She even has a frog bag. >> Oh, look. Accessories trying to be like you. >> You can never have too many across. I forgot >> mission one. >> Good morning. We will commence the
meeting for January 13, 2026. Um, at this time we will call this meeting officially to order. We will have a moment of um, silent reflection for our first responders and our members of the armed forces. Then we will have
our invocation by Jeremy Redmond of First Methodist Church of Vero Beach, followed by the pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Joe Man. Please rise. Oh Lord, we'd like to take this opportunity to Lord pray for our first
responders. We know that today it's likely that they're going to be encountering people on what is the worst day of their lives. So Lord, we want to pray that you give them just a a very special measure of
compassion. That you'd give them, Lord, a wisdom beyond their own. That you'd strengthen them, encourage them, Lord, as they uh deal with things that most of us can't even imagine.
We thank you for them. And Lord, because uh your word says that upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, we we'd like to pray that you would make us upright. Lord, by your grace, forgive us for where we've fallen short.
By your grace, draw us to yourself. By your grace, make us new that we truly might be upright. We'd like to pray, Lord, a special prayer over our county commissioners this morning. We thank you for them and for their
willingness to serve. We pray you'd bless them, Lord, that you would lead and guide them and that you, Lord, would be over all the proceedings of our community. For we know, Lord, that you are good and that you make us good in Jesus name. Amen.
>> Amen. >> Amen. >> Please join me in saluting the greatest nation in the world, the United States of America. >> Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you pastor very much. Yeah. >> Okay. The next U order of business,
>> do we have any additions or deletions to the agenda? >> Mr. Chairman, under county administrator, uh we would like to add an update for the Felsmere Water Control District discussion regarding the the bill that
was filed the regarding the district in the county and Kathy Copelan will be making a presentation. >> Okay. Where would you like to add that? >> Under county administrators matters. >> Okay. So noted
>> move to move >> approve >> second motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. The next item of business is the uh presentation of proclamation
recognizing January 18th through the 24th as National Certified Nurse Anest thesis Week. Hopefully I said that right. Do we have Chelsea? Okay, we will uh
>> I don't think so. We'll postpone that and we will move forward. Members, we have an opportunity now to approve the minutes from the uh last uh meeting which there are no minutes to approve. So, we will move
intoformational items from staff or commissioners not requiring board action. Uh this is the 2026 committee assignment by commissioners. You have any questions or concerns? Each of the administrative assistants were
asked uh if there were any concerns and hearing none, it essentially remains the same. Um the 2026 vacancies, committee vacancies and appointments, uh as many of you know that has been advertised uh
and we are continuously looking for those positions to be filled. So, anybody that perhaps is in the audience or uh watches online and views online, we would love to have them u submit their application.
Next is the In River County venue events for January, end of January and February 26. There is a lot of things happening. We would encourage you to check that out not only on our agenda but on our website. Uh but to my left I see
something unusual uh this morning and perhaps she would like to share an event that's coming up really soon. Commissioner Adams, >> don't jump to conclusions. >> I like that. Don't jump to conclusions. Um as you guys know, it's my favorite time of year. It's Frog Leg Festival
time in Indian River County. So, the Frog Leg Festival gets hopping uh this Thursday through Sunday, and all the proceeds go back into the community to support youth recreation. And we've been able to donate $2 million back to um the
community over the 35 years, one frog leg at a time. So, come on out. It's a frogtastic time. >> Wow. >> $2 million. >> $2 million. Yeah. >> Over 30 >> Over 35 years. 35 years. So, well, thank
you for what you do in our northwest portion of the county and it certainly uh doesn't go unnoticed. So, thank you for that. >> And also, thank you guys for putting up with the one day of the year where I wear probably inappropriate commission outfit. >> You're welcome. It it has been a
struggle >> for sure. Next uh on the agenda is the public comment section. uh any agenda related matters uh except for our public hearing matters. So if you have any uh agenda
related matters uh there's agendas in the in the foyer if you haven't uh absent that we will proceed. Okay commissioners uh moving forward to the consent agenda. Uh any item concerns?
Anything you desire to have pulled? >> Move approval. Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Flesher and a second by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion on the commit consent agenda?
>> Hearing none, all in favor? >> And the motion carries. Uh, next number 10, moving right along, is constitutional officers and governmental agencies, the tax collectors breakroom work renovations.
Mr. administrator. >> Yes, sir. I believe Anthony is on his way over. >> So, Mr. Chair, members of the board, staff is requesting a board uh approval for funding facility improvements to tax collector's office. something they've
been uh expressing a concern a need for I think the last couple years to address operational infrastructural needs in terms of functional space work compliant workspaces as well as a request to renovate uh the existing breakroom area. Uh the break room area is outdated. It's
no longer adequately supports the the number of staff and as well the layout's not the most efficient in supporting building systems. Uh at this point in time, there's an a conceptual cost of $95,000 for some windows to be
installed. Uh a renovation remodel of the breakroom lounge. It's about 552 square ft. Includes minor work in the existing lounge. And so what will happen is it's currently in design the final design and after the final design uh it
will go uh out to bid uh for uh the final off the final amount and a contractor will be hired and our capital project staff will be managing the project and we will coordinate with the the tax collector's office going through
this process to to lessen the disruption to their operation. S. So, uh, with that, the the funds in the amount of 95,000 are made available via budget amendment to the general fund facilities management maintenance buildings tax collector breakroom renovations account
and staff recommends that the tax collector's breakroom renovation be included in the upcoming budget amendment. I'll return to the board and I do have Anthony in the back if you have any specific questions. Commissioners, I I don't know about you, but one thing that that
kind of jumped out to me was the u the price uh and you know the 95,000 I think in labor is something we should discuss. We trust that Anthony and his team in fact will uh evaluate that and hopefully um hopefully get those those prices
down. Second thing commissioners I think we should all keep in mind and being mindful although that's our building uh housed by a constitutional I I think going forward we need to understand uh that just in fact that is our building and finally
uh this is a mid-year budget amendment uh these items clearly could have been budgeted for uh so I think we need to be very careful in making mid-year budget amendments for things that perhaps uh may not be an emergency or have an
urgency. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> I agree completely with you. I just u I absolutely want them to have a a nice break room, something that they can unwind a little bit in during their
workday. It just seems like $95,000 without knowing what we're doing. This seems like a lot of money for for for a break room. So, Anthony, I I would ask you to to kind of where what what's the if you come come
on down what the what maybe the plan is for this for that for that kind of money. It just seems kind of I I don't have a really a problem with it. I'm just kind of want a justification in my mind to make sure that we're good.
>> Good morning. Nancy Bun, assistant county administrator. Uh the tax collector wanted to actually relocate the the break room. So it is going to require us to move some plumbing um and do some additional work in the area that she wanted to. Uh one of the options
would we could expand the existing lounge and just move some offices around and that would reduce the costs, but she actually wanted to relocate the break room. So that that causes us to have to move some plumbing and different things, drain lines because it's going to have
to have a sink. >> Okay. I mean, >> build walls and things like that. >> I don't know what the, you know, seems like >> just a lot of money for a break. Nothing. >> And just to be clear, we'll be managing um the project directly ourselves.
>> Okay. >> All right. >> Yeah, Mr. Yes, sir. >> Anthony, we just did a uh a break room in building A. >> Could you tell me the cost factor was for that? And that was a raw room.
>> Yeah. So, >> electrical, plumbing. >> Yes. So, go ahead. >> And the the there was restrooms right next to that that was in the utilities area. So that's where the um sink was and the drain lines. That's going that's
the additional cost is there is no plumbing and drain lines where they want to put the lounge in the tax collector. When we did the public works break room, we tapped into the lines that are right next to that restroom and so it was a lot less expensive.
>> It was substantially less. >> Correct. So, one of the options is we could look at expanding the her existing lounge. So, we wouldn't have to provide a new sink. We would just take one of the offices, expand it out, and then move
that office to that location that they're proposing the break room. Ideally, their preference is to move the break room. Okay, commissioners. What's your pleasure? >> Everybody's got their own microphone. We advancing this.
>> I mean, I'll be happy to move. >> We have a motion to approve. >> I'll go a second. >> Got a second. We have a motion by Commissioner Adams, a second by Commissioner. Unless you're in further discussion >> with the understanding that we're uh going to look at
some options for price reduction. >> Let the record reflect >> as stated by respond there are other avenues to take
moving forward. today is uh it's a it's a high point 95,000 that's labor. >> Yeah, it's just a labor materials. We don't know where it's going to go, but
we need to have commission said we'd like to see that they have an appropriate place to take the break. They work hard and uh It's looking at uh ensuring that the employees
uh can work effectively and efficiently. That's that's why I say got fair enough. We have a motion. We have a second hearing. No other discussions. All in favor? I. >> And the motion carries. Commissioners,
next up is our first public hearing item A. I'm sorry. I have item 11 A1. It's the final adoption of the 2025 any river county comprehensive plan evaluation and appraisal report also known as the EAR
based amendments. And I see my colleague Patrick Murphy is here. Patrick, good morning and welcome. >> Good morning, Mr. Chairman and fellow commissioners. For the record, Patrick
Murphy, chief of long-range planning. Well, it's taken us a long time to get here, but we've had a lot of good discussion on this. We've had very very good public input and staff's very appreciative of the public input because this is our guiding document that really maps out how the county is going to grow
in the future and it's a very important process and we've appreciated everyone's comment including the commission, our own staff and our consultants. U just wanted to go ahead and provide you sort of a a quick overview of what we've done and what we've uh been through to get here. Um, in March of 2023, the county
initiated the RFP process to contract with a consulting agency due to the Norris undertaking of evaluating the over 10,000 goals, objectives, and policies in the comprehensive plan. Kimley Horn Associates was selected for this process and our staff meetings began shortly after. Public engagement
included six separate public workshops in three regions of the county. Two workshops were held at the North County Library on November 16th, 2023. Two workshops were held at the board of county commissioner chambers on November 29th, 2023 and two workshops were held at the intergenerational center on
December 13th, 2023 for public hearings. On November 12th, 2024, a special call meeting with the with the board of county commissioners was held where the county's planning consultant presented to the board the scope of the comprehensive plan analysis. The consultant discussed the
possible revisions they had examined for each element. June 26, 2025, the earbased amendments were presented to the planning and zoning commission. On August 12th, 2025, the amendments were presented to this board, which directed staff to take the presentation back to
the PCC for further review. On August 28th, 2025, the amendments were presented to PZC, which recommended approval. Then on September 9th, 2025, the year-based amendments were presented to this board. A lengthy discussion
ensued. uh we spent close to 5 hours and uh I think we vetted a lot of it and we had a lot of good department head discussion very very good questions and comments from the board very very good discussion from the public ultimately the board approved the transmitt of the amendments to Florida Commerce that
brings us today January 136 for our second public hearing and final adoption by the board a quick timeline for you uh the transmitt letter with all necessary documents were transmitted to and received by Florida Commerce on September 19th, 2025 per state statute
163.3184, subsection 4. The ear was also sent to the eight state reviewing agencies. I won't list them. You see them on the slide. Florida Commerce formally reviewed the ear transmitt and sent its analysis letter to the county on November 18th, 2025, which was within
the 60-day review period. Florida Commerce identified two proposed policies that he deemed in conflict with Senate Bill 180. They were the potable water sub element policy 1.2 and sanitary sewer sub element policy 1.6. The county has since removed these two
policy changes from the proposed earbased amendments. Timeline continued. The county has 180 days to hold its second public hearing and adopt the comprehensive plan amendments. If the county does not adopt the proposed amendments within this time period, the amendments are deemed
withdrawn. That's what we're here for today. This is clearly within the 180 days we're having this meeting today. All comprehensive plan amendments adopted by the governing board along with the supporting data analysis shall then be transmitted within 10 working days after final adoption hearing today's hearing to the state land
planning agency board of commerce. Bo shall notify the county of any deficiencies within five working days after receipt of the amendment package. An amendment adopted under this expedited state review process does not become effective until 31 days after the state land planning agency notifies the
local government that the plan amendment package is complete. Our recommendation staff recommends that the board of county commissioners adopt the earbased amendments and direct staff to transmit the county's proposed cons comprehensive plan amendment package to the Florida Department of Commerce
pursuant to state statute. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Hopefully, fellow commissioners, you've had an opportunity to review um this plan. I think we've all reviewed it many times. This is exactly what Mr. Murphy said. The next
step in this process is Do we have any questions, concerns? Yes, ma'am. >> I just have a comment and that's I guess mainly to staff. Um and I I expressed it at the time. You know, my concern is moving standards out of the plan, the
comprehensive plan, and into the LDRs. And I said that back on September 9th. Um, don't no plans to go five hours, not going to be labor. But, um, I objected at that time, particularly within the future uh, land use element because the
LDRs, as we all know and the community might know or should know, they can be changed more easily uh, without uh, community input. unlike the plan which requires formal approval um from Tallahassee. So we need to be careful
about that. There's um there's a lot of concern at the time and my colleagues may recall and perhaps some of you were here at the time a lot of people attended the meeting because they were concerned specifically about height restrictions because that was uh one of
the uh standards that have been proposed to be moved to the LDRs where it kind of has less protection if you will. Um, so a lot of people attended. They were very very concerned and we left it in the
plan. So I I still have that concern um that we be very careful about what we might move, you know, from the plan itself to the LDRs. So I just just taking this opportunity to restate it.
And I still want that USGS hydraologic study updated. And that's the one from 1988. Don't worry, I'm not going to say anything more about that either. Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you for your comments, Commissioner Flesh.
>> Uh yeah, and uh for Patrick, uh again, uh it it's been a long journey and we're required to do this and file with the state to ensure that we have a plan. >> Mhm. >> Uh the plan is not a tacit plan. It is a
framework for where we're going to travel with our intentions with this county. Such being the case, we do have an opportunity to
alter the plan, change the plan up the road. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. Um, this is not a one-shot deal. We can open up any element of this plan in the future should it be the will of the commission or our constituency
and we can initiate that uh at our discretion. It's not a a required timeline. There's no uh alteration date. Uh we we can do so um at the will
pleasure of this board. >> Correct. The only state requirement is every seven years a local government is required to evaluate its comprehensive plan to see whether or not there's been any other state laws that have come out to make sure that our plan is consistent with that changing law. However, any
other elements we can review at any given time at our discretion. It's our plan. >> Well, forgive the analogy, but uh I I would say that this is not granite. This is limestone. >> It's a nice analogy. We have an
intention and we're going forward and we've satisfied the requirement but we if we have some unforeseen opportunities or challenges uh we can bring this back.
>> That is correct. >> Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Administrator. I'd just like to point out to the board uh the intent is once the legislature resolves the inconsistency with lastm minute
provisions added to Senate Bill 180 last session is that we would bring back the portable water sub element policy 1.2 and the sanitary sewer sub element policy 1.6 six because at the end of the day those are state mandates that we're
we're trying to amend our plan to be consistent with the state but with that new bill that kind of kind of put them on a wrench do their wrench in the process. So we're just adopting everything but those two will come back at a later date. >> Thank you. Fellow commissioners any
other comments concerns? >> Mr. Chairman, I want to appreciate Patrick all the work you spent on this and and the folks that helped you with it. I know you had the lion share of it, but you did did a real good job but was consistent. It was easy
for everybody to understand and it's much appreciated with that. I I agree with what Commissioner Fleer said, what said. I think we're ready to roll on this and send it and get it transmitted and uh see what the future holds. So,
with that, I'll make a motion to approve >> the ear plan and have it transmitted to the Department of Commerce. >> I appreciate that. But since this is legislative in nature, I will >> Okay. I'm sorry. open the venue for any
public comment resulting or affecting our ER. Given adequate time and not seeing any recognized, I will close the public. >> Yeah. With that, I'll make my motion again. >> There we go. With that, we have a motion by Commissioner Man. Second. >> Have a second by Commissioner Flesher.
Any further discussion by any of the board members? Hearing none. All in favor? I. And the motion carries. I'm I'm opposed. Um I'm being consistent with my previous vote on September uh 9th. >> Let the record reflect that Commissioner
Moss did in fact oppose that vote. >> Thank you, Commissioners. >> I was just saying thank you for your support. >> Yeah. Thank you, Patrick. >> Thank you. >> Commissioners, next item is 11 A2.
Uh this is a quasi judicial matter. uh relating to Dr. Horton's incorporated request for a conceptual plan development, a PD, a plan modification for Bluewater Bay PD.
And with that, the two parties involved are Indian River County as well as Dr. Orton, Inc., the applicant. As we go through this quasi judicial matter, commissioners, I
will ask for any of you to disclose any exparte communication, site visits, or independent investigations. We'll start with Commissioner Moss. >> Uh, none to my knowledge. None that I'm aware of. >> None that I'm aware of. >> None that I'm aware of, Mr. Chair.
>> None that I'm aware of. And inconsistent with a quasi judicial hearing, I will ask that each commissioner confirm that they have an open mind and are able to base their decisions on the evidence presented with the applicable law. Commissioner
>> can Can and shall. >> Can and will. >> Can and will. >> I can and will. >> Can and will. >> I can and will as well. At this point, we will open the public hearing. We will ask madame clerk to swear in any witnesses that may have an opportunity
to testify. >> I do. >> Thank you very much. Uh we will begin this quasi hearing with the presentation by our county staff. >> Good morning chair and members of the board. Before you today is the Bluewater Bay PD conceptual plan development
modification request. Property is located north of 85th Street and east of 90th Avenue. So a little bit of history on the property. So on February 15th of 2005, the board of county commissioners granted plan development special
exception and conceptual PD approval for the Bluewater Bay plan development. Preliminary PD plan/plat approval was also granted at that same time. The current uh makeup of the project is 379 residential units on 141.97 acres of
property for a density of 2.67 units per acre. The development commenced construction but was not completed and the preliminary uh PD approval expired while the conceptual PD and special exception approvals remain valid to this day.
So, the request today is the applicant is seeking a modification to the approved public benefits along with an additional ingress egress driveway connection to 85th Street, which is also County Road 510 at the southeastern portion of the property across from Treasure Coast Elementary.
Reason for the request, there was a recent lawsuit that shifted access rights across the Lateral D canal to a new land owner who is denying access and will not allow Blue Water Bay to build the required bridge that was part of the public benefits package.
So, here's just an overview of the public benefits package, what's been completed today and what still needs to be completed. Um so they have completed the county road 510 rightway dedication for future roadway alignment uh storm water treatment um for county road 510 and rightaway dedications are in
permitting and construction completed. Uh the 30 ft of rideaway dedication for the future 86th Avenue has been completed. The bridge design to cross lateral D has partially been completed. Um, and the applicants will be turning over the con any construction plans for
the bridge should we in the future be able to have access over the lateral decanal to build a bridge um to support other projects in the area. Uh, intersection improvements at County Road 510 and 86th Avenue, including a traffic signal and a eastbound left and
westbound right turn lanes at CR510 and 86th Avenue, um, would need to be completed. uh pedestrian connection to Treasure Coast Elementary School as well as any cost participation which would be proportionate fair share for any intersection intersection improvements
at County Road 510 and 66th Avenue. This would include the northbound left dual turn lane, westbound right turn lane, and an optimized uh signal length. This is uh just a copy of what the currently approved site plan shows. So you see that uh the bridge connection to
the lateral D canal is on the northern portion of the site connecting to 90th. This is what the proposed site plan looks like. As you can see the uh lateral D canal bridge has been removed. Um and then there is now an emergency
access um connected to County Road 510 as long as well as their regular access to 86th Avenue. uh at the PCC the um they recommended at their December 11th meeting to vote unanimously to recommend approval for
the request as proposed. Staff is also recommending that the board of county commissioners grant final approval for the changes as proposed to the conceptual PD plan for the Blue Water Bay PD. I would also like to take special note that at the conclusion of this, if you do recommend approval, they do still need to get
their preliminary uh plan development approval through the plan and zoning commission. Uh it still needs to get through staff level approval as well. So, this is not the end all beall for this project. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Brandon. Um commissioners, any questions for Brad?
>> Commissioner Moss. >> Um yeah, I was trying to understand this better because it goes back to 2005. So I requested of staff um the agenda item back in 2005 and the minutes. I
wanted to see what if any concerns there were and what the thinking was you know at that time. So none of as it turns out none of that is available. So then I watched the uh planning and zoning video
that section of it that addressed this matter where they approved it unanimously. and Mr. Lawler, God bless him, he was here in 2005. He was on county commission. However, he didn't uh he didn't comment on it other than to say
that and there was no discussion. There was one question um from Mr. Landers and that just had to do with shared driveway. So, it was over in just a few minutes. I mean that and and yes, they they approved it unanimously, but it wasn't really based on anything. So I I
have a lot of discomfort with this, you know, something from 2005 and could you please just refresh my memory like what is good after 20 years and what expires? I mean uh personally I think everything should expire like 20 years nothing or virtually nothing in
this county is the same as it was uh back in 2005. It's actually more than 20 years ago now. But could you please uh just to refresh my memory what um within this particular project remains valid and what if anything has
expired? Could you please address that? >> Yes. So in terms of the uh conceptual plan so anything like public benefits, setbacks, lot coverage, anything that that governs the actual plan development itself is contained within the
conceptual plan. So that remains valid in perpetuity. Uh special exceptions also run with the land as well. So they also remain valid in perpetuity unless we were were to have some sort of code that says that they do expire. In this case for special exceptions and um
conceptual plan developments, there is no code section that sunsets that stuff. However, the plan development um preliminary does have a sunset. So that's the reason why the plan devel or the preliminary plan developments expired. But the conceptual remains valid in terms of all the negotiations
that happen with public benefits. um setbacks all the specific PD parameters >> we're looking at that the site plan so the site plan is still valid >> the conceptual site plan is still valid is that the concept that we were looking at >> so what we're really looking at today is
uh and the reason why it is before you today is because a major uh public benefit has to be removed from the project um and this it really is in no uh way against the applicant or really against the county it's just there was a
lawsuit um with a land owner. They were able to gain access and rights to like air rights to go over the lateral decal. They've decided that they don't want to allow anything to um invade their air rights or anything to invade their space. So, they have disallowed the
connection. There was a time when they were thinking about allowing the applicant to build the bridge over the lateral D canal, but their council came back and decided that it wasn't within the landowner's best interest. And the fact that some of this uh is in perpetuity, is that by uh state statute?
Is that our >> it's it's based on our code. So we don't have anything in the code that sunsets um the conceptual PD process. If we did have something in the code that sunseted the conceptual PD process, then yes, it would expire just like the preliminary. But in our case, we do not have anything
that sunsets the conceptual portion. >> I'll just say as a comment because it's it's general. Um, I think it's something that we want to address. Um, I know we're going to have a follow-up meeting for the community. Uh, we had a joint workshop with the planning and zoning
uh, commission and that was back in October. I think it was October 23rd. Everything's on videotape. It went four hours. Um, and we were talking about things like this, like the definition of public benefits. But I I don't think anything should be good in perpetuity. So, I would ask that uh you know we we
consider that at a at a later date whenever the f we're going to have a follow-up meeting for this uh this meeting that we had back in October. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I think administrator Yes sir. I I was just going to say uh to that point uh as
we continue the discussion on the plan development uh there are communities that I know that do provide a time period in which the plan developments you know happen and if not it reverts back to the underlying zoning that was there
previously. So it's certainly something we can add to the agenda for a discussion at the appropriate time. >> Thank you Commissioner Adams. I just to follow up on Commissioner Moss's comments. Um Ryan or Brandon, whomever, can you guys go through the process of
what a conceptual site plan is versus a final site plan and how you get from one to the other and what changes might be made along the way. >> So the conceptual site plan is really our um chance to do all the negotiation
up front. So for plan development specifically, we negotiate all the public benefits. Um we negotiate are we going to allow these certain setbacks. Um you know are we going to allow the developments to have you know certain
roadway characteristics? Do we like the storm water ponds? Like really all the design elements is what goes into the conceptual stage. And conceptual is really kind of what conceptual means. just it's approved in theory, but they still have to come back for the final
site plan or in our case the preliminary site plan to then say, "Hey, we negotiated and we wanted 7 and 1/2t side setbacks. Do you have 7 and 1/2t side setbacks? You know, we negotiated we're going to have a traffic signal at at an intersection. Are you providing this
traffic signal at the intersection?" So that's really our chance to make sure that they're adhering to what the commission wanted at the conceptual stage and then that's why the preliminary stops at the uh plan and zoning board uh because you guys already
did all the heavy lifting up front with you know approving you accepted the public benefits you accepted the setbacks you accepted all the design parameters of the plan development and then really the preliminary is just going back and making sure that they're adhering to everything that we're And then you have kind of the final
stage which is the final uh plan development which really acts as a final plat um for you know being able to construct homes, being able to move people in and so on and so forth. >> Thank you. >> Welcome >> Mr. Chairman.
>> Yes, >> Commissioner Ryan. How does this fit in with the construction, the state's construction of 510 with these improvements they want to make to the road and stuff like that? >> Is it an issue? Is it not an issue?
Because I know construction supposed to start this year. >> It's already started. Yeah. Mr. Chair, uh, Commissioner, for the record, Ryan Sweeney, assistant plane development services director. Um, yeah. So, the the leg that's just south of 512 is has already started. Um, it's it's kind of a chicken and egg scenario. You know, Blue
Water Bay has you've driven by it. It's been partially constructed for nearly 20 years. Um the removal of the bridge connection to the north south portion of 510 um I mean for for that part is simplifies for DOT because it's one less
driveway, one less bridge connection. Um the signalization of 86 Avenue is already being coordinated with DOT. However, like I said, it's kind of a chicken and egg blue. what this needs to be approved in order for DOT to really engage uh this proposal, if you will.
>> So, this would be a new signal that wasn't in the DOT play that they would pay for, but they're coordinating. >> Correct. The developer would coordinate directly with the >> Okay. Ryan, can you uh can you also verify that the uh the curve from on a
for 510 that was right away or that was that was part of the public benefit. It's already been donated and that's why you see the wall the way it is and so much space there because they already did that in advance for the future widening of 510. Yes, that's that's
>> public benefits already been acred to the public or well it's yes they'll be able to do that turn. >> Yeah, it would have been considerably more expensive if they had to acquire it. The other the other point uh for your edification is that the other new driveway connection is an emergency
access. It's not a full driveway connection. It's emergency access and a pedestrian connection that's directly in line with the driveway to the elementary school on the south side. So >> any any further questions?
>> The internal layout which has been done yes many years ago has not been altered or affected by any of the external changes. >> That's correct. It hasn't changed. The
external changes have made adjustment for the buses and for the traffic, but in essence uh an old plan is still effective
at this point. And we might bring up uh another subdivision uh that was planned somewhere around 2006 Liberty. >> Yep. right down the road. >> It and and it may be going forward
uh at a more accelerated rate, but it's basically close to the original plan, which I still have in the office. >> Okay. >> Uh not much has changed to alter either of these two. We'll specifically talk about
the the topic at hand, the location. Nothing has change that's going to impact the roadway design, the placement, the homes >> to your knowledge. >> Yes, that is correct. Nothing nothing
external is affecting the development. Um, actually the emergency access is going through a open space track that they have. So it doesn't affect any of the lots or anything else. >> And the roadway will be improved and it's not going to change any setback or
>> no >> move the wall. >> Nope. >> Any further? >> Right. Early on they did sort of propose wanting to revisit the whole PD and try to, you know, squeeze in more lots and we said no, that's not where we're at.
So not none of that has changed. This is purely just the essentially the issue. who again not through no fault of their own is the canal. Um they they don't have any ownership or control over the canal. >> So Ryan, could you also comment on how staff worked with uh the property owners
representative or the deherence representative to evaluate the existing infrastructure that was constructed years ago to make sure it was like I know we had some the stormware ponds and some of the other things that to make sure that they were up to county
standards. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Commissioner. So, they they did do a preliminary assessment of the existing utilities and roadways, storm water. Um the land development permit, which is the construction drawings that will come after the preliminary PD. There will be
some remedial work. I mean, uh same thing happened with um if you all are familiar with Harbor is, which is US1 and 510. They had to, you know, replace a lot of sections of pipe and replace some road base. So it it it will be a challenge, but it it is something that has to occur when when the the
infrastructure sits in the ground for that length of time, but they're they're fully aware. >> And Ryan, just for the record, this is within the USB. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Thank you. Any further questions, commissioners? >> Mr. Chair, the the applicants rep is here if if they have any questions or
comments. >> Right. At this point in quasi we will shift to a presentation by the applicant. The applicant has any concerns for this body. >> No. Good morning. My name is Anna Saunders with LJ uh representing Dr.
Horton. Respectfully don't need to waste any more of your time. Staff did a great job summarizing the project. If you have any specific questions for us, more than happy to answer those. >> Thank you commissioners. Any questions for the applicant? Thank you.
>> Hearing none, uh, at this point we will entertain any questions or concerns by the public. Uh, please come forward if the public has any questions over this bluewater project. Hearing none, we'll have the final presentation by county staff. Brandon,
if you have any to close with? >> No, sir. >> And applicant, ma'am, anything to close with? No, just thank you for the opportunity. Again, it's it's a project that's 95% constructed. The you know, the music stopped in 2007ish. We were left without
a chair like a couple other projects. Uh and we're looking forward to moving forward with this project and getting it constructed and and and built. Thank you. >> Thank you. And thank you for your time. Uh at this time we will double check with the clerk to make sure all documents and tangible evidence have
been admitted into evidence and are in the hands of our clerk. At this point we will close the public hearing. Commissioners, after uh an extensive review in the past and Commissioner Flesher, some 20 years that you're
familiar with the case, the decision now is up to us. What is this board's pleasure? >> Mr. Chair, Commissioner Flesh, >> have you ensured that the clerk has
all tangible evidence? >> Yes. Such being a case uh again there was a discussion that things have changed. Yes, a lot of things change by the day,
but I feel confident as it did initially that uh this plan was well founded and nothing has changed to change my thought process
personally on what could happen with this fine parcel of land. So with that, I move approval. First, we have a motion by uh
Commissioner Flesher. I will second the motion. A motion second. Any further comments? Hearing none, seeing none. All in favor? I. And motion carries.
Okay. >> Next item, commissioners, is uh another legislative issue. This is 11 A3. Uh this is consideration of staff initiated land development regulations LDR amendment to create allowance and
regulations for mobile food dispensing vehicles, food trucks as this is legislative in nature. I should add also commissioners that there will not be a decision here. This if you read the backup uh this is for discussion
purposes albeit under legislative matters and we will in fact discuss this matter and have it come back to us in the very very near future with that. Good morning again Brandon. >> All right. Thank you. Uh so before I
formally begin, I just want to note that staff took careful consideration for um the commission's discussion that they had back in July on this. The ordinance and the regulations have been crafted specifically to what you all requested at the July meeting. Um and then also in
concert with what we're allowed to do via state statute. So with that, I'll begin. So good morning chair and members of the board. Before you today is the land development regulation amendments to the introduction or to introduce mobile food dispensing vehicle or food truck regulations with an unincorporated
Indian River County. So the LDR amendment process is legislative in nature. It requires a public hearing by the plan and zoning commission with a recommendation to the board of county commissioners and then a final public hearing by the board of county commissioners.
So a little background and analysis. The county's land development regulations currently have no regulations for mobile food dispensing vehicles and are therefore considered pro prohibited across the board with a few exceptions. So they may be approved through a temporary use permit at a special event
or they may operate at the Gford farmers market which this ordinance proposal today has no effect on the Gford farmers market. They're still going to be able to do what they need to do out there. So I just wanted to make note of that. Thank you. Um, in 2020 and 2023, the state of Florida adopted certain
statutes that preempt local government from imposing their own licensing or fees. Local governments maintain the ability to regulate food trucks, though with respect to location or zoning district, hours of operation, site compatibility, and aesthetic standards.
On July 15th, 2025, the board of county commissioners directed staff to prepare a set of staff initiated regulations. staff gathered and analyzed input from the commission and prepared the regulations based on that input from the requirements of section 509.102
which governs mobile food dispensing vehicles of Florida statutes. Based on the definition of mobile food dispensing vehicles contained within Florida statutes uh staff prepared the following definition to insert to section 901.03
of the county LDRs and this is verbatim from state statute. Mobile food dispensing vehicles or mobile food trucks shall mean any vehicle that is a public food service service establishment and that is self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place
and which includes self-contained utilities including but not limited to gas, water, electricity or liquid waste disposal consistent with the definition provided in section 509.102 Florida statutes.
So, now we're going to get into the uh land development highlights. So, state preeemption and compliance, it's regulated under section 509.102 of Florida statutes. Um, shall maintain a valid state license under chapter 509 of Florida statutes. Shall comply with
state health, sanitation, and food handling requirements. The county cannot require a separate county issued business tax receipt, license registration, food service permit, or fees specific to mobile food dispensing.
Local regulations shall be limited to zoning, public safety, traffic, and location standards consistent with state preeemptions. Mobile food dispensing vehicles, at least in this proposal today, will be limited to operations within the heavy
commercial, light industrial, general industrial, and commercial PD zoning districts. Placement may not obstruct public sidewalks, roadways, which are public or private, required building access, driveways, drive aisles, loading areas,
or fire lanes. operate within 10 feet of any building entrance or 20 feet of any intersection or traffic control device without prior authorization by the county or operate on an unimproved or unpaved surface unless it's part of a special
event. So, kind of think of the special event like the fair that we usually have. That would be something where they would that they could be on an unimproved or unpaved surface. Hours of operation 7 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. unless approved through a special event. Again, like the county fair, may not
remain overnight and shall vacate the premise at 10:30 p.m. unless approved through a special event. As far as waste management, shall provide self-contained refuge and liquid waste storage. Waste shall not be discharged into the ground, into storm water drains, or into any
water body. All litter and debris shall be removed before vacating the area. utilities. All power connections shall be self-contained and plugged into an approved power source meeting county building and fire codes. Generators shall not create excess noise or fumes.
Parking and access shall not occupy required parking spaces for the property's principal use unless approved through a special event. So, kind of think of the we'll take Walmart for example. Let's say they have to have 200 parking spaces, but they have 500
parking spaces. they wouldn't be able to occupy those 200, you know, something on one of those 200 spaces, but the excess 300 spaces, they would be able to have the food truck in any of those areas, which typically they they would do in the back of the parking lot. As far as signage, uh, shall be affixed to the
vehicle and no more than one freestanding a sign shall be allowed. Inflatable and flashing signs are prohibited. furniture. No tables, chairs, or tents allowed unless part of an approved special event where those items are allowed. V uh vendor
credentials. The respective state DBPR license as well as fire and health department inspection report shall be displayed and available. Property owners consent must have written consent and be prepared to present it to county officials upon request. Special event and coordination
shall conform to all event specific conditions imposed by the county and applicable fire, law enforcement or emergency management agencies. And then just other LDR considerations as I kind of highlighted earlier. This does not remove the Gford farmers market or
mobile lunch truck allowances. The PZC at their meeting on December 11th, 2025 voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance and the mobile food dispensing vehicle regulations with one change regarding the timing of the ordinanc's effective enforcement date as follows.
This ordinance shall take effect 90 days after final adoption by the board of county commissioners. So, this gives people time to make sure that they're in compliance before any code enforcement action would be taken. Staff recommends that the BCC adopt the proposed land development amendments to
institute mobile vehicle dispensing vehicles or food truck regulations within unincorporated Indian River County. Thank you. Brandon, if I can add where you mentioned that the staff recommendation, if I can uh defer that to the county
administrator specific to uh what this body is expected to resolve today, sir. So what we're asking is that you evaluate I mean we have provided this uh they did go over it at the PNZ meeting
and um looking at the definition looking at the various components as it relates to the location placement the operational standards the hours of operation uh the duration just those basic things that we can regulate through zoning
Um, I think you'd asked the board asked as a whole that we go out and we look at what other communities were doing, not reinvent the wheel and bring back what would be appropriate for Indian River County. And uh, I think this does that.
I think there's obviously there's some room for discussion on certain items as I've spoke with several of several of you individually. Uh I know some have been expressed concerns about the hours of operation
uh the prohibition of tents andor seating. Um and I think the other was the the awning the awnings. Uh so I mean I think those
are realistic conversations to have. Uh I I I understand that there was also one member that expressed why not allow them to keep it on site on a permanent basis at least more than overnight. So, uh, I
mean, for each of those, we could, you know, provide, you know, I'll take a shot and Ryan can. I mean, the hours of operation, I'll just tell you personally, I professionally, I'm not sure that there should be a
limitation to to some degree. uh uh the the ability to keep it overnight or at a permanent location. I think that's that's a little problematic in that, you know, when you consider some not just restaurants but other businesses of their bricks and mortar that have
expended large amounts of capital to have a business location and and to leave a food vendor truck or even if it was some other retail type of truck in one location. It's certainly, you know, um
there's an equity I think there's an equity and fairness discussion there. Uh the tents and the camp and and the seats. I I I can just tell you having, you know, who she likes to go to food trucks. I mean, it's Fels Mirror.
There's one on the the south uh east corner. They have, you know, a a a the canopy tent with some seats and, you know, we go out there and we sit down, eat some tacos and then leave. It's never it's it's not been a problem. So,
I think there's some reasonable uh discussion points on those items that the board should uh provide direction to staff uh especially since some members have expressed concerns regarding these items and u so I'll just return it to
the board for further assistance and comments. >> In other words, there there will be no legislative actions today. There will be no ordinance creation andor modification. This is simply a discussion albeit under a legislative matter. >> So you have a proposed ordinance and as
part of the packet and what you ultimately determine as the policy makers as a legislative body we would uh working with the attorneys county attorney's office modify that ordinance to reflect what you would like to see
for Indian River County's uh food truck ordinance. >> Okay. >> Thank you. uh at this time. Yes, ma'am. >> I'm sorry. No, Mr. Chairman. Um really quick, I just want to make sure because it is reflected for a public hearing that we still do open the public hearing and what we can do is continue it to a
time certain to another date. >> We we certainly will have public hearing. >> Okay. >> Uh before that, we'll see if the commissioners have any questions or concerns. >> Mr. Chairman, um thank you. Um I I just
at this time I want to thank staff for working diligently on this process and I want to thank uh some of the uh the vendors, the business people uh who have uh spoken and uh voiced
their opinion. And I also want to uh thank uh them for the opportunity to witness something that I just wanted to talk about a minute. See, we had no
legislation and but we had some code code ordinances that uh curtailed certain endeavors and activities. Food trucks were treated as an enigma
for many years, a scab, u a nomadic business that did not want to pay for the brick and mortar location. It was looked at in a whole different
view. I want you to know that um some of the finest food comes out of food trucks and we all go to let's say the the firefighters fair
and we anticipate to having some special lightable treats from these trucks And well,
when there was a discussion about some violations, we then had said, "Well, we're going to create an ordinance." And when we wanted to create an ordinance, uh there was a problem because there
were some food truck vendors in the community that uh there was a perception that they may have overstepped their bound, which they did not. Uh but the food trucks themselves were operating
and there was a dilemma with the the banner flags and well we have to sort that out. Uh I want you to know the county administrator uh had suspended uh abaded any enforcement during that
time. That's correct sir. It's correct sir. uh and well over 6 months and this is the point I want to make in over 6 months with no enforcement
that collectively there are uh many vendors nothing has changed. They are allowed to operate without enforcement. And you would think that if that's the
case that many would come and they would start overstepping their bounds. They did not. I want you to know that the food truck operators have been very respectful uh and uh well operating. the public is
being serviced uh with uh another opportunity uh reasonable rated food uh as far as price and they're also a able to go out and get a meal. As a matter of fact,
some of them are actually Uber Eats associated and so people just phone in orders and they're picked up and they take off. they really have not had a negative impact on the community and the state
says that uh we can't compare brick and mortar or limit uh their operation for brick and mortar. So I I just wanted to say uh thank you for them to being patient. I think this
is a great opportunity to be able to move forward. Um, again, the food truck operators are not what our fathers dealt with. They're not an inner city enigma.
They are uh a a viable resource. Some of things that were discussed by uh Mr. Chicadich uh were some things that we uh had offered. Uh one in particular was that
the state uh says that uh there's no limitation on time. Um, and again, we we could do that, but I want to point out um in uh the city of Sebastian and the county,
there was a time where uh a restaurant uh needed renovations and uh the food trucks were uh requested to be in there so that the the dining
public would be able to have some food. Uh this was a uh uh an alcohol uh license establishment and in order to do that the food truck uh was stationed
there um well into the early hours and uh that's allowed by the state and I don't think that we should have a time limit uh with that instance. So I'd like
to see something uh carved out in there if they are contracted. In addition, we talked about the tents. Um again, uh you don't want to have a carnival atmosphere. I I get it. The
limitation on spots. Uh when there are allowable spots, uh then I I believe that there could be something carved out where they could have a tent. Imagine going to a food
truck and waiting. And uh again, it does take a little time to prepare it. These are short order professionals, well prepped. Um actually some of them
operate with a chef, a sue chef and uh someone to uh handle the transaction which incidentally is by and large and by far by card. There's very little cash
that is exchanged. Most people just want to tap and go. Tap and go. And if that's the case, uh we should uh respect that and give them an opportunity to uh have
a a dining experience as well. Um again, with caution, u I I know again I mentioned that we don't want to have a carnival-like atmosphere, but it hasn't happened when there was no
enforcement for six months. And I think that's a fair fair time for something to go wrong, for something to be obtrusive. Um I again I I think that the food trucks uh are a whole different
environment. They're very costly to operate when you think about uh what they have to do. preparing not only just preparing a menu but preparing a service and uh all of the amenities but not only
that they uh are uh subject to uh health department regulations. So they have to keep a a licensed sterile environment. Uh these are not just uh pickup trucks with a with a food
distribution uh point. Uh these are businesses and the vehicles have to be wellmaintained. Uh there's fuel and there's many obligations already. And I just want to
say that uh I think they've been operating in a very respectful fashion. So, this is our opportunity to tune it up a little bit to make sure that we keep it on course and make it right.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Flesher. Uh, any other commissioners have a comment? Commissioner Moss. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Actually, um, this is a question, a legal question, I guess, uh, since it was mentioned that, um, we might want to discuss having it
be fixed. Is it defined in state statute? I'm looking at the or proposed ordinance now. Uh section one uh the inserted paragraph. It says a mobile food dispensing vehicle that is food trucks shall mean any vehicle that is a
public food service establishment and that is self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place and which includes self self-contained utilities um such as gas, water, electricity or liquid waste disposal consistent with
the definition provided in section 502102 Florida statutes. So it has to be it seems to me that it has to be movable. I mean by state definition by state statute. >> So we don't need to discuss if any food
truck being fixed. >> If I may commit. >> Ma. >> Thank you. Um >> thank you >> Mr. Chair, Madame Commissioner. Um yes that is the exact language from section 509.102 in the Florida statute subsection 1A.
That is the exact definition of a mobile food dispensing vehicle. So, yes. >> So, so by definition, it's got to move. >> Yes, it it has to move. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Well, it has to be movable. It doesn't give us a time frame, if you will. Thank you,
>> Mr. Chair. And one other thing, uh, I I noticed the, uh, where it lies, uh, as far as zoning. Um, and and I did see that CG wasn't there. Um,
that is also where there are a couple of big big box stores um, nationally known and nationally known to have food vending. uh at the threshold.
Um in some jurisdictions, uh they have them where they're actually permanent permanently there uh with a skirting around it. And uh again, that's an understanding with the PUD process
that they they have this exception. uh as far as uh the orange store and the blue store uh they have allowed the opportunity to do that. Uh well, if they
are in CG and if that's the case, then they would not be allowed to have anything other than a a hot dog cart, which would be inconsistent.
But furthermore, I I think that leaving CG out of the mix, uh what what happens there is it allows the opportunity to ensure that we don't have any brickandmortar conflict. Um expose factor
that's what we're doing there. If that's the case, um I I just just for your consumption, what what would A why would a restaurant
other than if they had their kitchen being renovated so that they needed it, why would they have someone in their parking lot? They wouldn't. So really uh this by not
having CG in there uh with some uh clean patternization uh again I understand you don't want to have the carnival-like environment but I don't think it would exist
uh let's say an auto parts location or a I I don't know a clothing store a large area parking uh location would like to have the food truck there. There is no
correlation of competition. Uh it's a special it's i.e. it's almost like a special event. Uh but I I just think that we should at least consider it. uh
because in many jurisdictions it has been a marketable promoter for business and in the community. Uh again uh specifically why this all came up was a
particular distributor had a particular food vendor there for more than 3 days and there was couple of code enforcement concerns. In essence I have watched that business.
There could be other factors. That food truck was a draw and that food truck actually complemented the business and people missed it until we abated the
enforcement and then it went back to well we can operate again. The challenge is limitation on spots. So, um I I think that's that's one that uh well, if we have
required spots, we shouldn't be reducing it below the number in which that site was approved for initially. So, but that's the only other comment. >> Thank you, Commissioner. I I think at this point, even though this is not officially legislative, let's open this
to public comment. I know we have people that have patiently been waiting. If you would like to uh address this body and perhaps uh provide us some suggestions, some concerns that we can take forward as collectively
administrator, our legal team, our commissioners and our staff create in fact um legislation, i.e. an ordinance in the future. So, if anyone has any discussions or if you'd
like to reach out to us anytime soon, we would be happy to. >> Yes, sir. Name and record for the address for the name and address for the record, please. >> Morning, chairman. I am Dane Jones, owner of Good Old Grind, 8850 North US
Highway 1, Sebastian. Okay. >> Just want to make noted uh Mr. Flesher had uh answered all my concerns. So, >> thank you very much. >> I appreciate it. Thank you guys for your time. >> Thank you.
>> Any further hearing? None. We'll close the quasi or not even quasi the legislative. >> Mr. Chairman, >> uh, Commissioner Man, >> uh, I I do agree with about everything Commissioner Fleer said reading the, u
draft of the ordinance. One concern I had if it was the, uh, unpaved or, you know, they must operate on an unpaved or unimproved pvious surface unless it's part of an approved special event.
um the they're going to have to operate sometime on grass, you know, not just at the fair, but at different events and things like that. I mean, we're going to make sure that that's okay. They may be a, you know, they may have land owners permission,
but at times it's probably going to happen to where they have to operate on a grass surface. I you know uh I would think that u you know we'd prefer them to be on a paved surface but
sometimes the grass thing would would would be that I don't know how we'd enforce the the times per se you know where you 9:30 10:00 midnight other than um
that's just something to think about with regards to that I I think the key in here for most of this is they have to have the owner's permission of the property. I think that's the key
element in all this. If they have the owner's permission, I think they they should be able to operate in that area. As with regards to the furniture, I think as long as this not making a
carnival atmosphere, it's not impeding travel or impeding if there's another vendor there, which I know that's that's kind of what they do. I really don't see a problem with that. Uh, with regards to to having something small out there, not
not an excess. Um, that's really about all I have, I think. Uh, Commissioner Flesher summed up a lot of it of what I'd like to see us take a look at, but and he makes a good point, too. We
haven't had an issue for the past six months. I don't think we're going to have any I don't think we're going to have any more. And I think we need to be pro business. I don't think it interferes. some some restaurant owners have been concerned, but that's when to
my knowledge it's been when a food truck is basically >> in the parking lot in front of the restaurant, >> you know, I mean, >> and we hope legislate. It's I think that's probably inappropriate, but >> but uh I don't think it's been a big issue. I think if we do, we have to we'd
have to address that at the time if we see that. But overall with those those few uh ch changes I I I think Commissioner Plexer sums it up. I think CG is something we need to look at for sure
and uh because it does happen like you said like you go to Lowe's has a hot dog stand in front of their building but 100 feet out in the parking lot there's a taco truck >> you know sometimes out in the parking lot. So, you know, if they have the
owner's permission, that's their parking lot. You know, it's just something to work out. So, that's kind of where I'm at. Mr. Chairman. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> If I could again for the record, Ryan Sweeney, assistant planning development services director. I'm picking up on
sort of three key items that I do kind of want to seek firm direction on. Um, so that when we bring it back, we're hopefully in good shape. Um, as far as hours of OP, we we can just strike it entirely. I mean, currently we do not regulate restaurant operation hours
other than for the sale of alcoholic beverages, which stops at 2 am. Um, so we can remove it in its entirety. We do still have the noise ordinance, so if they are operating, you know, adjacent to or nearby residential or even commercial, there are noise standards um
that can that's that's fine. Uh tables and tents, I would recommend that we do keep it fairly limited. I believe a 10x10 tent is exempt from fire uh code regulations. So, we can do a 10 x 10 with a with a picnic table. Uh again, it
can't impede sidewalks or handicap access or anything like that. And then as far as CG, my my only suggestion for CG would be that it be CG but with a minimum 3acre site. We don't want to see a proliferation of these really small
sites like a a convenience store or or fast, you know, fast food is probably not an option, but dollar stores, those sites are really tight. They're they typically don't have excess parking anyways. They're usually parked right at the number, so they wouldn't have the extra spaces. So, uh, but shopping centers, Publix Plazas, Home Depot,
Lowe's, things that are on larger acreage sites typically do have excess parking. Um, so I would just suggest if we're going to go down the CG route that we have a minimum 3acre. It'd be very straightforward for the operators um to you know like we have our zoning maps.
They can very quickly check on property appraisal. Oh yeah, it's at least three acres. We can even prepare maps that say these these sites are what's allowed. So those are my suggestions. I I don't know if we want to take an individual sort of consensus on each item or or if we can
just run with that. >> Well, thank you Mr. Sweeney. Think what we'll do is uh after the discussion today give your your office and uh Miss Prao and her office an opportunity to review some of the discussions that we've had with respect to that and we
look forward to when you bring this back to us so we can solidify and actually create legislation within the county with respect to our food trucks. Uh, commissioners, we do not need a vote on this as this is just a general
discussion. >> I do have a question. Ryan and Susan, is was that enough direction to move forward to bring something? >> Yes, I believe so. Yes. And we'll have to re we'll revertise and have a subsequent public hearing. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right.
>> Yes, this will be continued. So that um at this time it is 10:24. >> We need time certain date certain on the m >> Mr. Chair. We'll we'll re advertise entirely. So, we're not going to do a opening continue. We'll we'll we'll readverize.
>> That's okay. Thank you, Commissioner Fletcher, for looking out uh for me. At this time, this meeting is adjourned. We on recess, excuse me, not a German recess until 10 until 10:30 a.m. Thank you.
I love that. I'm going to add that in. >> The time is 10:30. Welcome back. If we can take our seats, commissioners, the next item is 11 A4. This is Hire's Property LLC request to reszone approximately plus or minus
18.08 acres from a district A1 to RS3 res single family residential and this is in fact a quasi judicial hearing. The parties involved are Indian River County as well as well as Hires Property
LLC which in fact is the applicant at this part of the meeting. Commissioner, since this is quasi judicial, I will ask that you disclose any exparte communication, site visits, or independent investigations. Commissioner Moss.
>> Yes, sir. Uh, none to my knowledge. >> None that I'm aware of. >> None to my knowledge. >> None that I'm aware of. >> None that I'm aware of. >> At this point, commissioners, we will confirm that each of you have an open mind and are able to base your decisions on the evidence presented by the
applicable law. Commission >> Can and shall >> Can and Will. >> Can and will. >> Can and will. >> All right. Thank you, commissioners. At this point, we will open the public hearing. We will ask the clerk to swear in any witnesses that may be testifying
collectively. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk, and thank you potential witnesses. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and fellow commissioners. Uh, for the record, I'm still Patrick Murphy and still the chief of long-range planning. Um, here today to discuss the Hires Properties LLC
reconing resoning request. Uh, a quick slide here in the development pattern and zoning history. This is an 18.08 acre site. It lies within the urban service area. It's on the south side of Ace Street about4 miles east of 58th Avenue. Contains an
L1 lowdensity residential one future land use designation allowing up to three units per acre and it is currently zoned A1 agricultural zoning. I'm going to pause for a moment to uh mention that this property as you look at the maps may look a little familiar to you. This
property did come before you in July of last year under a different applicant I must make note of uh for a plan development and named Floresta Gardens. That project was ultimately denied its approval and it was recommended that
this property seek an RS3 zoning category which is what's consistent to the south and the east. Um and since then a new applicant has taken over and submitted this application. So, if it looks familiar, that's the reason why. Uh, the parcel has been zoned A1 since the adoption of the county's original
zoning atlas and has historically been used for single family residential purposes. Over the past 50 years, development along a street has transitioned from agricultural uses to predominantly lowdensity single family neighborhoods consistent with the L1 land use designation that this area um
exists on. To the north along a street are four A1ZONED single family parcels created in the 1970s, including a 1 and a half acre A1 parcel embedded in the subject's site, but excluded from this request. All of these parcels are legally non-conforming due to their lot
size. They're all less than 5 acres, which is the minimum for A1. Across A Street to the north are RS3 zone developments including Laurel Oaks, Glendale Elementary School to the northeast. Further to the northeast, Glendel Lakes, and farther Hampton Park
PD at the northwest. To the east and southeast are additional RS3 subdivisions such as Heron Crest, Indian Oaks, and large lot single family homes. South of the subject site is the Cypress Lake PD zoned RS3. To the west are A1 parcels with pasture
land and single family homes. The subject site is surrounded entirely by residential uses and there are no adjacent commercial or industrial zones ensuring consistency with the locationational criteria outlined within policy 1.43 of the comprehensive plan
existing versus proposed zoning. The current zoning of A1 allows low density residential allowing one dwelling unit up to 5 acres. The proposed zoning of RS3 also allows single family residential up to three units per acre and the site is suited for residential infield development within the urban
service area. Per table 2.14 of the county's comprehensive plan. A1 zoning is not permitted under the property's L1 future land use designation. RS3 however is an appropriate implementing district for the L1 designation and would bring the parcel into conformity with the
county's plan. On this slide, you'll see a quick comparison for the development standards of A1 and RS3 in terms of its SA setbacks, lot width, and open space and lot coverage analysis per chapter 902.12 subsection
3. All reszoning items are evaluated against items A through K of this section of the LDRs. Item A deals with uh compatibility. Staff found no conflicts with the applicable land development regulations for the requested RS3 zoning. RS3 is appropriate
for this L1 destination. Item B, comprehensive plan elements. The proposed zoning is consistent with all elements of the comprehensive plan aligning with policies 4.1, 2.2, 1.11, 1.12, and 1.43.
Item C, land uses. The subject site is currently undeveloped, and the proposed RS3 zoning would not cause any conflicts. No lenuous amendment changes required for this request since the zoning is consistent with its designation. The applicant's request brings the zoning into conformity with
the future lenus element. Items D through K. This happens to deal with the county's thoroughfare plan, roadway level service, environmental conditions, public services, natural resources compatibility, and compliance with county plans. Items D through K. Staff
has found no inconsistencies with these standards of review. Therefore, all resoning review criteria have been satisfied. Conclusion and recommendation. Requested R3 zoning district is compatible with the surrounding area, is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of
the county's adopted comprehensive plan. It's consistent with the county's land development regulations. It's deemed suitable for the subject property and supported by staff. With that, the staff and planning zoning commission recommend that the board of county commissioners approve this request to resone the subject property from A1 to RS3. be
happy to answer any questions the commission may have. Also like to point out the applicant's representative is in attendance today is here to answer any questions as well. >> Thank you, Mr. Murphy. Commissioners, any questions of staff? >> Commissioner Moss. >> Yes. Uh thank you. Um for the community,
so the uh most intense use of this property would go from five dwelling units um to 54 dwelling units. So, that's a t-fold increase on this property. Um, I'm going to look at item
E in the backup. I'm just going to read. Uh, this represents a theoretal theoretical, excuse me, increase of 482 daily trips at full buildout. The extent of any impact to 8th Street will depend on the specific development proposed at
the subdivision or site plan stage. There's a real problem with doing this. I'm not going to let it affect my decision today, but I do want to um consider this. You know, we reszone things and it's theoretical and it can
lead to um real problems. We already know from community outreach that the community is very concerned about traffic. You know, we have we already have data on that. So, it's not my personal opinion. I'm I want to be responsive to the community, although I
certainly have experienced it along with the community. 8th Street, 58th and 8th. Um there's a lot of development there and we need to consider, you know, the the entire area, you know, that means like from 58th down to US1 in the
future. Again, not going to have this uh effect today because I know that that currently we allow this. We allow resoning. But resoning to me, it's really it's operating in the blind. It's it's too it's too much too much theory. We don't know what's going to happen. We
don't really know what we're approving. We've had before us on other matters, we've had people come in and complain about, well, why are you allowing, you know, another car wash? Why are you allowing another storage unit? Well, it's zoned for that. So, zoning is
really critical. I mean, you can have, you know, death by reszoning uh in this in this county, and that's that's that's a real concern of mine. So, do you want to, you know, address any of that? I don't know if he even can address traffic at this point, but you you
certainly know 8th Street. You certainly know the composition of I mean, we can look at it. It's in the backup. Uh you know, you can see how dense it is. And and that one that one that's on the corner of 58th and 8th that, you know, people have complained
to me about and I haven't you know, I haven't really even seen it, but somehow it's a it's an I don't know. I'm not sure how to characterize it as an insult or >> the community. >> Sure. Uh yeah, Mr. Chair, again for the record, Ryan Sweeney, assistant plan
development service director. Um so again, as Mr. Murphy mentioned, this this property was proposed to be developed under a plan development scenario last last year. Um under that scenario, they were proposing smaller
lots with reduced setbacks. In fairness, even under that design with reduced setbacks and reduced lot widths, they were proposing a total of 44 units at 2.43 units per acre. Still well below the the three cap. So the the term theoretical, it's not really
theoretical, it's just basic math. You take 18.08* 3 and that's that's what the number is. I I' I've said it before and I'll say it again. Under conventional zoning, you cannot fi you just physically cannot get to that number with lot width, with storm water, with
roadway, with landscape, with all the other things that are required in our code. Generally, uh a conventional a really well-designed conventional uh subdivision would yield about two units per acre. Um so, in that regard, we're looking more at something like 36 units.
Uh this also I believe in this particular case this property because a lot of the same area is in the cut and fill. So that's a whole another level of potentially losing some units due to larger storm water requirements. U that being said uh we are keenly aware of of
traffic and if a subdivision is proposed um you know traffic would be looked at further. Just to be clear, at 36 35 units times roughly 10 unit 10 trips per unit that would drop that would actually be below the 400 trip threshold. So this
this particular property could even develop below the traffic study threshold. U a larger project like Hampton Park with 150 units, that's a different scenario. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Sweeney. Any further questions for Mr. Sweeney? >> No, thank you, >> Mr. Chairman. I also wanted to tack on
to the comments Mr. Sweeney just made that when the project previous project did come before us, it did propose a number of units that did trip the threshold for a full traffic study, they did submit one and that study did not yield any actual physical improvements necessary to 8th Street to bring the
level service back up to acceptable standards. That level of development did not fail the road. Um the road improvements they were going to do were were public benefits as part of that plan development. Uh this particular project has anticipated about 35 units
when you take out the road, the storm water, the buffers, and the setbacks. Um and so it's even less than what the previous one was actually proposing. >> We thank you for that, Mr. Murphy. We we certainly recognize that and the the long uh debate we had in 2025 over this
particular item. Um one thing for Mr. Sweeney, this in fact is within the urban service boundary. >> That is correct. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> This uh this neighborhood's in in my hood. It's down in my area. I don't live
very far at all from this. And um we nix the the last one for the basically the design and and the uh compaction and the of the houses and all that stuff. I'm I'm glad to hear that this zoning gives
us a little more room, a little more freedom. I like Commissioner Moss. I'm concerned about 8 Street. I drive 8 Street all the time. This is on the south side which has to go over to any river farms canal. So there only could be one exit, one entrance.
>> Um they are fairly close to 58th. I assume that most traffic would go out that way where there is a stoplight at 58th and 8th Street, but still going east, you don't get a stoplight till you hit 43rd. You have the school traffic and all that
stuff. So, I can see an issue with adding more cars down there with traffic with the school during during school hours and and um etc. Yes, this is a much better
zoning than the PD was for this area. I'm like everybody else. I'm not I'm not crazy about new rooftops in the county, but if it's if it's a good idea, it makes the criteria and you said it's within
the earned service line, which I know it is. Um, you know, it's those are those are just some points I wanted to I wanted to make because those are those are my my concern is basically more of the more of the traffic on a two-lane road that hasn't really been improved
ever since it was built other than it was widened a couple of feet when they when they repaved the road 20 or 30 years ago. Um, that that's my only concern. the fact that it's again another one entrance subdivision where you've heard me in the
past especially down 43rd Avenue South Oslo why don't we have you know an two entrances and you know two an exit and entrance in different locations and just and just like the previous one we talked about today so
I I really don't know what other further questions to ask and I'm just kind of venting all a little bit >> appreciate that other than that >> that's why We'll hear from the applicant. >> Welcome. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Um, members of
the commission, my name is Dan Sorro, uh, with Mil Short Associate representing the property owner, uh, and, uh, applicant, and we're in full agreement with staff's recommendation. I think that they've done a very good job of going through the analysis and bringing about the points after the PD
was uh, denied. I think uh last year uh this is really the next course of action for the property owner to have equity um in the property and you know this is in the urban service boundary. So um the a uses are no longer appropriate when you
have water and sewer available. Uh RS3 is the uh surrounding zoning district of all the similar properties to the north, the east and the south. So it is a logical development pattern to first fill up the urban service boundary before you do uh areas outside the urban
service boundary. So this is just a typical development pattern that you see in municipalities all throughout uh South Florida. And uh we thank you for this and and I think as Mr. Murphy mentioned, we did prepare a initial
conceptual plan. we yielded about 32 lots that were all the RS3 uh which are the uh 80 by 150 uh for the 12,000 square foot minimum. So you are providing a little bit of extra space on the side
setbacks and rear setbacks and front yards. So uh we're excited to bring that plan before you uh in the future and um just thank you for your time this morning. Thank you for your service. Happy New Year and uh appreciate the time this morning. Thank you.
>> Well, we thank you as well, sir. Uh, at this time, as part of the quasi judicial, we will open this hearing up to the public. If you have any questions or concerns for the body, the applicant, or county officials, please step forward.
Giving adequate time, we will now close the public hearing. Uh, this is an opportunity for final presentations by the county. Patrick Ryan if you have any. Seeing none and hearing none final presentations by the applicant.
Seeing none hearing none. This point we'll make sure that all documents and tangible evidence have been admitted into the evidence and are in the hands of our clerk. >> So noted the county staff agenda materials are
automatically admitted into evidence unless there are any objections. At this point again we will close the public hearing. Commissioners your thoughts and concerns and direction suggested.
>> Mr. Chair be happy to move approval. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Adams, a second by myself. Any further discussions? Hearing none. All in favor? I. And the motion carries. Thank you,
>> Mr. Jordan and Mr. Sweeneying. Mr. The next item on the list brings us to departmental matters. Uh, and we will entertain B, community services. 13B1 is a children's services.
Sorry, >> we actually have uh Kathy Copelan who's member we amended. >> I'm sorry about that. I didn't make that note. Welcome, Miss Copelan. Under item 12. Didn't
>> didn't notice that. >> You're going to let them go first. >> Little plane. >> Yeah. >> For the record, I'm Kathy Copelan, legislative affairs and commun communications manager. >> Thank you. Well, today kicks off legislative
session and as promised, I am here to give you a status on the bill that we expected to drop um related to the Felsmere Water Control District. actually two bills dropped on Saturday and I just want to give you a status of
where we are and kind of how it looks like it's going to proceed just because a local bill is different from a regular bill and that it moves fairly quickly and the legislative delegation is primarily in control of its path. So
both members of our delegation, Senator Gro and Representative Brackett have had numerous conversations and meetings with different entities including the county and all people are working very well together. I will say um there's a lot of good faith effort. There's a lot of good
faith activity that has been going back and forth. Um and I'm encouraged by that. So I right now just want to let you know you can flip to Well, I guess I'm supposed to be doing that. Sorry. Um, so primarily we're dealing with the
Pelmere Water Control District because they are the ones that have basically asked, I think, for this based on an outcry from the residents. Um, it's my understanding that this is not a knee-jerk reaction. These are conversations that have been going on
for years. Um the residents that I have talked to have expressed that they really would desire more transparency in how the water control system is operated and specifically they are concerned about the maintenance of the canals
which in talking with our county staff we have those concerns as well. So, these are the players that um we're dealing with at the Pelmmeir Water Control District. And as you can see, the most of these special districts are very old. Um they were established to
allow for farmlands to be habitable and to be um made so that they could actually farm the land because most of us, as we know, um Florida was a swamp prior to us turning it into commerce. in
in us being able to live here. So, we're what we're dealing with now is the difference between a dependent district and an independent district. Right now, the Felsmere Water Control District is an independent district, a 298 district established by Florida
statute 298. What is proposed is for the water control district to become a dependent district under the governance of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners. As such, the board of county
commissioners, if this bill passes, would appoint themselves as the board for the water control district and be responsible for the maintenance of the canals for water conveyance and flood
control. The funding for this activity is an assessment to the property owners. And in this transaction, if this happens, um,
all the things that would be included are the property, a building, and everything in the building, a piece of equipment, and their reserve, money in the bank.
So just so for the public so you can understand the difference. A dependent district again is governed by a legislative or a county or city um government. An independent district is an elected board. They have a much greater autonomy which has been part of
the problem in that the the people feel like there there's more accountability if they are governed by a county. Um, we have also had many conversations with the city of Felsmere. In the beginning, Mr. Dill, their
attorney, was um, opposed to this. He he had a lot of concerns. We've been working through those. Um, they have been working through those. And in our conversations, I have been checking in just to make sure that they're comfortable. And my latest conversation
with um Armando this morning, the city manager was that they are not opposed to the split. They just want to make sure that the annexation is acknowledged in the legislation and that it is understood that any land use or
development issues would be subject to their comprehensive plan which everybody has agreed that that is the case. And so I think now they are moving to a place where they're more comfortable. I'm not going to I'm going to redo that
bill. Um I mean that slide for you because I want to give and we can post it on the website because I want it to reflect exactly as it is posted because people are very attached to words and I don't want anybody to get um confused. So I will redo that slide and make sure
it's on our website. But in essence, the headarters water control district will become a public corporation. It will provide the district's charter. It'll establish its boundaries. Um it will provide for maintenance and use of
certain canals. And that is obviously part of the um the back and forth. How do we describe that? The dependent district that which is House Bill 4093 will provide for the district as a dependent district under the Indian
River County Board of County Commissioners and governed by the the commission and it will provide for maintenance and use of certain canals. The county commission will then have the the opportunity to establish its own charter which could include how you
receive um impact or input from the the citizens. They would like a formal board in conversations with them. We've talked about a different all different kinds of um citizen boards and that's something
that they will definitely want to discuss with you if this does go through. Just for the record, I have advised them that the county commission is definitely open to public engagement and citizen advisory committees, but to anticipate
that they would have be they they will not be part of the board that governs the district. they will be an advisory. They will have input into how just like you do with the um SWID and just like you do with emergency services. So um
the other thing that has been discussed and the other caution that I have given the citizens is that you have to be careful what you put in legislation because if you do ever want to go change a provision, it opens up the entire bill. So everything that you got that was good is also back on the table. So
th that's the reason why there's a lot of deliberation right now. Both Senator Gro and Representative Brackett in a delegation meeting uh did state clearly that they wanted the board of county commissioners to be comfortable with the the legislation.
The bill as it exists right now is not what is anticipated to be final law and all entities understand that and that's why there's so much conversation. The goal is to have the refinements to all the legislation done in the first
amendment that will go before the committee, the first committee stop. Um, normally a a local bill will probably go to about three committees. We anticipate that this will come up in a couple of weeks. Um, and then hopefully we can all
agree to a language in the amendment that we're comfortable with if indeed this looks like it's going to go through. The House is in charge of a local bill. So, Representative Brackett is in full control. Once he puts it out there, which it is out there now, he can pull
it at any time if he does not feel like it's where it needs to be. Typically, a the House bills once they get approved by the House side, they go over as a package to the Senate. And at that point in time, Senator Gro will look at it and
if she is not comfortable that all parties are represented, she has the authority to pull it. So there's a lot of checks and balances along the way and I just wanted to make sure that you all understood the difference between the local bill and a regular bill and kind
of the path that this was on and where you can interject and um state whatever you know whether you're comfortable whether you have questions um markers that you want to put down um I just wanted to be fully transparent because um at the beginning of the session
or at the when we started committee weeks and I brought the priorities orities forward. I promised you that I would keep you informed about this and I just now that we it has been dropped and it's in play. I want you to have the opportunity to discuss it if you want to. >> Thank you very much for that. Um I trust
fellow commissioners that um Miss Copelan and Mr. Tatanic have shared uh what we just heard uh independently with you. I know I had about a 25 30 minute conversation with exactly what she said. So I feel confident that we in fact are
informed. Any questions? >> Mr. Chairman. Um yes. I I believe uh Commissioner Adams uh as she was uh uh on the city council in Belmmere. Uh we
may recall some further discussions, concerns and uh shortcomings of uh production or sustainability to the community. Um it
it's been a long journey. I I I think uh I'm quite refreshed uh with the actions, the thought process, the legislative update. Uh I did have that uh conversation that you had uh Mr.
Chairman and I I just like uh there was some concerns uh as and housekeeping items uh such as um the assumability of the lease on the piece of equipment which is vital to the
whole operation. >> Correct. >> Uh it has that's been explored and I understand Mr. Julie uh has uh looked deeper into this and >> yes sir there's actually three items that we were concerned about and let me
also explain that if the bill passes let's say in March it would not go on effect until October. So that gap raised a lot of flags for us as staff. What happens during that time and what
happens between now and then because they are on a different cycle. They will assess their they will decide on their assessment sometime in May. We will not if this bill passed takes over till October. And so we need to understand what money are they spending, what are
they obligating because all of that would come to the county. So the thing the items that we were looking at were the equipment lease which it is our understanding that we can opt out of that lease if we need to. Danny and he can speak for himself but
he has expressed that we would want to continue that for now. Um the other one is a contract that they had bid out in November and they are going to actually schedule to vote on it tonight. We asked them to hold off on that to
give Danny an opportunity to review that contract because we were concerned that whatever they said they were taking care of hot spots. We wanted to make sure that those hotspots were that we agreed with the same and so Danny took it home last
night and basically scrubbed the contract and um you can tell them for yourself but he said he was pleasantly surprised. Good morning. Danny Ulie, assistant public works director. And yes, I did. After our meetings yesterday, I did take the contract home last night. I came in
early this morning and went over some more, made some highlights, and I was very impressed in what they put in that contract versus what we have seen from them in the past. uh what is in that contract. All the verbiage would lead to what if this
passes we will have a head start come October because everything we need and what we want and what the residents need is in that contract. So if we move forward with the contract the work will begin in Felsmere in that water control
district that we are uh talking about right now. So, come October 1st, if we take over, we have a giant foot forward in getting things taken care of. Uh, a couple of items that did catch my eye that I mentioned to Kathy this morning
as well is they've actually put in that contract for emergency on call such as in rainy season when the county is getting these phone calls at 1 or two in the morning. This contractor until October if the bill passes will be
maintaining that. uh they are on standby at night, weekends, holidays, any of those times that we have been covering in the past and I took that as a a good thing uh for the residents and for us at the same
time. So that gives us some breathing room to to get this on the right track. >> Thank you. What you're saying is that uh we we're in the receiverhip of a reasonably sound
product. Yes. Albe it does need some work. >> Yes. >> But uh it's the the transference will be the uh a clean obligation as opposed to look what we got into. >> Exactly. Yes sir.
>> It'll be a step in the right direction for sure. And I think the the good faith effort um in talking with with the Felsmere Water Control District um and Mr. Nelson, he wanted to make
sure that he he said that he had heard loud and clear from Representative Brackett. He had heard loud and clear from the residents and he understood all of our concerns. City of Felsmere, the county that there were certain spots in the canal that really needed attention
and he wanted to that contract. He did not want to pull the contract because he wanted it clear that he intended to follow through with it. He was only willing to pull it if we were not comfortable. So, as of right now, I told him I would text him after we had this
meeting because now I'm getting from Danny that he thinks it's a good idea for them to go ahead and and award the contract. There is another contract with SDS, which is special district services, and that is for the actual operation of
the district. And we there's Mark Matthysse is the um general manager, but then they have a contract with SDS. um their original contract included management of the canal and and and all we asked them to take that out and so
now we have under review um a contract that is just for the actual operations of the district and I believe it's like $40,000 or something like that. But it looks like we would probably want that to continue too, especially over the the
period of time until a transition can happen if the bill passes because for auditing purposes and budgeting purposes and they keep the records, they manage the website, they do they do it all. >> I just encourage that uh Mr. Greg Nelson
is very supportive and in embracing of this as well. Mr. Minister, >> I I just want to also add that we did review their financial report, their audit from that was as of September 30th, 2024, and looked at their they do have a positive fund balance. I think
it's about $300,000. Uh and then we did review the budget that had that's active for this fiscal year. And with out in terms of debt, the only debt they have is a capital lease payment for the 2023 excavator. And
that's what Danny's going to look at and and uh make a decision whether we continue that or we look to purchase one because at some point might be cheaper to just purchase one then >> u
yeah we talked about the the arrangement with the with the capital equipment as well. So it's good news. It's good news for Felsmere and it's good news for uh our staff. Uh, in other words, we won't be scrambling hopefully as much to assist other parties.
>> Mr. Chair, um, just real quick, I want to very much thank Representative Brackett and Senator Gro for bringing this forward um, and working that bill. And I'd also like to, um, thank my fellow commissioners for letting us participate in those conversations. But
I really want to express our, um, thanks to the East Felmmer Land Owners Group, or Elog for short. uh for all their work on this over many many many years. Um they have really been engaged as an advocacy group and I think that's helped
us get through this process. So, I want to thank them for their engagement. >> And if I can just give kudos to that group, too, because I have just really started engaging with them because I really wanted to understand what their concerns were because they're so close
to it to make sure that in reading the legislation that we weren't missing something. >> And there were several of them that went through line by line and have provided a list line by line of where they're concerned, what the concern is. they we
have looked at it on a map. So, it's very helpful and I think it it took a lot of time for them to do that and they're very passionate about what what this outcome is going to look like. And so, it's helpful to all of us who are looking at it to make sure that the
county gets um a a sound product out of this legislation, but also to make sure that the the concerns that have been expressed for so many years are taken care of in legislation. Thank you, Miss Copelan, and for the presentation, Mr. Ulu. We trust that you
will continue to update us as the session uh which has now been started for an hour and a half uh kicks off and we wait patiently for any clarification or help that you may need. >> Okay. And and we do have 1750 bills so
far and 250 were dropped on Friday. So, it's it's a crazy session already, >> right? Exciting times. Thank you. Not this one. >> Commissioners, that brings us up now to 13B, community service, which uh we've all been waiting patiently for. 13B1,
the children's services 2024 2025 annual report, and it appears that we have Miss Emerson and Miss Kendrick presenting. Good morning. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair and
commissioners. For the record, Cindy Emerson, community services director. Today, we are so pleased to present to you a brief overview of our annual report along with an update of the children's uh services needs assessment.
This work really reflects um in both the outcomes of the programs funded by the board of county commissioners and the data that guides how we strategically invest our resources in the most critical needs of children and families in Indian River County. Today I'm really
pleased to present we have Megan Kendrick, our human services administrator, Robert Katapano, our human services coordinator, and our new part-time position with Ashley Baker, our new data analyst. And I'm going to turn it over to Megan Kendrick.
Are we in morning or afternoon? Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for having us here today. Um, like Miss Emerson said, today we're going to be presenting our 2425 annual report as well as our 2026 needs assessment update. Before I begin, I'd like to say
thank you to all of you sitting up there today. Without your support and guidance, the impact you're about to see would not be possible. I also want to quickly thank the nonprofits that serve our children and families for their continued commitment to attending professional development and improving
their craft and strengthening their programs. I would like to thank my amazing team. I could not do this work without them. Their dedication and passion to serving children and families can be seen across our community. I'd also like to thank Miss Emerson for her
strong guidance and her passion and her leadership. And with that, it is important for me to note that this year's theme is every child deserves a hero. Um, we made a video with the team and we just hope you enjoy not only the video, but what it
shows and the impact that your work has made. >> Hi, I may not know all the big words or numbers, but I know this because of you. I have help when I need it. Because of you, my family is stronger.
Because of you, I have a chance to succeed. Thank you, Board of County Commissioners, for continuing to support children's services and the programs that support kids like me. Every child deserves a hero
and because of you, we have one. >> Can you move bring it back to the camera? >> We did check it yesterday and it played great. So, we did a >> funded programs are doing more than delivering services. They are strengthening outcomes year-over-year. Over the past two years, program
performance has significantly improved with the percentage of outcomes met increasing from 61% to 93%. That investment is making a difference across all three funding priorities, health and well-being, nurturing families and communities, and success in school and
life. This year, SESAC funded programs delivered more than 21,000 touch points with children, youth, and families across Indian River County. Each touch point represents a meaningful interaction, support, education, or
prevention. That helps turn funding into measurable outcomes. More than 9,000 children were reached through early childhood development programs. Over 1,700 students participated in programs strengthening math and reading skills.
More than 5,000 youth were supported through programs reducing atrisisk behaviors. And over 1,500 parents and caregivers increase their understanding of children's social and emotional needs through research-based trainings. The outcomes truly tell the story. Because
of SESAC funded early learning programs, 83% of participating children scored at or above the state benchmark on the VPK assessment. >> 85% of students in small groupoup reading support and 95% of students in
small group math tutoring showed measurable learning gains. >> 93% of youth engaged in prevention programming showed significant improvement in making safe and healthy choices. And 100% of fathers participating in children's services
funded programs increase their knowledge of how to support their children's emotional well-being and positive behavior. >> In addition to funding programs, SESAC staff partners with community experts to build capacity across funded agencies,
strengthening program outcomes, creating greater impact, building stronger boards, and helping agencies diversify funding. Every funded agency participated in professional development this year and 93% report they are already implementing what they learned
to strengthen their programs. >> Accountability remains at the core of our work. SESAC completed 100% of required site visits, conducting over 132 walkthrough evaluations to ensure programs align with their grant
applications. and 100% of quarterly reports were submitted and reviewed, ensuring transparency, performance tracking, and responsible stewardship of public funds. >> These highlights represent only a
portion of the impact achieved through children's services funding. For full transparency, the complete annual report with detailed outcomes and program results is available on the children's services website. Because when community support turns investment into action,
outcomes improve, families are strengthened, and children thrive. >> And when we come together, every child has a hero. >> Hi, I may not know all the big words or numbers, but I know this. Because of
you, I have help when I need it. Because of you, my family is stronger. as we're turning it off. >> Because of you, I have a chance to succeed. >> Thank you. >> Are there any questions about the annual
report? >> Commissioners, any questions? >> No, it was. >> We did it. >> Yeah. >> Good job. >> Um, I just want to thank Ashley for her commitment to that video. We are learning. we are getting better. But she
uh was steadfast in making sure that got done and it had all the graphics and I can't thank her enough. All right, now moving on. We're going to just do a very quick update on the needs assessment. If there's any questions afterwards, I'm happy to answer it for you. Um we have a
needs assessment subcommittee that is comprised of local experts across health, education, and family systems. We do a comprehensive 5-year needs assessment with annual updates using hundreds of local, state, and data points, community feedback, and local
subject matter expertise. And we're up now. Um, this needs assessment identifies the most pressing needs of children and families in Indian River County. This needs assessment is a living datadriven framework which establishes
funding priorities and focus areas. It's updated annually like I said to identify any shifts, trends, and emerging needs. This year, we really focused on parent and caregiver feedback. With over 400 feedback responses from local parents
and caregivers, we were able to identify themes that these families wanted. uh we had 426 which actually makes this statistically relevant as well just to note um and the needs assessment directly drives the SESAC request for proposal. The needs assessment has
identified three funding priorities. Health and well-being, nurturing families and community, and success in school and life. The key themes we heard from parents and caregivers across Indian River County were number one, they wanted easier
access to mental health with fewer revolving doors. They're looking for more affordable quality early learning. They would like more mentoring and structured support for teens, a focus on real world skill building with things
like financial literacy, trades, and soft skills. and they'd like us to continue to support tutoring, afterchool, and summer academic support. Although we have made a lot of pro progress like you saw in the annual report.
Sorry, skipping one of the slides. There we go. Um, there is still work to be done in health and well-being. We've seen gains in prenatal care and declining substance youth. But we are also seeing rising teen birth, mental
health concerns, a surge in childhood obesity, and a growing uh special needs enrollment across our county. This highlights the need for continued early intervention and coordinated support in the area of health and well-being and
nurturing family and community. The data shows progress in reducing childhood adversity and serious juvenile offenses, but rising mental health cris crisis, student homelessness, and juvenile misdemeanors are still something we're seeing an increase in, which shows this
the need to strengthen prevention and early intervention. And finally, and our last one, success in school and life. We have seen a lot of success and a lot to celebrate around strong academic performance and high graduation rates. However, we are looking at a decline in
kindergarten readiness. Persistent chronic absenteeism still be is an issue. Uh parent demand for real world skill building that signals signals the help for early education supports and expanded pathways to college and career readiness.
From needs to actions, this framework directly informs funding decisions, priorities, and strategies to prove outcomes. And if you want to see the programs that are um chosen based off this needs assessment, we do have a GIS map. This
will represent all programs that are funded through the BOCC on our children's service website. If you would like to see the complete needs assessment and all the updates, you can access it through this QR code or you can visit our website, children's
services, on the county main website. With that, thank you again. And if there's any questions, we're happy to answer them. >> Great. Well, thank you, commissioners. Uh >> we do need uh direction to accept the the previous matter which was the annual
re annual report. >> Move approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussions about the annual report? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. >> And the motion carries. Uh, commissioners, we also just heard the needs assessment report. I think some of
the key trends uh that Miss Kendrick mentioned uh certainly uh are concerning that allows us to probably agree that we have a lot of work ahead of us. Uh and
some of those trends uh can be I guess universally accepted throughout the nation. Don't know. Certainly work to do for us. >> I don't believe we need any action on that, but thank you for the presentation. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you very much, >> Commissioner Adams. Thank you for your leadership and being leas of SEESAC. We'll see you at 3 o'clock today. >> I'll wear my cape, my hero cape. Commissioners, before we get into the group health insurance, would you like a fivem minute break or would you like to
carry on? >> Your pleasure. >> At this time, we will take a a quick recess and we will reconvene at 11:26. Welcome back. The time now is 11:27 for the 13th of January, 2026.
We now, fellow commissioners, go to item 13D under human resources and this is group health insurance update January 2026. And I see our human resource director Suzanne Bole, welcome and good morning. >> Uh, thank you, commissioners. Uh,
Suzanne Bole, director of human resources, and I have, uh, Rachel Freriedman uh, with Lockton and Ta Tresa Kresen uh, with Lockton, who was here back in June when I last spoke with you about our health plan. Uh, at that time,
um, the board, uh, we had a lot of discussion about how the health plan was doing. Um, it was interesting. I was reviewing my notes from that agenda item and uh back in June, we uh had a a discussion about the GLP1 medications
and uh just how the plan was performing. And at that time, we projected a $3.24 million shortfall uh between funding and um uh what our ex our projected experience was going to be under the
plan. Um, I do want to note that our insurance trust fund is very well funded. It was very well funded at that time and it still remains very well funded. So, what what we agreed to do was to uh renew the plan uh with no
benefit changes. We left everything the same. The premiums were the same. All the benefits would be the same, and we would we would monitor it and report back to you. And that's what we're doing here today. um locked in provided me with the uh year-end financials for the
plan that was a part of the agenda item that was uh placed in uh and uh provided to you for review. Um under those financials, we actually ended uh the plan year with um instead of a $3.24
million deficit, a $2.5 million deficit. So, we did better than we actually projected, which is good news. Um but we do have some uh increased um expenses that happened in the in the prior plan year. We uh discovered that our medical
claims increased by 19.2% over the prior plan year and then our pharmacy claims increased by 32.2%. Um the total med medical claims were uh $17.4 4 million and the total pharmacy
claims less our rebates were $7.4 million. Um in that plan year out of those medical claims there were 75 high-cost claimants. A high-cost claimant is someone who has over $50,000 in um medical bills um over the over the
plan year. And those medical uh bills for those 75 high-cost claimments were $8.6 million. So, to kind of let you know, the the former year that ended in um September of 2024, we had a total instead of the 17.4
million in claims, we had uh 14 million. So, we went up from 14 million to 17.4 in that one-year period. And uh we went from uh 62 high-cost claimments at 6.6 million to ending this past year with 75
high-cost claimments at uh 8.6 6 million. So you see our medical experience increased by $2 million uh in that regard. And then uh when we look at our pharmacy, um I told you that we ended the year with uh claims of $7.4
million. Well, I had a $2 million increase there, too. The prior plan year, we were at $5.4 million. So we increased 2 million on our medical, 2 million on our prescriptions. And out of that um that increase on our
on our uh prescriptions, there was um a $2.3 million of our claims of those 7.4 million in claims was attributed to the um the GLP1 weight loss medications that
we we allow under our plan. Now, um, what's interesting to note is, um, those, uh, GLP-1 utilizations, um, I think we may have done a little bit better because, um, there are people that go on the medications and they
don't stay on it. It doesn't work for them, so they come off of it. So, our numbers, I think, went down a little bit when we ended the year. Um, so we kind of ended the year with a a few less participants um, on the medication. Um, the other thing that was interesting to
note is um, uh, going into this plan year, we required every person who was on the GLP1 medication with our new pharmacy benefit manager, rightway to go through a prior authorization process.
So, they had to reapply and go through a process to make sure that they met the uh, program criteria to be on the GLP1 for weight loss medications. So, I just wanted you to know that every person who was being prescribed the GLP-1
medication received notification and told that by December 30th they needed to basically go through that process again. So, I'm going to pause for a moment there and just ask if you have any questions about those numbers or um
what I've reviewed with you. >> Thank you, Suzanne. So on 12:31 of 25, those affected members have been notified. So I think your backup says we'll meet we'll discuss this again in March of 26. So by then you should have
some pretty solid numbers and uh one would anticipate a reduction in fact in the prescriptions. >> We're hoping that the the costs will have been um uh moderated a little bit. Um it does seem to be that we may not
have as many individuals on it at this time, but I haven't that was our last discussion uh before the holidays. >> Yeah. So just to add there, you know, there was a decrease in utilizers for that October data. Um it's slowly ticking up for November and December, but again, the key is going to be that
first quarter of 2026 when those prior authorization really takes effect. So that will be more telling than what we've seen this year to date. So, in March, my plan is to bring back data that would be through the December 31st date to see where we're at. Um, what
does it look like? And then we also had some better pricing um through Rightway on our GLP1. That was one of the reasons why we went with Rightway is they they had a better um better pricing for us than the the prior PBM when we were looking at all of our medication costs.
Are the diabetics that on GLP are they separated from the weight loss? >> They are. Yes. >> You got diabetics and you got weight loss. Yes. >> Got to have the authorization for that. >> But is it all in that figure in that number or No. Um, so the the the total
uh when we ended the plan year with the $2.5 million deficit, that that considered everything, considered our medical, considered all of our pharmacy expenses, but the cost attributed to the weight loss medications and I it's $2.3
million was the cost, but that was before rebates. Correct. >> Correct. That was before rebates. And then if you look at the just the GLP ones for diabetics, that's going to be another 1.3 million. And so that is two separate figures. >> And what's interesting is some of the individuals who may be on the um the
medication for weight loss, we we talked about they could transition to um uh for diabetes because um that that is sometimes also a a diagnosis that they have. Yes. Yes.
And subsequently uh just uh since the December meeting uh a few new medications have come out that >> yes >> could be substituted and are far less uh costly to the institution. Is that
correct information? >> So there is new medication that's coming out. Lockton's very um uh familiar with that those marketplace changes but there's a lot happening and a lot of change. Trusted, did you want to speak about that? >> Yeah, I was going to say you're correct that there was uh only one new
medication in the weight loss space recently and that was a peel a tablet version of WGOI for weight loss GOP 1. And unfortunately there well their direct to consumer pricing for members when they start out is about $149 over
the counter or their direct to consumer option. Um, but when you're looking at it on the pharmacy plan, the cost for the average wholesale price, which is what the pharmacy benefit managers use, is the same price as the injectable. We were hoping when it came to market it
would be a little cheaper given that the injectable has a a you know a really intricate way of um administering the peel. You just take it, but it is the same price currently. And one other question uh it's although
this is a local concern uh have you seen uh a a national concern for it as well that this driving mechanism to uh look at alternatives.
>> Correct. Um just overall the price, the cost um is something you know we know that there are tons of people out there that meet the criteria to take the medications but the cost has always been a concern a cost for um employer groups to cover on the plan and cost to
patients. We've seen a lot since our June meeting it was of the direct to consumer market take place. So you have the makers of WGOi, the makers of Zepbound, which are the two most popular GOP ones for weight loss, have come up with these direct to consumer programs.
So essentially, you could go to uh Costco or um through the manufacturer's website and get the medication for as low as $199 for the starting dose. Um and it goes up just depending on the dosage to $299,
$3.49 49 up all the way to about $450. So that is something good that has come out because a member if it's not covered on your insurance plan, you could essentially go to the manufacturer and get it for a lower price than what the employer group could even buy it on the
insurance plan for. >> So appears that there are options should we find the numbers to be uh awakening. >> Correct. And there's also mechanisms by which we're seeing employer groups being able to fund the direct to consumer
pricing via way of an HR card so that you're not completely removing the coverage in the sense that it's now 100% on the employees. You could at least subsidize a portion of that if that were a direction you went in. >> That's more encouraging than we were initially
>> advised. Yes. >> Thank you. Yeah, we're we're really um hopeful that there have been a lot of positive changes with the pricing with the direct to consumer and we've had a lot of discussions. It's it's a very new market for these um uh employ these
facilitated direct to consumer benefits that employers are trying to see if there's another offering because many employers have uh come to the conclusion that um uh it needs to be off of the health plan so that the cost is a lower
cost through in the direct to consumer model and that it doesn't impact the health plan premiums. So we we've seen that happen a lot. So Lockton's been really staying on top of it and um I'm hopeful that we'll have some really good options available if that is the
decision that that the board um has to go in, you know, based on funding and and uh financials and and just where we're at. Um the other thing I did want to uh take a moment to discuss with you is um our health uh our health center
and um I do not have a direct correlation of how many members in the health center might be also taking the GLP1s for weight loss medication. But what I do have is a biometric tracking
of our members in that health center. And there's some really encouraging information that's coming out on our health center um uh metrics that are coming back. So out of um a,05 uh patients um there were um
improvements in 61 of those individuals um in their in their various areas. And I can only extrapulate that there is a portion of our membership that is going to the
health center that is also taking GLP-1 medications. So um this means their their body mass is is are being reduced their uh diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressures are improving.
Their A1C is improving. their HDL and LDL and uh the ratio of that cholesterol is improving and triglycerides. So there there is marked improvement that people who are um uh achieving weight loss
goals with the help of the GLP-1 medication are experiencing. Um and I I just I just think that needs to be understood that that the medication is providing a benefit to um our to many of our members who are on it. Now it some
some members they there's side effects and it and it impacts them negatively and they decide they don't want to go that that route. Um but I did just want the board to be aware that uh through our health center um the population is improving in these areas. um of
biometrics and that's a real positive and just a testament to the work that the staff at the health center is doing uh to help support health and wellness uh with Indian River County. And also um I'd like to thank the board for their support of that health center. I think that was a really really uh great
benefit to to um provide to our members. So thank you. >> Thank you. And that health center has become very popular. So we do appreciate that. And we know uh when we approved that some years ago that our return on investment probably is still six to
seven years away. But look forward to that and thank you Suzanne. >> Yes. >> Any further comments? >> Oh just I'll come back in March and give you another update. >> Thank you very much. >> Yes, commissioners. That brings us um on to
public works uh in this 13 J1 the adoption of Indian River County Public Works Department standard details and policies commission. >> Good morning everyone. David Scriber,
acting um public works director and with me is Wendy Smith. Wendy's our rightway permitting administrator and Wendy's been uh has really taken the lead in the development of these standards and policies that we're asking you to uh adopt with this proposed resolution. So
um we're here to answer any questions you may have with that if you have any. >> Well, we thank you and and welcome. I I do think it's a fresh uh uh look at this uh so-called dilemma. Uh and Dave and
and Winnie, I want to thank you for uh a a fresh fresh breath of common sense when it comes to this. And I think everyone here will be equally benefited by a reduction in calls and concerns
that we get along this journey. and we've all gotten those and uh like I said, it's a dose of common sense and we thank you. >> Thank you. I I really would like you to thank Wendy because Wendy's been the the spearhead of this whole thing. She's done a wonderful job. She ran the work
group. She ran this thing all the way to the point where we are now and um she's done a spectacular job. >> Thank you very much. Any questions, Commissioner? >> No. >> I know Commissioner Arman you had
>> Mr. Chairman if y'all want to speak on this, but I think I understand it. These are standard things that that that y'all get asked a lot and it takes the guesswork or somebody's self interpretation out of
this to make sure that everybody knows basically you can say here this is what we do. If you want any changes to make it bigger or better or something like that then you come back with those with those plans. And yeah, I think I think this is I think this is been way overdue
and I'm glad y'all do and Wendy, thanks for all the work you've done on it. >> Yeah. >> And uh David and Danny, y'all done just a yman's job uh down there in public works like the chairman said, you know, I know my phone calls have gotten
gone way down. There's always going to be something, but I mean it's public works. It's a moving It's a moving item every day, literally and figuratively. But, uh, y'all y'all have done a great job and and, uh, I really appreciate everything that y'all done in the last
four or five months. It's just been absolutely a breath of fresh air. >> Well, thank you very much. And speaking for Danny, I I I'll try to speak for Danny and myself. We thank you for that recognition and that you see that public works is is doing better and doing what, you know, moving right along.
Well, thank you. And it takes the guesswork out and we're able to have a defined uh process, so to speak. Mr. Administrator, >> yeah, I also want to thank staff, Wendy, all everybody that
contribute to this project. I think the predictability clarifications establishing expectations and providing these details and the standards will aid in the process of getting better submitts and also more
timely review completed. So I do I know it was a it wasn't an easy lift. I mean there's 10 policies, 10 standards, you know, and it's now it's like well well what do you want from me? Well well here it is. Oh wow, this is great. and and you know and utilities did this not but
I think about a year year and a half ago and it's helped. So now with public works doing the same I just can't thank you enough because it's certainly going to impact our customers and we appreciate that very much. Appreciate all your work and effort Wendy as well
as you know Dave and Danny and everybody else that helped. >> Thank you Wendy. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you commissioner. Without any further discussion on that, we will advance. Thank you very much and we'll see you at the next round, I'm sure. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Next is the county administr or the county attorney matters the value adjustment board. >> Did you vote on that? >> I did. >> Oh, yes, you do. See, >> it's a resolution. >> Yeah, it's Did we have to vote on that? Please because previously the board uh
the the desire was that the department had adopted these and now it's we we just fundamentally believe that the board needs to adopt these policies. >> Move to approve. >> Second have a motion by commissioner Mos second by
commissioner leer. Any further comment? >> I think she beat him actually. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Hearing none. All in favor? >> I and the motion carries. Thank you for that. The next matter will be addressed by the county attorney's office.
>> That That's right. Um you have two commissioners that sit on the value adjustment board, commissioners Flesher and Earman, and the board is required to elect a uh chair and vice chair. >> Okay, >> Mr. Mr. Chairman,
>> Commissioner, >> I want to tell you that the value adjustment board is one of the most efficient financially and responsibility in what they do that that the county has. And uh we give all that thanks. I
wish we could give it to Commissioner Flesher and myself, but Terry Collins list has done a does an outstanding job with that program. Uh but we did have more meetings last year because of the state required us to have an additional meeting. So we had three maybe four
meetings. So we were overworked and underpaid as usual. But uh it all went well. That being said though, all seriously, that's a very important board, probably one of the the most important boards in the county. But
luckily, and just to show how well it's operating, all our requests for hearings were down this year and um everything got settled. It was pretty it was a pretty pretty easy year, but I did my
time as as as chairman this last year and it's now uh I'd like to nominate Commissioner Flesher for chairman for the upcoming year. We have a motion by Commissioner Man and a second by Commissioner Adams.
>> See how the year goes if I say thank you. >> We do want to do that. >> Further discussion. All in favor of Commissioner Man being the chair of the value or Commissioner Flesher being the chair of the value adjustment say by I. I. Any opposed? No. Congratulations,
Commissioner Flesher. >> Like I said, we'll wait till the end of the year to see if uh the thanks are in order. >> Right. >> Uh but uh I want to thank Commissioner uh being the chair this past year. Uh it appears that uh we have had the
opportunity to work together at the value adjustment board for several years and uh with this new assignment where it has to be done at the board. uh we have carried on the tradition of um
alternating positions but uh it's it's a pleasure to uh an honor at this point. >> Is that a nomination? >> Uh at this point uh we have the uh opportunity to nominate his vice chair
uh commissioner Joe Aaron. And that is my motion. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Flesher, a second by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor? I. >> Mr. Urban, congratulations on being vice
president of the value adjustment board. I know that you and Chairman Flesh will do a wonderful job. >> Letter read. >> Right. With that, commissioners, it will bring us to uh public comments on any
non-aggenda items. Uh public comment for non any non-aggenda items. I would ask that in con being consistent with uh the practices of uh most recently that you state your name, your address, and you
limit your questions and concerns to three minutes. Additionally, this body does not uh get involved in dialogue with any of your questions or concerns. Welcome and thank you. >> Uh Judy Greenberg. I'm with the Rosen
Women's Club um in Rosland and I have with me and you have a flyer and I have with me I wanted to introduce one of our newer members Diana Spalding. Diana and uh she's again one of our newer
members but she has stepped right up and taking some leadership and today we're here to invite you to our third annual Rosland celebration and you have the flyer. It's the the giving hearts market
and Diana is actually uh cheering the bake sale. So, we're bringing back our traditional wonderful bake sale. I know I'm I'm doing my grandma's sour cream pound
cake. So, see, so you can either get a slice or a whole cake if you would like. Um, that's going to be February 7th. And as part of that, we are um we went down
this trail of doing a wildflower demonstration garden similar to what you have out in the front of the the building here. Much smaller scale, but we did get a grant for that. the so you see on the back side we've actually
worked through the this whole project with the help of the parks and wrecks department and we really appreciate they built a beautiful uh stone wall that contains this garden.
It was just we have pictures on Facebook. It is just amazing. And we are going to dedicate that at 10:00. And any of you that can come out and participate with that dedication and uh enjoy some
good good food truck food, some bake sale. >> Well, thank you. And so that's what we're here for and we appreciate your continued support with uh using that building and we continue looking and
exploring different ways to use the building for community benefit. Any questions? Because we we we welcome questions if you want one to have one. >> Thank you. We don't we don't engage in that but we do appreciate it. We will see you there. Um, I was the proud
recipient of a raffle award last year there. Uh, I have not redeemed my uh my facial scrub as of yet. >> Uh, but we do thank you for that. >> I was I was thinking about that. >> You brought that up. >> Had to bring that up. Huh.
>> But thank you. We'll see you. >> And and again, I will mention that the fundraising this year is for um an issue that that has been identified as a need in the community of homeless teens. And so we're we're exploring that and we started exploring that whole issue back
in September and through the fall. So um we appreciate your support there. Thank you so much. >> Thank you very much. >> Any further public comment? >> Welcome. Name and address for the record. >> Yes. Hello. Lisa Serski. I'm a South
County resident. uh fifth generation native of Indian River County and um I would just like to voice some opinions on two things I heard today. One just um I do hope our health center is still encouraging the triedand-true method of
um lifestyle and exercise. But anyhow, um on on that note, also another topic that was here that I wasn't able to um voice my opinion on is just the reasonzoning of all of our agricultural land. I understand um what was being
discussed today is maybe along the lines of what else is happening in that area, but you know, when when is it going to be halted? when are we going to put a stop to all of our agricultural land going uh going away in this county and in this
state? Um but ultimately what I'm here to do is follow up on my recent comments from the past months on opposing data centers not only in Indian River County but in the state of Florida and all across the country. They're fighting this. I am uh reaching out again to just
um update you that there has been a uh from our governor HB107 has been proposed um legislation has been proposed to restrict data centers citing requiring buffers, water usage reviews and prohibiting subsidies aiming
to protect resources and consumers from uh rising rising energy costs and ultimately depleting our water resources, so on and so forth. So, I'm ultimately just asking for support of that bill um as that comes hopefully
forward. Um and again, my comments on this subject are not random. It is happening around our country in our state and it's important that we are um not just watching as these things unfold. Again, just for the rest of our
citizens here, our neighbor in uh St. Lucy County denied one of these data centers, a very large data center. And Palm Beach County is also um they've halted a 200 acre site
and they will be reviewing that again in April because of their constituents voicing their concerns. So, thank you for your time. >> Thank you very much. Any further comments from the public? >> Uh, good. Actually, it's afternoon. Name and record.
>> Hi, my name is Mary Martinez. >> Address for the record. >> I'm Pardon? >> I didn't catch your name. >> Mary Martinez. >> Hi, Mary. >> Hi. I'm new to Vero Beach and to Florida. My uh late father um uh wanted
me to move here desperately. Our ancestor is Governor Pedro Menendez. I founded St. Augustine, Florida. >> So, he wanted me safe in Florida. And um I have been, this is the first step to me taking back my power, speaking out.
Um I've been traumatized um in the past. And I came here for rest and um to heal. And um part of what I did in the last state was I contacted JD Vance before he became vice president and reported a lot
of crimes um to him and asked to speak to Congress um and uh that's in the works down the road. But right now because of the assault on me I have a traumatic brain injury and I have a fasia and araxia.
Um, I came here because my friend is in Palm Bay and uh, we came out to Vero and I fell in love with Vero and um, I'm sorry to hear about all the development. I understand that it it has to happen, but I I love the animals and the
undeveloped land. It's just beautiful. But um, I hired somebody to fix up the mobile home before I moved in when I bought it in August. and I he was referred to me by the park manager. Um he is from Colombia. I asked if he was
illegal and I never got a um an answer. Um but what ended up happening was it was basically a confidence scam and and um he ended up uh threatening me to give him money even though the contract shows that I don't have to give him the money.
my friends in Palm Bay, her and her husband stood up and said, "You can blame it on us because of my uh the injuries from the assault um in the past." Um and I he showed up the first night I stayed here in September.
I waited like a month for him to finish remodeling the mobile home and he didn't. He left me without a kitchen sink and he just I came back from the other state and I walked into the mobile home and I was just in tears. He showed up the next morning. I went to the beach
first of all that night and just cried my eyes out. The next morning he showed up with another man from Columbia threatening that if I didn't give them the money. Um they were going to take my home away. All kinds of things. I I gave them money just to get them out of the
house and Martinez, we certainly understand that and we we appreciate you bringing that us. This perhaps may not be the venue for that. This is uh and we any of the five of us or for that matter seven of us will be happy to chat with you about a specific item. Generally
speaking, we like to stay focused on on the county matters versus individual matters. So, okay, >> for that I I say thank you. >> Okay. What about um um services that I applied for? >> We can certainly assist you with that >> and private. >> Yes, ma'am. Okay, thank you so much.
>> Thank you. You have a good afternoon. Any further comments from the from the public >> hearing? None and thank you and happy new year everyone. Uh this meeting is adjourned.