--------- Go. Clay's got a a couple updates and and we'll take commissioner by commissioner, however you want to let it flow. >> All right. Um, how y'all want to do? Y'all want to let get the updates first or y'all want to give y'all information? >> Okay. All right. We'll go with the updates first and then we'll >> talk we'll start the roads then if that's good.
>> Okay. >> So, you have uh two sheets stapled together. Top of it says FDOT funded. this uh don't this really for your information today at the end of the month we'll need some um some guidance from you guys on what you want to apply
for for DOT. So these are all different fiscal years and what roads and projects are funded and uh again not asking you to digest all this this morning but just so you can take home and then if you have questions you can certainly let me know. um the two roads in the past that
we've applied for that have not received funding yet um country club road and then the Freeman Rouse Del drive combination. I mean we could certainly you know recirculate those and and apply for those again this year but we'll need two scop two scrap and a CIGP. So we'll
need five five roads to um to apply for >> Yes sir. Yes sir. I know this make sure long we got that. >> So yes sir funded for design currently. It's being designed currently and then um it's the construction is funded in
fiscal year 28 which is July of 27 for us. >> So after July of 278. >> Yes sir. >> Correct. >> It's a million three. So, one of the things that I hope we'll bring up when we meet with the DOT
secretary is, and again, as good as DOT's been to us, they've been as good to us as any county in Northwest Florida for the last 10 years. So, I'm certainly not complaining, but when they bypassed C30 because the bridge was out during the hurricane, they destroyed
uh the country club road. I mean, the sides broke off the whole nine yards. We asked for it to be fixed. in there was there was something in their crawl and they did and so and it and it has been that is a no-brainer. It it is a reliever of congestion on that road
all the thing. So, we need to press upon the new secretary that uh that this needs to be funded because uh it it really the state caused the damage and all the trucks and whatnot that we put on that because we had not too long ago had paved that road I think in like 11
or 12 and it got destroyed and it would have lasted 30 years. So, it certainly accounted it for it. Lake Grove Road. The balance of that would be a great one for us to apply for too. But you want them at the next meeting to have that. So at the end of the month,
we need our list because I think the deadlines >> they're due in March. So that'll give us time to get them together. >> I got a question, Clay. >> Yes, sir. >> So I'm looking at the Dowkeep Road here. You got two sections. You got it stopping at Mace Martin. What about the
other one? The rest of it >> from Mace Martin to Willis. >> Yeah. So the uh let me find it. >> So in fiscal year 27 the the 381 design from the lower Dow Keith to the end of
the pavement. >> Okay. So >> we'll get the rest of that designed and then they were going to they're going to break the construction up from lower Dow Keith to Mace Martin and then Mace Martin to the end of pavement. >> Okay. So it's it's one design but two construction phases >> long as we got it. If we stop at May
then that's it. >> It's going all the way to the end of the pavement. >> Okay. All right. >> So So and if I'm reading that right they're going to they're going to after July of this year they can pave the first phase from 71 to lower. Am I reading that wrong? The 2.4.
>> Yes. Yes. That's after July this year. We'll get the first phase constructed. So your first section will they'll bid we t typically we we'll bid that in July of this year. So in five months we'll be moving forward on the first section from
from the industrial park to lower dke. >> Okay. >> It's already designed. So we're just waiting on construction money. >> Okay. I'm good. I just want to make sure we wasn't leaving that lower section off. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> M if I may. >> Yes, sir. Yes. Um, Clay and Mark, could
we look at um Road Five bridge? Had a couple of complaints on it. Um, when it was done before, I think we've got a couple of really bad potholes on it. I think the asphalt on top of the bridge is about to to leave us. Um, it's definitely slipping. So, if we could look at that together, maybe I know
there's not a I know the bridge funding is not the greatest, but we need to figure out something on that thing. I'm sure don't mind helping either. >> Yes, sir. Nothing else on that. The second sheet I gave you, again, this is really more for information. This is broken down by
districts. And then, of course, you see the city of Wea. This is what's going out in the bid for the road bond. These are the roads that y'all gave us that uh Blueberry is working on. They we met with a Monday and I think we're going to be ready to advertise these roads in February. So, we're coming up on that.
Once we get some prices back in, then we'll kind of know we have any money left over, that kind of thing. So, there'll be some decisions obviously to be made after that, but that's the I wanted y'all to have that again as you're thinking about roads so you know what's coming up. >> And the two red ones are the change
orders been added after two. Yeah, >> we don't slow it down because we added these after the fact. Commissioner Cron added one, Commissioner Quinn added one. >> So, so Clay, we're going to January we'll have Give me another timeline. I I
think next month, February, we'll be ready to advertise >> and >> and so then so probably receive bids in March. >> Probably probably receive bids at your March meeting. >> Start construction in April. >> April. Okay. That's why >> Let me ask you, I know Monica Drive a
little more in depth. >> A lot of drainage. >> Yeah. Be a pretty good number on that road. >> It's in rough shape. Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> That's the plan. Yes, sir.
>> Terrible shape. >> Terrible. So, so we added it, but but we didn't want to slow them down because they're almost through. But we'll just change order. >> But but we are going to survey that because again I because of that road that it kind of connects. It's not really a loop. It's two different roads and it gets tight. We got to go in there
and clip the sand out of the edge of the road and figure out exactly where our line is. But yeah, we'll do it right. And we also have some drainage issue there because people have built up on the on the very end and it so we got to figure out how we're going to get that water off. Okay. Um when we go up to talk about with DOT,
we're also going to talk about um >> Back Beach >> Back Beach Road. Absolutely >> correct. I mean that's they gave us kind of a synopsis when we went up there last time. And so we we've got that in in I guess let's talk about that. We
basically quickly >> Bay County's kind of on board with it, right? So >> effective positive. That's right. Yeah. So, I guess what's our next steps? Do you think the CR Jim the CRT CRPT whatever they they changed their plan,
correct? >> Can you hear that? >> Jim. Jim, come on up to the microphone real quick. Jim, come on up to the microphone. >> He's asking you a question. >> What's the question? >> They wanted us to make sure that we got the back beats road in that plan. They
did amend that, correct? >> Yes. I mean, but yeah, I mean, we it need it's being considered. Yeah. Every time I get a chance to say something in the transportation planning committee, I I mention that, but that that's our number one priority. >> Gotcha. Thank you, Joe. >> So, basically, we we've got to get a and
depending on which pot, but we've got to get a $60 million appropriation in the in the in the five-year plan. And that's basically what we'd asked for the last time when we all went to chip. uh if we can get in the 5-year plan, that helps us start combining monies and uh and that's that's basically what and it may
be more than that now, but that's the last good number that they had for the two phases because just doing phase two and dumps it all back on 386 does not solve the problem. They've got to go >> we've got to go through the back of uh to to the other to to the gas station on
tend stretch. >> Michael, I notic I know Bay counties put They've already named that G Coast Parkway. >> Yeah. >> It makes it a heck of a lot better. Jody's not in here, but uh when you take
an ambulance from Ascension, which we do a lot of that whether you come from the wherever you come from, but you do that transport, it's a ways going through that. And people, especially during the summertime, they don't get out of the way. I'll just be honest with you. >> That that would really because that then you got 55 hopefully 55 mph traffic back
there. It's a little bit different. And so it'll make a it's a huge safety issue. It'll alleviate that since so many of our transports go that way. And and plus Jack, I know you s we're putting the crosswalks down there and Beacon Hill and St. Joe Beach. I think
that alleviates some of that because you got some people going slow and some people trying to get to Panama City and it just it creates a traffic nightmare. So >> I'm really concerned that road is coming apart. >> It is. >> Oh.
I think it's in design right now. >> Yeah, I think it's >> so I didn't put it on your list, but um they have fiscal year 28. They have 8.3 million DOT has for that from Pine Avenue back to the canal. So
>> all the way the bridge, it >> you got to get over this. >> Yeah. >> Well, and time flies, but it's 20 years old. I mean, when you think about it, so it's not that >> Yeah, >> it's 20 years old again
>> and and and support the traffic it never was meant to support at this point. So, any more updates? >> That was all I had for you this morning. >> Sam, you got anything? >> So, uh Clay can give an update on u
water. We got some good news last night. I text y'all about that that we had been waiting on and that we'd kind of somewhat halfway been promised at Thanksgiving and I was extremely disappointed that we hadn't been notified and then we had this big press release that the governor did I guess the week before last and we weren't
included and uh so Clay can give you that update. We did we got we got good news yesterday on uh what we call the south transmission main which is one of the components of our water system moving off the coast which we've been working on in different phases but this line will run from our booster station in Jones homestead to dead man's curve.
It'll upgrade that 6 in line that's needs it drastically but um yeah it was great news 7.7 million um that part of the project is designed it's permitted has been through environmental review so that one's ready to hit the streets as soon as we get the the grant amendment. So that was really good news late
yesterday. >> Let me ask you this. Once we get that booster set up there at Jones Homestead with that line, would that eliminate dead man's curve there? >> Just tell me where we're at on that project. >> That's the last big piece uh as far as
funding wise that we have. So the the goal is and hopefully before I retire, but but soon thereafter if not, the goal is when White City and the booster station are up. White City is going to be online in two months. Uh maybe just a little bit less than two months. The
booster station is probably eight or nine months, maybe maybe a year, but that's that's lower priority than the the deal. When we get our next whale that we're they're working on right now tied in, we're going to mothball Lucy one and Lucy 2. They'll be
holding areas. They'll be boosting areas, but they won't be production areas. We'll have those as emergency productions. Correct me now on any of these that Yes, sir. So it it will it will be a money saver and and we will transport all and and plus the whole point was to get the production off the
coast, >> get it out of saltwater infiltration and and hurricane destruction and all that kind of stuff. So we'll make all of our water at White City and we'll pump it south all the way to the state park and all the way to the Franklin County line.
>> But this was the you know we we got kind of got short changed on the 10 million. We got short changed here, whatnot, but between 3 million here and a million and a half there. And last Christmas, we got 3 million. And this is the last this is the last big piece. >> Uh sewer update if you want to talk
about that. >> Yeah, I mean we're moving forward. That's in design, pressing forward. Um you know, we've got the agreement with the city of Weiwa. So that's how we're proceeding. you know, hopefully we can in a ideal situation, we come to some agreement with the city of St. Joe and and you know, can get them on board and
I think that'd be a win for for everybody. But yes, sewers moving forward. >> So So this is we're at the we're at the last chance today. I mean, I understand they got 25 million appropriation. That's a positive. They could team with us and be totally done. Or they 75 million short on their $100 million
project to clean up and and do off. Uh we're we're to the point now we've either got a team or not team and and move forward uh because it's it's about the train is is already moving. So if we can get them some movement about doing uh a joint effort and and even if it's
an independent sewer board, which I'm perfectly fine with, today's the time. The other thing I want to talk with the DOC secretary, we had discussions the last time we met with them is we want to run a sewer line to uh the work camp and we want a commitment from them when we
run that sewer line in 18 months or whatever that timeline is. We want them to commit to opening and that would the benefits to both cities, the county uh and the school board for having that work count reopened would be astronomical. getting our our labor
force back. >> Um, when we get the advanced wastewater treatment plant up and running, hopefully that opens us up to grant opportunities, large sums of money for the the water
that comes out of it. I It's treated water. It's not drinking water, but it's it's reuse water. Uh we talked about I know we're going to run it out at the golf course. Hopefully we need to get the superintendent involved because those fields that they have they can run it by your fields and I mean that's why they are most big cities now they use
that uh that treatment but they also have improvement money with that. Correct. I mean I know WCulla used theirs to the tune of about $8 million that they got on a grant because they went with that using that water again. So, that's another reason
>> they paid for buying that golf course by using that as their as their in. >> That was how they they did it and completely redid it, but there's other projects and and you never know what else we might need that water for down the road um for for ball fields. I mean, it's good for ball I mean,
it does great on ball fields. So that's why I'm hoping that when we do have a meeting with them that they can see that it there's another couple of things too that it really opens us up the door because they're they're wanting you to get to that kind of system. I hope we can bridge you this morning.
Uh I know we got that workshop with them and be a great time to move forward and you know eventually get that wastewater plant off the canal would be absolutely be a win for everybody. For everybody everybody That's the only thing we really want to bring out. We'll be glad to talk when
it's commissioner's turns about parks and bathrooms and ball fields and all those kind of good things, but that's all the staff has for you right now. >> All right. Thanks, sir. All right, commissioners. Mr. Macko, you want to go first? Got anything? >> We're going to talk about >> our need or what? >> Get your list. You got your You got your
playbook. >> Well, y'all don't mind short. >> Um, so y'all want to talk? Yeah. We're going to start with what we got done or what we want to get done or just kind of both. What's what's the game plan? >> I've just got what I want the the you
know the big things that are all of us and then some of the just individuals that I have. I mean >> yeah. Well, as far as for me uh y'all know that the work crews with the inmate work squad program that that's a big thing and uh we was able to get one more
this past year. That's that's definitely a plus there. And uh I I believe in the near future, knock on wood, that we're going the warden will be able to get us another one. So that that'll provide every commissioner with a work crew. So
>> that'll be a win-win there. >> That's huge, sir. >> That is huge. Thank you for that. Yes, sir. >> So that that'll be a good one there. Uh the parks and the boat landings. Um I've been working on them and we've got a lot of confidence. We got a lot more that I
want to do in in my area on that roads. We got we moving forward on roads. Um I don't know if you I I know Jack's kind of ramming up the or putting it all together as far as courthouse and I
didn't know if that's something you might want to talk about later on or whatever, but that's definitely interest. >> We can talk about it now if you want to. >> That's definitely interest of mine. I don't know exactly I know we exactly where we at with it. So, basically, uh, well, Rick Scott had some folks here Monday. I went and talked to them, uh,
to make sure we can try to help, and they they agreed to when we submit for our grant for the National Historic Register, they agreed to, um, uh, basically provide a letter of of support for us for that grant application. They said they would support it non-stop.
They were going to go by and take a look at it. and we g I gave them an an update on how we're how we're doing with it and basically where it's at and the vandalism and things we've had, the problems that we've had that are super unfortunate, but that's that's they completely understand. So, um so, you
know, we're definitely going to try to get I think that grant is in April that we're going to submit for I don't see Aaron out here, but she's they're on it. They're supposed to have it done um the first day that the grant application cycle becomes open and we're we're definitely working hard on it for sure.
>> Yeah, good deal. >> That's that's definitely a big one for me too. >> And you know and for everybody and on the north end up there especially. >> Me too. >> Me too. >> Can I can I just add one thing? Um u just when we do go to DC, we may I know
um Michael sent us something about Commissioner I mean about uh Dr. done. Um is getting out of it. So um how long he got left before he's out? >> January be out like January the second I think. So the the rest of this year.
>> The rest of this whole So you got the rest of this year. I mean, I I mean, he was helpful in helping helping us before and I and uh we we may need uh I know we tried, but we may need to try to sit down if we can and see if we can get him to before he gets out of
there to get us some of that that funding like he did before to help with the I mean, every little bit of every little bit of help. So, >> um >> yes, we'll we'll reach out. >> Okay, chairman. That's about all I got. Okay.
You don't got no wants. >> I got a lot of stuff in I got a lot of stuff in the works. So, >> okay. All right. You You good? >> I'm good. >> All right. Uh, Commissioner McRone. >> Uh, a lot to talk about. I just uh
let everybody know that we are we're moving forward with the Coast Guard property or the Air Force property that uh kudos to Congressman Patron as he is sponsoring a bill for us to acquire that
property and uh you know sooner than later. I'm excited about that. I think it'll go forward and and Michael, you give us a little update and >> there's anything to add to what I said, but >> Clay and I had a a phone conference call
with his staff and the and the actual gentleman that's writing the bill and uh I think it's pretty much done and uh so that should be moving forward and the chairman of the armed service committee agreed to run that bill. So hopefully we'll get control of that property and we've asked for the the property on the
Gulf side including the road going into the old Coast Guard uh barracks and the the old lighthouse property. So uh to be to be continued, but but we're moving in the right direction. >> U trying to get our project I know we
talked about a while ago about the dredge. It broke down on you know unforeseen stuff but Senator we can get that up and going. Uh people's little little bit of a panic mode, but anyway uh uh that is moving forward. They have placed some materials
down on the site. Uh Jack, I know you've been down there, >> but uh uh so that that is coming. Uh in the process, I'm going to put a park in uh Jones Homestead, right? Jones Homestead. We've already got the
property acquired. I think we've applied for a fur out on that. And uh the clay's going out and so everybody knows we're going to do some resurfacing on pickle ball courts and possibly add some if we can
the money around and and uh uh I know uh I just wanted to bring this up when we I' I've committed to uh and uh I don't know if they talked I think they talked to you the soccer fields uh with the youth soccer play in St. Joe, we
committed to help them uh uh regrass our fields and they're pretty rough shape and nothing been done to them in a long time and and I I just wanted to bring that up. But anyway, that's about all I have. >> Just to go along, like I say, uh um Mr. Gerlike did reach out via email um in
reference to those um to the soccer fair. Just want to try to he's putting together a a project to help redo those fields. And so, hey, I told him I'm I'm I'm on board with helping him um on my on my side also. So, um I think it'll be uh it's good because there's a lot of
soccer going on on those fields and they they have been they have been run down. Um so, it's time to get them get them up and going. So, just want to add that to that. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Husman. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I don't have a whole bunch today, but I just wanted to ask um number one,
welcome aboard Blake. Um, thank you for doing what you're doing. And, um, wanted to ask Blake if we have a pretty pretty healthy parks budget this time and in conversations with Michael and Clay, I think we're going to be able to have it for next year, too, based on the legislation that we can use the TDC
funds um, for next year as well uh, in our parks budget. So, what I ask Blake if if it's all right with with you guys to go out and and basically do a parks inventory for us. I know I think Phil or Commissioner
Mcronone has a FURD app. I've got a Ferd that we're applying for as well that basically we're trying to make our money go as far as possible. Um so we're I'm I know in my I it's a smaller park so we're asking for $50,000. Um so we can spend 50 and or we can spend a hundred
and only spend 50,000 of of of our dollars if we can get the grant. So that's what we're trying to do just so everybody knows. But in that if if we can go through and do an inventory, I think that'll help us make a smarter decision on how we spend that money and
because we may not get this opportunity again for a long long time to have these parks. So we I think in my mind we need to make sure that this this budget goes as far as it possibly can go. So if we can get an inventory done um and ba basically like an inventory and and Blake if Mark and Mr. Raymond would
would help you with the useful life of certain things. Um, you know, hey, that might be a a no pun intended, but like a seessaw type effect of of how we how we want to to spend the money. So, uh, we could get
pushed over the edge on spending some more money at certain park based on the useful life um of of this equipment. So, if that's something that that's something I'm really interested in seeing, um, if Blade would be willing to do that with him and his guys and and ladies and with a little bit of help
from Mark and Raymond, that would really go a long way with with with me for sure. I think that's a >> that's a good idea. Great idea. >> Well, I mean, the some of the problem I'm running into, Jack, is I got the grant, but I got to wait a certain amount of years before I can get another one, you know? So, it's kind of like the
wood that that's that's one issue. Well, the the materials are changing. I mean, I know um Commissioner McLemore's had some problems with his his floating docks. I know we've got a solution for that, but all that costs money. So, I mean, that's that was a really good solution for those for those. I know
you've got a few more that you're going to have to fix too here here shortly. Um all of us don't have that problem because I don't really have any any floating docks a whole a whole lot. So, um, but yeah, that's every every district is going to be a little bit different and all the needs are going to
be a little bit different, but if we have that inventory, um, you know, I I spent $25,000 or so average at Beacon Hill Park, and it it looks pretty bare. I mean, I'm glad to spend it, but it still look it doesn't look like it's $25,000. So,
>> I I was You're exactly spot on. I did not know how much swing sets cost. My gosh. 25,000. Yeah. I mean, it's unbelievable. >> Four swings >> and I guess it's an insurance thing or something. >> I think it's a liability thing. >> Yeah, they they definitely have a have a
certain way you have to fall zones and clear zones and they have all those items in there. Um, >> but if we could get Blake, if you don't mind doing that for us. >> I have put one together and I can get it to you after the meeting. >> Okay, good deal. >> Well, thank you very much. I think it'll help for all the all the commissioners
to have that. And and um one thing I did want to bring up too, um we've got a little space in in the Over Street Park area. Clay, I'd like to and Michael, I would like to see I'm not sure I'm I think we own it, but um there's a chain
length area. There's a fence tent area uh between the Over Street Fire Station and the Over Street Park. And that Over Street Park is really used especially early in the mornings. I think it's a bus stop. I think the kids play on the SW. I think they it gets probably used one of the It doesn't look like it just driving by during the daytime, but I
think during the morning time when the kids are waiting for the school bus or they're waiting for their parents to come pick them up from there. Uh it's a well wellused park. I'd like to spend some money there. Um so if we could there's a little bit of property there. If we could get that prop if the fire
department doesn't need that green space, it kind of gets grown up. Mark's had to go cut it a couple different times. Um, and I was going to see if we could add on to that part with this in the next year or two if the if the fire department's good and I can talk to Marty and see. Um, but I just want to
bring that up today too and see if that might be a way to expand that park and and get some extra use for these kids there. And just overall in general, um the the conversation that Blake and I had was basically I think my goal for the parks
is is basically I think we need to figure out how to get the parents there. If the parents don't mind going to the park, the kids will get more more time. Everybody needs more out outside time. Um so if we could start I don't know if it's a there's different I've gone to a
couple different parks. There's one in Liberty County Veterans Park that I went to not too long ago. They have like a fitness trail where they have challenges throughout the whole entire they have like a walking trail around it, but there's challenges throughout there. So, if you're not only just walking um but
you could stop and do 10 push-ups and then you do 10 jumping jack, whatever the case may be. So, um something along those lines, just try to in in our mind just trying to get the parents involved and and and caregivers involved in trying to get the kids to the park. I
think it's what I really want to try to do in the next few years. >> Great idea. >> So, I think but with with that in mind, Blake, if if we can, you know, we can talk about some different things with layouts and all, but >> if we can do some some research on how
we can, you know, get the parents to the park >> and after our conversation, we are uh the girls are looking into that, looking at different ideas and doing some research on what uh we talked about. >> Okay. Is that something we could get a like a in the next few months get a report on? Cuz I mean it's we've three
months into our budget. We've got to spend it or we need to spend the parks budget. Um so in the next month or so we can get a report and Yes, sir. >> Okay. Good to >> All right. That's great. >> That's just what I was thinking on that, Mr. Chairman. Um that's really about all
I have. We talked about the courthouse. I want to make sure we mention that today and talk about those parks. I think with that healthy park budget, we really need to make that money go as far as possible. >> Hey, just for the record, if we get close to the end and y'all need to get rid of some,
>> I I'll spend it for y'all. >> Yes, sir. >> Can I ask Commissioner Husband, I know you and and Commissioner Quinn were big on the the summer program for the work. Is are we still doing that this year? I have you got on your list? I don't know. I I just want to I saw an article how
great these things are and I just want to make sure we're still >> Yeah, I'm I'm still on board. I was going to bring that up during the city when we joint. >> I just want to make sure that's still one of our >> we just need to figure out a way to to get more involvement.
Um I think it was last year we had we had two. One was great at the TDC. Sylvia can attest to that. Um worked out really really good. Young lady came home from University of Florida for the summer. Um, >> oh, you talking about the work? Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. You got that? >> I'm mixing up. You talking about the I'm
sorry. >> You're talking about the summer program. >> I'm talking about the summer program. You're talking about the work. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, that that worked out really really good. So, um, we just when they when these kids will apply, they can do some really good things and and it may not they may be able to make more money at
at punts or uh any of the restaurants, but for their resume, they have to really realize for their resume, they've got to to do these that would be it would behoove them to to do these things uh early on. And
the experience they're going to gain is invaluable for their career. That's that's really I think the way that we need to attack that. So, um, yes, sir. I'm fully in with the summer work. >> It's almost like if we could do an internship like I'm thinking here with Brad and Doug and even with Sharers. I
know they won't get in your way, but there's things that that you can learn not it's not that they're they're learning experiences like he's talking about. They may want to go be what you do one day. And that's to me is >> they want to be a contractor. I mean, that would be huge. >> They would learn every day. They would
learn these things. So, let's say they go into construction, they've already learned this side. >> They know what they're looking for. Yeah. >> You know, that's huge. >> So, that's I hope we can keep doing that. >> I agree. What was that? What was our age we was talking? >> I think it was like 18 to 24, I think.
>> I think we kind of mimicked what the insurance the kids can say on their insurance. I think we kind of mimic that's what we're the bottom line was. I was just I wanted to add one thing about the uh the parks. You talked about the parks layout. Uh Blake just go by um
uh Washington uh this the city has installed some type of work workout work workout work workout work workout work workout work workout work workout work workout work workout work workout work workout thing and in the park out there that you can get on and work out on numerous parks in the city. I know for park there looks like
>> it's a it's a nice little setup that >> I see Commissioner Carrian in the audience and I know y'all hadn't long been put equally to get the parents >> That's right. If if the parents don't mind coming to the park, the kids will get more time at the park, you I mean,
it said of no, we're not going today. Let's, you know, go somewhere else. We have to go grocery shopping. If they're going to be able to get their exercise in, it might save them 30 minutes in the morning or 30 minutes at night that, you know, can they can do some good things with the kids. So, >> good.
>> Yes, sir. I'm good. That's all I have. >> Mr. Pitch, >> you saw my list and made me go last. He looked at my list. >> Well, we had already kind of had >> We cut a lot of them out. >> No, no. We got a wager going at you. who's going to be the longest. So, >> I'm sorry, but there is a lot, but a lot
of them has already been covered, so that's a good thing. Uh, we've already covered back the rental recap. And I've been in conversations with Sylvia before now with with Blake on our rentals and our inspections, and he is hit the ground running. He's got a good grasp of
it, making some good progress. Um, I guess my biggest thing is is I want to make sure that if you're doing that, if you have a rental that you pay your fair share and because it's not fair for those who are following the rules when you choose not to. Now, these are people
who are buying houses down here and with the intentions of renting it. They have they had the intentions to rent this house, but they're trying to circumvent the system. And I'm not saying there's a lot of them, but there are more than you think. And so Blake, you have anything that I mean going forward just a quick
brief overview of that? >> I don't personally the TDC is not the the tax police, but we are actively, you know, working hand inand with you guys with the tax collector to try to see what we can do to
>> uh improve that. And >> I think I think the tax collector has some additional software and some training they're doing now too that's going to help with that as well. >> It's it's not like we're trying to be the Nick savings of the real VBO, but you all seen that commercial
>> 255 thing gets me every time or anything else like that. >> I I think is uh I think they called a few of them. They added to the list. >> They have they've added the list and I know that's and that's good work. And the inspections, Blake, I didn't talk to you about this, but when they're doing
the inspections, we talked about adding the elevator stuff on there and form. So, if they have an elevator, >> that is key where where the elevator key is because we get those calls and there's nowhere to find a key and they're in Tennessee. >> Yes, sir. >> So, if we can do that and then a local point of contact, they need to have that somewhere when they're doing the
>> Yes, sir. >> forms and because I think those inspections are very, very good. And I want to talk the city when y'all come to about that. this maybe some partnering up on that so everybody knows what's going on. >> Mr. Mr. uh Randy, um if if if you don't
mind, would it would it be the maybe solve a lot of problems if we just said, "Hey, here's our key. This is the key you need." >> It's so prop and bra, I mean, Brad, y'all jump in here. It's so proprietary. Have you seen the bag of keys that they
give the fire departments? Mhm. >> It's there's a hundred in there and it's so like and even like one elevator company has five different keys. So I don't know. And then I talked to Sylvia Clay. He said you can take a long pick and do it all of them. So I don't know.
I just was was thinking about that. I I we could >> seems like we could say here's our key and and this is the key that you needed for your elevator and that would solve a lot of problems. At this point, even if we have a policy or rule, it's still going to be difficult for absolutely to get every
single rental to go by that rule and say, "Hey, how are we going to >> Are you talking about maybe part of the building code when they bu if you have an elevator, you got to use that kind of key?" >> Well, if we just say even I know these locks will be different sizes for different proprietary manufacturers. But if if there's a if we
say here's our key, here's the here's the master key, then we could get the rental co the rental company or the owners could pay for that lock to be keyed that way. >> That's fine with me. That'd be great. >> We say, "Hey, here's one key or two keys
or whatever the case may be >> because there are there are a lot of calls there. There are a lot >> some at some point in time, it's going to be a problem. Somebody somebody's going to be in a bad in in a very bad way. Yes, >> there's going to be kids on the third floor and >> you can't get out. >> Somebody on the third floor anyway.
>> Y I agree. So I think that's a great idea. So I don't know how maybe maybe Blake and your your guy I think your who does it and Mark your guy does inspections. Maybe you and Brad can come up with that what Jack's talking
about. Okay. >> And there's like 15 different elevator companies. >> Yes. >> Here. >> Uh they do have several keys, but I have narrowed it down before to They do have master keys, but if you went to a house, you would need to know what elevator
company was there. So, you would know what key to use, if you know what I'm saying there. >> So, if you got if you had 15 keys, fire department had 15 keys >> or 15 masters. >> Yes. I I guess what I was talking about is if you're going to do a rental, if if I live there, I know where my I know
where my elevator key is, right? You got it labeled there. Is it part of that inspection, they give you a couple of those keys, have it where when the person comes in, they have they can have know where that key is and how to how to access. That was what I was thinking, but it may not be.
>> We had talked about making it a requirement, but now the only way it'll work is if you get the city to do the inspection, too. And and I think that's great to tie that in. But to put them in the damn electrical box. I mean, everybody has to put a taped key in the electrical box and the fire department can get them no matter what it is. And
then you don't have to have 57 keys. >> Uh but but again, the everybody in your neighborhood except old windmark is not in the county. So none of them are doing inspections. And then of course, none of them have if they don't do the inspections, none of them got contact numbers if they're VBOS's. And and that's the kind of problem you'll never
you know even if you get in you can't find it deal. So a central location electrical box everybody's got one. So I mean that would be >> you're looking for that when you go on a fire call anyway you're looking for that. So maybe just a thoughts. I I just if we can get that for >> Yeah, we can make that part of our our
original inspections with elevators because we we see the plans and we know for ours and then uh I can get with Mark and we can work it out with >> that's a quick thing on his check off when he pulls that electrical box thing there. That's right. >> And move forward that could be part of the CO. >> Yes,
>> correct. So that would be so we could take care of the new >> houses by that way which is how are we going to figure out to police and and enforce the existing ones >> and and I'm assuming still that that most of the rental companies are not the problem. It's the VBOs that we don't
have contact number. >> Can't shut the alarm off. Neighbors are having a fit and okay. >> Yes. Um, I talked with Clay the other day about the BOCC garbage contract and I know it's up for another two years, so
that's coming up ahead. I won't even go into that one hardly, but I I they've had some bumps, but I think they're working through the some of the bumps now. I don't know if y'all are having them on the other end. >> I've had a few problems, but they're very responsive when you call. I call uh Matt, I believe, is who I call and Miss
Carrie's also very helpful to that as well. >> Does too. >> Um, but Matt does he'll I've actually asked for him to go get a can out from underneath the from an old lady that has cancer and he said, "Yes, man. We'll be happy to do it." So, he's been very responsive for me. >> Okay. >> They do. >> Well, yeah, they have been for us. I
just >> And the price was almost double, right? When there's three players in town, correct? One's not really a player, but the other two, the one is Yeah, we can do it, but it's going to cost everybody twice as much, which I don't think citizens right now want to >> double their garbage price, I wouldn't
think. >> No. And commissioner, ju just to go along with that, u I've had some people question why we're not letting them choose, you know, pick between and it's just not enough volume uh in the garbage uh for uh for to let everybody say,
"Hey, you know, get your own provider because you've got to make it worth a while for the provider to be able to to to make some money." And I mean, if we split it up between customers and uh I think >> everybody's paying double.
>> Everybody's paying double. So, Exactly. >> You know, if you got three different providers and and all you people split up between them, >> I think it increases the cost tremendously because there's not enough volume. And that's what I've been trying to tell people. But >> well, y'all been doing it for a long time. So, that's what I'm saying. I'm
trying to get some feedback on that. Okay. Well, even with like Jack said, I' i've had two or three in where I had to call Matt and he was he was Johnny on the spot. He took care of it. >> Yeah. And I go along with that too. I've had to send um I will get Miss Karen and
take care of for me and she's right on it and they respond just like that. Take care of >> and I think some of the mixup too is some people have backdoor service and if you get a new driver and you you know what I'm saying? And >> yeah, driver's key. >> It is. I mean that's >> some people have back door service, some
don't and you know u I got call the other day lady and her can was always where it was at and truck shot right on by. She had it on video and but who's to say the driver didn't know she had that? You know what I'm saying? >> And we've had sub every time you have a
subd driver they g they're going to miss some streets. That's what absolutely like a sub bus driver, you know, they miss a kid or something. >> Thank you for that. Um, spring break is upon us, coming up quickly before we know it. And I wish
the sheriff was here. Uh, didn't know I would like to have him here. And I know Jake's said he was coming when the city comes. I'm very concerned about this year's spring break because of the fact that Panama City just did some changes on their beaches. Have y'all been
watching that? They they did some changes on what they're going to allow, what they're not going to allow. they're going to really start cracking down. I'm scared with the prices coming down out in the Windmark area out there, St. Joe Beach. I'm scared that what we're going to have is a nightmare because they're
going to it's going to be affordable for groups of younger adults to come in there during this time and it's going to be a nightmare for us. And I want to talk about again with the city, but we need to I was hoping the sheriff would be here. their their houses out there right now that are renting. There was
one in six they said it was could sleep 24 in Windmark and they had two six-seater golf carts to come with that rental. So now you do that and you and and the price of it is very reasonable for eight or nine 22 year olds because
they'll get a 22 year old to go get a 26 year old to sign for them and they put them in these houses and it's I'm just wanting us to have our ears pinned back and be ready for that because what brings people to us as we all know this is we're a family environment. I loved
it when the group from Auburn comes down, the church group comes down. man, can can we get all the church groups down because they they're very respectful in our restaurants. They come in and do the right thing. They're they're not causing us problems. But with them doing that in Panama City, I'm I'm just scared. So, what do y'all think
about I mean, they're not as many going to the Cape as they're going to be on this side. I'll just be honest with you. And they may be in the city proper. I mean, depends. We had some problems last year uh with uh college age kids and in these
bigger houses and had some tremendous problems with and and to defend the sheriff schools on lockdown. That's probably where he's at. But >> uh we had kids or college age kids digging massive holes on the beach
>> and I I'm talking about it was unbelievable. >> Unbelievable >> the holes they were digging. And I'm talking about >> you know >> big ones. big ones and and just leaving them, you know, and and uh uh I think you're right on the money. We need to get with the sheriff and and let's talk
about that and get get a game plan. And we had some houses. I think the sheriff had some couple incidents. I think Michael, am I correct? With uh uh some college kids that got out of hand and and I think that's going if we I'm all for keeping a a family theme. That's
where we need to go. >> And uh whatever we need to do to keep that, I'm all for. So, >> so, so Blake, you hear us getting that that that family connection is what what keeps >> those up. And usually it happens with if if you get the families down and you don't have as as bad a problem during
that time. >> And our marketing strategies are directed at that older demographic, not that 18, 19, 20 year old kid. So, and we'll be certainly look at other ways to target
those folks and not the younger folks. Maybe during spring break time we we have some things going on that are family oriented or something you know versus >> around because that's why they went to Panama City Beach they had las spiners and all back in the day I'm aging myself but that was what they did back in the
day and they and they promoted that but then it got bad and now I don't think we have those here. So >> I think their changes have p definitely pushed more of that age group this way than we used to have. Uh, it did come up about alcohol on the
beach. I don't know. I just don't I don't want to go down that road. But, you know, that's what they're doing. I think is limiting alcohol on the beach. And >> I thought they could say no >> during the spring break. >> There's none. That's what I say. >> Um, I don't know. Well, I guess we'll
just But everybody, if we had do something emergency, we could do that. I just I had wanted it on everybody's radar because >> it is it is coming before we know it. Um, update on the living shoreline. I I know we talked about a little bit last time. So, it's in the planning stages. Aaron's not here. Um, and where we're
talking about for the fisherman out there, because I'm a fisherman as well. The prime place is over there towards where the Butler Road is on that side over there where the from that bridge where the bridge comes out that washed out >> the old Butler Bay Bridge >> and then going towards that area. Okay.
And so basically, and the reason behind and and that that I'm thinking about is is if we can start putting these rock structures, and I'm going to talk about that in a little bit, rock structures in front of the places where we have inlets coming into that bay, the more we can do
that because oysters do grow on rocks. So if we have these rock structures, oysters, grass, little fish, and all that, it starts filtering anything that's coming into that. So the more we can do in those, if you look at our bay, the number of entrances, especially where the canal is, which I'm going to
talk about in just a minute. If you have that little side over there, that's one of the major entrances over there. Some fresh water coming out where the old butlers is over there, that side, and this side out of Highland View. If that little area was encapsulated with those, hopefully we can start filtering some of that water, producing some little bait
fish, which produces big fish. Ked it the other day, and this it's a it's barren out there right now, folks. They're they're an efficient site and there's usually something around. So, we've got to get it needs to be a priority of ours going forward. >> I was on the Cape last week and I saw a few mullet and I was surprised. >> So, at least there's a few out there.
>> Yeah. I mean, it's that the red tide this this year. >> They have made a little uh I know some people have caught mullet in the marina in the last month. So, it has >> it's coming back. It's uh >> but and it will. I just the more we can
do in that little area. I mean, especially especially if the state was going to pay for it. >> Let me ask you this. Yes. That that you know that property going back there that that old dock that's out in the water is that >> I I wish Michael's here. I think it was
part of a a Doug. Wasn't that part of something that they platted that they were going to build on, but it ran out in 21? that group they own back towards the old bowling alley uh the Duran property and they owned on the other side of the street and then we did something with
the road >> that was that was the bridge and then there was an easement in the parking >> lot. Yeah. So so it was an agreement with the county that there was conditions that were precede any of the approvals and so
the condition was that they had to fix the bridge. we would abandon it. Then they'd have to do a pedestrian trail and an easement down to the beach for continued access to the public and they never followed through on their part. So that was nullified. So they didn't they didn't do any of the conditions that were required to to abandon it.
>> So it was a developer at the time and I think they've since gone away. >> So that's I think they sold that >> two owners since then. >> So that's that's our private property. With that dock running out, I'm I'm just with that old dock running out in the water. I'm I'm just surprised that
FWC or nobody don't they don't take those old docks down. They just >> they just let them stay. >> As far as I know, I don't think FWC is going to do anything. >> You got some old Highway 98 out there, too. I mean, you got a a bunch of stuff out there. >> Yeah, we're fortunate they they finally
got some money for Dick Boats last year and took a lot of those out, but it was a long time coming. >> But that that'd be a >> that would be their I mean, who So, who responsibility would that be? That would be their responsibility. >> That's their jurisdiction >> from the mean water out. It's theirs.
>> And that that company, that land owner probably had a permit back in the day. That that land owners three three land owners ago. So >> we might talk to John Kramer >> in that. Okay. >> Well, especially that'll be right there
in the middle we're talking about with these rocks. So that'd be the time to get it out. I mean we that would be perfect time. A little update on the uh the fire academy. So we have ordered the equipment. Cherry is your person that's
getting close. >> So I think we are still there was a lot with the fire academy. I'm sorry. Um I think we actually have two. One was for equipment, one was for the facility. So I will actually I don't I don't know the status of those on if it was ordered. I know that was in the talks. I don't know
if Matt is here. >> Okay. So, the process is we got the money through one one grant to pay for the equipment for that they're going to need. >> We asked for our appropriation for the 1.2 to update the whole White City. Uh
I'll be meeting with Melissa uh in with us. Uh we talked at the last meeting at of Triumph and we're going to try she's going to write actually probably write that grant because it's that part of the Triumph is going to be even though we're involved with it. It's going to be a
school thing. We're trying to get the the instructors paid for that she would do and then plus a few extra things. So she can write that for a five-year instructor that that'd be a position we would have to to train those in both those schools. One in we wall one in in St. Joe like we saw over in Tallahassee.
So, I wanted to update y'all on that. It's it hopefully it's going to move quicker. It'll if if we get this appropriation and get that thing started, we'll go ahead and write this grant for the Triumph. Triumph, we've already told them about it. They are thumbs up with us. They uh were very
very very supportive of thought it was a great idea. So, I just want to give y'all update. Y'all had any questions about it? >> Are we are you um just are we meeting with somebody and tell us about the appropriation >> on the fire academy? Well,
so both uh well, I know it's in on Senate side. I think it's in on both sides. Uh it was one of our submittals the board did. So, we'll meet with Simon and and and Representative Schae and Griff and and others on that. Yes, sir.
>> Thank good point on that one. Um I'll jump over that one and come back. So, I had a conversation and we got a little bit of time. So, a conversation about what had been done at outside the port before. Wrote for what we call Bird
Island. Y'all know where Bird Island is? >> Okay. And you wrote appropriation or went for a request what, two years ago. >> Um, and so I talked to Michael about getting the board's thoughts on, you know, we're not going to do it a year or two, but
let's put that back on the platter if y'all don't and look at it again. Couple of things that I that I was thinking about, not just for the protection of that bulkhead, which we know we need. That's we've got to have that. Why don't we make that a bird sanctuary?
This was not my idea. It was Eugene. I'll go and tell him. I told him I was going to tell him about it. Eugene Rafley said, "Randy, why don't you do that?" He said, "There's a perfect area for it. I know that bay if you line it with rocks, dredge, whatever, get the sand in the middle of it. No human sets
foot on it. We're taking away bird san. We're taking away birds land throughout this county when we develop. We know that and we we're taking them. We have a we're putting it back now. So then we get the auto society. We get more than one player into redoing that. Now, the
city, if you look at where y'all got stuff going out there and the the marina and then you got where we're having the all of our stuff with the port and you have that nice island out there and it's rocks. Guess what? We're filtering again. I'm I'm going to keep talking
about that filtering of of those waters out there. So, what is anybody having any thoughts about that? is I mean I know it's not something we're going to do tomorrow but it's something we need that we could put on our radar going forward >> and and that could be used as that break to >> Oh absolutely that and you might get
more buy in on that and that is that is that is a spo area originally that was how that was created was was from dredging so yeah >> so but and get when when I go around if you did that whole area in there you're
also kind of protecting and where the city has their docks and you got deep water coming up to shallow water with rocks. >> That's a recipe for fish. We know that. That's that's that becomes huge. It also becomes and you you know we can grow they can grow oysters not for harvesting but it's going to grow oysters on those
rocks because they're doing it in the marina right there. You look at the marina there's they're all over those rocks. So I would like to see if the board is like to let's start looking at that going forward. >> Where exact you're talking about in the marina. So when you come out when you come out of the Port St. Joe Marina all
you're going straight across there's going to be a shallow area out there probably 150 yards 100 yards off there that you got to watch on low tide and it runs that strip all the way down there. You can see it on a Trevor is going to give us a list. He did the drone shot.
You can see it when the water's clear and it uh it runs that whole area down there and it was >> back towards the canal. >> Back towards a canal, >> right? >> Yep. And so you got that deep water on this side and you got deep water on the other side and you come up and make an island. I'm just thinking that's
something that's that's huge for that bay. >> For for as long as I can remember when I was a little boy it it was Bird Island and at one time it was exposed >> from dredging it. It actually was a exposed area. So you could >> Yeah, I know what you're talking about.
>> You know what I'd say now maybe three four foot jack somewhere in there. on on low tide and it gets up about eight. I mean you you can run it on high tide but it's three or four foot and and the reason I'm saying that it it serves so many it would if we did that it would serve so many
>> benefits uh environmentally and economically it just makes sense for us to to do that. So uh I don't know what any more thoughts on what >> I think it's a great idea. >> I think you get more buy in. >> I do. I do too.
Yeah. >> So, Jim might want to talk and I see Jessica Rich is here from the Port Authority. I don't see any other port members yet, but uh we've turned in initially and I guess it was three years ago. It was Eastern's number one because their boats were getting the heck beat out of them on the wall. Uh and the
Pilots Association of Bay County stirred crap and and it got pulled at the very last minute and I think it was like a $3 million appropriation. Is that about right, Jim? And then the the next year Jim wrote it for the port authority but the port authority turned in one through the ports council and it was for more
money. I want to say it was 8 and a half million or 10 million excuse me and it it did not get funded but we turned it in. So we can rehash either or both of those deals. It has been a navigational hazard all of my life. I mean it's it's clear that you can see it and any aerial
that you can see that it's very shallow there right there and it and it's all it was was a spoil area for the ship channel. it went right to the bowl. >> So, so, uh, I I don't see anything other than positives, environmentally, uh, for recreational fishing and to keep
the boats from getting the heck beat out of them. And again, it'll cover the front of the marina and it'll cover the front. They ever build that hotel at the end, and it and it'll cover the eastern ships on the on that head wall. It'll be so when you when you pull in down there and you and you pull in there where your
park is, Steve, all that dock out there, you're going to look out there and you're going to see a nice and they're going to be fish out there. If you put those rocks around, it's going to be it's going to be a fish thing. And and we have got to in my I'm just saying we have got to start looking at ways to do that because
uh other counties are doing it and I think we need to get on get on board with that. I mean, right now when you put a boat in, you're going to Bay County to go to their their uh Mexico Beach artificial reefs or you're going way off. You know, they're they're they're ahead of us now. So, let's let's take something. We got that good bay
there. We got good ways to get to it. Let's let's start putting our focus on that. So I I just if everybody's on board, let's staff let's let's go revive it and make it better and in include more partners including the like the Ottabon Society and those people because
it is going to be a bird sanctuary right there in the middle. We know how that would be a one of a kind. >> You you stated it so well. It's unbelievable. Everybody benefits >> the the marina benefits ship area benefits and it has advantages but
actually it'll actually be to see the birds out there around. >> Absolutely. >> It's all positives and great possibilities. >> Um I'm going to switch gears and we'll come back when more people get here from the for the port meeting.
>> Uh bathrooms. So over in Parker, is it Parker? I get Parker Callaway mixed. I'm sorry. In Parker, they have these readymade bathrooms. We've talked about them before. >> Uh we've got a couple of needs uh for some bathrooms. golf course needs them
bad. Now, I know that guys when they play may it may not be important to them, but when you play with the ladies and we having so many tournaments out there. I didn't ask Jordan to be here, but there are so many there's a tournament every one or two every month.
We use it when we go out there with our staff parties. It's one of our biggest assets like that we have in this. It's a huge asset for our county and we own it. I just think it's time that we get working restrooms out there, fellas. And Michael and Clay, y'all want to look?
Can you talk to them? Talk about >> I was impressed. It looked from the road looked like Hardy board when I got there. It's pre pre uh stressed concrete. I mean, it's just an entire unit and and apparently they're on state contract. Clay's been doing some research on the price and I I would
suggest we try maybe three. >> The two at the golf course and one at uh Dunes Drive. Uh we have to move those. They're not attractive. They're getting older and we've recycled them. But uh this is a very nice and I for lack of a better thing I can show you on my phone.
They're really attractive. We can paint them whatever we want to. But they're almost indestructible. They can't burn down. If they blow down, we don't have to worry about a park or anything else if these things go away. So, uh I think the unit cost, we don't want to guess, but we're less than 100 grand. They're
on state contract. And uh we're we're waiting to get a final deal cuz they're different sizes but but uh don't scroll. >> What is your thinking on the country club far? So we had them uh well again
we didn't have them the old country club for which unfortunately part of 30 years ago seems like we had storage buildings like best way portable buildings and those got overturned and destroyed during the hurricane of course >> and so right now they don't have any
these could be lightning uh evacuation points and whatever else but we have the power set the are already there. We just need to get there. >> We just need the buildings. We >> already got seven tanks there as far as country.
>> So, it would be behind 10 and behind or five and between five and six if if we go where we are. >> And they're pretty much centrally located those locations. And and I and I guess the thing about it is is it it push it at another level too. you go
from being a recreational to a nice golf course because it's it's you need bathrooms because we have a lot of layers that play out there and u so that I just wanted to run that by y'all. See what any thoughts on that or >> that's definitely an investment when you
get a concrete building. It's not going to go anywhere like Michael said and and painting it is going to make it a lot easier for the golf course and if we have some on the beach for for TDC folks. So, um I think that's a good idea. >> Where in Parker is that located? Is that
closer to >> you know where the fire station is? You know where they they put a new brand new park right across from the fire station. It's right there. You can look over there, right? Right by the pickle ball courts there. They put them there and on the other end as well. I think there's a lot of people using them. They're already on state contract. There's a lot
of people doing those. U >> I just wonder do they make a smaller version of that? >> So, there's a smaller version actually on the other end. I didn't realize how big that park was, but but on the front end on the highway 980 old 098 end, the the what you just looked at is a little bit bigger. They had a little bit
smaller version on the other end. It it wasn't as attractive, but u I I think we can probably get we could probably get a just a one like a unisex maybe for the for the for the beach deals instead of the double >> about Indian bass down there at the boat ramp that thing. >> Yeah, that is used heavily.
>> Yeah, it's used heavily, but that's not the one for Indian bass. doesn't leave that sucker at all. >> The Yeah, we we don't need to put it in a Vzone and I think we are in a V zone there. So, we might depending on the location of the uh safety tank, we might could move it a little bit inland off
the deal. But yeah, this this would be a place where we're never going to move it. Meaning, we probably couldn't do it at deal and we probably couldn't do it at Stumpo and we probably couldn't do it at some of these others. But Dunes Drive would be a perfect location because it's high. Uh >> and it would
>> Selenas for you commissioner. >> Yeah. Yeah. A good spot. >> I was just think about there's certain times down at Indian pass that that Indian pass gets probably.
>> How many times you got called at the lights out? >> You wouldn't you wouldn't believe it. Yeah, you know. Yeah. Yeah. It's cloudy out there. >> Ain't no doubt. No doubt. >> So, we we think we can go forward with that. I mean, that's a that's a capital
investment, but it's a I think a good use of money. >> So So, give me till the end of the month at our regular meeting and I'll try to have a price and I'm ready to pull the trigger on the country club and if Commissioner Mcronone's ready to go, we'll we'll we'll do a test at at Dunes as well.
>> Yeah, I think it's a great idea. Okay. Library. Um, so the library is, I guess, dear to me because of the my I take my grandkids there when they come down. It's such a nice place for kids. You, you know, you
I always tell people, you're not going to sit outside and bake in the sun seven days a week when you come down here. And during the middle of the day, 11 to 12, one o'clock to take a kid in there to do some reading or it's just a great thing for tourists as well as people that live here. programs that they have here. And
uh I want to know about the funding. I've heard I've seen online and stuff about funding uh the library. Have y'all has anybody else gotten any seen anything on that? Not with North End, I'm sorry, South End. Y'all may not have, but South End. Did have y'all commissioners, have y'all heard anything
about Cost Library about I know they cut the hours correct. They cut Saturdays out, which I'm I'm not happy about. uh it said that we maybe have underfunded it or something. I don't know. >> I think originally though, Michael, correct me if I'm wrong, but I
understand it, they could have take a day off day in the week out and and run Saturdays. Am I right? >> Or look up at 11, you know, you know. >> Yeah. you know, >> so if you if your goal is to to be
beneficial to the children, it's going to be afternoons and weekends and it's not Monday through Friday opening early because that's not when the kids can come and why they cut out that after the board specifically two years funded Saturday hours is anathema.
Now, I understand it was a different um it was a different Friends of the Library uh sign up sheet or whatever on the north end than it was on the south end. But, uh when I walked over and saw the board shafted them out of $25,000 and you need to sign this thing and blah
blah blah blah blah, that's when I asked Sherry to go over and find out one who put it there and then what what were they smoking to think that that was a good idea. So, uh, Clay and I have been discussing. I I can have a recommendation moving forward, uh, at
your next meeting for y'all to vote on. I think we've we've come up with a plan where we, uh, we wind up having to take it back over probably and us that be our employees and then y'all get to set the hours and not Bay County. I think, you know, it started out it was a sixcount
organization a long time ago, Northwest Regional Library System. I think they're down to Gulf and Bay and some cities in Bay and a couple cities in Liberty. Is that basically correct, Sherry? >> So, uh again, uh
yeah, I think if if you want to set the hours apparently because again, you funded Saturday hours and they got cut out. uh when we're setting the budget and you're wanting to add ambulance coverage and you're wanting to add law
enforcement coverage and you have to pay for jail coverage and you have to pay for medical insurance increases for your employees and you have to pay for workers comp and insurance costs when you give a chunk of money for them to open on Saturday and then that's the
first thing they cut out that they don't cut out a Monday or a Tuesday or a Thursday that they cut out Saturday. That tells me that their priorities are not children. It's something else. And again, the only way that you're going to have direct control over when those hours are is that they become your
employees and not somebody else's employees. So, if y'all will give us till the end of the month, we'll come up with the solution. We're in a contract that ends June 30th, I believe, on one side, and then we have a 30-day out with
with Bay. uh it a lot of moving parts and systems and computers and things that we would still want to to be a part of the system where they could trade books and swap things out. But as far as the day-to-day operations, uh if you want to
to have a say in how that runs, you you you're going to need to let them be our employees. Um, Sherry, have you been over there and done looked at their books and do you have a good You got it all right there.
>> Loaded question. >> I don't know that. So, look at their books as in their financials. >> Yeah. So, I mean, so why why are we cutting out Saturdays? I guess that's my thing is is is how how is it said that we cut in 25,000 and then we
do that? So I I want to have a clear this is what we did. This is what we because when when we first started we said we're going to give you a cost of living every year and then we gave cost living plus more money >> and so somebody else cut out. I understand that but it wasn't us that
cut but >> it actually wasn't a cut at all. So the petition was not well worded. Um basically it insinuated that we cut them 25,000. We did not give them essentially 25,000 of what they asked for um in
their request. Uh we did give them a 5% increase. Um we gave them, you know, cash money of over $155,000. Um of their entire $249,000 budget request. Um basically they asked
for about 180. We gave them 155. Um we also participate in a grant that gets them almost 55,000. We also there's other expenses in addition to that, but true money to the library is that. But um
one of my biggest hardships with it is that you know the county is funding 155,000. They're saying we underfunded them. >> Does that count the maintenance they ask for? >> What is what is the loaded what what do
you think the loaded cost? Uh when I say loaded maintenance and everything uh what are we >> you add another 25 plus the insurance on the building the custodial the the work that Raymond's done. He turned in a sheet. So you get >> probably over 200,000 easy. >> Correct.
>> Okay. >> The city we gives 5,000. City of St. Joe gives 8,000. We do 155,000 in cash. They got a match of almost 56,000. What was the what was the match with state? just shy of 55 >> 55,000 and and not counting all the other
things the overhead that we cover. We cut the grass. We do the maintenance inside. We they have a toilet back up. We fix that. They wanted new carpet. Yeah. I know some of the commissioners went and looked at that. So that's just like you said, the loaded rate is much more. >> I mean, my thoughts, my viewpoint would
be, commissioner is I mean, my first obligation is to the residents and the kids of Go County and and You know, if somebody's on vacation and need that's fine, but >> Oh, yeah. >> But my first obligation is to them
>> and not to somebody that down here a month and needs internet. You know, we need to, you know, that's my thoughts. >> And let me let me clarify. I said I took my grandkids there because I mean, if my kids were there, they'd be there, too. I mean, reading, everybody knows the value
of reading. I mean, that's that's what makes you successful. I said I mean that's a number one indicator that schools always say and and to have a love of reading is even more important and uh that's that was what I was coming from is is is we especially on Saturdays
programs that we have you should have programs on Saturday Saturday morning reading in my opinion I'm not getting into it with you know programming but those are huge things that you have so I I just I just would like to to know that we don't have we need to make sure that we have that
and the hours beneficial to the residents and the kids. >> Absolutely. >> I think it's what we're trying to, you know, most beneficial to them. You know, >> Randy, let me say something on that. Mhm. >> Uh I know I know I know there's a lot of factors in all this and we need to make
sure we look at everything before we jump because I I know down here we got the county building we got the weall building up there and I know some of the hours are different but I know I don't know down here because I hadn't been here but I
know on the north end they do a lot of good stuff for the kids in the community. So, I don't want to do like a knee-jerk reaction and, you know, we need to look at this very, very carefully. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. And it's I'm with you on that. Absolutely. That's why
I said the numbers I think we need to he's going to come back with numbers what we're doing down here and all. Well, I mean, just like the gen janitor service, you know, we all they they pay for it, which down here we we got a work crew. So, you know, that's that's a plus, you know, and
there there's just a lot of factors and I need to make we need to make sure we look at all of it real close before we jump. >> All I just add like Commissioner Makamo said, yeah, let's let's let's look at it. But I I do think that whatever direction we do go that if we could
and I and I think we offered this suggestion when they came before that they could approach the cities uh to just kick in a little bit just kick in a little bit more because if if each city could would just if could have just kicked in$10,000 extra dollars that would have helped got them over that threshold that they was
trying to get to. So, I do think that if we whatever direction we do go in, if we continue to allow them to to do it, um we may need to bring it up at the city's meeting today when we meet with the city that hey, when you get ready to do your budget, could do you think about you can just kick in a few more dollars for the
for the uh library because like I said, the library not only is it benefits everybody in the city, the city in G County. So, um I think that'll be a a good way to help with help with their numbers. Um if if we can get more people to to kick
in on that on that number. Um that's my >> I I agree. And and so I want to make sure you understand because this I think this just changed. This was as of just a few days ago, Sherry, that that we got that they've started closing on Saturdays in both ends. They're open the
second and fourth Saturday from 10 to 2 in on St. Joe and they're open the first and third Saturday from 9:00 to 1 and we will. So even though y'all funded it two years ago to be open on Saturdays, instead of cutting out a Monday, a Tuesday, a Thursday, or Friday, they cut out the Saturdays. So I mean, I think
that's the number one thing. So I don't know what they've done in the past. I know that they just recently changed to cut the Saturday hours out. I But I think that may have just happened within the last month, but going forward, right now, they're only going to be open two Saturdays a month for four hours, it
looks like. To me, >> let me ask you this. So, have have any of y'all talked to anybody there or is this I mean, have we communicated with them to know what's going on? Why they doing what they doing or that was my I was going to piggyback on
what he said. If instead of cutting ours, maybe you don't buy this this year or you don't do that. Is there room in the budget? I mean, I'd like to know what the budget look like before I say that. You know what I mean? That that's the first thing you cut is ours. Um why
or is there another thing that you could have cut or something? I I don't >> So I will say the bulk of their budget is as is the case for most budgets, it's payroll um personnel. Um I do know that Bay County gave um I believe 4% increases and I'm sure their
insuranceances and stuff went up as well. So their their payroll is a good chunk of their budget. Um the grant funding does fund currently 20% of two of their uh most costly personnel. So
they're full-time employees. Um so I have worked on trying to gather some expense information to get some actuals. I um Robin has been very helpful in getting me that information and their
current staffing and those cost. Um but for asking. I have not um if next step is to ask them to correct their hours. Um I don't know of that conversation
being had. I have not had that conversation. It can absolutely be had. >> So that that may be the that may need to be the next conversation then. Um so so let me ask you this. Do we sit down? Do we communicate with the person that's
running our library or do we communicate with Bay County? >> At this point, I would recommend we communicate with Bay County and have it come from the top down >> because they're they're the one who run the budget, right? >> I'm sorry. >> They're they're the ones who run that budget, correct? So the person with Bay
County I have been working with is Robin and yes the the they are Bay County employees >> and they may and so so they they're are they the ones that making the decision say hey we cutting the library hours on Saturday >> as far as I know. Yes sir.
>> So yeah we may need to have a conversation or somebody needs to reach out to them say we just trying to get some information and we would like to know this this and that. That's going to be you. >> Okay. >> Sounds like it.
>> Okay. >> That's what I was just want her to bring back and then he's talk about it. I mean, why are we cutting it? >> Yeah. Let Let me say this too before we move on. I think we have all been and I I want to make sure we get this clear. We have all been supportive of the library.
>> I mean, every time they came back to us, I mean, it's hard to tell those ladies no. I mean, they catch you in the grocery store. They catch you everywhere. And And it's hard to tell. It's just hard to tell them, though. And and and and y'all y'all we all know we love them to death. And and Mrs. Cobra
is one of the Oh my god, she can just melt your heart. >> And so, we are supportive of the library. I don't want people I don't want people to watch this and say, "Oh, the county doesn't like the library and they cutting the hours." No, we've been supportive of the library and we still been and we still supportive of the library. And like I said, we it may we
just trying to figure out a better fix to the to the situation to the solution and I think we will get that >> and we did institute a percentage increase every year. >> Yeah. Like a cola put that in there every year just like we do with the humane society and >> I think Yeah. So we we'll get
>> Yeah, we'll get absolutely I just wanted to make sure that we were clear on that because you know it's it's it's important that library is important to all our community. Exactly. Exactly. Okay. Can we go back to the dry dock, the academy, and the port
and port legislation and all? Um, so, uh, we toured, as you know, we toured over in in Mobile, uh, the dry dock and and had had some good conversations on there. We've also cleaned up, uh, because I after we
talked, we talked about how do we get an account? How do we keep people from turning left when they come out of Eastern? Right now, they're turning left and they're not staying here with us. How do we get our people involved in in this in this business? Well, it's through training and so there's a
training gap is what I would I would say. Uh so we looked at their academy that they had. We toured the maritime academy and had a had a good thing over there. So immediately we reached out to Haney because Haney is doing the uh there would be our service provider for
that type of training. We're in with Franklin Gul and and Bay. They came over and thank you public works cleaned out the old site, the port site which is the old chemical site. Did a great job and it we were able to walk and see it. And I want to tell you Mark, what y'all did
out there made it where they were. They said, "Oh my god, they you can see their eyes light up saying, "Y'all y'all got it going on. This is going to be great. That property is very would be perfect for them is what they're telling. I mean, it's great." So, they're being do it in phases is what they talked about.
Uh, and the first phase would be a a quick start because I think as soon as you put a stake in the ground, I think you can start getting buyin from people. And so, they have what they call a startup trailer. It's a semi-trader that's actually retrofitted to be a classroom and and all for what you would
take call advanced welding. The kids coming out of our welding classes, which they do a good job. I'm not saying they they do a great job getting them out of there. >> But when they walk out of Wear St. Joe, they can't go work on that ship is what they're telling. That's what we saw over there. They got to go to a little bit
more training. Well, this is that gap that we're missing right now. So, they can get it going pretty much. I think they said eight months out is what it takes them to build this trailer to your size. >> So that property, they found a part of that mill site that they loved. It was flat, already has concrete there.
There's some steps to go through to get it there. Uh it was just a very very very positive. They said that could be phase one and then you want a phase two where you get actually the the structural one built where you can do
pipe fitting. If if you look at the hot jobs right now is pipe fitting and stuff like that, other marine type jobs, electricians, HVAC, all these other things that go into a to that building of a ship or repairing of a ship. That's phase two in
the front of that property because it then goes right over to eastern where you would have your dry dock right there. You know, underneath there you have access. It just lays out perfectly for what that is. And so everybody knows commissioner go along what you said uh
marine HVAC marine electrical is all is a specialty it's completely different than what you do say a house so so that that's a different training and a different you know and I think it's a great idea I think so >> yeah I'll just add what I like about the welding things is once they leave for
St. your high school and we got this building over here like you said and they can go over there and get that next level of training, man. And then start working and making $40 an hour, whatever they make, man. That's that's great for >> always been have already been real
supportive of the welding programs we've got now at the school. I know that I was talking to Lee Fontaine the other day, the instructor, he they've been real generous in supplying materials and and uh you know stuff to work with for the kids and and uh I think it's just a I think it's a great idea to to fill that
gap. I really do. >> So phase one is is is is on the back you know where the dome thing is that's there that white tent looking thing. >> That would be where phase one where this would go. Phase twos, they're saying do it in phase as far as grant, you know, how you how you work the phases. Phase
two would be in front there towards the street because you could probably get access on industrial road down there. So, you have two access points for it. And then you have going underneath the bridge and stuff like that. Plus, if you come over that bridge and you see Maritime Academy and all folks, that's going to that's it's going to be it
would be nice and we can get a lot of partners, I think, going forward with that. Um, if you look at the the appropriations coming out for the marine industry, you know, the the LA the end of the Biden administration,
they put big money into it. It was in basically maritime. Well, part of the big beautiful bill when Trump took over, he said, "That's right, but we're going to need to build build and repair repair repair." So, we're right at the time
where there's money to access. I know Jim, you said it a hundred times. Now is the time to get out there and start getting after this money. >> Well, if it's repair, you got we got to train them. And the part of that big beautiful bill is training. >> So, we got some federal money coming in. We got state money coming in. We can
make this transformational. So I just I want to know get thoughts on that that that you know I see more port people coming in how important this whole area is to us. That's our asset for doing something besides
tourism. Tourism is our number one. We know that it's going to be after the storm it even became more. But we need to have jobs for our people. And these are jobs because it's you know we were fortunate enough to buy that 2 and a half acres across from this. You you're going to be happy with that. You put a a little incubator spot over there. You
rent that out and you bring a business in here then and then you got 20 30 more jobs. So it all starts working together. We have our industrial drive there. This whole thing becomes an asset that we have jobs good paying jobs that are good for environment don't mess with the
environment and make our community better. So any thoughts on that please? >> Thank you. >> Any questions? I mean if you have any questions about please I mean >> um Jim do you have anything you want >> just want to say in terms of what is the
difference in the program you're talking about the one you have the person that being taught in the high schools they can do welding but they can't >> Jim come on to the microphone >> that you're talking about we need to be able to say here's a set of plans go do this project that's the difference in
what we're they're currently being trained in the high school and what this program would And you're right, there's all kinds of funding. In fact, I found another source. We were talking about another project, a guy said, "Well, we'd be interested in that." So, another federal source of funding there be plenty of
money to do it. It does. You got to create the incubator that that does the job. So, then we we can continue to proceed with what we have going down there. As I've said before, we're in good shape. Those two ships that they're there now, they're going to be here all of 26. and end of 27. Uh you'll see a
tugboat show up out there in the next uh next couple months and then there'll be a series of those and they got the fairies and so we're in good shape doing what we're doing. But we got to have something when all that when that repair work goes away. We we we got to be doing the the floating dry dock, but preparing
the the workforce is what gets us jobs in our county and keeps them here. Now remember, you ain't gonna keep them all because you teach people even at that second level. Then the people at Austin and and Mobile are going to offer them more money. But we're gonna keep some of them. >> I I don't have a I mean
you're benefiting the people. Young people are getting a good job. Young people are getting a skill that pays a lot of money. No doubt about it. So >> um and so and so, uh we're talking about the dry dock, too going forward. But let's go back to that land. The the I
call we need to give it a land. We we we talked about Jeremy's property that I call it his property that he got us across the street. This land is very important for this training side. So, Michael, how is it I mean, we tell me tell me a little bit about how we go forward with making sure
I know we got Jessica here and Tom's here from the port. We need to make sure that that is in our wheelhouse. We have an agreement with the with the port now and and part of the funding and the loan uh abatement and all that kind
of stuff to do this academy on that side and the team and we're teaming together with the port on the float and dry dock all that based on the bill that came out yesterday. I don't know if we want to negotiate with somebody from Quincy and and Liberty County on this. I I think it
just brings up uncertainty. So, I I I think that when the rest of the port members get here that we we we talk about uh the county buying that from the port authority. Uh I know that they've got a second mortgage to the city. They've got a mortgage to us. We've
agreed to fund them 25,000 for the next two years. Uh I think we need to to have discussions about the the county getting control of that site where we don't have to deal with folks from other counties that may not be interested in doing an academy there. uh because I don't know
what the port authority is going to look like in two months based on the new rule. Uh that that would bring some certainty because I don't know that that we can sign a contract with Haney and say, "Okay, we're going to do this academy on something that we don't own
or don't control." And even though we have an agreement, I think that is legally binding today. I don't know if it's going to be legally binding when it all the port folks are gone. It it it raised some eyebrows when we talked about because they were assuming that we own that land and I said and then Clay
goes no we are the first mortgage holder on that land and it's like oh well you know because you got to do some testing and stuff like that. So what is the board's feelings about that? Because I I'm scared of it too if you have if you only have two votes out of five and the other three aren't in your county. I I
don't understand that and I've said it from day one. I don't understand it. But that being said, if it goes forward, it goes forward. We have to make sure that what we our priorities are. And if I hit see a head nod, that that's our priority is trying to get this marine academy going forward with this drive dock. I don't I I think that's important to do
that we go ahead and secure that land if we can. >> Any thoughts? >> Oh, I think I think Rain Academyy's riding, you know, should be on our radar. I mean, that's that's where we need to go if we're going.
>> How do we proceed? We're waiting to wait till >> Jessica, do you have any come give us some of your thoughts? >> You're a dictator now. Just the only one here. >> I'm definely academy. Um I think our board they'll be here in
about 20 minutes, but I am definitely not I I'm in agreement with um I want I'm excited about the U Maritime Academy opportunity. I think that's a home run. I like the um the um
I just don't as far as you know selling the land. That's just kind of like whoa. But um I think that we're going to have to have um do something because I definitely am against having outside people make decisions about what's going to happen
in G County. Um I've been on the court for a long time. I understand what they're kind of trying to do and expand it, but um I don't think that it's a great idea to have people outside of our county determining what's going to be,
you know, if they get rid of the port and then reconfigure it um to make decisions about what's going to happen in G County because we are tourist and people in Liberty and so forth, they're not going to have their our best interest. So, I we're gonna have to do
something before that happens. So, I guess we'll have to discuss it when everybody gets here. But, um I'm definitely I love that idea. Um so, that's kind of really all we were talking about. And then this legislation's going proposed.
So, I don't I we haven't I mean, I don't I just know what's in the news. I haven't spoken with any of representatives or senator or anything. So, The bill's been filed, correct? There's a house bill and >> there's a house bill. I haven't seen the Senate bill. >> There was a house bill filed.
>> Yeah. Well, I know that >> and it be advertised Thursday in the Star. >> I think we all said, didn't we at one point that we would have loved to have seen Go County have the majority if it went that way. You know what I'm saying? >> So,
>> well, too, we're going to be able to get a partner. We have to have a partner for this. Haney, G Coast, Poland, somebody's got we have to have a We have to have a partner. And nobody is going to team with us to put anything here if we don't have control of the property. >> Correct.
>> And that's that's that's what we're that's what I Commissioner Husman, you're exactly right. It's they you know it's because you're you're putting they're putting their two cents in and they don't do if you're not the person they're dealing with. It's it becomes >> it's a liability. >> It's a liability for them. >> And then >> Well, yeah. It's not you know they're
not going to want to invest in the property when they don't know what's happening. Correct. >> Yeah. So, >> and it's uh because they're I don't think they could you because they're they're they're they have auditors that watch what they how they spend money and it would be a probably an audit criticism on them if they tried that.
>> How much other property do they need of the 32 acres? I was just curious. >> Well, the the phase one would be over there where the tent part is. You know, that concrete that's all in there because you're talking about a semi-trail, but then they have an outside side there. They would they'd want to access that tent too eventually.
uh Eastern gives them the all the materials that they're going to need. So they'll need a material storage and stuff like that. So it's that that little area when you come in that gate on the lefthand side where the tent is and that concrete. Now that would have to be updated and all that. They know that the if you take a right back
towards the road, you had to have parking. You know, there's anytime you put in a a school like that, there's a lot of things that you have to have. They didn't give us a specific size of how much that would be. It would not be the whole top. It would be the whole area. >> Okay. >> Where that rental is going back there,
that's not what they were talking about. This was talking about the front towards you want access to >> where the dry dot would be and and access to that road because they were talking about not that. They were talking about even putting if if you grow it. They're even talking about look looking at small engines and stuff like
that. Doing that kind not just those but maybe having that as well because they do that over there at Lively. They're I mean I'm saying Limes Haney >> at Haney. I'm sorry. I said lively for 33. I'm sorry. Haney. They're doing over there. They're they're packed. And we've
got one one kid from he's not kid a person from Gulf Countyy's in that one. They're want to do it over here because then you could get Franklin and G in and doing that small engine because they're Yamaha, Mercury, all of that. So you got that big academy there. You have plenty of room to do that as well.
>> What did you did they y'all probably had got this what any of the proposed like how much? So, and that's what I wanted to say that the other part is this and I and it blew my mind, but been by the time when you talk about the power supply, water, sewer, bathrooms, whatever. I I think they're they throw
out like 3.9 million just for the first little phase. So, it's not a it's not a insignificant amount of money for the for the uh for the for the first deal. the you know the the trailer parts going to come in on the semi but then all the things that go with it it's going to add to the price
>> because you have to have outside places for them because the semi you have inside simulators classrooms stuff like that but then on the outside you have to have where you send the people to do the work it's going to be cover have to have covered things and stuff like that so uh I'm I'm trying to make it sound small
but it's not small as far as prices because anytime you do something like that it's it's an investment but do know there's two things that are make that feel real important. The one that we visited over there was slam-packed. And I'm not talk when you go to the Mobile
and see that big building over there. It was packed. And they're building another campus because they can't produce enough. >> Yeah. >> They're this this that that that they have that demand for it. >> If we have a a dry dock where you do
this, the day you open the dry dock, you have a waiting list getting in to get there. You don't worry about, well, we're gonna get another ship there. They're sitting out there in that Gulf waiting to get to your spot because it's Tampa and it's Mobile. >> That's That's the thing. You got to It's
not like who who am I competing against? You go to a port, you're competing against Bay. When you got this, you're you're ready. That's that's why it becomes part. But you got to have the people that know how to work on those things when they get there. >> Yeah. Well, I I think the port I will
speak Well, I don't want to speak for the port, but we are in favor of the maritime academy. Um, so how we can get there, that's going to be another story. So, I guess we can discuss it when the rest of them get here. But >> Gary's in now. I see. Okay. >> My my my question is this. Um, and if
the bill does if the bill does pass >> and then we know there's going to be a change up of the of the board, correct? >> That's the board's going to change >> if it pass. investment. >> So the only way to protect the only way to protect our investment
is to what? Is to purchase is to try to purchase the property. >> That would be the cleanest. I I I I don't think we want the limbo of having to determine if we've got to deal with somebody in Gadston County or or even Franklin County for that matter to to to do this. We've got an agreement with the
port authority now that I think is great, but that port authority may not be the same Port Authority in two months. attorneys want to talk. Tom's in the very very back. >> Now, there was just a question earlier from Michael about what would be the legality of a new entity created by the
legislature on what would go forward. Our agreements with the current port authority are binding. So, if they nullified that body, um we couldn't we can't modify the contract, but to Michael's point, we're going to be dealing with a whole new composite. I mean, we're a new entity,
so there's a lot of unknowns out there. Um, so if there is a a great cooperation, which there has been between the port authority and the county for many, many years and a mutual support for one another, now would be the time to seize that opportunity to resolve that issue. It would take one of the big pieces off the table that leaves
this county with the unknown of what's going to happen in the future. Right now, they know where they're going and what they've been working hard for for the 15 years I've been working for you all. They've been working tirelessly as volunteers and this commission has supported them from the obviously the closing of the mill and then every year
thereafter. Now there's this unknown from this legislation that's introduced as the attorney. We can work Tom and I have worked together on this for years and that would give us the ability to go out and structure something between the port authority and the county and that would at least take the unknown out of that with regards to that land. So that would be the opportunity and time is of
the essence on that particular issue because what's in Tallahassee right now is beyond everyone's control in this room. And just to expand on that, which is very unusual for to have to expand on anything Jeremy says, uh the agreement we have and we have handshake agreement
is I talked to Gary and I talked to Tom and they drew something up and it's very short, which is very unusual that says we'll agree to work together on a maritime academy and we're going to give you x amount of money and but it doesn't say it's going to be a half acre, 30 acres, if it's going to be in the front or the back of the side. And I I so if
if we don't get some what more control of that property or buy the property from them, we're going to have to tie down what they're committing to before they can't commit to anything for lack of a better word. If Gary wants to add to that, >> Gary, I agree.
>> Well, come on up and agree to it. Yeah, I think that the Port Authority is really behind doing this academy and there's a lot of unknowns that are going to come up with this new legislation. Um the port current port authority has
some assets, the land that that we own. Uh we have debts, one to the city, one to the county. What's going to happen to those? Now, in my mind, if the county could buy the property from the port authority and we could pay the county
off with the proceeds and the city off with proceeds and then me back pay for 10 years would be would be good. But, uh, you know, we're behind the dry dock. We're behind the academy. Uh, we've reached out to
FDOT. I think there's some funds we could get there for the academy. uh Triumph Gulf Coast I'm sure would kick some funds in. Um so you know I think I think we need to move forward as soon as we can.
>> Yeah, there's there's Gary there's federal fund too. We got a bunch I mean that's and once you have that as you know and write the your grants you have an asset going forward. So what are you what because that's first thing Triumph's going to do. What are you committing? Well we're committing land. We're committing power structure stuff
like this as part of our matches. So we've got matches going to everything that we go forward with. And that's why another key aspect especially going seeking the federal and all that. Hey, we got a plan. Here's our master plan. This is what it looks like going forward. >> Right. And the legislation that's come
out, I've talked with our representatives. And we're basically the only port in the state of Florida that is appointed by the governor. Everything else is done locally. >> Correct. and I've voiced my opinion on
that and unfortunately it uh didn't do any good. >> I guess do know that the city and the county, both cities in the county, this is for all of our Gulf, that's why we're elected is to look after our people and that's why we're doing this. I mean, we
could just sit back and let it happen, but I think it's what's best for us on both ends cuz that's these are our next generation of people and we have a huge asset out there that we can offer them. And that's that's correct. >> So, so what's the plan? What's the plan?
Um, if if I'm hearing this correctly, we need to I guess uh Mr. Novak and get get with Mr. Tom and try to work something out. Like like I said, my my fear is this. If if it does pass and if we don't move and then we can't say to us I mean
whatever they point can be able I mean >> they may want to go in a different direction >> and we have no control. >> We have two weeks before we all get back together but we'd like to come back to you all with maybe some direction or suggestions on how you all can vote to move forward with the cooperation of the
port authority. So we'll be back here on Tuesday the 27th. >> Gary, could y'all have a meeting between now and then? You almost got a >> but we could schedule a meeting >> before then and then
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Let us know. >> So So a couple of topics because before you came in we talked about Bird Island Jetty again that we want to work together on and of course float and dry dock and the maritime academy. Are are y'all wanting us to come back with a
proposal for both boards that that we purchase that and pay their debt off and come up with some type of funding scheme and for the future and something that y'all can vote on at the end of the month? Is that >> And absolutely. And let's let's absolutely and then that way of work
with the port authority like it is now. >> Can we can we have a st I'm I'm gonna interrupt you here. Yeah. Can we have a stipulation and if we do purchase the property, could we have a stipulation on the agreement? Um, if the port board, if the bill passes and the port board
changes, then we'll get the property. If it doesn't change, then we may not get the property because we we won't be re relinquishing our control so so to speak for our county at that point either.
>> Yeah, Commissioner. I think we can put conditions in there to see how it shakes out and also if there's an amendment where they change up the composition of that board where you and the port authority also feel better that it's two from Gulf and three from elsewhere and if they change it up and it becomes seven and five from Gulf and two from
elsewhere and three from the commission appointed and two from one from each of the cities and maybe one at large from Gatsson, Liberty and Franklin. I mean, there's a lot of variations and a lot of discussion and I think a lot of thoughts in this room and this commission here locally that I think you all have expressed in the months coming up to now
and this bill being introduced and I hope that next week when you're in Tallahassee that they want to hear what you all have to say both from the port authority and the commission. So, I think the conditions that we can put in Tom and I could be in reaction to that. a contract is formed, it's signed, all the bodies agree to it, and then based
on what shakes out in the legislation, then the condition can be triggered. If it does shake out the way it's proposed, then we can move forward the two entities and and consummate this and convey the property. If it doesn't, then you can all come back to the table and maybe respond to it if there's more
local control over the future of this port. And >> there's still hurdles if if we do it that way. There's still going to be hurdles with the ownership and our team members and our partners, but we can I feel comfortable with Mr. Gary, Tom, Zack, Steve, Jessica, all these different people that we know are going
to be that we've dealt with our our whole entire lives that they lived and work in Gulf County and they want what's best for Gul County, too. But as Mr. Kerry said, and Jessica said the same thing, it's it's going to be we it's it's an unknown. So, we have to be prepared for that. And I would still
like to have some sort of stipulation. If the bill doesn't pass, then maybe we don't go all the way through, but we still need to clear these hurdles as well. >> But if All right. So, let's say something happens and it hits this and that's a good idea. I'm with you on
that. We don't if we didn't have this bill, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I got you. >> That's the whole point of me saying that, sir. >> But if let's say it doesn't go legislation, it can come back again. The next my is it come back for the next two or three years and we have to do this again. We have to do
this again and from the legal standpoint and there's no way to title in our title and our things that we could protect ourselves on that that I got where you're going that that's perfect plan but I don't know how you legally write that where it doesn't throw a red flag when they have their legislative meetings and they put something in
legislation that would supersede what you did and that's that would be >> and I think Tom and I can work through that like maybe a first right of refusal uh triggering events in the future. I mean, it's collateralized. They know that they owe on it, but the county would have the ability to first write. County has been here for 100 years. The port's been there for almost a half
century. I mean, we're talking about an unknown entity moving forward in 2026, and we're all responding to that now unknown. So between the two groups, we can come together and say either we have a contract that we do convey if something happens or that we always reserve the first right of refusal that
if we can step in and buy that property from them if they have notice that they're going to be dissolved as a body because you'd have interference with binding contracts at that point. That's something obviously Tom and I would then dig in and start arguing and fighting against. Uh, just to mention, I'm
probably going to be here for maybe two more meetings and then I'll be resigned. >> So, all the more I said earlier time is of the essence. I think now is the time to strike with that. >> That's that's where I'm at with it. Uh, see Steve's
>> I just want to say I wanted to bring up what Jack just said. That was that idea what I actually want to propose and so I think that's great and it doesn't go through >> and Jeremy you can write that I just I
just don't and it would be in I'm just worried about going forward each each legislative session for the next what however many years that's going to be >> but legally right now we're we're just we're discussing that now today in reaction to what happened yesterday. So, if the
the state of representatives uh wanted to say that we didn't have this conversation, we have had this conversation. It's on record. So, I think the the ball is is rolling now. Absolutely. >> Um so, I think we're covered there as well. >> Yeah. And I mean, the notice is out there. It's workshop. You can't vote on
anything today, but you can in two two weeks from now. So if we come to you all with a proposal that they're able to meet and come to some consensus and you too you can authorize us to do something on that 27th >> which we can do
when we have an idea we there's some steps to that and they they suggested doing in phases phase one and phase two at dry dock phase three that's what they said as far as the training goes and so phase one is what we talked about the camper where that site is there has to be I think they
said they need to do some testing because it's an educational site those type things but it's basically that's that I can get them back out here and draw it out for you uh we got an aerial of it now and so I think going forward before we do anything if if we get the agreement of how we're going to do it we
need to take that aerial start putting the little lines of what it's going to look like where and and get their input, their professional input on where phase two would be and then how it goes into the dry dock. It's a good good point. That's the next step. How about that?
>> Yep. Yes, sir. >> Yeah. Just shoot me. I'm good. I'm good. >> Real quick before we if you fix to change over because I know they'll need a few minutes and the city needs to come up and all that kind of stuff. I I didn't give the public works update if we want to do that really quickly.
>> So, what I did went through and looked at some things that we have done since our last one of these and a couple things that we're going to do moving forward. I can go through them briefly. The White City head wall removal public works that save you a ton of money having a contractor come in and remove all those concrete piles out on the edge
of the canal. Um the White City floating dock install 180 foot of that turned out really well. We're nearly finished with the Gasket Park floating dock install. Um Charlie Kirk way we did save you know big
reduction of money cost. >> Is it working? >> It's on. >> So the Charlie Kirk way didn't you know what we did there to help on that road? The White City water plant the gun range was huge. I mean we're like 4450
loads into that. There's a massive amount of dirt hauling. We installed some pole barns this year. The chiller replacement for the courthouse um me and Raymond looked at I think it was 2008 made it through this year. We're
replacing it now. And the paper something we have not utilized that we were that we got this year that the county has never had that we're going to do patches with. You'll see that happen through this year. So by next year I should be able to give a report of how much we've done with that
little machine. But just a quick down dirty what we've done and then all the other stuff in between that we do all the time. >> Can I say something? >> Yes, sir. >> Mark and and Raymond all and all you. The reason we can go to this list this year is because my list I had last year
you tackled and so hats off to you guys. We can't go to the next year without completing our last year. And buddy, y'all knocked the home run. So, TDC, all of y'all see what y'all done last year with these parts and all. That's how we can go to these next steps. And so,
thank you for what you what what you did that that I it's my fault for not saying anything about. That's how we can go. You accomplished what we said last year. That's awesome. So, good job. >> Um, if you get fuel at our fuel depot, Now you get it in the rain getting
rained on before too much longer. We're going to have covering over that so you can get rain or get fuel without being. So that is something that's coming this year. >> Yes sir. Yes sir. Uh Jeremy we got to do a miss. Uh Jeremy
Mr. Novak. Novak, you hear me? >> Uh motion. >> Yeah, we uh motion to adjourn. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. >> Your retreat workshop, you'd adjourn
that and then we'll go into the new one with the city. >> Thanks. Entain motion to adjurnn. Motion by commissioner home. Second by Commissioner Pig. Part: 2
you could go ahead just probably want to make sure you go ahead on turn on your microphone so we make sure we're good to go. All right. Uh well, we're here to just uh pretty much I guess kind of discuss is some things that uh you you guys may need our help on and we may need your
help on and how can we help you guys and how can uh you guys help us uh with moving forward to making this this county and the city better uh for for everyone for the constituents. Um so with that being said, um Mayor, if you
y'all want to go first, >> we can. And thank you for having this workshop. Next time should be shortly probably 30 days after this. We'll have one at our place. Anyway,
we gave you a couple points off here. >> Okay. May press your buttons. See if that red light comes on. >> There we go. Okay, there we go. >> We got it. Is that good? Yes. Okay. Uh so uh
probably a couple of of of short ones uh for discussion would be uh one of them is uh workforce housing road that that uh you know we've been working on workforce housing five years. There 172 units going to be out there. Uh it'll
help us tremendously. uh we keep getting u kick back from Tallahassee about helping us uh fund it. And so I I just like to see what you guys think because it's going to benefit
uh everybody, not just the city. Uh would go in with the city, the county, go in with the city and the developer in a three-way uh cooperation uh to get that road built. and uh we get
that project going before this year is out. >> How much is the road? >> Uh it's going to be about a million and a half. We're SK I know we're just speaking about we're scheduled to go to Tallahass on next week. Who do Do you know
who y'all who y'all talking to in Talas that we make and can reach out when we're in Tallahass? U speak on that. Um who we've been working with uh to uh get that done? >> Yes sir. Jim Anderson, City of Port St. Joe. Uh Department of Commerce. We put in for an additional grant this past
year. Uh last year we put in for legislative appropriation and it uh uh did not m pass last year. So we put back in a grant. It's at the Department of Commerce for approximately $1.8 million to the road. So, we making while we're I'm assuming,
Michael, while we're in Tallahass, if we can get our our lobbyists to reach out to the Department of Commerce in reference to helping the city of Port St. Joe with that'll be one way. So, anyway, that's just just something
to to to think about. Um, no decision needed today by any means, but but I think it would uh it would get this project going much quicker. Uh and then the uh the item u our
recreational facility uh which as we've grown tremendously in the last seven years since Hurricane Michael uh you know that we've got a lot of developments being built and and it's amazing that they're all getting filled
up with people and uh it's going to be a bigger and bigger need down the down the code. I can apologize myself for letting this thing simmer along for 15 years where we all could have probably been putting a
little money in the bank and getting that thing done. But we we find other ways to not do it. Uh but uh I I think uh we're doing a disservice to our young people by not having a first class
facility. We've got a good facility. We're funding it thanks to thanks to cooperation from the county. We are funding that. But let's face it, that's not a long range uh of something that that we need to be hanging our hat on. U
we now have uh quite a few uh hotel motel beds in the city. Uh we're getting ready to have another hundred uh in the city. uh we'll have enough uh rooms for the
heads and the beds that that the TDC uh always pretty much requires to host tournaments. Not only baseball, but but soccer and those other type we got over 200 people, kids playing soccer, that doesn't count
the baseball gang. So, uh we uh we need uh we need to do that and and and the prime funding source of that has always been uh and always was going to be the TDC. Uh I know their plates full with
with the golf course and so forth, but uh that's something uh we would like to uh to get shared with the county. The majority of the kids over 60% playing in
all these sports do not live in the city and uh we just felt like that we can't continue funding and maintaining all these facilities and and not getting any
help from from the folks that uh the majority of the folks that are using it. So, uh something uh we really we really need to think about is it's long range, but I mean we need to be thinking for the future. We can't be thinking for
what's right in front of us. >> Rich, what >> mayor? What is the recreational facility? I'm missing this. >> Excuse me. >> What is the recreational facility? It's general. >> Well, you call it Field of Dream. You can call it Church Road Park. It won't matter to me, but it's the 65 acres
that's that's out behind dollar store and G Coast. >> I mean, we've got the property. We We just need to We just need to get it cleared and and uh and moving somewhat and in some way, form, or fashion. If we
don't do a little something, uh start doing a little something, never going to get done. I can leave it at that and you guys, you know, your turn if you don't have any discussion on that.
I hope we have discussion on this. We're listening. U speaking of roads, we back beach road is a priority of of ours and we're going forward with back I'm calling it back beach road. >> Oh yeah, we do too. >> Okay, you call it. So, uh, we would like
y'all support on that as we as we're seek, you know, not we're not asking monetary. We're saying that y'all are on board with that as we start trying to go through the process of getting that back. It needs to be on everybody's radar as a priority. We know right now it's a safety issue getting people from Ascension to over to Panama City with
traffic during spring break times and stuff like that. >> So, to let y'all know, we we made some progress with, you know, with DOT. We put it on there. We're meeting with them again on that. y'all what are y'all's thoughts on I mean don't y'all see that as a as a priority? >> Yeah, we sent a letter to the county
>> last year. Okay, voicing our support for that. >> Okay, >> so it's it's done deal. I don't I'm >> doing all the talking, but I mean >> we just let you know that's one of the things we're going is we put it as our number one priority on the regional training to let y'all know that it is we
we all know that that's that's a big thing as far as talking about roads. That's huge for us. Yeah, I do I do recall, commissioner, that we did uh send a letter of support to the to the county. I believe
>> another one. >> I've got a list. I've got a list. >> I did, too. You had number one. >> All right. >> Y'all want me to get another one? I got >> Let me get a Let me get a Let me get an easy one. We can get an easy We can get some good uh >> It's like the test. It gets harder as it goes.
>> We can get some good wheel here right off the bat. Uh >> I think we're on board to help y'all fund this concession stand that you had on you. >> Yes, you are. >> Yep. U we get some good wheel there. And >> y >> uh so >> I think so. I think y'all said 75 and I
think we're fine. >> You want >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We approved up to 75. >> Okay. We're >> up We don't think it'll be a cost 50, but but >> yeah, they had a >> wiggle room. >> They had kind of put a proposal together that showed a cost anywhere between 55
and 80,000, but we all know what you getting into engineering plans, permits, how things can >> escalate very quickly. So, we put it in to where it would be up to 75,000, which would >> In other words, if it ran all the way up
to 150,000. >> I think we're good. Okay, >> I got mine out of the way. >> The Dixie Youth Girls reached out to us. You know, we got Break Park out there at Highland View. >> Have you seen that field out there? This we even got a batting cage out there.
It's very rarely used and they they were supposed to be looking at it uh before we kind of really get it up to practicing. It's not for game. It doesn't have lights, but they can really practice out there. So, I know you're talking about field space. He said they were running out of field space for the girls. Uh I guess that's the old Dixie.
We have Washington gym ball field out there that's in good shape, >> but he said that they were looking toward so we would want to make sure you know that we the more we can get kids out there practicing on it be it'd be better for that park too. So >> y'all ready for another one?
>> Well, we we talked about it earlier. Oh, got >> No, go ahead. >> You got it. What you want to talk? We talked about earlier when I in our meeting about spring break coming up and uh it affects y'all as well as we do. Spring break they're coming down here in March. Um some of the things uh our
sheriff's not here and I'd asked Jake to be here but I'm sure Jake's tied up with that problem as well too. uh because they've done a lot out there teaming up with some stuff that we're having starting having windmark now with Jake and the sheriff and all that whole area in there starting to change a little bit
as far as who's renting houses out there. If y'all haven't seen it, your call volume is up. It is. So, uh some of the things we looked at is making sure that we're getting the VBOS's are out of control. You know
what I mean? Uh they're not I just say they were they were under reporting but we're starting to get a handle on that and want to reach out to y'all. Is is that a priority for y'all too? Is can we help can we team up on that to make sure that the people because those taxes are going to help you as well? Their TDC
taxes 6. Can we can y'all work with us like on inspections and making sure these people that are doing rentals are actually paying what they're supposed to be paying because it's not fair for those ones who are doing what they're supposed to be doing when the other ones aren't. >> We're already doing it.
>> Are you? >> Yeah. Yeah. We've got someone that Jim has that checks on the folks that are renting homes and and not paying their taxes. >> Not no sir. No, mayor. What we took is we at business license. We have a
business tax. So, we make sure that they are licensed within the city of Port St. Joe. Um, as far as inspections, no, we do not, but we look at zoning because VRBOs are only allowed in certain areas within the city. So, we do a check on that. But as far as who's paying the tax
on there, we do not know that. I believe that goes to the tax collector's office. >> Yeah. So, what what I'm saying is, Jim, is is is they come on board. There's a lot of them are coming on board, Jimmy. You go out there, they're 10 a day, and they're
not living here. And 2% of them, t 10% of them may be second homes, but most of them are renting. And so, uh, I made a priority and I would hope y'all would make that a priority that we're making sure because it's not fair for you to have a hotel where we could capture and
you got a VBO and they're not. And so, when we do the inspections and the business t which is a good way loophole doing it, there's software out there. What I'm asking is is maybe that you could get with uh our TDC director or whoever you have the staff and let's work with that and see if we can't
increase that. And with spring break coming up and all the the new houses coming online, I think it's a revenue source. I know it is for the county and I'm sure it would be the city that we do that because windmark is basically going to be a huge rental market now. >> Yes, sir. We'll be happy to work. >> So to expand what what we really need to
do is this and team whether we do it together or y'all do it separately and it it started during the COVID con and they begged us to do it and then it it wound up we we caught the problems. We don't, unless we do these inspections yearly, we don't have a contact number. And we're not having any problems with
the with the companies that do it, but these VBOs's, the smoke detector goes off and they can't reset it or the alarm goes off, it messes with the neighbors. You can't get into the elevator that they talked about earlier, and there's 47 different sets of keys. So, it's false alarms to the fire department,
false alarms to the police department, no contact information for these rentals. So, when we do these rentals, and we're up what, we 1300 or something. It's it's a high number. >> It's probably 4 500 in the city now when you count all those in Windmark. That's that's what would help y'all help the
fire department, but help police and law enforcement, too, because our fire departments respond to each other, especially in the middle uh with these false alarms and the people stuck in the elevators and stuff like that. And we don't have any contact information because they're VBOS. >> And I think they're making progress with the golf carts because now the rental
comes with a golf cart, some of them with two. So, I mean, any help on that, y'all? It it really um I hate to say it, they're clamping down in Panama City and it's going to push them this way. And that's what we really don't want. We want those families, you know, we're
after the families with the kids or I say the church group from Auburn that comes >> we'll be happy to work with staff anywhere we can because I believe with growing pains we're going to see more and more issues like you said the issues that are we can look at Walton County
>> and we don't want to have some of the problems that we're seeing in neighboring counties. Thank you. >> All right. Only thing I I got a couple a few things. I'll jump on in. Uh I know we in the past we was we worked together well with dilapidated properties and blight removal from the uh from the
community. So uh we hadn't done it in a in a it's been a it's been a while. I I actually asked uh um Commissioner L reach reach out to Mr. Anderson and send me that list again so I can get it before the board. Uh we want to get those those the people that need those properties removed to help to help uh
clean up the community. So if you guys keep that on kind of keep that on the radar. Um I want to try to get that program started. Get that. >> I'm sure you get calls quite a bit on those properties and and we're just waiting waiting for help from you guys get it done.
>> Um other thing I want to bring up is um I guess Washington recreation we've been we uh we've been working well on it. like this. Um I told um Blake to uh to go out there and take a look at it. Um some of the amenities that you guys have
added and the upgrades that we have done around in that walking trail in that park uh is is kind of great for for for the community. Um as you can see, we have we have replaced those windows and we got a plan to replace uh to redo the stage uh and and to do some more stuff
in there. Um but we're kind we're kind of waiting. We got an outrageous quote on replacing the the AC uh vents. Um >> Yes. And so we kind of uh kind of pump the brakes until we can get a uh
somebody else to go in and look at it and see could we get that uh get that replaced at a at a good price. So um moving forward though, hopefully we should be able to to get that done. Also, um I I was telling Mr. Anderson that uh Mr. Gerlight reached out to
myself and I'm pretty sure Commissioner Mcronone in reference to the city soccer those soccer fields um and he wanted to he sent us an email in reference to uh redoing the uh said they were in pretty bad shape and he wanted our assistance. So um I I told him I have no problem
assisting him with u with his request and I think he reached out to Mr. Mcronone and >> we've agreed to to find that field. So, I don't know if he reached out to you guys in reference to with those soccer fields. >> I'm I'm aware of it. Yeah, I am aware
that that the county was willing to help help fund that or fund it entirely. >> Kind of want to bring them up to date on the on since we have the port authority ports here on uh Steve was here earlier when we really started talking about it.
So, um, one thing I've heard you say before is, which I say the same thing. We have a problem with everybody coming out of eastern turning left. That's an issue. Those are jobs, though. So, how do we change that? I mean, we can talk about traffic, but what we found is is I
think it's a gap between we're not preparing the people to take those jobs. Those jobs are are a little bit more complex than what what we're what we have here at this time. And you heard me talk about Maritime Academy. Uh we talked about with the board. Do y'all
are just please give me any questions you have on what we're talking about. If if stop me or that if you have a question >> talked about Haney. I don't I'm not familiar with partner with Haney. We've been reaching out to them for their ideas. >> Okay. Yeah. So we did. So we met with
Haney and so they came over and toured the old uh site the >> Arizona site. >> Arizona site. Okay. The Arizona site. clean it the mark them clean it up so you can really see the whole site and how it works. So they found that area that had the tin on it and the concrete
there and they said the probably the best way to do it um is is to do it in phases where you have a quick start phase which quick starts 12 to 18 months. that that's then they're in their minds versus that. And that is basically taking kids that came out of the welding program at Wea Hitchka and
Port St. Joe and training them how to be to get those jobs that are on these ships. Okay? They uh it's advanced manufacturing type jobs, I guess you would call it, not man advanced welding. You you learn the trade to a different level. In other words, I give you this
project sheet and you go do it. When they come out of these high schools, they're not there yet. And that's what they're doing at Haney. That's what they're doing in Mobile. When we toured Mobile, which we probably need to get y'all to go over there and look at what we looked at, you would it would really enlighten you to what we're talking
about because they're full and they got a wait list. They're building another school because there's such a need for these people in this trade. So the first thing is to get them into that little where they're coming from high school into being able to get on that job and our people can start getting into those
jobs, those advance that is on the back part of the old Arizona chemical side. Phase two would be where you go into a full-blown maritime academy. That takes a little longer, a lot more in depth, cost a lot more money, but there's a lot
of sources for that. There's federal, there's state, uh I mean there's a lot of sources for that, but that teaches you the next level into uh the marine electronics, marine aviation, I mean marine refrigerations, all those products on the marine environment that
are different than on land. And that's where we get into the real nuts and bolts of things. That way when we're hoping, I know y'all had some concerns about dry dock, what we need to talk about, you go right underneath there and you have the dry dock, which is an
unlimited supply of jobs coming because you got an unlimited supply of boats need to be fixed and there's different things that are going on those boats. In other words, this is coming in and doing this. I always say the props, I tell them we become the prop specialist of the Gulf and we we train these people and then we get a prop shop across the
street or something like that. So, we have ongoing jobs that that don't just go away. They're they're there for a while. So, uh I I know you talked about some issues with the dry dot. So, we went and tour the dry dock because I didn't I had some just like you do. It's
basically a a barge that they take and pump the water out, sink it down, put the ship on it, put it back up. Now, there's some issues with that, which I understand that that you have to to make sure that they're doing it the right way, which that's part of if you own it,
you tell them this is part of what you have to do because you don't want to do anything to mess the bay up. I live on the bay. Y'all live on the bay. We know what the bay does. Part of that is, you know, bringing back in the the island that we're talking about. I'll get to it in a little bit, but tell me your thoughts on that. I know you had some
concerns on it. So, you you heard about them putting big cranes out there with the cranes out there now. Um, >> I mean that that's there now and I don't and we can't control that. But this part is the ones that we saw were basically the ships pull up there, they do the trip, you tug them back out. What was
the concern? What more concerns do you have on that dry dock? I mean, >> well, you don't know my concerns on the dry dock. I I mean, Sure. >> Uh, we've got a port and we're in Port St. show and uh and uh having a uh a
ship repair facility is not a port and that's that's what it is. But I think a main concern for me and I'd love to hear from the rest of these guys is
burdening the the taxpayers with the amount of money that you're talking about you're going to need to do it when You don't have any kind of guarantees of of very far in the future that it's
still going to be there. You've got uh uh the new tendle bridge is being built. Uh they're not going to need to bring those boats over here anymore because they can do it in their own yard. Get them under the bridge, get them out into
the Gulf. Uh so u I think Probably most of you know by now that Eastern has sold their property that that we've talked about right across the street from from the Arizona site. Uh they sold that
property to a uh materials company out of Tennessee that I understands maybe put a cement plant or something out there. So saying saying all that, I mean
Joey Derny runs a great business. He's a good businessman, but when it comes down to business, whether he needs to be over there and it's cheaper to be somewhere else, he's going to make the right decision for his his company and and
we'll be left high and dry. And the citizens that depend on us to make the proper and informed decisions that would affect your future are looking at us to to look at this thing, you know, inside
out. You know, forget outside noise and inside noise. Just do your own homework and and think about what happens. We we've had it happen more than once in in G County. Prime example is is a is a dive boat and putting them road down
there to that and they they are here just long enough to to get the goodie out of it and then we're left high and dry and so and this is a multiple amount of money compared compared to that. So,
uh yeah, I I believe in education. I believe in keeping people here. You know, it's a lot of it circles back to the workforce housing project which which houses these the people that that you proposing that that we employ.
But uh and then of course we circle back to protecting that bay. You know, that's uh that's a that's a big a big thing. And uh the look's going to be the same whether you have a working port or whether you the only difference you
won't have a dry dock mored out there 400 ft out in the bay uh 24/7. And uh so I just uh I I I feel like uh
we're trying to we're trying to have a port. We tried to have a port for a long time and Do we want a port or do we want a ship repair facility? And that's that's the difference. A port out of Tampa, Fort
Lauderdale, Miami, they they survive fine. And with tourism and stuff around those facilities, uh whether uh whether tourism is altered by the dry
dock floating out there, I don't know. And and I mean tourism is not just a service area job industry in my way of thinking. You've got you've got real estate.
They benefit. And when real estate benefits, the building construction folks benefit. And when the building construction folks benefit, you've got uh highskilled jobs are going to benefit. You've got you got engineering. You got electricians, you got plumbers.
I mean, you you got air conditioning that are skilled skilled paying jobs. So, so just to always think that that we we're relying on and not only that, you got retail. Think about retail on Reed
Avenue that that uh that pay a lot of people. Now, a lot of those are service uh type jobs, but uh so I just think uh it's it's a lot of money to to spend on
on hopeful that we're going to get get all this. So I've said enough just >> well can can I can I talk a little bit about the port versus the dry dot and and so anytime you want to do something in economic development because we got
tourism we're not trying to talk I mean tourism is the one and it does have offshoots. We got that. Does a lot to our economy. $4 billion tax ro. We got that. But there's other things in case you you have other jobs for other you
need to have more than just one shot. Okay. Some of the ports that you talked about and I know they say they have this and that, but if you look at them, those ports are not in their main tourist corridor. They're coming back and forth. and and I live on that bay and I can
tell you I' I have a lot less problem with a ship sitting down there for two or three months while they fix it, put it back down the water, tug it out without having to dredge that whole thing versus coming in there every day doing that. I a huge rather have that.
And you're talking about your competition. Now, let's talk about competition. Who do you have competition on a dry dock? >> You got Tampa. What's the What's the backlog on Tampa right now? tremendous >> 10 months. What's the backlog on Mobile? >> It's undetermined because they closed a
couple of yards that do that. >> So, you've got a customer base waiting on you. Is it going to change? If you look at the big beautiful bill, it's not going to change. It's going in repair, overhaul, and building of new ships. They're fixed. That's where the federal money is going to. So, if I'm looking at
it, what is the best shot for us? the how many boats are we going to get in here to make it economically feasible and put a lot of jobs in there? We're the last run and you can talk to all the guys over there in Mobile. Look at that port what they got. You got to compete against those guys here. It's just it
doesn't make sense to be the port like that and I'll stand by that. I mean that that's just not doesn't make financial s. I I I wouldn't dare. That's like you you're playing a small team versus a huge team that you got no chance to compete against. We would be the last
run on that thing trying to make money on it. This is you got 200 guaranteed jobs because you got a boat sitting up there for years to come. Boats are not going to stop tearing up. That's not going to happen. Now, that's that's my take on it. That's what that's why I
said this is was good going forward. Those are some of the stats that are out there. And that's why we started, if we'd have done this in 18, if we'd have, if they'd have funded it and we' have gone right now, we would have 250 jobs sent down there. We'd have offshoot business down there. We wouldn't be having this conversation. I promise
because there there's a waiting list out there for them. So that's that's why we have it. You I I hear the 400 foot. Remember 400 foot's the barge length. It's not 400 foot out there, which is another thing we want to talk to y'all about. And that's Bird Island. We talked about that. You want to talk a
little bit about it, Phil? I mean, you have the history of it where it was out there. >> Oh, mayor, you know what Bird Island is. At one time we had I guess appropriation was put in or tried to get appropriation for a uh a jetty type deal to to protect that seaw wall and you know to buffer
against any any type of uh uh storms and all. But uh Commissioner Pion brought up a great idea this morning about about a possible you know buffer with a bird island like a jetty type deal with a uh possible bird sanctuary. You want to
talk a little bit about that? So if you look out there, you got a lot of investments there with with the bulkhead here, but you also got that marina. That marina is doing great. You're going to have a hotel down there eventually, a restaurant. It's doing great. It's part of the loop now, folks. We're part of the loop when they're doing it. That's that's a good thing for tourism. So
that's only going to increase. What if we have that area out there? Because you kind of got to go around in your boat now. You know what I'm talking about? The area out there, Bird Island, got deep water this side, deep water that side. We rock that in, fill it in, and it's a bird sanctuary. No human can step on it, bring the birds in because we've
taken away bird habitat. We got rocks all the way around it. It's going to protect this the walls up there. We've already applied for it one time. And I just think it's a good thing because economically it's going to help right there where that side is, but it's going to help our fishing too because when you
put those rocks and those jetties around there, you know, you're going to grow oyster shells, which is going to grow small fish, which grows big fish. So, we want to talk to you about that because we're talking about want to go back bring that back up. So, thoughts on
>> I don't have a problem with Bird Island. Grew up grew up around Bird Island. So, I I don't have a problem with that problem with that at all. I I think it would be a viable idea. I mean it uh it uh somewhat protected it before even
though it was just sand but uh so I don't really see a problem unless it going to be something different than we envisioned. Let's put it that way. >> Yeah. Well, >> envisioned you take it and surround it by the rock which gives you the buffer
>> and then you have the sand in the middle of it comes out of the out of the water. You know, it's not like trees or anything, but sand. And the birds that were were nesting in different areas there, you have a that whole area is now bird nesting areas. Is gorgeous where your pier is down there. When they're out there, it's going to help fishing
right there because you got rock here, you got rock out there, and you got deep water in between. Seems like a no-brainer. >> So, that's something. >> Yeah, I want I want to touch base on the port. Okay. I'll go back a little bit
and uh and then we talked about Bird Island. The the port idea has been kicked around now for quite some time and then we started talking about this floating dry dock.
We we uh received a letter a while back as you are very aware of from Joey Darnia representing Eastern Ship Build that was over that little piece of property that we had annexed and uh Eastern had a lot to say about
it. Their attorney wrote it. I spoke to him on the phone and uh at that time I was I was thinking well you know I I get their plan because they want to buy and use the rest of all that land that they have right there. Well now the fact like
the mayor just mentioned they sold all that land. So I get the feeling that their plans a few months ago, six months ago, maybe a year ago may have changed. You don't
sell all that property unless you're planning to change the plans that you had months ago. So the property's been sold and I believe it's the concrete company that bought it. That's the same company, I believe, that
bought either all or a big portion of the old meal in Panama City. >> SRM, >> right? Yeah. So, they've got a plan and just like we all agree, their their job is to make money, lots and lots of money. Now, I I know they lost a portion
of a huge contract in the issue with trying to compete with Mobile and uh Homeland Security for whatever reason took some of those jobs away from them. Some of those big close to billions of dollars. They lost all that.
>> So, I that was on the cutter project, wasn't it? >> Yeah. Yeah. That's a big part of their income. >> So, I want to do and I think we all should do what is best for our city, not for what's a private company wants to
do. And I'll remind everyone that when Eastern Ship Building was interested in this floating dry dock in Port St. Joe, the city was never involved in those steps. The planning,
none of it. The way that I was aware of what was planning to go forward is when I saw the actual copy of the application from Gulf County applying for the
funding from the BP group, the uh >> Triumph, you know, the application to go to Triumph. And Triumph, as we all know, is a payback to the oil spill issues in the panhandle area. Well, there's lots
and lots of money there still, and they seem to be having trouble dispersing that money. But the county applied for the the Triumph Grant. And people are like, why did the county apply for it? Well, it's easy.
An individual company that makes profit off of huge projects in the billions of dollars can apply for Triumph funding. That's a fact. So they got the county to do it.
Not the city. Never asked the city what we thought about it, but the county put in for it. Well, now we look at present time. Eastern sold the property, a big port part of it. Eastern says they still
want to move forward with a floating dry dock. My major concerns, you ask what the concerns are. My personal concerns for first and foremost is protection of the bay. Okay. Not too many years back,
we had a company that wanted to build an LG plant. county and the city looked at it differently. We opposed it. Question was, well, why would you oppose it? Maybe jobs there because there was
concerns about the environmental impact to the bay and the community. That's the same reason that I oppose and supported. I believe I made the motion to resend the letter of support that we initially supported after the county
asked us to support the floating dry dog. So, I'm going to continue to oppose any ideas, any suggestions, or any plans that have a potential
of having a negative impact on the bay. And the reason is we have to remember that the area that we're discussing was for what 50 plus years. the paper
company. There's parts of that property that currently today are under Brownsfield regulations because there it's polluted. Part of it is polluted. That's a fact. There's been
lawsuits even into the community of North Northport St. Joe area over pollutions where houses are. But the bay has to maintain the level of being a pristine waterway in the state of
Florida. That's not easy to do. We have enough problems right now. We have red tide active in the bay. The bay because of tourism, commercial fishing, and recreational fishing is
huge income. It will always last as an income if we protect our bay. If we decide to chase dollars and jobs, I get the jobs idea. But you can't have jobs if you if you
pollute the bay. It's a fact. I've I've even heard and watched county meetings where the message that was presented to the county from the environmental or not the environmental economical groups
would be the community does not support a layown yard and large cranes. Y'all remember that meeting? And I agree with that. Our community
will not and does not support large cranes and a huge layown yard. So, I'll I'll finish with this. We have to dredge in order to have a floating dry do of
400 ft. You have to dredge. And I just heard you commissioner say you're not in support of a full dredge. I'm not in support of any dredging. And I realize if you went to an area
that didn't have a paper mill for 40, 50, 60 years, you might can dredge. There's areas that you can dredge and not have a catastrophic impact on the bay. I agree with that. We're not in that group. We're in a
group that we want to bring in or some you some of you would want to bring in a group that has to dredge and you have to then decide, okay, do I listen to the people that want to dredge and they're trying to
dredge and they're trying to make billions of dollars off of our community. They don't care about polluting the bay at all. They care about making huge amounts of money and then moving on. Now the other thing that
you have to realize as a part of this whole process right now if you go over the Tendle Bridge, Dupont Bridge, what do you see? You see a new bridge coming, right? We all see it. It's coming. Now,
what I have heard and read, just as a person that lives here, is that Eastern eventually would like to be able to put those cutters under the Tindle Bridge. That's why that bridge is being built.
Once they can achieve that bridge and can go under the the bridge into the open waters of the bay and the Gulf, they're not going to be that interested in the project of Port St. Joe.
That's what I believe is is occurring. I may be wrong, and if I am, so be it. But I'm concerned that once that bridge is is completed, they'll have no use for Port St. Joe, no use for Gulf County and they could care less about our bay. Uh,
that's a fact in my mind. So, we got to be real careful about what we support for the future of our city and our county. And my last thing is Bird Island. This is all new to me. I haven't
heard anything about Bird Island. >> It was like a week ago. It's just we're just >> Let me ask you this. What is the actual full reason or reasons to put rocks around Bird Island? Does it have anything to do with the future of
the port or the future of a floating dry dock? >> Okay. So, it hopefully if that was dry dock. Yes. The other part of that is is so you know we're trying to do the living shoreline in Highland View. You know, we're we're applying for a grant for that. So where
the bridge washes out there in Highland View where the rocks are, they've done it over in Franklin County. The more you put structure out there around that little area, we're trying to protect the road, but we're also trying to grow the microorganisms that grow on those and they're having a huge success over there. The trout, red fish are coming
back in those areas. They started with a little area and now everybody's wanting to expand it. So we're going to get on that too on that side. You know where the old butler is, a lot of fresh water coming in there. You know where that those two areas of water coming in there. The next other area you have right there is that canal. So that bird
island is right off the canal. Right. So the more structure we can get out in that bay that is going to produce smaller fish, bigger fish and those type things, the better off we are. Correct. Because the bay is losing grass. We know that. We don't I think people have their
own idea why they're losing. But we need to get some structure back in there. And that's what this Eugene Raffle. I mean he was sitting there talking said you know Eugene I didn't know this because he has a history of it. He says, "Randy, that makes perfect sense there because you're it will grow oysters as you know it. You put the rock out there
underneath that's going to grow oysters. Look in the marina there, you'll see them. They're and not for not consumption, but for filtration." So, the more times you can filter that water coming into that bay, the better that bay is going to be. And you know that from that side. So that that was why I even brought it up this morning was to
talk about that because we've got to find some areas to get that bay some more structure and some more clarifying things in that bay to help just what you're talking about red tide and all. So there and it's a win-win. So it protects Yeah, it protects Eastern or whoever is there. Like I say, I understand what you're talking about.
Eastern may not be there. I understand that. But we also have a boat barn there with you know how many millions of dollars sitting there. It helps them too and it helps those guys fishing off your period. You spend a lot of money on that. Not just that, that's a it's pretty I think it'd be nice. I think people will go up there, take their
binoculars and watch the different type birds because you can't put no feet on that island. So that that was that was where that came from. >> That was Mr. Pig's idea. So that was something that was >> It took me an hour. >> Yeah, that wasn't something that was conquered up in the back room. That was
He brought that to the board. So my my question is I get it. you you're not you're not for the the floating dump. So what what would be the solution for jobs for uh 18-year-old graduating, want to make a good living, want to build a house in G County, what will what would
be a solution for jobs? Well, I think we all would agree if we could find a a opportunity to support jobs where we train our our our students at the high school. Uh I
know we still have our welding department, but uh you know, just the question alone is well, if we don't go with that, what do you come up with? Well, I'm just I'm just asking. I want to know do you guys have a another another You might have another idea.
>> The answer to that is I I don't have like a hey, here why don't you do this? You know, I mean, but what I what I'll go back on is if giving someone a job or a hundred jobs or 500 jobs, if we give
them those jobs and we destroy the bay, and we lose all of the revenue and the enjoyment of having a bay, a state park,
uh the opportunities for, you taking people over to the Cape by boat, by fishing. All those things are gone. It's It's kind of like going back in time when the city and the county lost
the paper mill. They lost all those jobs. Well, we have to make sure that the first thing we do before just coming up with a job and saying, "Well, here you go. You can go do this." is that it doesn't hurt us in the long run. And and
I really believe that this floating dry dock idea with all the caveats of who put in for the grant and all all these things that it's just too likely to cause a problem. I heard Commissioner uh
Bridges ask a minute ago, well, you know, what are our concerns about this floating dry dock? All it does is pick the boat up. you know, it takes on waters and raises it up and they work on my concern is what do they do when that ship is sitting on the floating dry
dock? Well, just like the rest of you, everyone in this room, I I don't I don't know of a person in here that has the knowledge of the floating dry dock. I'll admit to that. I'm no more smarter than anyone else here. But what I believe would be
happening on that dry dock is they're going to do grinding. They're going to do welding. They're going to do priming. They're going to do painting. They're going to be things that are done on that dock that have in my opinion a
detrimental, very serious impact on our bay. And what what I think you're going to see in the very near future, especially now that we're dealing with this uh idea of taking all the power away from the city and the county and
giving it to Liberty County, Wakulla County. Uh I I don't think that's ever going to go anywhere. Uh the fact that it doesn't have a bill number on it right now. Uh but I'm going to oppose that by the way. Just let you know. >> It was filed, >> right? But we don't have the bill or I I
haven't seen the bill number yet. I seen the language. Uh >> but we we don't have an LNG plant. Why? Even though y'all supported it, city did not. Why don't we have it? because those
people that are very adamant on protecting our bay, the environmental group, and there's going to be lots and lots of groups that come out and they're going to say no. Then we're going to hear from
experts unlike us. We're going to hear from the people that really know about what happens with a floating dry dock, what could happen to the bay. And for those reasons, I think that's why the city voted to say, "Yeah, this I compare
it to the LG. It's too likely to cause problems that could ruin our entire community." >> I don't think at all, Scott, you can compare a floating dry dock to a LNG plant. I don't even think you have the same factors or the same uh and to
circle back to to uh we're making assumptions about a floating dry dock destroying the bay and and I you have more qualifications than I do about what a floating dry do and to circle back to economic development. All counties in
Florida drive economic development. There's not a county in Northwest Florida that has not applied for Triumph funds to to supply for for uh private industry. They've all done it from here to Pensacola. That's that's been the norm. So to say that that that's that's
not the norm is just is not correct. all all the counties in Bay County. Uh Becca Harden drives industry every day and she they apply for Triumph every day to to fund those the infrastructure for those
jobs. So to say, you know, to say that that that's out of the norm is just not correct. And and to say that that a floating dry dock is going to destroy the bay, I think is incorrect. There's numerous floating dry docks on Mobile Bay. And I think you'll find if you'll do your research that Mobile Bay is one
of the most productive bays in the country far as seafood. I know it's I know it's a different size bay, but there again there's numerous floating dry docks in that in that in that bay. There's numerous ships. There's numerous and but what I'm saying is let's quit
making assumptions on what could happen and try to work together to to move forward because we're making assumptions that none of us are qualified to say. I'd encourage you to go look at a floating dry dock to to go visit. >> I I I tend to agree, Commissioner. Um,
you know, we have the only to to my knowledge, we have the only inactive port along the Gulf of America. And in my mind, we're not going to get a port to be active because we're 80 m 75 miles from a four-lane road.
So, we we've just lost 200 jobs because of that. And I don't see how a port how a flooding dry dock would would pollute the bay or be worse for the bay than a port would be either. Um it it's just there there it's a I think it's a pie in
the sky. There there's no way that a port is going to work because the of the transportation. They're not going to forlane 71. They're not going to we we're not going to get any closer to I 10. that we're not a hub. We're we're not that's that's just
the facts. >> Two two concerns I have with with dry dock myself is is the dredging and how you do that and and how it's effective. So you do you do not do harm. You can't do harm to the bay. I got that. So those are part of the things that as you move
forward with the concept, you make sure that's taken care of. The second when I talked to the guy over there, we talked about I said, "Well, what do you do with says, "Well, you have to make sure when you're doing this that you capture those particles, whether you're grinding, painting, spraying, or lubricants." So,
when it's up there, they seal this unit up and then have to do that. So, that's part of what would be our authority to say before that goes back up and down, you have to do these steps. And it has to be inspected just like they do. Now, there are a lot of things that they do.
They have to inspect before they put that thing up and down. You just don't go up there and take a it's not like a boat lift. They don't they can't go do that. You can't sink it down in there. And those would be things that three or four years down the road when you're writing policies how that because we own it. Remember, we're the owners of this.
As it goes down, you say these are some steps that you have before it goes in there. If you're doing spraying, you must h make sure you do that because you don't want the spray particles going in thing. I I got that. As well as when you're talking about the dredging, when you do that, how do you do that? You do it where it does no harm. That's what
you have to do. You have to ensure that you have to ensure what you're pulling up and making sure you do with what you're supposed to do. That's that was those were questions I had too. So, >> and Randy, I would I would say this. I would I would be more prone to accept
some economic development and and you know, I'm not for the floating dry dock, but Mr. Cone or no, Commissioner Quinn that said, "Well, what do you think we ought to do?" Well, we could have a clean industry. Any industry that we bring in here is going to create jobs.
We want jobs. We need jobs, but it is not going to help the city. Matter of fact, it will tax the city by having something there when everybody leaves. You were just talking about
everybody leaving on twice a day basis. So, it comes back to let's get this uh let's get this workforce housing road put in. Get some workforce housing. Let's get some pe some of those people staying here,
paying a little tax, eating out, doing shopping, what have you. That'll help the city. Anything that happen that helps the city helps the county. I mean, we are in the county, so it it it helps everybody. But
we that that's you see them getting built all around us just just one right after another especially for Bay County. We we need this workforce housing, but we need help to get that road in there. So, these this developer is ready to go
and and that that make me feel a whole lot better that I know that the city's getting some benefit. Uh >> these that might be something we can work out. Uh we just need some workers to put in that workforce housing. And
and what I'm saying is is I don't know what's in Eastern's mind and nobody else does at Joy Deserno. I I mean I can think that the the sale of the property circle back to the sale of the property across from Raffields could have been a factor of uh no deep work deep water
access there. You know that where it was at is not beneficial really to Eastern on their grand scheme. I do know they I think they've at least arrested the bulkhead, hadn't they, Michael, for what 25 years or so or and but you're talking
about workforce housing. I mean, it could go hand in hand, you know, and we talk about keeping those people here. That could that could that is the factor now. The reason those people are driving over there is is lack of housing. >> That's correct. But what I'm saying is
if you if you build workforce housing and you have a repair facility on that site goes hand in hand. And and ultimately to circle back to what Eastern if Eastern put a repair facility in Panama City right now with Mobile and
Tampa, it is still a backlog. It would still be a backlog. You would have you would have endless jobs on on boats here regardless of what Eastern done in Panama because you got to separate out the repair facility from what they're doing with with construction on cutters
and all. Totally different thing. And I think that's the confusion. A lot of those jobs that were lost were lost because of the the Coast Guard contract. And matter of fact, they actually brought a percentage of those jobs down to Port St. Joe. >> So, you remember now it's the planned
stage. There's a lot of things to to work on these >> to to this is a huge transformational project. There's a lot of things to work out on that environmental things. Absolutely. A lot of environmental things and what it looks like. You don't want to do something and I've said it from day one said you don't want to have
it out there and you got nobody work out. They got to come from Panama or or they bring them in from Mobile and they rent Windmark. That's there's 30 houses in Windmark rented to people from Mobile that have the expertise to do it. So I hear you loud and clear. I mean those those are valid concerns and hopefully
going forward please ask the questions and let's get you in touch with the people that we that we happen to come apart you know to talk to because it's good it's it's good dialogue >> mayor I just want to bring up one one last thing you talked about the
workforce housing road and I think um in May was several months ago we sent I think was trying to get an interlocal agreement with the city in reference to uh some road the road bund money that we're about to get. >> But but and I think we was going to give you guys close to about $2 million, but
I I think you didn't you never you never did sign the uh sign that interlocal agreement that could have been uh funding for the not only for roads in my district, but could have been funding for uh workforce housing for that workforce housing road. So I I was just
curious of why uh you guys never did sign in a local agreement. our staff analyze it and and extending it under the terms that that it's written at the present time is is not good for the city
to go into that and extend it past I believe 2032 and and also by not doing it now and and let it sunset when it's supposed to sunset uh it cost a million dollars just for
the city's portion. So if you do anal the analysis for the county because you've always gotten more out of the road bond than the city has, it would be more than more than that million by letting it sunset. Look at another road
bond at at when it sunsets and have better terms and and it would uh it would be beneficial to the county to do that also. That's That's why I didn't recommend signing it.
That's it. One more thing if you mind. >> So, we are the county is building a advanced wastewater treatment plant. You know that, correct? >> I know you have a you have a grant that
proposed to build it. >> No, it's in engineering stages, right? Yes, we're an engineering state. >> So, >> the reason I'm bringing this up is I've often thought I thought from the first day I took office and talked to a lot of people
when we do things apart, we lose punch. So, we talked about going to Tallahassee. Well, we're going to talk about this 1.5 million. You know, we're going to that's going to be part of what we talk to them, too, because it helps us. You're in city. It helps all of us do that.
What if we brought these systems back? You join with us. City of We Hitch is joining with us on this wastewater treatment. You join up with us because now you have funding. We join together and make a joint utility that we could even possibly get a board. They're doing it all over the state. And I wish that
y'all would kind of research that and see what they're doing. >> Yeah. They'll actually let they'll go talk to them about it. It's working. D is pushing that. You're joining forces to do the best that way. If if y'all joined up with that one, if the city, whatever y'all did, and we got this
board or how whatever it looks like and that wastewater treatment plant goes away because it's, you know, where it's located, it's on the canal next to the B. I don't like it. Nobody likes it. If we join those together, we would have the ability to go after all kinds of
grant things. You're talking about building fields and stuff. you can. There's a lot of grant money coming when you put these things in because they want you to build infrastructure with those advanced wastewater treatments. What are y'all's thoughts on joining us? Let's let's do it together. Get a board
that regulates it and and do and and move forward. We have a utility board. What are y'all's thoughts on it? >> My thoughts are totally opposite from yours. Uh naturally, uh we just naturally let I want to talk about it. We got to get dialogue going. So, let's
let's let's hear both sides. We just got $25 million to to rehab our our facility. My thoughts are you take your money and put in with us, we rehab it completely.
We get rid of the lagoon, the capacity will be increased. You're talking about building a a half MGD plant. And and in in fact, some of you may not know it. We're at 1.5 now and we we we got to
have extra capacity. So, so a half MGD plan ain't gonna cut it even for for Weiwalk. uh might for we while but the whole point is you guys could join with us instead of trying to I would just say
compete against the city and we could have a fine facility that would would uh take care of the future of Guff County right out there and without having to bill one add
phases bill one add phases. So, so you guys that represent the city, I I wish I want you to think about that. Come talk to me. We we could we could work work something out because nobody
has ever said anything to me and my anybody up here far as I know about we going we want to build a a AWT plant. We we're going to have a AWT plant we get finished, but we can do it quicker
with your assistance and instead of you having to go brand new and and this frankly you don't have any customers, you going to run pipe all the way to we guess, but but you're talking about taxing
the people in G County and and and your guys regard the folks at Port St. Joe, I I I don't think you really and truly want to compete with people that you represent. And and that's my thought. Now, the
regional thing is a wonderful idea. I'd like to sell gray water to the golf course. We can run a pipe out there and get rid of some of that affluent. Uh it just makes more sense to me.
Let's finish retrofitting the plant we have. get that lagoon will be gone and we'll be up and running and uh we can take care of the future needs of the county right there. Mayor, let me ask this and I I sat on y'all's board. Uh
I'm I'm a little lost or perplexed, I guess, but y'all got 25 million and my understanding the last accounts you had you're looking at 100 million to clean that still a lot more than that. It >> 80. I mean I mean the ideal thing would
be to partner but eventually would get that plan off off the canal or where it has no chance of of of going into the bay. That would mean you talk about want to protect the bay. >> That's right. I mean now let's be honest and that plant was built what in the 70s
early 70s >> I you know I don't know >> what is that earth and I and not to be I'm I'm trying to build a bridge but that plant's earth and dyke am I right
>> that will be gone >> I I know that but what I'm saying is you're not going to clean that up with $25 million you're not going to build a new plant with$2 million and clean that lagoon. You're not going to do it. >> Oh, I know that. >> So, it's part of the retrofit. >> But what I'm saying, Mor, you still got
got to have that other 80 million to clean lagoon. >> What's it going to cost to build a plant equal in capacity? Well, my point is if we went together to build a plant off the canal up here on 71 and got that plant off the the the
canal, the chances of of of the detriment to the bay is is severely lessened because you know good and well that earth and dyke is leaking into that canal. There's no way around it. I mean that that's just common sense. There's no way around it. >> That's your opinion.
>> Well, it is. But but what I'm saying is an earth and dyke after so many years is going is going to seep through. >> Let me add one thing if I can. Uh the question posed was would we consider partnering with the county. I actually
met with Clay and Mike a while back about that and I'll tell you the same thing I told them. I like the idea of getting off the bay. I think Commissioner Mcron is correct.
Um I I don't see any sense whatsoever and what little bit I know about cost of running pipe to to use as a positive that you're going to supply WeiwaKa with your sewer. I
mean take a minute and just run the simple math. You got an engineer sitting there. um that that don't make any sense to me. But what does make sense is working together at a site where it would benefit
our residents, county, and city in a new way of treating sewer. I I think we've got to get away from that old system. Um, so my personal answer to it is I'm more than willing to look at the option
of working together. If it needs to be at five points away from the city, away from the bay, I like that. What has to be done is the city and the people of the city have to have a fair treatment
and and a fair income because like our mayor just said, you have zero zero at this time customers. Okay? And we're just talking sewer, not water. But in the sewer idea, if we
could build a plant, I think you if we formed a committee and we started actually looking at working together and building this thing, first thing you got to do is got to be a lot bigger. You're wasting your time based on the number of people we
service in the city. And if you're talking about building a much much smaller plant, that don't don't even start that. uh use the money that you do have. I believe you got around 30 million several years ago and uh
hopefully you still have that. And then if we brought in 25 million, we could make it happen. The key is the the city has to safeguard the financial income that we operate on
every day. We can't lose those things or then the people of the city suffer. three of y'all live in the city. I know you don't want to hurt the city. Uh so me personally, I'm open to the idea of >> Scott, let me let me let me say this to
go along and I and I agree. We uh uh and and I would love to see an independent board if that came about. But let's circle back to including Weiwall, which would benefit y'all tremendously. And I'm going to tell you why.
We won't discharge it. Guess where? >> River. >> That's right. You would eliminate that. >> Yeah, that's what we're trying to That was Oh, yeah. I'm not saying what I'm saying is that I'm saying be honest with what it would cost. >> I agree. No pipe from Weewah. That's
what All I'm saying is is is if it would be beneficial to eliminate that discharge into the river where y'all get your drinking water from, I think it'd be very beneficial in the long run. So, >> and Scott, we we talked about we don't have to reinvent the wheel. We talked to
some people that that have taken these county and made these boards before. They're doing it two or three, Clay. But we talked to some of the people. So, I think we would need to get a group to go talk to these people. Hey, how'd it work in your because they're going to be issues that come up just like you said with making sure that people maintain
their whole budgets and stuff. I got that. And that's they've done it for it's not something new and hey, they may have worked out the kinks. So that group whoever that board would be would go down there and say because they're doing it Clay if I'm not mistaken in three what what counties were
>> yesterday Central and North Central Florida >> and it was and it was Dubberry said hey y'all come down and look at it so that I think that'd be worth a a trip down and talk to their their governments and how they did it >> and and Scott I I would be the first to say I don't want it one-sided. I want a fair shake for the city, the county both
and for our citizens and uh but but I think it'd be very beneficial and I think it and I think if if the state realized that we were going to partner, I think you would see more money come our way for a to help build that plant. So >> I I just want to add one thing. I agree
with uh like you say Mr. Hoffman was saying I think that like you say once we if if we do decide to work together once we get together and and to create the board or whatever the financials and all that we it has to be it has to work for everybody because there's no um I just
>> I I just wouldn't agree with just trying to put you in a bad hole and then put all put oursel in a bad in a bad situation. It has to work. It has to work for you guys and it has to work for our guys before uh we should we we >> it accomplishes a lot, dude. It helps
y'all. Y you're going to be whole. We're going to get that thing off of there off the open water off of there. So, it's going to help the citizens. It's a win-win, you know, and and hopefully it'll open up grants for that the fluid come whatever you call it that comes out of the gray the gray water that comes
out. We run it to the golf course. We also if you got anything else because it's going by there. I've talked to Jim. We talked about it earlier. The schools need it on their fields, the soccer field, any of those things that you have grass that you take care of. You need to put that water on it because it's it's a >> in my position is protecting our assets.
>> Yes, absolutely. >> Put a pencil to it. Yeah. >> We've got hundreds of miles of pipes, >> right? >> Hundreds of lift station. just you you guys every now and then you get you get something comes up that's going to cost this amount for
one lift station to what have you. >> We got a lot invested guys. >> We can't walk away from that. We can work with you all day long. But but we've got a tremendous amount of money
already either paid for or being paid for to run run just just what's in the ground. >> So count if we were but Mr. Rex, if and just please be open to this. Uh if you would just if if y'all would just sit down with us because it was able to be
worked out with the city of Weiwa where they basically kept their collection system and all that's still that's still theirs. All that the county is planning on doing is simply treating the waste water. >> So all that so if we would be open
minded to to these things, I think we might be able to to come to an agreement that would help and and it's going to help them. We would have to be, in my opinion, would make sure we we're left whole uh with with any any agreement uh
and and if we build one together, it'll be shared shared together. >> It be run by equal amount of representation from from the city and the county. And uh that's the way it have to be. I mean, I'm sure the way it is. >> I think we're on board.
>> I think that's a great idea. >> But we already have a staff uh head of the wastewater plant is here. Uh >> Scott, I would be not be for letting anybody go. What I'm saying over attrition over time would I would be
>> everybody would I would I would be not for letting anybody go. >> And and we faced the same exact thing when we talked to we all about it too. It was the same exact thing, Scott. It was they didn't want to let anybody go >> and these positions were paid out of sewer. I mean, it was the same exact thing. Um, so if y'all would just take a
look at it for us, I think it would I think it would be great >> to to be beneficial for this. >> Clay, will you can you reach back out to Deubberry people about getting people that we're that they said that are the model that they use and just ours is not going to be just like theirs, but there's some things that they went
through that were probably headaches like you know that how they work through them and stuff. of it. >> You were in agreement that the size of the plant that you have currently proposed building is not near big enough
of a plant based on the size of the St. Joe plant, the customers that we service, you've got to look at probably quadrupling it, if not more than that. Uh >> and the plan that we have are designing now is capable of doing that.
>> Okay. >> As far as I know, >> correct? >> Yeah. >> And real quick, Commissioner Mcronone and I spoke about this several times u over the past year. Um and
>> yeah, we got $25 million, but that's not going to touch it. >> I mean, so I I just want to let you know you do have my support. um to start looking forward forward toward that. >> Let let me just add this. What I what I
don't want to happen is once we leave out of here, then we don't we don't communicate about getting together and trying to get trying to make this work. So, how are we going to >> We need to set something today. >> Yeah. How so? How are we going to >> get together or workshop it?
>> Workshop another one next month at our place. We'll we'll get with you. We'll send you a date. some dates that that might work uh that we decide on. >> We need D when we're up there.
>> All right. So, we're do we have a little tenative that we could work if everything comes out because when we go there, we want to kind of because this is a big thing for D for our county and city. >> They really want this. So, if we get a little head nod there, we're going up there. We probably need to
>> Let me ask this mayor mayor and commissioners. And so, if if if it works for you, does you are the way you lay it out, the way you want to you're not hurt financially and you going into this thing even even kill. Is that something that will work for the city of Port St.
Joe? >> I would say it might work for the city. I don't think I can sit here today and say, "Yeah, this is good. Y'all tell everybody that we're on board and we're ready to do it." No, I I I I got a lot more talking to do and and and than than
before I could personally say, yeah, we we're obligated to protect our assets from our bond holders. I mean, you you're talking about legal. You're talking >> Yeah. We're not talking about a sign on the dotted line. We're just saying that we had conversations with them and they're meaning looking forward to how
it looks in the future. >> We've had to discuss it. >> I think we've had positive conversations about it today. I really do. >> Fine. We had it. You know, there's a whole lot of questions we have, >> right? >> That that have to be answered before.
>> And before we come to y'all's, you had a workshop. You said that. >> Well, yeah. >> What can we bring as far as plans that we're looking at down there with the port, the port authority, and the dry dock? What can we bring to you as far as information that you'd like to see? We can get it to you ahead of time. I mean,
we're we're still gathering information as we go. What what else could we do? Are you in need of? >> I just real quick on the float right off. Um I think there's a lot of misconception in the community on the dredging piece. So that would be
probably one big piece of the pie. >> Okay. Area and area depth and and contamination. I I hear a lot of >> into the bay. I I know there were some results that I've read and reread that
it was actually testing that was done years ago. Uh I know there's a couple people that know far more than myself about it. Uh but there was some testing done and initially it looked like the testing came back and said everything's good. There's no contamination, you
know, blah blah blah. Well, then environmental group looked at the results a little closer and realized and after a long time DP and Army Corps admitted there was a mistake in the
results and posting those results of that dredging. So, one thing that would benefit me is to let's discuss the actual updated results that have already been uh printed and distributed of that
little uh testing that was done in the event dredging was to come to the bay because it concerns me greatly on the results that have already been tested now that they are corrected. there there is contamination currently in that soil
that would have to be dredged. So I would have to be convinced that there's no possible way of that now that we know contaminated soil would be released into our bay. >> All right, we done held y'all extra 30
some minutes. Uh we appreciate you guys coming. >> You've been here a long way. >> We appreciate you guys coming. Real real. >> Yes, sir. Yes. >> Real quick, Sandy. I mean, I think first of all, thank you for putting this on today. I think that
>> going into the future for Gulf County, Port St. Joe, it's it's very critical that we start coming together >> to sit down like this to talk about what's going to be best for our constituents, for our community, and
going forward. and and a lot of the things y'all discussed, there's it's it's like a it's like stacking dominoes. We we're identifying these different items that we know we're all wanting to address whe with advanced wastewater
treatment. Where's the best place to put it? How does it keep people that already heavily invested within that secure going not just for today but into the future? uh you know creating jobs,
housing as we all these things we talk about they have to be worked on at the same time because if we're talking about for instance you know we're talking about the floating dry barge and what it could
do for here I mean there's other things that we really as a group all need to really address as to what's taking place in the state right now which is how they're writing this bill with the port of only having five
representatives. We need to have control in Port St. Joe and Gulf County of what takes place in our backyard. Which means they never should it never should have been a fivep person board they're even considering. It should have been when you have four counties you put
make it seven and you have you know four representatives from Port St. Joe Gulf County and then one from each of the other counties. That way we would have a say so in what takes place in our own backyard
and and and environmentally I think if we keep sitting back they're going to end up they're going to end up getting what they want and we're going to have to deal with whatever decisions that they come up with guys. And I think from a environmental
standpoint that means they will be doing full dredging of our port. So I think it's very critical that we come together on not not just you know how do we feel about this project or that project. We need to
think about what is best for all of our constituents. And when it comes to things like the floating dry barge, we have not been included from the beginning really at all of what this concept is. What does it look like? I
mean, we have I've had constituents come to me to say, "Well, what you know, what does it even look like? Is there a rendering?" I said, "I've seen nothing. We we have no idea." So I think going forward it's where it's it's crucial
that we sit together to figure out what's going to be the best plan going forward so that we can make things happens but we can also ensure to our constituents in our community that we're representing them because that's why we
all sit in office today is because they elected us to represent them and their voice. So, I think we need to really make it imperative to have more meetings. Not that I, you know, I know I know we all have a lot of meetings, but
we signed up for this and I think it's it's crucial and I think we're going we're making the right steps like today and we do need to keep it on the schedule and just continue to work together to make the best Port St. Joe and Gulf County we can.
>> Yes, sir. Uh, Commissioner Lang, we give you a pass. We know you had take We know you had to take care of those precious kids. So, we I appreciate it. I appreciate it, Chairman. >> Um, I think um I just want to say to law enforcement, you know, the timing was
impeccable. Um, everything was was well um organized and I think um if anything does happen, which I I hope nothing does, u we'll be prepared. So, appreciate you. >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Appreciate Appreciate you taking care of them children for us. I >> appreciate it. Uh, like I say, guys,
thank y'all for coming. We appreciate it. >> We'll get with you. >> We'll get with you. Okay. All right. Yes, sir.