Uh please join us for an invocation led by Elder Elijah Perry, the Church of God by faith, and the pledge of allegiance uh led by Commissioner Mike Har. >> Say good evening to uh honorable mayor, to all our city officials to this
waiting for the bow your heads. Let's pray. Father, oh Lord our God, again our creator and our maker, the lover of all mankind, we come humbly today, tonight before our throne of mercy. We come in
the name of your precious son Jesus always to give you thanks and give your praise and glory and honor. We thank you Lord for allowing us to be assembled together and Lord that we come tonight oh God that we attend our city business.
Father, we pray now that you look on all our city offices. We pray, Father, that you will continue to give them strength and give them power to lead this fair city in the way that should come. Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, realize that we're living in dangerous
times. Sometimes when danger is all around, but we realize that you is our protector. You is our guide. We pray that you continue to bless us according to thy rich and glory. Father, we pray that you look on the president of the United States. Father, we pray in the
mighty name of Jesus that you continue to, oh God, give him knowledge and understanding. Help him to seek you, Lord, in making every decision. Rely, oh God, all our help coming from thee. I heard David say, I
lift my eyes unto the heels from which coming my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made the heaven and earth. Bless us now according to your rich and glory. We be careful to give you the praise, glory, and all the honor. In Jesus name we pray and amen.
>> Thank you. >> Please join me in the pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Elder Perry. Uh, next up, uh, Christine is do we have a quorum and proper notice been given? >> Yes, Mayor Hopkins. >> Okay, Tom, agenda updates. >> Nothing, sir. >> Okay. Uh, next, uh, commissions, we have
approval of minutes for October 2nd, 2025, uh, city commission meeting. >> Move approval. >> Second. >> It's been, uh, moved and properly. Second. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Holland, >> hi. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner [clears throat] Asbat, >> I. >> Vice Mayor Ashgra, >> I.
>> Mayor Hawkins, >> I. >> Okay. Next up, uh, we come up to audience to be heard. Uh, please, if if you'd like to address the commission, uh, and you haven't filled out a card, the cards are to our left, uh, next to
the door. Uh if when you come up uh 3 minutes the clock will start once you uh you begin speaking and at three mi 3 minutes it'll be time to say adios. Okay. Uh Tom you have any cards?
>> Uh yes. Cindy Newton. >> Good evening Cindy. >> Good evening. Cindy Newton, unincorporated Eustace. And I would like to talk about uh resolution number 258,
the temporary under fund receivable from the general fund to the state forer fund. Um I'm hoping that'll be pulled for discussion so that we can get some clarification on
what happened. Uh in the staff report it states that the deficit's due to timing of anticip anticipated for foreure revenue deposits and I'm wondering if that's accurate and the time frame for
the general fund to be reimbursed and there's a lot of information floating around about this and I just would like clarification. >> Okay. Thank you. S >> thank you. Uh, I have a card from Daniel Danzo.
>> Welcome, Mr. Daniel. >> Greetings to all. Daniel Dvenanzo, local businessman here. Uh, of course, there's a lot of good things going on and a lot of things that we'd like to have addressed. I do talk to a number of the merchants merchants regularly today. Um,
I would I would hope that we could address something I've I've approached you with twice before, and that is the storm water at George [cough] Storm's uh Bay Pharmacy. And now, I understand we had an exceptional amount of rain, but
even in the regular rains, and I've collected pictures, he still has standing water adjacent to the side entrance to his building, which is where a lot of people park. They are also a place where people will pull over to get um they can't don't have the ability to
come in. So, they will actually uh take the the uh prescriptions out to their vehicle. Uh there's still a significant problem there. And I think we're all pretty aware of it. And I don't I don't know if it's just we're hands off because the state has the highway and
then the county has the highway and so we're just going to let it put up with it and continue to let it collect water. And in this in this last rain, I'll tell you what happened. The 19 inches um I have a storm water collector behind my uh property where Counter Impressions is right there at the corner of Bay and
Lake Shore. [clears throat] It had four construction cones around it. There was so much water the cones started to float. Two of them inserted into the other and then the water moved them into the receptor and blocked the hole. So, a receptor that was this big round went to
this size and I couldn't get I can't get them out. They're still there. And I I called and I said, "Hey, I've got pictures that I still got two [clears throat] cones stuck in that receptor. I could not pull them out myself." And uh you know, that's what happens when you get older. And so, that needs to be addressed. But
the water I want to tell you how bad the water is. The water was so deep it actually flowed into that building. It flowed into the building. So I think that whole intersection down there because of the hills that we have coming down from Orange Avenue and then uh the
next block whether this it's the state responsibilities or the county I think we should maybe assign somebody to see really what is a resolution. I think it it really needs to be addressed with what is the resolution and then we could
talk about how are we going to pay for it because there has to be a resolution. We just can't have I'll tell you what I'm afraid of. That intersection is going to have so much water in it. Somebody's going to come down the hill. They're gonna there are cars in a hydroplane [clears throat] and it's going to hit my building.
So, I don't want that to happen. But it is it really is a genuine safety concern there. And also pedestrians. And then that I wanted to close with this today. Um, so, uh, I don't know if you know this, but I paid a significant amount of sales tax and also property tax and also
utility fees at the Lake Waterfront Grill last year and the year before. And it would be nice if we could coordinate a sidewalk to join the intersection down along Lake Shore. >> Times up. >> I got you. >> Thank you, [clears throat]
>> Tom. you take notes on the uh >> uh yes uh we have some things working as far as storm water um uh but yes I took some notes and uh we'll work on it. >> Thank you. You have any other cards? >> Uh that's it as far as cards. We do have
a card for at the time of the item. >> Is there anyone else that would like to speak on something that's not on the agenda? >> Okay, seeing none. [clears throat] Okay, next we move on to the consent agenda. Are there any items anyone would want would like pull?
>> I'd like to pull 4.2 4.3 4.4 2 3 4 >> the budget related stuff. >> Okay. I mean, my my first my first concern is it's just [clears throat] impossible to get our arms around all
that information and all that numbers in a short period of time. But I have some that's it's just a tremendous amount of information for at least for me and uh I think we need some detail
um explanation and walking through that process especially for a new guy. Um and uh I I can't get my arms around it yet. didn't have enough time to be able to get the questions, get with uh finance
and do all of that, getting it uh when it is. So, um I had a thought. I don't know what you guys think about it, but I I was hoping we would get some detailed explanation. I'd like to see copies of the POS. Uh I don't know if
you guys are open to considering when we do the next workshop for the downtown that we maybe add uh half an hour at the end or an hour to discuss and get an understanding of this so that we can move through the budget year a little
bit more transparent. >> Is it just to get an explanation of how the POS work? >> No, it's just a global thing on how we're doing this. Why are we why are we, you know, uh over so much? Uh, I mean, I could go through the stuff if you want to now, but I don't think you really
>> Yeah. >> want want to, but I'd be I'm open I'm ready to do it if you want to. But, uh, just to just to help help us understand how we're 11.8 million moving moving, you know, over and things like that. Just a little bit of education, I guess,
as well. >> What are we doing wrong? What are we not doing wrong? What are we [clears throat] doing right? And how do we uh, you know, look at those options? I think they're big. They're big decision makers for a commission. >> Hold on. >> That public safety and and and uh
>> we've had the request to pull these three items. That was 4.2, 4.3, 4.4. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And since we've had a request for 4.5, let's pull it and have an explanation. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So then what's left on the consent will be 4.1? >> Yeah.
>> So want to vote? >> Yep. Yeah. So move on 4.1 if you'd like. >> Second. >> Okay. It's been moved and properly second for approval of 4.1. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Holland, >> I.
>> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Asbody, >> I. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> I. >> Mayor Hawkins, >> I. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh, >> I'll go ahead and start with the uh items we pulled from consent before we proceed. First item is resolution number
25-92, a resolution by the city commission of the city of Eustace Lake County, Florida, amending the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 and ending September 30, 2026 for the general sales tax, community redevelopment, water, sewer, water,
sewer, RNR, storm water, water impact fees, and sewer impact fees funds. and by adjusting expenditures, repealing all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflicts you're with, and providing for an effective date. Uh, Miss Carr,
>> do you think uh we can entertain I don't know how the commission feels if we entertain sticking that at uh at the end of that workshop. Uh I think I need to see some of those POS. I want to see
this. It goes beyond what Lori can probably give us right [clears throat] now. The end of which >> the workshop we're doing the next one I think the Dr. Levy one the only one we got. >> Okay. >> I mean I I didn't agree with him. It's uh it's over 11 million.
>> Yeah. I think we we've talked about it before. >> Emily, >> I think if there's some questions about it, then it should be addressed. if people have concerns about it. I [clears throat]
um did get a chance to talk to Miranda and to Tom this afternoon about it, but [clears throat] I'm not sure that everybody else has had that opportunity. >> Okay, let's see what what Lori has to say. >> Uh the purchase orders are for um there
are >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> I thought I think we had a consensus to do that. Well, let's hear what she has to say because she may answer some of the questions. >> And it's not saying we won't do it, but let's hear what she has to say.
>> The first resolution is for the existing purchase orders where the projects are not completed for whatever reason. They could be multi-year product projects. They could have got um started a little bit later than anticipated. But those are already commitments that we have
based on our purchase orders. And all that would do is carry those purchase orders over from one year into the next so that we can continue to pay our vendors and have the funding for that. And and that's the explanation of uh 2592.
>> Okay. So I I guess I would ask um if you we can provide uh all of those uh purchase orders for your review. I will I mean it's potentially um a lot of information um but we're
happy to provide individual purchase orders if that's what you'd like to see or or would you like to review these determine which ones you'd like to see and then give us a list uh as opposed to us pulling all of them. Um but um I if
you give us some feedback we'll we'll >> Yeah. Is there is there is there a way we could get a breakdown for all the [clears throat and cough] for the funds and what projects they're being they're being linked to and >> wasn't that attached? >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. There's one by general ledger um account number that was attached to it. So my questions go into the procedural part as as a city some of them and their age um
you know were were any of the POS canled uh if they weren't um do we look at them and see if the direction of our city as we're changing and and other capital expenses might be coming up uh that we adjust uh to fit the time
because time has elapsed uh as much as 24 months old. Um, and I think that's a perfect time to revisit some of them all and make sure that we're we're continuing to drive the city in a direction that the majority of us feel
uh capital expenses should go because that's a seems to be a changing thing. So, it it's it's uh it's more lengthy and it's more procedural and it's more understanding and and um revalidating, I guess, could be another word, especially with the
downtown development infrastructure issues, the flood new issue. Um >> is is your your your request to get in the weeds or just have a better bird's eye view? Not sure what get in the weeds means to
you, but uh I'm not looking to turn it into a day project. >> Just need to want to go through those make sure that we as elected officials are putting the money where we still want it to be and if we want some of these things changed in priority
>> and where they are in a priority list and what the priorities should be going [clears throat] forward. We're in a very evolving time. Okay, >> Mike, >> I've read the report. I And I'm one of
the rare a few of us have been here long enough that we we've been able to read these things. We know what we're looking at. I understand the need to try to understand it better. I would mo I would move to go ahead and and and vote on this. But if if we need understanding,
my concern is are we going to slow down something that's already in the process? Are we going to stop projects because the vendors can't be paid? >> Some of them are 24 months old. So yeah, I think a couple weeks is not going to kill anybody. If it if if it's going to slow down everything, why did we wait 24
months on some of them? Then then I would I'd like an explanation to explore each one of those and look at them. That that doesn't make sense to me. >> I don't think that that we waited 24 months. I think it it may have started 24 months ago and it's still ongoing.
>> Mr. Mayor, Rick, I think some of these projects are under Rick, so I think if he could maybe give an explanation on some of that. >> Thanks, Lord. Stay close. >> Hi, Rick. Just some concerns that I have as far as
looking down the list. um one for a construction job, the 44 bypass. We b that out working on it. We encumber the full amount of funds. The work is not complete because October
one doesn't automatically mean that we're going to finish construction. So those remaining funds have to be rolled over. The contractors under contract [clears throat] right now to commission we approve. And this is just one case. $381,000
remaining to get rolled over. The work is completed. If we don't roll this over, >> I can't pay my contractors. >> I mean, that's a great that's a great example, but that doesn't represent the whole 11 million and tilt the whole scale moving in one direction. What I'll do is spike Rick. So, I I think
transparency and I think understanding it and potentially adjusting is our job as a commission. I can't I can't uh uh take a shift of 11.8 million and and just say okay on a consent agenda. First of all, I don't think it ever should
have been on a consent agenda. But thank you. I will and maybe I can make the distinction between the two resolutions. The first resolution is for items where we have issued purchase orders and they are active projects. The second
resolution which is the larger amount is projects where we have not issued uh purchase requisitions or purchase orders. And so I don't know if you feel if if maybe there's there is a distinction between the two. The process is different for the two. And so I don't
know if you feel comfortable moving forward with the first resolution that involves projects where purchase orders have been issued and are actively going on versus the second resolution which is carryover of projects that we intend to do but don't have obligations or
purchase orders. So I don't I don't know if you see a distinction there where we can move forward with the first >> I do see that difference >> and I and I >> that's not really the the gest of my issue. So, if you're saying, "Would I be okay with 4.2 based on that?" I I I
would probably say yes. >> And And what's the what's the difference? Sorry, I I What's it What's the amount difference between 4.2 and 4.3? >> How much is in 4.2? >> How much is in 4? >> Yeah, I couldn't pull that up. >> Um um one uh the purchase orders is 2.3
million and then the unencumbered funds and those are commitments that we we do have to pay. um than the ones that we have not yet started and issued for is 11.5 million. >> Yeah. So 4.2 is um
>> 2.338 million and then um [clears throat] >> so I'm okay I'm just one but I'm okay with u moving that one so these guys can keep paying what they've already okayed >> what's already in process. >> 4.2 That would be 4.2.
>> Mr. Mayor, I move second. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Because we pulled from consent. >> Okay. >> Um and I read the title, we need to allow for uh public input. If there are no more questions from commission, >> is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak on this matter? >> Hear none.
>> Seeing none, I'll close public input. >> I move approval of resolution 25-92. >> Seconded. >> It's been moved and properly second. Roll call, please. [clears throat] >> Commissioner Holland, >> I. Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Ozbody, >> hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> hi. >> Mayor Hawkins,
>> hi. >> Um, so as far as resolution number 25-93, which is item 4.3, um, I'll read the title and then you can discuss if you want to table this item. A resolution by the city commission of the city of Eustace Lake County, Florida, amending the budget of the
fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 and ending September 30, 2026 for the general sales tax, street improvement, parks impact fees, cemetery trust, storm water economic development grants, community redevelopment, water sewer
utility, RNR and grants, water impact and sewer impact fees funds, and by adjusting expenditures, repealing all resolutions or parts of resolution. and conflicts here with and providing for an effective date. Did you want to hear from Miss Car or
please >> these are the projects that have been identified that we do have funding for that we are going to do at some point. Um and we just have not gotten the purchase orders issued for whatever reason. Mostly we're probably still in
negotiations with some of these or um like Koolage we don't have signed contracts yet I don't think but we know we need that money and if we don't have it we will not be able to sign those contracts um without the funds all of these projects would be on hold at this
point because we don't have budget dollars for them and this this is just the process to move it those dollars from one year to the next. How long does it typically take us uh to to to get get a PO through?
>> It depends on the project. >> Yeah, it really depends. Re could probably answer better on projects whereas a regular purchase that's not very long at all. >> But go with getting a PO, you have to do
it. It goes through the process of if I'm not mistaken, you have to bid it out. Correct. >> For project. Yes. >> Yeah. for projects bid it out and then the step after that Rick can you come up for a minute >> okay we bid it out okay and then what
what comes after that step >> okay so as we go through the will >> I'll use the cemetery for example >> so we've been working on cemetery we get the design done um we went through we bidded out we started the bid process I
think August August, September, we went out for bid, got the bids back. I brought to you in the first meeting of October the contract, the low contract that was recommended for approval.
I had a pre-construction meeting to get the contractor started there ready. We had to cancel it because it was funded last year. That money has not been rolled over. Had we got the bids back say the last week
of September, we could have executed the contract. >> Now I'm in hold waiting for the rollovers. So I am at the point where my bid is starting to sunset. We hold it for 45 days. We're close. That's why I wanted
to get the pre-construction meeting going. I have it rescheduled for the ETH because we're putting this in. So every job is different. The coolage we've been working for a long time and some of that we've rolled over twice
because the it has expanded so much um where you know we have 8.8 million budgeted the majority of that is all in rollovers because it was going to be prior year. >> Now when it sunsets that means you have to go out and bid it process again.
Yeah. They only hold it for a certain period of time. >> Okay. And then the the possibility of the price going up, >> the cost going up. >> I mean, I guess it could go down as well, but basically you scrap your
seen that, but you at that point. >> Okay. >> And did and did the budget we just approved include these numbers from carryover? >> It's a completely separate process. >> And when we go through the budget
process, we don't budget for the funds that we know we're going to need if we have them already because this is the mechanism to move those funds and not have to budget them twice. >> Okay? >> Because theoretically we could let all of these laps but then we would have had
to have budgeted them in the current year. >> Okay. Waiting. Why are we Why do we wait till it's so crucial that it's going to hurt us potentially? We don't know. But we're
held hostage to a PO and budget was done. We had budget meetings forever. So I think we need to look at these. I think you pulled the commission mayor and you had three people. We're still going on. Uh I I ask that we that we
take an hour at uh the end of the uh workshop and let us go through the detail ahead of time and hopefully make it quick. And and if I may just interject for a moment, the numbers, we can't come up with them any earlier
because we don't know what is still out there as far as available funds and what invoices we still have to pay. >> So you got these numbers Friday. >> I got them after October 30th 31st and we did all of our year-end invoices. That's when everything was cut off.
>> So then we should have got them October 31st. Not. Yeah, I I mean I agree with with the commissioner's body because of the amount. I think we need a second look. I think we need I think we need to look at these these amounts and see see what we
really want to get done because of everything that's going on with Tallahassee right now and property taxes. We need we need to look at everything. So, I think it I think it deserves a second look. I really do. and prioritize and and see if there's anything that we didn't realize that we need to change because the changing
times that have occurred. >> I this property tax thing is huge huge. >> I think that we um and and this is where I sit uh I think that we we have the people doing stuff that
we don't know. Um, and when I say that, I mean she lives and breathes this stuff. Uh, Rick lives and breathes this stuff. They know what's going on in our city. Uh,
we're supposed to be big picture guiding and I think we're spending we're going to be spending a lot of time uh and slowing down. I think that's the problem that we run into with our downtown. Uh,
we try and and nitpick and and and in some cases it's good, but we try and and nitpick and and we try to become the professionals and it slows us down because we ask them, they respond. We come back with 10 other questions, they
respond 10 times. So, I I think we need to be real careful uh about what we're doing. and and I understand your concern. Um, but I don't like the fact that now we're going to put it on hold and we have projects that
are out there. >> We're not going to put it on hold. We're going to keep working on it through the time between now and then. I'm going to get some information hopefully from Tom who was very willing to help. We have projects. >> Yeah. Now, this isn't any projects that are in the process. We already approved
those. >> These are ones to look at. Let's see where we're at. It's our responsibility. one of the three main things that we do. It's $11 million. I don't know if any constituents want us to just consent over continuation of $11 million without looking at it and looking at the detail.
>> Was any of this stuff uh uh when we did our budget uh did our budget workshops? Was any of this brought up? It was brought up in the sense that when we did the uh fiveyear CIP, if it was a current year, meaning last year project, it was
shown, but it wasn't necessarily discussed at length because this is >> this is the typical process that we use. >> We weren't aware that it was going to uh expire back then. Otherwise, that's a perfect time. You're right. So, going forward this year, we need to talk about
those when they come up during budgeting time. This one's not going to make it. What do you want to do? Leah Tom. >> Well, I was just going to say that every one of these would have been approved as part of a budget. That may have been three years ago. It may have been two years ago. It may have been this year. >> Uh, but every one of these would have
been approved as part of a budget. Like for Coolage, for example. I mean, that's been a project three years in the making. And so that's that has been approved during a budget process, maybe not this past budget process. >> Yeah.
>> So, we're essentially will end up looking over the work of previous commissions >> doing twice the work. >> Well, I I mean I I get that priorities change over time. Um so, but yeah, I mean this everything on this list would
have been approved by commission at some point. >> So, what we're saying if we don't is that we're not going to look at what we're approving for $11 million to recheck before we go. We're just going to blanket it and go. and our responsibility as commissioners to watch
the budget as one of the top three things we're going to let go. No, we we need to look at it, sir. All due respect, and I think you had a majority um and continue to go on it, but I'm okay. >> Did we did we have a majority?
>> Did is this the one that has the general fund sales tax fund? That's $11 million. >> The total >> The total is 11 million across all funds. >> Okay. then clarify what for instance sales tax fund
what what will that do what is it about and what would he want to see that's different from what's on here >> well I can so sales tax fund is the the 10 fund it's the funds where we participate with the county and the other municipalities
and we uh divide up the uh sales tax revenue from the county um and So just looking at the list, uh there are 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 nine about 20 projects. Uh and
that totals 5.9 million. Um and so if you were to if you were to say let's not do a project on this list, that money would stay in the sales tax fund and be available for other sales tax fund projects. So if we have something else
that's more important that's shifted that we've picked up on be it for example flooding be all of these we can adjust them. It's kind of like driving down the road and you're on cruise control and every once in a while you want to adjust. Not doing that in my opinion would be not the right not the
right way to do. So we need to be very much aware of where our money's going and be responsible for it and adjust. >> Do they all have something being done underneath them are in process. >> So I would say every project on this
list um the um so staff spent some time going through this list and everything on this list um based on commission direction we are moving forward with. So uh if there were projects that we felt the commission did not want to move
forward or had kind of fallen off the list those are not on this list. So this only includes projects that staff reviewed and said we believe it's the will of the commission to move forward with these projects. >> But none of these have been started and
none of them have been directed to go started. Well, >> I can't believe we've turned up 30 minutes of what it probably could have taken us to do this going if when we have the documents to be responsible over 11 million. Maybe I'm just
maybe that's just a lot of money to me. But that's we can never go wrong in being responsible. And I I'm sorry to people sitting out there that we're taking 30 minutes to argue about whether we should look at what we're spending with taxpayer money. >> Continue. Tom, what were you saying?
>> Well, I I would say it depends on your definition of started. So again, Coolage as an example, we have done a lot of design and engineering. So we have started coolage. But when you look at this list, there's >> which one does coolage fall under then? So coolage comes from several funds
because it's a road project, it's a water project, it's a wastewater project and so it has come from several funds. So but what you're seeing in this rollover are the construction funds and so there are projects that we have done
something related to the project design engineering uh and now it's time to do construction and what you're seeing is the construction component. Um, but it's something if it's on this list, we have not issued a PO for it. >> So, will two or three weeks cost us
anything? >> Uh, I I would defer to Rick on some of these coolage. We are we're in the thick of it on Coolage. Um, >> and as Rick said, the cemetery as well will have to go back out to bid >> there. There are some of these that sure
we could wait three weeks. >> Can you tell us which ones are not going to end the bid? There's 63 projects on the list. >> Give them to us now, I guess. >> No. Okay. >> Um Okay. What do you decide, Mike? >> You're just pulling the commissioner
because I do have to open it up again. >> Yeah. I don't know what everyone said. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh is there anyone out there would like to um speak on this matter? >> Okay. >> Hearing none. >> Hear none. >> I'm ready to move forward.
>> Second look. >> Second look. Second look, Emily. >> I I think if there's some questions, then if everybody isn't clear on it, then we probably do need to satisfy them, too. >> So, we can set this up for
uh >> we don't have to wait till then, right? >> We could we could do December 9th or December 12th. Um I guess my question would be if you have questions on specific projects, please let us know. If you'd like us to present on all 63,
let us know that. >> Okay. So, let's do it after Dr. Levy. >> I think I'd be the best. >> That way, we're already all together. So, set it up for >> that. That's fine. But the we can't approve anything at that meeting because it's a workshop.
>> Probably should do it on [clears throat] the night >> and so it won't it'll have to go >> consensus. It gives us more time to review 60ome items. >> We can't vote on it with after that. >> Yeah. But we can discuss it. Yeah, >> it just has to be >> what they need to do.
>> It would have to be advertised. Whatever the decision >> advertised it, we could we could vote on it, couldn't we? >> You'd have to hold a special uh special meeting >> in order for you to vote because right now we just have December 9th. >> The next meeting is scheduled until
January. And by then, I don't know if any of these u POS that may have been or expired. I think Rick was talking about that earlier. might go down, he said, too. That'd be great. >> So, if if we do if we do the 9th, then
um >> we don't vote on it until January. >> If we do the 12th, >> we can do the 9th. >> We can vote on it on the 9th. >> We can vote on it at commission on the 9th or we can have a special city commission meeting following the
workshop on the 12th. >> Otherwise, it would have to wait until January. >> I think the 9th. >> Yeah. I think the ninth. Okay. >> Yeah. Let's >> check with Dr. Ley to make sure. But we don't need him. >> When he's done, he can go. Yeah. >> So, okay. >> Well, >> the 9th is commission meeting is
commission >> and I will be here for that. Not I will not be here on the 12th. So, there there will not be >> Yeah. The n >> an opportunity to have counsel. >> You good with that? >> For that? >> I'm sorry. There's been a lot of back and forth when >> you good with the 9th. >> Is that Does that give you enough time to get everything together by the night?
I'm not sure exactly specifically what it is that is being requested >> because you've already given us >> everything. Okay. The ninth. >> I'm I'm I'm good with the night. >> Let's go with the ninth. >> Now, Tom, my suggestion if I know we have an LPA pro uh for that day, can we
move up maybe a 5:00 start to answer the questions and then related to this if we're going to need more than your typical resolution time? >> Whatever works for commission is fine. Could I make a suggestion, please?
>> Could we approve the ones that Rick really needs to be have approved that we're going to lose contracts and have to rebid on? >> Because >> does that have to be done tonight or can you wait? Could that wait till the 9th? >> And I I would need clarification so the
commission's informed. That way we know how to move forward because what's going to happen is I need to there's gonna have to be a motion to table this item for for another meeting so procedurally. So I just want to know >> right I mean everything can wait. It's a matter of how long do we want it to wait
because if we wait we can rebid and that's fine. >> We're talking about the nth now Rick till the 9th. >> See I I don't know each of our contracts depending on the complexity is the amount of time that we hold. Um the library we to hold the price for 90
days. The cemetery was 45. I need to check the cemetery will expire. Um and we rebid it. I mean, if that's what we need to do, we rebage. We're running up on some grants
that have stipulations. We have four potentially five different grants on onage. We need to get grants extension. So everything can be slowed down.
It's a matter of what do we want to do and where it I mean I I can't move forward. I've cancelled the pre-construction meeting already. We've got it rescheduled. I'll cancel that and we'll just reit. So it's it's I I don't
I don't know the answer you're looking for. Everything can wait. I It's just not a matter of being able to pull the trigger on the 9th because we vote on it then. Some of the jobs I won't be able to issue the next day
but we can rebid. I can get started and we can reit and that's >> Thank you. Are there are there any of these that's immediate that we don't need to we need to fix and approve or do
whatever. I don't want to see them have to um rebid and prolong the time and go through all that again. You know, if there are some that we could just move along tonight because of the urgency of it all because of what's um needs to be
done and then Is that the rest of them? Is that possible? >> There's 60 of them. >> Would it be possible, Rick? I don't know if you or someone from the team if we could um kind of table this for right now and proceed with the agenda. Give them an opportunity to look over the
list and see if there are those urgent ones that um Commissioner Lee is discussing to bring back. That way you guys can decide, you know, these can move forward and then the rest get pulled for another meeting.
if we're if you're interested in knowing the the expiration date. Otherwise, >> I think you know if if we want to keep if we want to keep government moving, we probably need to do that. Look into that. Rick, uh will it take you long to go
through that? Do a quick look through? >> No, I need to discuss. >> Do that after. >> Okay. All right. Thanks. >> Is that all right with the commission to just give him an opportunity? >> No, I think we have a Uh, we had a a move up twice. We pulled the commission.
Twice we went to table it till then and we're still going on. I don't think that's procedurally right at all. >> Wait a minute. Wait a minute. We were just talking about there things that we want to make sure they don't sunset. We want to keep things moving and he has told you he's he's explained to us that
if we don't do certain things >> um >> it could be less later. >> Yeah. But you know it won't be >> well procedurally responsibility to look to look at this stuff. >> We have a that's our that's part of our key thing. >> It's not our fault as a commission that
it's coming to us in the last minute in the last second. Do it now or all these terrible things are going to happen or it could be less. That's not financial >> responsible. What were you going to say, Sash? Yes, I was going to clarify for Commissioner Asbody that procedurally
just stating um your position that you would want to have this discussed later isn't sufficient. This is discussion. There has to be a motion made in order for an action to be taken and Commissioner Lee has asked if there's some information
that could be used today for to facilitate your decision. that any time we go back and look at any meeting we've done where you've pulled and we agreed and we moved on, if no motion was made and followed through you, we acted incorrectly. >> If it's related to other business, it's
different, but there has to be a motion on the table for there to be >> 11 million of taxpayers money. We've already burned up how much time it would take to do it on the 9th or the or the following. And for some reason, >> we don't want to be accountable. Um,
that's not what's happening here. >> That's the perception though. >> Commissioner Lee asked a question about Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Commissioner Lee asked a question about which items would be suns setting and if these were critical and we asked if if this is something we could pull together
for you today so that you can then make that decision. It's just providing information for you to do that. you could still end up choosing not to move forward tonight, but there I believe that that was a a request of information that was made.
>> Okay. >> The project to me that that that really concerns me and it's believe it or not it's not the cemetery, it's the coolage project because the Coolage project is wrapped in state money. It's wrapped in county money. It's wrapped in different
type of grants. If we drag our feet, if we show any hesitation right now on that project, we are going to lose state funding and county funding on that. >> That's the one that scares me. And we have already invested a lot of time and
a lot of taxpayer money on that project. So just be careful with what you do on that. That's my hesitation to this. >> That's good input. I am I am f cemetery project. >> I I want it done, but I'm not willing to
die on that sword. >> What I want to do is make sure that coolage is finished because I sure don't want that redheaded commissioner back in my face or the representative back in my face tomorrow morning if we vote something. Can we can we make a motion
to table this except for the coolage >> if that's the is going to come back with the information as to any other ones that involve >> without having to send him to do anything. Can I Is it valid to make a motion? I'd like to make a motion to table this except for the Coolage
property. >> They were all >> you would want to modify it just to approve Coolage essentially is what you're saying. >> You can say it that way. And if there are other ones that are tied to grants, that's the other component because >> just coolage >> the other but I'm talking about with the grants just you need to be informed
because if if those those are state funds they're not our funds and I'm unclear if any of the other projects have um are there any other projects that have state funds or other grants that have been allocated? >> I truthfully don't see
>> I can't think >> what efforts to just move this to the back end of this meeting. let Rick bring something back to us and then make a hard decision. I >> And right now, right now, I'm fine with what you're saying, >> but let's see what Rick has to say.
Let's see if something else is tied to something that we're really going to lose big time support and extra funding to. So, I don't see a I mean, we've spent 40 minutes on this now. I don't see us what the problem is with waiting till the end of this meeting. It's not a
long agenda. It shouldn't be. Um >> always is. Yeah. So, I I I just my my motion is to go ahead and put this at the back end of this meeting and have a discussion at the end. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Okay. It's been moving properly. Second. >> Who seconded that?
>> Emily. >> So, we'll move it to the back of the agenda. You want to do roll call, please? >> Okay. >> Yes. To the back. >> This is We're going to do this at the end, right? >> Yes. >> Yes. Yeah. He's going to come back with the have to. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi,
>> Commissioner Lee. I, >> Commissioner Ozbody, >> no. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> I. >> Mayor Hawkins, >> I. >> The other item, pull from consent 4.4. Uh resolution number 25-96, a resolution
by the city commission of the city of Eustace Lake County, Florida, amending the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 and ending September 30th, 2026 for the street improvement, storm water, and wastewater utility funds, and by adjusting expenditures,
repealing all resolutions or part of resolutions in conflict here with, and providing for an effective date. Just you again, Miss Cor. Um this one is the emergency um amendment that we're asking for in order to make all the repairs that were
needed. Um these numbers are Rick's best estimates of the projects. We had to pull it together fast uh because we have no budget dollars. So until we have budget dollars, we're not able to pay anything. And this is setting up budget dollars so
that we can move forward with all of the repairs and pay the ones that have already been done. And this is from the storm. >> Yes. Okay. Yes, sir. >> Did you want to know? >> I can say, is there a chance uh we'll be applying for any assistance to get some
of this money back since it was a >> I've not heard of any being available yet? >> Tom, have you heard anything? >> So, it it we did not qualify for FEMA federal disaster funding because it was too specific an event. Um, and I you as
far as state funding, yes, the governor declared a state of emergency as did the county and the city. >> Um, but I don't know if we're expecting any um state funds. Uh, there's a possibility of some um I think insurance funds.
>> Yes. >> Uh, but we don't know what that is at this point. Um, >> they've not yet done their site inspections. They're waiting for us to get the schedule. Commissioner, want to hear from Rick on this one? I know he was waiting for that one.
>> Oh, Rick. >> Uh any input on >> um in in regards to >> Yeah, we've got um the the funding emergency funding is going. Will that include Spring Ridge?
>> No, this does not include Spring Ridge. Okay, >> so spring we're looking at about a half a million. >> Um, you know what we've done? We're paying back emergency work contract that they already had in place. Um, we had experience with Cathart. They did on
utility job at Coolage. So, we're out there. I spent majority of my time actually with the guys through the construction process doing the engineering work that we needed. But, you know, we're looking at their equipment, their hourly rates, what
they're doing. Um, you know, and and these are the best guess. You know, they don't have their invoices in from their suppliers on stuff. So, they can't give us, you know, hard numbers, but their project management team has looked at it. We've been looking to make sure
they're working as efficiently as they could, but still get the project done. But, you had some real serious work that we were not able to Okay. >> And we just got the last open yesterday. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> Are there any additional questions from commission? >> Nope. >> Would anyone in the audience like to speak on resolution 25-96? Okay. Seeing none, I'm going to close public input and give it back to you, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. Mr. Mayor, I move approval of
resolution 25-96. >> Can I get a second? Second. It's been moved properly. Second. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Holland, >> I. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Ozbody, >> no. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> I. >> Mayor Hawkins,
>> I. >> All right. Next item pulled from consent was 4.5 resolution number 25-98 a resolution of the city commission of the city of Eustace Florida authorizing a temporary interfund receivable from the general fund to the state forfeite
fund for liquidity purposes in the amount of $27,96526 providing for statutory authority providing for reimbursement from future forfeite revenues and providing for an effective date I know chief is going to probably speak on
this and Miss Carr kind of want to >> I guess Emily brought it up. Do you have any questions for the chief? Right. >> This was brought up by um member of the public. >> Yeah. >> Oh, Cindy brought up the res. I reviewed
this item um after speaking with Miss Carr and the chief and this is the legal mechanism to take care of the deficit. >> Okay. >> So this is the process um statutoily is what as far as what we have to do but I know that there were specific questions and >> Okay,
>> that's um all I can say. >> I don't have any questions but I'd make a motion to approve. >> Okay. Well, we're sorry we're still in um presentation and then we have to go to public input. Chief, how did we how did we get into a deficit in that?
>> It's called a mistake and humans make them actually from time to time. Most of us uh we had two funds, a federal and a state fund. Uh we we thought there was one one account. So we're very meticulous in what we do. We make sure we try to keep everything within
compliance, but we thought they thought we had one account instead of two. So on the or on the side of caution, we made sure we took the right at the right amount of money at the right account. And like I said, all this money, every last penny of it went to the community. Something that wasn't done before I came
here, but I can tell you, we are going to give every bit of forfeite money back to every community group, back to every kid. $20,000 goes, we have a failing school that was having problems with their test scores. We gave them $20,000 to hire tutors so these kids could get their
grades up, pass these tests that they're going through, and have a chance. We give money to the junior uh Panthers to buy equipment for the football team. We give money to charity. Not one penny was spent on anything else, not on salaries, not on overtime. Uh and I'm going to
continue to do it. Every penny I get from forfeite, I'm giving right back to the community. It's called a mistake. They happen. It's going to be fixed. It's not a big deal. >> And you have money. Do you have money in in the the pipeline coming in?
>> A lot of money coming in. >> Okay. and it's all going back to the community. Some agencies um buy equipment with it. Some agencies buy um for training. We're blessed that we have a great city here that funds a lot of this stuff that we can give it back to the community. I think when you give all
your drug forage money back to the community, back to these community programs, to build that community engagement, to build that trust, to help inner city, help church groups to to do the right thing. you not only do you build that that that relationship with the community, but people benefit from
this and people are hurting right now in this country. There's people that don't there's not a lot of resources to help these type of groups uh uh that are charity groups that are looking for help. So, we're going to do it all day long. I'm going to continue to do it. And guess what? We're going to make more mistakes. Oh, well, it happens. It's not
intentional. It's a mistake. >> Chief, uh for for people that don't know where the money comes from, >> Yeah. It comes from drug dealers and criminals. So, let the drug dealers pay for these programs. Let them pay. Why should we buy equipment when you give us everything we need? I've never been in a
city where we have the best police equipment uh as far as cars, equipment, technology. Uh my when I work for Dayton, we didn't have an inch to what we have here as far as technology and equipment. But community engagement is the key. If you do not have the
community with you, if you think 47 police officers are going to solve your problem here and use this, you're crazy. So, everybody's duty is to be and we have to break down and we don't have problems here, but that's why. So, it's drug money from drug dealers and it's
going back to the community 100%. Period. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you, Chief. >> Thanks. and chief uh just for you [clears throat] part of the um the ordinance here >> is or the resolution is that the 27,000 and change deficit as forfeerture funds
come in are going to be remitted back >> just to you know set back to zero and then >> let me reiterate we have money in the federal fund and the state fund >> right it's just it's they're different funds and that's that happens >> you don't make mistakes I I congratulations I mean I make mistakes all the time every day >> it's called it's called being human we
hire from the human race and we make mistakes >> absolutely Okay. Okay. >> So, it's just to clarify that we're that's been accounted for as far as um there's no going back. There's no dark cloud. There's no corruption. It's >> it's all clear and and like the talk talk resolution.
>> Okay. Thank you, G. Thanks. >> I believe a lot of it is just education um internally because I have a sheriff's office background. So that's how I realized that the money there's two separate sources and their eligibility
requirements are vastly different. >> And so when I saw this type coming through here and that one coming through there because finance as he said had mingled all those funds together previously. [laughter] So this is the first step in straightening all of this out so that going forward this will not
happen again. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay, let's open up to the public. Would anyone else uh in the audience like to speak? I know Miss Newton, you spoke earlier. Did you want to speak again? >> Cindy, >> Miss Newton, >> would you like to speak on this?
>> Would anyone else in the audience like to speak on this resolution? Seeing none, I will close public input and give it back to you, Mr. Mayor. >> Move approval of resolution 25-9. >> Okay, it's been moved and properly second. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Holland, >> I.
>> Commissioner Lee, >> I. Commissioner Ozbody. >> Hi, >> May. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi, >> Mayor Hawkins. >> Hi. >> Thank you, Lori. >> All right. Now, under our regular agenda, we have resolution number 25-94,
a resolution of the city commission of the city of Eustace Lake County, Florida, approving a budget amendment in the general fund for the amount of $375,000 to increase expenditures. a budget amendment in the amount of $375,000 in the sales tax capital projects fund
to decrease expenditures to provide for funding for an agreement for Barry Dunn McNeel and Parker LLC for enterprise resource planning advisory services. Miss Leon good evening commissioners. This is a budget amendment um to fund the
enterprise resource um consultant that was budgeted in the 26 um budget and approved. Um 375,000 was in the sales tax um projects fund. 125,000 is budgeted in the water sewer
fund. And this amendment is requesting to move the funds from the sales tax to the general fund. And the reason for this is the state of Florida um Florida statute um they um authorize counties to
levy the rate sales tax rate as well as the eligibility or the purposes which the proceeds can be expended and municipalities u may use the proceeds for infrastructure which the state defines as um fixed capital expenditures
or outlays for construction reconstruction improve movement of public facilities that have a life expectancy of 5 years or more. Public public facilities are for government purposes, their fire stations or like the the building that we're currently
in, city hall. Also eligible are um municipal vehicles as well as computer equipment. Uh on September 29th, um the sales tax county board requires municipalities to have oversight meetings a year for the
purpose for reviewing what the expenditures are for. I attended the meeting on the 29th and the board had a question on the ERP expenditure for the consultant and they requested more information on the eligibility of this. Well, they just asked for more
information on this. Um I did some research and um there as far as how they define infrastructure computer equipment is considered um a physical asset. The software is not
necessarily considered a durable asset. It's more an intangible asset. So um there is some question whether this would be an eligible expenditure and um in my opinion I think it's proven
for the city to um make sure well we can use a funding source that we know will not cause us any problems later on. I think it's more important to make sure that purchases that we are doing are eligible and they won't be questioned by
the sales tax oversight board. I just think it's prudent and conservative and um we would move it from the sales tax fund to the general fund. >> Mary um >> and that's twice is it twice a year or
or >> twice a year. The first in September it's to review the budget >> and then in April they ask us to report what we spent the money on. So it's a review of the expenditures >> at the meetings. Uh And I think you I I
know you attended the last one. >> Uh do they run down the expenditures of the other municipalities? Uh >> yes. >> And and we've never heard of any any software or anything like that going through.
>> Um actually when we purchased Edmonds and that was over 10 years ago. >> Um that purchase was not questioned. Um, I just from reviewing the old documents, we had purchased hardware and software together. Um, and some of it was
administrative costs. >> So, I don't know if that was the reason or the board just chose to not question the eligibility on that. >> Okay. All right. >> They didn't actually outright deny it.
They just questioned it and I just did research on my own and >> and you feel comfortable doing >> I do. I found actually um it was a an opinion by the attorney general of the state of Florida >> and it was quite specific in my opinion
and I know that Sasha has you know with her legal background told me that this is a recommendation um but their opinion was it's not considered a durable asset or expenditure. Okay. >> So, >> that's your opinion. That's good enough
for me. >> Okay. >> Tom speak. >> So, I just want to I want to bring up um for discussion um we so this is uh basically what this is is it's we are moving forward with
the replacement of Edmonds and we you know we have we use Edmonds quite a bit. We've gotten a lot of feedback from staff. We we've involved commission uh over the years. Uh but what I want to what what Mary is explaining is we can't use we feel we
can't use sales tax funds. And so what what we're very specifically asking you for tonight is um let's take it out of general fund instead of uh sales tax. But there's a larger question here that
we need to ask you and that is we think what we've budgeted is insufficient. We have budgeted a million dollars over two years and that is now it's from general fund but it's also from utilities and we
are going to take a look to see if the distribution between general fund and utilities is appropriate. Um and so there is more work to do there, but um in talking to um in talking to consultants,
we're not sure if a million dollars is enough. And so the larger question is uh are we committed to replacing Edmmonds and are we willing to do it at something higher? Are we willing to spend 1.5
potentially$2 million dollars on this? And so the first step tonight is to reallocate what was in the sales tax fund to the general fund. But then the second item on the agenda is allowing us to go out and hire a consultant at
$137,000 to take us through this process. Um, and so the I guess the larger question to commission is are are you comfortable with us replacing Edmonds and are you comfortable with us doing it at
potentially $1.5 to2 million over several years? >> Are are we certain we're going to find something better than Edmonds? I would I would say that's that's what
this process is for. Uh I think if you were to ask certain employees, they would say we are definitely going to find something better than Edmonds. Um but I think it's that's subjective. I think the answer to your question is that's why we do this process. Mhm.
>> If we were to So, >> I mean, I guess my question is is why do we need a consultant to tell us if something's better if we could find out on our own if something's better? >> Could I answer that if you don't mind? >> Sure. >> Well, the consult and this is the next agenda item. >> I know, but it's all it's all wrapped
together. >> It is. And I would like to address the consultant is not necessarily just to go out and buy software. >> The consultant will provide a greater service than that. Um part of the issue we have isn't just Edmonds. It's the
fact that um Eustace is a fairly moderate size city and all of our departments even though we are one city moving in one direction to fulfill our goals here. We do operate independently
>> and what the consultant would provide to the city >> is it's a two-part process which I'll address in next and an analysis of all our departments. They interview each department, find out the workflow
process, find out where we sh share information, how we integrate with each other to prevent redundancy to have a a better process, a way of um you know managing our workflow. And um the
consultants that we use are specific to government, specifically governments our size andce they an evaluation of they map out all the different processes to streamline things which I think is sorely needed here. >> I agree. >> And um because the departments are all
working really hard >> but I can't tell you I work in finance. I can't tell you how Rick runs his department >> but all roads do leave to finance ultimately but we need to have better communication to u implement processes that are more
efficient. So the first of the ERP consultant is to take a look at our city globally and they can make recommendations based on what other cities our size are doing. They have a better perspective than when we have
here alone. The second part is once they evaluate different processes, they're more familiar with the market that's out there pro the vendors that the the products that the software that we can purchase. But I think the most valuable
um um that we would gain from having um a consultant that is knowledgeable in you know information technology is because I know finance but guess what when we start talking integration and configuration and API
>> I get lost and I have seen we've gone out in other municipalities I've worked at we spent a lot of time we have vendors come in and they give their demonstrations and They can do this, they can do this. They can do everything. They'll even make lunch for you. But then once they get in, then
they're like, "Oh, we didn't know your dad was like that. That's going to be a problem. Now we have to buy this other thing and it's going to cost you a little more money. Now we have this workound." >> And I'm getting a little bit about this. >> You are, but you're kind of making my
point, too, because I I worry that we get through all this and it's not really that much better than than Edmond. >> Exactly. And if we go on the cheap, we could end up with that. >> And and then my second question is is since we knew we knew this expense was
looks like almost a million dollars, did we have that discussion with sales tax before we we went out and and tried to get this accomplished? So >> we budgeted this during the budget process and this meeting is September 29th. Okay. The budget was already
approved on the 18th. >> Okay. Do >> we compensate in that for the loss of commercial sales tax and how that's going to impact the monies we get this year? >> Did you guys take a look at that or put a factor in there?
>> No, I didn't factor in how much money we're going to receive >> or that you would there will be a drop. I guess obviously you know that, right? I don't think from the estimates that we got from the state there was a small drop but I didn't think it was very
significant. >> It's extremely significant but >> well this is based on what we got from the state and that was in end of July beginning of August. >> Okay. >> Any other questions from Miss Le
>> Okay. So I I so again I asked the fundamental question theoretically we could move forward with not this item but the second we would we would need to move forward with this in order to move forward with the second item. The I guess the question we could hire the
consultant have them do work for us and then determine that we don't want to move forward we would have spent that consulting money at that point. So by moving forward with the consultant, we're not committing to the new software. We're committing to the
consulting work to lead us through that process. Um but I again I I I just want commission to know that this is a major undertaking and we it's a multi-year process and it's going to be an expensive process.
>> Well, but we but initially we were hoping all this is going to be paid out of sales tax. Correct. Well, it was going to be a combination of sales tax and utility funds, but did we have that conversation with sales tax to see if this would be something they would
consider approving before we we went down the road? That's what I'm trying to get at. >> Um, no, we didn't have that because we were operating from the assumption they approved Edmonds over 10 years ago. We didn't anticipate it being issued, >> but we questioned it. Then I started
doing deep research into it. >> So, What will happen if we keep Edmonds? >> Well, um I guess the the consultant would actually look at what Edmonds currently has to offer as well. And there's there's possibility that they
could say, "Yep, well, Edmonds may be sufficient." Um Edmonds is always they're making enhancements to their products as well. Um so they have have made some um improvements to um they
have added like a dashboard and there seems to streamline some of the processes. So it's it is quite possible that they can say yes admin is a viable solution for you. >> Does Edmonds have the ability to build
to suit >> um >> they they have add-ons, right? Correct. >> Yes. Yeah, we could. Yes, they do. >> And they they and they will provide they they'll come in and provide training as well, right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. How do you feel about Edmonds?
>> I, you know, it's always a learning curve, so it took me a a beat to get up to speed on Edmonds. I think it works. There are a number of things that I think are real limitations. Um, part of what we do, and it's it's just what um,
Commissioner Asbat was asking. Okay, they you would like us to, you know, get you all the purchase orders. And I think one of the limitations that we have from Edmonds is that it's pretty rigid and a lot of times we can't pull data and you know massage it in the way that you
want. It's it's cumbersome that way. Um one of the biggest we we all complain about is we can't download it to Excel. So we can't manipulate the data. Um data is only as good as what we can pull from up and discern what we need, what questions we can answer. And I think um
Edmonds is has a little bit of limitation with that. Sounds like it's limited in being able to communicate with the departments. Is that what I heard? Other departments >> I think that's and that was what I was saying the value of having consultant. It's a two-part. We need to look at our business processes. Not just the
software first. We have to evaluate what are what are our weaknesses? What are our pain points? What can we improve on? And we can once we identify the issues where we have redundancy where things >> well that that's what the I'm sorry that's what the consultant's for. So
that sort of leads to your next question. Will admins be able to address these um address these weaknesses? Can they and I can't really answer that question and and that's what we hope to learn from consultant. >> Well, I can I can say and Tom Tom will
verify this. I've said for three years we we need something better. We need something that all the departments can communicate with. There's got to be something out there that's that can bring everyone together looking at projects. I mean, even just communication just
>> but I hesitate of of of spending that kind of money on the unknown. >> So, you know, as long as I've been up here, Edmonds has been a problem. >> As long as I've been up here, it's been a challenge. It's antiquated. It's clunky. It is very hard to operate. So,
>> I mean, when you get emails constantly telling people to sign out of Edmonds so that somebody can complete work, that's a problem in in 2025. >> Do we have someone in who's knowledgeable about these different
options that might be out there without having to spend money on a consultant? >> Is can Bryce Can Bryce give us any insight on this? Nope, not at all. >> Bryce has a lot of it knowledge and we would have computer, we would have to
lean heavily on that because there's so many safety concerns and I think that's a big part of his [clears throat] is to keep the city [snorts] safe. So, a lot of times the IT department will come in and provide that >> aspect because we're going to be, you
know, moving data to another system. There's some vulnerability whenever you're >> you're moving data from. So, I think that's just been my experience in the past. it is coming in to make sure the firewalls are there to make sure that the product we're buying um has enough
controls. >> Yeah. No, you're you're correct. We you know data is is is all um it's about nowadays and we we should be able to to to pull data what we what we need. I I mean for me I'm I'm okay doing it consulting, but I'm not sure about the
rest of it right now. Just my opinion. So if we if we did the consultant at the and the consultant would take what two to three years >> you think >> I think about six months. >> Six months. So so we can revisit this in six months. That's that's what I be in
my opinion. >> Yeah. >> Revisit in six months. >> So So the consultant was at what 127 >> 130. Yeah. And about 12,000 is an estimate of travel cost because they will actually come here meet in person.
>> Oh, in addition to the 130 12,000 in >> No, it's 125 plus >> 12,000 traveling cost. >> And Mr. Mayor, if I may, I have been in touch with Lake County. Um, as far as the determination for the sales tax use for this because it is an old statute and software has moved a lot from
ownership versus subscription. >> That is, you know, part of all of this. So um they h they are open to if I can provide a viable legal opinion you know that they can present um they will revisit it. They've asked for additional information on that but right now with
what we have and where we stand today for purposes of the consultant this is the avenue that we >> have but um there's the opportunity of you know possibly recouping some of this is still there if if um you know with
time I can uh provide that opinion to them and I'll let you all know. Sasha, that's a very good point if they're open to that because we are finance is governed by the government accounting standards board and to this is our third year now they call it's
called subscription based information technology. So everything that we buy we're required to capitalize it as as an asset. So if we're going to be consistent with the government stands board, it it follows suit that they
would recognize that and allow us to use that as an infrastructure. I mean, this is a world we've moved to and um that would be great. We could provide all kinds of supporting for that. >> So I I will be working on that. I mean, they're not going to do it for us
obviously. So we have to make our case and um and see if that's it's possible to recoup a good amount of that. Have we um cons looked at or talked to spoken to the county what are they using or Mount Dora or Claremont something what they're using or they're happy with
it? >> I I haven't pulled other communities for that. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> And Tom, did you clarify? Is it possible to just hire the consultant without moving the funds or does that is that tied together?
>> I If we're going to go back after the fact and request I I guess my question would be we we are tonight the first item is to move the money from the we are not
planning to use sales tax fund we're planning to use general fund that's the first item um I don't know if you feel there's an opportunity I if we hold it up if we hold up the first item then we can't hired the consultants and so I don't
think we want to hold up hiring the consultants and my question would be can we allocate it to the general fund and then after the fact go back and say we'd like to use this as an eligible sales tax expense >> well they need proof and I don't know
that it's there's no guarantee so I don't want to hold it up on that because based on my initial discussion and we were heading towards no this isn't eligible they they wanted something further further and more concrete. So that involves more time and and and you know delving into the legal
world. >> And I guess one thing I'd like to add to that because if we're going to do these as two separate purchases that may cause us um an issue because if we just use this as a consulting fee that clearly falls in as an operating expense and
that's disallowed I mean by the statute it has to be for capital expenditures with estimated than five years. If we would say that the consultant is part of this bigger project, we could make a case that it's a capital expenditure. But if we're
going to do them in two different pieces, I think that would be harder to make that case. >> So I I think what we're going to ask for is approval of both 2594 and 2595. >> Is that right? >> Yes. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Well, we're with 2594 now. Um, do we have any cards on this item, Tom? >> I wanted to say something, Sasha. I had >> Okay, sure. >> We have >> Oh, we still I just need to get public input as well. So, I can before after fine.
>> Discussion go first or public input? >> Public input and then we can have discussion. >> Any cards? No. >> Would anyone in the audience like to speak on resolution 25-94? >> Okay. Seeing none, I will close public input. >> Back to you, Mr. Mayor, for discussion.
>> Discussion. George, >> this is a perfect example of what we spent 40 minutes about. Sorry, but it is. There are priorities. When I came here and I sat with Lori, I asked her, "What's the one thing you really need to
do your job better?" And she had said, "Updating this admits." She and and that stuck in my mind. On the other hand, when I sat with parks and Rex, I asked him, "What's the one thing you want?" And he said, "A master plan."
And and he's been adamant about about that. And our job, this is trying to diffuse some of the tension from a little bit earlier. Our job, tough job sometimes, is to make the decision as to which one, and they're hard. We We want
to give both of them. We want to give everything if we can, especially to staff. So, there's 4.48 billion dropping out of the sales tax from the commercial uh that that we talked about. So, I looked it up while
we were sitting here. It's 4.48 million. If the homestead goes away, which is a compromise they're saying in Tallahassee for you with just your homestead, it's going to drop another 15 almost 15 billion they're expecting. That's going
to take a lot of money out of our sales tax stuff. We got to start thinking about what happens when the kids go to college and where our money and everything is going. But that's what I want to have some of those discussions about those items. Uh but uh I'm torn.
Would I rather see it go to parks and wrecks for our children? Yeah, I think our children are more important than software that's working. But then our staff is just as important to efficiently do their work and give us so it's torn between two lovers kind of thing. So, uh, I wanted to make a point.
I hope I made it and and, uh, >> but shouldn't shouldn't we wait until we get the the sales tax, uh, decision. There's no guarantee that it'll be um favorable just based on the initial
like I said discussion that I had with um the county um the AG opinion that we reviewed. So, I' we'd have to find something >> that would substantiate that in a way that would convince um convince that board and I'm happy to do do that, but I
I don't know that we're going to be able to hold off on this in order for that to happen. And we may not get a yes because Mary would have to go back. >> And Mike, just because I know you know that stuff, it would be March 30th, 26, something like that. by time we know
where sales tax, property tax, >> we'll know where we really are. So otherwise, we're spending money we don't know if we're going to get >> correct. So common for me and and maybe I'm too conservative is
I don't want to count my chickens before my eggs hatch as well. >> Chicken >> count my chickens. Yeah. >> Okay, Emily, >> that was I didn't even intend that. She caught [laughter] it. I guess um since we've been hearing so
much about the lack of and Edmunds, obviously something needs to be done. I think we're sitting here making requests about we want this information, that information, and they're limited in what they can provide for us. Something
needs to be done. Um, I would like to have heard that some questions had been asked of other cities, other places, what they have, and if they if they like what they're doing, if it's effective for them. I didn't hear that, but I do think we need to do something about the current
situation. If I'm not mistaken, when Lori and Mary came over, uh, the system that y'all had prior to coming here was better than what you have now, better than Edmonds. I think I recall
that. Is that >> Unfortunately, I think Mary and I both come from the same system through different avenues. That is that was the Cadillac system. >> Bigger entities, they had the Um,
we know all the bells and whistles, but we know we don't need that all wish list. Absolutely need. No, but we do need things like the ability to search and wild cards and parameters on reports, which we don't have right now.
And just because some other city has something doesn't mean it's the solution for us. And a perfect example of that is that um I to the finance director now and they went from Edmunds to Munis
which is was the Cadillac of all the systems and she's actually going back to Edmonds for their I believe it's code because it's just not working and I have been hearing bad things about Munice
lately and I did go through an implementation um [clears throat] with them six years ago where I knew more than their imple because they they sent people that didn't understand accounting and the people especially on this
consulting team. We have somebody who has been an accountant with the city for 15 years doing implementations. So they'll know the questions to ask us. And when we go to our conferences, there's probably at least 20 different
softwares out there. And to take the time and evaluate all of those is just not the luxury that we have ourselves. >> But but the consultant could do that. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. >> No. No. I'm I I mean it's obvious we
have to do something be a consultant or whatever. We have to move. We have to help them. Right. >> I move approval of resolution 25-94. >> Okay. Oh, that's right. We got no discussion. Okay. >> Discussion
first. Okay. So, we need a second discussion. >> Well, we already discussed. >> Oh, okay. Second. >> Okay. It's been moved. Moved and properly second. Roll call. >> Commissioner Holland.
>> I. >> Commissioner Lee. >> I. >> Commissioner Asat. >> My concern is we're not going to may not have the money, but I think it's something something they need. >> Yeah. >> I don't think we have enough information. I'd say no at this time.
>> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Nay. >> Mayor Hawkins. >> Hi. >> The accompanying resolution to that is resolution number 25-95. a resolution of the city commission of the city of US Lake County, Florida approving a purchase in excess of $100,000 and
entering into an agreement with Barry Dun McNeel and Parker LLC for enterprise resource planning advisory services. Is there anything further you would like to say on that, Miss Leon? Or >> any questions from the commission for
Miss Leon on this one? Do we have any cards, Tom? Anyone in the audience wishing to speak on resolution 25-95? Seeing none, I will close public input. I'll give it back to you, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay.
Force. Uh, we have 25- 95. >> Approval. >> Approval. Does anyone want to second? Is that the one for 375,000? >> This is the 137 >> 137
>> 125 plus 12,000 in travel costs. >> I I truthfully I make the motion. I don't want to hire a consultant. I hate hiring consultants constantly. >> But the problem we have is >> like they say, you go to a a conference and there's 60 different people. We go
to the League of Cities and we watch these same people >> and you see how many are out there. >> We don't have the ability to go out and find what's best for us. >> Staff time is not going to allow that to happen because we have a broke system as it is.
>> I don't know how else we find a better system. That's that's the problem we have. >> The issue I have with is the 12,000 travel. If this is their job, then they should be >> I think the concern is where are we going to be in the global financial of
what we have? What are we going to do for parks and wrecks? What are we going to do for the building that the library wants? We have to pick our priorities. It's a tough It's a tough >> and that's why we asked them to come back with some stuff at the end and >> we're gonna we're gonna end up axing
some stuff probably right off. >> Can we just have a a um parking rack master plan done? >> What was it that >> we shot it down? >> No. No, they just did something. >> The Carver Park master plan was done. We have not presented it to you because
there are so many moving parts, other facilities, other properties. And so, >> yeah, >> um, we have not presented the Carver Park master plan to you. >> And I'm sure if I'm sure if he came up, he would give us a very compelling argument about our children in the
future. And I'm sure if an came forward, she would give us an extremely great compelling. She's got a phenomenal program out there. I never imagined how great it was. So, where are we at? and sales tax is going down. Should we maybe visit it March 31st when we know how
much we're getting? >> Well, the other part to it >> and pick our pick our priorities. Sorry. >> But all of all of these entities are dependent upon what they do >> and and pours into Edmonds and any other
um project that they may I mean um service that they need. >> Absolutely effective. So, >> but it's like asking the police chief, do you want a car that's this or that? Do you want to tase her? It's better or or worse that can help him and and the library. There's things we can do for her to help her job quite a bit and our
children. It's all the same. It's a it's I sympathize with them. I I actually really do. But where are we going? >> Did you want a second, Miss uh Mr. Mayor, for further discussion? >> You want a second for further discussion? >> For further discussion. Yes, you can continue. >> All right.
That's that's where we're at. March 31st, we'll know how much sales tax money we have, if nothing or if the whole city is a major major issue. >> Okay. Um, it's been moved and properly second.
>> Roll call. >> Commissioner Holland. >> I. >> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Ozbody, >> no. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi. >> Mayor Hawkins. >> Hi. Next, we have resolution number 25-100,
a resolution of the city commission of the city of Eustace, Florida, approving and authorizing the Okay. Approving and authorizing the execution of a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of real property located at 200 South Bay Street and related parcels. finding a valid
public purpose, authorizing the mayor and the city clerk to execute the agreement, providing for implementation, and providing for an effective date. Tom, >> yes. Uh, so what you have before you is a purchase and sale agreement for property commonly known as the Bank of
America building, uh, but it also includes the drive-thru property. So, it is, uh, two non-ontiguous properties. Um the uh we've been working uh for some time to negotiate
uh with the uh sellers and so what we have uh arrived at is a purchase agreement for 1.8 million with the caveat uh because they had been asking uh they said that um they really wanted the number to start with a two and we
said well we're we're willing to offer 1.8 eight uh with the caveat that uh we are required by law to get two MAI appraisals and so there is a caveat that uh if those MAI appraisals come back at
a average of above 1.8 uh we will offer that amount above 1.8 8 and Sasha has included some language that depending on what it comes back at the approval process is uh slightly
different. Um however um we we the base amount we've agreed to is the 1.8. Um and uh so the what are the plans for the buildings? um we cannot use uh CRA
funds for administrative offices and shortterm uh our use of the building proposed would be for administrative offices. Initially we're proposing that uh this building would be the new home of the building department and fire
admin um the leadership of the fire department and then we would see what other operations make sense there. uh as such uh we can't use CRA funds but we can use building department funds and so
in talking to the building department and finance um the building department will entirely fund the purchase price of 1.8 million and then um the building department and the sales tax fund um
will fund renovations uh because there will be some renovations involved. Um so uh the the purchase will be fully funded by the building department with renovations funded by the building department and then we had budgeted some
money in the sales tax fund for fire department admin. Uh and so that will also be available for renovations. Um and then down the road the real value is the site as a redevelopment site. And so
at down the road uh there is an opportunity for the CRA to buy out the building department. In effect, the building department is buying the building, but down the road the CRA can purchase the site as a redevelopment site. And as far as when will that
happen, that's it's down the road. It could be five years, it could be 10 years. And so what we're proposing is this purchase agreement. Uh we do have 90 days for due diligence. Uh so we will be doing things like environmental work, geotechnical work, and we're required to
get the two MAI appraisals. And so uh if you have any specific questions about the purchase agreement, uh Sasha and I uh will try to answer those. But again, uh initial use will be as a relief for city hall uh because we're busting at
the seams here at city hall uh as administrative offices and then down the road it will be a redevelopment site. be happy to try to answer any questions you may have. >> How long are you uh thinking it would be used for uh building and fire?
>> Uh I again we're ballpark I think we're saying 5 to 10 years. It it would need to be long enough where the investment in renovations makes sense. >> What it have you done an evaluation of the renovations and what their cost
would be? We've done some very preliminary work, but that'll be part of the due diligence uh over the next 90 days. We're confident that it needs a new roof. Um we know it needs things like new carpeting and painting and uh but we need to get in there. We need to
do a more serious evaluation and uh we're poised with uh the building department and uh engineering to do a more serious evaluation and then put together a renovation plan. >> But we're buying it as is, right? Yes.
>> So, we have to pay for the roof and uh all of that. So, that's >> What's a roof on that? Uh have you figured out what a roof on that is? 350 400 450 grand? >> We we know that we have to we know that we have to rent a crane and we have to
pull all the units off the roof and scrape four or five layers of roofing material and who knows what kind of substructure work. And so, we we don't know yet. So, we're going to the fire department and the building department. How many
about how much of that building are they going to occupy? >> I think we need to figure that out. Uh meaning >> 10% of the building that'll occupy. >> Uh I think maybe slightly more than that. >> So, we'll have 90% vacant building. >> Well, there are other opportunities too
uh as far as other other operations and departments um that we just haven't explored yet. What size is city hall here where we're at? >> How many square foot is this about? >> I don't know if I know off the top of my head.
>> Does 14,240 sound about right? >> Uh, that sounds very specific. >> So, we're going to double our square footage in carrying costs and in overhead.
Put a roof on, do carpeting, paint. in a building we're going to knock down >> uh over time. Yes, it will be knocked down. I would say that again the value is in a redevelopment >> and I think it's 100 that breaks down at 18
uh 1.8 8 breaks down to $116 a square foot and the uh the uh uh property appraiser though generally is low has it valued at 930,000. We'll lose our sales tax uh property tax
on it and it will be uh don't hold me to it, but it will be the most expensive building per square foot above 15,000 square foot ever sold. And I think the building right behind us just sold for 80 some
bucks a square foot. So, we're paying nearly 50% more for a building as is with a bad roof, bad air conditioning, um, a safe, an entire safe system. We have to demo that out.
>> I would say that would stay for now and it would have to go as part of a redevelopment. >> Okay. And we'll utilize roughly 10%, leave 90% vacant. >> Do we have to do anything to the other parcel for upkeep? maintenance.
>> The other parcel has a bad roof, too. The air conditioner was stolen. The windows were broken. They're boarded up. Um, it's parking. Give you some parking spaces, but you're still paying as an overall quite a bit.
>> Tom, does the building department do they have to spend they have to spend their money? Is is there something set aside where they have to spend >> the building department? um they they are going to need additional
space whether it's uh build a building buy a building uh the building department uh needs additional space >> uh and they um the building department fund we have set aside funds uh for that capital expense whether it's a purchase
or a renovation. So uh yes they uh the building department has set aside money specifically for that purpose. >> Okay. >> Can the building department pay for all the carrying costs and operating on it? Pay for 100% of it with their occupancy of maybe if it's half of that 10 5%.
>> Yes. >> They can pay for something that's vacant, not being used. >> Yes. I mean there can be arrangements where another user could potentially pay rent to the building department. Uh but the building department also incurs costs here at the city um auditing um
you know the various services that the city offers the building department and so there could potentially be money going from the building department to the general fund and from the general fund to the building department. >> Do do we foresee any other projects coming up that that the building
department would be a part of if we we have our workshop with Dr. Levy and he suggests some things. Do do we foresee anything that they could help us with after after we speak to him? >> I would say that if you're asking if there are other real estate opportunities, I would say the building
department probably wouldn't be involved, but the CRA and the general fund could potentially be involved. Whether that's sites like crazy gator or the helellipad site or others. You know, I can't help but come to mind what uh the mayor said at I think it was
our last meeting when we were talking about the RFP going out and everything and uh I was favorable to have that RFP go out and um the mayor said I think we should correct me if I'm wrong but that we should wait until we get in front of
Levy and decide what we're doing. That might not be a bad thing to do here as well to be consistent in what we're doing. Not saying no, but uh I also think there's a room to work with on that price. Absolutely. And carrying a building with
five 10% occupancy um in a descending market. That building's been for sale for 12 years. And another suggestion, if I may, since um I'm on a roll. [clears throat] Um did
we should we consider looking at any other properties that we have to give relief to staff? Uh a thought came to my mind. We were going to trade the women's club. Can we take some of this renovation money way less than what we're going to spend in that building
and perhaps make offices in the women's center and uh relieve the stress that we have as we work on our global um revitalization of all of downtown. And uh I'm not against continuing to work with these people, but this property
hasn't sold in 12 years for some reason. Uh, it's way over market and it has a bad roof. It has all these other things. We're paying way too much. >> I have a couple of questions. [clears throat] >> One, I noticed that it said that if um
if the appraisal comes back, then we may have to go up to to 2 million. So, if the appraisal comes back and is lower, why aren't we lowering the price? Also, I mean, like, if they're going to go up, then we should come down. And um so I
was wondering um also if the seller would he not could we not ask like that you repaired the roof or help with the um repair costs or anything like that?
>> Uh so the I mean the seller and and the seller has said they're not going to accept less than 1.8. Um of course they would say that. Um so um there is no provision for renegotiating the purchase price. That
said, if we do our due diligence and we're not comfortable moving forward, then we don't move forward. >> Any thoughts on the women's center that idea I just threw out and you to take uh take that and hold on to that? I don't
know. By the time we're done with all these improvements and everything in there, we're probably going to be pushing 2.5 million is my guess. >> You know, with the women's center, >> yeah, >> the community is already strapped with places to go.
Taking the the the women's club puts us down to just one one space, and that's community center. >> They're both booked. >> We have some more spaces. We just have to make some tough decisions if we do.
>> Can we do Can we find relief for less than 2.5 2.7 million? >> Could Could we build something cheaper? Yes, >> I I believe we could. >> Absolutely. Guaranteed you could. Where's Daniel? >> I don't want to hear from him anyway. But you can build something
>> for cheaper out of pocket. Brand spanking you without wood frame, without termite damage, without water damage. Mike discussion. >> I'd like to see us go back and negotiate with them more.
>> The building is rotting down there. Unfortunately, um, we need the we need the property. We don't need the building. Um, I mean, like George said, it's been for
sale for a long time. Um, the community center, regardless of what we do, it's going to have to come down. E, and even if we rebuild another community center, I don't want the woman's club touched because we're going
to have to have that to provide services for our community at the end of the day. Because no matter what happens at that community center, it's too small. >> Okay? Whether we turn it over to a outside investment company to build something there or whether we do it
ourselves, the building's going to have to be done something with. We have been bandating that building and bandating that building for too long. Right now, we've got a roof that's truthfully it's it's it's shot. So,
I think this is one of those things that we do need to wait till we talk to Dr. Levy. We get a game plan as a commission. I know he's talked to every one of us now. He's going to be back in front of us when, Tom? >> The 12th. >> The 12th of December. I think I mean,
we've got a little bit of time there. Let's talk to Dr. Levy and see what kind of page he put us all on and then go from there. Um, I think we ought to that piece of property at the end of the day. >> Is it at too high of a cost right now?
When you look at the national economy and our local economy, it may be. >> So, I think it's worth us waiting to see what Dr. Levy has to say, if he's able to pull us onto the same page for a downtown master plan and then we make a decision after that. Just my thoughts at
this point. >> Emily, >> I agree. Um, I still have some issues. I feel like the negotiating down should happen. I think that we should get more out of the seller. Um,
and I I agree. I really, really, really think we need to when we have our meeting on the 12th, I have so much hope that it will help us create the vision that we need and that and uh help us see a way to do this and figure out what is
more important and where we should put things and all of that. So, that's important to me and I'm I'm really hopeful that it'll give us that opportunity to be able to do that. And in the meantime, I don't know if we're continuing to have a 90-day um agreement, right, to process through
this >> this I mean this agreement would have a 90-day due diligence period. >> So you could pull out so you could if you don't want to do it, you don't >> Well, I don't the if we if we signed this agreement, we would be committing to the $1.8 8
million purchase price, which of course would not we would not pay if we walked away. I guess what I'm saying is that if we if we agree to this tonight, we then have 90 days to do our due diligence, but it doesn't we don't have an
opportunity to renegotiate purchase price. I mean, Sasha, is that right? >> And we would have to give them a $90,000 >> down payment, right? >> The the deposit >> Let me explain. I was heavily involved in drafting this contract from what was initially provided to what you're seeing
before you now. Um to build in all the mun uh municipal protections, make sure it conformed with the statute that the public purpose is being protected and that's why it's tied to the appraisal. Now, um I was not involved in
negotiating this, but I was involved as far as the uh contract itself. So the city has um a way out. It's essentially 100% up until the u 90 day um due diligence period which can be
extended by 30 days if both parties agree with uh Tom approving that. But during that time period if we just do not find that the property is fit for our purposes as far as the city we can walk away and that's that um and recover
our deposit. If we do want the property, it doesn't fail um any kind of um I guess phase two environmental, there will be costs incurred by the city of course obviously in doing the due diligence in getting the appraisals. That's cost that you are basically
authorizing um uh to go forward by approving the agreement. the um that's that's the time that we would have to look at that if there are title issues that we there are certain contingencies title um environmental is one of them
and I believe there's one more uh that would allow us to get out of that um if the seller isn't going to uh correct that once we get the appraisals back the way this is structured is if if the average
of the appraisals exceeds needs 1.8, they would get an upward price adjustment up to 2 million. That would be the absolute max that would be paid by the city. If it comes back as less
than 1.8, but it's within that 10% threshold, which puts us between really it puts us at about 1.62. Um, the city may elect in its old discretion to proceed with that number.
um at the price of the 1.8 without any additional commission action and the my understanding is that the value of the additional parcels is what's playing a role into the 1.8 price commitment. Um now if it comes back anywhere below that
uh 10% to 20% uh which means anything between 1.4 and 1.62 62. That has to come back to you for approval because then that price would not necessarily confirm that it's a valid public purpose and and
you would need to um give it your blessing at that point. Anything below that cannot um proceed without you voting and that would require extraordinary vote. remaining four of you would have to say yes to a price um if the appraisal comes
back to comes back under 1.44 for the 1.8 to be approved for a of you would have to allow allow that and again it's it's because of what Tom's been saying that my understanding is the redevelopment value the location of the property all these things that's what
played a role into kind of making 1.8 minate the bottom line based on the negotiations that have taken place um the max of the but again tied to the appraisal because we also have to justify it based on the statutory requirements. So there are a lot of
contingencies built in to protect the city. Um >> I think I want to I want to say one more thing. I I know I think every one of us owns investment property. You cannot look at this as a 1.8 8 or even $2
million transaction. And Gary could probably tell you that as a mortgage broker, you have to look at this as a 1.8 or 2 million plus the roof plus the renovations to bring it to at least average condition or better. And if we
do, we're now atund I just did the math. $145 a square foot. Nearly twice as what my favorite things just sold for behind us. That's how out there it is and that's why it sat for 12 years and before that it sat forever as well. So I
think we're in the right seat. Yeah, I agree with Mike. If we can get that property for a fair price and even a hair maybe, you know, on the higher scope of the fair price, we should get it. But to pay double that and to occupy
10%, I'm not sure that's public >> if that qualifies in the public. So you did the contract who the government who who negotiated the price? >> Yes, I had I did not negotiate the contract. I structured the contract based on the municipal protections
because it was initially more of like a private purchase which is not applicable to public property purchases. So, um, we were we had some back and forth, but it was built to conform with the law and and make it so that at some point if you
don't find the valid public purpose, which would be tied to the the appraisal value because that is required by statute, then it would require that extraordinary vote. So, I'm just giving information as far as how the contract was structured. Um, that is up to you as far as what you decide tonight. But
>> there's a percentage of occupancy relative to to that public value. Can you say it's a public value when you're only occupying 10%, 5%, 15%, whatever? Does there become a a gray area there? >> Occupancy is is not a factor in and of
itself when it comes to public purpose. It's like what Tom was talking about the re um redevelopment value, the location of the property, what the city could do in the future. >> If you don't, you know, this is all up to you. Um if you do not think that
>> that's >> but we're not committing to that now. We're not committing to five years and definitely knocking it down five years and going right. You're saying we might are we willing to are you willing to commit that at 5 years the building's going down and >> 100% I don't
>> can we wait till after the 12th to to to negotiate this to business >> I I mean I agree with Michael Emily I totally agree with you there's no [clears throat] harm in us waiting so I just think we need to >> our meeting with Dr. leave in 22 days, >> right? Yeah. It's not >> But doing this tonight, it it we still
get to move forward. >> Yeah. >> So, we're not losing anything. >> We don't we don't The only thing we're losing is the cost to go in and and do our due diligence. >> When you set a tone
for where you're at, it is very hard to come back from that tone. You've done enough that I think that might be something you should consider. >> Well, if the plan is to walk away uh tonight, we can walk away in three
months and still have the work done. >> I think the plan that that I'm hearing here is that we wait for Dr. Levy to look at a global for us. And I'm suggesting that we also try to negotiate more with them. We cannot pay $145
a square foot for a building. That's a disaster. >> Okay, let's take a vote, please. >> One second. >> Yeah, >> we need public input. No, not yet. >> But you had a question. >> Public input first. >> But did you have a question?
>> No, I just wanted to make sure I knew we had nothing public. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Please. Do we have any >> Thank you. [laughter] >> Are we No cards. Okay. Anyone in the audience wishing to speak on this item? >> Ma'am, if you could come up. >> Oh Jesus.
>> Yeah, you'll have just three minutes and if you can state your name and if you're a resident. >> I'm Chris Gel. I'm a permanent resident of uses for 71 years. Please don't bring up to ever get rid of any more historical buildings in
Eustace. Uh, that's the only thing that ticks us old-timers off. I believe the women's club is on the National Historical Society. You can't do anything to that building
except inside, but you have to have permission. [laughter] You want to preserve the city of Eustace, so quit destroying the history of this town. I understand what everybody's upset
about. The city at Orange and Bay Street has been flooding since I was a little girl when my mother was a little girl who only left Eustace to go to college in finance. She's an accountant.
It's a problem we've had for years. We're beating a dead horse. It's going to get fixed one day and then we're not going to have nothing to about. So, let's just look forward. Do I agree with 1.8 million for that rundown Barnet
Bank? No, I don't. So, let's think about it. Let's make us better and keep trying to destroy it. Let's work together as a unity for the better of us, Florida. I want to be proud of my commission. I am proud of my
commission, but sometimes y'all really tick off the people that really give a damn about Eustace. And I'm standing as one of them. It's my hometown. I have a historical attachment to this town. Let's make it better. Let's all just get
on the same page and let's not fight. We're grown-ups. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak on this item? came in >> just your name in >> Winheim Unincorporated Lake County. I
just want to say I agree with you, George. Uh 1.8 million is way too much for that building. There's no way. I don't know how much the appraisals you guys are going to spend on that, but if you're looking to just need 10% for your overflow in your building department,
why not the senior center? You guys currently are leasing that out. That's your building you already own. Why don't you move stuff over there? Use that 10% there. It's already something you have. Move the lease out. Use what you have that's available to you. 1.8 million is
not acceptable. It's like you said, it's double what it should be, if not more. And then you have all the cost of renovations. Absolutely. I don't think it's a good idea. Senior center. Think about that. >> Thanks. Thank you.
Anyone else wishing to speak on this item? Okay. Seeing none, I will close public input. U Mr. Mayor, I'm giving it back to you if you're going to either be voting or discussing tableabling the item. Just >> Okay. >> Mike
and get a vote. >> My motion would be to table this until after our meeting with Dr. Levy on the 12th. >> Second. Okay. has been moved and properly second. >> Commissioner Holland, >> hi.
>> Commissioner Lee, >> hi. >> Commissioner Ozbody, >> hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> hi. >> Mayor Hawkins. >> Hi, >> Mr. Mayor. It's 8:00. Did you want to take a break or pull the permission?
>> Let's take a five minute. Sorry. The time is 8:08. >> Almost there. >> Okay. >> Yours. >> All right. >> No, you can have both. I have my copy of it. I need them.
>> No, I'm okay with that. For second readings, we have ordinance numbers 25-31, 32, and 33. Mr. Lamb will be presenting on these items. The first reading took place on September 18th, and it was
advertised to have a second reading on the 23rd of October. However, at the applicant's request, it was moved to the date certain of tonight's meeting, November 20th, to allow for a community meeting to take place on October 30th. We'll start with um ordinance number
25-31, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Eustace, Florida, voluntarily annexing approximately 20 acres of real property at alternate key numbers 174 3320 and 1407940 on the north side of County Road 44 east
of Sparrow Lane. Mr. Lee, >> good evening, commissioners. Um, I just uh I I probably need to go and provide a little background before we move into these ordinances. Um, we we actually
have two or three other annexation future land use and design district projects in in the wings. Um but uh we we've for I guess uh installed those other I guess uh applicants uh for the
meantime. Um for for those who don't know um you know the all the local governments in Florida have to uh review their their comprehensive plans every seven years and uh during that process uh well the
process is called the ear process. is an evaluation and appraisal uh review of the comprehensive plan. So every seven years um we have been doing that since uh the growth management act was passed.
Uh I know that the city in the past they had they they did these amendments uh in 2003 2010 2017 uh last year it was supposed to to have been done it was due in 24. The law the
law does allow you to to seek an extension and at that point we we ask for 2025 to be our actual amendment year. Um the the interesting thing this year uh you know we've been working on the u
I guess the the data and analysis is really the the the bulk of the the ear. Uh the but the real interesting thing is is Senate Bill 180. I mean it has really
created a lot of confusion even at the state level. So um when I say the local governments that they deal with the ear um it is actually through the department of commerce throughout my presentation you may you
may hear me say the state you may hear me say uh Florida Commerce uh or even Tallahassee uh you know they're all one and the same to us uh in the planning world. Uh so uh any rate we as I said we
started with with our our extension last year uh and October 28th was actually the due date for the cities year this year. We have been working with our consultant uh design west uh group. Uh these guys are actually uh former
employees uh with the uh the department of or I should say Florida Commerce. Um, it seems like every other governor decides to change it something else. Uh, it used to be DCA and, uh, occasionally
I'll slip and say DCA. Uh, but it again currently it is the, uh, Florida Commerce. So, uh, in essence, uh, the the process requires at least two hearings. One is an adoption hearing of the amendment and
and technically when the commission uh transmits to uh Tallahassee or transmits to the department uh they will review it and they will sit on it for a while and and analyze it. It it's right now with the Senate Bill 180 that's what's creating so much confusion across the
state with a lot of different entities. uh because uh with with 180 the the department of of uh of commerce is really having a tough time uh approving a lot of people's uh ears or their evaluation and appraisal report
amendments. But nevertheless, uh we're going to uh to be bringing forward uh our ear amendment to you guys in December uh at your December meeting uh December 9th. So, uh, any rate, I did want to just kind of share that with you and that's kind of been the holdup of of
some of the, uh, the other annexation requests. So, um, any rate, the u, the impact on tonight is that the the annexation certainly can can happen. It can be adopted and and become
effective. And you know that's that's really the only thing that actually becomes effective with with this particular ordinance. Uh the the future land use and the design districts can be uh adopted but they just won't be effective until after the actual um
appraisal has been transmitted and adopted u by the state or or by the city and sent back to the state. So any rate um as I said uh the the department will be reviewing that after we submit it uh
and and we'll the transmission uh to that will have to go and be approved by you guys and then actually the adoption when it comes back very much like a a a large scale type amendment process. Okay. Uh
again, uh the the future land use amendment uh it's adoptable, but it's just not effective uh tonight. Uh basically uh you can we can annex and we can go through the future uh land use
issues but uh you know as far as uh the ordinance right now uh 2532 it does state that it shall not become effective until the Florida Commerce guys actually uh issue us a I guess an approval for
the year amendment. Um now the the future land use of the uh the county will still be in play uh during this time uh until you know the the department of commerce agrees to it. So Lake Countyy's comprehensive plan will
be basically in in effect with this as it moves forward if adopted by you guys. The uh the design district is very much the same. Uh although the uh the county does not have a design district issue. So um at this point this is certainly
something that that is it really doesn't have much impact um other than you guys can adopt it tonight. It just will not be effective. So here's what we've explained to the the mos development folks. Uh again, the
the annexation uh is effective. Uh but the the others will not be and uh they can proceed with moving forward with uh each of the ordinances tonight. Uh but u at this point we will look at at their
um their project if if they have one in mind and when they bring it forward we can talk about preliminary engineering, their surveying and and the conceptual planning. uh but uh they cannot submit basically for the actual permits themselves to uh to the city until
actually the the transmission the uh the uh the year is adopted. So, um, as I said, the the county's comp plan is basically going to be in effect for the these properties until then.
And, uh, it it is our understanding that the applicant does understand the these type circumstances. So, um, while we were having this issue, we also received a a letter from the the county. Uh, I believe, uh, Commissioner
Campion on behalf of the Lake County, uh, did submit a letter and they did, I believe you guys actually have received copies of that. Uh, they do have their their concerns primarily about infrastructure and, uh, the actual
utilities uh, in that area. They actually talk about uh you know perhaps the the city can uh reach out to the Lake Sumpter MO and to the Florida DOT and uh and perhaps seek some kind of
assistance with the uh the road improvements for both County Road 44 and 452. And um again I I think that uh um
I guess is is as as Sasha and I have have talked about that the fact that uh the letter or the comments are important because they are part of the intergovernmental coordination uh process. However, they do not create any liquid conditions and uh on the our
annexations or the uh the land use decision. So, uh, at the end of the day, uh, the county's letter functions more as an advisory, uh, input in the form of of policy concerns, not legal type
prerequisites. So, again, I'm just going to uh do the the the wave tops on this project. Again, you guys have have heard our presentation under the first reading. Uh, again, this is 2531 through 2533.
Uh it is 20 acres. It's owned by the the uh the Dow Drawy family. Uh the applicants actually are Brett Jones and the MOS development uh LLC folks. It is urban low presently. They're trying to to seek suburban residential as well the
suburban neighborhood districts. As I said, uh it is under or is south of Lake Gale. uh actually on the the southern side of County Road 40 452 and north of for uh County Road 44 and
um actually uh it is just north or or just south of the southern boundary there is going to be Grand Island Estates Reserve subdivision and uh it actually abuts to its southeastern area. It buts
two industrial type uses that are in the county. One is Greenwood Truck Repair Service. The other one is Service Trucking Inc. We have uh actually looked uh at um
the uh I guess the our GIS maps and recognize that uh there is no flood zones on the property. Flood zones are really around Lake Yale. Same thing with wetlands.
We did look at the recharge area there. It is is split in half. Uh it does have zero to to 4 in uh annually on half the property. The other half has basically a a 4 to 8 inch uh annual type
recharge there. The the soils are are primarily not limited. It does have an on the southern portion that that does have some limitations there. Uh it in our in our review initially uh we recognize this is in the JPA
uh we do have services that are adequate in that area. Uh we uh we recognize the site is contiguous on the southern side to the city limits. We did provide proper notices on in the newspaper for
and actually on the site itself. We actually reviewed and perard the last analysis and I will not go over that analysis but we did that during the first reading and so at this point we actually bring to you guys for consideration the the
2531 2532 and 2533 for your consideration. The applicant is here if you if you have questions for them. And at this point, >> did did the applicant did was he informed about the uh about the
amendment before the before they made application about the annexation? >> No. And that was the real question is we actually were we were on par to get queued up to bring it forward during October the 28th. It's just that our we did have issues at the consultant level
and we were not able to bring it uh the ear that is >> I have the answer to that question. The applicant is aware they were apprised by uh development services and I spoke with u their council. We went over the um
essentially what had transpired and what the options were legally and they wanted to move forward. we legally can move forward based on um just the contingency of waiting till that comp plan gets that
approval. They then they wanted to continue forward with the process. So the ordinance has been amended and they just to include that provision that the effective date of that while you can adopt it today will not actually the implementation of it cannot occur until
after we have approval from the state. They understand that. So, at that point, they will be receiving a once we get approved, they'll receive um a notice of that. >> Okay. And that's a thank you for that explanation. Is there a chance that the state won't approve or say we need to change it?
>> At this point, we're we're I I really have >> I just I'm just concerned that, you know, we're halfway through the process and we've told them you you got to stay now, even though they weren't they weren't given notice about that when they made application.
Well, again, uh, unfortunately, one of the consequences, Mike, >> the consequences at the state level is is that while they're in review, they're not going to approve anything that comes forward. We can attempt to, but they
will kick it back and we will have to rehear the issues. So, I mean, this is one of these it's painful every seven years. >> I know. I don't I don't Sorry. I don't like the fact that they weren't given notice before the main application that we were going to do this.
>> Well, the application came in September 18th or before that. That was our first reading. So, I don't know the timing of in between, but it did get >> I mean, how long how long how long did we know we were we were
going to be having to do this amendment? >> As I said, we've been working on this since January. But again, the 180 is is the one who really created the issues about puzzling. So >> why was the late being turned in? Is it the
>> Well, you know, as I said, we our consultant is has been really struggling trying to figure out, you know, a a I guess a a good time. I mean, we the assumption early on was that 180 would would probably be somehow resolved, whether it
be through lawsuits or or not. And uh again, we we've still got some u I guess some holes, if you will, in our data and analysis are going to have to be uh filled before we can actually wrap it up. But again, we we will be bringing it
forward at that December 9th meeting to you guys. >> Can you can you ask council if they're okay with all this? Yeah, I have it in writing. Brett, he was gonna speak. Um, yeah, we go ahead. We've spoken multiple times and discussed this opportunity. Brett, >> you're on street. Claremont. U Mike did
a yman's job explaining it. It was confusing to listen to him, but I've had this conversation cumulatively an hour, you know, hour and a half with staff and your city attorney. And we're in agreement with exactly what Mike laid out. It sounded confusing. It's not to me confusing. I don't think it's
confusing your city attorney. I don't think it's confus confusing to Mike and that flowchart that he had that was very helpful and that is accurate. So, we're fine with that. >> Stuff happens. The E I'm a volunteer on the E in the city of Groveland. Um >> and your client >> stuff happens. We're fine.
>> Your client's okay with it as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. We we your city attorney did a really good job of saying like how can we make this work and and we want to be appropriate in the city and good neighbor and all that good citizen stuff. So that we're very happy with this uh result. So, so the community meeting did happen.
>> Yes. >> Or did not? >> It did. And Okay. All right. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> By the way, this has also been done in other municipalities when there are delays with the ear process. So, >> okay. >> Um, it's it's not unusual. Um.
>> Okay. >> And all right. So, did you have a presentation today? >> I don't. And you recall this was our this was last month that we were here. So, if you have any questions, I'm available to you. Nothing has changed. We did have a community meeting. Uh we discussed traffic. We discussed
flooding. This was just a few days after the act of God that happened here uh at the end of October. Uh those were the main things. I met with several of the neighbors including uh some one of the neighbors, the next door neighbor who's the father of a child that I went to elementary school with that now lives in Wyoming, which was bizarre because I
grew up in Claremont. Um and uh we talked about the character in nature design and the new design standards which got turned down by the city. how we are agreeing voluntarily by contract to adhere to them, things like that. >> And there's a commercial component part
of the development. >> No. >> Yeah. Hey, everything is for sale if you're making an offer. >> No. Uh I don't think so. Yeah. >> We have received a development agreement. Um and I've reviewed the initial draft. We have edits and they
just uh resent uh their revision. So, it's in the works and it'll come back to you in a subsequent meeting. But that development agreement is not contingent on this annexation because again they they qualify on its own. It's just a matter of if they wanted um the certain
number of homes that they're looking for. They're voluntarily seeking to apply our new standards. Any questions for com commission for Brett or for staff? No. I'll open it up to the public. Do we have any cards? I do. Cindy Newton.
>> Cindy Newton. Unincorporated Eustace. Uh I sent an email earlier today. Uh the alt key 1407940 is continuous to Eustace and would be eligible in my opinion for the second
reading today. But the other alt key 1743320 is not continuous to Eustace until the other one has been annexed and uh goes through both readings.
So with this process being slowed down anyway, I think it would be prudent to help with protecting Eustace from litigation to
Start with the first reading after the first parcel is fully annexed, then begin the process with the second. And here is a copy of my email to hard
copy and enter into the record. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, I'll go ahead and answer that uh for commission. Uh, that analysis would apply if the parcels were owned by different property
owners. We had this come up with the airport annexation back in 23. If you recall, even though the beneficiaries were essentially the same people, there were two different entities. So, we did have to um out of an abundance of caution split the annexations to allow for one entity to come in first because
it was owned by the trust and then once that was within the city limits get the other property um processed. In this instance, both properties are owned by the same uh property owners and Florida statute does allow for you to unite the
properties as long as you have a boundary that attaches to the city, which in this case it does, as long as it's owned by the same um owner and it was advertised as a 20 acre parcel. So all of that was uh conforming with law. So in this situation there is no um
concern as legally um to address u the question that Miss Newman had. >> Anyone else in the audience wishing to speak on this item? >> You can come up. State your name.
My name is Brenda Kaine and I am a home homeowner that's right on the edge of this property that everybody is talking about tonight and we I was also at the community meeting with Brett and he was very insightful as to what he said but
me being a homeowner living there for 26 years on the very south end of this property where he is talking about where they're going to put the retention area in and how they're going to go about doing it. I still do not feel comfortable with this because after
being there for 26 years, I've watched that end of the road flood over and over and over again. And on the south end of that property where they've kind of got like a little bit of a marsh land in there and that marsh land sits with water in it all the time. 452 on that
end. It slopes down and goes around. So there's constant flooding, constant hydroplaning. you are definitely gonna have a problem with water in this area no matter what your reports have said. I've lived there for 26 years, so I know
what happens on this road and that really needs to be taken into consideration and I would appreciate it if you all would look at that a little bit more in detail. Thank you. >> Thank you. Do we have anyone else in the audience who want to speak on this item?
All right. Um before I close public, but did you want to hear again from the applicant? >> Can Mike respond to her statements >> or the uh not to put Mike on the spot. Uh I
found that local knowledge is usually the best. So we're going to pay attention to what Mrs. Kane said and u you manager or any of your directors can explain and you know all the steps that we have to go through. So we'll have our engineer, you'll have your engineer,
we'll have the reports [clears throat] that USGS and FEMA and all the governmental entities put out, but then we'll have to hire consultants to measure all the things including what Mrs. Kaine said with respect to a marsh and the flow of water and and deal with all that and not only to the city view
system standards, but to the state standards as dealt with by the water management district and other state entities. So I do take that very seriously and so does the the the applicant, my client. >> Thank you for that. Thank you. So, I will close public input at this time. Um,
ordinance 2531. We still have two more readings that I have to go through, but back to you, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. >> Okay. We vote. >> Move approval of ordinance 25-31. >> Second. It's been moved and properly second. Roll call, please.
>> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lee. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Asbody. >> Hi. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi. Mayor Hawkins. >> Hi. Next is ordinance 25-32, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Eustus, Lake County, Florida, amending the city of Eustus
comprehensive plan pursuant to Florida statute 163.3187, changing the future land use designation of approximately 20 acres of real property at alternate key numbers 1743320 and 1407940 on the north side of county road 44 east
of Sparrow Lane from Urban Low in Lake County to suburban residential in the city of Eustace. We've had presentation. Are there any additional questions for staff or the applicant from commission on this ordinance? Would anyone in the audience like to comment on ordinance 25-32?
>> Seeing none, I will close public input. Mr. Mayor, >> may I move ordinance 25-32? >> Second. It's been moved and properly second. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Holland. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Lee. >> Hi. >> Commissioner Asody. >> Hi.
>> Vice Mayor Ashcraft. >> Hi. >> Mayor Hawkins. I. >> And the last ordinance is ordinance number 25-33, an ordinance of the city commission of the city of EUS, Lake County, Florida, assigning the suburban neighborhood design district designation to approximately 20 acres of real
property at alternate key numbers 174320 and 1407940 on the north side of County Road 44 east of Sparrow Lane. We've had presentation. Does commission have any questions uh for Mike or the applicant? Would anyone
in the audience like to speak on ordinance 25-33? Seeing none, I will close public input. Mr. Mayor, >> Mr. Mayor, I move approval of ordinance 25-33. >> Second. We move and promptly second. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Holland, >> I.
>> Commissioner Lee, >> I. >> Commissioner Ozbody, >> I. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraft, >> hi. >> Mayor Hawkins. >> I >> thank you. Now, we're supposed to come back to resolution 25-93, which is uh the consent item 4.3. >> Thanks, Mike.
>> Do you want to allow time for anyone that wants to leave to head out? >> If anyone wants to leave, you [laughter] >> not you. >> You don't have to stay. I left one time. [laughter] >> And we know
here on 10:00, I'll be I'll leave again. [laughter] >> Somebody said this is going to be a short. >> I know. I have no problems. Yeah, I think I already said it. >> Okay, thanks Rick for coming back. >> Yep. Yeah. So, I went back and I looked
to see if we pushed this to, you know, after the workshop, what would be impacted? Um, with the commission meeting and the workshop the 12th,
if we do it at the workshop, we would Coolage is the biggest concern because I have to bring that contract to you. I can't bring the contract till it's done. So unless we're able to vote at the
workshop, we would be in jeopardy of losing the low bidder that we have now. Again, we could rebid it. Um our engineer estimate on that was 8.8 million and our low bids at 65. So we've got a solid number. A
little nervous about them because next one up over a million. But again, we'll manage that contract. So, we are a little nervous. Again, we went out to bid on that in late August um
and pretty much 1220 December 20th. I mean, >> that's coolage, right? >> That's cool. And there are I think there's four accounts in here that are tied to the coolage. Um the cemetery, we have a little more
room on the cemetery. I think we're okay. Um because I did bring that to commission already. So, we have approved the contract. I just can't get it started [clears throat] until that money is is moved over. Um but I have December
30th >> for the cemetery. So, really the only thing we're in jeopardy on is coolage. Um and again, you know, we we can push it. Um, we do have a grant, a $1.6 million
grant through D and we do need to file for an extension on that. The one with DOT we're just getting penned. So, we're okay there. Um, >> can we um do
>> So, the only other thing Okay, I just need to reach out to D tomorrow. Um, we did get uh the state appropriations for the Northshore Culver. Again, that's for engineering
services. We have not penned the contract with the engineer because there's a there's it's a SSE form that has to be done. We've been working the last month back and forth between our consulting and DOT. We do have everybody working towards the
December 9th commission meeting for that, but I can talk to D if we need to push that one. Um, you know, I think it's just a matter of revising that form to do that. So, those are the ones.
Again, not all the projects am I associated with. So, I had Greg look for the utility side. I got a pretty good handle on him, but he definitely has a good handle on the utility side. Um, I think we're okay on all of those.
Again, coolage is the biggest fear for me. Um, again, we still may be able to pull it off, but if there's a way that we could look at those four accounts, I think that would definitely be in our best interest because of all the
different funding sources and and the magnitude of that project that we have. >> Do you have the accounts >> there? I do. It is 010 8600
541 6050 Reservoir Gardens Coolage and that's 3,474,100. The next one is sewer impact fee 066 8600 535
6817 Rosenwald 7 blocks water man and that's 750,000 the next 042 8600 535
6646 Coolage sewer main expansion 60,600 I am missing yes 065 8600 533 6716 resin wall blocks water main at 150,000.
So those four accounts will help get moving and then I will be bringing on the night I'll be bringing that contract. >> So that's what roughly uh 5 mil. >> Yeah, probably about 5 million >> because we have some other money programmed in this year. >> Okay. All right.
>> The Northshore cover, >> how much money are you looking at there? 475,000. >> What about cemetery? the cemetery. I can still pull that off. If we do the 9th and we decide that the
rollover happens on the 9th, then you know, and that's where I don't I'm not sure if based off that workshop if we'll have the green light to do the rollovers at that point. That's going to take another commission.
As long as we can get the green light to roll over the cemetery, >> you can make it happen >> because that has to be done at the end the 30th actually >> and we won't have another meeting uh after that. >> May I make a suggestion?
>> I would say the um Kulage the cemetery Northshore and there's a $1.6 million grant. Did you say? >> Yeah, it's a 1.6 FD but that's that's >> that's coolage >> coolage and then what was that about DOT
>> the DOT is 1.9 million 1.8 And that is also >> we have time on that's coolage. >> That's yeah that's revenue off of >> coolage. I I would say that we u approved those tonight and then studied the other ones
later. >> Is that a total of four based on what she's saying or is that a fifth one? >> Four. Four is for coolage only. >> The the four that I read off as a members that is solely forage. Um the cemetery is
um >> not in any harm's l right now. >> 56 Yeah. 569,800. And again, the as long as we get the rollover in place. We've already executed we've already
executed a contract. I just can't get started because we can't write the PO. So we write the PO once the money is there. If I show if I'm show a zero balance on the line item, I can't write a requisition to it. So that's we've got the award in place. I just need to get
that requisition. As long as I do that by the 30th, I'm >> the 30th of this year. >> Yeah. 30th of this year. December 30th of this year. >> Okay. >> So, just so I understand, those four are your biggest are your worries. Those are
what you really like to leave here with. >> Is that right? >> Coolage pretty much has to The cemetery is going to be a scramble, but we we can make that work as long as >> Yeah, I'm not sure the process of the workshop if if >> that's what I was going to ask. Can we
do a workshop slashme or just end the workshop, open a meeting for 10 seconds, a minute, vote, and close it? >> This this commission doesn't do anything in 10 seconds. >> No, we really have we have done some LDRs and stuff like that. Yeah. [laughter]
Um, >> so just one item. >> I don't like pushing like with the cemetery. I mean, he's saying as long as we do it by a night, just do it. >> Yeah. So, basically, um, any of the other ones that are not urgent, you can >> push
>> push, you can have a workshop on and and have time to digest those even the same day if they're um of Dr. Levy's meeting. um in order for you to vote on that uh that day you would have to have a special meeting and
you know I I I'm unavailable. I have um I'm going to be out of the country so I had already put that on there. We if anything else can wait until the new year then that's fine and you can still have the workshop so that you can digest all the information and that way you
have it and then the decisions for the remainder of the items come in unless you want to have a special meeting >> next year. But we could do >> this year but like you know during the week of the 15ish you know I don't know what kind of travel plans there are but
ideally today coolage we already have the accounts and those are identified um that comes to about roughly 4.7 million if you wanted to approve that and discuss the cemetery then that can go ahead tonight because of the way the uh
resolution is written as long as it's it's more expansive maybe uh not all of these accounts may contribute to the coolage project, but that's fine. As long as we're not missing an account that's uh contributing, then that would be an issue. It would be a modification of the essentially of the instruction to
the commission. Uh which would be you're approving this resolution exclusively for these projects and then we'd outline what the accounts are and then remove from the exhibit attached to it the remainder of them. So those would be at a later date.
if it if it helps. We did that last year during the budget process. We talked these in detail um and the cemetery I went through and and we talked in detail about that and and the price of good. So the money's not changing. It was money
that was approved prior year. We were just unable to get it started for whatever reasons. Coolage was a lot of peritting stuff but It's the same amount of money. We're not looking at changing any of the money.
We're just changing the fiscal year. Had I been able to pull this trigger on September 23rd or whatever our last meeting was, it would have been encumbered. It's just that matter of waiting that extra week to get it set.
>> It pushed. I mean, [clears throat] >> I don't know if that helps. >> No, it it it does. And and and and and honestly, you know, um Kage has been playing for a while and we all know that. Um it's not it's the it's the funds that are uncumbered right now that
that I have I have a I want to look at. So um I think for me right now I'm I'm okay with coolage only and I want to look at everything else. >> Did we um are we okay on Northshore? I know we have the appropriation that's I
know that's engineering. it I I can reach out to DOT. We just need to revise their form. So, they've given us they've given us an approval to bring the engineering contract. Um, that had to be done and I'll just have to reach out to
them tomorrow and we'll change the dates. >> Is that like a guarantee? >> Um, that's a normal practice. >> It has to be. I mean, I don't I don't
I don't want to jeopardize that >> is doing [snorts] a little It's a little rework. >> That one scares me. >> Well, I I do not want to lose that bridge. >> Yeah. >> And there's gas lines that run through there. There's all kinds of challenges with that road
>> and that is also an appropriation. >> Yeah. And this is and coming from me, I'm okay with delaying the cemetery, >> but I want I really I really do want the coolage done. And I think that cover
we >> Okay, we better take care of it. >> I want I want Coolage, Northshore, and cemetery >> done. >> Mike, I'm with you. I'm I'm not worried about the cemetery, but uh right now I'm not worried about it, but I'm I'm with
you on on on those. >> Uh and I will fight for the cemetery once we come to the first of the year. However, I think those those items, >> you know, >> yeah, I it's not a must for me, Gary. >> But >> I mean, I just said I think I think
coolage is the most important. I mean, we could do coolage now. We could do uh the culvert on the 9th if we had to. uh then everything else could be at the workshop. But I mean, if we're all in consensus to go ahead and do the the covert now, by all means, I >> Okay, we don't have to agree. We just
need three. [laughter] >> Put that to music. >> You want I want three. >> Okay. >> And that's all I'm asking to since he he's saying that he still has to have the cemetery about a ninth, right?
>> No. >> Yeah. be under contract by December 30th. >> So, so the KN is >> budget budget rollover has to happen by the 30th. >> I think we should do everything that has
an appropriation >> from them. So, the coolage the um culvert I think we should I'd like to vote on that now. So the culbert is 475 >> and yeah 475 if I may Rick I think
that's the modified number is 400 on that correct I think 475 was the old number but I think we modified it to 400 even with two and two correct >> it it when we went in for the appropriations it was 400
>> the engineers um quote they sent us was I think it's 447. So, it's closer to the 450 number, but >> Okay. So, do we want to do the 475 then? >> 475 cover and that's what's listed on.
>> That's Yeah, I'm going by the exhibit because that way >> that was advertised. >> Yeah, 475. >> That's fine. I But I think the appropriation had a different number. >> Okay. >> And if it does, it doesn't matter. We just >> doesn't change. So, what I'm hearing
right now is a consensus, I believe. Say no if you don't agree. Um, yes to cover and yes to Coolage. >> I'm not hearing a no. So, that's that. What about cemetery? >> I want the cemetery. >> I want it, but I'm willing to wait.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> When we say wait, we're waiting until >> for a while. And so, if you >> That's why I think it's important to just >> Well, it is important, but I One less thing we have to consider.
>> But otherwise it cemetery >> I'm like 45 days more time. >> So that might be a >> reb >> and do it push it back or >> one last thing we have to consider the the
>> three >> covert >> the covert and >> and the cemetery. >> Let's compromise the cemeteries there. >> [snorts] >> All right. And so then all other projects >> are going to We don't need those for the ninth. Then >> you know what makes these so special?
Well, not not as much cover that was the appropriation, but the other two is we've had the bids out, >> right? >> You and we got the bids in and the time of the bids is we don't want to lose what we have for solid. >> I'll read it.
>> The rest things are in the works. >> Yeah. And I'll be clear isn't >> going to make a difference. We're not going to lose something that's going to trip us to reid. A lot of things we're going out to bid now anyway. >> Mhm. >> And we'll have that answer by then. >> Okay. >> So, we're Okay.
>> Okay. Good. >> So, did I miss something? Are we doing this on the 9th out of 12? >> The 9th. >> The 9th. Okay. >> No. No. Hold on. >> The nth. >> I thought the idea is to approve these tonight. >> We're going to approve these tonight. Yes. >> We're approving these tonight. these tonight. But the other >> Yeah.
>> 56 on the 9th. >> The others do not have to come before you on the 9th. >> No, I can I can I can talk about the 12th >> because you want to do with you can have a workshop on the 12th. >> Yeah.
>> Post conversation with uh Dr. Levy and then decide to have if you want to schedule a special meeting later in December or go to January. That's >> I don't think we'll And again, I'm speaking I I probably have about half.
>> I think we're okay waiting until January. >> Great. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. You're the best, Rick. >> Okay. >> Proceed. Is anyone in the audience that wish to comment on this resolution?
>> Okay. >> Seeing none, I am closing public input. >> Come talk for 20 minutes about it. So the res the motion that would is being made when someone says motion is going to be what I'm just going to read. So
it's approval of resolution number 25-93 for the coolage project, the covert and the cemetery projects. >> Move approval three >> for those only.
>> The remainder will the exhibit's going to be modified to remove the remaining items for discussion >> at a later time December 12th which would be separately advertised >> approval. Um, >> yeah. >> So, that's the that's the motion.
>> Okay. Okay. >> You got a motion? >> Got a motion. >> I second it. >> Has been motioned and properly second. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Holland. >> I. >> Commissioner Lee. >> I. >> Commissioner Obott. >> I. >> Vice Mayor Ashcraftoft. >> Hi,
>> Mayor Hawkins. >> Hi. >> Thank you, sir, for all your help in getting all that worked out. >> Well, Tom has a question. I just want to um ask again I think I had asked this earlier. There are uh again 63 projects
on this list. If there are certain projects that are specifically of concern uh if you can get us those then we'll be prepared. I mean we can be prepared to address all 63 but it might be more efficient. Uh
we may not want to talk about lift station generators because that that's kind of a no-brainer. we need a generator replacement program for our lift stations, but there are others on here that might be um might require a little more discussion. So, what I'm
asking is if there are items specifically on this list that are of interest that we need more information, please let us know. Uh otherwise, we can be prepared to talk. >> Are we going to get the list in advance? >> Uh you well, I can we can resend it. You have the list.
>> That but what's un what's included in those specific items. >> I think what he's saying is look it over and wherever you see a problem, ask him what you need and maybe we'll have it all res. If >> there's a project that you have questions on or or aren't quite sure if
you want to move forward with, please let us know and we can be prepared to address them. >> Tom, I suggest you send a revised exhibit removing the ones that were approved today. So, >> they have less, you know, to to look at as far as that's concerned. >> We'll send a revised version. >> Okay. And the workshop needs to be
scheduled and advertised. Thank you. >> Okay. >> No. What? The workshop for the discussion of the projects, not Mr. Levy. >> Okay. >> All right. That's it.
>> I'm done. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, now other business do other business and future agenda items. Uh Mike, >> I just want to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving. Sherry, can you give us a rundown of Light Up Eustace
>> since it's coming right behind Thanksgiving? >> That's true. >> Sorry to delay everybody, but I think this is important for us as a community. >> It's great to end on a good note, right? >> It's great. It's the first time you come to speak before.
>> No, it's not. [laughter] >> It's a joke. >> He said it. Yeah. He says that every time she comes up today. >> Yes. We have light up Eustus next Friday, November 28th from 5 to 9 in Fen Park. We're going to kick things off
with we got the Eustace High School band. We also have some carolers coming. We have our tree light up at around 6:15. We have Magic 107s. Uh Leslie Gail is going to be hosting. Um we also have the fabulous Equinox Orchestra coming in
from Savannah, Georgia. They are a big band. Uh they're fantastic. I saw them in 2018 and you're going to love them. Uh we have the shed in Fen Park so everyone knows. Uh it's from Larks donated their shed for the event and we
are going to put Santa we are going to deck it and put Santa in there for photos. So that's what the shed in the park is. But I look forward to seeing you all there and I'll be sending you all some more details. We're just working on a couple little things to wrap up. But we'll see you then. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Happy Thanksgiving.
>> Thank you. >> That's it for me, Mayor. >> You're okay, Emily? >> Yes. Um, again, [clears throat] happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I also I have to promote our coming event on December 1st. We've had the schools in
Houston have um they made ornaments and we have all the trees as you see out there decorated. And on December 1st, the school the kids will come. um I think it's two representatives and a teacher and we're gonna have a reception for them and uh so we're pretty excited
about it and then on on uh December 9th it'll be open to the general public and it'll be uh before a reception before our um uh commission meeting. I also want to compliment um Pam and George. I
attended the graduation um of the um their entrepreneurs and it was it was awesome and if all of them was set up in uses it would be even greater. Um but they had such quality and and uh so many creative ideas and
some of them you you looked at and you heard and you said why didn't I think of that you know it just seemed like it's something that was so obvious. So, I I enjoyed that and um [clears throat] I think they're doing a great job and and um I hope to see more entrepreneurs go
through and stay in the city. And that's about all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Gary. >> Um yeah. Um a few things. Um I'd like to renew my ask that we get the agenda out on Thursday. It's not these these
agendas are really detailed and you know um getting them late on Friday and not being able to contact anyone on the weekend. Um as we can see there's a lot of lot of information and any an extra day would be I think would be uh would
be awesome. Um um Thanksgiving Day I'll be at the park um with uh Feed Your Soul um helping people get um Thanksgiving meals if uh anyone would like to come out and uh
volunteer or donate. It is in the park on Thanksgiving Day from 2 to 4. Um and if anyone would like to donate, I have some information here. Uh feed your soul. Um, as everyone may or may not know, I was
on a city softball team. [snorts] >> Um, [laughter] we did win our last game, our only game that we won. Uh, we did win 21 to three. I had a ball. I had a ball doing this and I'd like to thank all the departments that had people on our team.
I know there are a lot of people from public works, uh, park and wreck, uh, but, um, it was a lot of fun. Um, and I think there's Is still here? Sam, do we have We have a league in the spring, too. >> Okay. All right. >> Is he allowed to be on the team?
[laughter] >> Sam, >> don't answer that. >> Sam, you really should have seen me at the last game. I mean, really, we did we did wonderful. Um, but like I said, thanks for everyone from the city that was on the team. >> I'm worried about our workman's top. [laughter] >> Um, >> we should have the fire department stand
by. And um and lastly um you know over [clears throat] this past year you know I've made it one of my uh initiatives uh for economic development u for us. I've I've I had a I had a uh epip an
epiphany uh a few a few days ago. We are going to have to be in charge of our destiny. We can't leave it to the private sector. No offense to the private sector people. They're going to come in and do what's best for them. We need to do what best
for us. And we might we might be doing some things that we're not comfortable with, but I think it's something we need we need to look at. We have to be in charge of our own destiny. If that's buying land to bring in commercial
properties and and and and businesses, we might need to do that. We might need to to find a way to finance all these things that we're trying to do. And it may be something that we've not we've not done before. We need to be in charge of our own destiny and not letting the
private sector detail what we want to do because all they want to do is annex land and put in houses. So, and that's it for me. >> Okay. Thank you, George. >> Man, a few words. I really don't have
>> You [laughter] should. >> Okay, man. A few words. You done? >> You touched on the veterans there. You going to talk about that a little? No, you go ahead. >> We um we were at the vet veterans celebration and uh it was a great celebration though. I have to admit I
know um Willie agrees we need to get more people out there to to honor these people. It it it really was embarrassing to me as a part of the city. So, um, before I could even say anything, Sherry
came up to me and said, "We're going to make this much better, uh, next year." She just got here. I believe in in her. I can't go to Tavar's anymore because if they know we're a commissioner and we took her, they want to knock us off. But, um, it it uh, it was a good event
she put together. It was great. I just would have liked to see more people there. Uh touching on Emily which when you go last I guess everybody gets to talk about some of those stuff. Uh we started the mega workplace with the hope
to touch 30 people a month. We are now touching somewhere just over 325 a month. Way beyond any expectation we ever had. We had 10 of the best presentations of high-tech agricultural
tech uh and uh some great ideas. Uh Kirby Smith, our county commissioner, was there and he is pursuing uh a presentation that was made for an app that will let you go rent mini stoages anywhere. So instead of driving around and calling these mini stoages, you get
on this app and they can adjust if they have 10 x10s too many. Put the right price. You look in the app and you can find where the closest one to you is for a 10 by10. And if it's ready right then and there, you can apply for it. Get your code sent to you right then and there. drive down there and go right in
without ever seeing anybody. And that's a phenomenal app that I think is going to go off the off the off the uh sector. So there's and that's a Eustace person. There were 10 people presenting that UCF brought. Four of those 10 were from Eustace. One was in Eustace but has
moved to Apopkco. But uh we have a lot to be proud of. We've got a lot of talent hitting here. 72% of everybody uh in the workforce leaves Lake County and we've got to change that and and uh and I think we're on the road to to doing
that especially up in the north part of town. So that's uh that's important and to share with you and and we're proud of the relationship UCF has. They have now grown their participants the fastest that any incubator has ever grown that
UCS has UCF has ever had. And uh that's that's something for us all to be proud of because you guys all voted for that long before I came along and put it in place. So uh there's a lot of good a lot of good stuff you guys need to be proud of. That is it. Happy Thanksgiving.
>> Willie, one more thing I'd like to say. >> I would like to really um compliment Ellis Foreman for those trees out there for the idea and the decorations around city hall. She's done a magnificent job. So if you guys see it, come tell her
it's it was good job because she really puts a lot of effort into it and and she's so creative. So I just want to give a shout out to Ellis. >> Uh Tom, >> yeah, it's been mentioned a couple times, but I just wanted to reiterate that we consolidated our December
meetings. So now we just have one meeting in December on Tuesday, December 9th. And then it's been mentioned several times that we have the workshop with Dr. Levy on Friday, December 12th. That is 9:00 a.m. at the women's club. And then
I will be out of the week, out of the office next week. I will be reachable. Uh but Miranda will be around if you need anything. >> That's it. >> Why is it at the women's center? >> Uh Dr. Levy did not want it in this building.
Uh he wanted it offsite. He felt that you'd be more relaxed and able to speak more freely. >> And the uh community center was not available. So it's at the woman's club. >> That's better. >> And and everybody put on your thinking
hats, your ideas, and and and that desire to make us a team. Come with that attitude, please. Okay, >> happy Thanksgiving everyone. >> Well, thank you. Um,
I I wanted to uh again give kudos to our public works uh team and our fire and our police >> Spring Ridge. You know, we told them that we'd like to have them in by
November and it was done in what, six days. Outstanding job. Outstanding. Um, you know, I went out a couple of times and, you know, just to see how fast they were moving. Um, I'm glad we took it over.
The u the residents are glad that we took it over. Uh, so great job team. Great job. >> Miranda just left their homeowners. >> Oh, yeah. Can you give us >> That's right. >> Good evening. Miranda Burrows, assistant city manager. So, we uh Kellaher Swanson
and myself just were at the HOA meeting. It was this evening at 6:00. Overwhelming sentiment of appreciation. They were all well aware that it was a 50- vote for commission to support that. Really appreciative. There were some good questions um that were raised, but it was really positive and they wanted to make sure they extended their thanks
to you guys. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you for going out. >> Thank you. Um I uh uh go to the schools every now and then and I I went to Eustace Eustace Heights um
the other day and they the principal let me know that they started their their tutoring um and overwhelming success on that. Uh so I think that it was it was money well spent. So uh thank you chief,
thank you Tom. uh for making that happen. Uh we have a new football coach. >> Thank you. >> Amen. [clears throat] >> Yes. Uh he will be at the chamber meeting on the uh the third. So if you
get a chance uh to meet him, I I'd love for us to get behind him. Um I think he's just what what our our kids need. Okay. Um, great job team. This has been a lot longer than I expected it to go.
Uh, but uh, happy Thanksgiving everyone. Be safe and we'll see you in December. >> Thank the department heads for the lunchon.