You made it ahead of you. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 Board of County Commission meeting. We now will call this meeting to order. If I can ask you all to rise for a moment
of silence in reflection of our armed forces and our law enforcement, followed by the invocation and the pledge by county administrator Don John Tatanic. Please pray with me. Our heavenly father, we come to you
looking for guidance. Father, you know, twice a month we come to you and we depend on your guidance and help and making us the best that we can be with the best community in the world. Father, we ask for prayers and
concerns and thoughts for our military overseas throughout the globe in this very perilous time. Father, we also reflect on some of the things we'll be talking today to include child abuse, land usage, and growth. And we ask for
your guidance and your solitude. Father, we come to you thanking you in this holy month for the things that you've provided to us. We do all this in your son's name. Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Well, thank you ladies and gentlemen. We have a very robust day today. Uh we have
a number of proclamations and presentations that we will dive into immediately and we will start with a very important proclamation. Uh Commissioner Susan Adams has uh indicated that she would present this one recognizing
administrative professional day. Commissioner Adams. >> Thank you, Mr. chair. Do we have any of our administrative professionals in the room? Yeah, >> they're all back there. >> Come on up. >> It's your moment to shine. >> Tresa. >> Tresa.
>> Oh, there's more than one. >> I know. I feel like there's more than one. Well, I know all of you guys are in the building um helping to keep us very organized, but Miss Maya will represent you well in person. It's my pleasure to read a proclamation designating April
2022nd or 22, 2026 as administrative professionals day. Whereas in the United States, administrative professionals day is observed on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026. And whereas administrative professionals
serve as trusted partners to leadership, enhancing productivity, supporting decision-making, and contributing to the overall success of an organization. And whereas administrative professionals provide essential support through coordinating complex schedules,
preparing materials and communications, serving as a liaison between government and the public, and managing the many daily functions that keep offices operating efficiently. And whereas their exceptional organizational skills, adaptability, and attention to detail,
administrative professionals help ensure the continuity and effectiveness of county operations. And whereas Indian River County recognizes its administrative professionals as a vital part of county government and acknowledges the professionalism,
dedication, and expertise they bring in service to our residents each day. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, that we recognize April 22nd, 2026 as Administrative Professionals Day, and encourage all
residents to express their appreciation for the invaluable contributions of administrative professionals. Adopted this 21st day of April, 2026, and signed by all five county commissioners. And Miss Maya, as a physical representative, um I would just like to
say to you and all of our administrative professionals in Indian River County um government, but in the community as well, um we know you guys are the ones that keep us organized and keep us moving and keep us on track and really are the backbone um for all the great
work that's accomplished not even not just in this organization, but in the businesses and other organizations in our community. So to all of you guys, I know sometimes you're unsung heroes, but thank you very much for what you do for us. You make us look amazing. >> You're welcome.
>> Absolutely. Thank you. >> I would just like to say um I've been with the county actually today is my anniversary. I've been with you all for 23 years on paper. Um, and it's a
pleasure to work with the staff, to work with I probably know at least one person across all of the departments and it's a pleasure to um to to work with everyone and to have the excellence that we put
forth in the county um to shine through. And so thank you for this opportunity to represent all of us collectively as admin assistants and we appreciate uh the time that you have given us. >> Thank you. >> Thank you Maya.
>> I see a few in the back if they'd like to come down for a quick photo. >> Yeah. Are you sure? >> Yeah. >> Sorry not to be like >> very fine representation.
I want to make sure they're all >> Awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you guys. Thank you, Max. You good job. >> I'mma thank you. Trusted. Thank you, Maya. Commissioners, we will get back to addition and deletions after the
presentations. Uh, next presentation and proclamation is very important. I know it's important to our our director Sean Liski and this uh will be presented by Commissioner Joe Flesher
for water conservation month. Good morning. Welcome. >> Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Chairman. As uh we realize that uh water is the essence of life. Without it, we do not survive and there is not an
unlimited supply. It varies with rainfall and other matters and development. And uh we need to be concerned. And so it's my great pleasure to uh present the uh the water
conservation proclamation which is designating April 2026 as water conservation month. Whereas water is a basic and essential need for every living creature. Whereas in the state of Florida, water
management districts and in any river county are working together to increase the awareness about the importance of water conservation through various educational programs, community events, and improvements for storm water and
wastewater treatment. Whereas the state of Florida has designated April typically as a dry month when water demands are the most acute and Florida's water conservation month to educate
citizens about how they can help to save the Florida's precious water resources. Whereas all water users including the commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, hospitality,
private, citizens and others can make positive contributions to reduce the water use and to protect our water resources. Whereas the majority of Florida's water drinking water is supplied by
underground aquifers and our quality of life and the economy depend upon clean and healthy environment. And whereas Indie River County has an ordinance that restricts lawn irrigation
and to certain days and specifies that irrigation uh shall not uh occur between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Whereas in River County is calling upon
each individual and the business to help protect our precious resources by practicing water saving measures and to becoming more aware of the need to save water. Now therefore be it proclaimed by
the board of county commissioners of Indian River County, Florida that April 2026 to be designated as water conservation month in Indian River County and all citizens to encourage to use the occasion to increase their awareness for
the importance of water conservation and the need to use water more efficiently. duly adopted this 21st day of April, 2026 and it is signed by all five county commissioners.
Sean, good morning and we appreciate the the amount of input that you're going to give to help those to conserve this precious commodity. >> Yeah. Good morning, Commissioner. Sean Leki, director of the Department of Utility Services. I really do appreciate you guys taking the time to recognize
the importance of water conservation, not just in April. I mean, April is is typically the driest month as you mentioned in the proclamation um within Florida, but you know, as as you're probably all aware, the majority of the state is actually currently in a pretty significant drought. Um we wouldn't you wouldn't think so out of some of the
rainstorms we've had here recently, but I think it pales in comparison to what we normally get um you know, this time of year. So, um just it's just a friendly reminder of the importance of using water wisely. um the importance of not watering between that 10 a.m. and
400 p.m. during the hottest time of the day when there's a lot of evaporation happening. Um it doesn't give that water chance to really take root into the into the grass. Um so it's really important for everybody to to adhere to those requirements and those restrictions. Um and to pay attention to those days that
they can water um based off of the address of the home. Um odd days um water certain days and even days are allowed to water other days. So, and and really it's only limited to two days each week. Uh so it's really important for people to adhere to that. Um and again being April, the typically the
driest time of the year, um it really is important for everyone to to pay attention to that. So again, I appreciate you all recognizing I did wear all blue today in recognition of water um and the importance of water. Um this the little bit of symbolism there to to recognize that we we we do have a
very precious resource and it is limited. And so whatever we can do to maintain and and use that water wisely to be sure that we have ample supply for our citizens is vitally important. So thank you again. Appreciate it. >> Thank you >> Mr. Liski.
>> Oh Jesus picture. help us to promote this conservation process. >> There you go. >> Thank you. Commissioners, next up is a proclamation recognizing child abuse prevention month and that will be
uh performed by Commissioner Joe Orman. Welcome. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's an honor to read this proclamation, but it's a sad day in this world when we have to have a proclamation for something like this.
This is a proclamation recognizing April as child abuse prevention month. Whereas children are vital to our future success and every child has the right to grow up safe, healthy, happy, and free from
abuse. And whereas all children deserve to receive love, nurturing, and care, and to live in communities that foster their healthy growth and development. And whereas child abuse, neglect, and abandonment are matters of community
responsibility that affect both the present and future quality of life in any community. And whereas the youth guidance CAP center in River County strengthens families through programs such as parent aid program, which
supports parents and empowers them to become champions for their children's success. And whereas Youth Guidance provides life-changing programs for children and young adults ages 6 through 24, equipping local youth with the
skills, mentorship, and opportunities needed to break the cycle of poverty. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, that in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we honor the unwavering
commitment to those dedicated to protecting children and providing safe, supportive environments for youth throughout the Treasure Coast, adopted this 21st day of April, 2026, and signed by all five county
commissioners. So again, we thank this group. Come on up who's ever here for for doing this and come up and welcome. Appreciate it. The change club members wish to thank all the commissioners for proclaiming
April prevention of child abuse month. Thank you Joe Man for presenting the proclamation to the board. Uh with me today are members of all three exchange clubs throughout Indian River County, Vero Beach, Indian River, and the Sebastian Club. Uh the prevention of child abuse was adopted as our national
project in 1979 at the encouragement of Dr. Edward North Jr., our national president at the time. All the clubs in the county raise money and donate to nonprofits throughout the county that focus on prevention of child abuse. We donate to programs such as the Gford Youth Achievements, Youth Guidance,
Habiscus, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Literacy Council. just to name a few. This year we have uh had have had a major uh county achievement establishing a child abuse prevention center in Indian River County at youth guidance. Uh the CAP center, the child abuse
prevention center as they are known provide the parenting matters program that is offered uh through the national exchange program. The counselors are trained by national exchange club and exchange has 65 centers across the United States. Uh the major goal of the work of the CAP centers is to break the
cycle of abuse within the families. Uh to raise awareness of child abuse. We have a memory field that was at St. Helen's Church earlier first two weeks of this month. You probably drove by and saw the flags. Uh then we moved that field over to Riverwalk Park for the
remainder of this month. Uh this year the field represents 82 children that lost their life due to child abuse in 2025 in the state of Florida. We also have signs at the major entry points of the county uh and within the city limits that recognize the month of prevention
of child abuse. Thank you again for your support. Uh if anyone uh that approaches you to finds out how they can make our community a better place, tell them to join exchange. That's our number one goal. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much for being here.
Bring them all up. >> Wow. >> Good morning. Thank you for being here. >> And you have many more representatives here today as you stated. Thank you so much.
>> I don't know what happened here. Commissioners, the next proclamation will be presented by Commissioner Flesher. recognizing Earth Day in Indian River County and I know he's got a lot to say about some of the events that are happening throughout the community. So, welcome.
>> We're going to have uh quite a few events. U Mr. Chairman, uh thank you for the opportunity. You know, uh I don't know if all of us were, but uh I remember that very first uh Earth Day that we celebrated. >> Uh it was at a time when I was
surrounded by nothing but concrete and buildings. Uh there was really no green space other than local parks. Uh but uh it was uh quite an impactful time of
awareness and we continue that today. Uh fortunately we're blessed in Indian River County with all the conservation efforts and the respect for what we have on this earth to see that uh we are maintaining a a lush environment and uh
I I hope that we continue to do that. But uh Earth Day is a uh a gentle reminder that uh the earth is just so large and we have just so much to be able to enjoy for the quality of life that we have. Uh so this proclamation is
designating April 22nd, 2026 as Earth Day in In River County. Whereas Earth Day is an annual movement on April 22nd to demonstrate and support the environmental protection first held on
April 22nd, 1970. >> Yeah, you remember that? >> I do. Unfortunately, >> it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally to include an
estimated 1 billion people in more than 193 countries and the environmental and sustainable activities. Whereas the global community faces challenges such as health issues, pollution, food and
water insecurities, climate changes and economic uncertainties. Whereas all people regardless of race, gender, age, income or location have the right to a healthy environment and an
economic opportunities and growth. Whereas we're all caretakers of our planet and have an obligation to combat climate change and the environmental uh degragation of the uh to preserve the
earth's beauty and resources. And whereas it is necessary to broaden the diversity both global and local movements to achieve the maximum awareness and progress. And whereas this
year marks the 56th anniversary of the Earth Day movement. And so let it be known that Indie River County, Florida in ensures and encourages all businesses, institutions, associations, and individuals to
celebrate the earth and to commit and to care for the planet and for the natural resources it provides. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indie River County, Florida, that we recognize April 22nd,
2026 as Earth Day to support the local sustainable circular economy that initiates with Indie River County and encourages all others to undertake similar actions. duly adopted this 21st
day of April 2026 and it is signed by all five county commissioners. Good morning, >> welcome and welcome. >> Thank you. Kendra Bergman with Coastal
Connections executive director. Uh, first I do want to start by saying thank you so much for honoring tomorrow, April 22nd as Earth Day here in Indian River County. There are quite a few environmental and conservationbased
nonprofit organizations here in the room that I would like to recognize. We do have representatives from coastal connections as well as the environmental learning center, Pelican Island Audabon, Indian River Land Trust and the Clean Water Coalition today. So we are all
here to celebrate again what is tomorrow's big day, Earth Day. And I mention all these organizations because we all treat every day as Earth Day. And so we just appreciate again one more time the your willingness to honor
and support all of our uh initiatives and our missions as we celebrate the earth here in April. I want to also encourage community members this week and this month and specifically tomorrow to engage in activities that protect our
earth. Some could be including but not limited to participating in a coastal cleanup or picking up a piece of trash. uh choosing not to fertilize your lawn, reducing or eliminating the use of single-use plastics,
and uh conserving your use of fresh water, or even learning about local recycling efforts to recycle rights. All of these are great opportunities to celebrate and honor and protect our earth. Through our own sustainability
efforts at Coastal Connections, over our uh nine years of our life, we've been able to remove over 40,000 pounds of marine debris from our environment, specifically our lagoon and beachfront areas.
We've also been able to recycle over 40,000 pounds of single-use plastic film and in the last year and a half recycle 900 or sorry 409 miles of monofilament fishing line. And all of these programs
are creating a cleaner and healthier earth for us to enjoy and also for our wildlife to thrive. And again, I just want to say thank you before our friends at the Environmental Learning Center come up and say a couple words. Thank you. I am Barbara Schlit Ford. I'm
the executive director at Your Environmental Learning Center and we're in our 38th year of um being the local nature and environmental education center for Indian River County. And we
just wanted to let people know that if you haven't been to the ELC or you haven't been there lately that we are waving admission tomorrow for Earth Day. So come out and check us out. We're out there seven days a week. Um we host school field trips every school day,
summer camps, school break camps, and we get folks out on the pontoon boats and um kayaks for our floating education programs. So come see us at the ELC. And then hopefully all of the um
partners that are in the room will come up for the photo also. Did you do you want to say anything? >> Okay, that's it. >> Thank you. Welcome. Good morning. >> Got everybody. >> Thank you. >> Plenty of room for you. Good morning.
Good morning. Thank you for being here. >> Good morning. >> And they're all still looking for volunteers, right? >> Little close. shoulder. Shoulder. There you go. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you for what you do. Who's going
to have the honor? >> There is Kendra. >> Kendra. She needs that here. Give it to Kendra. Oh, there she is. >> Oh, guess what? >> Commissioners, moving right along. We now have a proclamation and a
presentation celebrating the moonshot moment presented by Commissioner Susan Adams. >> Turn my mic on. Marine, do you want to bring anybody with you or all y'all? It's a community, so we need them all.
>> All right. It's my pleasure to read a proclamation honoring the moonshot community. Whereas reading proficiency is essential to educational achievement, workforce readiness, and lifelong opportunity. And whereas Indian River
County is committed to our moonshot goal of ensuring children are ready for kindergarten and reading on grade level by the end of third grade. And whereas the school district of Indian River County has made measurable progress and is now tied for second in the state of
Florida for third grade reading achievement. And whereas our community recognizes that strong early language development is a critical predictor of kindergarten readiness and future reading success. And whereas a thriving community
strengthens language and literacy development across homes, early learning settings, schools, and community spaces. And whereas early screening and assessment of language and literacy skills are essential to understanding ch
child's needs and ensuring timely support. And whereas supporting parents and caregivers through awareness resources and access to evidence-based programs strengthens children's early language development and long-term success.
And whereas literacy begins before school and schools can't do it alone because literacy is everybody's business. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indian River County, Florida that we recognize the vital contributions of the Moonshot community
in Indian County and its commitment to ensuring that all children achieve early literacy and long-term educational success. adopted this 21st day of April, 2026 and signed by all five county commissioners. And I just want to thank you guys for all that you have been
doing in the community and all you continue to do and will do in the future. Building those relationships across um schools, businesses, governments, and and homes and individuals is such a vital part to providing that literacy support in our community. And I'm very grateful that we
have you working so hard here doing just that. >> Thank you. Uh, good morning, commissioners, and thank you, Commissioner Adams. Um, I'm Maria O'Brien. I work for the Learning Alliance. I have the privilege of also being the coordinator of the Moonshot Community Action Network. As
Commissioner Adams said, this is a community action network. So, um, we know that schools can't do it alone. The learning alliance can't do it alone. It takes an entire organization. Some of our members are here. We've got Healthy Start, Rotary, the school district, and
the Learning Alliance. Uh but we've got over a hundred organizations, uh nonprofits, uh churches, businesses, concerned citizens, schools, everybody's working together because we've learned, um literacy is a very complex issue. Uh so we are working together to create the
conditions that are going to help us reach that moonshot goal where the children will be ready for kindergarten and also reading on grade level. Um and when we get together like that with a shared purpose, we really make great progress. As Commissioner Adams said in the proclamation, we're second in the
state for third grade reading. That's a big deal. Um certainly above the state average when you're second in the state like that. We also um have received more um national recognition of paceet and breot awards from the campaign for grade level reading than any of their 400 communities across North America. In
February, we had a conference here with over 350 people are coming. Thank you for um supporting that. We had that at the IG center over people from over 31 states and four countries came to see our way of work and I think many of you seen the moonshot story a documentary
that's been made about the way of work. So all of this happens because everyone is working together. We're all committed um so to this same goal. So I want to thank you all for your commitment to children and understanding that the children are the future of our uh county of our workforce um and we um wouldn't
have this success if it weren't for your support. So on behalf of MCAN, I want to say thank you very much. >> Thank you. closer. Let's get a show. >> It's paparazzi.
>> Yeah, it is. Well, thank you for your patience, Commissioner. We have one uh item we're going to we're going to quickly slip in that was overlooked is the National Library Recognition Week presented by Assistant Administrator.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, commissioners. U yes, certainly worthy of proclamation, but with a packed agenda this morning, we thought we'd give the some breathing room. um to the agenda, but I do want to announce that this is National Libraries Week in furtherance of the moonshot and its work
in conjunction with our library system. And I want you all to know that um our library system is not our father's library. It's a sophisticated information delivery system across many different forms of mediums across um both print and digital. And we're
evolving and growing with those needs. Um, so visit your local library, whether it be like online or or um in person. And I will I'm going to go ahead and leave up front uh a flyer that has several participating businesses in town. If you show your library card,
there's some great bogos out there and some great deals. And if you want to uh find it online, just go to our library page. So, congratulations to community services, Cindy Emerson and her team, Betsy Stanger, and um happy National Library Week.
measures. That brings us back to any additions or deletions for today's agenda andor any emergency items. >> Mr. Chair, >> move, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. >> Uh we want to delete obviously 5F
>> and then also 9J. >> 5F and 9 J have been deleted. to be brought back at a later date. >> Yes, sir. To be brought back at a later date. Any further commissioners? >> Move as amended. >> Motion move of amended. I'll second that. Any further discussion? Hearing
none. All in favor? I. And the motion carries. Next up is public comment for any agenda related matters. Uh so that is any agenda related matters. If you have a specific agenda item, we will certainly have an opportunity for you to
speak on that as well. Next is the public hearing item item 11 A1. >> So, Mr. Chair, under uh consent agenda, could we move 9 I up front and have that, you know, pulled and discussed and
there's a presentation with that? It's an agenda. >> It's an agenda. M >> M Mr. Chair, I have an additional item on item 9C. Uh I distributed a resolution to accompany that item and I recommend that the recommendation change
to state staff recommends that the board of county commissioners approve the resolution updating the fee schedule and the amended group league contract. Okay. And additionally, so that will be 9 C
and 9 I. >> So I'm not pulling it. I'm just pointing out that I distributed the resolution and I'm recommending the change that >> Okay. >> Approval. >> Okay. And before we do that, we need a
motion to approve. >> Is anybody pull pulling anything? I >> Yes, sir. pulling I >> so you >> motion to approve is amended. >> Okay. All in favor?
>> We will we will hear nine I but prior to doing that we need a motion to approve the regular minutes for March 10th 2026. >> So move second. >> Have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I. >> I. >> We also need a motion to approve the
regular minutes for March 24th, 2026. >> Move, sir. >> Have a motion. Second. >> We have a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor? I. Now we're back on track with consent agenda item 9 I. Welcome. >> Thank you commissioners. Kylie and
Chula, natural resources director for the record. Um, thank you John for making sure that we were able to see this item. Right now we have a couple of people here and they need to be elsewhere. So, um, basically this is a consent agenda item in reference to the
pumpout vessel program donations from the Indian River Land Trust and Clean Water Coalition. So, I'm going to advance my slide here. All right. So, question number one. So, what is a pumpout vessel? So, this is actually a photo of the vessel that we recently received. As you can see, it
has nothing on the hall right now. That will change. But um it's basically a boat designed to remove sewage waste products or septage. So you'll see the word septage in your agenda item a million times from other boats and then offload them for proper treatment. So these boats basically help to prevent
the discharge of waste into water bodies. So just a little bit of history about how we got here for this agenda item. I promise I'll be brief. So in September of 2023, we adopted our Indian River County Indian River Lagoon management plan. So part of that plan
identified lack of pumpout capacity within our section of the Indian River Lagoon as something that we needed to address. So basically staff then in February of 2025 we were evaluating how can we address this need within our community? What
steps can we take without investing in a significant amount of infrastructure? So, we went down to one of our neighboring municipalities and we learned about their pumpout vessel program and it's been wildly successful and is one of the efforts that they're actually using to help protect their
section of the lagoon. So then in June the board um approved staff to apply for and accept the clean vessel act grant for funds towards the procurement of the vessel and so that we can initiate a program here in Indian River County.
that um permission to accept was of course upon concurrence by our county attorney. And then after that, we got the grant in January of 2026. And then at the last meeting, you all approved the agreement with the city of
Vero Beach for us to store the vessel at the marina temporarily and use their septage receiving line. We got the boat like couple days after that and then here we are. So the reason that this item is on consent and not a presentation or pro proclamation is
because I do have a couple of action items for this. So this program is currently in its infancy. We look forward to getting it initiated, but I just want to point out that there's a lot of external partners involved. So the clean vessel act grant that provides
a 75% cost share to purchase the vessel. Then the Indian River Land Trust here today has a proposed donation of the 25% cost share. The Clean Water Coalition is also here today with a proposed donation of $10,000 towards the operations of the
vessel. And then the city of Vero Beach, we're pending the city approval for that agreement, but they intend to be a partner based upon um staff's recommendation at this time. Now, who's not on here that really deserves to be recognized right now is
an internal partner. So, our utilities department has been phenomenal in helping us to plan for how we're going to bring this program um basically into Indian River County and make it successful. So, I did want to point out the efforts of our utility department.
They have been phenomenal to work with. All right, so here we go. Now, we're going to move from business to fund. So basically staff is recommending that the board accept donations from the Indian River Land Trust in the amount of $29,62.50 and also from the Clean Water Coalition
in the amount of $10,000 and then approve of acknowledging these entities on the vessel hall as well as future planned program signage. So that's all I have for you today and then we have some of the um people
here in support of this. So, >> Mr. Chairman, >> yes, >> this been in in the works for a while and I really want to thank Kylie and her staff for moving this forward and our partners because this is this is big. People don't know how how much of a problem
that this is. I know the city of Beach has been battling it for years in Anchorage and other places. So, it's it's huge. It'll it'll make a difference. It really will. And uh I'm I'm I'm really looking forward to seeing it and seeing in service and going going
out. I don't have a boat big enough that requires it, but but it'll be fun to see and how good it is. It'll be a great program. I appreciate it. With that, I'll make a motion to >> Second. >> Motion. We have a second by Commissioner
Moss. Any further discussion? >> Uh are you going to call Commissioner O'Brien? >> We should, shouldn't we? >> Yeah, we should. Hearing no other discussion. All in favor? >> I >> I. >> And the motion carries. Thank you, Kyle.
>> Um, so I have Ken Gruden, the executive director of the Indian River Land Trust here today to present a check to the board and also Judy Orcut, the president of the Clean Water Coalition to also present a check to the board. And then they each wanted to say something brief
and introduce a couple members of their team. So, thank you. We let you speak longer if you bring a check. >> Yeah. >> Well, I don't need to speak longer because Kylie did such a great job of the background I was going to give, but I'll still review a little bit of it.
Um, I wanted to point out my board members that are here with me today. And that's Christy Blackwitch. I'll raise your hand as so people can see. And Leah Sams and Keith Druit and Donna Howerin. So,
thank you guys for coming along. Um, and thank you for the opportunity to speak here today. The volume of anchored liverboard vessels in Indian River County has vastly increased over the last 10 to 15 years, and the majority of the Boers are tourists. They're
exploring the inter coastal waterway and their way to the Keys or points beyond, but many of them find Vero Beach a great place to live. And so I know quite a few couples who came here on a boat and ended up, you know, becoming land lovers and living here. But there's others who
simply find that living on a boat in the Indian River Lagoon is a really inexpensive way to live the Florida dream. And a lot of those people are the price to be paid for all those people out there enjoying the Florida dream is
the direct discharge of raw sewage into the lagoon. So, even though we have a state law that says it's illegal to dump anywhere inside the lagoon, many boers do it. So, I don't know if you've made a trip on a boat, a big boat, but if
you're at anchor, living at anchor, and then your holding tank gets full and you have to pull anchor to find a place to dump your sewage and then go back and put your anchor in again, it's really a lot of work. And so it's easier to just open the valve, flush it, it's gone, out
of sight, out of mind. So there's also this shortage of marine pumpout facilities that Kylie mentioned. And the other option, legal option, is to take your boat three miles offshore and dump, but a lot of these boats in the Indian
River Lagoon never see the open sea. They just do the unknown waterway. So it's just not happening. So, um, I want you to try and imagine an entire subdivision just dumping their human waste into the Indian River Lagoon.
That's kind of like what it's like. Kind of disgusting. So, we're so thrilled that the Natural Resources Department has come up with the solution. Um, and we're so thrilled to be a part of that solution. And I just want to thank you
for, you know, all the work, for all the team. So, uh, Ken's up next. >> Thank you. Welcome, Ken. >> Thank you, Judy. Uh, representing the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County and I'm happy to be here representing the Indian River Land Trust
and really do applaud the efforts of Kylie and her team. I mean, they really have been the group that has moved this needle forward. We're very happy to be a part of that to bring it over the finish line uh for the and really to the commissioners for supporting this effort. This is huge for our county and
I applaud everyone here who's been involved. I'm joined today by uh some land trust colleague staff Dave Fuss, Melissa Depri, and Lorettto Murray. And our board was very excited to join with the county together with the Clean Water
Coalition in this cost sharing partnership to make this all happen. Land Trust and the Clean Water Coalition have been partnering on other areas uh septic to sewer program with the city of Vera Beach to reduce pollutants that are
entering the lagoon. But this program is as Judy pointed out equally, if not more important to prevent raw sewage from entering the river. And as such, today the land trust presents a check to Indian River County for $29,62.50
50s representing 25% of the cost to purchase the boat and the clean water coalition presents a check for $10,000 which I understand is 25% of u the match to operate the pumpout program at least for the first year. The land trust and
the clean water coalition look forward to more opportunities to engage with the county in these public private partnerships in the future. So, thank you. And I think we have a couple large checks. >> Couple small checks.
>> Come on up. That's much appreciated. >> Big check. >> Big check. We're going to call Peter, too. >> Okay. Yeah. >> You too. Thanks. >> Good morning.
>> Again, Wow. >> Thank you, >> commissioners. Just to clean up the consent agenda, I would suggest having a a motion to uh approve as amended. Yet again,
>> motion to approve as amended. >> Second. >> That includes the attorneys. >> Yes, we have a motion as well as a second by Commissioner Man. Any further discussion on the consent agenda hearing? None. All in favor? I.
Commissioners, the next item is 11A. I expect this item to take uh a few minutes. So, at this time, we will break until 9:55. You want to find a seat, sir? >> Thank you for saying hi and I hope you do. >> Ladies and gentlemen, if you could have
your seat. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Yes, >> the positions >> April 21st Board of County Commissioner meeting is now back in session.
Commissioner, this brings us to item 11 A in public hearings. uh prior to swearing in for any of the quasi judicial uh I believe that due to ensure uh
procedural due process uh this particular item may need to be heard on May 5th. I don't know your thoughts, fellow commissioners. >> Uh yes, Mr. Sure. I'm always um I think it's important in any public hearing
that we have clarity and um that we have made sure that everything and the procedures are followed. So I would have no problem with that. >> I I agree. >> Is that in the form of >> Yeah. Do we how would we
>> So just for the record the the staff and the per the code legally advertised in the paper and it requires a 300 ft you know properties within 300 ft. When you have rural land 300 feet probably is not a an appropriate it's something that we
will look at as a future code amendment having maybe different standards for different classes of property. So we could I mean just look at the traffic impact. It goes well beyond that. So we we will take it upon ourselves. the county will incur the cost to notify
property owners beyond the 300 feet for that if you if the board continues it to May 5th that that would be the date that the so the residents can be appropriately because we obviously received a lot of interest in you know not receiving notification and when you
say 300 feet they're like that's my you know that's that's the proper next door but what about me >> right so I I understand that and I don't disagree. Um I think there has been some concern. So I guess to the attorney,
what is the proper way? Do we need to open and continue? Do we just reschedu? What what do we need to do procedurally? >> Well, you could do that. you you could open and continue to a date certain, but
I do think that the best course of action if you're saying that the issue is notice is to simply renotice. If you're going to send out a new notice anyway, I would renotice according to the code requirements plus any additional notice that the county
administrator directs staff to take. That's my thought. I mean, you can say I'd like it on this date, but I I would just recommend staff go through the regular notice procedure. >> Okay, Mr. Chair, how would you like it?
The new request um adds substantive value to the decision, but since we did advertise and the folks are here, are you suggesting that we open and continue or
I I would say that you you could take a vote to continue to a certain date, but I I guess I'm this isn't an ordinance. It's it's a special exception use. So it that rule that's in the ordinance language is not fit exactly. So my
recommendation is that you can continue to a date, but that staff go through regular noticing procedures plus any additional procedures that the county administrator suggests or directs them to take. Does that help?
>> Yes, ma'am. Commissioner Adams. >> Um yes. So, I'm happy to to make a motion that we renotice this for the next meeting, which would be May 5th, I believe. >> Um,
that's I'll second it. >> We have a motion. We have, >> Mr. Chairman, if I may. >> Yes, sir. >> Other than a phone call I got from a constituent this morning, this is in my district. I don't I've never heard anything about this. I've never heard the first complaint. The
only thing I've had is people send me two or three emails to say they support it. I have yet to have maybe maybe I had one that said we were notified. Somebody didn't tell me. >> Somebody. >> So I don't I mean I mean Well, I'm just
whatever the whatever the board wants to do. I mean I guess I understand now there's some concern over over not being notified. I just just talk with staff about it. maybe they can give more clarification on it, but other than that, this is the first I've this is the
first I've heard about it. >> So, what what was brought to my attention by two residents this morning uh in the parking lot and that I don't think they could stay, but they wanted to make sure that their concerns were heard and I think they reached out to some members is that they are beyond the
300 ft. uh they were receiving email notifications being kept up to date and all of a sudden at some point in time the emails stopped. So they were they requested to be kept informed but they were unaware that this was moving
forward and they brought they were they were bringing it to our attention this morning that there was they and a number of the their fellow residents in the area or property owners just felt that it was not fair that all of a sudden the email stopped and now here it is. So it
came it literally came to my attention this morning in the parking lot. If we have emails that are stopped for whatever reason, I think that is an error on our due process and that would facilitate an extension >> and you have no um understanding or
explanation since this is fresh as of this morning. >> I spoke with >> why this occurred. >> Yeah. No, I do not. I spoke with uh John Stall. uh he and I agreed uh and we talked about the fact that you know there's you know with obviously with
urban you urban area 300 feet makes sense maybe suburban maybe it's a little bit different and then maybe rural but that was the conversation but we did we've not looked into the entire email issue yet it because it happened right like I was walking in the parking lot hands full
>> so I just I mean we we've kind of heard this before um with other public hearings regarding notice and distance this isn't the first time related to that and we have committed to looking at that distance requirement um and maybe updating it because of some of those
concerns we've heard particularly in South County on top of that what I >> have understood is there may have been a breakdown in flow of information may maybe not I'm not sure but when we're talking about any kind of development
project or any kind of public hearing um I think especially especially the quasi judicial ones. I think it's very important that we take the time that it needs to make sure that the process is followed properly. Um so we can we can
make sure that we're doing our job, staff's doing their job, we're getting all the input we need, but also that there's a statutory process and that we're adhering to that. Um because there are with quasi judicial there are other
avenues. um that people can take and there are requirements that we have to be so in an abundance of caution. >> Yes, >> I don't think that the extra um two weeks is is when we're committing to do it on that date. I just think we need to
make sure we have done what we are supposed to do. >> It's an excellent comment. It's really about abundance of caution. >> Fair enough. We have a motion. We have a Commissioner Adams, a second by Vice Chair Moss. Further discussion hearing? None. All in favor? I
>> I. >> Thank you very much. Okay. Commissioners, the next item for discussion will be under the county administrator matters. >> Relevant to the ratification of proposed battalion chief collective bargaining
agreement. >> Mr. Administrator. >> Yes, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Um, as you're aware, last year we adopted uh approved, ratified with the IIAFF
uh specifically for the battalion chiefs uh the initial agreement with them and that left open the that was for the first year. Uh it expired as of October 1st or September 30th of the this year
of this past year. And so this represents uh the duration of the agreement for the next two years all the way from October 1st, 2025 through September 30th, 2027. Uh and the highlights of the agreement for the fiscal year 2526, it does
provide the the the 4% general wage increase. Uh it does similar to the other agreement with the rank and file increase in the paramedic incentive from 6,000 to 6,500. and then a subsequent
increase uh in October 26 to 7,000 and then it it replaces if you recall we had a discussion regarding regular days off versus Kelly days and we're essentially implementing 3-week Kelly days which reduced the bi-weekly work week average
from 112 to 96 hours. uh and that converts the and it also converts our battalion chiefs from exempt salaried to non-exempt hourly personnel who are eligible for overtime. Uh it does establish a new pay range
and and then it provides the the wage increases for subsequent fiscal years. Uh this has been uh initially this has been approved or ratified by the the union of the battalion chief specifically and is being presented to
you uh for to you to ratify it. So staff recommendation is to respectfully approve the agreement and request the board of county commissioner authorize the the chairman to sign the full agreement. >> Thank you Mr. administrator and
>> and the Kristen Brewer, the IAFF president is in attendance. >> And I do appreciate that and the commissioners have been here long enough to realize and recognize that going forward and having satisfaction when we
collectively bargain. Uh you cannot put a value on the angst and uh >> rumors and innuendo during that period. So for that I say I say thank you >> Mr. Chair.
>> Motion to approve and second. >> We have a motion and cap. Yes. >> I think uh yes I definitely want to thank Mike Zto and and John for this but I think in this case I think the brunt of the lion share of getting this done
was actually through the union president and I think I we all appreciate you for for getting this done. So with that, yes, I'm good. >> As well as human resources. >> And I would also add Dave Johnson, our fire chief.
>> Absolutely. Have a motion by Commissioner Flesher and a second by Commissioner Man. >> Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I. Thank you. And the motion carries unanimously.
>> Next item >> is the chief and madam. Welcome. >> Good morning. >> Name and record, please. >> Kristen Brewer, president, IFFF Local 2201. I really just want to come forward and thank each and every one of you. Uh to
think that we started this process two and a half years ago with unprotected chiefs who were not receiving the same u benefits, so to speak, as the rank and file to now today where they are protected employees. They can earn overtime, they have true Kelly days,
they get equal raises. is a true testament to everyone's dedication to first responders and the men and women of Indian River County Fire Rescue. So, thank all of you. Mr. Zitto, Miss Bole, thank you. Chief, thank you as well. We
wouldn't be here without him either. So, thank all of you. We we thank all of you. >> And thank you for saying that. >> And I just want to re reiterate that uh we thank all of you for your support for first responders, all of us. And I thank Kristen for this being a very smooth
negotiations uh without issue. So we collaborated and got together and got the agreement with support from Mr. Teanit Suzanne Bole, Michael Zto and Bentonwood. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> Refreshing.
Very refreshing. Commissioners, I think we're on a roll. >> Yes. >> Thank you, commissioners. Moving on. uh through department matters, commissioner matters and now to 16
special districts and board our solid waste disposal district. I see director welcome >> good morning commissioners managing director for solid waste disposal district and I know
individually you have all had the pleasure but I'd like to publicly introduce Katherine Lions. She's the assistant managing director for solid waste disposal district and we're here jointly to present the item to you today which is the update to the interlocal agreement with St. Lucy County for
processing our recyclables and um you know we we've enjoyed um a good relationship with St. Lucy County for for many many years. uh basically the interlocal agreement that we have in place. All the recyclables that we collect in Indian River County are
brought to our facility uh at the landfill and then we um use a third party company to transport the recyclables to the St. Lucy County facility and um and over the years uh you know we were lucky uh in terms of the relationship with St. Lucy County,
our sister county, uh they were processing the materials to us and and it's all market based once they basically process it uh make the bales of aluminum and cardboard and so on and so forth. They market it, they sell it and at some point uh and on good market
years there was an opportunity for some revenue share. Um and there was no cost to us. Our cost was to collect it on the streets. Our cost was to transport it there. But there was no in essence a direct uh check written by Indian River County to St. Lucy County. Uh at times
it was the opposite. St. Lucy County actually wrote a check back to to Indian River County uh for for some revenue sharing. And um what has happened is uh St. Lucy County like other private companies uh have realized that the cost
to operate and maintain a processing facility is continuing to increase. uh they've had some challenges there with with some of their equipment and so they basically um came back to us earlier this year and gave us a notice that they would like to amend the interlocal
agreement. Uh they would like to the the big impact is a cost for processing the materials a uh I think they started about $55 a ton. We were able to negotiate that down to $45 a ton for all incoming material, whatever we send to
their facility that they process. There's a flat charge per ton uh for them to uh you know, start processing materials. This is starting October 1, uh 2026. So, we would factor this cost into our next fiscal year budget that that we're working on right now. Um it
and it is a significant increase. Uh I mean we we spend a couple hundred,000 if you will per year just to transport the materials there. This $45 a ton at an estimate of about 22,000 tons a year uh is is going to result in almost another
million dollar increase to our budget uh to have St. Lucy County processing it. And so that that's kind of the the highlight uh given given our relationship with St. Lucy County and lack of a lot of other options right now at the table. We we do believe that a
short-term uh option is to uh move forward and and uh we we are recommending we've negotiated a final agreement with St. Lucy County. Uh we do recommend that the board approve the the new interlocal agreement with St. Lucy County. Uh once our board approves it,
chairman signs it, St. Lucy County will also uh hear this item and their board will also equally approve it uh to get both parties, you know, executed. Um, and that's a that's a short-term sort of a an option that that we feel like we want to continue uh the relationship we
have with St. Lucy County and and and and for a shortterm duration continue that process. Um, sort of some intermediate options is is something that we also want to discuss with you today. Uh, we recognize that St. in Lucy County uh over the last year or so has
had some challenges and at and so what we want to do is at times when they're not able to accept our material uh some of the data that we've looked at about 25% of our material from time to time uh they have shutdowns and and whatnot in their operations. And so what we're
asking the board as well is that in on an emergency basis we also budget uh starting next fiscal year and possibly even sooner if we can. uh but uh allow our the opportunity for us to divert recyclable materials to other private
facilities in the state of Florida. Um albeit it becomes challenging to transport it further away. St. Lucy County is our neighbor and it's a closest neighbor if you will. Uh there are uh options for us up and down the coast. Uh we have uh waste management
facility that just opened up in Peenrook Pines. uh they have a facility in Cocoa Beach where public services has a facility in Lakeland. And so we've explored uh these options. Uh Coastal Waste and Recycling uh has a new facility uh in South Florida as well.
And so right now what we we've done is just some preliminary uh informal pricing from some of these vendors to say that if we were to do you have capacity to take emergency materials from Indian County, what would that cost be? We factored in the transportation
cost to that and it and as the agenda item shows, we're looking at, you know, even on the emergency basis that we'd have to divert some recycling if St. Lucy County couldn't take it. We're we're looking at a total cost with transportation and and processing by these other private vendors. Uh instead
of, you know, a million, we're talking about 1.8 million. So, uh it is a significant increase, but we feel that if we get in a position where St. Lucy County has some mechanical issues or problems that we'd like to get uh factor that into our next year's budget to be
able to divert our recycling to another facility. Um and then the last sort of big overall item is we're we're we're at a point I think in in in terms of recycling and as as we celebrated you know the Earth Day tomorrow is we we
need to start uh looking at the feasibility of of looking at a processing facility in Indian River County. uh you know it it is costly to transport recycling uh to to a sister county or to other places in you know
across the state. It gets very very expensive to do that. Uh and um at the same time the processing fees at at these other you know facilities are are very very high. So I think having a uh the option and we wanted to get your
consensus today about the possibility of you know solid waste working with our procurement department look at doing a feasibility analysis to see if there's interest in the private sector or public private partnership to hopefully attract somebody to build something in Indian county um and um certainly you know
welcome to hear board's input on that as well. >> Mr. Chairman >> Captain Why don't you thank you for bringing that part of it up? You all heard the issues when the problems that
we're having due to St. Lucy County and and I've been down there and they're they're uh busy, but their their equipment is antiquated and stuff like that. They got a lot they need to do and I understand their position that they're
in. This prompted me about uh probably a year ago to talk to Humans about what he just mentioned about looking at a public private partnership about us doing our own recycling, maybe making a few bucks on it, things like that. Kind of like we're doing with no Petro uh with with
the gas doing the same thing with the recycling because, you know, we we don't want to run out of options and it be more expensive and not be able to recycle properly. and we're doing a pretty good job and we want to stay ahead of the curve. It's uh my in
intention to to to bring this forward to you with in humans just just you know lay the soil to let the plant grow that we definitely need to allow staff to look into the feasibility of some
way to do our own recycling be it through ourselves or through a public private partnership and uh start start doing that. I I I'm all for it and I hope y'all will join me in that saying I think we should allow staff to move
forward with with investigating uh the the effect of us doing our own recycling. >> Absolutely. >> Talk about a year ago >> and u I think Hamachu we can go back about 25 years.
>> Yes sir. Uh we uh we made a little tour of the facility and at that point we had uh four separate uh what they were just block bins where
the staff was doing some sorting and there was some green glass and there was some brown glass and there was some clear glass. There were two other bins where some metal products were left laying. And then it was cardboard and it
was the humble beginnings of sorting for recycling and that grew and yes it evolved. Things are ever changing and we are having some challenges with our recycling
and uh with that uh we discussed it in 2010 I think 2016. I discussed it with the county administrator about the possibility of sort sorting or ramping or we did uh make some visits to to look
at MURFs. Uh again, it was a bridge too far. Uh yes, it's a a a sorting system. Uh it's what St. Lucy does. And uh as far as for um any river county to have
that, it was most certainly a bridge way too far. Uh I believe at the time the discussion was made we could build at least five new fire stations before we get into this endeavor. And there was a
need. Uh as far as the MURF uh it it would and Hamachu can elaborate a little bit. I I think it is time that we look at some sort of recycling mechanism other than those simple concrete bins
from many years ago and something that we can make a positive impact, reduce the cost and again there's very little profitability in recycling. Okay. Uh the uh aluminum is is maybe uh
there's uh tremendous loss with paper, tremendous loss with glass because of the reusability as far as the the color and type of glass. But with a sorting mechanism and with a process, we could
increase the odds that we won't be investing so much of taxpayer dollar into the recycling effort. So I'm full very fully supportive of it. >> Commissioner Moss,
>> absolutely. Um I also toured uh the St. Lucy facility. I guess it was a year or so ago and antiquated is putting it kindly and they were very very busy. It's uh incredibly busy even at that time a year or so ago and I understand that's this
is a huge increase recycling it's a wonderful thing but it's a very costly so in the interest of making it cost effective and in the interest of controlling our own destiny I absolutely
support a feasibility study looking to do that to have our own facility perhaps a public private partnership um It may not make money but it will save money at at the very least uh depending upon the feasibility study the
results of it but I absolutely would like to explore it because I think people don't realize how expensive you know recycling is. I mean I I was surprised at the numbers. Would you say a million dollars? >> Yes ma'am. >> Um >> yeah I mean >> just with the new cost for St. Lucy County it it could be tremendously
higher if you know we're looking at a sending all of our materials somewhere else. >> Right. Right. Over $2 million if if we were to send 100%. >> Right. And and even with that million dollars, we're not assured that they are able to take our recycling and at times substantial number of times it can be
diverted. So that's that's problematic as well. So absolutely support it. Thank >> you. I mean, so in essence, you're talking about $3.3 million. 1.5, it's going to for the if they if they can take all of our stuff, but if they can't
at 25%, we're still looking at another 1.8. >> That's correct. And this is after uh our citizens take the time to sort it out and to place both of those toers at the curbside to
ensure that this is getting done and that's only the beginning of the process. >> Um >> we we need a stronger process. >> So I don't disagree with um anybody's comments. I you know we've been trying to upgrade our own recycling facility
for a while. Um, we've had many different partners with recycling. The problem ends up being the trucking. The logistics is just expensive and the farther you have to truck it, the more it costs. Um, if we are going to do a feasibility study, which I
wholeheartedly agree with. Um, let's just do a feasibility study for everything and throw in the option of a waste to energy facility as well. I know um Sean's in the back having a heart attack and I know they're very expensive, but I do think if we're going
to do it, let's just go ahead and rule it in or rule it out as an option so we can either have that conversation or remove it from the conversation because it does come up and when you start looking at um building new cells over time, increase in population, so the
increase in garbage and all those types of things, you know, I just I think it it would be something to throw in there for doing it anyway. Let's just go ahead and and throw that in as a yay or nay option. Again, the the the suggestion is
that if we become more efficient, which is highly likely that we can become efficient, I think the cost of uh looking at this will most certainly be pailed by the value of the and the
recyclability of the materials be it's going to grow to be more important in the very near future as uh we we're learning and seeing other jurisdictions too having to
deal with the exportation of paper goods that are no longer feasible separation values. Uh I think we have to clean it up. Clean up our recycling. >> Yes, sir. Dr. Visers, I I fully uh appreciate all the support. one of the
challenges and and it's it's time you know in terms of where when we go back 20 25 years and we're looking at where we are now when it comes to processing recycling it's a it's a the two factors are quantity to have enough material to process and the quality and I think that
you know as our community grows we're over the last 20 25 years we've seen our quantity grow I think we've got a great education program a great collection program our quality of our material is is very good as well. So, I think we're at the right stage of of of taking a
look at this, doing the feasibility analysis, seeing what the private sector comes back with to see what their interests are and and collaborating with Indian River County to to to hopefully, you know, uh do do it locally. And I think that that's kind of where uh the
vision is that we we we're at the right stage to to take a look at this. >> Mr. Chair, if we need to, I'll make a motion. >> We have a second. Any further discussion? We have a motion by Commissioner Mer, a second by Commissioner Flesher. Any further discussion on the matter?
>> I would like to briefly ask the the administrator the importance of some of the clauses in the in the contract to exclude or to include the 180 days in or out, which I think is healthy for any agreement. Yeah, they uh in the process
of negotiation besides the the per ton fee schedule uh and the the automatic renewal, there was there's the provision section 7.2 where either party may terminate the agreement for convenience whether without cause after giving
notice in compliance with section 11 below. If a party believes or gives notice that it wishes to terminate this conven agreement for convenience, the termination shall be effective 180 days after the notice of termination is delivered to the other party. It's it's a fiveyear or four-year agreement
one-year renewal. So that gives us sufficient time to do a see feasibility study to look at the various options alternatives to study them make sure we come back and and then appropriate plan. I mean because it if that's what we're the direction that we go it's it doesn't
happen overnight but we have the provision that once we make the decision if we build a facility if it's within that 5 years then we can we have six months to put them on you know to provide St. Lucy County appropriate
notice to terminate. >> Agreed. And I presume Himacha would come back before us with a proposed uh >> forecast on how we would further investigate this matter.
>> We will um and just matter for for this commission uh item here uh you know we are recommending approval of the interlocal agreement with St. Lucy County authorizing the chairman uh to to sign it. Um the the other part is as I mentioned, we've gotten some preliminary
pricing uh if you will from some of our private vendors for that emergency 25% diversion. Uh we're going to work with procurement to get some formal, you know, pricing from the vendors on that. We'll come back to a future meeting on to present to you what that emergency
option would be that if St. Lucy County is not able to to take it, then we have an agreement in place to divert to somewhere else. So, we'll do a formal process on that, bring that to you at a short term. Uh then we'll also kind of get started on the feasibility process and then bring that back to you at a at
a future date. >> Thank you, Monty. We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Those in favor? And the motion carries. >> Thank you, >> commissioners. That brings us next to and finally the public comment for any
non-aggenda related matters. Any nonrelated agenda matters. I would ask that you if you approach you identify yourself, name and address and limit your comments to three minutes and the time is 10:30. Welcome.
>> Hi, good morning commissioners. My name is Laurel Busher. My address is 672 Charles Drive in Melbourne. I'm a resident of Bvard County. I've
been a taxpayer in Indian River County since 2005. >> Welcome. I'm the trustee of Belvadier Group that um received a deed, a warranty deed from the Pippens in 2005
that um is shown here in the yellow area. That's the 2005 deed. In 2024, GHO Homes filed a lawsuit against me and Belvadier Trust.
and the outcome of that lawsuit, which I am not here to dispute. I'm actually celebrating after the fact for the light at the end of that tunnel that um the 2024 lawsuit from GHO Homes removed this
portion, this 5 acres that they call parcel 7 by and they relied to do that not on the 1959 deed that preceded my 2005 deed from Pippens, but on a 1975 deed from Pippens that did three things.
It conveyed 21 acres uh here that the Pippens owned. It created this 3.59 acres that the court said is left to me to own and that Indian River County has recognized that I own since 2005.
Since Yes. But it did a third thing which I did not know about until 2005 when Indian River Property Appraiser did these drawings for me, these illustrations. They did a deed easement research and they found in this 1975
deed used by the court in 2004 that this 30 foot wide easement that they they put in orange here was created that was the third thing created by the 1975 deed used by the court in 2024 to
take away this five acres leaving this this is the easement that provides access deed access to this property. I did not know about that until Indian River Property Appraiser did the deed research, the easement research in 2024.
The reason I'm here today and I have affidavit for all of you that I filed with the court yesterday. I'm not disputing the 2024 court findings. I accept it. But I am here because I'm very concerned because GHO Homes, their
current preliminary plan that the Indian River Planning Department has given preliminary approval to will destroy by they're planning to put a retention pond right here that will physically destroy my deed and only access to my
remaining 3.59 acres if it's allowed to go forward like this. um since 2005 and I've been paying taxes on what Indian River Planning has been telling me since 2005 is a landlock parcel. I did not
know about the 1975 deed until GHO Homes and their lawyer presented it to the court for the sole purpose. Easements were not an issue. The sole purpose was to take this five acres that they call parcel 7 and give it quiet title to GHO
homes. take it from me from my deed that described 8.7 acres, give it to GHO homes, and that's fine. I accept it. But I do not accept them physically destroying the easement created by the
very same deed the court used to take away the five acres. And that's what I'm here to ask you to help me with to not >> Well, I I appreciate uh I appreciate what you have brought to us, ma'am. first that I've heard of it and my guess
is the others. Uh and we are here to help you. However, under the public comment is is probably not the the exact venue. We are all available for what we call sequential meetings as well and I'm certain that our office of general counsel will be happy to have a
discussion with you. Uh if not, you can certainly contact myself and I will facilitate that meeting. Furthermore, I do believe this is a civil matter. is that deed access was not part of the civil matter. That's what I'm here to tell everyone. And
>> I understand that, but also understand that this is public comment and this is not an opportunity to debate a matter that as far as I none of us know anything about >> I've emailed I've emailed all the commissioners, but this is my affidavit with the exhibits I filed yesterday, and
I'd like to give everyone a copy of this. >> You'd be welcome to do that. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank thank you for your time and we'll close with comments by general counsel. Thank you very much, >> commissioners. Um, we have
repeatedly responded to Miss Busher and this is something we we believe was settled by the court and so um I I don't recommend any further action at this time and I it seems to me that uh GH and
Miss Booer need to go back to court if she's feeling like she didn't get the remedies she should be entitled to. >> May I respond? >> That's what this affidavit is about, Miss Schuler. this affidavit st >> and you just filed it in court. So if there's another court ruling, we'll take
it under consideration. >> You filed a contempt motion against me on the 13th of this month saying I violated a court order by telling the commissioners and the planning about the the easement. >> Okay. If you leave you leave that with
us, ma'am, we'll certainly address it. This is not the venue for that. >> The case had nothing to do with easements. >> I understand. But I I appreciate I appreciate your time and that your time your time is expired. >> Yes, sir. Name and address for the record. >> My name is Dan Leven. I live at 1486
Lily's K Circle. And I was quite taken by Commissioner Adams observation about the necessity or appropriateness of an abundance of caution when considering quasi judicial matters. Uh and I'd like you to bear that in mind
when you consider my remarks. I I'd like to preface those remarks with a request that they become part of the public record and an observation that everything you're about to hear has previously been conveyed in writing to the county administrator, the county
attorney, and the head of planning. Our lives here in Indian River County are governed by the zoning and the 2030 comprehensive plan. They're the governing rules that basically decide what's going to be approved and what's
not going to be approved. And I'm here because I believe those rules are not being followed for a development proposal that's pending in the with staff. Now, at the corner of 41st Street and Indian and I'm sorry, 41st Street
and US1, the proposal is for a large full service grocery store with a drive-thru pharmacy, 10 fuel pump islands, and a drive-through restaurant. >> Mr. Chair, may I interrupt? Yes, sir.
>> Mr. 11. This is a you have a dispute with a development that could come before this board in a quasi judicial hearing. And I I really recommend that the board that you keep your remarks for that hearing so they can become part of that record if it comes to this board
for appeal. >> May I have my three minutes? >> Sure. But be mindful of what she mentioned with respect to our >> abundance of caution. By the time this gets to you for approval,
staff will have invested probably two years and have a thousand pages of documentation. You're going to turn to staff and say, "Does this meet code?" They're going to say yes. And that's typically all that's required to get the approval through. Florida law, and
that's based on a Florida Supreme Court decision, says that there needs to be substantial evidence that what is being proposed meets the zoning. And that's not something that's an assumption that can be made. It's something that's a
fact that needs to be demonstrabably proved. Your county attorney has said that the uses that have been applied for are a right of the developer. That's true, but it doesn't eliminate the requirement
that complete, competent, and substantial evidence be submitted, and it hasn't been. And that's what I'm requesting that you do, that you instruct staff to get that competent and substantial evidence before you continue
to advance this proposal. >> Okay. Well, we certainly appreciate that. We appreciate you bringing it to our attention. And my observation is >> in closing. Yes, sir. >> If what I've described comes to pass and that evidence isn't there, anybody,
including a private citizens like me, can appeal the decision to the circuit court, >> right? >> The circuit court's not going to rehear it. The circuit court is simply going to look at the record and say, "Was that evidence provided?" If the evidence wasn't provided, the circuit court may
quash the approval and send it back. So that's the abundance of caution and my suggestion is that it be done to avoid that possibility. I've got a copy of my remarks so you don't have to listen to anything more I have to say.
But also included is a sheet that I'll be distributing to local residents asking that they write to you and request that you ask the staff to make this evidence available now, not later. So when you start getting emails, you'll
know why those emails are coming. >> Thank you for your time, sir. Any further comments from the public? Any comments from the commissioners? Hearing none, this meeting is adjourned.