Everybody's okay. These are 2.5 Good morning. Yes. The Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 regular board of county commissioners meeting will now be called to order. We'll begin with a moment of silent reflection for our first
responders and the armed members of the armed forces, followed by an invocation by Sheriff Eric Flowers and our county attorney, Jennifer Schula, will lead us in the pledge. Please rise. Dear heavenly father, thank you for this day. Thank you for our meeting
here. Lord, please uh be with us as our leaders make decisions for our community. Lord, please place a hedge of protection around our first responders and our military as they're serving our community, Lord, and just be here with us in this meeting as we conduct your business and make good decisions for all
of beautiful Indian River County, Lord. Uh thank you for uh this day. Thank you for uh being us being here in this beautiful community. And thank you for all that you do for us in Jesus name. Amen. ask you to join me
and justice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Oh, good morning. And the next item on the agenda will be a uh any additions, deletions to the agenda, any emergency items. Uh let uh I think item number 9P
Papa the Manity uh speed zone uh review was requested by F FWC to be pulled off uh the consent at this time uh for a later discussion and uh I'd like to add uh
item 5D delta which is a letter of support for Congressman Mike Heridopoulos for the product project consideration. Is anything else amended? Move to approve as
amended. We have a motion by Vice Chairman Law, seconded by Commissioner Moss. Any further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. move on to uh presentation of
proclamations. We have a presentation of proclamation designating May 17th through May 23rd as National Safe Boating Week and we will call upon Commissioner Joe Airman to present that proclamation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Appreciate it. Yes, this is the voting season again now in Florida starting up with Memorial Day and and uh it's always a good time out there. We just want everyone to be safe and careful. And I think you're going to hear about more of that from our fellows over there in the
nice sky blue uniforms that uh that have a lot to do with this. But uh boating is is is big business in Florida. I think more boats are registered in the state of Florida than anywhere in the United States. And it's uh it's it's a big
deal. We want everybody to be careful but yet enjoy. So with that, I'm honored to read the proclamation. This is a proclamation designating May 17th through May 23rd as National Safe Boating Week in Indian River County.
Whereas for millions of Americans, including residents of any river county, boating continues to be a popular recreational activity. And whereas during National Safe Boating Week, the United States Coast Guard and its federal, state, and local safe boating
partners encourage all boers to explore and enjoy America's beautiful waters safely and responsibly. And whereas safe boating begins with preparation through basic boating safety training on procedures
and equipment, as well as outing planning and preparation. Whereas on average 650 people die each year in boating related accidents in the United States and is estimated that a vast majority of these accidents are
caused solely by human error or poor judgment and not by the boat equipment or environmental factors. And whereas a significant number of voters whose lives were lost by drowning would still be alive today if they had worn their life
jackets. Now therefore be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, we hereby proclaim the week of May 17th through May 23rd, 2025 as National Safe Boating Week and
encourage safe boating year round. We encourage all citizens to practice safe boating habits and wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. Adopted this 20th day of May, 2025 and signed by
all five county commissioners. Gentlemen, welcome. Push to talk. Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Airman. Thank you, commissioners. I am Vice Commander uh Tom McCarti from Flotillaa
56. We are uh area of responsibility is pretty much all of Indian River County. Um we are the civilian organization that supports the Coast Guard in all of its missions except for military engagement and law enforcement. So, you will see us
out teaching boating safety training classes, um, conducting, uh, program visits to marine dealers, oftentimes wearing our life jackets, and, uh, encouraging all to do the same. Uh, in
1958, the Federal Safe Boating Act became law and National Safe Boating Week became a thing. It got a real boost at the bicesentennial in 1976 when the uh national safe boating council had a huge opportunity with the
tall ships parades and whatnot. And if you uh if you want to focus ahead into the future, we have what's coming up the uh cesquisentennial. I prefer to call it the quarter millennial celebration next year, 250
years. And I'm sure that the National Safe Boating Council will have something in store for all of us to do. National Safe Boating Week will continue to generate awareness, provide boating uh materials, energize
volunteers and safety personnel to spread the message expressed in your proclamation today. US Coast Guard Auxiliary and Flotilla 56 thanks the officials and the Indian River County Commissioners
uh for your continued commitment to safe boating and we encourage uh well it happened on May 16th. We hope you all wore your life jackets to work on that day. Thank you very much.
[Applause] Thank you for all you do. It's great to see you out there. Joe's the only one that owns a vote on the board. That's why I had him read it. I want him
to make sure he knows who you are. He probably benefit by Yeah. Shift to the left a little bit. A little bit. Thank you once again team. Next item will be a
proclamation designating May 2025 as National Tourism Month. And I'll uh accept the honor. I see uh Mr. Ben Airman there. There's this guy. Good morning. I knew
there'd be something. Yeah. Good morning, Ben. Well, as you know, it's uh National Travel and Tourism Month and something that's uh near and dear to me and to all of our citizens.
uh especially working with tourist development and seeing the the tremendous saturation in our county. Uh specifically since we have no major theme park, no national attraction other
than our great environment and some of the great parks that we have and uh just natural resources. Uh there is a draw and we're very happy that people choose Indian River County as a tourism
getaway. It's the reason why we live here and we like to share it and also they like to spend a lot of money in our community when they're here. So we also like to make sure that they have that opportunity.
So, but I'd like to recognize uh tourism by designating May 2025 as National Travel and Tourism Month. Whereas the tourism and travel industry plays a critical role in In River County, the state of Florida and the nation's
economic prosperity with 142.9 million people visiting Florida in 2024, generating over 2.36 trillion in national economic
impact and 127.7 billion in direct spending in Florida alone. Whereas tourism supports more than 2.1 million jobs statewide and over 10,000 jobs in any river county,
generating 17.1 billion dollars in state and local taxes and each voter cont visitor contributing an average of $118 per day in the county. And whereas
approximately 80% of travel related businesses are small businesses, many of which rely upon tourism marketing and the visiting visitors of the contributing an average of $359 million
per day in Florida's economy. Whereas the tourism industry powers uh key infrastructure and attractions in in River County including beach renourishment, the Jackie Robinson sports training complex, regional
sports, echoourism and yearround special events. Whereas visit Indie River County, the tourism the division of Indie River County uh chamber of commerce has partnered with the board of county
commissioners for over 35 years, quite some time and a long commitment to promote tourism and support local economic development. Whereas tourism and travel are essential
to the county's economic health and the quality of life that supports its continued protection and promotion. Now therefore be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indian River County, Florida that we recognize May
2025 as National Travel and Tourism Month in Indie River County. And we encourage all citizens to recognize the critical role that the industry plays in our community and across the state of
Florida. duly adopted this 20th day of May, 2025 and it is signed by all five county commissioners. Thank you. And thank you. I have a quick presentation. I won't take up too much of your time. Yes, we'll lead right into
your presentation. Fantastic. um to kind of go go a little bit more in depth on some of the numbers that you gave and then to show some of our tourism marketing that we do in in New River County as well as a release of a brand new commercial that you'll see for the first time today. So, I'm going to talk first
quickly about the economic impact of tourism within Indian River County. And just so you know, the reporting is on the economic numbers are on 2023. Um the visitation numbers are 2024, but they have to compile everything after the
year. Um so the economic impact numbers that you'll see that I present on are in 2023. Um I'm Ben, vice president of tourism and marketing with Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. Um visit Indian River County. And this is Christa Hoy, our tourism communications manager.
And we are a team of two that do tourism for Indian River County. So So a visitor though, what is a visitor? someone who comes from over 50 miles of their common evening location. So where their phone is resting, where it picks up that IP address. So the data that we're collecting is based on that
phone and movement and that IP address. Um they've stayed for more than two hours and they have visited at least one POI, which is a point of interest within the county. So, in Indian River County for the fiscal year of 2023,
um visitor spending went up 8.7% compared to 2022 with an average individual visitor spend of $25 for the time that they're here. Um that could be for accommodations, it could be for recreation, it could be for
entertainment, attractions, and it is also not cashbased. So, this is all credit card spending based. And so your local economic impact um overall visitor spending so that was individual person this is your overall
visitors families groups of people 712.8 million you'll see that lodging is the top category there followed by food and beverage ground transportation shopping entertainment and recreation and now in 2023 we have
10,720 jobs supported by tourism. Um in 2022 there was 10,01. So that one person told these rest of these folks to get a job in hospitality and tourism. Um so that's that's great that we have so many people working in that industry
there. And then your local and state taxes. So Florida residents saved in taxes in 2023 due to tourism tax $1,910 and Florida residents pay 0 in state income tax um with the aid of
tourism tax. It's extremely important to know that tourism tax is not paid. Our beach refourishment, tourism, marketing is not paid by the residents. That tax is not collected by the residents. It is collected by anyone of the staying in our local accommodations whether it be a hotel, Airbnb, vacation rental. Um, and
that money is used towards beach reourishment, tourism promotion, Jackie Robinson Stadium. It's extremely important to have tourism. Um, it supports small businesses, it supports our beach reourishment, it supports maintaining our attractions, things that everyone enjoys. And that's for the entire state of Florida. Um, as you may
or may not have heard, there's some things going on up in Tallahassee with tourism tax. Um, but hopefully it'll be worked out and resolved um, very shortly. We're hoping. Um, but it's extremely important that to that we have tourism tax and that we're using it um,
to promote our area and to support our businesses. So, just a quick quick thing of tourism marketing in Indian River County. I could be here all day to tell you all of the things that we do and show you all of our stuff that we do. Um, but we print is still really big. Um, so these are a few of the ones that
came out in 2000 this current year. So this is all this marketing is for school year 2425. Um, and you'll see that we create all of these in house between Krista and I and then get them sent out. Um, we use
a new kind of why this year has been our kind of brand. So, why Indian River County, and you'll see in the commercial that's coming up shortly here, um to explain the reasons why folks should visit, why they should come here, um and why it's more than just a beach town. Um
so, digital advertising is also really big. Um so, digital advertising is huge. As we know, we're all on our phones, we're on our tablets, we're on our computers, we're checking emails, we're watching streaming TV, connected TV. Um so, the we're on social media. Um, and
all of our digital advertising has now performed this year 24-25 um, above benchmarks and average for tourism marketing. Um, the click-through rates are extremely high. The impressions that we deliver are extremely high. And all of this data for our digital marketing
is from October 23rd through April 30th. Um, marketing actually did not start this year on October 1st because of the hurricanes and the tornadoes. So, we started everything after everything was clean and reopened. We started everything on October 23rd and
everything is performing extremely well. Um, our top ads actually this year, just take a look and you might be able to figure it out. It's the cutest ones down there at the bottom. Um, have performed extremely well. And then we've also done a big collaboration with the Indian
River Centennial as well to promote um, Indian River being 100 years old this year. We also have published new publications um and new publications that are tourism driven. Show you points of interest and I have copies. We'll give each of you a
copy of these today. Um a Vero Beachside map, Vero Beach mainland map, Sebastian and Felsme map and our brand new destination guide. We've re This used to be called a visitor's guide and we rebranded it as a destination guide because it allows people who also live here to find things to do and know
what's going on, places to eat, things to do with their kids. Um, and it is completely revamped. It has a complete lodging guide in it, a county and city parks guide in it for those who like the outdoor activities. Um, and Kristen and I put all that together. Um, everything in here is userenerated content. There
is no stock photos. Everything is of people who have visited the area or photos that we have taken. And then now I did present on this before, but Indian River County is now award-winning um first place in website design and then overall best of
show in marketing for organizations with a $500,000 to $2 million budget and best CVB communications marketing material for last year's guide. Um the first two are the first time that Visit Indian River County has won those awards and in
your proclamation you had mentioned that they've been with the chamber and being doing tour doing tourism in the county for over 35 years. Um well that was the first time last year that they've won. So we were very excited about that. The deadline for submission for this year is this Friday. We're excited. So fingers
crossed that we find out for something this year. Um so we're very proud of those that and we both have been here now for two years. Um, so within our two years, we were able to garner two of the two two great awards for the first time and then another for last year's guide as
well. So here it is, our brand new commercial. Um, and this is the long version of the commercial. Um, this will be condensed into a 30 second, 15-second version um that will be able to play for digital platforms on gas station TVs, digital billboards, people streaming
TVs, connected TVs, their devices. Um, it's and it's great. Um, this just came out and we're very excited to share that with [Music] [Music]
you. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] 2. [Music]
[Applause] [Music] [Music] That's it. That's
all. And County Attorney Jennifer, we do have a gift bag for you because you were not here last year when we did National Travel and Tourism um proclamation. Um the rest of them, they got one, but I have one for you today. That's it. Thank you.
[Applause] Oh, we have a gift in the office. Thank you. Reading material now. Brilliant books. Yeah, thank you.
Thank you once again. Uh, and the next item is an addition to the agenda and that's a letter of support for the Felsmere Public Library and Community Resource
Center. Um, it it's a project and we're given an opportunity uh by none other than our newly elected uh congressman Mike Heridopoulos. uh from the time he was sworn in, he has taken a special
interest in Indie River County. He has been quite visible. He's visit us on many occasions uh an abundant amount of occasions and uh one of the common uh questions is what can we do for the county? He wants
to maintain a presence and he has placed an importance on Indian River County. And uh what he has done is um he's got as part of his uh congressional appropriations process, he has an
opportunity to submit uh what they refer to as a a te project, transportation, housing, and urban development project uh for subcommittee uh consideration. uh that means that
there will be a financial appropriation uh if selected but it has to go through a subcommittee. So, uh, what he's, uh, done through staff and contacted with our staff is identified a project that,
um, has been thought about in the past, but again was a bridge way way too far, uh, for many years and now it's an opportunity to have it addressed, submitted for consideration. We did
speak with his staff and they uh did advise that there are many projects that this was not a a firm commitment but it was a commitment for consideration. There are many projects that uh come
from the entire congressional district and they're being submitted for review and we are hopeful that of course it is considered. It's a great project and uh with that we have uh Cindy Emerson here
today with her fine team and we want to ensure that uh we all know the project in which we're submitting uh or submitting for consideration. At the end of that presentation, you all have that letter in front of you. We're going to
ask you for support so I can sign off and send that letter to the congressman's office so that it can be considered and it's a resolution of support. Good morning, Cindy. Good morning. We
are just so excited that Congressman Heridopoulos saw this project and thought that this would be a good fit for funding. And so we're just going to take you through some of the work here. And I just want to first honor the Felsmere Action Committee team, Fact,
who has been working on the visioning of this for over 15 years. Um, and also recognize our director of library services, Betsy Stanger, who's here, who has been working for at least the last five years trying to get a project going
in North County with the public library system along with our human services administrator, Megan Kendrick, who really wants to expand our services with our social worker. And also we have full support from our veteran service office as far as being able to reach more
veterans out in that community. And I'm just going to take you through a quick presentation of how we plan on transforming access, really empowering the community and creating opportunity in the Felsmere space. So why Felsmere?
Why now? Well, it's a very resilient rural community with such a strong sense of identity. There's a lot of barriers with broadband access, lack of resources for job training, veteran services, and family supports, but just because they
are underserved does not mean they're undeserving. And this really is going to give us an opportunity to bring access um into Felsmere and really boost the local economy. And so with the conceptual visioning, I just want to show so much respect to the passion and
the inspiration behind this project because to put a public library and then put all of these wraparound services, it's really visionary work and um working with the fact committee which gave us full support um last week. We're really proud of the progress that we've
already made in in bringing voices together. So, um, the Felsmere Action Committee team really had conceptualized a a idea for a community resource center back in 2010. They solicited community
support, hired consultants for next steps. And meanwhile, our Indian River County Library was having discussions of expansion needs and how to better serve the community in in the Northwest County. And so now we're at a stage where we're doing some visioning for
what that library could be. um and getting stakeholder feedback. It's really about the community and getting what they feel is necessary to move forward and to best support the community there. So, with that, we have a survey that's out right now. We're
hoping to get 400 responses by next month. I know that that's an ambitious goal, but we really want to put that out there to um showcase what our community needs. There's such a hunger from early early results that have come in for
workforce support, technology, and shared spaces. In particular, having some community resource space for nonprofits to go out there and do their great work. This is a project that's built with the community, not just for the community. And so with the project
visioning, we're hoping to keep the architecture in style with the Felsmere community. So when we bring in design and engineering that will be part of the the plans in conceptualizing what will be inside. Well obviously we will have a fullervice
public library a veteran service office so we can meet the needs of our veterans out in that community in the northwest county. Human services support. Right now we have one case worker in um the county office building B. We just been
approved to have an additional case worker. that we'd like part-time to have someone out there that's able to do some of the rental assistance, prescription drug support, food vouchers. We want parent supports and workshops there. Really building on uh parental
values, pre-apprenticeship and training spaces. It's really about building a strong workforce out there in Felsmere and Sebastian, a small business incubator. Imagine it. Imagine for entrepreneurs and for people who want to start a small
business, being able to go in and get support from other small business owners, nonprofit collaboration offices, a muchneeded broadband tech lab so people can write resumeumés, apply for jobs, and be able to access the
internet. And then what's really exciting is building off of some of the momentum that's happening around esports. We have a national renowned team at Spash River High School. We have students that are getting scholarships for college through esports. And so to be able to give access to our younger
children out in the Northwest County and have an esports team through the county, I think would be magnificent. And creating an innovation hub for drones, coding, some of the high-tech, highnee uh jobs that will be in the future. A green room. I think that this would help
Ben and the tourist team maybe bring some volunteers in and do internships to develop even more videos. A recording studio, I'm not sure everyone in the community is aware, but we've had a lot of musical talent come from Indian River County. So, giving them the space to go in and be able to
do recording right here in our community, I think will drive a lot of um of lot level access into Felsmere. and then flexible class classrooms and meeting spaces. So the benefits are vast. Economic development, bringing
accessible opportunities, our veteran services, family stability with wraparounds, um technology and innovation, and a community hub, really helping it become just the community epicenter of Felsmere. So what are there some
opportunities? of all, you know, Senator or um Congressman Heridopoulos being able to support this project already brings attention to it. So, we're really excited that he saw this initiative and felt like this was really worthy of him bringing to Washington DC. We have a lot
of local momentum and support um with partner alignment and we really hope to build a model for a public private partnership through this for funding. So, our partners already exist. We have the city of Felsmere, our veteran service office, our inenver county human
services, local nonprofits and workforce development, literacy and housing, the Felsmere action committee team, and we hope today you show the same support with the letter and for alignment. This does go directly with advancing quality
of life and service excellence goals through the Indian River County strategic plan. And um what we know is this is going to help build a stronger workforce and really build on the parental values that we know exist here in our community. And so we are going to
finalize and distribute the community needs survey. Um engaging our residents and collecting letters of support is on on our table next. Preparing for formal funding submissions beyond just Congressman Heridopoulos and building a
foundation for long-term success for this project. So, we hope that the community continues to follow along, that they um let their voice be heard. The project is flexible and fluid. So, as we continue getting community feedback, this presentation will grow
and expand based on what we're hearing in the surveys that people want and desire in this space. And with that, um we want to thank you for the opportunity to come and present. And we look forward to moving forward with this really ambitious, exciting project.
Thank you for a fine job and uh being involved with the communication correlation of this process. Now, I'm sure everybody's excited to see this and we'd like to be a reality.
It will happen hopefully with uh the great hand of Congressman Mikeopoulos urging it to happen. Commission Adams, you sure? I would be
happy to make a motion um that we approve the letter of recommendation. And I'd just like to say that this is a very exciting project. It's something that's kind of been swirling around in the background for quite some time and um through the relationships that we've
built with our congressmen um we are able to we have an opportunity to possibly make it happen. So I'm very grateful for him. I'm very grateful for the relationships that um the commissioners and staff have cultivated to be able to have this opportunity and we'll see where it goes. And again, I
think it's really meant to be a reflection of of what the community wants. And um you know, I'm not trying to count my chickens before they hatch, but I'm very excited. Thank you. Any further
discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Five will work. Thank you. All right. So, we'll sign that off and send it in. Next item is
um any information items from staff. Oh, well, first I have to do the uh the approval of the minutes for the regular meeting of March 11th, 2025. Move approval. And that
was Commissioner Adams, seconded by Vice Chairman Law. Any further discussion? All in favor? I opposed. Motion carried unanimously. Now we'll go on to
uhformational items uh from staff and uh we do have uh an environmental land acquisition panel vacancy. We have uh received a resignation from one of our environmental
uh members from that's Jeff Beal and there is an opportunity and we hope that uh there are interested members who would like to be on the the board and for the natural resources representative
and you'll need to submit an application which can be found online and we'll be happy to welcome you aboard should you choose to be part of the team. Any questions? Next item is uh public
comment. If there's anything on the agenda that you may not be here for the remainder of the meeting or you would like to speak now, this is your opportunity. Two microphones. Having given that opportunity, we'll move on to the next
item. And uh again, we'll be going to the consent agenda. There is an item on the consent agenda that uh item 9 Golf that I would like to pull for discussion. Is there anything that
anyone like to pull from the consent agenda? Seeing none consent as amended. That's a motion by Commissioner Adams and seconded by Vice Chairman Law. Any further discussion? All in favor?
Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Uh 9G golf uh is the Florida Department of Transportation State Road A1A bridge replacement and Indian River County artificial reef
program. Um I'm extremely supportive of this, but we have a great opportunity and I would like staff to uh explain what's about to happen. We have great partnership and
great support and I wanted to present it to the public. All right, great. Thank you so much, Kylie Yanula, natural resources director for the record and I have with me today Benode and Ian with the Florida Department of Transportation
as well as Logan with the Coastal Conservation Association. So these are our project partners and you mentioned giving an update. So DOT has prepared a short presentation on the project so that we can give you all a briefing. So
if you could pull up the Y thank you and good morning. Good morning. Um thank you uh for this opportunity to present this project to you. My name is Ben Busnet. I am the design project manager for this uh state A1A over Sebastian inlet bridge
replacement project. The project is ongoing right now in design. We are almost complete the uh design. It's going to be in June that we are going to finish our design and uh construction is going to start sometime early 2026. We
have this presentation. I have with me our consultant project manager Ian Bava and he's going to run through the presentation right now. Thank you. Good to see many of you again. Next slide please. Oh, I do the clicker.
Okay. All right. So, the project has two parts, which is the bridge replacement, which is approximately one mile, and then to the south of that, we're going to resurface A1A for 6 and 1/2 miles, and that's represented on this graphic here. It will be done by the same
contractor. The design will be complete next month. The letting will be in October of this year. and we anticipate the contractor beginning work out in the field in May of next year. The construction will take approximately five
years. This is the existing bridge looking to the north. It was constructed in 1964 and it does not include pedestrian or bicycle features. It is narrow. It has two 12-oot lanes and hardly a shoulder for
safety purposes. The proposed bridge typical section will still have two lanes. We'll have 8-ft shoulders for the people who want to bicycle alongside the roadway and then shared use paths on both sides for pedestrians and
bicyclists. This is a comparison of the existing and proposed bridge width on the same graphic. And what you notice here also is that the proposed bridge is slightly to the uh seawward side. And that allows us to construct part of the
bridge while the existing bridge maintains traffic and connectivity between the counties. Underneath the bridge, we're going to replace the fishing peers. It will go from an 8ft fishing pier to a 12t wide fishing pier about the same
length as today. The navigable waterway 140 ft wide will be maintained and the vertical clearance will be increased from 39 ft to 51 ft. We will have six lookouts on the
bridge for people to step out of the way of the shared use path if they want to stop and look out. We have project commitments on this project which we have worked out with the state park and with Sebastian Inlet District. We're going to repave the parking lots. We're going to maintain
the traffic and we will continue to have the flight diverters on the bridge. We have partnered with Indian River County and the Coastal uh Conservation Commission of Florida. Logan is here to speak after me quickly
about reefing 3500 tons of material out to the permitted reef sites off the coast of Indian River County. and we will do that outside of the right whale season. The flight diverters are shown up here on the bridge. They're similar
to what's out there today. And within the lagoon, we're providing additional shoreline protection as well. We're going to provide a maintenance access road on the east side of A1A for Sebastian Inlet District and other
purposes instead of the west side. And that's shown here with the arrow on the right. You'll also notice that we are going to put sea animal reliefs on the walls as well. This is an overview of the existing bridge with with 20 spans and
five water peers. And then the proposed bridge is going to have three main water peers. And then uh and then the new walls that we can see. We put up the walls to reduce the environmental footprint. And the typical section for the 3R, we're going to maintain the 12oot lanes
out there and provide some more pavement on the shoulder. The existing 8 to 10t sidewalk on the west side will remain. Uh we do have a website available that people can put in their information and get notifications on the
project. Uh FDOT has a compass and we definitely followed the community's part of this uh compass in pursuing this project. Safety message we like to do on every presentation. It is motorcycle safety month and you've noticed a lot of
click it or ticket advertising that's out there today. Benode has already spoken today and here's his contact information. Logan, thank you. Good morning. My name is Logan Kennan. I
am the assistant director of habitat restoration for the Coastal Conservation Association. Um, for those of you that are not familiar with CCA Florida, we are a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving and protecting Florida's marine resources. Since 2010, we've
completed over 125 habitat restoration projects around the state of Florida through various partnerships. um with 49 of those projects being artificial reef deployments throughout the state. And FDOT has provided us a great opportunity to take approximately 3,500 tons of this
bridge material and take it directly offshore to a nearby artificial reef site to deploy it to create up to five new artificial reefs. And these reefs will create and provide new habitat for a number of different marine species, which will increase biodiversity and
provide relief from the natural reefs within the area. Um, these reefs will also provide a great economic benefit and will provide a new area for local anglers and divers and spear fishermen to access and use on a daily basis. And
we appreciate your support on this project and are looking forward to it. Thank you. And this was the very reason why I wanted this item pulled. Uh I see you have some of your members here. Uh
and I wanted to recognize uh CCA uh for what you do the commitment. You do a lot of great events and fundraising and that that that occurs. more importantly is you're applying it the betterment of
Indie River County with this reef project and it's it's quite the enhancement at the end of the road. We're going to have a great environment and you're investing uh through your
membership into something that we're going to be proud of and it's going to be for generations. Thank you. We appreciate the support of the commissioners in the county as well. Thank you. Anything further? If not,
move approval. Second. Motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Moss. Any further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. With that, I'm going to
move on and thank you again. Well, next item is going to be item [Music] 13. It's the Oslo Road, Florida study recommendations for the urban
service boundary and expansion and car and cora planning. Good morning. Morning. Good morning. Morning. Morning, commissioners. Mr. Chair, Chris Balter, planning and development
services director, and I have Logan Woody. I'm an associate planner within the special projects division. Before we get into the PowerPoint, I just want to thank Mr. Mr. Woody for all his dedicated work on this uh Oslo corridor study as well as the whole planning and development services team.
Uh it really took a whole team to get this off the ground. So I want to thank them very much. Okay, the Oslo quarter recommendation report. So for today's agenda, we're going to do an introduction. I'll describe what the USB
is, the demographic and socioeconomic data for the study area, some land use, uh environmental constraints, the transportation system, adjacent municipalities and counties, our public engagement, and then the summary and
recommendations for the introduction. So, this presentation is just a summary of the formal Oslo corridor recommendation report, which was attached in your packet. Um, in 2000, Indian River County identified the need for a new I95 interchange at the Oslo Road. After years of planning,
construction is now underway on the partial Cloverleaf interchange, along with widening of Oslo Road and upgrading the surrounding infrastructure. The interchange project supports the long-term growth anticipated in the county by 2030's comprehensive plan, which linked the interchange to future
commercial and industrial development. In 2024, the county launched an urban service boundary study, also known as the USB, in response to the population growth and the development uh pressures around the area. Uh surrounding the new interchange was the only area identified
in that report for uh an expansion and a possible expansion and growth outside the current USB. Following that, the board of county commissioners direct the planning and development services department to conduct an Oslo corridor study which you have in front of you today. Uh this study aims to evaluate
the potential for the USB expansion in association with the new interchange and to develop a comprehensive recommendation and a map of the study area is provided on the following slide. So here is the study area in front of you. The study area is bounded by Fifth Street Southwest to the north,
13th Street Southwest to the south, 58th Avenue Southwest to the east, and 98th Avenue Southwest to the west. The urban service boundary was established in 1990 and the USB defines where urban uh urban infrastructure such
as water and sewer can be extended and guides where urban growth is allowed. It creates a clear separation between urban and rural land, preserving rural character outside of the boundary. Growth and infrastructure investment are focused within the USB to promote
compact, costeffective development. The map provided shows the current USB within the study area. There is roughly a 1.9 mile USB gap between 58th Avenue Southwest and 74th Avenue
Southwest before it resumes and continues to I95. There is approximately 1.8 miles from I95 to 98th Avenue Southwest. The table shows the existing land use within the Oslo study area. Uh
the land use is not necessarily reflective of the current zoning. Land use categories are derived from the most recent data from Indian River County Property Appraiser and how that land is being used. The most common land uses in the study area are vacant with
83.8%, agriculture with 6.6%, industrial with 4%, and single family residential with 3.1%. I do want to note that vacant land is determined by analyzing current aerial imagery and it is deemed vacant if it lacks any
impervious area. This is a map of the vacant parcels. Um the colored areas are vacant parcels within the study area and then the different shading represents the zoning for those vacant parcels.
Primarily it is agricultural one and agricultural two vacant parcels. The future land use um is dread from the comprehensive plan and it guides long-term growth and also known as flu.
Flu sets policies for land use type, location, density and timing for development. Urban expansion also often follows transportation improvements placing commercial industrial uses along major routes and residential uses near
jobs, schools, and amenities. Agricultural areas can act as buffers between the natural and urban areas. There are a total of 18 flu categories. However, the four main designations surrounding the study area is A1, AG 2,
CI which is our commercial industrial, L1 our lowdensity residential, and PUB are public facilities. The map and table show the layout of the future land use within the study area and the corresponding percentages of those
acres. The next is the current zoning. The Indian River County's zoning districts implement the comprehensive plan through development standards. Within the county's land development regulations, the uses for each district are defined as prohibited, permitted,
administrative permit use, and special exception uses. All development must follow site plan criteria being open space, building size, signage, landscaping to name a few. In total, the county has 34 zoning districts. These
range from agricultural and residential to commercial and industrial and conservation. Of the 34 zoning districts, the most common surrounding the study area are A1, agricultural one, A2 agricultural 2, air1 which is our
airfield residential district, CG our general commercial, IG um being our general industrial, IIL being our light industrial, and finally our RS1 being our single family residential. The map
and the table provide the layout of the zoning districts within the study area along with the acres and percentage for each. So, one of the things that we looked at while we did the study area is environmental constraints. That's a big part of Indian River County is our
conservation of our environmental areas. The environmental sustainability is a key factor when evaluating any type of expansion for the urban service boundary. Um what we look at is wetlands, flood planes and sensitive habitats that may limit the development and the feasibility of development.
While permanently uh data guides planning, uh the final determinations are made when the actual development review process comes into effect. So environmental impact studies are required for those areas with any potential ecological factors that are on
them. Uh the area with significant constraints are typically excluded from the USB expansion. And on this map, you'll see that uh it lays out any wetlands uh whether it be habitat for wildlife and plants, groundwater recharge, flood control, water
purification. Um so it shows all those in the actual study area highlighted in either uh a lime green, a dark green, and then a blue. Uh you can see that this area doesn't have a whole lot of uh wetlands in this, and that is the reason why we chose this specific area for the
targeted expansion. Uh you'll see on this slide as well this is the flood plane determination. Uh we have three flood plane areas. We have the area A AE and then X which is not an
area of flood concern. Any of the areas of flood concern once they are developed uh more usually all of the developers will pull them out of the flood zones so that they will not have to have flood insurance. uh and when
developed transportation system is another thing that we look at when we do any type of expansion. So the transportation includes four systems which is roadway, transit, pedestrian/bicycle and the air and water ports. Indian River County MO leads the
regional transportation in coordination with county staff and in coordination with all the NPOS's around the state. Uh the key plans that play into these factors are the 2040 longrange transportation plan. Uh the congestion management bicycle pedestrian and transit development plan. Uh the Oslo
road I95 interchange will connect Indian River County to the national highway system. National freight network and the Florida strategic intermodal system. Uh I95 is the county's only interstate in this area that supports long planned industrial growth and designated
opportunity zones as well as on state road 60 we have the Florida turnpike. So the major roads include I95, US1 A1A, state road 60 and old Dixie Highway. The new I95 interchange
enhances connectivity especially beyond the urban service boundary. The project improvements include the widening of Oslo Road from two to four lanes, replacing and regrading the Oslo Road Bridge, realigning 82nd Avenue, and adding a cold to sack to 86th Avenue
Southwest. Improved signalization, uh, drainage, lighting, and truck turning radi. Uh, improved access to I95 for the rural population, excuse me, royal populations, freight movements, and emergency evacuation. It supports the
Indian River County's truck route plan, linking industrial areas to US1 while minimizing the residential impacts and any any of the new development if expanded would generate impact fees and support future capital roadway investment projects. Following slides
just provide a visualization of the roadway network. So, here's the current county roadway system you can see on the left and then the construction plans that DOT is building right now as well as the truck routes and
restrictions, the truck routing plan and the roadway improvements for truck routes. So, public transportation is another factor we look into when we look to expand the urban service boundary. So, we know that our goal line has won many awards in the state and also is free still to the general public. So,
the go line um has 14 fixed routes. It serves key destinations for work, school, medical center, shopping, beaches, and more. Uh their operating hours are weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. So, uh the routes currently
are based on need. Um and the MO regularly evaluates those needs. uh if expanded in the future there would be more routes to the Oslo corridor area as development uh increases and that need increases then so for would be the
routes placed in those areas. The pedestrian and bike system the 2024 uh bicycle and pedestrian master plan guides investment in safe connected infrastructure. Sidewalks exist exist along Osel Road from 66th Avenue to west
of I95. And pros connections include 58th, 66, 74th, and 82nd Avenue. Um any development that would happen in this area if if expanded would um have to do sidewalks and all of the things that are in our land development regulations to
make connectivity improved. Uh buffered like bike bike bike lanes are planned along Oslo Road but the area remains a bicycle level of stress which is an LTS4 due to the speed limit over 35 miles an hour. Oslo Road and 82nd Avenue improvements or priority projects in the
plan. About 5 to 10% of the households near Oslo Road walk or bike to work among the highest in the county indicating a strong potential for increased active transportation improved facilities. Following map illustrates the existing and proposed pedestrian and
bike plans which you can see over on the right hand side. The existing and proposed sideway sidewalk network, the existing and proposed bicycle network and then priority bicycle projects which are all on the screen. This next slide uh indicates all of the
water and air port systems. Uh the Oslo I95 interchange strengthens access to the state national and international trade routes. It's located within the close range of these major facilities which is the Bureau Beach airport, Fort Pierce International Airport, the Fort
Pierce Seapport, Sebastian Municipal Airport, the Melbourne International Airport, Port Canaveral, Port of Palm Beach, Palm Beach International Airport, Cape Canaveral Seaport, and the Orlando International Airport. So what this mean specifically is supports interotal
freight access via the Florida strategic interotal system, which is the CIS system. So when we also look to do any type of expansion or study the corridor, we look to our municipalities and our counties to around us. So Felsmere is northwest
of the study area. We share an emergency water agreement. Um there are predominant six predominant land uses that are along I95. Um and there Felmmeir has land either within or near two interchanges.
Uh with these areas fel Felsmere's future land use is p primarily regional employment residential and industrial. Uh the vero beach area is the northeast of the study area. The key corridors for them are the beachland boulevard miracle mile US1 which supports mixeduse
commercial and pedestrian focused design. Uh although the city of Vero Beach is not adjacent to the I95, its corridors are major community entry points as well. And St. Lucy, which is south of the study area, is the big one
is Indrio Road, which is uh I95's in uh connect to the south of Indian River County. Uh they're currently going through their redevelopment of that area as well. The dominant future land use near that area is uh town towns,
villages, and countryside. uh and plan sustainable growth area blending residential commercial and conservation. So out of public engagement so in the last three years of being at the county for myself we've
done over 30 public engagements. Um normally we do six meetings on any particular subject. This one was the same. We did six meetings both day and night. North County uh central county and south county. We want to give everybody the opportunity to be able to speak and give their input and also
develop and uh move forward for the future with everybody's input placed into all of the plans. So, um some of the key community concerns were environmental impact, traffic congestion, the loss of agriculture, and pre preserving the small town character.
One of the biggest uh things in the planning and development services department is keeping that character of life, keeping that quality of life that we really enjoy. Um and that has been focused in all of the plans that we've been doing throughout any of the studies that we've recently had. The land use
preferences um out of the community engagement was west of I95 was agricultural and industrial and commercial and east of I95 parks, agricultural, single family homes and medical facilities. there was a strong presence in all of the uh community
engagement for another medical facility in the western part of town, especially either it was noted State Road 60 or the new I9 uh Oslo interchange area just because all of ours are east of the railroad tracks. There was strong
support for a walkable feel, an Oldtown, Florida feel with a lot of public spaces, parks, and landscaping. um local shops, farmers markets, and mixeduse housing. There was a real ef obviously an emphasis on preserving the quality of life and natural resources. That's one
of the biggest draws that we have in Indian River County is that we have something for everyone. Um and everyone is attracted to this area because of the quality of life that we have. So, summary and recommendations. So the background following the USB study inspire placemaking recommended
reviewing the expansion near the new I95 interchange because it would open up that new area for development and also for economic vitality. And the 2030 comprehensive plan referenced it as well on the anticipated USB expansion in this area to support job growth and
infrastructure needs as well as economic development. So, the planning and development services department recommends that the USB expansion extend from 58th Avenue Southwest to 98th Avenue Southwest between 5th Street Southwest and 13th Street Southwest. In
addition, a temporary moratorum, a six-month moratorum with an option to extend by an additional six months on reszoning and land use changes to allow the planning and land use design and standards. Additionally, an overlay district creating a corridor specific
zoning design, landscaping, and setback regulations for consistency and quality. And I do want to explain something before we get to that what a temporary moratorum is. So, it's basically like hitting pause on certain types of development activities. In this case, it
would be resonings and land uses. Um obviously a resoning is when a land owner requests to change their current zoning uh for their allowed densities or uses and similar converting farmland to residential areas. And a land use change involves altering the official
designation of the area such as commercial, residential or agricultural within the county's compreh comprehensive plan. Uh the reason why putting a pause on it is it allows us to plan for the development in that area.
It also allows us to prepare guidelines, rules, and standards for future development. It also allows us to align the long-term community goals and have an area that's designed properly for sustainable growth and not have it
haphazard in the meantime. Um something to note specifically even if you do a temporary moratorum if you do it on just reszoning and land use the current uses that are are still allowed there and all of the current land use and zoning you're able to pull any development
permits on that with its current zoning and land use. Um, the other thing is an overlay district is a special zoning layer applied on top of that existing zoning that's is specific to that area like a main street or a corridor or historic district if you've seen them in
other places. It doesn't replace the existing zoning, but what it allows is additional uh rules to promote consistency and quality of development in that specific area. So it would be similar to building requirements or architectural styles, specific
landscaping, certain setbacks. Um this helps create a visually appealing, functional and unified corridor. Um these two are most often used as planning tools to ensure orderly and attractive strategic growth for the community. And with that being said, I'd
be happy to answer any questions that the board may have. Thank you, T. Um yes I uh again I know that we all have uh met with you and attended many
of the sessions and have traveled of course but uh any of our missioners have questions. I do see a lot of people that we uh citizens that took the time to be at the
workshops and uh have attended and I'm sure they would like the opportunity to uh give us some input as well. Yes. Um thank you Mr. Chair. Um first I'd like to thank those who did attend.
um really appreciate that. It's good to uh to participate. There were a number of people that participated. It was interesting to me because the community doesn't see this as a blank canvas. to the community. This already
is a work of art. Open space, preserving agricultural space, and perhaps adding public space, parks, and that sort of uh thing that they can enjoy. And I I really appreciated that. Uh as it stands
right now, and thank you to Mr. Bolter for reviewing that. Um in zone, in terms of zoning, it's approximately 90% agricultural. And in terms of future land use approximately 75% agricultural the change um being in
commercial industrial that would increase from about 7% to approximately 16%. My question is, one of my questions is if we uh do not expand, if we if we were to leave the zoning and the current
future land use in place, and that seems to be what the community would like, would we then still need to expand uh the urban service boundary if we left everything in place?
So, you wouldn't have to do an expansion. However, if you didn't do an expansion, it wouldn't make that area cohesive. So, there's currently a gap. Um, what that gap would have issues with is the compatibility between uses. So, um,
because it's outside of the urban service boundary, it would only be allowed to be highest density is one unit per 5 acres or one unit per 10 acres depending on where you're at in the urban service outside of the urban service boundary. where it comes into an issue is compatibility. When you have
things that are located next to an agricultural use, whether it be commercial, industrial, which we know we have in those areas, um when you have it expanded and you're able to place the zoning and land uses, you can do transitional zoning and a step down
effect so that everything is cohesive and also compatible. So, I think you know what I'm concerned about is uh death by resoning. Mhm. That's what I'll call it. Um, and I I was even wondering if we were able to
have an overlay district just to preserve it as is. That's my, you know, that that's that's that's my concern is uh is that we reszone it and ruin it. There wasn't an outcry for more residential. I mean, that that was very
clear. We don't you know and and we don't need a lot more residential and we all know that we can accommodate residential within the existing USB very very clearly. I mean I think the prediction if I remember correctly is
that uh we can accommodate another approximately 50,000 households and we're expecting just over 40,000. So if you want to talk about gap, you know, we definitely can accommodate uh people who might want to move here within the existing uh USB. So then it becomes a
matter of, you know, exactly what we want to use this for. And I'm thinking in terms of agricultural, it would be great if we were able to incentivize agricultural. Um, you know, one one of the things we learned from COVID was
that there can be uh what became what came to be known as supply chain issues and we have the ability to grow our own food. Um, not that long ago I visited oh it's about 40 acres part of that 40 acre
and a mule thing I guess but it was a uh it's a son and his mother and they grow uh vegetables and flowers for local restaurants so it's farmtotable and I think that there is uh a big interest in
that and that could be encouraged we could encourage more people to go into agriculture that's one of the things that's been discussed at the uh soil and water conservation district meetings that they want they're looking to work with the University of Florida. So we'd
have a strong partnership there. The uh agricultural extension can can help us in that in deciding the best path if we want to encourage more people to go into that. So that's you know certainly um
you know an option uh that you know that that I I didn't see presented here but it's but it's there and I I know from my own experience that the farmers markets that we have you know are bustling. So yeah and they're weekly. So perhaps in
this district if we were able to say and we were able to encourage more agricultural preserving agricultural be able to encourage more perhaps in the area where it's going to increase or could increase already future land use
for more commercial industrial that we could have a um a set farmers market that perhaps is an operation daily that becomes a a destination possibly not even just for locals but
for tourists um a agra tourism we just heard a presentation uh from the chamber of commerce that people come here it's not not for theme parks you know they come here for its natural beauty so you know my concern is
that we we begin to destroy that not not only for ourselves but also for tourists I'm very very concerned about death by reasonzoning some of the other uh questions that I had and these are either questions or
just suggestions um they don't all have to do with you but they I don't think but they all have to do with this this matter um and that is and if we if we want to encourage agriculture then we could uh suggest that the agriculture committee could
start meeting again because they haven't met in more than five years the last meeting was February 6th of 2020 so we can encourage that um we can update the congestion management system plan which which you me which you mentioned and I
know that's not solely your responsibility that I think is probably a joint project with no but that was adopted in October of 2009. So that's uh I think it's probably time to revisit that. Um, and with the it was
interesting to me with the town center because I I read it several times. I I looked at that because and I even remember the numbers. It was 47% um expressed uh that that was the most favorable option to them. And this these
were these were the development options. Okay. And as I recall there was no option just for open space or agriculture. It all it all had to do with development. So for on the one hand 47% uh expressed that that was their favorite and on the other hand 50% were
indifferent and and that was the largest rate of of indifference meaning why are you asking me this because I want it to be open space agricultural land. So um I
mean there was no strong cry for any uh residential development in terms of the wetlands. This is something you know I I I really don't understand uh where we're going with this because we just completed this vulnerability
assessment and I know that there are all kinds of maps available. It looks like a a significant portion of that is in is in flood plane and yet we say we um determinations are made during the development process. I
would hope that now that we have this new information, this vulnerability assessment with with what I am told is hundreds of maps that we would able to know in advance, you know, what our options are in terms of development that
we don't have to decide um if it's if it's going to be harmful, it's going to create flooding. Um we that we can know that in advance. we don't have to say yes and then it be it become we already have enough flooding problems. So that's that's a a major concern and we just
heard that last week from uh you know Rockidge and then then they're not alone. It's uh it's around the county. So I myself I don't see filling in wetlands for development. Um we just as a community we rely on
wetlands to recharge the groundwater and to provide clean drinking water and also to reduce flooding. So these these are really important benefits and I don't think that we can uh compromise them in
any way. I don't think that we should. Um and we need to place a a higher value. I I would I would uh suggest and really I would urge that we place a higher value on our drinking
water. I mean, we were instructed years ago, a couple years ago now, by St. John's River Water Management District to conserve water. I don't think that's going to end up being the complete answer to this problem of how much
drinking water uh you know, do we have? And I still think that we need to go back to our USGS hydraological report specifically for the county which was completed in
1988 and I would strongly urge that we update this uh for the whole county. I mean, you know, we it's more and more development. People are not happy with that and it's creating more and more
problems. And and you may recall, I'll close with this um with the urban service boundary study, there was a question in it and it asked, "What are your concerns about development?" And
what came up first was impact on the natural environment. Second, I think was traffic. But we should never forget that because the community said that and that was a while back. But we need to apply that to this. So thank you.
You have any questions? I think you know if we're going to um embark on this just generally I don't think I don't think six months um is is enough. I think this is a big project. However, we're going to look at it and I would say just say, you know, 12 months
and that's it because otherwise you can get into the situation where well, you know, they're late or they're delaying or and then it comes back to you. You know, this this is a big project. Any way you want to look at it, I think it deserves 12 months. It's been 25 years
to get to this point. So we certainly can give, you know, 12 months to a very thoughtful process. Thank you, sir. Yeah, Mr. Chair, members of the board, um, uh, to Commissioner Moss's point, um, we actually heard that. And what I
would say is in August, the county is prepared to, there's a special call meeting for the purposes of adopting its comprehensive plan, the earbased comprehensive plan amendments. So you're looking at three months there, two months for the Florida Department of
Commerce to review. That's five months. And then we have to then after we we based on what they send us back, they usually send back an ORC report or you know objections, recommendations, commendations. You're talking another month there. So there's six months right
there. So, I'm I'm kind of in agreement and on that issue and I do think because during that time frame, you don't want to make any changes to the state is saying they're blessing your comprehensive plan amendments. So, I think probably and we've talked about it, you know, but we stuck with the
original recommendation that was in the in the document for the purposes of the presentation, but I do think the 12 months is if you're going to do it is meritorious because 6 months is just going to be tied up, right? you know, until we get the comprehensive plan
approved by the state and then the board the the then the staff could be working on the the zoning in the overlay district. Again, if that's the direction in which you're going to follow and approve nothing at this time. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll
start. Um, this is a big deal and we need to treat it like it's a like it's a big deal. You only got a one time shot to to make this correct. This land out here was all
predominantly and all citrus grove for for years. When I when I grew up, it was it was just Oslo was a two-lane road, and you went out to the end of it, turned it into dirt, and then you went further. You were in the St. John's uh River improvement district out there,
which was 25,000 acres of the finest citrus groves around. So this is not land that's that's like you know wetlands wetlands conservation land
that's up on a high sand ridge. It it was good for citrus groves. That's what it was as far as the eye could see. Anything pretty much west of 58th Avenue was out that way was was all was all citrus.
But what's happened to most of the Citrus Grove in the county is now that that it's become residential, a good portion of it. Some of it's been commercial and all that store stuff. I'll agree with Commissioner Mos and overwhelmingly the the study said
that people really didn't want more residential out there. They wanted things like, you know, go-to places, stuff, walkability was important, things like that. It's a lot for me to take in. Even when
I was at the meetings talking to people, it was it was a lot to try to explain, a lot to take in. There's a whole lot of information here that that that what we need to do. I I I just u I don't think we need to be talking
about moving the USB further out there. I think our talk on the USB that we had months ago was about filling in some gaps that we already have within the current area. I think we need to concentrate on that. I don't see any
need to to rush this process at all. I think a moratorum of of a year would would be a good idea to allow Chris and Logan and the rest of the staff to to look at the Oslo corridor and see what is practical and see what's not
practical, see what works, see see what what doesn't work. Um, I don't think anybody's in a hurry out there. I know there's probably developers beating down some of the land owners doors wanting to sell sell sell to us so we can do something but I think it's a need we
just kind of need we do need to kind of pause on this. I mean the interchange is is not done yet. The Oscela roads not done yet. So we we've got some time. I'm sure we could we could look at another year and and uh come back with a really
solid plan that's accepted by this board and and by the community to say, "Hey, you know, that's a good idea." Because there were a lot of good ideas presented at the Cherrettes that we we gave, you know, the old Florida town, the again the the parks, the walkability, the town
centers, things like that. There was a lot of good ideas. Nobody wants um Oslo Road to turn into what I'm afraid that that Indreo is going to turn into um and what some interchanges we know turn into. I think
we need to keep it keep it keep it looking good, keep it right and do the right thing. So I support uh option two under staff recommendations that we that we implement a moratorum in that area and give test staff the time to to research
it and do what they need to do. That's where I'm at, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, thank you very much. And u thank you to Mr. Balter, Mr. Logan, and their respective staffs. As we know, this has been an exhaustive program. uh
over 30 meetings uh all types of dialogue. Want to first compliment our our team uh not only in the backup material have they addressed uh the needs and the comments from the 30 meetings but as important the drainage
uh which is very important to a lot of a lot of commissioners as well as uh the way we're going to be traveling to include uh the bicycles. There's an extensive uh study on the bicycles uh which is very very important. I will
tell you friends when we talk about 2300 acres is what we're talking about with respect to this so-called expansion. I think expansion may be uh the wrong term. Simply put, the USB currently ends at 58th Avenue and picks back up at 74th
Avenue. So we have a gap within this rectangle that we've all seen. So you're looking at uh the infrastructure that the county would have to provide for a mere 1.9 miles to conclude what we now would view as the
USB 2300 acres. Uh relatively speaking that that's not a whole lot. Yes, we go north to Fifth Street Southwest and south to 13th Street Southwest as part of that uh expansion. Most recently, we've been introduced and talked about a
moratorum uh moratorum will be healthy. We've all talked to the county administrator of adjusting that from six months to a year which obviously is fair. And as important is the overlay and that is going to allow the staff to take their
time, do their due diligence and uh more than likely uh as required by law we will have more meetings from the public to understand uh what we are exactly thinking of. oftentimes we hear and I I
heard Commissioner Moss mention something about 40 or 50,000 um people in the next 25 years. I get that. I understand that. But you have to ask your question yourself a question of those availability
uh parcels within the current USB. Um are they desirable? uh we know different parts of the county are less desirable than others uh that has to be taken into consideration. Um so with what we have
and the extensive study that we have completed over two years of studying this um and I again I go back to um some folks think that this expansion is changing the entire direction of the
county. That's simply not true. Uh, as mentioned earlier, this hasn't been addressed since 1990. Uh, and it is time, 2025 is time to address this. Uh, we're talking about a a 1.9 mile gap on Oslo Road that uh certainly connects the
infrastructure that we need. Um, that's all I have for now, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Um, and very much in agreement. I I I don't want to perceive that we're rushing
to make change to open the corridor up to open the urban service boundary uh well beyond what we could handle. That's not the intention. Then the study also supports that as well. uh
take in consideration the uh individual's needs, individuals desires, their thoughts, that was all taken into consideration. We hear about agriculture. There'll be nobody more excited than to than to see agriculture
take off once again. Just west of that area, we have conservation land, a lot of conservation land. At west we have a lot of industry that nobody discusses, nobody uh sees because they are within
or deep deeper into off the off the state road 60 corridor. Um that is a concept that could be considered but there's no rush. There's no rush. I but I did hear that we had like what is it
40,000? We don't have 40,000 parcels and but nobody's knocking on the door to get excited to open up the threshold. Once again, if if there's uh and you did mention it, um I if there's 20,000
available uh buildable, projectable lots, that's a lot. Many of these are uh a little moist, can't be built on. U some of them are uh there but
conservation land. Uh some of them are uh not in the process or thought to be sold to be built. So there are far more limitations. I'm not concerned about that. I'm not concerned about opening up
the threshold to ensure that people can just pick on this great county to be able to develop their thoughts. I'm more interested in what our citizens
think and I did hear them and uh there there is cause for concern which I understand nobody likes change and everybody wanted the explanation of why change as we're doing
right now. So, uh, I would like the opportunity to hear from a lot of the attending public that we've been crossing paths with, uh, for many, many weeks, if not months, at different
sessions, and I know you're eager to do that. So, I'd like to open it up to the public to uh, talk a little bit about this. Mr. Chair, Mr. Chair, if I could just add quickly, uh, often times we're talked about what we're going to look like,
like other areas of the state. Uh, and you brought it up and and I had forgotten it, so I appreciate it. Uh, 1.9 or 1.8 miles west of 95, and Mr. Balter, maybe you can help me with this,
uh, cannot be developed. It is the district, the St. John's district. So, uh, we're not going to have traffic going way west like a lot of folks. That's that just can't happen. Uh, so that's in and of itself is going to set
us up in a very unique position and a very refreshing position. Um, Mr. Balter, I did read in your comments a term I've never heard. If you could explain what a freight cluster is. does a freight
[Music] cluster. That sounds to me like there would be an opportunity for um uh commerce freight cluster if you can elaborate on that. Sure. In the terms of freight cluster it means uh any
type of freight that's done uh interotal whether it be on US1 whether it be on train whether it be shipped out any of those goods that are actually transported freight wise. Um we have a number of existing businesses both
agricultural and commercial in that area that provide to that freight cluster and the overall freight network going on I95 it will alleviate and make that freight network even work even better as stated in the presentation as well as uh the
other areas with expanding and if we do expand and do the Oslo corridor overlay and theming and zoning and land use. It allows us to be able to build that uh area exactly to support the needs that
have been there whether it be both agricultural or the existing industrial and commercial and then strengthen those and then add in everything that the public has put in in the public out uh input. You know, one of the biggest things in the planning and development
services department and as you as commissioners is we work for the people. So we're designing exactly what the people want for the future. You know, if we left it the same, we would see some haphazard development. We got to remember all of this land use and zoning
was developed before the '90s. So we have changed since the '90s, and it allows us to be able to build not a blank canvas, but build it to something that the people want to see for the future and make it economically viable. on specifically on Commissioner Eman and
Commissioner Moss' points on the agricultural. Um that's something that we're handling through our economic development strategic action plan. One of the biggest focuses we did focus groups for every industry cluster individual roundts as well as
the public open forums which I know everybody attended which were more intimate sessions. One of the biggest things is this county was built on historic agriculture and that's something that we have to keep and preserve specifically for the auto slow corridor. You know that can be built into theming but also something that's
being looked at in the strategic plan is finding more uses that can make agricultural revitalized. So a symbiotic relationship between existing agricultural businesses and whether it be ecoourism or some type of commercial commerce that allows them to profit off
each other. You know, one of the biggest things in America right now is our decline of agriculture, but we still have, you know, granted it's smaller than it used to be, a strong agricultural network in this community. And that's something that we want to
push forward with with this plan as well as the economic development plan. Chris, just to clarify, when you say freight cluster, you're also you're essentially talking about the uses of like warehousing, distribution, logistics,
correct? And they would also in turn support, you know, with it being further west, are you suggesting that they would also support agricultural uses in terms of being able to get our agricultural products to out to the markets? That is
correct. Mr. Chair, may I make a comment at some point before we hear from the public? Excuse me. May I make a comment before we hear from the public? Well, it's yours, C. Okay. I did want to um let the
board know and I I did speak yesterday with um staff about this and our legislative um person that there is a bill that is uh has passed both houses and is not yet been presented to the governor, but it's SB 180. You know, I
know I'm not suggesting that you not take any action today at all. That's not the purpose of my comments. I just wanted to let you know that this bill in particular, which is a emergency management bill, has a couple sections that are very broad in application as it
uh relates to planning efforts. Uh our abilities to do moratoriums um and also to adopt any comp plan or land development code regulations or procedures that are considered more restrictive. And I
understand the purpose of this would maybe be to do a good planning effort to open up some areas, but I just wanted the board to be mindful that we're watching this bill and that we're continuing to look at it. So, I didn't want to not speak up and have something
um passed and signed by the governor that could maybe make us have to tweak what Mr. Bolter's uh proposed um prog path. That's all I wanted to say about it. Well, thank thank you for that. And
uh we are aware but uh it has not uh gotten into the final stages. That's right. Hopefully hopefully still in discussion. U not signed because it's really I feel way too broad. But at this point um we would be uh legally uh
sufficient to move forward a moratorum. That was not the purpose of my comment. it would withstand the test. Yes, I wanted to just mention that. Thank you. I appreciate that. Anything further?
You need a motion, sir? Nothing. No, actually, all I'm going to do is give give the public the opportunity. You know what? Before that, I see I'm getting urged to take a brief recess. So we'll we'll we'll take a fivem minute recess, collect your thoughts, and this
way we can hear from you the public. Thank you. meeting will now be called back to order. Thank you for your time and patience. Um as as we're going to hear from the public, I just want to at a
point that this conversation, this discussion, the intent of talking about the corer study is to look at the
corridor from 18,000 ft as we moving forward. This is not about the urban service boundary throughout the county. Such being the case, if we have
a discussion and we move forward with a moratorum in any scope, that moratorum will be for the Oslo corridor. It will not affect other areas of the county. We
do have an opportunity uh we can go through our comprehensive plan. We have the right entitlement to do that and we also uh can look at the urban service boundary uh at a different time. This
discussion is for the Oslo corridor specifically. I just wanted to clarify that because there are some concerns when folks hear the word moratorum. Uh it it sounds like it's the
end of a discussion for any future. That's not the case. Again, we're looking at the preservation and the moving forward at the same time for the Oslo corridor. Good morning. Good morning, Richard
Boloski. Um, somewhere somewhere here in the county, Reef Road, uh, Indian River County. I just just a question, a clarification, this more moratorum expanding the line. Are we talking about
let let's say you decide to expand the line from 58th to 74 is the moratorum that we're talking about then about zoning in that expand creating the zoning in that expanded line or we
talking about a moratorum uh if you I'm asking for a clarification I'm confusing myself and you we if we agree to expand and the line is the moratorum then on planning within that new
expanded USB if we don't agree to move that line is there still a moratorum on zoning in the US in the area inside the USB that surrounds
the Oslo road intersection. I hope that made sense, but I'm I'm confused and I'm probably telegraphing that confusion. Well, you're a developer, so I can thought process. So, just to be clear, a good developer, but to the chair's point earlier, we were talking about the
boundaries that were contemplated in the study. That's what the moratorum was, you know, one of the options was proposed just within that study area that would go from 98th to 58th and then the the north and south boundaries that were established. It doesn't prevent
anybody that has existing zoning from coming in and developing under the existing zoning. This boundary uh this the proposed moratorum would be to provide the staff and the board and the community ample time to properly
evaluate the potential because we looked at it from a from a the urban service boundary but going a little bit deeper dive on the future land use the zoning and the overlay district and putting that framework in place of what the community you know would like to see.
It's it doesn't affect north of the the proposed line that's anywhere else in the urban services area. Just that rectangular that you that rectangular that you see that was the focus area of the study. Great. Thanks for clarifying that. the the prenumbra uh with the
discussion is that you know we're talking about the urban service boundary at the corridor but by the same token we're looking at this the services that
exist and now which comes first do we move all the services into that position without knowing what will be developed what may not be developed. And so if we put a moratorum on the zoning uh any
discussion of it, cease of any action uh for 6 months or a year, uh then then why would we want to move the urban service boundary in not knowing what the
prospective uh development will be? Once again, uh we've heard many discussions on the advancement of agriculture, the excitement of agriculture. We've heard uh the the excitement of hey, you know what? What if a distribution facility
wants to come our way representing jobs and prosperity and yes, that that's important too. And then there's residential. So why would we want to move the boundary so that we could not know what we want to do with those
parcels and reszone them uh accordingly or not resone them. Thank you. Good morning. Uh my name is Jeannie Coons. Uh I live near the Ylo corridor. At least it's going to be affected by it
on the corner of 43rd Avenue and Oslo Road. Um, let me kind of paint you a little picture. When I grew up here, I won't tell you how many years ago, but let's say it's been decades. Fine. Um, we
could go out and besides the citrus, we had lots of you pick them fields where we could go and pick all these beautiful vegetables that were grown here. And then we were able to go home. We didn't
have freezers, but we could go home and have fresh meals. Uh if you look at what people today are looking for, there's a lot of people, as Laura mentioned, who go to the farmers markets, but there's a lot of people like myself who live in an
HOA. I can't have a garden. The farmers markets don't have maybe everything I want. Would I love to go out and pick my own food and come home and freeze it or can it? I'd like to be able to do that. Uh, which I can't
in my HOA. Um, another thing that I want you to think about and I don't know how many people are interest have any knowledge of NAFTA, but NAFTA was an agreement that was put into place. I can't
remember under what president, but it took it all of the produce, well, not all of it, a good portion of our produce that was being uh grown in the homestead area had to be bought from
Mexico. Now, I just spent 32 years living in Homestead. That's where my husband's career took us. That's where my career ended. I have watched what NAFTA did to that
community. What used to be farmlands, groves of avocados, uh, mangoes, liuches, every tropical thing you could think of. Uh, I used to on my way home from work used to go by the tomato fields and I go, "Ah, I can go home and plant tomatoes." Because
they're out there preparing the their fields now. That land has now been turned into wallto-wall houses because what was more attractive since they were losing their
market because of NAFTA, turning that land into houses, which unfortunately Date County needed, uh became very uh good for the money folks. And so it
it's just so built up now that I'm glad I'm I that in retirement I came home. Um NAFTA has now been taken away by President Trump. I believe that from the
agricultural standpoint, since there's so much buildup in an area where they used to produce the fresh fruits and vegetables that went up north during the winter time because we're in opposite uh
uh planting zones. We have an opportunity to do that as well here. Now, we've got the land and we've got a big opportunity and we should explore trying to get some of
those things going. We I would we I think we could also explore getting those few pickum fields back. Uh the ranchers a lot there's a big push for low uh for local grown
beef. Uh so I think we need to look that direction. Uh and I would like for you to do that. Um, don't get me wrong, I'm all for development. Uh, we have to grow and we have to grow in order to support
ourselves. We are very attractive for what we have in our lifestyle right now. And we need to stay true to that. Uh so I'm I'm encouraged by some of the things I've heard uh each of you say about that this
morning. We also have a lot of different things going on. You have a lot of things going on. We've got the Oslo corridor. We've got the economic development and the 10-year plan. We've got the state issue with their bill.
There's a lot of balls up in the air right now and I don't think we should move forward or you should not move forward with doing something long term until we get all of those things
together and we know exactly where we want to go in the future and all of them are up in the air right now. Nothing has been solid. So I'm asking you to please support the one-year moratorum. I don't think six months is enough. I think that
was too challenging. Uh we have more time we to do this right. And uh another thing is on the USB uh boundary, we can't support the infra infrastructure that we have right now. We've got issues
with it in that area. Uh because it doesn't stop it doesn't stop at 58th Avenue. That interchange does not stop there. It goes on through Oslo. It goes on into the other north
and south streets. We need to look at our infrastructure now so that we can support get that fixed so we can support whatever development ends up happening in the future. And with that, I thank
you. Thank you. Appreciate your input. Good morning, commissioners. Rusty Banak, 6075 Atlantic Boulevard. Um, I may be all over the page here because uh I've was born and raised here
in this county and I appreciate the comments that the lady uh just brought up. I mean, I remember Leonard Strawberry Fields and the Hogans and uh you know, our family's involved in a lot of that too with our countryside citrus and
um you know, but things have changed in this county a lot and um just a few things I want to address. Um you know, I am a farmer. uh our family's been doing that for generations and uh if there's anybody that understands farming and
agriculture, I think I've uh paid enough dues that I know enough and uh about it. So, a couple comments. Um you know, farm I'm just being realistic here. Farming for the most
part east of 95 is is a pipe dream. It's uh for several reasons. Um, one, uh, some of our best groves and our best soils used to be east of I 95 where we planted these groves in the
past. Um, as you see, there's no groves left left east of 95 anymore, period, for the most part. And a lot of that started with uh, die preppies, which is a insect that
ate the roots. uh we didn't have the proper pesticides to take care of that. Uh they the pesticides we could use were too harsh and you know I am a farmer but they probably needed to be banned and which they were. So u a lot of acreage
went out there. Second thing is you know we talk about water and truth of the matter is our water east of I 95 uh most all of it comes from flow wells. These flow wells uh through
saltwater intrusion have become so salty the chlorides are so high in it that you can't use it for farming anymore. U that's just a fact. And another fact of water is uh we have property up and down
uh and I think we need to go back uh being born and raised here. I hate calling these streets uh by the numbers instead of lateral A and Kings Highway. um and Rosewood and Glendale. Um but we have property on 66th Avenue and 58th
and used to be some of those beautiful grove. Uh and the water's too salty. When when the county put in their well fields in the north county, uh the pressure of these wells uh where we used to get
adequate water out of them dropped. Uh there was times where we couldn't pump enough water out to irrigate our crops because of uh these new well fields that were put in. So there's a lot of issues with water east of 95. And I just the public
and the commissioners and everybody needs to understand that that's a fact. And we've tried alternative crops and uh between the salinity and uh not getting enough water that's an issue.
uh we've tried to pump out of the canals uh surface water and the problem with that is um when you go into drought these canals get so low there's not enough water in the canals to pump uh then during wet during other times of
season uh they drop the water levels so that's not a consistent source of water we can use to irrigate our crops with so uh it's a nice thought uh but it's it's uh really not realistic. Now for the
niche guy that's growing herbs and some vegetables for some of the uh restaurants. I mean that's a possibility but on a big scale it's just not realistic and it's not economical for a farmer to try to do that and that's a
fact. uh upix. Uh one reason that we're struggling at countryside is we used to do corn mazes, strawberry patches, uh hay rides. Uh last year our insurance company raised our liability insurance
from $15,000 to $50,000 to cover events like our uh fall festivals and uh other events we
had there. Um can't make enough money selling ice cream and walking somebody through a corn maze to pay for those kind of increases. So, it's an insurance issue that uh the upupix uh some kid walks through there
and all of a sudden gets sick eating a strawberry for no reason other that he gets a stomach ache and then the farmer's being sued. Uh it it's a it's a real issue. Um and that keeps so many people from getting into that business.
So there again, I'm just addressing some of the things that everybody needs to understand here. Um, you know, out in St. John's, uh, used to be a wonderful thing to go out there on a Saturday and drive out there and see the activity out in St. John's
with the citrus trucks going up and down the road, all the citrus going to all the packing houses that were in this county. U, I mean, it was it was a vibrant agricultural industry. Now you go out there and it's solar fields and
uh you know some ranchets but very little grove. Um our family we've planted close to 400 acres out there in the last three years and we have sold land at conservation easements. We've planted a crop called
Pomegamia, which is an alternative crop to uh that has a protein source. Uh we're spending a lot of money, but I want to make it clear to everybody that farmers aren't making any money off their citrus in these alternative crops. The only way
that we get can do that and keep green space and keep planting more citrus and preserving agricultural land is to be honest to sell a piece of land in close to town every now and then. And then we take that money and we reinvest in
agriculture. That's what we do. It's what our family does. And if you look at the people that are still in the business out there, that's what's allowed them to do that. So, um I just want uh if you want to preserve agriculture in this county, you
got to realize the money's got to come from somewhere and farming is has not been the answer. I mean, it's we used to grow 500 boxes of citrus per acre. Uh now with greening diseases and other
problems, uh we're down to a 100 boxes to the acre. If you do the math, it doesn't work. Now, we're we have tools in there that we're working on to try to increase that, but that's going to take time and we're going to need to survive. So,
um you know, uh I'm just trying to cover a few of the things that were brought up earlier. Um so, I'm we've got lands over by Oslo. I'm all for a moratorum for a year to figure out what to do there. I'd like
for the commission to consider con uh to fill in some of these gaps um that we have uh next to the urban service area uh possibly between State
Road 60 and 510 uh properties that are on four-lane roads. You've built the infrastructure. There's schools. Um, and there's there's areas up there that uh make sense to put housing for the for
the short term. So, I think we can accommodate a lot of this uh growth in this county. All my family lives here. All my kids live here. I want to see it grow responsibly also. But it's a balance of
um all our needs. I mean, as the lady said, I mean, she's not opposed to growth. that needs to be done responsibly. U but at the same time I just everybody needs to understand the issues that uh agriculture and some of these other
things that we'd like to say is possible is is really not when it comes down to it. And uh everybody needs to to understand that. With that I will end my comments unless there's any questions from y'all. No no
thank I appreciate I appreciate Mr. Bak's perspective on agriculture. I think being realistic about it is very helpful when we have these discussions. But and Russy, thank you for pointing it out there. There's
also room for micro farms and smaller farms. There's a good half a dozen in the county that if I if I don't grow it, I go to them because they're using best management practices. they're using the right
resources. Um, beware when we buy something that has a foreign label on it. Uh, you may be very surprised at what they use for fertilizer. Uh, it's it's real. Uh, so we do have the room for those type of
micro farms, small farms that that can service the community and they are on the rise and we appreciate that. We appreciate what your family uh has done throughout the years with that the small farms. Thank you.
My name is Ruth Collier. I love following uh Rusty because our my husband and his dad were at University of Florida together and we were rush we were thrown out of uh there you go. My husband was a farmer his whole life and we left
Broward County for the very reason that it got so crowded. He had 22 in his graduating class. There's probably a thousand now. Way too many people. However, I am for expanding the service area. We just sold our last little grove
to Vero Classic School, which is just uh a little bit south of Oslo, one block south of Oslo on 58th. It's going to be a great addition to this community, and it's going to mean that people would love to live there where they could children could walk to school.
So just keep that in mind that even though there are some places to build yet in this county, they're not necessarily where people want to live. So that's my plea for expanding the service area. Thank you. You're welcome.
anything for once again uh any action taken today is in regards to the Oslo corridor and uh that's why I appreciate the perspective uh we could be with justified reason to
uh reszone or reestablish expand uh at other times uh but today's discussion is specifically for the Oslo Carta. I know I haven't troy yet up.
Good morning. My name is Donna Keys and some of you know me, but some of you don't. I've been a resident of Indian River County for over 50 almost 50 years. Um, I can't tell you I can't tell you how many boards, nonprofits,
um, everything that I could have done in the last 40 years I've been involved in in this county. And last but not least was the over 12 years that I spent on Indie River County's planning and zoning commission. And uh, today you have before you a really major item and you
have a choice. expand the urban service boundary or don't expand the urban service boundary. And the community obviously from what uh Commissioner Masa said um and from what I've read in your reports, gentlemen, is that that the
community is here for not expanding it. They wanted to maintain agriculture. And I understand like Randy Rusty says, agriculture may not be so great, but there's also a lot of research going into other products that we can produce here. I know avocaz avocados is one
thing that they're looking at. Uh because the most of our stuff is coming in from Mexico. Um uh Daryl said that it's only about a 1.9 mile gap. Well, as far as I'm concerned, Darl, I think two mile
expansion of the urban service area is a is a big expansion. I I don't think that's a small expansion. That's a very expensive expansion. And um Russy talks about water issues and that just confirms what Laura was saying about
yes, we do have water issues and adding more people is not going to help that. Um we have two other intersections, interchanges in Indian River County, 512 and Route 60. We haven't done a very good job of Route 60. It doesn't look
very nice. When I was on PNZ, we used to always say, "Well, we just don't want to look like 192." Well, now you're saying we don't want to look like Oslo Road. So, it's getting it's getting pretty bad. We are starting to look like 192 on 60. So, if if staff wants to create
increase urban service boundary area, do a moratorum on reszoning and do an overlay district, I'm sure that we could get a committee together to help work with staff to like we did with the growth awareness committee. But if the other decision is made not to go with
the urban service boundary expansion, which is what we prefer to see that you can look at this again in two or three years, see where the pressure is being put on you in two or three years from that interchange. What what do you maybe need to do at that point in time instead
of just going out and doing something now without really seeing what the impact that interchange is going to have to this area. So, we'd like to see you keep uh keep it agriculture, not expand the urban service area, give it a couple years to get some more education about
what that impact is going to be from that exchange and then do what needs to be done at that time. And today I'm here representing the uh I'm co-chair of the land use committee for the Indian River Neighborhood Association. So, I want you to know we are back and we are involved.
Okay. Thank you. So again, I'm Richard, still Richard Boloski. Um, you know, every time I come here and I see you all sitting up there, I realize that these decisions you have to make in the course of a short meeting affect all of us for a very, very long
time. And we're all living with decisions that were made by county commissioners going back in the last we're almost at the centennial the last hundred years that we're not also happy the way we're living with them. It's
it's I see how challenging it is and and and I echo what Donna said. I I'm a little nervous this moratorum concept because county attorney brought up that the whole issue idea of a moratorum could be at risk. So therefore it would
seem to me to make more sense to just stall this. Doesn't say we're never going to move that line. We're never going to expand. But we're under no pressure. I mean we have a certain population growth we have to accommodate in a very long period of time. So two or
three years is going to have zero effect on that. Um I you know I I don't think we need more housing in the Oslo road corridor. I don't think we need large areas to park 18 wheelers. I'm not
sympathetic to those things. I'm very sympathetic to what Rusty said. That's a challenge. And and I'm thinking back was it 20067 maybe Commissioner Flesher you were up there certainly Commissioner Adams your mom was sitting up there and
and it was in the old building and there was a room full of people who were pounding on the table saying we want a moratorum on growth in the county and and I got up and said they will coming coming from where I do which is on the other side of the country. Commissioner
Moss never likes to hear me mention the name of that state, but um I knew more I had more experience with moratoriums than everyone in that room combined. Moratoriums have unintended consequences. This particular one is
different, but and the unintended consequence of that was people like Rusty who owned agricultural land felt that they would lose their right to ever see that land developed if they had a problem with with agriculture. So they
all rushed to annex to the city of Felsmere and we lost our ability to control our own future forever because of that. So you know what what Rusty is concerned about is very real. I know nothing about farming other than two
nights ago I watched the greatest little farm on Amazon which was a pretty interesting actually I I you should watch it. It's about uh restoring a sustainable biodnamic uh farm in and
amongst large uh monocropping agra business farms but I have no idea whether that makes any sense or not. But the one thing we haven't talked about, we didn't talk about many many years ago when we talked about moratorum, we aren't talking about now in the context
of Rusty's issue and it relates to a more holistic view of how we plan the county is transfer of development rights. You know, sprawl is a dirty word here. I think we all agree to that. Unfortunately, density also is a bad
word. And you know, you can't hate the problem and the solution at the same time. We really need ultimately in the context of the greater county to think of some potential areas that could be receiving areas for greater density and
allow people in a zoned areas to sell their development rights to folks who want to increase density in the receiving areas. That would be equitable. It would it would solve other
issues that have to do with traffic and uh and on and on. Now, to get there, I think, you know, if we put a pause on this, I we have a we have a very talented and competent planning staff. I'd like to see some pictures and
examples of what this could look like because, you know, we always talk about these things in very abstract terms. We have the highest density in this county is um 10 dwelling units per acre and there's about enough of that to fill this room. The rest of our highest
density is eight dwelling units per acre. And if I were to come up here and say I want to do something at 15 dwelling units per acre, there'd be a general panic. But it's but we don't understand what that means. It's just a term. It sounds like it's twice as much, so it's twice as bad.
We need to be more educated about the implications of planning on a on a more holistic scale that affects the whole county. It is not the time right now to rush to even filling that 1.9 mile gap. I it just it just does not make sense
that we're under any pressure at all to do that. So, let's sit back. Let's look at the big picture. Let's, you know, let's do the right thing. It's not easy. I don't even know if you can do the right thing because
it's so complicated. But sure can do take the steps to move in that direction. And those are in to some extent educational steps for the planning staff to educate us the public to educate you the decision makers. And
then from that perspective, let's see what we do. Oslo Road intersection. It's great. It's going to give us another escape route. It's going to take the pressure off of State Road 60 for right now. That's enough. Let's not consider extending
that line now. Let's not talk about extending the line and having a moratorum. Let's just simply put a two or threeear pause on this and revisit it. The staff I mean Chris is doing a great job and he's been here three years. Let let Chris come up and say I've been here six years. Let's let's
have a more seasoned county administration before we take on big decisions that we will live with forever. Thank you, Rich. Rich, thank you. Uh you you make a great point. Uh as you usually do, I'm not surprised. Uh
however um when when you say two to three years um the the reason why we we're here today is the culmination of the study. In addition uh it's anticipated that the corridor will be uh access will be
completed in about a year and a half's time and it was about planning and thought process of what can be done. Well agreed. Um and again I'm uh very
supportive of a moratorum for the Oslo corridor at this time. Uh but uh to to say 2 to 3 years that may go well beyond what we can talk about renewable if we
went with a 12-month moratorum. uh again to get over that word moratorum uh which is cessation. U if that's the case we would want the uh ability or we would need the
ability to revisit it and it could be extended or at that point a juncture at at that juncture a decision may have to be made uh for the future of the county. We do the same thing with I hate to
bring it up. I did bring it up when I said about the agriculture from foreign lands. Uh we do the same thing with bioolids. And a lot of people question why do we have a moratorium on bioolids each and every year? Why don't we just
ban them? Well, we have to do it on we're constrained. Uh so we do it on an annual basis and uh I would be supportive of doing that with this scenario because quite frankly the uh
cora is not going to be ready for another year and a half and I maybe I shouldn't have said two or three years. Maybe I should have just said pause and wait. I don't see that we're under any real pressure to move that line from 58th to 74th. There there's there's
there's no gun at our head to do that. If you want you know if you want to do a corridor study, drive down Narosi Road from 192 to uh to 528. It it's you know it's a corridor. It is that that 20
miles will take you an hour and a half between 4:00 and 7:00. And it's and if you look at it you know piece by piece there are well-designed buildings, interesting projects. It's not poorly designed, but there was no sense holistic sense of how it was going to
work. And it's just frankly unpleasant. Um, and I I just don't see how there's anything that we really need to do right now between 58th and 74th. Uh, and and again, I go to this notion of transfer
of development rights, looking at areas of higher density to meet whatever housing needs we might have in the future. But I just think it's a mistake right now to to rush to do this and then impose a moratorum that could possibly technically
uh find itself in trouble at any rate. Um there there and sorry my last point the public input I wasn't I wasn't thrilled with with the way it was presented. You want a high-rise building, you want a farmhouse, you want
sprawl. I mean, that was it wasn't it was confusing because they were just pictures. They weren't a real plan on that narrow strip of land. I don't think any of those things really applied to that narrow strip of land. So, I just like to see more thought go into this
and more of a holistic approach to solving these issues of housing uh and keeping in mind real problems like Rusty Banak has. Well, thank you. Thank you. Many felt the same way that uh when in
the presentations that it was about having three food groups on a plate and having to be forced to make a choice of which one you prefer as opposed to going to a buffet and seeing what's truly available out there from a far a higher
distance uh from the actual project. But thank you for those comments. Mr. Chair, may I may I make a comment? I did want to um just kind of insert that really a year is the maximum memorial that you can place on a
roof without getting into a taking an abert Harris problem. Okay, just throw that in there in case people think we can just do this forever. Is is there anyone else that wishes to speak? Mr. Chair, if I could speak.
Oh, you can. Sure. Staff. I just wanted to make it clear coming up to the podium. Sure. Okay. Good afternoon, commissioners, Mr. Chairman. My name is Joseph Paladin. I'm president of Black Swan Consulting and
I've also in the previous life I was a developer here for several years. And the first moratorum I was familiar with and Commissioner Flesher was here at the time. Gary Wheeler proposed a moratorum. Wow. and I
proposed uh putting a hold on it and I put a group together called the growth awareness committee which I chaired for 12 years. I also was the chair of the land use committee for the IRA for five years before Richard took over and uh we all have the same thing. I'd like to give
you a couple of quotes that way I think it should be thinking going forward. Number one, I think that new development should pay for itself. Now we can make new development pay for itself. The guaranteed and Mr. Flesher
knows that we have a hard time making new growth pay for itself. Two different things and it is the way it is. But you know, you talk about expense. Listen, we have a product here. We have the land. We have Indian River County, best county
in the whole damn state. There's a demand to come in here and build in this land. Well, through developers agreements, we make the development pay for itself. Time to negotiate is when the money's on the table. When these guys want to develop here, we make sure we get everything we want out of them. We
get every every dollar out of them. Make them they're going to make the money off the development. So, let them put the money into the infrastructure. And I think through the developers agreements, we can do that. Now, I'm also part of the IRA for 20 years. We have a little saying there. We like to control
development through quality, not quantity. And see, that's a big difference. You can't have too much quality development. You got to get the word quantity out of your head. You can't control development through quantity. I've been asked several times, Mr. Palin, why do you guys have such
terrible plans for future development? I said, because we plan on no growth for future development. That's why we have this poor plans. Now, see what you're saying today, you've gone beyond that. I really appreciate that. But I think that the uh Oslo corridor uh
putting a moratorium on it, Joe, you might want to write this down. I I I approve that. I support that. But I think you're reflecting back to about 20 years ago at least. Yes. But you know, that's the different
thing. and also roads going to have be it's going to be I95 exit etc. know that. But when we talk about moving the urban service lines, I also am chairman of the urban service line awareness committee. You got to look at how for
another three or four years, we're going to be worth more money because we're going to be developing out there. So if they know what the future is, it shouldn't be a secret. And Joe, you remember back when 43rd Avenue was a big deal. I mean, I spent a lot of time on 43rd Avenue with Diane George, etc.,
right? So I mean there's a lot of things we can do and we need to make new development pay for itself and we have to have quality development. We can do that. We just need we make sure you do the right design. You know you have to have a master plan. You know several years ago
Rof Stanbridge Dr. Cox and myself we designed we designed a master storm water plan. I think it's still on a shelf in the old building someplace. They said it's too complicated. You know, when I developed overseas, I delivered in the islands. If we didn't
have surface water storage, we wouldn't have any water. And here, you know, God gives us the answer. He rains on us. We pump it back out into the oceans. We need capture that water and use that water for portable water. And we can do that.
It's just going to take maybe a little bit of intelligence, a little more work. And as far as having a lot of land to develop already, you got to realize 10 and 20 acre parcels are just about useless. I can't give you what you want
to see in a 10acre parcel. You know, they put a road down the middle, put a lake on one side so we can fill the lots, and they build houses on both sides of the road. I'm sorry, I'm not excited about that. That's what you get out of a 10acre parcel or a 20 acre parcel. So by moving the urban service
line in the right places, not Oswel Road, you got to have a bigger piece of property to get the open space and get the setbacks, get the landscaping and turn lanes and everything that you want to make things better. You can do that with a bigger piece of property. I
cannot do it on a 10acre piece of property. And I still have several in the county now that I own unfortunately. And I guess I'll develop them somehow. That's what I do. But you know developers got to realize most of the developers are just greedy people. Let
me make that statement. But that's okay. I dealt with developers from out of town for years. Most of them don't like me. But that's okay. You know, but if you know what they want and you know what we got, we use that to our advantage to get what we want from them. They're going to
come in here and buy a piece of land, do a development, they're going to make lots of money on it. That's when we negotiate to get what we want out of them. We got to get every little bit out of them we can at that time. I say the only land that I really didn't worry about was a piece of land I already developed. Other than that, the
more land you leave set open out there with no holdbacks or no setbacks or no legal or no rules and regulations, the more you open yourself up to it being developed the wrong way. You know, the most famous name in development history
is the Bird Harris Act. Well, I've been on both. I've won cases on both sides of that. We're at Harrisack. Fine. They use that to their advantage. But we fought that and we found different ways to use it to our advantage. And that's what you have to do. You have to outsmart these
guys. And the best way to uh catch a thief, you hire a thief. The best way to beat out of town developers, you hire a developer, which the growth awareness committee did with me. And I was chairman of that committee for 12 years. And we got things out of
them that listen, they'd have been better off hiring two of the highest price attorneys in Miami and come up here and beat us because literally we can't afford all these lawsuits. But I negotiated. We negotiated things. We got setbacks. We got all kind of stuff. Take like zoning
RS6. Houdini couldn't get six units on RS6 zoning. Not if we said, "Okay, we're only going to give you three units an acre." We would have been sued. We would have lost. But because we went in, I said, "Okay, we need 7.8% open space. We
need setbacks, we need buffers, we need when you add all that up, they couldn't get six units an acre." So that's the way you go forward to negotiate. Meanwhile, they paid for the infrastructure because it's not fair to make the people that live here in River County that have lived here a long time, pay for new development. It's not fair.
It's not the way it should be. Make new development pay for itself and control development through quality, not quantity. That's my advice. But I want go on record. I support the moratorum row. Thank you. Any questions? Thank you, Mr. Appreciate you.
Mr. Mr. Just one last comment. Rusty Back again. Um I echo his quality over quantity. And the only thing is I think we all have ridden up the interstate and up the turnpike and seen up by Claremont
where you get these subdivisions. Every house looks identical. And that's one thing that this county can do is make sure these developers are given enough variety in these neighborhoods that every other house doesn't look the same. I mean, everybody
likes some individuality and doesn't want their house looking the exact same as their neighbor. So, I mean, I think that's a simple enough thing. As he said, the developers will make a lot of money for them to throw another model or two in a neighborhood so they all don't look the same will add a lot to this
county. Thank you. Mr. Balta, you wanted to Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to touch on public engagement a little bit um and the structure of the public engagement. First off, I want to thank all of the public that came out today and also all of the public that
came to the meetings. We had over 400 uh representation from the community. The reason why it was set up in such a way to offer broad uh strokes at the canvas was because of how early it was in the actual planning process. You know, we wanted to get a look and feel of if it
was even an appetite for the community to have an expansion or have a plan. You know, in planning, if we don't have a plan, haphazard development happens. And that's one of the things that we really don't want to have to happen in this county because we have such a quality of life. It truly is a place for everyone
where you can go to a rodeo in Felsmere, go to the beach in Vero Beach, or enjoy many of the park systems that we have. So, with a plan in place, we're able to see that to fruition. Um, that being said, there will be, if approved in any
type of way, regardless, there's plenty of other opportunities for public engagement that will drill down more specifically, whether it be corridor or zoning and land use specific to those subjects. I just wanted to bring that to the board's attention and also the
public's. Thank you. Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, just for clarification, Chris, we currently have the county infrastructure up to 58th and then it resumes back at 74th. So, the
gap we here we have here does not have the current adequate infrastructure. Is that correct? That is correct. And also Kristen, you're consistent with our comp plan and at ease more of an ease for you do
the the planning in the future to include the moratorum having a gap uh could make your planning purposes a bit more challenging. That is correct. That is correct. Um
and I think uh Mr. chairman with being consistent with the 30 meetings we've had in addition to um understanding the the comp plan studies that we've had uh someone mentioned take a break for two or three
years well uh the moratorum is actually as council has mentioned a year so now we're between two and a half to three years to one year for sure that we know and that one year by the way could be extended if needed Um and for those those reasons, uh Mr.
Chair, I move approval of the expansion of the USB in the Oslo corridor in addition to the one-year moratorum. Restate that. Yeah, that restate that. So I didn't hear you. hated every. So I I move,
which is option one, to extend or close the gap, if you will, of the USB on the Oslo corridor to include from 58 to 74th to Fifth Street, Southwest, 13th
Street, Southwest, that 1.9 miles. uh to be included with the one-year uh moratorum to include the overlay. Is that Mr. Administrator? Is that I I
give Mr. Chairman I apologize. Are you saying everything east of 95 that gap from the existing industrial to 58th Avenue and you're not talking about the west side? Just I'm just trying to clarify. No, I'm talking Yes, of course.
to 98. Yeah. Okay. So, and then the other item I would ask uh commission vice chair is are you also looking uh in terms of if we're doing if you're recommending one the expansion to the moratorum which goes about the resoning
related to the resoning is the development of the overlay district are you talking about that as well number three which is the corridor overlay district which would identify the specific zoning uses I think whatever the the cohesive plan if you will is what I think as was
described by somebody. Okay. Just wanted to clarify. So did you want to restate your motion to include one, two, and three? Yeah, we can do that as well. which would include what the
administrator said to include the overlay to include to 98th Avenue back to 58th Avenue and North and South from Fifth Street Southwest to 30 13th Street Southwest.
So you don't want to include it to 98? Yes, I didn't. He's he's trying to make a motion to move staff recommendation basically, right? But the staff recommendation didn't have the moratorum in that particular item. You want to place the one year we did
but first but it didn't have expansion of services correct staff recommendation is one two and three correct but the Only change to that number two would be instead of 6 months it would be one year. That's what commissioner that would be number two
with two and three would be one year number two with a one-year moratorum which would give resources Do I hear a second? A second. I hear a
second on staff recommendation. It's correct. Right. On option number two, it was a one-year one-year moratorum with expansion of the gap. And I believe in previous conversations,
like I said earlier, filling some of these gaps was was was our intention. That that is correct. It it not expanding but filling some of the gaps whether it be, you know, getting this subdivision office off of septic on
sewer, things like that. Fill in gaps that were like this. And and in addition that was also to address uh we had extended the policy
to be able to include if you were within 1,500 ft uh that you could connect two services uh at your your expense. That was done quite a few years ago and that would
resolve most of this issue as well if we were to do that. That's I'm sorry I was drawing. Um if if we were to do that then that would eliminate all of those
uh individuals who were seeking service even if they are still agged that they would be able to get services to that area. filling in the gap and making the urban service boundary it a flat line as as opposed to
the puzzle piece that it is now. That's correct. That's correct. Is that fair assessment? That is that's correct. Okay. So, I would agree with all you're right with that what Commissioner Lur said. It it would make planning a lot harder with that gap there. That that's
that's correct. So, all right. So we have a a motion uh from Vice Chairman Law seconded by Commissioner Airman to fill the gap option
two while we place a one-year moratorum on any reszoning uh for the Oslo corridor in remainder. So that's west of 98 and east of 58.
West of 98 to include the gap. Well understood and councelor. My understanding is the motion is to move staff's recommendation but to extend the temporary moratorum to a year instead of six months. Correct. That's
correct. Yeah. So, we have a motion and a second and well understood. Any further comment? All in favor? Opposed? Opposed? No. Motion passes 4 to
one with Commissioner Moss desenting. Thank you. I have a question. What's the next steps on this, Chris? Sure. So the next steps on this will we'll be bringing back an ordinance for a temporary moratorum on exactly what you guys have just uh approved and then
following that we will uh get into the corridor study. We'll be planning out public meetings for that as well as all the land use and zoning data. Um and then also be doing the expansion of the USB which we will be doing after the
earbased amendments. um will that is a comp plan amendment so that will be done after the actual comprehensive plan earbased amendments. I would add based on some of the comments I heard is we may augment staff's you know efforts with one of our
existing consultants to produce those diagrams and help with the overlay district. So there's a visual component to that. I just want to put that out there so we can because I don't think we have those services available in house. There is some funding in in planning and
development services budget to be able to uh assist with some of the harder lifts with the visuals and the uh socioeconomic and economic development in that area. So
awesome. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate everybody's time today and input. You make a difference. All right. Next item is public works.
Uh I guess there'll be some changes in the format of the room. uh in public works. We have consideration of a resolution electing the use of uniform method for levy collection of enforcement of
nonadalorum assessments for street paving in the Oslo Park area. It's still good morning. You got moments to go. I was just looking at it. Greetings and good morning honorable chair and commissioners. Ari Javit, your
public works director here to provide a quick quick update on the street paving and drainage improvements in Oslo Park area project. And just wanted to give a quick update based on the the past
direction from BOCC back in May of 2023. The commission has asked the staff to go back and do the design and then come up with the construction cost. So, the construction cost that was based on that design was shared with the commission
back in September of last year, and that the construction cost was about $14.75 million. That equates to about the $1,640 per parcel for the next 20 years in assessment. if we were to move forward with the MSBU assessment. The
other thing that the commission had asked the staff to look into was to get a 67% approval from the residents. As a result of that, uh staff went back and organized two public workshops and outreach meetings with the residents of
the affected area. Uh one was done in December of last year and then the second workshop was done in April of this year. We also sent out survey cards to to the residents. There are there are about 500 parcels and we received 55
responses back from the residents whether they were in favor of the the project or not. So 55 responses equates to about 11% response when you're looking at out of 500 parcels. Out of those 55, 22 were in
favor of the project and 32 were against the project. uh based on the $1640 breakout assessment for for each parcel. So based on that about 60% of the the residents are not in favor of
the project at least based on these uh new cost estimates and and the assessment. So at this point of time the commission has uh two options based on this feedback. looks like you know at least there's not enough support for the project as it is being designed right
now. So one option is to basically you know close the MSBU paving initiative and the second option is to basically move forward with getting the the assessment project created and initiated. The next step for if the
commission decides to move forward with the with the with the assessment what project would be to you know then organize a public hearing and then move move forward with that. So those are the two two options for the commission to consider today. Obviously you have the
staff report with initial backup information including the the comments from the residents but overall you know right now about 60% of the 55 people who responded to the survey are not in favor of the project the way it is being
designed and I stand for any questions that the commission may have. Mr. chair. Um, I want to thank Audi and and the staff and their patience. As as many of you know, the Oslo Park uh paving
initiative started years ago uh under Commissioner O'Brien, probably before that with others. I will tell you that I I feel um that I'm somewhat intimate with the residents of Oslo Park in the hard work and the meetings that we've
had uh consistently. Be quite frank with you, it's a sad day for Oslo Park. I will say that uh this is a sign of the times and for this body uh going forward please keep in mind the
the increase in the prices if we don't act now later they will be much more expensive. Uh I was at all of the meetings with the Oslo Park Initiative. Audi and his team certainly uh
advertised, notified uh and were were certainly um accommodating. Unfortunately, these things happen that we we came up on the short end of the stick. Uh it's it's sad that all of the work that this board has
done, not to mention the public works staff. Uh but being in district 4, I certainly feel like I'm prepared to uh make a decision on this and unfortunately it is part of staff's
recommendation and I agree and support is to close out this portion this initiative of the MSPU on Oslo Park paving and come back at a later time to fight a a better fight. That's my motion, sir. Second on that. Um and and
I will say that it has been a journey. Uh thank you for recognizing um Commissioner O'Brien. Um worked tirelessly um [Music] and I I feel it was the will of the
people to go forward until the price tag increased dramatically. It it it is heart-wrenching because uh you're this close. But I have to support that
motion. Sometimes you need a tap on the shoulder to say, "Hey, I know what you want, but it's unreachable." And I'd also like to thank uh Mr. Lonnie Ingram who was instrumental in coming to our meetings
and the passion that this gentleman has uh in favor of I believe he's lived there all of his life and uh you know it's it's just a it's a siloquy to see this happen to so many good people that are there that wanted this and
desired it. So going f in the going forward uh Audi and I have spoken about some alternatives and I can assure also the park residents that we will be examining any other options that may be less expensive. You're right. They put
in a lot of time and many of them uh showed it but uh by the same token that original uh some of the original individuals have heard and said that's far unattainable for us. Correct.
So it is the will of the people. So thank you once again. Any further? We have a motion by Vice Chairman Law, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? All
in favor? Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners. Heavy heart. Thank you. Well, we'll move on to county
attorney matters. Uh item 14A is the demolition lean reduction for 4541 38th Court, Burough Beach, Florida 32967. Councelor, good afternoon, Commissioner. Susan Pra, deputy county on behalf of the county
attorney's office. Yes, my office was contacted by the new owner of the property located at 454138th Court um seeking a reduction in a building demolition lean. Um I believe the new owner is present. Um he asked to be present to go ahead and seek this
reduction. Um the lean amount originally was for $4,977.38. Um, as of April 17, 2025, when this issue first came up, the demolition lean in interest was $8,2324. Um, in past, the board has reduced the
demolition leans down to about the lean itself and 10% of the outstanding interest. In this case, that would be 5,302.87. Um, I'll wait to I'm not sure if he if the new owner has anything he wants to address with you, but our recommendation would be to follow along with um the
board's history of reducing the lean down to um the lean amount plus the 10% interest. Thank you, administrator. Yes, I I Good afternoon. Um, I purchased this piece of land to a tax deed auction
uh about a year and a half ago to um it was an investment for my kid and um I don't know when I purchased the lot um when I purchased the land there was several lean on that lot. the over the overrowing lead at was for 50 grand and
the utility leans alone I'm making was over $50,000 and I'm making payment well that was reduced to $8,000. I'm I'm making payment of $300 a month on the utility leans alone. Um the overrowing weed um last time I
was here, Miss Bucks helped me and um that was reduced to uh $5,000 and uh I still have to pay that. So it's just um it was an investment that I wanted to make for my kids and it turned out to be one of the probably one
of the worst investment that I've ever made and um I'm just trying to see if I can get some help. It's um been very stressful dealing with the utility company and
um I mean since I took since I all all of it which is um lean that I inherited from the previous owner and I just wanted to do the right thing. I even um you know consult an attorney to help me out. He it it got so
bad that he advised that I sign the deed back to the county. I just couldn't get anywhere. And um I'm we're making progress. I'm making progress and um just want to see if I can get some help. This
beginning I didn't catch your name and address for the My name is My name is Dien and I'm the owner of 454138 Court. Thank you. Thank you, sir. you have any um just want to make sure
that that reduction is contingent on that so long as it's paid within 60 days and that's the same kind of contingency we've had on all our prior reductions. So I just want to make sure that that's um clear at least as far as a recommendation from staff. Thank you.
And you understand that? Uh not quite. So um can you go over that? Can you say repeat again please? Yes sir. So in the past the board has given this reduction to other um members of the public when they have come forward on a similar building demolition lean and the
requirement has been it will get reduced down to the original amount which is the $4,977.38 plus 10% of the interest that's accured. Um and that would have to be paid within 60 days from the date of today. And that's how um the board
has functioned um previously and historically is it it's upon the contingency. If it's not paid within the 60 days from today, then it goes back up to the full amount, which is the um I'm sorry, $8,2324. I I understand. I just don't have the
saving. I just don't have the the the fund. uh just I just don't have the fund to pay that amount. So um so sir uh what you're stating is that if it was found
in your favor to reduce the penalty, you would not be able to satisfy within that time period the payment as well as any action taken for the property. It it is unreachable within
the 60 days. I don't have I I don't know how am I going to come up with the the amount to pay within 60 days the $4,000. And what why are we here? I has there been dialogue between two
parties. Yes, there has been some intermittent dialogue. um commissioners I had spoken first with his attorney and then his attorney seemed to have fallen off at the wayside and then the last bit I got was yes they want to continue with uh lean reduction and that's the last
bit that I heard of this it's while the request is that it be done within the 60 days that's something I mean that's what the board has historically done we recommend that the board stick with that but that's still up to the board's discretion I think if you wanted to do it longer than that shorter than that
but that's just historically what has been done and and has the gentleman owned the property since 2015? No. No, sir. I own a I purchased the property to a tax a tax detail in about a year. So, you bought it with the lean? Yes. Yes, I bought it with the I was not
aware when I purchased the lean. I was not aware there was so many lean on that lot. I just didn't know. It's just So, you knew about the lean when you bought it? That's when I found out. Okay. And uh there was um there
were several lean. So I was, you know, we're making progress. I was trying to handle one lean at a time. Last time I was here, I've gotten some help from the board with the overgrowing lead. The overrowing lean. Um Miss Bug helped me
present my case here. Yes. Yeah. And um but you today you said you won't be able to satisfy this. So why why would we be taking that action? Why would we take action that you state today that you won't be able to satisfy
it? Um I was I didn't hoping I would get just I was hoping um the lean would we can't just make the lean go away. So what we've done in the past is reduced
it as much as we can to cover the administrative costs which is what this is. So we can't if the expectation is for us to wave the lean in its entirety we can't really we can't do that. This is
the best we can do if six months or 60 days. I mean, are you able to pay it at all? I don't um conversation. I understand, but I just don't know where to get the
council. What What is the final number on that? on the again the final number the reduced number the reduced number is $5,3287. So you're you're saying that there's no shot at
you getting the $5,000 together in two months. I don't have the saving. I just I don't know where to get it. I don't I mean I I think I heard you say that you're making um payments on a utility lean
currently. The utility lean? Yeah, I'm making pay that was 40 grand and I reduced it for $9,000. I'm making payment of 300 a month. And have you missed any of those payments? I just actually I just started. You just started. Okay. So, I mean I'm not
suggesting that we do something different than what we've done in the past, but he's making payments on a utility lean. I don't know if there's a way we can consolidate consolidate or I I don't know what that looks like. I'm just trying to offer some type of
solution. Yeah. To clear the title whether he knew about the lean or not when he purchased it. The fact of the matter is we have a property that's you know I don't know and you
so the I the lean sorry the property was purchased in quick claim deed on December 4th 2024 by Mr. Louise Wild and it was quick claim deed to Mr. Daty Jr. Tana and this the conversation that I
had with Mr. Tina's attorney. It was my understanding that they were able to pay the larger amount, but they wanted the smaller amount. I was never advised that they couldn't pay either amount. So, this is the first time that I am hearing of this. So, I do want to apologize to the board. If I would have known that, I
would First time you're hearing of the fact that they wanted Yes. the inability to pay and the fact that they're wanting it wiped completely. That was not um relayed to me. So, you you would not have presented this at this time.
I believe it's um I would suggest no that we don't verily I think they have the ability to ask but it doesn't mean that I have to bring the item. Usually the items are brought by staff when they're in agreement with something. We'd be in agreement with uh releasing
it down to the 5,3002 which is the lean amount and the 10%. But other than that, usually the public they able to come forward on a public um discussion item or ask that an item be brought them at a later time. Yes, sir. and and the
purpose in reducing the l geting the lean reduced so that you can go forward and build um yes in the future and um I would yeah I would love like to build on the property and uh I'm not
sure how am I going to do that but I would love to um but since I have took over the property I've been maintaining the property I've been doing all the right things So, uh, yeah, I would love to build on the property, but I'm don't know what to do. You don't have the
funds to build. So, I and again, I'd like to see it to get into something that will put you upward, but by the same token, you you purchased the property knowing it had a lean. Oh, I did not know there was a lean on the
property. No, you said earlier, I was not aware. I I was not aware of any lean. I purchased it to a tax deed. I didn't know that. The day you bought it though, you said you found out, right? Um, not the exact same day. I I start I start receiving letters, right? And um
it's a little while after that. So, it had it has a substantial lean. That's one of the due diligence of buying a a a a property in the manner in which you purchased it. Uh little research Yeah. Did the covers the lean. I I want
to see to get you in a positive way with this. I appreciate that. But today you admit that you can't pay it and you have no intentions on building. I don't see the reason why. Just leave it be the way it is and just continue to
pay the the utility lean and when you're ready, that's when you can do it. I don't know if today's your day. Um yeah, I you mentioned that um I was not aware The de the demotion lean I just found
out was I found about about it maybe so two a month ago. I was not aware. Can I I just Yes. say something like I understand that people should do their due diligence when they go to a tax sale, but I also understand that for some people it is an attractive
opportunity to try to get property for less. And then when you get it, all these things start coming and now you're kind of stuck. You thought you were maybe making a good decision and helping out yourself and you know, no good deed
goes unpunished. But I think today what I'm hearing is he's not he would like to build but he doesn't have the money to build when he's trying to deal with all the lean. So that might become that might come later on. And I think for us what we need to decide is
do we want to try to figure out a way to help him maintain his property that he went out and purchased or are we just going to say no? you know, too bad, so sad, and just deal with it later. I would
prefer since he is at least making an effort to come forward and try to address it. Whether I'm not interested in like assigning fault in this, I'm just interested in trying to figure out a resolution. And I don't if if we if we
wave not wave it but reduce it to the 90% which is our standard down to $5,000 um that covers whatever administrative costs. I don't know if that again my suggestion would be if we want to resolve it today roll that into whatever
same payment plan the utilities is doing and just get it done. Otherwise, he's, you know, he's not going to come up with $5,000. There's a lot of people in this community that couldn't come up with $5,000 in two months if they tried. So, I don't that
is the state of the economy and it is what it is. So, I don't know if you could pay a higher payment a month if that were something that would happen. But I guess Susan, what you're saying is the only reason you're suggesting this reduction is because you were under
the impression that he could pay that in 60 days. So if he cannot pay that in 60 days, are you still would you still have suggested the reduction with a payment plan like we do for utilities? Not unless this board specifically
instructed it because we usually go off past precedent in practice and in attempting to try to treat all people equally. Um the question is is the board could do something different for this particular individual. But if they do then it's setting a precedent for future individuals coming forward. So that's
that's not a decision that I would be able to make. I don't make the policy decisions and that's a decision that the board would be able to make. So for my fellow commissioners, I understand that we set policy and we set precedent and we also can change that policy and that precedent at our pleasure. But this
gentleman is not this is not a code enforcement situation that he brought upon himself. This is a property that was sitting there and had gone back and we're going to see this time and time again in areas of our county. And do we encourage people to pick those up and try to make them
usable again or are we just going to let them sit there? And that's kind of where we are. This is what this represents to me. So, I I don't see why we have to be so ownorous sometimes. No, it's not ownorous. It It's a matter of, you know, there there is um you said you get the
due diligence when you buy a property with the lean uh at the courthouse. Um it's available to you as to what the burdens are on the property. You may say some people aren't
aware good. It's good argument, but the bottom line is you know what it costs to build if someone cannot satisfy $5,000. Do you know what it costs to build on
the property? There's going to be no building anyway. So what's the point in even dealing with this at this point? I try to I mean I even try and sell it. I would if I try and sell it, I would I would lose money. I would I mean
I wouldn't Well, you can't sell it because it's got a lean on it. So, I mean it either way, but if we take the lean off and get it paid, then we could we could sell the property. Um I again, uh there were many that came before us.
Uh and again, I know you said we continue to do the same thing. We could change policy. Um this is not uh the very first nor the second nor the third and there have been many many individuals and specifically when it
comes to buying a tax lean property or a a a deed a deed to a property that has quite an attachment and most say they didn't know. One quick question. I didn't buy it. Um, is this
the only property that you purchased in the in the county? I have another lot. Um, but it was the same thing. It's two um tax did auction. That's what I'm not not at the
courthouse. The the auction I held online and um it's the same thing. Yeah. It's not the physical courthouse, but that's what it's about. Yeah. But I I didn't I never I was not aware it was if
I I I but two properties one after the other at the same times the options but I was not aware I didn't know I if I was I've I've talen to miss I've emailed
um attorney Schuler and trying to get some help regarding that when trust guided and I just couldn't just couldn't get anywhere. Did you pay the 5302 in six in 120 or
180 days which is four or three months or 6 months? I'll use up all I just don't have enough funds. I my money is gone. I I just I'm making payment the util I'm I just don't have my bills for my
uh retail for my regular job is just not enough how long are you paying the utilities clean I just I just started pay and how many months for two years for two years two years I have to pay 300 that was $40,000 no it was 40 it's been reduced to
9,000 they reduce it to 9,000 Okay, Mr. Mr. Chair, may I counselor? Um, one one thing to consider perhaps is simply um stopping the interest because if the board does nothing, then the interest
continues to acrue and snowball. And I I do think that there's maybe a need at some point to have a discussion about these leans that get huge and then become um an obstacle to land changing hands or
positive things happening. So I I just wanted to throw that out there as a possibility if the board was inclined to do anything. No. And 90% of the time the that's why property is available for auction
because it's unsalvageable, unus unusable and beyond anybody's capability to go forward. So they just let it take it away. I can't can't even begin to articulate how many how many uh have
come to the office or have come to your office and said I I need a break here. But I mean if that's a moving forward to reduce any further
uh penalties and stop the clock I think that's a noble gesture and bringing it I I just don't know how he pays everything. He said saying today that he cannot
pay anything at all. That means that you have no ability to build. Yeah. It's one or the other. And you know, if you had the ability to build and you offset it by $5,000 and pay this off, uh that would be a very easy
decision. But there's no future in the property at this point. We're just looking at just reduce the burden. So at this point then I think what we would need to hear is either uh the board is not uh making a motion to not
reduce or reduce and then give him the 60 days if you're not willing to make any changes or if you wanted to or someone wanted to suggest a change in policy just something so I know which way um to proceed with this one. If anyone has a motion or a thought or a
thought, I I do like the council's idea of of of stopping the pain, just taking it out of growth mechanism uh so that we can stop the
clock, but those fines still remain. Uh but I can't make motions. I've been give him 120 days to pay it with no additional interest. But if he can't pay it, if he can't pay that, I
don't I don't know what options. What What can you do? Well, we can help them out by stopping stopping the uh additional interest that is going to now grow exponentially at that number because if
we're not reducing it to $5,000, it it's still actually No, I I want to I think what what council is suggesting and I agree if we just stop the and if we're allowed to do
U if we can stop the interest compounding on this so that at least the future burden will be what it is and not exponentially higher because now this is going to start compounding
greatly. So I I think that's step in the right direction for him today. It gives him a benefit. It's still a lot of money. And that's not reducing it by to the 5,000 mark because he can't pay it, but at least stop the the bleeding,
the action. Stop the bleeding and he's still left with that larger burden. maybe in the future if he has some financial endeavor or gain or success that he could come back to this appeal
moment at this time. Otherwise, he's got to go forward. So, I'm not suggesting that we reduce the fine, just stop the penalty portion of it so it doesn't continue to grow and
get well out of reach. I make a motion to stop the penalty top the interest portion of the bill. Mr. Chair, if I can ask M question. Yes, please. When was the last correspondence you had with his attorney?
A number of week probably maybe three weeks ago, his attorney said for me to start dealing with him directly because he was no longer representing him. He was, but the last correspondence I had was saying yes that they would like to get whatever was the the lesser amount if they could get it. So that was
recently or a few months ago. That would have been back in April, sir. April, I'm sorry. I have the date here. I was contacted I believe April 3rd. April. Yes, April 3rd. Right. So sir, at some point you you had an attorney involved.
Yeah, I hired the attorney to help me quiet the title. To help me quiet the title and um he quiet the title. It It was just He was the the title got quieted, but he
was just helping me communicating with Did you have to pay the attorney? Yeah. To quiet the title, I had to pay him. Yeah, I paid him $2,000 to quit the title. That was about a year ago.
to a with my credit a credit card and you had discussions with your attorney about these leans. Well, when I um my my thing is when I I my whole idea is quieting the title that all the lean
would go away and uh I was not aware and the lean and that did not happen and then he was he was just trying to help me. So when you when you bought this property,
uh there was no mention of any leans on it. Say that again. When you bought the property, was there any mentions of any leans? I I I No, I had no idea. I had no clue there was de demolition lean. Uh I
I had no clue that were overgoing lean over going with lean on that property. And I was had no clue there were utility lean. I had no idea until I received I still receive a I start to receive a phone call and a letter from the utility company. And um
Is this the first property you've bought online? Yes, that was the very first one I bought online. Yes. And it doesn't describe or disclose any leans attached or cloud to the title? No. No, it does not say that.
Usually it usually basically says you have to do your own research into that. Yes, that's correct. So, it doesn't indicate So, at what point did you immediately cure the or remedy the code enforcement issues that were on the property, the
overgrown weeds? Um I that was um I um well my attorney I I guess I I received a letter that there were lean on that lot that he can help me and then
from Orlando he's an attorney for Mindo. I don't know how he found out. I received a letter that you purchased that I purchased a piece of lot and there were lean and then when I call him up that's when he gave me a list of the leans. But you're maintaining the property so it's not there's not weeds
and overgrown glass. Oh yeah. I'm doing that every which is a benefit to having some one who doesn't walk away from the property. Oh yeah. I've been doing the right thing. I've been you know blossom into a code enforcement new code enforcement problem. Yes.
I mean, I'm happy to I would prefer that the motion was more than just waving about of the interest because I'm just feeling benevolent today and I just think it's would be a good thing to try to help this gentleman and I understand
it'd be setting new president. I accept that. But I do think sometimes our role is to help people and we are the court of last resort for some of this stuff. So, I don't if he's willing to pay and he needs more time and it puts the property back into
something that's usable and then maybe, you know, he can get clear title and he can get a loan and he can get a house and you're trying to do it for your children. I mean, I don't know. I just think it's the right thing to do and maybe that doesn't make sense and that's not a legal argument, but I would prefer to do more. If that's all you guys are
willing to do, you know how about you can second that. But that's my motion served from no no interest and pay it within one year. I'll be happy to second that. So would I just want to make sure I'm
clear on that. If you're saying waving the interest and pay within one year, are you leaving it at the 8,232, no additional interest and paid within one year, or are you reducing it down to the 53? 53. Okay. That I just want to make sure I'm hearing this
correctly. 50 53. Okay. 5302 pay it within one year. No additional interest after today. Yeah. Within one year, I can I can save up and do what I can. I will second that. Okay. And just sorry, one more further
clarification. I apologize. No more interest after one year. And if within one year he doesn't pay, does it revert back or you're talking no more interest period? I want to make sure that I'm clear. You're making a conflict. I apologize. I just want to make sure I'm doing it correctly.
Okay. Pay the 5302. No more interest after today. He has to pay it within one year. Okay. From today. Okay. If it's not paid within one year from today, then I would say all bets are off. That's what I wanted to make sure
are off. Does that mean that the clock goes back? That's what we say. I don't I don't know. I can't predict. It's the 57 per year. So, it shouldn't be a problem. But if he can't, then I guess it's going to come. You understand the
motion, Susan? Yes, I do know. The attorney understands the motion. You There's a second. You can pay it. You within a year. We have to vote though. I have to just save I mean I have to save up and and come up with what I mean. What is that again? You'd have to save I
have to save and and um I I have to save money to Yeah. I can I can. Going forward, if this is voted on in a positive light, you have one year to
pay the existing fee of $5,000. I will do whatever I can. I will do whatever I can to come up with that to come up with the $5,000 within that year. Otherwise, it's going to revert back
to the 8,000 and then acrew the 5.75 per year. Yeah. of interest. Yes. Okay. You understand? Yeah. Yeah, I understand that. That's your motion? Yes. That's my second. And that's your second. Correct. Thank you. Any further
discussion, council? It's doable. Okay. Right. Yes, that is doable. Okay. All right. All in favor? I opposed.
That was a no. Yeah. Motion passes 4 to one with Dalor descent. Thank you, commissioners. I have direction. Thank you. Thank you. The next item is uh from the attorney's
office which is the resolution merging public safety coordinating councils. Counselor. Yes. Thank you. Um currently Indian River County has two public safety coordinating councils. one
is um and they have different statutory purposes. One's called the public safety coordinating council and then the other has the longer name public safety council for criminal justice, mental health and substance abuse. Um and and there is significant overlap in the
membership. Everyone who serves on the public safety coordinating council also serves on the larger um on the larger public safety coordinating council which is criminal justice, mental health, and substance abuse. It's just got additional members.
So they do have two different statutory purposes, but in reading Florida statutes, I believe that you can merge these two councils into one and allow them to because the larger committee has the same membership as the smaller
committee and you can merge them and and have those that one council serve both statutory purposes. So that's my first recommendation um that you do that because one is really meeting and one is
not effectively meeting. My second recommendation is that um Commissioner Adams had brought an item interest and she was interested in having an opioid um and substance use
task force and that being explored and I have explored it with Thrive. I did sit down and meet with them and having discussions with Thrive. Um I think that um they ultimately came to the conclusion that they'd prefer to have an
in continue to have an informal working group and that would mean that they wouldn't have to have a board this has all the uh bureaucratic things that come along with it. This this public records act um sunshine law and all these things that
make them maybe less flexible. So, um, what I did here was I tried to put it all together and I brought you a resolution and this resolution before you and there is a member of Thrive here in case the board has any questions of thrive. This resolution would abolish
the public safety coordinating council. It would merge the public safety coordinating council with the public safety council for criminal justice, mental health, and substance abuse. It clarifies that the pub this larger public safety council um would carry out
the purposes of both Florida statutes 951.26 and 394.657. And additionally, it adds to that um larger body the uh duty of making recommendations to the board for the use of of funds received from opioid
litigation and receiving the reports from any formal or informal opioid and substance use task force. So my that's um what I have before you. Do you do you have questions? Any questions of
council? Uh once again uh we've had that first and foremost for the first part is that yes u one board truly doesn't meet and so that was so easily done. Um I
would have supported anything that thrive if thrive wanted to go in that other direction for uh a task force but it is encumbering uh it's an encumbering
endeavor as well. And then it there are certain obligations that it might lose their um effectiveness by having to develop their their own uh committee. uh the
advocacy that they uh provide I think is far more warranted where it is with public safety. Thank you. Any other any questions? Make a motion. Yes. Smile and make a
motion. Smile and make a motion. Insert motion. Hi, Carrie Lester, the CEO of Thrive. I just want to acknowledge and thank um all of you for listening to us in our all of our meetings and Jennifer for your work on this. For us, it's just really important that there is a
dedicated place and space within the county to receive those updates, those reports, and and keeping our eye on substance use disorders, the data, the needs, and the funding opportunities. So, I appreciate the opportunity to continue our work in the community but have a funnel back to the county so that
we have a coordinated effort. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And you move approval. Second. Thank you. All right. We have a motion in a
second. Uh any further discussion? Everybody's got their own microphone. All right. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. I thought you comment because we just lost the the committee.
Less work for you. No, no, you that's the one you were assigned to. Okay. The one I'm assigned to is still active. We meet Friday, but we'll have something to bring to the table. They're the only game in town now. That's right.
All right. So, you have a little more free time, I think. All right. And then the next item is the interlocal uh agreement regarding Human Boardwalk Project. And we have
attachments. Yes. um commission. Back in January, the board uh approved a committing to participate in the Human Beach Boardwalk Project. Um, the board approved staff's recommendation at the time, which was to
contribute up to $400,000 towards the Humveist Beach Boardwalk Project with the county's contribution not to be more than the city's portion of funding for the project and ex and excluding uh federal or state grants or appropriations towards the project. Um,
and then I was directed to draft this participation agreement which I did. And the attached agreement you have um in front of you outlines that contribution and in the specific language that the board approved it. Uh it specifies that
the money should shall only be used for construction costs for the boardwalk including ADA improvements and two pavilions. And then it sets up the payment procedures. Um the term would commence upon um approval of the
agreement and it would run until the boardwalk project is completed. All funds incurred by the city are paid and any federal or state appropriations are received so there could be a final accounting on that part of it. Um the city of Vero Beach Council did consider
this interlocal at their May 13th meeting and they did approve it. So my recommendation is that the board approve this this interlocal agreement. Thank you counselor. Motion to approve. Second. I have a
motion by commissioner and seconded by vice chairman law. Any further discussion? All in favor? opposed. Motion carried unanimously. Thank you for the work,
counselor. Oh, good to see you. All right. Uh being urged for a break before we do the final final run. One, we could totally get this done. Okay, watch. All right, you guys going to have to hold it
then. Hold the brakes. Watch this. Okay, let's let's try it. Okay. All right. We'll move on now to the solid waste disposal district. The approval of the SWID meeting minutes for January 28, 2025, which you all read.
You want to do them all together? No. Separately move approval. We have a motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Vice Chairman Law. All in favor? I oppose. Motion carried unanimously. Approval of the SWID meeting minutes of February 11th.
Approval. I have a motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by by Chairman Law. Any further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Next item is the approval of the SWID meeting minutes of March 11, 2025.
We have approval from motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Vice Chairman Law. Any further discussion? All in favor? I opposed. Motion carried unanimously. Amendment number one, work
order for number two to Jones Edmonds for the 74th Avenue Southwest widening project. Move approval. Second. I have a motion by Commissioner Adams and second by Commissioner Man. Any further
discussion? All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Item 16B5 is work order number eight to geocentric for prepare preparation of the air operation permit
including visible emission testing. Have approval. Second. I have a motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries
unanimously. At this point, there is nothing further for the greater good of Indian River County. This meeting is adjourned.