board requested that the uh since the the Port Authority had a a uh right now I can hear uh the board requested since the port authority now has a almost full uh group of individuals some of of them uh have come
back from the dead. U Miss Rich being one of them who who talked me into a horrible deal, but it was it was good for the port authority for a interest free loan. And now we've extended that in good faith and give them some operating capital because we want to see
uh we want to see fruit from from the investment. We think we got some good ideas. And so this is basically for y'all to talk about your future, what you see the float and dry dock, how we're going to team together, the academy. Uh again, just to facilitate good conversation between the two boards
since uh we have been working together very well for a long time and I don't know how long that's been, but ever since we ever since we give y'all some money >> and always works >> and always have and and I didn't want Gary to quit, so I' I've tried to be
nice to Gary, but I I thought this was about my retirement. >> All right, commissioners. I got any questions, concerns, anything you want to discuss with the Port Authority? >> I have a list. I'm sorry. So, thank you
for entertaining us and doing this. We So, um, a couple things have come up about the port. You know, uh, Mr. Mcnite mentioned our trip over there. I think it's very important because a lot of questions are coming up about the dry dock. I self-disclose. I've never seen a dry
dock like the this proportion. I think Commissioner Husman, you you said Mobile, you've seen the like the area that they've done it a little bit and what it looks like. And then the the maritime academy uh that they have over there. So, um I think it's important for
us to go put eyes on it, look how it operates, and uh you know, I know there has been some concern about the u the protection of the bay. um which is always going to be at the forefront of what we do here. I mean, we know that
we're not going to do something that's going to affect the bay or the Gulf. Anything that we do because we are a tourist town. We understand that now, but we also know that we have to diversify our economy. We try everything. It takes time to do when you start diversifying an economy and stuff
like that, it takes time. These things don't happen overnight. They're not very easy to do. There's a lot of moving parts to it, especially when you're getting grant type dollars, especially large grant type dollars. There are a lot of negotiations that go back and
forth, back and forth. This some things that you don't think about pop up. So, you have to be cognizant that when you're moving forward with this, even though say this happened, it's not they're not building a dry dot next week. There's a lot of moving parts going. Um, but the biggest thing is I thought, and I think everybody agrees
that we need to go look at it. What does it look like? How does it work? Is it going to look good here? Because it's not going to be at that scale. It's going to be at a smaller scale. We're a smaller scale bay. We're not a large bay. If you look at the data out there, we're average 20 foot across the bay versus 60 in Bay County. There's a lot
of difference in our bay. And it has a lot of different purposes. Commissioner, jump in there anytime. You've been on that bay a long time. I know y'all have. So, uh, we do keep that in mind, uh, as you move forward. Um the whole thing of of going forward with
a dry dock being that you know you say well why would you want to do something like that that is mechanical over a bay that could possibly hurt the bay or something like that. I think that has to be and we're not doing this in 1960 or 1970 department D is going to monitor
it. Everybody in the world is going to monitor anything you do on a waterway. We know that that we have some things that we're monitoring now. We we we we were able to they were they shut that we didn't do it. They shut down the bay because they're monitoring these things. We have pl things in place now that keep
you from doing what was done in the 60s and 70s. So I think that as we go forward the questions, they're great to ask, but as we go forward, we find these things out. All the partners do need to be at the table. The school system needs to be in there. The the city of course
needs to be in there. Our port authority needs to be in there. But this is a Gulf County thing that we're doing. We will get people from Franklin. We will get people from Bay. Right now we're getting a lot. I I share a lot of people know you watch them come out, they go left. I live on 98. I know that. Mr. Gibson, you
live on 98. You know that. You see it, too. They are going left. How do we change that? Well, you change that by making the person more attractive to be here and be qualified. A lot of these people are renting houses in Windmark North. They're renting houses in the condos up there. They're not from here.
They're coming here to do a job on these three boats that came up and they'll be gone, okay? These are not people that are going to stay. So, what do we do? We make that port look like something that's going to be here for our people, okay? That are going to be here. They're going to work here in this community. It will be across three zones. Don't think
that you're going to be able to put anything in here and you're not going to get people from Franklin and Bay to also work here. That's that's never going to happen. Okay? That's just my take on it. I'm and and and doing it. So jump in here. Ju >> just go go go along with you commissioner and and ju to draw back
what you just said. You're never going it's never going to be 100% all people from Fort St. Joe. That's not going to happen. We're we're that's we're we're not kidding ourselves with that illusion. Even when you had industry here before when you had the paper mill you had the plants you had a tremendous amount of people that lived in Calhoun lived in Franklin that lived in Bay
County that that worked here. But but majority of people from Port St. Joe and Guff County worked at those plants. And what we're trying to drive is a diversification in that economy that that would and I know people today that have been on the road working pipe
fitting, boiler making for years and some of those people are now working at Eastern and are glad to be home and and and it's been it's been a it's been a blessing to them. But but you know we can always say what if about anything
and and you know what what if this happens? what this happens in in the bay and and like the commissioner said, I think our technology has gotten so much better far as monitoring these things for far as the dredging that you would do and and the dredging and I'm not a
scientist by or anything like that, but but uh I I think we've got to diversify this economy and move forward. A prime example right now is what's going on in the bay with this algae bloom. I mean, the bay is basically shut down and and you can still fish, but you can't
scolop. And it and it has hurt tourism whether anybody wants to admit it or not. And uh and but we and that's that's a prime reason we've got to diversify this economy >> and and so going going with that. So this you got the dry dock circuit. So
how do you do it? You get the academy there. Um it's not in my opinion. And I know they started the one over there at Haney. And Haney is a ways for our people if you're in Franklin or Gulf County to go get training. I've said that all along. We need that training here. And it needs to be an
apprenticeship program where you go do four hours in the morning and you go work a 4 hour shift and you build that person. You build that person up. So that's important. But it's not just that folks. It's not just that academy in the front. You also have to have structures in the back. And that's why the earlier
meeting we had today is so important to us. If we own that land across the street from this academy, then as you bring a building, I always talk about the the th the uh props, you know, we're going to build props or we're going to do this, we're going to become good at that. So, if a ship somewhere out in the
Gulf hits props, something like that, they know they come to Gulf County, you got a steady source of people coming to this dry dock, they pull it up. Well, then we bring that business here that's building the props and that's or something like I'm just using that as an example. Or we have something that we do here that's a niche on that dry dock. So
they try together with that. But you got to have those land those lands and those places for those business to come. Hey, we want to come support your dry dock. Hey, we got two and a half acres over here you set this shop up on. That's what it looks like. That's why I said it was important to know why those those
type activities happen. So you take that place now that all we got there on that piece of property is what a big tank there now and some scales on the on the Arizona chemical property, the port property. >> Correct. Was that >> you say correct? Correct. Okay. >> Yeah.
>> Speaking from North Carolina. >> So, so if you come AC wouldn't that be a good thing for this county if we go across there and see a nice academy buildings with students coming in. They're going across the street to work if they need to. You also have buildings that pro hopefully businesses come to to
set up shop, learn what to do, and then across the street possibly get a full-time thing there. So, there's and that's that's a good thing looking forward. Now, this is not tomorrow. This is looking forward. So that's one part of that. Any questions? >> Okay. So the second part you had is when
we had our legislative delegation here. I had anybody approached y'all about reviving the Gulf to Frank uh Gulf to Gadston railway transit zone. Whatever you want to call
Jim. What's it called? >> The Gulf the Gulf to Franklin freight logistics zone. has been it's been in planning for over 10 years, >> right? >> Again, we worked on that and we worked on it when I first came here and that was again part of the uh trying to to
dredge the channel. We got we got money to do that. FDOT their money they were supposed to have set aside. The 20 million kind of disappeared and by the time we you know came back to reapproach it, it just hasn't been able to happen. U but that that was the idea and it made
sense. uh at the time it it made a lot of sense. The uh you've got all those distribution centers that are developing and will develop at the I 10 uh exit uh Gretina uh the Greta exit. Okay. The our spur line which left from this this port
it runs up through Franklin County and actually ends at that's where that spur line ends which is the intersection of Interstate 10 and the intersection of the East West Rail Line. The idea being that, you know, we could get into the distri, they would put up the distribution centers there, stuff came
in the port, railed it up there, and it it goes all over the south and all over the country. It was it's a great idea. They even involved the Tallahassee airport to to create a what is it? A pre-tax zone here as part of the port and all that. That part's already been
done. if it was to occur. But you know, for that to occur, you got to have a full port. And a full port, folks, is not pretty. >> It's lay down yards. It's big cranes. It's multip It's multiple ships. And so,
you know, listen, I spoke for this thing for three years. It was a good idea, but I just don't think the people in this community uh uh I don't think they're I don't think they're going to support that. Um I You know, tourism is big. Tourism is as big as it needs to get,
folks. We need to keep our economy diverse. And right now, we're we are diverse. Our base is good. We got jobs at the hospital. We got 350 jobs at the correction facility. We got 400 job 500 something jobs. And by the way, once
those ships are gone, and even if we get the floating dry dock, we're not going to have 500 jobs out there. We're going to have about 400 jobs out there. And that's all we need. Uh and and it's not that doesn't detract. You ride by there. Is it ugly? I mean, you see one crane sticking in the air and there's some
ships and depending on which ship it is. Uh it's attractive. I mean, we they're going to do three uh fairies for the state of Washington. They're beautiful. They look more like a cruise ship than anything else. They're going to look pretty sitting out there. So, again, I think what we're working on is is is
what we need to continue to do. But if we want to pursue a port, you know, that becomes the thing. We need to look at it. We need to go understand it if we want to do that. I I do know there's 3600 ft. It's already been laid out that runs from where the current bulkhead is
to the bridge. And that money that's already designated that it could be filled in an additional bulkhead built there and only requires normal permitting, no special permitting. It's already authorized. So if we wanted to get into the full port business, there
might be a mechanism to do that. I just don't think that's what we want here. I that's my new perspective. I I talk to people every day about it. Again, I think that what the voting right is the right size, but we have an obligation to look at it and I think other people want
us to look and and so that's part of what we're doing with visiting and and then looking at the alternatives. But clearly uh you know that's that's where we are there. there. And then within the floating dry dock thing, I think there are there are ways to get the port authority some involved in that. And
again, I think Michael mentioned it. You know, you you got that Arizona chemical pro uh property. You got the area that runs underneath the overpass, which again is important. That's the beauty of this project. There's no it doesn't put traffic on 98. The ship building does.
every other manufacturing business will put traffic on that and you got to have manufacturing jobs. And by the way, we don't have manufacturing jobs in this county because it's 70 miles from Port St. Joe, Florida to the interstate system. No company in the world is going
to come here and build a manufacturing plant that's got to truck their stuff 70 miles to be going where they need to go. We have to be a waterfrontbased uh economy to to and to get manufacturing. Right now we have manufacturing jobs. Right now we our
economy we are based we have a very good diverse base with the ship the shipping jobs. We don't need anything. We have more people employed in Gulf County that live in Gulf County than in the history of Gulf County. We've replaced all the mill jobs. We replaced all that. And
it's diverse. 350 jobs on the north end of the county. Desret's up there. We still got the hundred people working at the fishery. You got the hospital 165. We're are balanced and where we need to be, you know, but if people want us to look at a full-blown port, we'll look at
it and and I think we should and part of that making that trip is going to be a big part of that. >> I guess you they're looking from a regional impact on that port. And I'm just educating myself. I you know, I guess if you go regionally, it it opens up so much more money. Is that is that the thought? You know what I'm saying?
I'm just asking. >> Well, let me just say this. I think you've got you've got a state representative and you've got a state senator that represent those counties up there. Okay? And I think they're looking at it from their perspective and and that I'm I'm speculating, but I think
they're saying, "How do we help Liberty County? How do we help uh Gadston County who we represent?" And they do need this port. All right? So there there's the motivation. those counties need this port to help their distribution centers
up there and to get that logistics zone. So, it makes sense. Yes, it and that was always the thought behind it. That's why it's called the Gadston or it's Gulf to Gadston freight logistic zone. They clearly wanted that and that may be their motivation in trying what can we
do. I don't know what we can do in Port St. Joe. Maybe there's something they can do in Appalachia Cove shortens the train route. I mean, I don't know if that how how how deep that port is over there, but they've got waterfront. I >> Yeah, I don't think it's nothing, >> but that's the motivation. That's that's why they're in it. I think
>> uh commissioners uh I worked on the freight logistics zone project as well. And uh my support that was stated that I supported this uh uh
change in the port authority. The only reason I said I supported it was if it brought more funding to the port to finish the dredging and to fix the rail all the way to the port of Port St. Jude.
If it didn't do that, I wasn't for it. I guess that's what they're looking at far as impact is it get a regional impact and it does uh open up >> correct >> it it I guess there's more buy in I guess I'm trying to say Jim and I I'm just trying to educate myself on what it
would you know uh if you added these other counties it would >> well and in the inland port and I think Columbia County is probably the best example they get stuff from Port of Jacksonville and the port of Tampa and it's been extremely successful so for those landlocked uh counties up north.
That's what they're looking at. I mean, they're looking at the success of Union County for these, you know, they have no room at any of those ports. They're totally full or whatever. So, everything is either got to be trucked out or or trained out. And they're doing these inland warehouses in in these, you know, it's cheaper property and and the folks
want the jobs and whatnot. And so, I think that's the that's the model they're looking at. I don't again that's something that y'all is really not necessarily our board y'all's board will have to look at is uh whatever the change that comes I would I would think that we would need to be the majority of
those members I mean if if everything's going to be here it needs to be that you know GV county would need the majority of the seats on that board and not we don't want somebody from from Gadston County making decisions on what the port does here I wouldn't think but uh >> absolutely
>> well Gary this this is a complete How how in the world I know you say you got you can build and make bigger dock head dock bulkhead out there. >> Yeah, you got space but that's all has to be dredged and fill right because it's it's water right now.
>> So that's that's a that's a huge thing. >> All right, let me let me finish. So >> get the port operational. >> Yes. So it would take you got to make this big bul head. If we are going down a dry dock that that kind of shoots that away, doesn't I mean why would you you got two different things.
>> Oh, you got room to do a port and the dry dock it. But I the important thing is >> but what does that area look like? >> So you think you could do both is that >> you you could but it doesn't make you know >> I'm just asking I'm you got land to do.
>> Yeah, you got land to do land to do but again that land would have to be filled and permitted. Gosh, I can't imagine when we looked at this project back in that day. Uh, and again, this has been eight years ago. Um, you know, we were talking about the dredging and the rail line and and that was our part of the
deal and and the cost of, you know, the cost of all that together was 30 or 40 million, maybe 50 million just for the rail line and getting the getting the channel dredging in. And that didn't include what would have been probably another investment in in putting the lay down yards and the cranes and but it was
it was it was a big number but not a huge number. I had a confidential conversation with a company a private company interested in coming in and trying to get the land and do that and and they uh the lady that very knowledgeable big person in the in the
industry said it's a $500 million project. It's a $500 million project to put a port there with the rail lines, the layown yards, the cranes, and everything. >> There's a lot of people interested in helping helping Gaston County and all those folks. I am too, but I don't know
anybody's going to put $500 million up. I I just don't know where that money comes from. We're struggling to get that little money from Triumph and and 10 million from Florida Commerce to do the floaty dry dot. We're talking about 500 million. Jim, Jim,
>> Jim, there was over $500 million of European private money that interested in doing the port here in Port St. Joe. >> That's on the conversation. I haven't heard anything. That's been a year and a half ago. I've heard nothing more about that.
>> Well, nothing more has happened because you need to ask the St. Joe Companies. They're the ones that are going to say whether this >> and I agree. And the St. Joe companies doing what they should be doing. They're in the real estate business, the boat
business, the hotel business. And >> do do they really want a port sitting there, you know, in this community where they're building houses everywhere, >> you know, and I I don't speak for the St. Joe company, but I look at it and say, "This place looks nice. This is how we want it to be. This is what tourists
are. This is what people want to buy homes are interested. They don't do they want a fullblown port down there?" I don't Yeah. I mean, you face problem. >> Have you visited any of the ports like Port of Miami or Port of Mobile or some of the other
ports, Jacksonville? They're not ugly. I mean, Port of Miami is right in the middle of multi-million dollar homes. G >> Gary, my my statement's always been >> Miami is ugly, the port, but the most expensive property in in the state of Florida and has been for the last 20
years is Fiser Island, and it's in the mouth of the port of Miami. And Miami Port is ugly, >> right? >> I I guess Bay Point's right next to the port of Pinemont City. Is that right? >> Was that Bay Point? >> Yep. >> I mean, >> well, Gary, come ride with us and let's
go see what a real port looks like. We You're invited. >> Well, uh I'm going to bring my golf clubs. >> We can work that out, too. >> Yeah. So, back to that. I the to putting it across the four
counties and stuff and the growing of a port. I I I don't think that's I just in my opinion I mean we got I'm just one member. I do not see that's a direction we need to go. We we've got a small niche that we can get. It's small just going to make our we still going to have
tourism here. We're going to have a small little thing that we do support jobs when if there is a problem. Uh we'll get a few little small businesses that go off of that. Do we I don't I I don't want to go to 40,000 people in Gulf County. Does anybody else want to do that?
>> I sure don't. I mean, I don't think people are move the people are moving here. We got a real estate. Please jump up. Do you think they're moving here? Have you ever heard one person say, "I'm I'm moving here because y'all are growing. I'm moving here because it's a small environment and I like it. I mean, that's what most of them are doing. That's they're moving here because they
want to get away from those big environments." And there's another little thing I want to little I want to add in there about this four zones that you're going across. When the state of Florida set up how you do workforce and and economic growth and even education,
they do it in zones and they put you with three counties, okay? Because it makes sense to do that. You do all your training, you do all your post-secary, and you do your workforce, how you analyze your jobs workforce. Here we're in one. We're with Franklin Gulf and
Bay. So when they look at doing projects and stuff like that, that's how they do it because you want to tie your jobs into your schools to everything else. That's how we're set up. That's why Haney does it. G Coast State College does it. We have been very successful our hospital because Gay State College
has a branch here. It makes sense. This thing, and I know it was because they did it years ago when they had the railroad. I understand that. But it's across three of those zones. So you've got us which is one. Then you've got Liberty County which goes in with uh
Calhoun and Jackson and they feed another way. So their whole mindset and doing projects is that one. And then you got Gatston that's tied in with Leon and Wakulla. So those are three zones that you're going across when you're putting this your zone I call it. So I think there
that's problematic looking at how you're doing jobs and getting grants and stuff. But if they're going to throw the money at it, I guess that's a different thing. >> Well, yeah. Yeah, and I I agree with you and I you know I've been 100% for the float and dry do and I think the the other piece that you you brought was the maritime academy. I I think it's a great
idea. I'm just trying to understand from the state level what are they seeing? >> So yeah, >> I think you hit Yeah, I think on the head. >> Why why are why are they uh >> they're trying to help those counties up? >> Yeah, they're those counties that represent our county. >> I think I think the senator and the represent pretty strong on it. You know
what what I'm hearing. But I mean I've been a proponent of the floating dry do since since the inception but uh just something you know I'm trying to understand what their thought process is where you know uh >> commissioner Mcronone.
>> Yes sir. >> Has has anybody has anybody asked the St. Joe company what they feel about this change? >> Are they behind it? >> No one's asked. >> I surmise.
May maybe we should uh question them about it. >> Good idea. We can do that. >> Normally they're not here. >> Let let me let me say this, but from a
from a from my standpoint and I'm from what I'm hearing from Commissioner Pig and from the board standpoint, the floating dry do is our number one priority. uh if I'm a a port that I mean I don't think that's um something that
I'm not too interested in right now. I think the uh floating dry floating dry out dock is my main uh focus because I understand about uh being diverse and also understand about uh when kids graduate from from high school out there
all both of these schools on both ends of the county all let's say 200 kids are not going to college some kids just want to stay home want to raise a family and I keep I keep preaching this those kids do want to work they want a good paying job want to be able to buy a home and
raise a family in Port St. Joe. Uh they don't want to have to leave. >> Uh and if I'm pretty sure if you got kids at that that's out in the school and if they and you want and we all want our kids to go off to college. Uh but every kid is not going to college and and if you got kids and your kid want to
stay home and work, you want them to get you want to make sure they got a good paying job so they can be able to build their own home and live here in Gulf County. And so I think the fullon dry out is uh will be something that could help branch like I say branch off other businesses
that will be able to help uh diversify our economy. I love tourism don't get me wrong. Um but those kids uh want something that's going to be able to sustain them over every month month after month. Uh not just only during the
tourism season. Um, so I think the floating dried out would be a uh would be a a great business for G County. I also think that like I say technology now and if you go look at these other places where the float dry
docks are at uh technology has come a long way and with all the environmental stuff going on these days they they sampling everything making sure this they'll shut they'll shut it down quick but to uh but I I I do support it
because I I do think it'll be a a win for G County um because without that floating out or without another industry, small industry or something coming in here. What are we going to do? Are we just going to rely on people coming down every Labor Day weekend,
scolop festival, and we can't just rely on that for these these people to work? Um um some people need a a high a higher paying job. And so I think we got to like I said, we got to think outside the box. I think we got to find that niche.
And I think the floating dry out would do that along with the maritime academy and all the other things that can branch off from from this um coming to G County. >> And I guess too what I what I want to say too is the the I want us to find common ground with the senator and
representative. I I don't want to >> I'm not here to oppose them and I want to say that and >> but if we can find common ground with them. I mean I'm 100% for the float and dry dock. I always have been. But but we do need to find uh don't >> I think we need to have Yeah, I think we
need probably need to have a conversation because like I said, I I didn't attend attend delegation and then I heard that it it came up. So I think we probably just need to have a conversation with with them both and just kind of figure out where you know where they're going with it. >> Could I could I offer let's go make the
trip. Let's go see a port and then you absolutely discuss it. >> Absolutely. >> I want to throw one last thing into about our track record, Jim. And you talked you you hit it the other day a little bit. So the good thing that we have going about we've got a plan now. We got some things going forward. But our success rate with Toronto, they're
ready to give the dollars. Don't don't say they're not. They are. They're ready to give. We just got to get there because our track record's been pretty good. Okay, let's look at the hospital. The hospital out there the highest success passing rate on the nursing exam in the state of Florida. Done good with
it. Put money in it and it works. >> Our welding, we got some of the best welders. They win state competitions every time. Those were triumphant funed things. I think Commissioner Quinn, y'all got a big one coming up for like 7 million for the IT skills, right? That's coming up. They're going to So
everything that they've done, we've done good at. And our and our workforce has risen to the occasion. And not only just risen to the occasion, but they excelled at what they did. So if we get this side of it going, we don't get those cars going left. They're going they're going
to want to hire our people versus the contract people. That's I just wanted to add that in. >> You you couldn't be more correct. The u the the triumph money we got for the uh for the simulation center out there doubled the number of nurses. We we're the only county in Florida doesn't have a nursing shortage. And it's because we
spent those Triumph dollars well, you know, and and the welding dollars were spent well and uh you know that the there's just the opportunity to to to build on that and uh keep the jobs we got. The reason I have such passion for this project is we do need jobs for your
young people so they can stay here. You know, and and I'm I'm sorry. Half most of the people stand up and oppose this thing. They've got their place in the sun. Most of them from not around from not around here originally and they really don't care about our young. >> Well, they they've made theirs, Jim. And
>> they made theirs and they don't want to interfere with that. But it's just not right to grow up in an area where everyone in the world wants to move here, but your children can't afford to stay here because they can't get a job. >> It's just that simple. >> Uh
commissioners. >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I I think all of the port authority commissioners are behind the floating dry dock in the uh Marina Academy. Um I suggest like you Google
floating dry docks and look at some of the pictures as well as go and visit one. Uh you'll notice that it kind of looks like a port. It has cranes on it and so I mean it's not going to be a real
beautiful looking thing as well, but it is what I think the county and the city needs to boost economic development. >> Can I say this to go along with uh chairman of Madson said? Uh I think too
we need to I'd love to see the city resend that letter that re you reinstitute the letter in support and uh uh I know we we might have worked out a situ you know a solution to this latest uh uh property deal over here on
Industrial Road but we got to find common ground and and I'd love to see the city you you know uh uh and not tourism is not going away guys. It's not going away. It's here. It's here to stay. But we do need to diversify that economy.
>> I think I'm not speaking for the city, but listening to what they said, a lot of it has to do they think they want some more information. I think they go on this trip with us. They'll see what we're talking about and and the environmental concerns go hopefully go away and the aesthetics of it hopefully too. >> You're you're right. I I from the
meeting I it just seemed like the that several of them just really didn't understand it. You know, they they'd heard someone else say something. Um, and certainly giving them more information would be a would be a good thing. >> So, we we haven't heard from any of the folks on the panel.
>> I'm sorry. Go ahead, Gary. I'm sorry. >> I was going to say sorry, Michael. I was going to say and it's definitely a way for the port authority to get revenue to pay the county back. So, so that's what I wanted to talk about a little bit and and I don't know if Jessica or Christian or Zach want to
want to talk about, but but we're doing this jointly and I don't know if the public understands that, but this is a joint application between the county and the port authority. And again, we we said all along the county is not interested in making money. Uh but the port authority does need a revenue stream and this will will allow them to
have a staff potentially maybe a actual secretary that gets paid and uh and and and grant right or whatnot on in that same person but and then eventually eventually the county get their money back. But the whole point the county wants is just good paying jobs. And uh
and again like Jim was saying and what most of the commissioners want uh you notice Piggly Wiggly, they're not locals. They don't speak English because they can't afford to live here. So, he's having to import folks to to work. Raffles is importing folks. The that if you have a kid today that graduates high
school, they will not be able to afford to stay in Gus County, not even in the north end of the county. The tourism jobs only pay at the very top. The rest of them, you know, everybody can't cut grass, make a living, raise a family. So, that's what the board side wants. What what is the structure any of y'all could ask that that y'all foresee for
the for the for the revenue sharing again because we're not going to make it for the floating dry dock the long-term rent that that we're going to charge collectively with Eastern and how that would look anybody I'm sorry I didn't hear that. >> Gary Michael's ask asking the structure
you see the revenue sharing if this thing's successful and starts operating with the floating dry dock. >> Right. I I I assumed it was the revenue sharing out of lease payments that Eastern was going to be paying.
>> It's like a muring fee for being in our ship turning bases. >> Yeah, obviously that that's something that has to be worked out. um you know you have land your property and again it's on the other side of that overpass
uh which provides uh some need for that uh the idea of a maritime academy on the other side makes it accessible without crossing 98 revenue sharing can certainly be put into the deal I mean uh and and then there's a possibility of
aggregate maybe uh right now there's an entity over on the canal might be a way to do some uh something with that uh to work a deal with them regarding their property to provide you some access or at least to count that. Well, you do you get to count right now anything that
they they bring down the canal, but that that that that business could expand. Um it just takes some creativity. There's a way to find a revenue stream. I don't that's not my big area of expertise, but we uh I'm sure we can find a revenue stream for the for the port authority
and um as we move down the this road. >> So Gary and board members, let me add a little bit to so the maritime academy is not taking up that whole section. understand that there's going to be room back there and the the model in my mind would be where you added the the
buildings that the port authority would own and then okay I'll go back to my props again look at J so the props you bring that company in there and you charge them lease on that building that is making the props or whatever that part is or if they're putting
electronics a special one into these these Staten Island fairies they need to shut up shop because they're going to be there for a year or six months of working on that one where you have a portable space for them. It's already built, air conditioned. They can just come in, put it in there. You get to
charge the lease. So, you know, on that building to then to provide that because they don't have to go over 98. They can go under 98, put the parts on, do whatever they need to do on that boat and come over here and set their hopefully those will be businesses back there behind that academy. But that was
the the the flooding dry dock allows the beginning of that whole process. And I think that's what everybody needs to understand. >> That boat comes in that's in need of repair comes in and pays a nominal fee to use that floating dry dock and then
that's how the port authority would get their money to to be able to have the buildings to offer to >> that. Yeah. >> It's it's pieces of the puzzle that would come together. >> That's right. But it all starts with the flooding dry dock. That's where the money is going to start flowing. >> That's right. >> Cuz I would imagine that's when you get a lot of the grants for those buildings
you want to build on your port. You're talking about that those buildings would they should you could probably get grants to pay for those um setup buildings in there. working with us like you know structurally um our role because I mean we don't we
don't have staff we don't have you know I know that once we have some you know revenue stream but prior to all of that getting it going and all of that what our role um would be how you know how you see
that really. >> So when Gary and I uh met and talked about a joint application and then we brought it back to the county commission, we talked about the percentage of ownership co-ownership again equal to what they brought. And what we had originally talked about was
they were going to give up the 15 million for dredging and we were going to add it to it. So then it was going to be the we were going to give them just like it was your 15 million because you had been awarded that that amount versus the dry dock. So, if it's a, you know, just to make the math easy, if it was a $45 million project, you would be like a
third owner of that. That's what we discussed. And we've never actually come down to terms and said, "Okay, this is actually how it's going to be." Because we're still up in the air about how much, if any, would have to be borrowed. And it all depends on how much grant money is going into the pot. But if if
we don't have to borrow any money, then Eastern's lease could be more because they don't have to pay back a million dollar a year note to the county or whoever to us. And which means that and again, I we never talk numbers, but Gary, I mean, I'm thinking that that
just for sake of argument, if if we charge 20,000 a month to Eastern to to rent this thing, uh the cash could go to y'all, but some of that 20,000 would go toward debt reduction would be my thoughts. But again, you know that we've
just had basic talks. And have you got anything that might help Jessica's question a little more than that? >> Well, I definitely feel like >> Sorry. >> Go ahead, Jessica. >> Um I just I definitely would like to have revenue that we definitely need
somebody um administrative assistant so forth. So, um I would want to make sure and Tom, which I we appreciate everything he's done for a long time, decades almost.
So, um but when I was on the court, well, a long time ago, we had port director and administrative assistant that did a lot, you know, the stuff. And so now we kind of do a little bit, but um and the more that we're going to
start doing, there's going to be a lot more to do. So, I know that that's kind of something we need to look at, but I also was curious about and I don't know a lot about the floating dry out, which I don't think many of us do, but so let's just say we were doing who's going
to oversee the I mean Eastern you guys. I mean, we don't have the capacity to >> Yes, we we Yeah, we So, we would jointly if we jointly own it, lease that to Eastern for a set amount of money and then they would have to report again. And we're going to have reporting
requirements for Triumph. It may may be other grants that how many jobs, what was your revenue, what was this, what was that? Uh to justify that for for at least a 10-year period, the the the clawback. But but that's what we're thinking. And again, we've been letting
you use some staff as far as some grant writing and Jim's helped on some grants, you know, the joint effort between Gary and whatnot when it was basically just Gary. And now now he's got three three helpers. Uh, but but that's what I'm thinking about is y'all will reap the
benefits, but but I like Commissioner Priden's idea even better. I would I would just assume us not charge Eastern a penny even though we need a revenue stream, but but once we get those extra things, then if y'all got 10 buildings on your site and you're
I mean, that's where your money will come from. you you you got these warehouses or these uh machine shops or whatever fab fab shops that they'll all be leasing money and that that can be the revenue generating more so than just a flat fee of Eastern that we're that we're doing. Our our original deal with
Eastern when it was us going along and this goes back to probably 2018 was that that the more jobs that they had, the less the rent would be. Uh where they could buy that particular amount down. I think everybody understands they're going to pay a rent now and and the the
least amount that we have to pay back for a loan would be more that they could pay for revenue. >> So will they so the actual >> Yeah. >> the actual dredging of the dry dock again is that Eastern and
>> so it it would be the county project because it' be part of our loan with Eastern or loan with Triumph and whatnot. But but again the permit and all is in their name and so so they've been doing all the work for that bill. And again when we talk about dredging there we're talking about a thimble
compared to the hundred million dollar dredging of the full channel. So I mean it's uh I want to say up to 70,000 yards clay. Oh you lean back some somewhere in that range. I mean not the millions of yards on the other side. So again it's
it's very small but the county would be over oversee all of that. We just going to send y'all a check. >> Okay. >> We just got to figure out how much it's going to be. >> I guess another thing too, Jess, because it's important is the >> had we done this in 17 or 18 when it and
it and it went through and let's say it got up and running in 2021. >> Right now after co how we would have a waiting list of people trying to come into that thing. That's what really struck me when I said, you know, support for it is there's a waiting list of ships out there that can't go anywhere
because all you got is Mobile and Tampa and they're they're full. So, it it was like you had customers there waiting. That that was what really struck me too because you got a revenue source there. They're they're out there in the Gulf waiting >> like a year and a half waiting right now. >> It's been going on like that for years.
It has. Yeah. and and Je Jessica um once we had a revenue stream we would hire additional people to handle administrative duties etc. >> Right. >> And u Michael remember that we legally can charge a
mooring fee. >> Yes. >> For that dry dock to be located in the ship channel turning bas. That's right. All right. Any more board members questions, concerns?
Mr. Novak, you got something you want to say? >> Yeah, I do. Um, just so the chairman Majes and the new uh Port Authority Commissioners, I see some of the city commissioners here still that stay and I greatly appreciate that. The meeting we had prior to that had a lot to do with the floating dry dock um and had to do
with the industrial park. And you'll see over here to the left of Michael's shoulder, we are currently on the doorstep of a lawsuit, unfortunately. And you, as a port authority, need to be updated and advised, and I know Tom's a breast of it, but each of the new Port Authority members, your property is
directly adjacent to that yellow square. Um, and what's happening right now is the city has not only done a letter to resend their support for the floating dry dock this week, which is should be of concern to you as the commissioners have expressed. And not that you all formulate your opinion, but be aware of
it because obviously that hurts. We all need to work in partnership. The second part of that is this these two lawsuits that were filed last week that we just had a conflict assessment about prior to you all walking in is the city of Port St. Joe is proposing to put up to 38 families directly adjacent to your
property, which then impacts the port authorities property, which then impacts Eastern Ship building's property and actually directly impacts all the industrial park and has a chilling effect on the growth of it in the generation to come. And so again, I appreciate the city commissioner staying
and and them participating because they've all had various comments. The commission has had their input on those two issues, but I wanted you all as new port authority members appointed by the governor to be aware what the county is trying to do and it was actually a positive outcome that came from the meeting prior to you all coming in. They look like they may have a path forward,
but we need the property owner that owns that yellow parcel to participate. So, in the next week, we're going to hopefully have an active discussion and then reconvene the following week with possibly an outcome. And what was proposed before you walked in was the county would then purchase that property, relocate that property owner
into the city where there's residential to give them the ability to build workforce housing and the county would obviously acquire that property adjacent to you and then keep it industrial even if it was annexed into the city. So it has a direct impact on you and your property and the future of the industrial park and the floating dry
dock to have 38 potential residential families living next to your property. So, we wanted to update you on that, let you know where it's going, and hopefully we have a positive outcome that we can report to you all as you move forward and continue to learn all the issues that are moving around in addition to the floating dry dock.
>> Thanks, Mr. Chairman. >> Jeremy, is that is that part of the parcel that Eastern owns? >> Yeah. So, so the two and a half acres, Gary, that we were meeting about today and and hopefully have a resolution is actually touches Eastern's property and
actually touches some of the port authority. And who is the current owner? >> It's called H and K GF Coast Properties, I believe, or something along those lines. But it the principal is Kay Haddock that owns the property, and she was the one that petitioned the city to
be annexed in. >> Yep. But hopefully we have some some some path forward between the city and the county and the land owner. And then you all as a port authority have a vested interest in the outcome of that >> because because then when you businesses come down you own the land right across
the street from where your shops are cop shops where you can set up shop and your academy is right across the street. So you got that potential sitting there saying hey come down here incentives here's your place to set up shop permanent shop.
So advocating on behalf of my clients, which is the county and the citizens of the county and the commission and the administrative staff as you all come on, we would strongly encourage you all to do two things, which is advocate the recision of that letter for the floating dry dock because we have seven or eight regional partners that are all in favor
of it and have been for many, many years to use this triumph money. And so we'd love the port authorities support and encouraging the city to resend that lack of support vote. And the second is to encourage them to obviously find a way through this on that yellow parcel that you're looking at that directly impacts
y'all's land. >> Yeah, I think we got I think I hope we got a plan moving forward and uh hope we like I said we can uh just continue to have great dialogue with the uh with the city and um >> that vote was only was a three to two
vote. So >> Commissioner Lowry and Langston opposed the thing. So, it's it's just a matter of changing one vote. >> You got anything else, Commissioner? >> All right. Port of author thought, y'all got anything else? >> Uh, I don't I don't know if the other
commissioners do. >> Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to congratulate the new appointees. I know it's a it's a big responsibility. I know the pay is not that great for what they're doing, but I do I do appreciate what they're doing for our community and the chairman Madison obviously he's been doing for many years and all their time
and effort we greatly appreciate. >> So, and and real quick too, we we you know, the next couple months I think are are going to tell the tale on the float and dry do. So, we do need y'all's uh input and and and attending the meetings
when it actually gets on the agenda for for trying to fund this. And uh if Tom hadn't said a word today, but if if Mr. Gibson and and Mr. Novak can work out a a proposed operating agreement or whatever you would call it that that we
could bring back to our respective boards in the next couple months about how the the the funding would be split. Um, I would think that would be a pretty good idea >> also when when we like you said going to the meetings when you go to the triumph
meetings when you make your initial presentations and all when you have members from there with us makes you Jimmy you can echo on that too it makes a big difference. Uh Bay County last ones they had all three of them that went through they had the people actually there speaking what they're going to do and all. It makes a it makes
a huge difference in those meetings. Mr. Yeah, I realize that. >> When do you see that happening in a perfect world? I mean, it's that soon. You think a few months? We're presenting? >> I think in a couple months. I think uh I think they're two board members short right now. Uh so I think that probably
our best opportunity is going to be when they get that uh new board seated and and uh and then we make a full court press and and not let the noise of the of the folks that are against everything come in and come up with every excuse in the book to to kill it. I think now is the time to move forward and get this
done. And uh and again, I would I would encourage the same thing. Everybody, I mean, we we're friends most times that everybody needs to talk to their respective commissioners in the city and in the county and and try to get everybody pulling in the same direction because uh I think a couple times over
the last eight years, we've got letters from both cities, the school board, Franklin County, ARPC, all the all the partners on this. It helps when everybody's in on the same team. And this is going to be a a great thing for local folks that want to stay and have a
good good paying job that they can actually buy a house and and not have to to to live in subsidized housing or move away because they can't get a job because they would have a a a a real job that's got a real skill. And uh anyway, because the other thing that that I
always like to say and a couple of y'all are volunteer firemen, too. If we don't do something to keep the younger folks here, all of our volunteer fireman fire departments are going to be dead and you know, all the school leagues are not going to have coaches, all these things. We can't just deal with tourist and and
and retirees because the average age of some of our departments is really high. And we we need we need fresh blood. We need the worker bees. Uh and again, that's everything from little big baseball deacons in the church to volunteer firemen. And they come from
workingclass folks and and working-class folks can't make 15 bucks an hour flipping hamburgers and cut grass. So, >> and Michael, let's uh let's get it done. And that can be my retirement party. >> I I would be tickled to throw your
retirement party if we can pull this across the finish line because I mine is not that far off either. [Laughter] >> All right, Mr. Madison, you got anything else? Uh, no sir. >> Port.
All right.