we all get it up here. What we do as a commission, uh, is more than just make sure this
building goes here and this goes here and that goes here. Um, at the workshop uh on Monday, Mike alluded to uh the loss of uh someone that I think everyone in this this room cared about.
>> Um, I'm not a big fan of Facebook. Uh, but what I will say is that I didn't see one negative comment about Aaron. >> Not one.
Um, he greeted us, everyone, with a smile. He never had one negative thing to say that I knew. He never met a charity or a cause that he did not like.
As we go through this life, let's think about the good. As we go through this life, let's think about the person next to you. You may not see them tomorrow. As we go through this life, you think
about how you want to be remembered when it's your time to leave. >> Mayor, before you hit the gavl memorial service, November the 1st, Life Point Church, um, cities will be involved with that. Yes,
>> we've asked police and fire to kind of help us out with that as well. So, we'll put more information out as we have more. >> Thank you. Thank you. You know, I'm going to uh leave it with this. You know, we only have one life to live.
Let's love a little bit harder.