Good morning. The Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 regular border county commissioners meeting will now be called to order. We'll begin with a moment of silent reflection for our first responders and members of the armed forces. We will then be provided with an invocation by
none other than Stan Bowling from Grace Covenant Baptist Church and Commissioner Susan Adams will lead us in the pledge. Please rise. Remove your cover. Lord God, we come before you together just as you've said in your word to draw
close to you. And we remember what the Apostle Paul said in Acts 17. He was addressing a crowd in Athens and he said, "You are not far from each of us." And how could that be otherwise?
You're holy. You're pure. You're just, but you're also compassionate and merciful toward us. You tell us that and you allow us to approach you together. So that's what we're doing right now. Thank you for the opportunity to do that. You tell us in Psalm 19 that
creation itself talks about you without words every day throughout all the earth. And from time to time we see we can experience some of your power, your beauty, your brilliance that goes so far beyond our own natural
and artificial intelligence. It's amazing. And if we're wise, we stop and we pause and there's a there's a sacred moment. You say in your word that your word is pure and wise. It's
lifegiving. It's sweeter than honey. It's more precious than gold. That's what we should be investing in. And so we do that. We remember some of your word this morning together. In Psalm 46, you tell us, "You
are our refuge, our help in times of trouble. Though the earth shakes, mountains fall into the sea, waves crash, where you are is joy and life." And then we come to the end of Psalm 46
and we are told, "Be still. Be still. remember, recognize that I am God. I just thank you for that. So, we just
take a moment right now and we're still in your presence. We look to you for guidance. We need it, but you're who we go to. Thank you so much for that. We take a
moment to ask you to guide what we think, what we feel, decisions we make, how we act. And so we lay all that before you now and we give you our commissioners, our board of county commissioners and staff decisions that will be made. We ask that what is done
here today and what's executed from the decisions made here today would be something that would please you. We want to follow you. Help us do so in your name. Amen. Please join me to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisibley, justice for all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. stand
at this time. Do we have any additions deletions to the agenda? >> Mr. Chairman, uh we're going to pull 12A and we'll bring it back to the next meeting. >> Thank you, sir. >> To verify one thing. Item 12.
>> Anything else? U move to approve as amended. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Adam, Commissioner Moss, seconded by Commissioner Adams. Anything further? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously.
We're off to a good start. Now, even a a better start. We have pro proclamation and presentations. A presentation honoring the 2025 2026 Indie River County Fire Rescue Lieutenant, Sergeant, Engineer, Fire
Medic, Inspector, and Unit of the Year. Captain Joe Aman will have the honors of the presentation. Please come on down. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is definitely an honor that I've got to do
this every year. And it's it's more special to me because even though I've been separated now, retired 10 years from the best job in the world, it uh
it's it's good to see that some of the people that that started under me and with me are here today. And uh there may be a story or two I have with a couple of them, but we'll wait till I get done with the with the good part here, but
but everybody else that's here, even the ones that I maybe didn't work with, it just goes to show what kind of class good people we have here. So with that, let me read the proclamation and we'll move on to the to the other stuff.
This is a proclamation honoring the 2025 2026 any river county fire rescue lieutenant sergeant engineer fire medic inspector and unit of the year.
Whereas on December 17th, 1923, local volunteers established the first fire department in Annie River County. And whereas over the course of the past century, the department transitioned from volunteer to career personnel from
a department crewed solely by trained firefighters to today's crews who are dual certified in firefighting and emergency medical response as well as being trained in a multitude of special disaster response scenarios on both land
and sea. Whereas in 2021, the leadership of any river county fire rescue instituted the long-standing tradition of annually recognizing those among their ranks who perform their duties in a manner that exemplifies a competency
reflecting the highest of standards. supports fellow fire medics in achieving their goals, supports the department's policies, and regularly demonstrates the ability to lead or follow based upon the existing circumstances.
Whereas, any river county fire rescue is proud to announce the award recipients for 2025 2026. Fire medic of the year, Luis Bostamante. Rescue Sergeant of the Year, Allison
Baird. Engineer of the Year, Nicole Morris. Lieutenant of the year, Jason Judson. In the unit, fire rescue, Christopher Matherly, Justin Gonzalez, and Julian Catalano. And the inspector
of the year, Alex Norat. Now therefore be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of any river county Florida that the board supports the efforts of a fire rescue department by publicly commend those
members whose dedication loyalty productivity and professionalism have been recognized by their co-workers. Be it further proclaimed that the board of county commissioners is grateful to all our any county first responders and
the valuable services they provide to the residents of our community. Adopted this 21st day of October, 2025 and signed by all five county commissioners. So yes, this is a good
thing. This is a good day. And I'm proud to do this. And for Dave, before you say a few words, I let me just add a couple of uh insights on this that as I said before that we started this, you started this we started this in 2021 and it's
something that's very important to the unit as a whole to recognize those that excel and set the standards. So, I'm not going to say though, early in a couple of them's career. I was a little concerned about them, but
you know what? I always knew there was great potential and in at least three or four of them that I know there really well. And they did they did so well. We had the one that was the smallest and the and the most petite right there that moved forward and
became an engineer and and and one of the darn best paramedics I've ever seen. She excelled. Nicole excelled tremendously. Tremendously and she sets the examples and takes these, you know, new young strapping big guys and puts them in their place real quick. So
there's no doubt about that. We have Jason Judson who is now Captain Judson, I would add. So congratulations for that. He's always set the standard very high for him and his personnel and and uh he endured a lot of practical jokes, a lot of kidding from a few of our
fellows, but you know that makes you a better person. >> So, and um of course uh there's the ox. We all know who the ox is. That would be Mr. Mly, Christopher Mly,
one of our just one of our best people. He's a excellent paramedic. He's fabulous at training the new folks that we have and making sure the job's done correctly. And I'm no doubt that there's still a big future for him ahead in the fire
rescue because he does help set the example. And Alex is very involved in the community and and with his crew what he does with regards to our fire prevention. So it's uh it's just so so great to see this and very proud of each
one of you. So Dave, >> thank you commissioner, Mr. Chair. I just want to uh thank you for taking the time today to recognize our annual award winners for 20 25 and 26. These outstanding individuals have been selected by either their peers, their
command staff, or both. Uh they embody the mission of our department to serve the citizens and visitors of of this great county. Um, each award winner has demonstrated exceptional dedication, whether it be as a steadfast member who consistently goes above and beyond or as
someone who made a significant impact during a response to save someone's life. Uh, selecting these individuals each year feels like selecting your favorite child. It's hard to do, but we strive to select the best of the best. Um, I salute every member of our department, every man and woman out
there doing the job every day. I salute them all. But we thank you for your attention to this today and thank you very much for supporting our department each and every day. Thank you commissioners, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you.
Well, that this is a very honorous occasion and it's great to see everybody finally acred in uniform and I want everybody to see these individuals and including the lineup in the back because
uh I I sincerely hope that you do not have to press 911 and be visited by these individuals, but by the off chance you are, you're in the best possible hands in this great
nation. We have the finest right here and I want to say thank you for what you do. Your commitment every day. >> Thank you. >> Now, at this point, if anybody doesn't have anything
further, we'd like to have a nice photograph of this momentous occasion. And I'd like to call upon captain the rest of the team to come on down after they get their initial picture.
Let's continue the tradition. >> The communicators did a great job, but I think they made it easy for you. >> I don't believe anything. >> Thanks for your great work. Thank you. Keep training. Sorry.
>> Thank you guys. Thank you. >> And I'd like to take this time to thank the families of these fine individuals because they work count countless hours, long shifts, and the family is affected by their dedication to their duty to
serve our community. Thank you. Well, move on to uh minutes. Uh we have approval of the minutes uh for the regular meeting of August 19th, 2025, which I know you all read in an item. >> Approve. Second.
>> We have a motion by Vice Chairman Law, seconded by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion? All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. two for two. Uhformational items. We
have a notice of extensions of the contract for the construction of the required roadway improvements right ofway uh for uh project for Wisteria Walk PD. Um there's no further action to be taken
on that. We also have the children service advisory vacancy. Um Mr. Adams, would you like to uh >> um this is actually the district 5 um appointee. So um Commissioner Mos >> I think I think we're just looking for
applications at this point. >> Okay. Are we we seeking other input uh from the community or do we have ample >> any I think anyone who would like to apply. >> So we'll still encourage >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Under can apply on the
website. >> Yes. The application >> that's uh Indian River.gov. the applications on the website. >> Thank you. Thank you. We'll now move on to public uh comment. If there's any agenda item that you might not be here
later on and wish to be able to speak about any uh agenda item, uh again uh other than with the exception of uh public hearings, uh this is your opportunity. Two micro
Thank you. Having given ample opportunity, we'll move on uh to the consent agenda. Commissioners approve, Mr. Chair. >> Second. We have a motion by Vice Chairman Law, seconded by myself. Any
further discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Three for three. Uh now we'll move on to uh public items. We have a public
hearing and that public hearing is item 11 A1. And >> I believe we skip 10. Commissioner. >> Oh, I did. I didn't hit 10.
Constitutional offices and governmental agencies. That's item 10A. Just prior to that. So that's in River County Sheriff's Office fiscal year 2025 2026 budget amendment.
First up, budget amendment. Go ahead. I don't see the sheriff here. Mr. Chairman, members of the board, um I'm just going to recommend that you delay this, put this off, uh table it until such time all issues concerning
the budget are resolved and we have clear direction. >> I'll make that a motion, sir. Well, that um you know, that being said, I know there was a lot of concern last night at the meeting and um Board of County
Commissioners and the Indian River County Sheriff's Office are never getting divorced, right? It's a it's a partnership always. I know we're going through a tumultuous period of time right now, but uh and I
appreciate the county administrator's uh observation. Um it's our assumption at this point that we're that the sheriff's department will be going forward with a a lawsuit or legal action of some kind.
That being said, um I would like us to consider this, I myself would support it as a gesture of goodwill. What it is for the community is it's a request. It's a budget amendment. It's a request for $99,000.
Um $18,000 for stainless steel uh inmate security toilets, $68,000 for willow locks and electronic swipes, which will allow their system to be safer and more reliable, and $13,000 for
warehouse uh refrigeration. Evidently, the plate flooring has buckled and that could cause someone to trip and fall. So I would ask that that we consider this. I ask for your comments if any.
>> We have a I understand you and I agree. We have to work together, but that's kind of been where the ball's been dropped. And until we can clear this up, we don't know if we're going to have to pay. We're not going to have to pay.
Money is going to have to come out of reserves. It's not. I think we need to I think we need to plan accordingly. He just got accredited for the jail by the way, passed 100% it sounds like. I don't know what the big issue is. And I think this I think that we just need to to
have some sort of resolve as to which way this is going before we, you know, spend the taxpayers money. This doesn't appear to be an emergency uh item. So recommend that we still I understand what you're saying recommendation.
>> Yeah. Okay. So, we have a motion. >> Yes. To set the county administrator's recommendation >> and a second. >> Yes, sir. >> So, it's a motion by Commissioner Airman, seconded by Vice Chairman Law. Any further discussion?
All in favor? >> Opposed? >> Opposed? Nay. Motion carries three to two with Commissioner Moss and myself dissenting. We'll move on now. We'll get to the
public item which is item 11A and that item uh is a quasi judicial uh hearing. So that next item is the first public hearing for two public hearings for the
proposed developers agreement between Indie River County and PY Home Company for Emerson Oaks. This is a quasa judicial proceeding. The parties involved with the proceeding are Inie
River County and PY Home Company LLC, also known as the applicant. At this time, uh, I need to ask commissioners to disclose any exparte communications, site visits, or independent
investigations. And I'll begin with the left. >> Um, yes. Well, I got the traffic study yesterday afternoon, but I didn't have time to read it. So, >> hope that counts. We were a little busy yesterday. >> I didn't notice.
>> I got the traffic study, but I I I didn't read it. So, I'll I'm just saying it. That's all. Thank you. >> I don't know if I need to. >> Commissioner Adams. >> No, >> Commissioner. >> My knowledge. >> None.
>> Uh, none to my knowledge. At this time, we will uh confirm that each commissioner have an open mind and are able to base their decisions on the evidence presented uh and applicable law. Commissioner
>> Can and Will. >> Can and will. >> Can and will. >> Can and will. Can and will. >> Thank you. At this time, we will open the public hearing.
And madame clerk, may I ask you to uh swear in any and all witnesses that anticipate to be able to be speaking during this quasi judicial hearing. >> Thank you.
>> We'll now begin with a presentation. >> Yes. Thank you, Commissioner. Susan Praau, deputy county attorney from Indian River County Attorney's Office. This particular item is the first public hearing of two public hearings required by Florida statute section 163.3225
for the approval of a proposed developer agreement. Uh, PY Home Company has come to us uh in seeking a developers agreement for Emerson Oak subdivision. This particular subdivision is a planned development and it's consisting of 171
single family lots to be located on the southwest corner of 43rd A and 13 43rd Avenue Southwest and 13th Street Southwest. The project is proposed to be constructed in three separate phases. Phase 1 A consists of the model home row
uh with seven lots, the project entrance on 13th Street Southwest and the adjacent adjacent storm water pond. Phase 1B will include 70 lots, the amenity center and infrastructure commensurate with the phase and phase 2 will include 94 lots, the remainder of
the residential which includes the remainder of the residential development, the project entrance on 17th Street and the necessary utilities to support the phase 2 homes. Um, as part of the negotiation process, the developer does understand that they have some required improvements and also some
improvements that they are giving as part of a benefit to the county um in exchange for uh some perhaps items that they have had waved or set back. Um, some of those, if you look down below on the uh agreement, it will note that
there's dedication of rideway. There's 0.94 acres of rideaway that's along the 13th Street Southwest frontage for future street alignment. Um, this is to allow 13th Street to align with what is lying east of it so we can have interconnectivity.
Um, 100 ft of rightway along the 17th Street Southwest frontage of the project. 50 ft of rightway along the entire 43rd Avenue Southwest frontage of the project. This would allow for widening uh there of 43rd Avenue um allowing for the ability to have more
more cars and make it a little easier to get through than I believe just the two lanes. uh the required traffic improvements. There are intersection and turn lane improvements that will be provided by the developer as well. Uh those improvements are westbound left turn lane on 13th Street Southwest into
the project's entrance, a southbound right turn lane on 43rd A Southwest at 13th Street Southwest, and a northbound left turn lane on 43rd Avenue Southwest at 13th Street Southwest, an eastbound left and right turn lane on 13th Street Southwest at 43rd Avenue during phase
1B. and pavement and drainage improvements on 17th Street Southwest along the project site entire frontage and an eastbound left and right turn lane on 17th Street Southwest at 43rd Avenue Southwest. Um there's also to be a 17th Street Southwest bridge
contribution. The developer shall contribute their fair share and this was calculated um by their cost estimate that was approved by downstairs in engineering. The developer shall contribute 3.7% of funding to the future of the 17th Street Southwest Bridge
crossing. Um, as noted, the traffic analysis was could be provided upon request as uh provided to Commissioner Moss. Um, this particular item, there's a budgetary cost for recording the agreement um of
$171.50. Um there was also cost of publications for the two public hearings that were estimated to be 37248. Um the previous board actions on this is that the board actually did approve the plan development for this particular
subdivision back on December 3rd, 2024. Um and at this time we are asking that the board consider this item, open the public hearing for comment and for hearing from the applicant. Um, and then at the close of the public hearing that we move forward to have the second
public hearing on November 4th if you have any questions for me. I am available. Thank you. Commissioners, does the commissioners have any questions? >> I I have a question. >> Moss. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have
a question on the and I don't know that it's not a legal question but I have a question on the storm water treatment facilities and also on the impact fees uh with regard to the storm water treatment facilities and I'm looking at page seven of the uh developers agreement
um under storm water treatment facilities uh number two item number two it says treated to minimum applicable uh St. John's Florida Water Management District water quality standards. Um, why is it minimum applicable? Couldn't
it be something uh more like best practices? I don't know. You know, min minimum applicable um does not sound appropriate to me. >> Um, thank you, uh, Commissioner Moss. medicine
>> that particular question is we I can tell you that at this point in time we can't give them anything or require them to do anything that is more of them than what is the minimum required um if that is what is required by St. John's at least from a legal standpoint I can't
answer from a storm drainage standpoint um then that is what we are allowed to require of them we can't ask them to give any more than what they are required to >> all right and number four it's uh maintained by an HOA.
As we know, we've had issues. We've had Wat's Edge come in here about the covert and, you know, discuss with more more than once and discuss it for hours. So I'm wondering what is the legal mechanism that will occur that will
um relate to enforcement of this you know like how how is the well there's no HOA now I guess but when the HOA is created um how will they let people know especially people buying you know years in you know how will they know
that they're responsible and not the county? >> Yes. So, and I'm sorry, you're saying number four. >> Number four, it says maintained by an HOA. >> Okay. >> So, the county is not maintaining it. The HOA is. >> So, that is supposed to be theirs. It is
the obligation of the home buyer, the prospective home buyer to read any and all covenants and restrictions. It's disclosed on or it should be disclosed by their real estate agent at the time of closing. Um, so that is how they are noticed. those items and documents are
recorded in the public record. Um I don't see a culvert in this particular one that I >> No, I just that as an example because we we've dealt with you know things of that nature where >> um somebody buys and then they you know it's years later and they think that the
county is responsible when it's actually the HOA or POA. >> Yes ma'am. And that would be in the H >> individuals >> that would be in the HOA documents that CL that has their responsibility um on the plat anything that's dedicated to them. They're required per our county
code to accept those items in the HOA docs and the maintenance responsibility for for those items. So that's where they would find that. It's not in the plot. It would most definitely be in the HOA documents. >> All right. I I hope that I I you know I hope going forward and maybe this is
something that we'll discuss Thursday uh evening at the at the special meeting having to do with plan development and for the community we do have a special meeting coming up this Thursday at six o'clock and it's a joint meeting with the planning and zoning commission uh
here. So, you know, this is the kind of thing where I think we need, you know, a mechanism of um enforcement in the future, you know, just to let people know because people, you know, 10, 20 years later, it's not going to be my problem. It probably won't be any of our
problem, but it will be a it seems to be a problem going forward because we're being faced now with um aging infrastructure, which is not the responsibility of the county. It's an HOA or POA. Um the last question has to
do with um impact fees and that is that uh impact fees are are not charged I guess for what is perceived as public benefit and what is perceived as public benefit. That's another thing by the way that we'll be discussing on Thursday evening. So you're you know you're all
welcome to join us. Um that public benefit can be a bit subjective. um you know true for me I'll just speak for myself true public benefit is something that benefits the public um apart from or in independent of uh the
people who are living in this particular development. So you know like a right of way would would we need the rightway if they weren't developing this property? So those items that were the way that that's distinguished commissioner is that if there is something for example
and I can't I couldn't tell you about the right of way in this particular one but I can tell you that if it's something that is a required improvement under our code that's not a public develop that's not a public benefit. It's anything above and beyond what they're required to put in that's not in
our code. So if in our code they're expected to dedicate and I we'll come back to the rightway example. if they're expected to dedicate 25 ft of ride of way um but they give us 50 feet of ride ofway that extraif that extra 25 ft is in essence the public benefit because
they are not required to give us any they're not required to give us that and that is under even Florida statute they're only required to give us what they're required to give us allowed to um ask for extra unless we give either monetary compensation or impact fee
credits um for a dollar for-doll basis um at this point that's what a public benefit is um is anything that's above and beyond. So even if it is next to the development um if it's something that they would not be required to do and something the
county would have to do but we're having them do it. It's a public benefit. >> Yeah. Since public benefit is tied to impact fees. Um and again we can discuss this Thursday night but I think it I think it should actually appear in the documents that we look at where public
benefit is a section of this and it lists what we are uh what we are defining as public benefits once we've established that and I understand there are state statutes you have to follow on some of it so was there something beyond
the rightway I know that there were several uh rightaways there something beyond that >> yes ma'am Um, and if you'll give me just a minute, I believe the director Ryan Sweeny's hearing can list a little bit more of detail about Commissioner Moss. For the record, Ryan Sweeney, acting
planning development services director, all of the public benefits, all of the project required improvements and those determined to be over and above have already been decided upon and hashed out in the PD approval. This is merely a contractual uh exchange of making those
things happen through the developers agreement. Um but yes, the rideway dedications, it's it specifies what's the minimum and then what's the over and above. Uh same thing for like the bridge contribution and a number of other items. Those were all hashed out, if you will, in the original PD approval. This
is just making those things happen with the county. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And I just want to address maybe the uh attorney uh wishes to elaborate, but one of the countless documents that you sign
off uh once a development has uh turned to as required by state law uh to an HOA. uh that is one of the documents that you have to review and sign when you're
purchasing a home in in the community. So uh it is fully disclosed and their obligation and commitment is also is that uh correct counselor? >> That is that is correct sir. And uh oftent times when people are purchasing
a a home uh a house uh to turn into a home um it is somewhat burdensome. Uh I've heard many times that we're signing multiple documents when wow I have writer's cramp. They're signing their
name but they need to be reading. And I think that was uh one of the shortcomings of the uh concern that you you shared on a a previous matter that uh one of the documents are lengthy but
it's all elaborated in the agreement at what the HOA is responsible for what the commitment is. There's no ambiguity. Just wanted to point it out. I don't know if we we don't have to make a regulation on it. Mr. Chair.
>> Yes. >> I can just add to this conversation a little bit. Um John, on Thursday when we have our PD workshop, can we have um a discussion on what the PD process is
from start to finish? Because there's multiple steps in approving a PD and there's multiple conversations and I I think because it comes back to us several times in planning and zoning, too. Um it would be nice to kind of see that flowchart of how that's decided
because my understanding is um the discussion about what a PD is going to look like happens at that original PD approval and then Commissioner Moss I know the enforcement of some of those things is always a concern of yours and then this developers agreement is how
you take what was approved and codify it into a document that can be enforced because it's contractual. And I believe um as we learned in a prior PD that the attorney's office actually reviews those developers agreements um on a yearly basis which is
a statutory requirement. So, if we can just kind of walk through and Ryan how that works so we know when we kind of need to engage on certain um topics of conversation um so we don't miss an opportunity if
there is a concern to have that that conversation when it when it can be changed. >> Yes, ma'am. That can be done. >> Thank you. I >> think it's already intended to be done but yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Anything else?
Well, uh, seeing no further, before we get to presentation by the applicant, does the applicant have any questions of staff? >> Good morning, commissioners. My name is Logan Wellmmyer. I'm an attorney with Dean Meade. Uh, we have offices here in
Vero Beach and then also in Fort Pierce. Uh, I'm here representing PY Homes. Um, I'm joined by our our traffic consultant. Um, and uh, we're we're here and happy to answer any other questions that you might have. Uh, I want to thank
Mrs. Praau and Mr. Sweeney. I think that that they gave you a bunch of great information. Um, I'm happy to fill in any gaps, but um, Mrs. Moss, I would say uh, the the HOA, as was stated, the HOA documents are going to be in the public
record. They're going to be in every purchase agreement. The purchase agreements are going to come with those documents. Everybody's going to have a chance to read all of them. But I think probably more importantly, uh they're going to have meetings regularly. They're going to have assessments that
everyone who lives in the community pays regularly. They're all going to know that there's an HOA, that they are beholden to the HOA. They have to, you know, please the HOA. I I don't think they're ever going to be confused about whether or not the county has an obligation to fix their internal roads,
for example. Um, and if I may, also about the public benefit. It's my understanding, and Luke can correct you, he's smarter than I am, and he knows what he's doing with traffic much better than I do. But, um, it's my understanding that the turn lanes that PY is going to be creating will
essentially take care of any impact that they're going to have to the area. The additional benefit is going to be the right of way that they're going to give on 13th and 43rd, which is going to allow for a realignment of 13th, uh, which is, I think, necessitated or a portion of the Indreal Point project
that's already been approved. Um, and then south off of 17th, uh, we're paying our fair share of the bridge that's going to connect 17th and make it a thorough fair from east to west. So those are not required based on the impact that our project's going to have.
Those are additional benefits that PY is is giving to the county as a good partner. But if there's any other questions, we're happy to answer them. And like I said, I have Luke here and he can answer any question you have with respect to traffic.
>> Any further at this time? Do you wish to have any further presentation? >> No sir. >> You know earlier in the meeting um I I have a habit of walking through the
audience and saying hello to people u and greet all our attendees and uh you may recall that I approached you and I asked oh nice to meet you and you have anything to do and you said no I'm just a concerned citizen. I didn't know you
were the attorney. >> Well, in my defense, sir, I just thought you were a >> gentleman. >> But he is. >> Well, I didn't now. >> No, sir. I just didn't know you were the chairman or a commissioner. I just
thought you were being very nice, and I like to be gregarious with people who are very nice. So, >> well, that's just evidence that we had no communication whatsoever. But uh thank you for your uh cordial
concern. Uh with that so you have no further presentation. Does anybody have any question uh of the applicant at this time? Everybody's got their own microphone. Hearing none. County staff,
do we have any questions of the applicant? Given ample opportunity, we'll move on to any input from the general public. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Councelor, thank you.
Good morning. >> Good morning. Uh, my name is Lisa Surski, fifth generation native and I just popped in, but I believe we are talking about development and potential new development. I hear the word development, I hear the word benefit. I
don't think they go hand inand right now. We have a lot of new development. I just am curious if these homes are being um filled, if the new development that we are seeing is actually necessary. So, not really 100% sure. As I said, I just
popped in. I've been trying to listen throughout my workday. Um but I hear the word benefit. I think we're talking about the benefit of of uh maybe opening some roadways or giving us, I don't know, more access on our roadways. But if we're talking about
development, we're talking about more people, which is just going to not be beneficial to our community. Right now, we have a lot of homes, a lot of new development. I am curious where these people are that are filling
up all this new development. I know we have many people coming here on a daily, weekly basis, but as a longtime resident, as a fifth generation native here, I know I'm speaking for many other citizens. We don't need new development
in such a large scale. We want neighborhoods. We want the community that we grew up with. So, I can't help but when I hear new development and hundreds of homes and a whole plot of, you know, acres
being wiped out to put in homes when we have plenty of homes in my neighborhood that are for rent, for sale, and however many hundreds and hundreds of new developments or new uh homes we're seeing, are they filled? I don't I don't
know if there's some kind of regulation we can put in place to say when we have these homes filled or when we have the majority of them occupied, then we can start opening up the opportunity for more new development. That's all I can
say right now. Again, I'm just kind of last minute, but I hear development. I hear benefits. I don't think they go hand inand right now. Not for our wildlife, not for the people who already live here, reside here, work here. It it just doesn't make sense in my mind.
That's my two cents for now. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? At this time, uh we'll move on to the final presentation uh by county staff. Do we have any? >> No, sir. At this point, we just ask that
uh the public hearing be closed and that we go ahead and note that the next public hearing will be on November 4th, 2025 at 9:01 a.m. or soon thereafter. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Anything further, Ryan, you have
anything? If not, does the applicant have anything further? >> Yes, sir. At this time, I want to ensure that all documents and tangible evidence, if any, have been admitted into evidence and are
in the hands of the clerk. Madame clerk, thank you. In addition, uh, county staff agenda materials are automatically admitted into evidence unless there is objection. Seeing none, at this time we'll close
the public hearing. Commissioners, everybody's got their own. >> We have approval. >> Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by myself. Any further
discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Thank you. Next item is approval uh for resolution establishing the inner river county HCV
program five-year plan and certifications and administrative plan. >> Good morning, chair and commissioners. My name is Stacy Bush and I serve as the housing services manager for Indian River County. We are here today to
request approval of the Housing Choice Voucher Programs 5-year PHA plan and administrative plan as required by HUD. During the public review period, one individual came in to review the administrative plan. However, no comments or recommendations were
submitted. Our housing services division continues to administer 439 vouchers within Indian River County, providing housing assistance to nearly 800 individuals. This includes children, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. I am pleased to share with
you that I have submitted a request for an additional 10 vouchers for our veterans program. Um, and I am currently waiting for HUD's response. Um, this request was strongly supported by letters of support from the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center and our local
continuum of care. If approved, these vouchers will allow us to serve even more veterans in need of stable housing. Staff respectfully recommends that the board open the public hearing to receive and consider any comments and then vote to approve the resolution, the five-year
PHA plan, and the administrative plan along with the required HUD certifications. Thank you for your ongoing support of our housing programs and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. >> Does anybody have any questions?
>> We have no questions. However, this is a public hearing. So, we'll open up public hearing. Hello again. So, I am just really um inspired and interested in what's happening in our county in all different
areas. Again, this is something new to me to be this involved in sitting in these meetings, but I just want to say that I have worked with veterans in the service dog arena for a few years and I support um sorry I don't I didn't catch
your name, but I I support what you're asking for. Uh I know it's a big need in our county and we have seen the need for housing for uh for not only veterans, but for other individuals. So, I think that's a great um request and I hope
that that can be something we support. Um our veterans really really need us and now I think more than ever. So, I think that's great. >> Thank you, Miss Having given the ample opportunity and seeing no further
public hearing. >> Mr. Chair, with my involvement with SHIP and Commissioner Adams involvement in other issues surrounding by housing and I recognize that we heard this matter
previously u and I think they do a fantastic job and I move approval. Second. >> We have a motion by Vice Chairman Lur, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? All in favor? I
>> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. >> We now move on to uh public notice items. Councelor. >> Yes. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, chairman. Um this is just a notice of scheduled public hearing for budget
amendment six for the November 4th, 2025 meeting. Um, so please be advised that the following public hearing has been scheduled for board consideration November 4th, 2025. Consideration of a miscellaneous budget amendment six. Um, once published, the budget amendment six will contain proposed increases to the
overall physical year 2425 budget for the board to consider. Um, this public refer this public notice item is provided for the board's information and there is no action needed at this time. >> Thank you, councelor.
go back to the agenda. Uh again, item 12A was uh delayed to at least the next meeting uh for now by staff. And we'll move on to 12B, which is the ratification of a collective bargaining agreement between Indie River County
Emergency Services District and In River County Firefighters Paramedics Association Local 2201 IIAFF effective October 1st, 2025 through September 30th, 2027.
Two-year commitment. >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. Um, we're glad to have this on the agenda today and just want to say I want to appre I want to thank both the negotiations team with
the IFFF U Mark Kristen Brewer and the rest of the team. I want to thank our team um Dave Johnson, Mike Zitto, uh Suzanne Bole and then Benton Wood. So what you have attached for your consideration
is as you mentioned Mr. Chair, this is a two-year agreement. Uh it does provide for uh a 4% general wage increase for years 2526 and 2627 uh beginning in the first full pay period in October 25 and then
subsequently October 2026. >> Um eligible bargaining unit employees will advance in their step plan uh in April 26 and April 27 respectively. It also uh increases the annual paramedic incentive. We're stepping it up to be
more competitive with some of our surrounding um departments. Uh so it's increasing in the first year from 600 to 6,500 uh beginning with the first pay period of October 25 and then it will subsequently increase to 7,000 with the
first pay period in 2020 August October 2026. Uh as you're aware, we will be implementing the 3-week Kelly Day. uh which will reduce the bi-weekly work average from 104 hours to 96 hours uh while maintaining the same annual base
amount. Uh the implementation is expected to occur by March 27th, 2006 and as noted in the agenda item, it would require 19 additional fire medics to be hired and trained to provide for this. Uh we are increasing the number of
special operation incentives and increasing the incentive amount and adding a second tier group of special operation incentives and to assist management and to en ensure proper supervision, you know, more so for protocol and procedures. Uh we are uh
adding a an incentive of $2 per hour for the rescue sergeant incentive pay. And then uh there's also uh the addition of a $2,500 annual incentive paid bi-weekly for our dual certified employees who are
working a non- shift position. As you are aware, we do have a tuition assistance in the existing agreement that's increasing from 50,000 to 75,000. And the other change with that, a portion of it will be dedicated to the paramedic program for those employees
that need to complete their uh paramedic program and attain Florida paramedic certification. And on that note, I want to specifically draw bring to your attention on page 66 of the agreement or page 810 of your agenda item under
article 34, section 34.2D, uh there is a scrivener's error. It's at the top of the page in parentheses. Uh and it really it it concerns the uh new hires in the the timing period in which they must attain their paramedic
certification. It should read 36 months. It says 24 months. That's a change. Uh the LA and I think the other thing I would say is with regard to the tuition reimbursement, there is a payback provision five years and it would be prrated uh if somebody was to resign
within that five years. Uh the the the IFFF, excuse me, the IFFF uh local 2020 has ratified this agreement. Uh again, we are truly pleased and excited and we are
appreciative of their hard work at the table. Uh we we want to thank you, the board, for your diligence and your leadership and your direction as we navigated these waters. Uh this provides that we have our battalion chiefs under
contract for last year and our rank and file under contract this year and we even have our teamsters. So, we have all of our unions under contract. Uh, with your ratification of this, I'll return it to the board uh for your uh
consideration. Staff respectfully recommends approval of the agreement and requests that the board of county commissioner authorize uh its chairman to sign the full agreement. And I do have Mike, Dave, and Suzanne here if you have any specific questions.
Well, thank you, county administrator, and um in in listening. I want you to know that I just want to reflect back to another recent meeting where it was pointed out about all of the conversations that took place or the the
commitment that took place, the trail to get us where we are. a very fair and fashionable agreement that was ratified and uh I certainly want to thank uh every individual that worked tirelessly
on this process. There were many meetings. We've had our own meetings and uh we had uh a collection uh of shade meetings uh and we also had a lot of negotiation time and decision making.
understanding, but more importantly, it was all about communication. And I want to say thank you to all who participated to get us where we are today. >> Mr. Chairman, well said.
Yes. I've you know since I did this in my previous career I've done this now since I've been a commissioner been involved on the other side and this is a this is really a a a good agreement
not only with the Kelly days which were probably the big thing but that's something that's needed and I think in the future you know we'll have to look at it at maybe doing something even more but right now those are way overdue and I think it's a it's a great thing. But
what really I I like is personally is the the paramedic incentive pay to go to school to help somebody pay for school because a lot of times you have these young people uh that they they they can afford part of it. They can't afford all of it. And the fact that that that we're
willing to do that and have an agreement with them if they do leave, you know, we we recoup our money, but the fact that we can we can expedite and help their training to get this done is is big. And I'm and I'm really really very very glad to see that because that is an art in
its own as we heard earlier today. So I I do too also want to thank Dave, Mike, Suzanne, Benton, John especially for for his expertise in this and making this move forward. So with that s I'll approve stack staff recommendation to
approve the contract between us and the IFF local 2201. We have a motion uh by Commissioner Airman, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? >> Mr. Chair, I would just add that when we
talk about collective bargaining, it's exactly what it is. We bargain collectively and that entails thorough communication and it also often times entails one side not getting everything they
want and one side being us not getting everything we want. But it's a very very proud day in Indian River County to have this resolved. We surge forward with the men and women that we recognize this morning. Thank you. You know, it's a
careful balance looking at what's available uh what has been allocated through taxpayer dollars. uh and then to negotiate with people that commit their lives to the service of the lives of
individuals uh that reside in the county. And I I think this uh agreement furthermore uh has a great appreciation for what the citizens can bear in order to have the
service that they desperately need and is provided. Uh, and again, we looked at earlier today the recognition of these individuals. They couldn't wait to get back to work. Thank you.
Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Then we'll move on to item 12 C which is 2026 any river county legislative
priorities. >> Good morning Kathy Copelan. >> Good morning for the record Kathy Copelan communications and legislative affairs manager. I'm here today to talk to you about Tallahassee, our annual update and
preparedness for the legislative session. And I will tell you that according to the committee weeks that we've had the past two weeks, uh it's going to be dominated by the budget and property tax. Um I think every headline
if you read it, uh property tax is front and center. And so I I'm I'm going to go through a presentation. And I put a lot of things in this slide presentation because we will post this on our website and I believe that our citizens will
benefit by having as much information as possible. I'd also like to be able to post some resources that the Florida Association of Counties has made available. They're not advocacy resources, but education resources. And I think as we go through the year um it
will help the citizens understand how what property tax funds and what it does not fund what services it does provide and what services it doesn't provide. And I think that will all public policy strong sustainable public policy is um
is best when the electorate is educated. So I would like to be able to do that if you have no objection. So, let me just go through here and give you kind of an update of where we are. I do want to also we have our Tallahassee team in the audience and they may have
to leave. So, I I want to introduce you to Kim Sugar and Alexis Kieran. They're with the Arrow Group. Uh we have a new team. We also have Ken Puit is still with us from P5. He's probably watching
online. Um, but then our Tallahassee team is amazing. So, I just um I appreciate y'all being here. >> I've included in your packet or you will get this um we've talked about this the legislative dates just so that you'll know the session does start in January
and it will go uh to March and the fact legislative day is January 21st. Uh we normally do participate in that. So, I just wanted to have that on your calendars. Am I supposed to be switching this? And you're I was thinking you were doing that. Okay. All
right. I want to say congratulations to Senator Boyd. He was just recently elected the Senate President. So he will be the Senate President-elect. And u of course we have Senator Albrittton who's really
still promoting his rural development and infrastructure um via the rural recon or renaissance initiative. It didn't get as much traction as he wanted last session, but I think he has not given up on that. So, he's going to be pursuing that this
year. Speaker Perez um has been very vocal on tax reform this year and recently we had um multiple bills um actually they were joint resolutions dropped and his primary goal this year I believe is to
put the tax reform to the voters. That's his priority. affordable housing, health care, property insurance remains to be on his list, but he is very definitely focusing on uh tax reform. And congratulations to Representative
Sam Garrison, who is the House Speaker Elect. He was quite emotional um during his speech. And I think it's kind of interesting that the legislature respects the diversity of our state. We have um a current speaker from Miami and
a house speaker elect from Klay County and there doesn't seem to be a lot of light between them in terms of philosophy. So, it's I think it's interesting. Uh Senator Gro continues to be a strong advocate for us and we will be meeting with her tomorrow after the delegation
meeting. Those are her committee assignments. Um we'll we talking to her about all of the these initiatives and we work with her staff all the time. They call here and with questions and we um help with the
constituencies that have inquiries about our process. Sometimes mostly it's permitting or and now and every now and then it's something uh to do with a service that we can give them some clarity on. Representative Brackett has new
committee assignments. So, congratulations to him on that. I also want to point out that he has recently dropped a bill HB 105. Um, that bill is I'm going to just give
you my summary of it. It's basically a direct message to local governments and that includes special districts about the permitting review process. and his message is that if when you're reviewing a permit
um that make sure that your review is tied to an ordinance or a statute and he doesn't want staff to exercise any liberties in the review and it gives the applicant if they decide to
take legal action attorney's fees. So that will be an interesting discussion. And then next in here is just our overarching guiding principles that we ask for you to approve every year just so that we have the guard rails. And of
course, county home rule, preemptive uh legislation. We we support home rule. We oppose preemptive legislation. We oppose unfunded mandates, although that doesn't our opposition doesn't seem to um carry a lot of weight sometimes,
but we continue to do that. uh the one-sizefits-all solutions. Um we're opposed to and we have a um obviously we support small county coalition and the Florida Association of Counties. We're very active and of course u we have all of
our we have uh Commissioner Adams that's very engaged and you all are sit on several of the committees. So, it's always helpful when you are at the policy meetings and you understand what the policies are that the association is supporting because sometimes the small
county coalition will be much more aligned to some things that are important to us because the Lord Association of Counties obviously has to represent not only the very very large counties but the small counties and so uh small county coalition does sometimes
tend to be a a voice for us. uh that we don't have other places. But both associations are very strong and we appreciate all of the resources that they provide for us. So I discussed this. I just wanted to
give you an idea of what just one of the resources is that the association offers. And this is just an information sheet that I'd like to put on the web page. And they also have a video. We will be working to develop some of our own more specific
information pieces so that we can make sure that Indian River County citizens understand uh property tax and any all the scenarios. And later down the road, if you all are interested in having any kind of workshop, some of the counties
are deciding to have a public workshop and take some of the scenarios that are being thrown out there and walk through what that might look like if it passed. Um, if you're interested in doing that, uh, we certainly can arrange for that.
So, here is just kind of an overview of the latest and this is as of Friday at noon that there were eight or so bills passed. Those are the joint resolutions. That's kind of an overview of what's in those. We do anticipate that there will
be quite a few more and the Senate has not really engaged yet. So this is just a what it looks like on the house side and there is a regular bill that was dropped HR 215. The joint resolutions um
are 207 209 211 and 213 for anyone out there that wants to keep track and look those up. So our priorities on the policy side our septic to sewer conversion. Y'all
had a very lively discussion with uh Howard and Sean Leki on septic to sewer and it was loud and clear that you want us to advocate for an extension of the 2030 deadline because it is not feasible in terms of financing or getting the
private side citizen to be able to afford to upgrade their system by 2030. However, we are working on flexibility in the language. Um, the grant side, I
will tell you the grant language we have tried with DP to get flexibility to use the dollars not just on the wastewater side but also on the water side. Um, and that has not been successful. So, we will have an appropriation for that. I'll talk about
that in a minute. But for this particular for the policy side, we are advocating for some help for the citizen, whether it be through a loan or a rebate. Um, there's a lot of different
options out there. Staff covered those for you at the last meeting. Um, so we will continue to push for that. Inmate medical is a bill, a local bill that we need to if you approve it, we will need
to get moving on that. Uh we've talked to Representative Brackett and he is willing to sponsor that bill and so we would need to ask for that tomorrow. That will tomorrow's meeting will count as a public hearing. And a local bill has much stricter
advertising requirements than a regular bill. So, we'll have to move quickly. But what in essence, I'll just switch over here so you can see this. In essence, what a local bill will do for us is put a cap on the services provided
to off-site medical. It will also prohibit the local health care providers from creating a monopoly, a monopoly because of their proximity. So, it basically keeps all of the health care costs in check and will hopefully save
money in in the process. SB 180, as you might remember, last session was kind of termed as the hurricane relief bill, but it had some pretty significant un unending consequences. We've met across
departments. Uh Susan Praau has been we've been working together quite a bit. Um we do have some issues with this bill, but we're not the only ones. The statewide there's a lot of people objecting to many of the provisions in this bill. So we are
hoping to um advocate for some changes. One bill has already been filed, but we anticipate there will be many many more. Um the senator Diggley has said that he
understands that it needs some changes and some review. I don't know what's going to happen on on on the House side necessarily, but we do believe that it may not be a full-blown glitch bill, but there will be some relief because there are some provisions in this bill that
prohibit us from meeting meeting other statutory requirements specifically related to comp plan amendments and department of commerce is is interpreting it pretty broadly. So then of course on the other side um
the last policy thing that we really are going to make sure that we're advocating for is the fully funding of all state grant programs staff. Over the last couple of years legislature sent a message pretty strong that in in lie of appropriation requests they would like
to see us exercise grant applications and our staff has done amazing. Uh utilities has quite a few of them in the hopper right now. So, we're hoping to hear something positive. These are just
these are here every year. I have them here so that you can bless them and um and and they're also educational when we post this. So, I'm just going to breeze through these. Um did I skip appropriations? Oh, okay. So, on appropriations, our
priorities are subject to sewer. We have a grant for Exora Park and Orchid Island Estates project that we received, but like I was alluding to earlier, the language does not allow us to use those grant dollars for the
public water side connection. We had multiple conversations with D and the language is in the statute just doesn't allow them to afford that opportunity, but they said that they were comfortable with us requesting appropriations for
that. So, here we are. We are going to request dollars for Exora Park and Orchid Island Estates Project. We're also going to ask for I I hate to call it a matching fund um appropriation, but something to
demonstrate that there is state support for the Felsmere Public Library Community Resource Center. As you will recall, Congressman Herodopoulos was able to get a houseside earmark. We're we're hearing that that's pretty secure even though they have made cuts to other
areas. Um we're hoping that that does go through and we're going to request the state legislature to do the same and I'm happy to report and commissioner Adams feel free to jump in there but uh Felsmere city of Felsmere has um decided that they are going to secure
land and that would be an inkind donation or an inkind contribution to this overall initiative. This is a long-term initiative and I I want to temper everybody's expectations, but I think it's much needed. It's got a lot of attention and it's got it has a lot
of value in terms of bringing resources into an area that really doesn't have resources available. So, um we're going to continue to knock at the door and hopefully long term we'll be able to fund it. And then I'm also with your blessing
kind of looking at an an Indian River Lagoon community pilot project or a septic disser citizen project and we still have time to get appropriation requests in albeit not a whole lot of time but we have been having discussions
and there is some interest in this. Um, perhaps we could do something with a nonprofit that owns property along the Indian River Lagoon and maybe put in a a native plant barrier that would have phosphorus and nitrogen uptake uh to
give us maybe some credits for BMAPs. um over time, well last year, very recently actually, uh natural resources has been working with the Ark to build oyster mats for docks. And that's another opportunity. It's not
something I think we really need to ask an appropriation for because it doesn't cost a lot of money, but it does bring significant awareness. I do think that a barrier, a native barrier shoreline would buffer would
be significant in terms of the benefits to the um the overall water quality of the lagoon. And then absent that, I still want to do bio swelles somewhere in the county, but we're not quite there yet. Um I think there's some maintenance issues to that, but at some point I
really would like to see us do some kind of initiative that way because um it really helps with the the um storm water flow into the lagoon. And it's a way to also bring awareness to the need for all of the ditches and the canals in the
county. Um not to be dumping grounds, but to be um that people know that those are channels. There are ways for us to get water off of their property, clean it up as it travels through before it gets to the lagoon. So, I'm really
working with trying to talk with other partners to see if there's a way that we can um expand some of the things that we're doing. And then finally, I want to just put on your radar, as I do all the time, the federal issues that we're monitoring.
Even though we don't have a full-blown federal um initiative, I it's important for us to track these issues because they do have an impact on on us as a county. Um they have an impact statewide. The FEMA Reform Act will
impact most well it will impact everybody but obviously Florida and all of the states that um Texas, Louisiana next to the coastline it's going to be significant. We always monitor WERA um the NFIP
you're familiar with the lead pipe inventory that's been going on. We're in, you know, couple of years now doing the inventory for that and luckily we have not found any in Indian River County. Um, but at the federal level, PAS is still or PAS, however you want to
say it, is still an issue. Uh, the regulations are going to require us to do some monitoring and all of those things are expensive. And in addition to that, the federal government is talking about reducing the SRF funding, uh, state
revolving funds, which funds the infrastructure that helps rectify whatever they're going to do in terms of regulation. So, it's important for us, there's a lot of different scenarios, but I think it's important for us to monitor what's going on there
because once it passes, a couple of years later, it's really hitting us. So it gives us an idea of how to plan for our needs here. And the big beautiful bill has not been as impactful to the state of Florida as it has been to other states, but it still has a significant
impact. And so Florida Association of Counties is working with the inner govs um all all of us all over the state to assess that impact and determine what that means for us long term. So, at this time, I would like for you
to approve the recommendation is to authorize us to continue forward as I've outlined with our priorities and then authorize staff to take the necessary steps to present the local bill regarding compensation for health care services for inmates in Indian River
County at the 2026 Indian River County delegation meeting and to move forward with the advertising requirements for the filing of a local bill. and I'll have be happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you, K. Um, and again, as a reminder, the legislative uh day is
when? >> The 21st. Did I say >> tomorrow? >> Tomorrow. >> It's tomorrow morning. >> Oh, the legislative delegation is tomorrow. I'm sorry. I thought you were talking back legislative day. Yes, >> the legislative delegation is tomorrow. It It'll be right here. 9:00 a.m.
>> in this room. 9 to 12 a.m. >> and we'll have an opportunity and >> county administrator will be speaking public as well. >> Just need to register >> and we'll have it it'll be set up just like this. It'll be recorded and shared
>> just as a reminder. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Does anybody have anything >> for Kathy regarding this? >> I would I do have a few comments if it's okay. Um, first I want to thank um, Representative Brackett for agreeing to
sponsor the inmate medical um, bill. He's been very supportive of that. And just for my fellow commissioners, this is something that St. Lucy and Martin County have also done in the past and it will help um, control those costs and and protect us moving forward in that
regard. Um, so I'm I'm very pleased that this is on our agenda for this year. Um, Senate Bill 180, as you guys know, that will um, at the legislative lunchon, there was some discussion around that. There's been a lot of work and a lot of discussion across the state about
unintended consequences associated with that. Um, Manatee County has been very ad uh, very much advocating. Um, in fact, they spent um the uh week last week up in Tallahassee um advocating on a different a couple of different
things, but Senate Bill 180 was one of their main discussion points. Um the bill the original bill sponsor has acknowledged some of those unintended consequences and I think this is a great example of one of those fix bills. you know, you try to solve a problem. Um,
and sometimes if you paint it with too wide a brush, you create more problems in the interim. So, it's not often that the legislature acknowledges some of those um I don't want to say it was a mistake, but some of those unintended
consequences and has discussions around how to fix that and kind of commits to those conversations. And I know um you've heard our local delegation even speak about the need to kind of tweak that. Uh so I would just ask my fellow
commissioners to either stay engaged on in those conversations or allow staff to be actively involved in advocating. Uh because right now the state association of counties is asking for information um to compile, you know, suggested language
and and that type of thing like what are we seeing in our county? Um, and what we're seeing is not necessarily the same thing that PK County or Manatee County is seeing, but it's all um adds to how we're going to craft the language to kind of present um and be part of that
fix because I think that's always one of the struggles is having the local governments be part of of crafting what that looks like. Um the boots on the ground being part of that conversation. So, it's it's really important um to see
that move forward. Um I will I do also want to take the opportunity just to thank the city of Felsmere um for the library and community resource center. they came um and met uh with us to see what the needs were uh related to
Heridopoulos's um appropriation um and and look at property um in that that area. They have identified as a city council um some property and have committed to um doing that as an inind
uh which we're very thankful for uh the swiftness with which they moved but also with um the location and the size of that property. Um it's approximately 10 acres uh which will give us um plenty of room to kind of utilize that resource
center as a tree resource center and a library and um a couple of other things from an emergency management staging perspective which um is vastly needed in the western part of the county. So I just want to thank them. And then lastly, I know um Kathy mentioned we
don't really engage that much on a federal level. Um but one of the things that we are seeing a huge conversation around right now at NAO, which is the National Association of Counties, is the FEMA reform act. It's it's hugely
impactful to well all states, but it's very much impactful to Florida um and some of our GF Coast neighbors. So that GF coast coalition is working and having a lot of conversations about that. It's it's a big um it's a big topic of
conversation that we're following and so I appreciate the fact that that's on the list of cur of course word and PAS is also something um at the national level you end up with a lot of acronyms so um it sounds cooler than what it is
sometimes but I appreciate us us being engaged in that because we don't see the impacts of some of the federal legislation as quickly as we do the state legislation but what it does impact is the availability of dollars coming to the state and then that trickles down to us. And by trickle I
mean it kind of dries up. It doesn't necessarily trickle because they're cutting those dollars back. So we do need to continue to be engaged and follow what is going on on a national level from that perspective. It's very important to our future funding because we will start seeing that in the next
coming years. Um but other than that, I really appreciate the inmate medical and the quickness um with which uh Representative Brackett has agreed and has been working with staff on language. Um so, you know, great job Kathy and um
always appreciate how well you represent us in Tallahassee um and with our congressmen um and senators in DC. You have a great working relationship with them that I think um a lot of other counties don't necessarily have. and it has been very fruitful for us. So, thank
you for that. >> Thank you. And on the Senate, um the local bill, the inmate medical bill, you are correct. St. Lucy and Martin County did both do a local bill. We have um modeled ours after Martin County because
they added transportation and they uh refined it a little bit more. Plus, their county is more is similar to ours. And so we looked at both, but we did model it after Martin County. >> And I would also just like to add that what we're asking for is exactly what
the state has, the Florida Department of Corrections. So we're not like going outside the rails asking for something unique. We're asking for some to make sure that we're protected because we have, as people have said, we have limited resources in terms of for
off-site, you know, inmate medical services. And actually that is what both St. Lucy and Martin County did is just let it uh that whatever goes to the correctional uh facilities is mimicked in the counties. So it makes sense.
>> Um just as a followup I'm real quick, Mr. Chair, to um on the property tax issue for those commissioners that are planning to attend the legislative conference. Um there will be a big discussion on property tax, what it
looks like. I mean, it's it's ever changing. Um, as Kathy mentioned, the Senate has not weighed in >> on what they want to do, and whatever comes out of the legislators will have to be a combined effort of the two. So,
the House has kind of taken the lead. The Senate is, I think, sitting back and kind of monitoring and seeing where they want to go with it. Uh, but we will have a big discussion at conference. Um the association has created a property task
a property tax task force. Um I do sit on that. Um so I will be happy to bring back as much information as possible to share with you guys but also with our staff. We are going to need to stay engaged on that. Um nobody really knows
where it's going to end up and what direction. there's just a lot of different ideas and a lot of different paths to get to the result um that they're looking for. So, I think it's really going to be important for us to uh communicate not only with the state
but also um educate our uh residents on on what's going on there. So, um just FYI on that. If you guys are planning to go, I would highly encourage you to sit in on that uh discussion whether it's your policy committee or not. But I also
want to thank all the commissioners um for participating in that pol in those policy committees and being part of those conversations. It's really impressive to see um all of you guys representing Indian County on different policy committees. Um not every county
has all their commissioners as part of that. So, thank you guys for for doing that. Thank you. >> Mr. Chair, I'll just add with respect to the inbate medical um keep in mind that our representatives have a finite amount
of bills that they can sponsor. Um I think it's eight. So we should be very proud of Representative Bracketti and ultimately will save these taxpayers dollars. I yield my time, sir. >> Thank you.
Anything further? How about a a motion to approve the legislative priorities and so we can go forward. >> So moved including the local bill. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Adams,
second by Commissioner Moss. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Mark of a good presentation. >> Thank you. And Mr. Mr. Chairman, if I could just say a big thank you to staff.
Um, the legislative process is chaotic and I want to say Office of Council and so many different departments as at the end of last legislative session, we went through and scrubbed the bills to make sure that we were in compliance.
And I'll be happy to say that we are. and we still look and and there's some refinements that we still need to do and we may need to bring an ordinance or two back, but for the most part we we're working very well together. And as we move forward um it's going to be
important that all the departments have um an opportunity to comment on bills as they come in. But a lot of times people ask for us to crunch numbers in a in a hurry so that our legislators understand what the impact is to our county and that takes them off as something else
that they're doing. So I just want to in advance say thank you and let you know that people really truly do participate in the legislative process even though you don't see it all the time that they we have a great team. So thank you very much.
>> Thank you. Well, before we get to the next item, I'm being urged for a uh brief break. So, we're going to take a fiveminute recess. Thank you. I don't I don't know you. We Well, now we resume it back to order.
Uh and we'll begin with natural resources the item 13F1 which is award for bid for 2025060 sector 5 hurricane Ian and Nicole beach and June restoration project.
>> Good morning commissioners. Quinc >> your coastal resource manager in the natural resources department. Uh today I've got a presentation for you um for on our sector 5 upcoming sector 5 project. Um so I've actually got two presentations. I've got two items back
to back. So I'm going to give first a presentation on the award of bid and then I'll I can go right into the construction oversight work order after you uh uh vote on the award of bid. So um sector 5 was impacted by hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Um kind of I'm going to
step back here a minute. Why are why do we do beach reourishment? Why do we do beach management? Beaches are really important for what I'd say say to folks is three important aspects. One is that it protects the beach and dune system protects upland infrastructure. Not only
do we have public parks and public infrastructure there, but there's public infrastructure right behind all the private properties, A1A, utility lines, power lines, that's all important. Number two, number the number two reason we do uh beach beach management
strategies is that um it is the beaches is a economic engine. We have a lot of tourism. A lot of people move here for the beaches. And then number three um is that the the beaches serve as c crucial habitat for marine life such as sea turtles.
So back in 2022, we had hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Hurricane Ian produced 11 foot wave heights offshore and Hurricane Nicole produced 19 foot wave heights offshore. According to our posttorm engineering report, Sector 5 experienced
an average dune retreat of 19.4 ft. Um this project is to address some of those those damages. So here are some photos right after the hurricanes. We've got Ocean Club 1, two, and three, a condominium. You can see here that there's some patios that fell into the
onto the beach after the the erosion. Um you also have track on the lower the lower corner you have tracking station beach park. We had infrastructure dune crossovers that were damaged um have since been repaired and then also the the con beach boardwalk that is a hot
spot in our sector 5 area. So just to recap some you know reason why this project is is occurring at this time. For those that don't know, sector 5 is located in the city of Vero Beach and a a little bit into Indian River Shores.
The project area is about 3.1 miles long. This project is designed to place about 153,000 cubic yards. That's equivalent to about um 49 Olympic size swimming pools. The this project is also going to receive native salt tolerant
dune plants um above, you know, more than 100,000 plants to be installed on top of the dune. Um it's important to note too that the repaired dune height is not going to exceed the pre-torm elevation. Um the dune and beach is going to extend just a bit in towards
the water towards the east. So you can see here on the map I've provided um some of the major landmarks that people are familiar with. tracking station in the north and Rioar beach access to the south. We had um we advertised the project on
September 3rd. We had bid opening on October 6th and we were lucky enough to have six biders submit um competitive bids. County staff and consultants performed the review of the bid submitts. Um you can see here that um
there was a good grouping in the price. We didn't have too much of a spread. Uh we feel confident about this. Um touch on the funding a bit. Awarded the countyy's been awarded total over $3 million in potential reimbursement
funding through FEMA FDEM and FD. You can see the breakdown there with the FEMA FDM grants and the FD grant the county received. The county share is estimated to be a little above u $3.3 million. It's important to note too that
the local funding for beach restoration and all of beach management is provided by a portion of the tourist development tax. That's not the general fund. That is a different revenue. And D is currently reviewing an additional grant request submitted by the county. So there is there's a uh
some potential for additional funding. To touch upon the project timeline, we are anticipating starting construction next month if this is approved. And the construction will be wrapped up in April. Um we are not allowed to continue into May because that is the bulk uh
nesting uh bulk sea turtle nesting activity will happen in the summer months. And then it's al also important to note too that we will have post construction monitoring after the project is complete. Um something that we did with the last beach reourment project that we're continuing
forward with as well is a no work schedule. So around the holidays, you can see here between November 26th and 30th, there will be no work as as well as December 24th to January 2nd. Um that will um I think go over well with our
our community. So, uh, staff's recommendation that the sector 5 hurricanes Ian and Nicole and Beach and Dune restoration project be awarded to Gutler Brothers Construction in the amount of 6,552
and request that the board of county commissioners approve the sample agreement and authorize the chairman to execute set agreement after review and approval of the agreement by the county attorney as to form of legal sufficiency and after receipt and approval of the require. required public construction bond and insurance. With that, any
questions on the award of bid? >> Are there any questions? Commissioner, >> Mr. chairman, this uh this got presented to the beach and shore also and beach and shore of course went went along with thought was a great
idea and I must say I attribute a lot of this ease of this process with because of our staff um Quinton Eric Kylie and the crew they're they're known statewide for what
they do and and how they do it and the fact that we got this many biders this time and actually came under what was estimated of the cost a little bit right >> on this and that that's a that's a positive note too. So um I just can't tell you how great I am for staff and
what they do and uh with that I would move approval for staff's recommendation. >> Well certainly eager to sign this. So sounds like we have a motion in a second. Um, any
further discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Wait, you got a 5. >> There we go. >> I will note too, uh, Commissioner Earman that our engineering estimate for this project was between 7.5 and 8.5 million.
So, it was a very good uh, aspect that we got a bid in under under our estimated value. Well, Quinton, uh, you just received a very nice compliment bestowed by our beach and shores commissioner. Um, and
I'll echo that as well. Uh, but you just got another recent compliment and that's from uh, Congressman Mike Haropoulos. So apparently the uh walk on the beach and the understanding that was uh given
about our beaches uh was rather significant. So much so that uh he gave a call the other night and we talked a little bit and he is very concerned about the future of
the beaches. And in his concern, he asked how much how much depletion did you incur during the recent storms even though we had nothing on land? Uh he uh
said um I I trust the beaches got hit. I advise him that the the full report and assessment had been delayed due to the weather. Uh but uh if that's uh fully available uh Congressman Herodopoulos uh
would like to have that information as well. Certainly very interested. >> Yeah, we can certainly send that to him. >> Is and the full report is ready. >> We did a beach observation report where staff goes out and get we capture before
photos and after photos and do a an preliminary assessment on the amount of erosion. we that the results of that report show that we had minor uh beach and dune erosion as expected. So the project performed as anticipated. The
the dune was chewed up a little bit but nothing um catastrophic, nothing that would require us to do any emergency sand placement after the passing of Hurricane Alda uh tied in with the king tides at the same time. And that's what I told him uh pre uh as a preliminary
but uh if we have any further information if he wants to help. I also invited him to many of our subject to sewer challenges but uh let's address the beach first. >> Wonderful. >> And let's Mr. Chair have a good
>> Yes. >> might as well take the time talk about something good. let them know about the turtles, how well we did on the turtles so far this year since we're coming up to the end of it. I know you'll have a final count, but >> certainly certainly. So, October is a is a great month for us because it marks
the end of the nesting season. Um October 31st. This year that we had a record-breaking season. So, in 2023, the green sea turtle set a new record and that was broken by a few hundred nests this season, which is great to see. Um,
and we believe we sent out some press releases on it and a couple of the uh local media outlets picked up the story and and helped spread the word about the good news. >> Thank you. >> All right. Now, we have another one
coming up. >> Yes. The next item is 13F2 which is work order number 20118029 sub14 uh which is the sector five hurricanes
Ian and Nicole beach dune restoration project and construction administration. >> Yes, thank you. Um this next item is contingent on the first. So we wanted to put them together that way um if one did
not pass the other would not pass as well. So this is the construction oversight work order through um uh APTIM uh environmental protection. So the um sector 5 project requires strict adherence with numerous permit
requirements. These pro these projects are permitted through the D as well as the army corps. quite substantial permits. If you ever want some reading, the proposed work order from Aptim is provides professional engineering services in support of construction administration and construction
oversight during this project. The recommendation um is that the BCC authorize work order number 201829-14 in the total lumpsum amount of $412,63055.
Additionally, staff recommends that BCC authorize the chairman to execute work order number 14 after review and approval of the agreement by the county attorney as to form and legal sufficiency. And with that, any questions on the construction oversight
work order? >> Any questions of Quinton? Recommendation. Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? Shooting for 5. All in favor?
>> Opposed? >> Thank Thank you, commissioners. >> Excellent. Thank you. Next item. Item 13H2 is environmental land acquisition status update regarding the purchase contract of Winter Beach
73rd. Good morning. >> Well, it wouldn't be complete without the dynamic duo. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, commissioners. Thank you. So today's uh items under departmental items for parks,
recreation, conservation include two more uh basicallyformational presentations on two parcels that have made their way through um our process. So we will open up our presentation and go through uh some of the information uh
in terms of the basics of the bond referendum. And I like to do this. I realize you guys have heard this 15 gazillion times, but I always recognize that there may be um members of the public who are new to our community or in the audience uh who may or may not
have this basic information. So, uh in 2022, the bond uh was approved by the voters for $50 million. Uh this uh bond is specifically allocated to purchase environmentally significant land. Unlike our first two bond referendums, the
second one included historically signific significant parcels. Uh this bond does not do that. So the merit of acquisition and ranking is based solely on uh the environmental uh nature of the properties.
Uh the environmental land acquisition panel uh ranks each of the properties based on uh qualitative and uh quantitative factors that are shown here. And I won't go into too much detail. We would encourage anyone who has questions to reach out to our office so that we can explain that process and
how they may uh be able to participate in nominating parcels that are important to them or that they feel should uh be acquired under this program. This is just a sample of the scoring matrix. Tonight we will be meeting with the ELAP to uh rank our uh period
nomination period three properties. And this is the form that everyone fills out. they have a weighted ranking uh criteria based on the different factors that were on the previous slide. So, uh we're going to go over two different properties today. Uh there's
no action on your behalf, but this provides uh everyone an uh ability to understand the different properties that are being considered uh for approval. We'll be bringing those back on November in the November board meetings uh to move forward with contract purchases.
and I will turn it over to Wendy and navigate the slideshow. >> Thanks, Beth. Um, so the first parcel that we want to talk to you about is located on Jungle Trail, which um is obviously a nationally registered road in this county, one of the few in the
state. Uh it's a very um interesting parcel in that it looks very similar to what we started with at Jones's Pier Conservation Area. If you look on the 1943 arrow, you can see it was primarily citrus at that point. One of the important aspects of this nomination is
the northern boundary abuts the Captain Forester hammock preserve and the parcel is 19.6 acres in size. You can see on the um fly over that we're going to do here. Uh to the right is the existing subdivision um that shares a road when
this was originally planned to be developed as a residential property. You can see that the parcel's been primarily cleared and is now consisting mostly of um grassy areas. So, we're going to turn the bend here and you're going to see Captain Forester, which is our lovely
hammock preserve, one of the few remaining maritime hammocks under public ownership in the county. And that would be the um parking area for Captain Forester right there. And then we come back around. Sorry, I'm getting kind of dizzy here as we zip along at the speed
of light. Um so this site affords a lot of unique opportunities similar to as I mentioned um Jones's Pier. So currently the site is zoned as RS3 which is um three units per acre for
residential development. Next slide. Um and pursuant to the bond referendum we have to solicit two appraisals. Those appraisals were um solicited. We had one for 5.655 655 and
one for 5 million. Based on negotiations with our bond consultant, a price was agreed upon at 5.85 million, which is about 3% above the um highest appraisal. And this will be brought to the board for final consideration, as Beth
mentioned, on November 4th. The environmental lands acquisition panel is going to review those appraisals and provide us feedback tonight hopefully on their um consideration of the appraisals as well as the agreement. Um and then as I
mentioned this will be brought back before the commission and then we would if it's approved by the commission then we would enter into the due diligence period if acquired. the proposed use of the property is for um public recreation. Prior to the conversion of a citrus
grove, as I mentioned um in the previous proposals that we brought before you, a lot of these areas were herbaceous salt marsh, which is a community um a a natural community in our county that is very diminishing. So, one of the highlights of this particular parcel as
we're showing you a view of Jones's Pier is that we have a similar opportunity to create some herbaceous wetlands and also um hopefully alleviate some of the flooding issues that we have at Captain Forester. So, why is it so important to create
herbaceous salt marsh? I think I've mentioned this before, but for those of um the community that haven't understood a little bit of that, um back in the 40s and 50s, most of this salt marsh was created um was impounded and turned into mangrove wetlands. So, our ability to
restore that herbaceous salt marsh is really important. It provides the opportunity for us to create wetlands that can remove nutrients from the lagoon and provide all that amazing habitat and also provide a resilient project that will withstand a lot of changing environmental conditions. Um,
Salt Marsh is one of the easiest communities for us to create and manage. And it, as we've seen at Jones's Pier, provides amazing habitat. So, now we're going to move into um the next nomination, which is the parcel on Winter Beach 73rd. These aerials also
show the existing land use. Um, for aerial nerds like me, the 1943 aerial shows you that very light gray signature, that is salt marsh. That is herbaceous grassy wetlands. So, you can see when you compare that to the 2004
aerial, that area once it became impounded is now mangrove. Um, and the larger sort of circular area you see that's dominated by Australian pine. So there's a lot of opportunity for restoration on this particular site as well. This is a tier one property that's
located on the south side of 73rd Street. It's approximately 36.99 acres in size. Uh the current current zoning is RS3, which is three residential units per acre. To the west of this site, GHO Homes has purchased um almost the
balance of that entire area through to US1. So it was um viewed as pretty important that this site get conserved as there is um pending development to the west. Uh there are jurisdictional wetlands which obviously affect the appraised value of that parcel. However,
in consideration through the appraisal process um sometimes they can look at that as a a value in terms of increasing the overall density calculations for the site for development. So, as we fly over this site, you're seeing the mangrove empoundment and that
area that's sort of the dark sliver would um be a trail that we could um convert into a public access trail similar to Lagoon Greenway. And then as you fly over, you're going to see a lot of the hammock area that um could be restored and we could put some
additional wildlife trails in there and affords an area for um parking and possibly picnicking area. as we go zipping across the lagoon here, that is hole in the wall island that you see. Um, so certainly if we do something such as put in a kayak launch or some sort of
recreational amenity like that, there would be nearby areas for hiking. This is an overall view. As you can see, the parcel and the land to the south of this um is owned by the water management district. It is not in conservation, but it is um in public ownership.
So, similar to the other parcel, two appraisals were completed here. We had one come back at 1.455 million and the other appraisal come back at 1.64 million. Um, the consultant was able to successfully negotiate a contract with
the owner for 1.59 million, which is in between the two appraisals. Um, per the guidelines, we have public noticed this um, appraisal and we will be bringing this back to the board at the November 18th meeting for consideration um, of the agreement.
So, as with the other parcel, we're going to be presenting this at the ELAP meeting tonight to solicit their feedback and let you know um, their consideration in terms of their support for the project. and we will bring you back their feedback at the November 18th
meeting. Uh should the board approve the exec execution of the agreement at that 18th meeting, there will be a 60-day due diligence period where we can obviously investigate the property to make sure that there's no >> um incumbrances or or issues on the site
that would prevent the county from using it for its intended purpose. Um upon completion of the due diligence period, the county is required to complete the closing within 60 days. Um and we will at that point bring back the due diligence um information as well as a
conceptual plan for the board to consider um in terms of entering to purchase the property in a final status. So for these restoration projects, um, similar to what I mentioned on Jungle Trail, this site, um, we've already been
approached by the water management district to they they're very interested in these lagoon front properties that have mosquito empoundments. Um, similar to the South Oslo project that you have um, approved. they would like to enhance wetlands and one of the enhancement
opportunities would be to reconnect that empoundment um more effectively to um make those mangroves function at a higher level. So if the property were acquired then we would be looking at um the passive recreation opportunities in
terms of trails and picnicking areas and possible kayak um launches and things like that. And we would also be strongly looking at the habitat enhancement opportunities in particular with leveraging that funding and also looking at those uplands on the site. It's not a
very lovely picture on the left, but that um is a a hammock area that um those also are diminishing resources in our county. So the ability to recreate hammock is an important component of this project. So similarly that we mentioned um
herbaceous salt march is a diminishing resource because it was impounded. We showed you the example of how that happens. Even though this won't be necessarily um herbaceous salt marsh, the reconnection of that project as I mentioned can be similar to South Oslo
where um the removal of the burm down there is completely reconnecting that empoundment which is really going to enhance fisheries and provide a significant amount of um wildlife benefit. That also drives the biodiversity aspects. Um, the more types of communities you have, both upland and
wetland on a site, the higher your biodiversity is, the more species basically that can utilize an area because there's habitat present. Mangro Whoops. >> Oh, sorry. >> Mangro mangroves, similar to every wetland community, um, also provide um,
a strong component for filtration of pollutants and removing lagoon from um, nutrients from lagoon waters. Um and they also provide really critical nursery habitat for fisheries and invertebrates. Um so this project will be um as all the lagoon fund projects
looked at from a resiliency perspective. There's this huge amount of funding for resilient um projects. So we will be looking towards how can we maximize our ability to leverage that funding and also create a project that's going to withstand the test of time considering
changing conditions along the lagoon. Um, and then as I mentioned, providing that restoration component for the uplands is really important. Those uplands not only serve a habitat function for wildlife, but they also provide a really critical buffer to the lagoon. And considering the adjacent
development that's proposed to the west for this particular parcel, that's pretty important. So, potential recreation opportunities, uh, nature trails, wetland overlooks, kayak launching, wildlife viewing. Um we have a very robust environmental
education and v volunteer program at this point and we would certainly expand that to include both of these properties. Um I think for the jungle club um property in particular linking that to Captain Forester in a meaningful way which um as you know Captain
Forester is owned by the state but the county manages that property. We have a lot of issues on Captain Forester um relative to flooding and also um expanding that amenity to link those two properties and provide um the maritime hammock aspect as well as the created
salt marsh um and all of that I think would provide a really unique opportunity for the public. So consistency with the environmental bond um both of these projects um do have development plans in place. So eliminating that potential for
development adjacent to the lagoon is a very critical factor. Um obviously creating habitat adjacent to the lagoon for wildlife um on a property that really has been not managed effectively in both cases um will bring back some
additional habitat and biodiversity. Both properties have the potential for having some form of water quality improvement for the lagoon. Uh we discussed the resiliency nature of both of these sites and certainly that is a strong consideration with the potential
funding sources. And then um very important to all of our acquisitions is the opportunity to construct public access improvements for the people that live in this county so they can really enjoy these areas. With that, if you have any questions.
Okay, >> these are other than and of course >> you know I've listed all the conversations these are two awesome properties because they're they're lagoon front oriented
which is like Wendy just said if if we don't do something they're going to get developed by somebody and u it's just it's nothing but positive on this returns I mean my my only thing is they can't get started quick enough on doing with it even after we buy it. You know,
I wish we could get moving faster, but but uh yeah, so so far we've I think we batted a thousand with Elap. I think as we get a little over on the list, we'll be more conversation, but I think these are slam dunks. Does anybody have questions about the
process that we're going into now as we're starting to switch from um focused on our tier one uh nomination period one parcels to our uh now that we're in the third the third ranking. So we're going to be discussing that tonight. So I'd
encourage any members of the public that are interested in following this to come to the ELAP meeting so that you can really understand h the process of deliberation uh which is is very informative in my opinion because you're really understanding from each of the
perspectives. The members of the ELAP were selected u and and established by the board to do the due diligence from different perspectives. So from a real estate from natural uh habitat or ecology land management perspective etc. And so it's a really healthy process and
the dialogue I think is very um interesting but it's also very sound in the way that these decisions are made and um as we're moving into this process you know these are kind of unchartered territories because we've not used a tiered system before and so our
expectation is that the tiering can be reconsidered at any time by the elap uh not necessarily the ranking because a ranking is done but we have a a lot of movement happening between properties where we do not have a willing seller to
properties where we now have a willing seller. And so that changes the landscape. And so the process with the ELAP because we meet on a monthly basis is very dynamic and it's shifting, but it's also very structured. And so I'm really proud of the way that uh the the
process has been developed and and you've uh led that uh charge you know in terms of how it was established having a smaller ELAP as compared to before when we had the larger lab committee uh has been working I think really really well
and uh we have a couple properties now where there were no willing seller for instance uh we have uh hopefully the roued we're going to find out about a an easement today as to whether or not there's a shift from a willing seller to uh or from non-willing seller to a
willing seller. And so that changes the landscape. And while we're at the beginning of this process, the $50 million is limited. And as you can see as we're starting to get in uh before we were talking about the fair market value or the tax assessed value, those are not
really reflective in when you compare all the properties together, but those we knew were not going to be the numbers that were going to come back on the appraisals. So now that we're starting to see the appraised values come back, uh we're also going to be entering into the territory of negotiating the
conservation easements. And what's really important, I think, at during this third bond referendum is that as we're considering those conservation easements that we're really protecting the uh public's right to the easement. And that's something just from this uh
conference that I went to when we're doing things for 30 years, 50 years, 99 years in perpetuity, we have to think beyond the horizon that we can currently see. And that's a challenge and can be very difficult. And so for conservation aments in particular, we're using public
money to protect land that's privately um being used and managed. And so we're thinking really hard about trying to push our vision beyond the horizon that we can see now. And I think that looking at some of the older HCPs, for instance,
um has given me some insight to what that might mean. And so I'm really excited about the next phases and really encouraging the public to participate and be involved and think about how this impacts them. And then the larger scope
u one of the uh speakers earlier from the public had mentioned you know um growth and development and I think the county's done a really great job of building in sustainability. The the voters have approved the bond which supports that. So as development maybe
is occurring, we're also buying conservation land and that's why the public's involvement is really critical. Uh we have some parcels like Hobart scrub that all of you have seen on social media, etc. It has a large gopher tortoise population. We're going to be discussing that property tonight. So
there are avenues and mechanisms for the public to be engaged and involved. Unfortunately, I don't think that we've seen the engagement and involvement that I would have liked. So we know that generally people support environmental lands and acquisition of those lands,
but we don't know which ones are important to them because the participation has been to date fairly low. So I can only encourage people to really be involved. Uh we're going to be talking about uh tonight possibly staff involvement in terms of mentioning some
of the beachfront parcels. Quinton was just talking to you guys and uh coastal. there are some coastal concerns and there's some opportunity to protect um parcels that are ecologically significant and also very vulnerable to uh to damage etc. So we're going to be
talking to the ELAP about that and then as we end the five years of our uh scrub JHCP there are parcels still that are undeveloped in the Sebastian Highlands. So, we're going to talk a little bit with the ELAP tonight about uh how they would receive staff input for those two
uh areas because there's some technical uh background that we have that maybe the public doesn't have to be able to suggest or recommend uh looking at some of these other parcels that we're quite frankly not getting in nominations. So, but I'm sorry. I'm happy to answer any
questions that you might have. Also, >> I just wanted to follow up really quickly too. We will be bringing back the ELAB list like we did last time. So, at one of the next two meetings, you'll be able to see how those properties were ranked and if there's any, you know, questions or comments at that point. And
it's interesting because we're not just doing period 2 and three tonight. We're also meshing in the remains of what was done in period one. So, the list will be a kind of a combined list and it's worked very well so far. So, anyway,
thank you for your time. Well, thank you. Uh we have a lot of properties that are in contention or consideration and uh we look forward to the response back from ELAP which is tonight and uh
we'll be hopefully we'll be seeing this property once again. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much. Great presentation. We'll now move on to the uh county attorney matters. uh which is item 14A, the sale of the
property of 8811 A1A to Sea Oaks Property Owners Association Incorporated. >> Good morning, commissioners. We are back for hopefully our final hearing on the Sea Oaks property. It's been a little while, but I think we've got it all sorted. And so, we are here today with
the contract to sell the remaining piece of property to Sea Oaks. I believe they have representatives and some of them are here for $859,000 $859,700. That price represents a departure from the appraisals. But the reason for that,
as we have discussed at previous meetings, is there's quite a lot of work that needs to be done as far as removing some of the objects that were there for when it was a sewer plant. And Seols has agreed to take on that responsibility. And so after negotiations with them back and forth also based upon the easement that we've already sold that restricts
some of the use of parts of the property, we agreed that that was a fair price through the county administrator and through our negotiation team that it was a fair price to them and for us and it worked out with a deal that we were all happy with. And so at this time county staff is recommending that we approve the sale of the land to Sea Oaks
to allow them to enter due diligence and do all the work they need to do. And we have n they have 90 days to do that and then we would close shortly thereafter hopefully if all goes well. I don't know if Mr. Bquette or anybody wants to add anything to that. >> Councelor, >> thank you, Mr. Chairman. Bruce Barkhead
representing CEOs. I just want to say thank you to Mr. Tatanic and to uh to Chris Hicks and also to Sean Ley who's been a part of this process from the very beginning and it's been a long haul and uh we appreciate the cooperation and we think we've got a great deal for everybody. So, hope you approve it. Thank you.
>> Got any questions? Thank you. Anybody have any questions of the >> And I will put one more thing on the record though. They are the only adjoining land owners. >> The property to the south is owned by the state of Florida. There are no other private land owners and that's why it
was easier to deal with rather than trying. We didn't need to put it to bid or any of that because they are the adjoining land owners and they used to own the property. So, >> appreciate the explanation, but I think it was a lot had to do with the parties involved. >> Yes. >> Great work. Thank you.
>> Move approval. >> Second. That's a motion by vice chairman law, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Tell you it
was great work. Uh with that uh I think we have uh concluded all of the business with the exception of if anybody would like to speak about any matter what that is not on the agenda that wishes to come forward.
Please state your name for the record. And good morning. This is Lalita Jenkee and I'm bringing the topic from last night um about the sheriff's budget. Uh as a concerned citizen, I wish that
all parties would have started this discussion way earlier than it did. Uh so that in the future, I mean, now the water has already gone over the dam and I don't know how you can stop anything um processing in a worse way than it
already is because this is the first time a county has been sued um in this manner. Uh maybe um the county um administrator could uh manager could see that anything that
requires such big budgets come away in advance. So we prevent this from occurring. Um a lot of hurt feelings unnecessarily because we um want to support those who take care of us in every different way. We also feel that
there I feel that there are many uh many people who also need attention in the community and you got a way citizens whether they work for the hospital, they work for the education system or wherever they are working
uh we are taking care of them and their livelihoods. That's all. Thank you. And I know that you all um I've attended many meetings and I don't know what goes on behind um whatever is here but from what I have
seen I want to thank our representatives here for being as impartial as they can when they work on our behalf of the citizens here. Thank you.
>> Thank you Miss Jeni. Uh this was a uh rather challenging cycle I think for all of us at this time and uh again uh as you attend a lot of meetings you see that uh not all discussions happen in
that fashion. Uh it was quite concerning. Uh it's now uh I understand it will be in the hands of the court. If not, it will be traveling in other avenues. But uh once again as you witnessed early
this morning uh that uh many negotiations discussions are fair, equitable, understanding within the limits of tolerance for the taxpayer and
the the very people that we represent as well as those who serve and those who are in need to be supported for that service. So, uh, again, thank you for your observation. Uh, and I don't
believe that it's permanently damaged. >> Oh, no. >> But I do believe that, uh, there was some avenues that we traveled that uh, could have been done better by all.
>> Thank you. I also want to talk about the protests that take place. Just because a protest is taking place, it doesn't mean that one group or another does not like what is happening in the county and what is going on. It just means we have an
option and we are using our democratic right to speak about how we feel. Uh I do know as participating with the um protest that over and over and over again we tried to tell people there's no
no violence. Please do not use violence. Do not come there with anything that could be even interpreted like you're using. I know that we have open carry now and it's dangerous as far as I'm concerned. uh and we were very very firm
telling people do not come with anything that could hurt anyone that something occurred. I do want to say that it was not from the protesters. It was from agitators who came to
agitate the protest and pressing buttons because part of what I did was to make sure that nobody um um counteracted with those that came to agitate the crowd. So, I want to, you
know, just say that we're protesting because it's our right to protest and we were doing it peacefully and I want to thank those that could see it from that perception. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good morning, commissioners. My name is
Lois Wolf. I'm at 109th Street in Felsmere, Florida. And I came here really to express after uh watching the presentation last night over the budget in the sheriff's office, there's been something on my mind that I'm having a
hard time reconciling. Uh I am really upset that we can't have a more um colleial relationship with the sheriff's office. I'm upset that we're left with um this dissension
with a group of people that are so important to our community and I know that there's a financial uh burden that everyone carries and it's a very difficult process with budgeting. But on the other end, the part that I'm
having a really hard time coming to terms with when I look at the budget is something I'm not really hearing a lot of people talk about. And I only saw one article from the newspaper about it. And
it's the project for the animal shelter. And I keep looking at these discussions about not enough money for the sheriff's office, but yet talk about spending $2.5 million to purchase a property and to go
back once again to running the county running an animal shelter. And I just wonder, I know that this has been done in the past. It's being revisited. and to hire 19 people to run an animal shelter when we have the
Humane Society. And I'm not sure what the issues are behind it that are regenerating this um discussion again or this project to bring uh animal control back into county control. Um, but it
just seems like all this money now going back to doing something that in years gone by has not been successful instead of maybe working more closely with the Humane Society. Or I even heard um um Sheriff Flowers mention something
about offering to take over animal control that apparently didn't work out. So, I don't I guess I just don't understand uh why so much money is being spent in the area of animal control when
we can't come to terms with what the sheriff says that he needs. And finally, the other piece I'm having a really hard time with is $2.5 million for a property that at least in my opinion,
not quite sure. I know they're saying appraisals are coming in at that. I could understand if you if someone was taking over the veterinary practice for $2.5 million, but looking at that property and the buildings on it with an
appraisers's office that says I'm I'm I'm hearing it's worth something around 800 and some thousand. Um, are these appraisals really realistic? And is it really worth $2 and a half million dollars for Indian River County to buy
that property to hire 19 people to run an animal shelter? Why aren't we leaving that up to the experts at the Humane Society? And perhaps some money should be given to them to expand
um what those experts do the best to take care of animals and perhaps, you know, divvy up some of that money and give some of it to the sheriff and some of it to the humane society. I just really haven't heard much of anything
about talk uh of this project to move animal control back under uh county um control. And so just something I had to express. There may be a lot behind it that I don't know. Uh but I'm not reading or hearing a lot about it except
seeing it appear in the budget. And u having a hard time coming to terms with this um struggle for money and I'm not quite seeing animal control back in the county is perhaps the best use of that
money. Thank you. Ma'am, I'm going to take the opportunity uh because you you've you've said a lot in the brief time that you're at the podium. Uh again, there was uh major discussions on the challenge that we're confronted with
with animal control and the safe orderly uh protection of those animals. And quite frankly, uh, we, uh, have had a a very good relationship with the Humane
Society of Bureau Beach in Indian River County. As a matter of fact, on one of our last meetings there, uh, the one of the former directors, Joan Carlson, uh, who was a delight to work with and
very responsive. uh she is retired, but she is actually going to uh assist us in this process. And I'll tell you why. Because we've had animal control
officers that will refuse the ability to be able to lodge animals. You, the taxpayer, are paying over $780,000 contribution to the Humane Society so that the Humane Society could provide
for an ASPCA function that we need. Unfortunately, they've refused, refused, and refused because of capacity. So, there's an option. You either have to
build out that organization or have that organization build out because they don't have any more room for intake or go the route in which we're obviously going. In doing so, we have to look at
uh the the capacity and the cost factors that you mention. Uh you're talking about raw raw land value. Uh we're actually buying the practice. Okay. We're buying the
facility. There needs to be improvements. But in addition, uh there's a lot of equipment that is very necessary to conduct that operation and that is included in that process. So,
it's a lot there's a lot more information about that. And finally, you you discussed the sheriff's involvement. Uh I had that conversation and then we had that conversation with the sheriff.
Uh it is also a very costly endeavor, but uh he was actually uh willing to to do that, but again, we would have to build a facility. Either way, there were cost factors that were confronted that
had to be addressed to ensure what we're thinking about, and that's dogs and the cats and other God's creatures that have to be protected, maintained, and secured. And there is a process to do
that. And currently the animal control process that we have wasn't being met with receptivity as as far as being able to lodge the animals to take put them into a safer environment.
So much of what you're stating was well discussed and over the past year and uh this property became available and uh there are a lot of positive factors about it that we will be able to provide
the service that uh the animals require. Didn't the county have uh animal control in the past that um did not work out as expected?
>> No, I don't I don't understand. >> Or the SPCA. Um >> no, none of that is not true, Mr. Matter of fact, they used to work out of an old trailer and they were able to and on 43rd and State Road 60 and they you u I
I was working the road at the time and uh I I'll tell you what, with a with a an old trailer, they were able to handle the capacity. Agreed. The capacity has risen, but that's a rather large facility and we should be able to do a
better job for those who can't do it themselves. And that's the animals, God's creatures. >> Well, and I I will just add that as a passionate animal lover, I really do hope that it just doesn't increase the
euthanasia rates. Um because I know the humane society works really hard at adoptions and uh you know, when we're talking about >> to do the same thing, >> you know. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Hello again, Lisa Serski, Indian
River County resident. Um, I didn't know I would be speaking on this subject, but she brought up a very good point that I think a lot of uh, citizens, animal lovers are concerned about. Um, there's a big disconnect in this county with animal control and our humane society
and in particular the missing and deceased animals. For instance, if you were to ask um a citizen here, if you find a deceased animal in the roadways, who do you call? And most people's answer is animal
control, maybe the humane society, but it is not usually typically the road and bridge department like it is here. And I know from experience and for um trying to be involved in this matter for quite
some time actually just um in little increments over a few years time um this is a personal matter to me because um actually it's something I can bring up at another time but I think that it's important that we understand as a
community the disconnect between our animal control unit the humane society and what happens when we find a deceased uh animal on our roadways, in particular, our um domestic animals, our pets. And I think that's something
that's really important we need to address before we talk about um I'm not even really interested in in the money and the budgets and all that. I'm interested in the disconnect when somebody loses a pet. They're searching. They're putting uh messages on Facebook.
They're involved in all of these um different neighborhood groups and pet searches looking for their animal who may have already been picked up and buried. That's important for me that we understand which I believe me I've talked to people they don't know this um
that we understand something needs to be addressed because if I was to be losing a pet putting out signs putting up posted you know postits everywhere and and being in all these Facebook groups looking for my animal I'd want some closure. I'd want to know if my animal
had already been picked up and buried somewhere. It's important that we are aware of this and that something and some new policy is in place. That way if and when we have this new animal control facility
that we have some kind of new um guideline in place that can help bring closure to people that have been missing an animal that may have already been picked up and brought somewhere. That's another subject, but uh brought
somewhere without them knowing. And I guess my goal would be to have something in place if Roaden Bridge is still the one to pick up these animals that there is some kind of checklist, some kind of um information for them to
uh document what that animal may have looked like to some degree. Um, so somebody that is still looking for their animal can maybe understand that that animal is no longer here and they can stop their search. Um, so anyways, if uh
if that's something that is new to any of you, I I hope that I can bring awareness to that because again, it's something that really um is personal matter to me and um I think I'll bring that up at another time as to why it's so personal. Um, but I think a lot of
people would be really shocked to know that that's something that uh is happening and that their animal may have already been picked up and and placed in the ground. And some people really, we know how many people love how much people love their pets. People want
closure. And that would break my heart if I knew that I was on a search that is already, you know, over. >> Thank Thank you. Um, I appreciate that. Uh, I will tell you that the lion share and speaking of experience,
uh, the lion share of the calls for concern for animals on a roadway off the side of the road, uh, deceased or injured, uh, generally get funneled into the sheriff's office and then animal control is notified
and yes, road bridge does address that as well. Mhm. >> So there is record of a deceased animal. Uh again I think you point >> into what? Into whose database? >> Well again uh that has to be looked
into. Absolutely. >> There is calls that go to the sheriff's office and again uh deputies don't handle >> uh that process. Um, often times they'll respond to a deer call or a raccoon call
or uh a cat or dog call. Uh, but then that's referred to either road and bridge uh or anon and that's how it's been addressed. But you bring up an interesting point and uh that can be
further discussed. But I just wanted you to be aware that the lion share goes right directly to >> uh law enforcement because it's easier for people to just dial 911. >> Yes. >> And then just notify, hey, there's there's an animal here.
>> I think um I know I I've kind of gotten a little off topic in the sense of the actual facility being built, but I believe that that facility will be involved in this procedure of some kind. uh meaning people will be getting those directing those phone calls to that
facility or you know calling them as as just who do I call if I see a dead cat on the road. I think my main concern is, okay, I've made the phone call and and then I keep on my day. But if I'm somebody looking actively looking
for my missing pet, I have no clue that somebody called in and said, "Hey, there's an orange tabby on the side of 8th Street." I'm still on the search. And that's what breaks my heart. And I know for a fact, again, I'm not going to really say this
now and open up a bigger can of worms, but I know I know for a fact that next step, and there's something wrong with that next step, as in the animals been picked up, now what? I know what what's and it's not a good project uh
procedure. People need to be able to potentially have a database for the public to look into to say, "Uh, that was probably my cat. He was probably in that area, and I've been on the search. It's been a few weeks, and and you know, most likely I I can stop my hunt because
most likely that was my guy." But we don't have that um data, I think, available to the public. And I think that's something that I would uh like to further try and put into place. Um because again we have a if we have a new facility they're they're going to be
involved in people calling to go hey did you find my cat? Did you know have you has anybody brought this animal in? So it's something I'll bring up at another time but it is really important I think that the general public understand that uh there's a disconnect and that
it's not the typical procedure for other counties to have the road and bridge department pick up the animal. That's my view on that. But ultimately what I came up here to say um in case I don't have another opportunity is just again for the community to be aware of the SB180
um discussion and the legislative uh importance of that. But I think um it's terminology that a lot of people don't understand. Me in particular, I'm trying to just wrap my head around a lot of cares and concerns. But I think our
public, our residents of this county need to understand that it's up to our leaders to support um that local agencies still have control over what happens with land use. That's my that's my view. That's my
uh I guess my um one of my priorities is what happens to the land and the wildlife in this county. And I think everybody needs to understand what that bill means and that if it is something that is put in place, every county,
including ours, loses the ability to say what happens with land use and future development. That would just be devastating. It breaks my heart to even know that that's something that's floating around and that we see what we're seeing here and that could even be
uh more out of our control. So, I think it's just important for the community to be up and up on that and that we come to these meetings as much as we can and that we are um trying to get more well well-versed in these topics because I know that it's up
to our leaders to make sure that doesn't happen for this community. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Thank you all. This meeting is adjourned.