Good morning. The Tuesday, May 6, 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 members of the armed forces. We followed by an invocation by none other than the
Reverend Jack Deal from our SA Lutheran Church and Commissioner Moss will lead us in the pledge. At this time, please rise. Oh creator God, source of all life and all of our blessings. We thank you for
this beautiful little corner of your creation which we call home. We thank you for our leaders here in this place, our county employees, and the gifts that each of them bring to the table. As we face the challenges of a growing community and differing opinions, give
to our leaders and to us all wisdom, understanding, and a spirit of cooperation that our conversation and actions may work together for the greater good of our community, the environment, and all of your people. Amen. Amen.
You know, uh, May is National Military Appreciation Month. So, I'd like to say a special thank you to all veterans who are present. I saw Fred Jones and I think Chris Nun went by and of course our county administrator and all other veterans who are joining us today. We
honor your sacrifice by reciting the pledge. I pledge allegiance allegiance 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. Thank you all. Is getting settled at this time? Uh are there any uh additions, deletions to the agenda? I understand that uh item 12A1 uh the city of Vera Beach request
for the county to assume the responsibility for ocean rescue operations at the city of Vero Beach uh parks uh has been passionately requested to be off the agenda at this time. That
is correct, Mr. Chair. Is there anything else? Move approval of the agenda as amended. Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Moss. Any further discussion? All in favor? I
opposed. Motion carries unanimously. The next item is a proclamation recognizing May 11th through the 17th as National Police Week. And we do have a little presence today. Uh, so if if we can bring down
all of our law enforcement members, it would be greatly appreciated. Let's see if we can all gather around that that that podium. Please join the sheriff. Good morning. There you go. Perfect. Perfect. As the room shifts. Good morning. Good.
Good. How you doing? Great to see you all. Each year we uh present a proclamation uh as this is National Police Week and it's it's great to see all of our law
enforcement members here. You know, um, part of this presentation is also collects around some un unfortunate experience and and tragedy as these
fine, brave young men and women who serve to give you the very safety and security that you deserve and expect. And they do it tirelessly every day. They take inherent risk and they don't
know when that risk is going to come about. We talk about it as they go on a routine call. There is no routine call. Things can change. Unfortunately, in this great
nation, it has occurred way too many times. And we are fortunate and blessed that the training and the dedication and good lord has protected our men and women who
serve. So we have to show our appreciation for who they are and what they do each and every day. And I I want to say thank you. There's a few of us can relate to that. I almost made the
list. Um I I don't know if if I can experience another one of those days. It's they're very tough and we never we don't want to
see any more. So keep on doing what you're doing each and every day. And I want you to know that I can speak for this entire community. They do respect you. They do appreciate you and they honor you. And
I'm only hoping that when I read this proclamation, yes, eventually I'll get to it. When I read this proclamation, this proclamation will be ended with an invitation to the 15th,
the 15th day of this the 12th of this month. Uh, and the sheriff will talk about it. And I'm only hoping that well, this proclamation will be read again by none other than Sheriff
Daryl. The proclamation should be heard by your citizens, and I'm inviting everyone to show up at the courthouse. Every year we see all of our law enforcement partners and close members in the
military, but it would be honorable if we saw some of our citizens to show their appreciation at the courthouse. Thank you. I'll present the proclamation recognizing May 11th through the 17th as
National Police Week. Whereas there are more than 900,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, including the dedicated members of the Indie River County Sheriff's Office and Indie River County Municipal Police Departments. And
whereas in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which the date falls on as National
Police Week. Whereas on an average, one law enforcement officer is killed in line of duty somewhere in the United States every 54 hours. Since the first known line of duty death in 1791, more than
26,000 US law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Whereas over the past decade, in 2014 to 2024, the average annual number of officer fatalities has been 163. In
2024, 165 law enforcement officers died in line of duty. Additionally, 21 canines died in the line of duty as well. Whereas the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund honors members
those who recently fallen in the law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives to protect and serve. Now therefore be proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indie River County,
Florida that May 11 through 17, 2025 is recognized as National Police Week in honor of the service of the law enforcement officers in the community and the communities across the nation. And May 15th is recognized as Peace
Officers Memorial Day in honor of the fallen officers and their families. and the US flags shall be flown at half staff. They'll be adopted this sixth day of May, 2025 and this signed by all five
county commissioners. Thank you, Sheriff. Good morning. Thank you for taking time out of your agenda to uh recognize the brave men and women uh of our team. Uh, as you mentioned, Monday,
May 12th, is our ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on the steps of the courthouse. Confident that all of you guys will be there. And as you said, it'd be nice to have some folks from the public join us as well. It's free. It's open to the public. We close down the road right there in front of the courthouse. We
honor fallen law enforcement, and it would be a uh a great thing if we ran out of seats, if we ran out of standing room, if we had our community coming out to join us for that. So, thank you for taking time to pause to recognize our folks and I hope the community will do
the same on the 12th. Thank you guys. Are you and run the gauntlet brother. Are we not shaking hands over there? What else is doing? Thank you. Uh, we don't get one from Miranda. She's here. Thank you. No, a
handshake from Miranda. What's going on, Annie? Sir, thank you. Good to see you. Going to run out of space forever. Good morning.
I think we're running out of space. 10 years ago. Gee. Yes. Yeah. Well, that's all right. They could if they happen to be here, leave them here. And yeah,
some are going to have to sit in chairs around. You can see them. Oh, they come back here behind us. That's true. Time for a forward pass. Take one pitch.
Fabulous. Thank you guys. Yeah. Well, no. Have all the Thank you. Sheriff. So you can make sure the cos are here. Yeah. Yeah. Correction guys here.
You going to roll him back again? No, we do. See if you can grab everybody else that went out. Now that we've had the presence of uh law enforcement, we will now be doing the other side of the house. Yep. And that'll be a presentation proclamation
recognizing May 4th through the 10th as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week. and we will have the honor of of having Commissioner Joe Arman present that one. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you,
everyone. Much smaller group, but no less of an important group, that's for sure. So, first of all, I want to say thank you for all y'all do. It's much appreciated. and it's not to go unrecognized as we're going to recognize
it today. But keep up with the good work and and do what you're doing. Again, much appreciated. This a proclamation recognizing May 4th through the 10th, 2025 as National Corrections,
Correctional Officers, and Employees Week. Whereas in 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5187, creating National Correctionaler
Correctional Officers Week. In 1996, the United States Senate officially changed the name to National Correctional Officers and Employees Week. The first full week of May honors the work of correctional officers and correctional
personnel nationwide. And whereas any river county staff of correctional officers, nurses, civilian correction assistants, and support staff serve in an increasingly complex and demanding profession. They must
simultaneously fill custodial, supervisory, and counseling roles. They are responsible for the custody, safety, and well-being of all inmates. And whereas in today's profession, correctional offers and correctional
personnel are well-trained, work under demanding circumstances, and face danger in their daily lives. And whereas the work of correctional officers and correctional personnel comes with a huge responsibility to maintain public safety
as well as to help inmates develops the skills necessary to become productive members of society. And whereas correctional officers and correctional personnel deserve our show of support as we utilize this week to honor their hard
work, professionalism, dedication, and courage throughout the performance of their demanding and often often conflicting roles and efforts to protect public safety. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of any river county,
Florida that we recognize May 4th through May 10th, 2025 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week. We thank and applaud our correctional officers, nurses, civilian correction assistants, and all
correctional staff for their dedication, professionalism, and service to our community. adopted this 6th day of May, 2025 and signed proudly by all five county commissioners. Awesome. Thank you guys so much for
taking time to recognize our correction staff. And the thing that I want to bring to your attention and I would I would invite you all um sometime this week or in the near future to come take a tour. Today is Captain Jones's birthday. she's here with us and uh she would love to have you guys come over and see all of our various programs uh
that we're doing because the the ultimate goal is you know when we first started talking about corrections years ago it was a warehousing of people and we are at a point where we are truly changing lives in the jail and so for folks to come see that I think is a really important thing and I know we've
we've really made a difference in people's lives and these these heroes that are behind me are working every day with those inmates to try and make a difference and let them know that somebody cares that they can change, that uh they can be a productive member of society. And that's a huge huge shift in the mindset. And so I'm proud of our
team. They do an incredible job every day. I know uh going to jail every day is not a cool thing to do, but these folks do it with pride every day and they try and make a difference. And so I'm proud to uh be able to lead this team and thank you for recognizing them today. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. How are you? Have to go this way.
Thank you again. Well, they'll be going back to work. Uh, we're still all safe. We sure are. Just a little different presence. Next item is a presentation proclamation designated May the 4th through the 10th in 2025 as public
service recognition week. Public service recognition week. Ladies and gentlemen, this this fine county has many individuals who serve in various capacities. All the experiences
that you have, whether it's over the phone or witnessing someone putting in a piece of equipment, repairing, working, doing things that, well, yes,
they get paid to do it, but things that you might not want to have to do. Um, I'm sure you've all have seen uh some of our county employees working and giving up their
time, being separated from their family and doing very arduous activities. You know, when it's like 97 degrees out and they're out there or during time time
when we have an event like a hurricane, then daytoday they tirelessly serve the community and we want to say thank you. We want to appreciate them. and all of our constitutional offices have
employees that are committed to ensure that we have what we have in Indie River County. From top to bottom, we want to say thank you. I'll present this proclamation which is the public service
proclamation recognition week whereas public employees at the federal, state and local levels conduct the public's business and perform essential services. And whereas public employees improve the quality of life through their efforts
and in many fields including the education, emergency management, public safety, transportation, natural resources, healthc care and natural defense. Whereas public employees dedicate
themselves to the continuous improvements of the quality of life of Flidians and many include military personnel, police officers, firefighters, health care practitioners, and others that risk their lives every
day in public service. Whereas the efficiency and effectiveness of the government depends upon public employees ensuring that the government services are accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of residents. And whereas
Indie River County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the dedicated t dedication, the talents, the contributions made by the public employees working at all levels of government. And whereas any river county
board of county commissioners appreciates the dedicated talents and contributions of county employees who by the lead by example and their achievements are focusing on the highest standards of customer service. Now
therefore, be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indie River County, Florida, that week of May 4th through the 10th, 2025 be observed as public service recognition week. And we encourage all
Indian River County residents to recognize the men and women who serve in all levels of government for the betterment of the this great county, the state, and the nation. duly adopted this
sixth day of May 2025 and signed by all five county commissioners. If you'll notice, there's no one at the podium. This is a rare time where this is a a
general proclamation. So, at this time, I would like to invite all of our public service employees to come up here to so we can have an acceptance. Thank you. Please come
forward. You took the time to be here. And I would like the public to see their public service individuals. Yeah. Good morning, Tina. Good morning. How are you guys? Blind
out your cover up. Yeah, cover up my face. I did. that I have my tape measures on just for a public works meeting. I don't have I need like a back, a front end loader earring, you know, like to commit. This is the
closest I have. You know what? Yeah. Why don't we just do that? You know what? There's so many. Hey, why don't we just start lining up on on the top row as well? Congrats. Thank you. And I realized that
you all didn't didn't know that this was a photo op as well, but you made it this far. We have to identify you. Oh, no. They can still see. There you go. But we get behind the right person.
They're behind the curtain. Watch out. Ladies up here. I don't know how I know what we're doing. And we thought the law enforcement was in large crowd. That's what I thought. We got here. I guess I'll do this.
Yeah, it's in the way. Don't worry about it. Is there anybody else that was ever a public service employee? I think we have them all here. Okay, here we go. One, two, three. Thank you so much. It's good.
I love it here. Are you kidding? We're having the best view. You like the view? No. Thank you. All right, my public works guys and ladies, don't go anywhere. Not me. Okay, we're here. The public works team
is sticking around. I know. The room is settled down and we'll move on to item 5D, which is a presentation proclamation designating May 18th through the 24th as National Public Works Week. and that will be delivered
by Commissioner Susan Adams. Thank you. Um, if all the public works employees would I'm going to put you guys on the spot for a second. Come on down here to the front while I read the proclamation. You guys should be in the spotlight because so much of what
happens in the county um happens within y'all's realm and you're usually behind the scenes. So, I want to take the opportunity to showcase you guys. So, thank you so much. All right, this is one of my favorite proclamations to read. A proclamation
designating May 18th through the 24th, 2025 as National Public Works Week. Whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities,
and to public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of Indian River County. And whereas these infrastructures, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works
professionals who are engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of government and the private sector who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment, and solid waste systems,
public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens. And whereas it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children of Indian River County to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of
the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. And whereas the year 2025 marks the 65th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association,
Canadian Public Works Association. Now therefore, be it proclaims by the board of county commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, that the week of May 18th through the 24th, 2025 is hereby designated as National Public Works Week. We encourage all citizens to take
this opportunity to increase their awareness and understanding of the essential services provided by our public works professionals. Our public works officials work tireless tirelessly to maintain and improve the infrastructure that supports our daily lives. Their efforts are critical to
protecting our national health, safety, and advancing quality of life for all. Adopted the sixth day of May, 2025, and signed by all five county commissioners. And Addie, I just want to give your department a huge round of applause for
everything that they do. Um, they really keep our our bones of our community, our infrastructure, uh, running and working. And on top of that, they have some cool equipment to to work with. And it was such an honor to be able to go out this
morning and see some of those pieces of equipment and meet the employees. And I thank them for taking the time to um answer some of my questions and just kind of give me a better understanding of what they do. It was amazing. And kudos to everybody in your department.
Thank you, commissioners. It's an honor to be here with such an amazing team of public works professionals and thank you for recognizing everybody for their hard work and wanted to also echo what Commissioner Adams says. We have some cool looking equipment outside. So, please, you know, if you have the
opportunity to check it out, if you have any questions, please ask the team. and we appreciate all your support and guidance in in getting us some of the new cool gadgets. I also wanted to you uh take this opportunity to introduce a special guest that we have with us uh
for American from American Public Works Association uh Robert Garden. He's the president-elect. He will do a quick presentation after we're done with the proclamation. Sure. So, come on up and let's get a picture um with the pro. Oh, you guys want You're in the middle so
you get to hold it. How about that? Look at that. You're in a great spot. Squeeze in as much as we can. I heard the collective groan, but it's only one picture, I promise. And yes, it was great to see the
equipment, but it's even greater to see the work that gets done by the individuals with that equipment. Oh, yeah. You guys do a great job. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you guys so much for taking the time this morning. It was awesome. Thank you.
What you do every day, of course. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I'm going to take you up on coming out to the shop. Thank you so much. Thank you, buddy. You need good equipment.
Use it safely. Let drive up early this morning. You guys are early. Ear early bird early risers get a class. Take the rest of the day off. All right. before I turn it over to him for the
special award for the special um presentation. I did want to take the opportunity to let everybody know that today we have the pleasure of honoring um one of our fabulous department
directors, Mr. Audi Javeed, who is our public works director. He has been selected as one of the American Public Works Association's top 10 public works leaders of the year. This which is
amazing. This is a an award that is selected from over 30,000 public works professionals nationwide. So, he is the top 10 out of 30,000 nationwide individuals, which is fabulous. And he
worked at Indian River County. I just want to say that this, you know, Audi's only been with us a few short months of, six months almost, but it has been trial by fire. He started with Hurricane Milton and the um unprecedented tornadoes that we had, the
blowout of County Road 512, um and just working with trying to get resources for for the department. So, he has done an amazing job. He's been fast and and um attentive and effective in his response to all those crisises. his work ethic
and strategic thinking is I love where the department is going with that longer term vision of of creating um a customer service aspect there which is fabulous and I think that this award really reflects the impact that you've had in that short time. So on behalf of the board of county commissioners and the
residents I just want to express our gratitude for your leadership service and commitment to Indian River County. Um, you know, the our our motto is service through, say it with me, River County, dedicated to Indian River County through
customer service excellence. And I think you embody that. I really appreciate that. So, we're truly lucky to have you on our team. And I did wanted to get those words in before um, Mr. Robert Garland, who's the president of the American Public Works Association,
probably said all those things and I I didn't get to say them so gracefully. So, welcome, Mr. Mr. Garland and Audi, thank you so much and congratulations. Good morning, uh, chair, commissioners, residents of Indian River County. Again, for the record, my name is Robert Garland. Uh, I have the privilege of
serving on the National Board of Directors of the American Public Works Association or APWA. Uh, before I start the presentation, I'd like to again thank you for the the the public works proclamation. Uh, you know, this year's theme is people, purpose, and presence.
And what you might not realize, you know, we we saw the first responders here, you know, the sheriff's department, the correction officers, but your public works officials are true first responders as well. Uh, after a national disaster, Hurricane Milton, as Commissioner mentioned, public works is the first to arrive to clear the roads
of debris so that the fire and police and other first responders can do their jobs safely uh and quickly. and they're also the last to leave after a national disaster, returning your communities, your water, your waste water, your roadways back to normaly so you can the residents of of Indian River County can
can get back to their normal lives. So again, I I thank the commissioners for that. It shows your commitment to your your your to your uh your residents and also your commitment to providing higher levels of service at at affordable rates. But it is my honor to present
APWA's top 10 award to Dr. Adnan Javeed or Addie. Um for any county residents that might not uh have had been fortunate enough to meet Audi yet, he serves as the county's director of public works and Azra flood plane flood plane
administrator. So what's the significance of the top 10 award? The award was established over 60 years ago by APWA to single out 10 individuals each year that represent the cream of the crop of the public works profession. And it's not just their exemplary
service to the public works profession, but it's also their dedication and unspoken commitment to give back to the communities that they serve. I think the commissioner uh said it nicely. Let me put in perspective for you again. APW has over 32,000 members across North
America. So, the top 10 award places Audi in the top 99.9th percentile of his peers. Think about that. I'd love to have that GPA when I was in college, but I didn't quite get there. Um, Audi has almost 30 years of diverse public works expense experience in both the public
and private sectors. As the director of public works uh for Indian River County, uh, he was instrumental in the county's recovery efforts following the devastating effects of Hurricane Milton, uh, including debris management and the emergency restoration of County Road
512. As commissioner mentioned, you know, that project was critical to get the roadway back up and running in just three weeks uh using the the construction management risk delivery method so that again the residents could return to normaly after that that disaster. his community service throughout the state and his career has
spanned from serving as a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to being the founder in the Tampa Bay area for the Tampa Bay Community Group, which supports multicultural events and promotes small businesses to foster growth opportunities for all. He is also
an active member of APWA and was responsible for creating the leadership and management webinar series that earned him the APWA innovation award in both 2023 and 2024. Uh I have known Audi for over 20 years and I can personally attest that
he deserves this award. He is truly a servant leader, not only as as a role model for those that he serves side by side with um in the public works profession, but also his commitment to giving back to the communities where he serves. So, please join me in
congratulating Audi in receiving this well-deserved award. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Garland, thank you for coming down and presenting that award. We appreciate it. And I think that speaks to um the
level of of respect Audi has amongst his peers. So, thank you very much for being here. Thank you. Well, we have some upcoming changes in uh solid waste and recycling in Indian River County. So, we're going to bring
the team down to explain what is going to take place with those containers. And here's Amachu with the parade of the containers and his dedicated staff.
Good morning, commissioners. Manet, the managing director for the solid waste disposal district. And uh yeah, we're here to give you an update about the upcoming changes on the solid waste and recycling uh program starting October 1, 2025. Uh we have a short presentation
for you. I believe all the commissioners uh have received a copy. And um she doesn't need an introduction, but she's our local radio personality. And so we're going to start off with uh Sue Flack. And this is a radio commercial that you should be
hearing on the the airwaves here soon. Can you Hello, residents of Indian River County. Change is coming. As of October 1st, unincorporated Indian River County is going to Universal Collection Service for trash, recycling, and yard waste.
What does that mean for you? WM will be delivering new carts to you soon. Watch the mail for a postcard with more information. Or to learn more, visit indian river.gov gov or call 772-5691776. Nice work.
Okay, that was a replay. Instant replay. So, um, as mentioned, uh, you know, on the on the, uh, the the radio ad there, uh, postcards are coming and all, uh, residents of Felsmere, city of Sebastian, Vera Beach, and
unincorporated in Indian, Indian River County residents, they're going to get a postcard. The the the three municipalities that I mentioned, they're going to just focus on recycling. So, all residents in in those communities, they're going to get a new recycling cart as you see here. Uh we're going to
touch a little bit later about the new labels that are on the carts. We're going with the standard 65gallon recycling cart size. So So they'll take the old recycling cart and they'll be replaced with a brand new recycling cart. Residents can start using the new carts right away. The recycling carts
right away. Um in terms of uninccorporating in every county, the postcard is going to be a little different. And this is kind of a what it looks like because it's going to be just more than the recycling cart. So, the recycling carts are going to be uh, you know, picked up and delivered in June and July. The the new yard waste cart,
the cocoa brown and the orange lid is uh going to be delivered in August. Again, we're trying to get ready for October one. So, there there's thousands and thousands of carts, uh, I think 50 60,000 carts, if you will, that will be delivered. So, we're starting early to
make sure every resident is is going to have their carts prior to the start of the program. And so, uh, the cart the yard waist cart will be delivered in August. However, we're asking residents not to use them until October 1. Uh, we'll see how that works, but but that's the idea is we want to get the tools to
them prior to the start of the program. Uh, same thing with the trash cart. Now, this is going to be the new universal program that's going to be implemented. And so, every resident of unincorporated in Un County will be getting a new 95gallon
uh trash cart, the gray cart right here. And um what what same thing with that the the current subscription residents, they can you know start using that new cart right away. However, the folks that are not currently subscribing, they will
have to wait until October 1 to start using the cart. And again, we're going to let Waste Management manage that the way they do best. Uh in terms of, you know, who they're picking up and who not they're picking up. Uh but there there is they're going to have a local call center to answer phone calls. I know
folks are going to be excited about using these cards, but but we're we're again wanting to get the tools to them prior to the start of the program October one. Uh and again, this just highlights the the same same items I just mentioned. Uh the it's it's going to be a universal
curbside collection program, predominantly single family homes within unincorporated in county. Uh duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes. Again, they're going to be incorporated into this program. the the fees will be on their new tax bill. It'll be part of the
non-ablorum assessment. So when they get the new tax bill in November, it'll include a separate collection cost. U the monthly cost from waste management for solid waste, yard waste, and bulk waste is about 14. It is 1402 a month.
When we add the additional fees from the tax collector, property appraiser, we're looking at about an annual number about $182 a year is what we're looking at right now. Um, and again, residents are going to receive once a week collection service for trash, recycling, and yard
waste and up to four items for bulk trash items. And all of those services are going to be on the same day. So, they'll put out all of their carts, all their materials on the same day. Yes, it'll be a busy day in the community for that particular area, but once they're done, the rest of the six days will be
nice and quiet. Um, one of the key things about these carts is the again, they're going to get delivered the standard size. Recycling is going to be 65 gallons. The uh garbage uh trash cart is going to be 95
gallon as well. Those two carts do have an option of being changed out to a to in in this case smaller size for uh the trash cart. They can go down all the way to 35 gallon or 65 gallon on the recycling cart because we're delivering the midsize. They can go up to a 95
gallon or down to a 35gallon. We're asking residents, you know, starting October 1 to try them for 30 days and then January 2nd, 2026, they can call Waste Management and swap out and request a smaller or bigger cart size.
The the yard waste cart, 95gallon trash cart, uh yard waste cart does not have other sizes. So, we went with the largest cart recognizing that residents may may from time to time have a lot of yard waste. So, that is the the size that we're going with. The yard trash
cart will have a brochure. It's going to have a lot more information than what I'm presenting today. It's going to have a lot of frequently asked questions in there. So again, residents will have information related to the program in more detail uh coming soon. Um with regarding the carts and the new labels,
I'm going to have Sue just touch a little bit on that. Um so for the last five years or so we've had the opportunity of working with recycle um across America which is a wonderful nonprofit and our goal was to get universal labeling uh to similar
to a stop sign so that when you see this label just like you see a stop sign anywhere in the world you know to stop you'll know what exactly what these labels mean. So, we've worked really hard to create these in a simplified version, but also have the QR codes on
the labels so that uh PE residents can definitely click and get more information from our from our website, which will be going live shortly. Um, and we have three of them. We have one for the mixed recycling, one for the yard waste as you can see, and one for our trash. So, we're very proud of these
labels. We'll find them throughout the county. And um the brochure that I mentioned is going to have this map and again as I mentioned uh starting October one uh all the services for trash recycling yard wasting bulk trash collection is going
to be on the same day. The the map will have the colorcoded as shown below. So uh you know this is unincorporated in River County uh for these services. Again they'll be all all the same day. And with that if you have any questions we're we're happy to answer it.
Anybody have any questions? Mr. Chair, and I I've talked to Humatu about this before. If you could kind of explain the billing process uh when it switches over and how our residents can expect that. Sure. So, current subscription customers
and unincorporated in River County, their last quarterly bill uh will be for July, August, and September. they you know they'll they'll pay for that service and then they will no longer get a a bill from waste management. Um starting October one um you know the
services waste management will will start say November 5th or something like that. We the county will get a bill from waste management. We will pay waste management for servicing all of those customers in in the month of October. all all uh unincorporated Indian or
county residents and it will take until the November tax bill to so we're going to sort of preund and and and prepay uh for the services but starting November's tax bill all those single family residents will have included in their
tax bill approximately $182 there'll be a separate line item just for them uh for the trash yard waste bulk waste services on a weekly basis Um, and you know, there's a lot of residents that have moved in since
January 1, 2025 that have gotten new COs. So, we're going to be working directly with the tax collector on those folks because the way the property appraiser works and the program works, folks that have gotten a CO by January 1, 21, 2025, those are going to be
receiving the tax bill with the new rate on it. We're going to work separately with a tax collector for all the new cos and we'll have a a standard program that anytime a a new home gets coed, we'll be collecting those fees upfront from the residents for those collection services.
Thank you. Thank you. And we plan commissioners and we welcome if if you like us to come out to any of your public meetings, but we're planning to go out to a lot of the HOAs and start sharing this information, bring the cards to to to our community just to kind of get the word out. I know there's going to be, you know, a lot of
questions about this new program and and and again, we want to we want to start with the postcards, start with the radio commercials and and again get get out there as much as we can, get our residents ready for uh I believe to be an exciting program for for our community. That's it. Thank you so much.
Thank you. You'll see those toers again in your home. Thank you again. Yeah, that's the orange ones. Next item is the uh regular meeting minutes for February 25th, 2025.
Have approval. And we have a motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by myself. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Well, we haveformational
items and we're looking at the budget report and we also have the administrator approved items. That's the laundry list of uh reported expenditures uh that the county administrator has
done. Uh to continue on the list is lengthy and therefore your arousal. Next item is uh the Florida Public Service Commission consummating order.
Mr. chair. Yeah, I I met briefly with the administrator yesterday and I think this is a a topic as we approach uh budget season. Uh he's got some recent information I think it would be all beneficial for all of us to hear. Most
certainly. Yes, Mr. uh Mr. Chair and vice chair and board members. Uh yes, we have received you know in addition to receiving our revenue projections from FPNL in terms of our what revenue would be generated and what our bills would be and what the
net would be they have provided us what they in February submitted to the public service commission in terms of the rate increase for the next four years. Uh I will say uh in first in 2026 the 2.5%
storm recovery search charge is scheduled to come off and the the bill at the end of 2026 and that covers the last three storms and there's a caveat to that it's always subject to what happens to this in this next storm season. So for the first year what they're asking and I will say you know
that they submit their rate increase they go through due diligence period and they're currently in what they call a quality uh quality service where they're evaluating they're taking comments they're evaluating the the rate request but where they stand right now and they do the rate will expire on December 31st
of 2025. So this increase they expect to see it later in the fall. Uh and uh but right now for the first year uh the request before the the PSC is a 14.4% for the first year
uh on the to to their uh to the uh base rate. Uh and then you're looking in 2027 a 4.3% and in 2028 a.5% and then in 2029 a 85%. Uh I think it's important to note as has
happened in the past many times these uh rate increases prior to final adoption by the PSC they may come to an agreement of some sort for a lesser amount but this certainly provides the residents what they could expect you know worst
case scenario if if the rate increase package went through as as presented and I know the 14.4% 4% is a high amount. What I will tell you is some of that is related to capital recovery costs for
infrastructure for hardening uh renewable energies uh just you know just you know investment in the actual system to ensure the ability to deliver electricity on a in a reliable basis. So uh and it's always that way in my
experience is that first year is they they have the ability to go back and look at the investment they've made over the prior four years and u and then you know kind of account for that. So that's it's really anformational item for our public. So Mr. Chair, what basically you
said is the FPNL rates are going up. Yeah. Uh just so you know. Yes. Yeah. Well, I don't want people that you're looking at uh the dictionary for consummating and trying to calculate it
all. Uh it's pretty clear uh that we'll be seeing increased rates. Thank you for pointing that out. Children's service advisory committee vacancy. We do have a vacancy
and we do have a resignation. So there'll be an opportunity for a position at the children's advisory send in application. You're a little short-handed there. Little short-handed. We have one
vacancy, but I wouldn't say we're short-handed. Many hands doing lots of work, but we can always use more. Thank you. Thank you. We don't want to see the vacancy go on for any period of time. Uh and then we have the event calendar.
Again, too robust. Thank you staff for making it an an abundant place to have a lot of great activities. Uh please refer back to the website. And the uh district one appointee for planning and zoning
commission is uh well, John Campbell. Thank you. Next item is uh public comment. Uh any agenda related items that you may not be
here for the agenda and that's with the exception of any public hearings. Well, it's easy to tie in when I go say to the or the police and department of corrections. Please state your name and address for the record. Brent
Wallenburgg 13855 99th Street Bel. Well, police get like 10 times more calls from low to low income poverty areas. And my dad had a saying, you're innocent until you're broke. I read in the paper yesterday here in Vero, a
70-year-old lady was going to spend 10 years in prison for embezzling $700,000 from a Catholic church. People in church will probably feel the financial hardship and trauma caused by this person's actions for years to come.
The internet has done to the post office what the are the internet has done to the media what it did to the post office. I am sure the post office downsized to cope with people not paying to send
letters anymore. The media has obviously made it packed with the devil and teamed up with the politicians. This is nationwide to fraudulently swindle taxpayers hard-earned money creating what President C calls fake news. All bases are covered in this new
economic warfare where AI technology is used to sway public opinion. Sir, I I don't mean to interrupt, but you have anything regarding the No, this is about poverty and crime and how people end up in the Department of Corrections.
Thank you. Like you're innocent till you're broke. I don't have time for the Sorry, but public works. All bases are covered in this new economic warfare where where AI technology is used to sway public opinion. When politicians wastefully
spend money with tax moneyies, me media flatters and praises them. Now this is mainly Bvard. When politicians do not comply, media slanders them without mercy. After putting shells in calcium sand on shore lagoon massive or algae
bloom in Bvard and Stewart, I compiled enough evidence to prove without a doubt that the shell was removed around 1900 for railroad and US1 road bed. I went to the Florida today paper and hand handed them my fixing lagoon paper. After reading the first
line, they handed it back and said, "We cannot print. We can't print that." The first line read, "Ronald Reagan said, 'The closest thing to eternal life is on earth is a government-f funed project, putting sand on the beaches, putting catch basins and people storm drains
clip to catch clippings, dredging muck and planting oysters, clams, etc. are four government projects that will go on forever unless people understand how the lagoons function for thousands of years. Now the lagoon can bring it can feed
everybody. It has a lot to do with poverty. The year was 2016. After many tries with media, I went to the newly elected state representative Randy Fine. After reading my fixing lagoon paper and showing album
of evidence, he looked so pissed his eye was twitching. This man has since swindled billions of dollars. And he's not the only one on Bocus fixing the lagoon projects. media recently got their cut by constantly putting him on
TV's sake. Sir, thank you. Okay, I know you don't want to hear it, but this is sir, I want to thank you. Okay, have a good day. I hope you will welcome criticism on how taxpayers money and
make every make this a financially secure county. We appreciate you. Thank you. All right. Well, now we'll move right along to uh the consent agenda. Is there anything that anybody
wishes to pull for consideration, discussion? Mr. I'd like to pull 9 I 9 I indigo 9 J and which is related to 9 Q
I J and Q. Okay, we can do I we can do J and Q together if you'd like chair. Okay. I, J, and Q. Is there anything else? We have a motion by uh Commissioner Law
uh and seconded by myself. Any further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carried unanimously on the amended agenda. All right. Item I, Indigo. Mr. Chair, I was just uh
curious, this is the first time this uh contract has come before me, and I was just curious about the roles and responsibilities of the medical director uh and maybe the public would like to know as well and how we came to the decision of selecting this particular
vendor. Good morning, commissioners. David Johnson, services director for Indian River County. Um, this process went through the county required RFP process. Um, it was sent out for bids, so to
speak. We received uh three returns and they went through a process. uh we selected a member of a five member committee to look at over look over all the bids and um after the completion of the process this company happened to
come out ahead of everyone else. Okay. So the the price was only 25% of the process correct. Okay. And your your team is satisfied with the selection? Yes. Uh during the whole
process it was very close but at the last part of the process we brought them in for presentations and this company just blew everyone else out of the waters. They were a unanimous vote at the end. So they're going to provide a lot of services for us we currently do
not get and um that we really need with the expansion of our services and the county itself. So, and it's going to be a we're moving light speeds ahead of where we are currently with this new company. Yes, sir. With sir, if I may,
with one of the advantages being 24hour access to uh physician response, 247 access to a doctor, not to a nurse, not to the physician assistance, but to a doctor itself. Um, and our crews in the field can dial a 800 number and talk to
a physician at any time. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Motion approved. Second. Have a motion by by Shim. Second by myself. Any further discussion?
All in favor? I opposed. Thank you. Thank you for the explanation. Motion. Okay. Unanimously, Mr. Chair. On uh item J Juliet nine nine J. Yeah. Yes, sir. Uh thank you, Mr.
Chair. Uh I've got no problem with the mowing contract. We've we've see these uh contracts frequently so to speak. The one question tied with item Q uh which we'll get to in a moment is about uh you know our
strategic plan with respect to Oslo 510 and 512 ultimately becoming state roads. uh and the timetable on that when we are fixing to approve a mowing contract for Oslo median paving.
I was just curious uh how we're going to handle that when and if this fiscal becomes becomes a state road and we have a contract to mow county roads. Good morning crim commissioners Jave
public works director. Uh so right now working with DOT on some of those contracts as we exchange hands. So as soon as we have those agreements we will be bringing that back to the commission for approval for 510 and 512. Sir
and Oslo. And Oslo. Yes. Mhm. Okay. And I presume we can modify the contracts if we have to. Miss Prada, we we can certainly do that thing if needs to be. Good morning, Commissioner. Susan product, deputy county attorney. I also have reviewed the contracts for the FOT
transfer as well as these contracts. I can tell you that under the FDOT transfer contracts, it actually requires us to continue the mowing and the maintenance. So, while they are taking over the paving obligations, they are requiring us to continue the maintenance of the mowing and that sort of items in
their contracts. So, this would not in any way kind of the fact that these are getting renewed now um would benefit us once FDOT takes over those roads as far as paving. Okay. I I thought the idea of of giving the county, right, that they would
assume the maintenance. So, it will be designated as a state road. They will be doing the work. and then the continual maintenance will be on the county's shoulders as as far
as the mowing and the vegetation. However, when it comes to paving and all of that or if there are any of those kinds of issues, those all still lie with the state. Yes, that's my understanding of the contract from reading it. and and then any alteration not related
to the the the mowing and maintenance but if there was any change in um traffic lighting or any other infrastructure that would be on FDOT's that has nothing to do with this. Yes sir. That would be FDOT. So basically
we're going to maintain the landscaping. That's it sir. Okay. That's standard. It is. Okay. I wouldn't say it's standard. If you think about State Road 9, which is I95, the county certainly is mowing those medians
and it's a state road. So, and was this an ask of FDOT? Uh, did you volunteer? We did not volunteer, sir. I can It's not customary.
I reviewed the contract from FDOT and that language was in there and I did ask about it when we had a meeting and they seem to that seems to be customary that that language is in there. So, they're happy to take over the the road paving if you will um and some of the lights and stuff. I just think they they from
my understanding, from what I've seen, it looks like it's easier for us to do the landscaping portion of it as the landscape crews might be a little closer here versus I don't know what they do for the state and their stuff, but that is what they were proposing. Yes, sir. How was it handled on State Road 60?
We are actually responsible for doing maintenance on We are responsible for doing maintenance on State Road 60. Yes, ma'am. West. They go 60 west. Not no not west. They go with 60 west, but there's portions of it within our urbanizer. So
I I think they have contracts with some of the further reaching ones, but I mean I would I would assume I don't I really don't have um a problem either way with this. It just seems like it's easier in your
urbanized areas for the county to or the municipality to maintain it. So, it's up to the standards of that municipality with the landscape and those types of things. You're absolutely right, Commissioner. Typically, that's how it works that within the urbanized boundaries, typically they look to the
city or the county to take care of the maintenance for landscaping. Thank you. So, now that we brought up uh I 95 from on State Road 60, so it's east of of I 95 to about 43rd. All that
mowing gets taken care of. That is correct. That is correct, sir. And west is that's the state. Yes. So when Oslo and 95 is complete traveling east
not going to be changed the county is going to be responsible for the the landscaping and the mowing. Yes sir. They're going to supply the landscaping. They will they will do it as part of the construction that irrigation or all that
stuff would be put in as part of the construction. We would be responsible just for the maintenance side. Okay, Mr. Chair, I move on item J. Thank you. Any further discussion? All in favor?
Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Cherald, item Q, I will I will move that uh with the understanding and and the request that uh as we get closer to the 95 and Oslo project uh that we
continue to monitor that particular um aspect of it. Uh we've seen some renditions of what we think uh that center median may look like and I'm not so sure that uh the
county is in a position to maintain that on a state road once it becomes a state road. But with that I'll move approval. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor?
Opposed? You all have microphones. Motion carries unanimously. That we're going to take a brief recess. Thank you. the meeting will now be called back to
order again. Uh item 12A1 was uh removed from the county administrative matters. Uh we'll move on to 12B1 which is the revised salary increase for the medical examiner for district
19. County administrator, Mr. chair, members of the board, um if you recall at the April 8th meeting, um the board uh voted not to approve the request for
$495,000 or $127,85 $854 increase to the uh medical examiner salary. Uh subsequent to that meeting the uh four counties um our partner counties uh met specifically it was like
the chair myself St. Lucy County, their chair and administrator. Martin County, their administrator, their commission representing Kunmechobee County, a member of their chair, uh, their board and the administrator met on April 25th. And
there was a discussion, you know, concerning, you know, the salary request and where we were. uh and and the first part of the meeting involved a a meeting just among the parties and discussing the concerns uh specifically those by
our partners was they were that were expressed was the loss of Don Dr. Aronica would affect the level of service you know and the the concern about the timing of trying to find a replacement not adverse to finding a replacement if it didn't work out but
they certainly wanted to you know try to retain Dr. Veronica uh and uh her current salary is $367,000. Uh during the discussion uh once Dr. Veronica joined the meeting uh
she presented some information noting her tenure during her tenure she's how she eliminated backlogs of cases. The the medical examiner's office has become accredited. Uh the office had applied uh with their staff and received over
$380,000 in grants to offset capital requests, you know, by purchasing vehicles and a new electronic record database and funding a part-time employee. And she noted it really came down to her her uh 23 years of
experience and uh being triple board certified. one, you know, I think I think it was mentioned she was one of those there's a lot of there's like 500 or so in the country and and she felt that she wanted to be reasonably fairly compensated based on her experience and
uh what she's done in comparison. Yes, she has reviewed some and learned of some of the salaries that some of her colleagues are making and felt that you know some I think one in particular was making had a third of the amount of experience but was making more. So she
felt it was appropriate uh to to to make the request went through St. Lucy County as we know. Uh the initial request was to be compensated at $515,000 that was reduced to $495 presented to this board twice. the last
time and the was where it was a a separate agenda item. So following that um the Okchobee Martin counties voted unanimously to approve the request. The St. Lucy counties yet to vote and on
April 8th uh our board voted uh to not approve their request. uh and we'll note that the contract or the interlocal agreement does require a consensus or actually all four parties to consent in order to amend the budget. That's what
would be happening because it's a the effective date proposed is June 1st. So the uh there was consensus among the four county representatives to offer Dr. Veronica salary of $460,000
uh which represents 92,800. That's incorrect. No, I didn't say unanimous. I said consensus. There's consensus by all the parties. You know, there's when you mention all, that includes all four and
that was not a consensus. So, consensus among the four county representatives uh to offer Dr. ironic the salary of $460,000 which represents a $92,57 increase as it relates to Indian River County for this upcoming fiscal
year it would amount to $22,100 our share we about 23.8% actually we have 20 excuse me about 25% but we're being next year based on the number of autopsies in the population it'll go down to where we cover
23.8% of those expenses for the medical examiner. So, but for this fiscal year, the upcoming fiscal year at 23.8% the change to the county would be $22,100 plus salary based benefits such as Florida retirement system. And then
so what I did do by way of comparison, uh there was $415,000 offered at this meeting on April 8th. Uh and that would have been $11,390 plus salary benefits. So it's slightly double. No, it's actually just
under being double. Uh, so the representatives, one of the things I think need to be pointed out, the representatives of the other counties acknowledging the need that all parties to the ILA consent to the decision, they offered if the count Indian River County was were unable or unwilling to fund its
share of the salary increase at the $460,000 that the other counties would fund the difference among themselves, but they would need our concurrence with that. uh they indicated it w certainly wasn't their preference but they felt it extremely necessary to retain Dr. Ronica
again uh noting that the state attorney and the public defenders and others that work with Dr. Veronica, you know, the the comments I think we've all heard is you need to retain her. Uh, one of the top in the, you know, in the country and and there was even a discussion about
that recruitment process. So, as I discussed there was there at the four county meeting, there's three options. Uh there's to agree for the for this board there's three options to agree to the annual salary at $460,000 and fully fund its share which
is 23.8% or $22,100 for fiscal year 202526. That would be the increase. Uh two, to agree to an alternate proposal presented by our partner counties and determine what amount the board is willing to fund related to the salary
increase request and agree to allow the other counties to fund the difference or the third option is do not consent do not consent to the requested salary increase. Uh as I did last time uh I did recommend the increase previously. Uh I
think the for the same reasons that were cited at the meeting uh yes experience is one issue but I think the the potential for a reduction in level of service uh by losing a medical examiner and having uh a chief deputy and two
associates and uh we would lose that. Uh two we would also potentially be looking at a a search that could take I think they estimate six to nine months. it was talked about in the meeting. Uh could be sooner. But the other, you know, the
overriding thing that I think of is now that she's gone out and looked and found out what the market's paying in other markets and areas just within our state, that's going to set a benchmark for what a a new medical examiner would cost. And
we may end up may not argue arguably may end up you know getting somebody not as qualified but seeking a salary commensurate you know to what others are being paid throughout the state. Uh so for the current fiscal year just to
review uh we we are responsible for 25.27%. Uh so if you were to approve the request uh for the current fiscal year we would process the next budget amendment it would be $7,822 which is salary only. It would
als the the salary based benefits would be calculated and that's based on the June 1st 2025 uh date. Uh so staff recommendation or administrator's recommendation is to review consider the information containing this agenda item and I recommend supporting the requested
increase to annual to $460,000 annually and that would be the county would be responsible for 23.8% of that. I'll return to the board and chair for questions and comments. Thank you county administrator. As you pointed out, we did have a meeting and during that
meeting we did uh speak um from different uh jurisdictions involved. Uh there was some statements made uh by
the doctor. Dr. Aronica uh is most certainly wellqualified, admired. Um, she's doing a great job. Um, but a lot came out as
far as the philosophical value of what was transpired, how this thing rolled out and in the comparison of salary and a self-imposed increase. Um, at this
point, a $460,000 still represents about a 23% increase, which again is a little bit to digest knowing that in the future years
there'll be continual increases. We'll be up to that half a million dollars that she so desired from the very beginning. Um, we mentioned uh about triple certification. That's the same triple certification that she had when she was hired for
$367,000. Correct. She was actually in I think 1819 hired at a base salary of $320,000 and she has received subsequent you know annual wage increases and her current salary is 367 I think
367143 but it's 367. Um, but the accolades were presented to justify the uh increase in salary and I think I heard from Dr. Ronica that if
she did not receive the 460 she would be taking a different position somewhere else. uh you know I again I made the analogy uh when we had first reviewed this that you know when you when you look at uh
price comparing when we're purchasing something u again it's not an occupation but when you're doing that you approach someone and say well I can get it cheaper elsewhere well you have two choices
either go get it cheaper or we'll try to match it, but we have to see the manager and that's a step that didn't take place here. We did not have a discussion and St. Lucy uh Representative George uh most certainly explained uh in form of
an apology that we didn't roll it out in that way. Uh he said this was fastm moving. Um, she had a a a salary review and she said she wanted half a million
dollars and he didn't know what to do. He said, "By the way, I'm going to submit my resignation." Wow. Okay. Just think about it for a minute. the responsibility that we have to our taxpayers who are working paying their
taxes. And then we're supporting someone who uh works for the greater good is also insisting that they get paid far more than they were getting paid. It
sounds like a a small increment because you break it down, it's our share. It's ironic that the county with the smallest share said, I guess we'll have to make up the difference. That was a a verbal statement. That's not uh that was made
at the meeting. That's not something that was approved by their commissions or collectively. In addition, the uh the statement that they would step up to the plate um indicated that they understood
that again two counties had voted yes, the ones with the smallest share, smaller share, and we had voted no uh unanimously, not any consensus. And then
we had another count. I asked if if St. Lucy had put this on the agenda or had approved it and they said no. Ironically, this all started in St. Lucy being the manager of the office.
Correct. And if that's the case, I found it ironic that how this was moving about when navigating. So we had a second meeting and we met and it it appeared
that it was just a formality just to identify the baseline number that it's either I get paid or I leave. That's what I got out of it. And I I I felt a little awkward about it and I said I
can't we can't commit. We have to have the it's a board decision. And I reminded everyone that our board unanimously rejected the first request. Is that accurate? Yes. And it
is. And I just would add if you recall in that meeting, you know, Dr. Aronica indicated her preference was $475,000, but she would accept $460,000. Then the other thing I would add is Okachobee and Martin unanimously
approved their salaries at the overall package at 494 495,000. That's why I think their administrators and the uh the commission member felt it was that they would be okay with going to sell that they would cover the difference
because they don't want to lose Dr. Veronica. And once again, I thought it was ironic that I I heard from one of the other jurisdictions that I don't know how we're going to do it. And then it's the same jurisdiction that said, "We'll step
up to the plate and we'll we'll make up the difference if any river can't." And I said, "You may very well be doing that." I don't know. Five county commissioners. And again, the the medical examiner works for all four
counties. I don't believe that we're uh we could talk about accreditation. We could talk about uh putting the medical examiner into a brand new facility that uh again after all the change orders, I'm sure we'll be hitting the $30
million mark. Uh we I believe it's a state state of the art uh location. The doc is because we don't have a uh uh x-ray scanner and cc scan. But uh I I'm
sure that uh that can that accommodation could be arranged at the uh larger medical facility down the road uh for the few cases that are there. I I just don't don't see the the taxpayer
being so burdened with um this uh high value. Mr. Chair, I appreciate your comments, Mr. Chair. I wasn't at the meeting that you spoke of that you and the administrator went. Uh for the public,
let's understand that um in February 24th of this year, we received a letter, albeit few weeks later, and in that document, the county administrator of St. Lucy County mentioned that Dr. Veronica's office performed over 900
autopsies. So, from the jump, the numbers were a bit uh a bit wrong. In fact, uh they performed over under uh just over 600 versus over 900. It should be noted to this board that uh when this
discussion started with the alarming half a million $495 $495,000 per year, the jump from $367,000. In addition to that, their fiscal year, friends, is 101 through 9:30, the same as ours. In that
document, Dr. Veronica uh not only wanted to go to 495, but wanted it immediately and wanted a a midyear change in her salary, which is very ironic in the government business when
you have somebody uh that in fact wants a pay raise in the middle of the year. Typically, it's a cola or an anniversary date. So, you can't have it both ways in my opinion. Uh as the chair mentioned, she was hired at 320. Uh we
sat collectively, we sat on that body to select her in 2020. Going forward, uh the document before us today talks about the 460. Now friend, she's at 367 now. She submitted
her budget uh on 31 of 495,000 before this debate started. Uh the document is written kind of in a persu persuasive fashion about well we might not have the opportunity to have somebody as talented
as her. Uh let's remember that we've committed collectively over $25 million for a brand new facility for the medical examiner's office. And also keep in mind which is very heavy uh the medical examiner is part of the Florida retirement system. Uh that is not lost
on me. That's an additional $100,000 that collectively goes into her salary for her pension ultimately. And also keep in mind that uh we speculate that it would be hard to fill. Uh I don't
know if folks have recognized, but professionals are coming to Florida. No state no state income tax and potentially no property taxes. Who knows how that's going to go. Uh but to go from 367 uh your initial ask is is
495 is really uh very shocking. I think the other commissioners by virtue of our last meeting recognized that was shocking. Uh and then now after some type of meeting we've we've horse traded to 460. Uh I mentioned this to the administrator
yesterday uh and I'll continue to stand firm. um that I'm a know at 460. Thank you, chair. Mr. Chairman, um can you or the administrator tell me what was St. Lucy
County's have they vote? Have they has it gone to their board yet? Have they What did What did they say in the a after uh this board voted no? they held off and uh that's when I think that week later that week uh the St. Lucy uh
county administrator reached out to myself I think to the chair about having a joint meeting four county meeting that was part of the discussion that after the vote to deny here the 495 was the four counties get together and never
materialized and so then they took the lead on bringing the counties together. So that's so that's how we had that meeting. Okay. So there there at this point all the bodies if we were unwilling to fund the share that the other the other three
counties would pick up the difference. Is that in concrete that was they that's something that they and two of them had their elected official representative there. Uh I mean and I will say the one the one you know commissioner Burrows
with Okchobee County did say he's like that's not our preference. It's preference that we are mutual partners on this but uh they believe you know firmly that we need to do what we need to do to retain Dr. Aronica. So Mr. chairman. Would that be
correct? That is that is that Well, again, this is uh Commissioner Burroughs did make that comment. Uh but once again, I remind us all that that's one commissioner uh
representing the commission. I don't know when it goes back to the board. Uh just the same way as the great anticipation that this would fly right through. um the way it was presented to us and it was a unanimous no. I don't know what the other I don't
think any of us can predict the point I'm trying to make is but he did make a comment that he would make up the difference. Right. You have said that Martin and Okachobee have already voted and uh they're they're willing to to do
this. Well, Commissioner Burroughs was there at the same time when I did the building. Okachobee, I've told you all this before. Okachobee was against it. They were like, you know, how are we going to pay for this this facility that they desperately need? And we all agreed
that they needed it facility and um they they've ended up coming through and they're doing their share on that. Martin County's uh been the same way. um measures that I've talked to felt the
same. I I wasn't willing to give her 495. I I thought that was ridiculous. It seems that consensus has been is 460 by our fellow counties. Um yeah, I'm not, you
know, I'm not crazy about that, but our fellow counties are willing to do it. the medical the uh state attorney, the public defender have rated her highly and they wanted to keep us keep her. You know, I don't like the way any
of this went down, but in the end, we still got to have a medical examiner to process our cases to help what you two know as law enforcement officers better than I do. It may your law medical examiner can ruin or make your case
solid for a jury to for prosecution. I mean, so those are all very important asset aspects of it and she's is very good at her job. Do I like how this went down? How it was brought forward to us from the beginning? No. Do I like the
fact that she wanted over a $100,000 increase initially? No. But when I look at what our other counties say and what we need to do to keep a good medical director, I would support this 460 because commissioners, I am not going to
be that county that's unwilling to fund the share of the salary increases the other counties would fund the difference among themselves. I am not willing to be in River County because we haven't made a good case of taxpayer money. I think
somebody was smart enough they can say, "Well, we're saving taxpayer money because we got a good medical examiner that's willing to do it now for 460." Even though the this was skewed how this all happened, but if we're saving money, if we're prosecuting cases more
efficiently and we're moving we're moving stuff through the system. We've got a medical examiner that's doing their job and give us the information we need. I am not going to let any river county be that county that needs other counties to fund for us just because we don't agree with what they say. We have
an interlocal agreement we need to abide by and the other counties are willing to do. We had to we need to go along with it whether we like it or not. You said you're uncomfortable with a $100,000 increase. This is 93,000.
should be there's two other is my math wrong our share would be like 120,000 a year is that it was originally 128,000 in salary a year and now it's down to $92,000 increase if it's that would be that's that's our that's our yearly
thing I I just think the the positives outweigh the negatives I know we don't like how it happened how it went down but I'm not going to let any river county be that county that has to uh
we're not we're going to do this. Y'all y'all fund the rest of it. I'm not going to be that guy. Or you could be the county that's more fiscally responsible. Okay. Well, I think that um my issue with this from the beginning was the way it was handled and it was presented. I
didn't feel like Indian River County had a seat at the table or was able to be part of the conversation. So, I do appreciate um the four counties getting together and having a more robust conversation amongst ourselves as
members of that ILA to discuss our concerns and where we are and have a better understanding of that. Um, I spoke to Commissioner Burroughs and I spoke to Commissioner Lowry about their perspective on the medical
examiner. And I think that, you know, it's an it's important that we are a unit as a Treasure Coast. If we're going to be part of an ILA, we need to be part of that ILA. I think the 460 is,
you know, maybe it will go up, but I think she is on notice that it's not going to go up just because you ask for it. There is a process in place and this demonstrates that process moving forward. So, I don't really see the point in continuing to um kind of rip
this one into little pieces. I think we are we have agreed in the past to the 23.8%. that's what we should agree to in the future or what or whatever the different or whatever our proportionate share is. That's what we signed up for with the ILA. This was a discussion that
was had by all four counties. There was consensus amongst the four counties. Whether there was unanimous consensus, there was a general consensus that the majority were okay with that. Having talked to um two of those, I'm
comfortable with the direction of the group as a whole and I would be happy to move approval of option number one, which would be to agree to the annual salary and fully fund our share. Second. We have a motion and a second.
Any further discussion? Yes. Um yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, backing up a minute, uh, frankly I thought that the price of the new facility itself was exorbitant, but at the time um, everybody was waxing poetic about it
that it was it was very necessary um, to spend that amount of money on it. So, you know, it went through at that time. That being said, since we've already committed to this exorbitant sum for the new facility, um I don't see
short changing staff um in any way, shape, or form. My understanding is there are no complaints uh with the way um she has been handling this situation. Her service has always been um you know,
respectable, admirable um if I understand it correctly. So, um, while I didn't, um, didn't appreciate the exorbitant cost of the facility and certainly am
not particularly happy about the a, uh, a salary increase, it is beyond uh, well, it's beyond any increase I ever got, but, you know, that's neither here nor there. But that, you know, that being said, um I'm I'm willing to
support it um as I supported uh the facility. Thank you, sir. Interesting. Everybody's um concerned that it's a high value. Everyone's concerned is what I'm hearing is that it's a lot of money.
Uh, we have sticker shock, but all right, let's do it. We We work for the taxpayers and this expense is going to be a reoccurring expense. It's actually
going to increase annually and this thing will go. We will have probably the highest paid medical examiner in the nation. That's where we're going. We are traveling a course right now. This is a
big jump and we're going to continue that process. all the fear factor of well what it's going to cost us to find somebody else or the next person the next doctor is going to be looking at
what was asked and say I want that too well that's a fear of negotiation that's not what it's about um again from the onset as uh it was pointed
out. This started all wrong. Again, we didn't do a salary study. The individual counties were compelled to do not a salary study. They
used the old telephone and did a call around and they compared to other jurisdictions. other jurisdictions like Broward little busier. I don't know if anybody's seen the case load there. Um,
a little different and the makeup that we have, we have a team of of doctors there. Uh, you have three practitioners that are conducting the work. So not all the work
is attributed although the medical examiner says that stated that she oversees all cases. I understand that but the numbers of the cases were not what was originally purported. There is a huge
difference in the number of cases the case load that's being addressed in the four counties. Regardless of that uh I see where it's going. Um, I I'll say I'm uh I'm disappointed that we're we're
looking at this as well, what are we going to do? We can't lose this individual. Well, I would say just think about it. What individual from
constitutional to all the employees that we recognize, which one of them got a 23% increase? Anybody? You mentioned that you didn't get a 23% increase. I don't even know
what that is. That's That's No, but I'm not a doctor either, so we'll have to take it all into account, I suppose. Right. And uh thoracic surgeons and
neurosurgeons don't come up to that number either. And they're living with people with a future. Um I I I just think it's a lot of money. It's a lot of money and we're facing a lot of
other challenges and we we go through negotiations and we never come up with anything like that number. This was a an obverse negotiation and uh a price match
and I'm sorry uh she's a fine professional but uh as we got her we can there there are others and uh again we we were part of the selection
process. Um, there were others and as was pointed out, who wouldn't want to come here, especially with that state-of-the-art facility coming out? But I want
to care about us taxpayer. Mr. Chair, can you add another comment? Yes, sir. Thank you, Chair. If I could just add that I see obviously the direction we're going. Yeah. Please know that there's two competent assistant medical directors that currently work
for us for her or for us. Uh and as a matter of clarification for the administrator, does this include the midfiscal year pay adjustment for her and what would that rate of pay be?
the retro her specific uh budget request. She did note before the four county committee of staff that that number would go down that was originally presented. So we all anticipate that obviously whatever is accepted will be
replaced and that we'll receive an amended budget from the medical examiner. So the in terms of this fiscal year the as I noted earlier for the remaining between June 1st now the additional salary only is 7,87,822
our part our part so to answer my question sir they she is getting a midyear pay raise unlike anyone else any other employees well what I will tell you even if you look at our compensation classification study
and just basic uh they will most firms in the HR field will tell you if you have difficult to fill or difficult to retain positions is that you know and we've done it too to retain somebody maybe not to the extent of this amount
but we certainly have you know when somebody was going to leave and they're valued that we we we try to keep them. Okay. Thank you Mr. Chair. Okay. Anything further? All in favor? I
opposed. I motion carries. Three to two. Vice you. Okay. There. We don't need a medical examiner. be a big expense with uh vice chairman
Laura and myself dissenting it's being requested to take a You want to do it? Oh, we're going to do utilities. We got him queued up. The meeting will now be called back to order. Thank you all for your cooperation. And the next item will be
from utility services. The department of utility services integrated water master plan update to Indie River County Board of County Commissioners. And we have none other Sean. Good morning, commissioners. Sean Leky, director of Department of Utility Services. Um,
happy to be here. Um, if you recall back in September of last year, um, when we actually got approval to to bring this item forward, there was an agreement that we would bring routine updates to the commission on kind of where the project is and how things are proceeding. And I think we had agreed at
the time that we would wait a little bit, a few months to kind of get things geared up, kicked off and moving before we started doing that. And so, here we are. It's about six to eight months later. Uh, so we're going to kind of come today with a with an update. Um, and I've got a couple of of the of consultants with me today. Carly
Felenamp um, and Chance Lauderdale are with me today and they'll be doing the majority of the presentation, but we wanted to kick this off. We'll be doing this kind of on a quarterly basis as you all had requested. So, we just wanted to take a little bit of time. We'll kind of not take up too much your time this morning, but wanted to give you kind of
a general update. So, as I just did, we're going to kind of go through an introduction. Uh we're going to go kind of through our Department of Utility Services goals and objectives and what we are trying to get out of this project. Um we're going to talk about the master planning methodology and pro progress. Um and and um HDR is going to
be leading that discussion. Um kind of talk about the use of contingency funds and that was something if you recall back when we got approval there was a large sum of contingency within that. Um and as we go through that if there are needs to to use that contingency we'll certainly be bringing that to the
commission. Um and then we'll conclude with any questions um that you might have. But but why are we here and and what was the impetus behind the integrated water master plan? You know, we are experiencing a a large population growth um within the county and whether
that continues or not, we we are anticipating that we will continue to grow as a county. We're getting pressure from both the north and the south. Um so, you know, that was one of the ideas that we were looking at. Um there's just constant regulatory change right at the national level. Um at the state level,
we see this this this dynamic kind of changing regulatory environment. Um there's now legislation oftentimes that comes out about requiring certain things to be done. And so we're seeing kind of a change in and in in how legislation and regulation comes about. And so we have to be able to react and understand
that. U we do have aging infrastructure. While we are relatively a young utility um based off when when we incorporated uh we still do have aging infrastructure and we have to manage both the new infrastructure that's coming in as well as the aging infrastructure that's that's um been in the ground for a
while. Um and resource uncertainty, you know, how are we how are we funded? Where are we getting resources? Um right now there appears to be a lot of grants available for certain projects. Um but we also aware that some of those grant funding opportunities may be drying up and and going away. So we need to
understand how how all that plays together. And so really it's it's this kind of um dynamic kind of bringing together of all these and understanding kind of how our utility is going to adapt and move forward um within a changing environment. And really one of the things coming out of this that's
real key and and we'll talk about this in the end is not just having a a document that sits on the shelf. A lot of times in in you know years past when we did master planning efforts it was a document we got complete complete with that project and we had a document that
said here's where you're going to go and a year or two later that document is outdated. And so one of the things that we've been working with HDR on that's real critical coming out of this is what we consider a dynamic system. so that as things change, as as we get different um inputs into that, we are able to adapt
that plan and adjust it and move it and and so it's a 20-year plan. We're looking out 20 years in this plan. We know that in 20 years things are going to change and so we want to be able to have a plan that can adapt to to those changes. So with that, I'm going to turn it over to Carly and she's gonna take it
from here. Thank you, Sean. Good morning, everyone. Um I'm Carly Fenamp with HDR Engineering. It's great to be here. Um, so looking up here, we've got our key project tasks. Uh, we'll you we'll show in a second the framework that we built this scope on, but this is a onewater integrated master plan. Um,
and so starting with this orange build the vision and going clockwise around. Um, we start off by lots lots of conversations with the utility on what they want to get out of this master planning effort and we've established that vision already. So that piece of the scope has been complete after this
first six months. We're currently in this evaluating existing system piece. This is the bulk a lot of the work that we do to understand where the needs are um from all different angles. And this is for drinking water, wastewater, and reuse. So there are three systems that we're really trying to understand. Look
at your data, look at your assets. Um we have this discrete task here for engaging community stakeholders, but that's part of our process throughout. So we want to be getting meaningful input from stakeholders in the community to help inform our decisions. Uh from there we'll move into al evaluating
alternative solutions. So this is where we actually look into um how do we meet the needs that we've assessed in our evaluation of your existing systems. Then we break this out into projects and put those projects on a schedule. And then finally we put the plan together um
implement it and then we have metrics in place to measure the success over time uh beyond just the the master plan effort but moving forward. Again, like Sean said, we've got a prioritized plan. We want to make sure it's affordable as well. So, we spend some time looking into the details of the finances, but
adaptable is a really, really big and forward thinking piece of this master plan. We want this to be a tool uh that can be updated as things change. Uh in this visioning effort that we've done, we've identified eight key goals. We won't go in detail over all of
these, but we of course want to understand uh what's the future demand for service and um where are those demands going to be in your system. We want to have a good asset management program. So, we want to have good databacked understanding of your county's assets to help do um
preventative and um proactive maintenance and management. Want to divine le define level of service metrics. So, we want to be able to measure the utility's performance over time. create that capital improvement plan. Goal four, prioritize those investments. Goal goals
five and six go hand inand, but this is where we look for stakeholder and community input and partnership into the future. Goal seven, measuring the financial impact and looking at ways to offset that impact for your rateayers, your utility in general. And then we also want to support the utility staff
and give opportunities for growth and development. This is the onewater master plan framework. We've got, you can see this is also that wheel and it's very similar to our actual project scope. Um, so we've initiated the one water planning. We want to be considering
partnerships, policies, and practices. Um, and this is all part of a water research foundation effort 5175 that we're basing this scope on. Um, so this is meant to be standardized and um, best practice for utilities moving into the
future. Uh, we are currently here. So we have built the vision throughout this process. We also want to realize one water benefit. So we're looking at quantity. So we want to make sure we're providing enough service, quality, are we we want to make sure we're providing good service, equity, serving all
customers equally, and then resiliency, making sure that we are planning for the future in the way that we provide service. So we're currently here where that big star is evaluating your existing system processes. Here we've got condition assessment. We're looking at the performance of your plants. We're
updating the hydraulic models for all of your systems, which are really important planning tools. Uh we're looking at your asset risk and the criticality of your assets. And then de developing level of service goals. Uh moving through, we'll be doing capacity assurance planning and
then we'll be doing decision making through a multiriteria decision analysis as we look into largecale improvements over the 20-year horizon. develop that 20-year CIP and look into the how how it's going to be funded. What's going to be the financial
impact? And then throughout the process, we've got stakeholder and community engagement. So, what have we done so far? Just an update on our progress after the first six months. Again, we've completed our visioning. So, we put that together, documented it in a TM. Uh we've done regulatory reviews for
drinking water, wastewater, and reuse. We've developed full inventories of all of the county's assets at your drinking water plants, pump stations, and lift stations. We've started planning level of service goals. So, this is something that we revisit throughout the process. What we want to have uh statements that
tell what how the quality of service that we want to provide over time and then set out metrics uh quantitative metrics to to measure how we're performing against those goals. We've started modeling existing conditions at your wastewater plants. I know some of this print is very small,
but you don't really need to read it. Just uh wanted to show you what we've been working on so far. We started modeling uh calibration for your hydraulic models. So, this is all 420 of the county's lift stations uh sorted into basins for flow monitoring
planning. And then started looking at pipeline risk assessment. We've also identified potential stakeholders, people we feel like will provide really important input as we develop this plan and move into decision- making and implementation. And we've also published a website landing
page. Um won't click on this link, but this is live. So you can visit this link. Uh we've got an update, some information on what the master plan is, what are the goals, what are our driving values, and then we've also got a form where customers can provide feedback already. So that goes to an email inbox
and we can start to to get feedback from the public. What are we currently working on? So we're finishing up condition assessment at plants and pump stations, updating and calibrating the hydraulic models. Uh finishing up demand and flow projections and making sure that those
we're looking spatially where is growth planning to happen and not just how much risk assessment of all your assets. Uh performance assessment framework for your drinking water plants. So how are your plants performing? And then we're also planning for stakeholder outreach and
engagement project timeline. So this is our overall project timeline. We'll focus on where we are now, which is spring 2025. Um we've collected those asset inventories. Uh we've uh started our pipeline risk assessment. U we've started planning for
stakeholder engagement and then we are presenting to you today for our six-month update. Um, moving into the summer, we'll finish up assessing infrastructure condition. We've gotten the bulk of that completed already. We'll continue to review and calibrate your hydraulic models. We'll develop C
CIP alternatives. So, we'll start those discussions on large scale improvements and do those multiriteria decision analyses, develop outreach materials, start talking to stakeholders, and then identify potential partners. And we don't have a slide for this, but
I will just say that to date we have not tapped into the contingency. So future updates will report back to you on how we've tapped into that 30% contingency, but as of yet we don't we haven't tapped into any. So thank you. Any questions? Any questions?
Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the update. You need anything from us, Sean? Simple. Thank you. All right, we'll move right along to the
next item. I see uh counselor is uh approaching the podium and just get the place here. I think it's one of our very last items. It's the uh from the county attorney's office.
It's item 14A1, which is St. Lucy County Housing Finance Authority Area of Operations Authority Resolution. Good morning. Morning. Good morning. We are here today asking for the board to approve an area of operation resolution which would allow the St. Lucy County
Housing Authority to issue a bond for the Orchard Orchard Grove Apartment Complex, which is an affordable housing complex. As we've talked about previously, this doesn't put the board or the county on the hook for any money. It just allows St. Lucy County Housing Authority to fund a project through a bond and then it gets paid back by the
revenue that isn't titled to from the company. A representative of the company is here. Oh, over there. Sorry, I missed him. He is here. If you have any questions for him, but they after this process, it has to go to St. Lucy County Housing Authority. they will approve or disapprove. Hoping they approve it and it seems like it's all set up and then
we'd have another hearing. We have a ter hearing after that to finalize everything so they can get the project moving. I think we've done this in the past. We have. So I'm happy to see something moving forward with affordable housing. So I'll be happy to move approval.
Second. Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Adams by myself. Any further discussion? And if I can just tap into that in the past, the last time we did it was in 2021 with the Escambia County Housing Authority. So yeah, folks had quite quite a question when we
were dealing with Escambia County, which was this is a little closer. Yeah, we we brought it a little closer to home. Yeah. And the new stat the statute updated. So we need to use people they need to be in our own district and so it makes it make more sense for everybody. So they have mechanism. Yes, sir. Easily
applied. Thank you. I don't know. I'll be honest with you. I don't know a lot about this, but would it do we need to look at forming our own housing authority or Commissioner Adams might know at some point in time or is there a risk or is there is it not a
good idea good idea? I have no idea. So the the county does have a housing authority. Uh the way they're created back in the day is the the county basically adopts a resolution but the housing authorities actually it's an independent of this board. So there is a
housing authority and they manage the two pro the two uh projects. I can't think of the name of them right now but there two multi u I don't want section 8 but housing choice voucher program projects right now. Yeah. And they have their own board and
executive director and all sorts of carry their own bond and yes and commitment and meetings. Thank you. Is there a vote yet? No, sorry. All in favor? Opposed?
Motion carried unanimously. Thank you. Sign of great work. Thank you, counselor. Well, next item is uh under commissioner matters. Uh I noticed that I put something there on uh food trucks. Let's talk food
trucks. You know, uh I I know we all got calls. I know that there's uh a oneoff on one individual truck that did get some attention. a a truck that had been in a parking lot
for over six months and it got flagged and it was actually flagged because of a flag and then the business got flagged and was told to
cease and a notice was given and it was given. So now that truck is not operating in that capacity. It had to find others. And how it found other locations
is through a series of navigating through our ordinances as well. And I attached them here as backup. Um because quite frankly uh the the first ordinance uh that's
cited is the general odds 90103. Actually food trucks are not addressed in there but would conform to that ordinance because they would be considered an accessory
use. And then we can go on to another ordinance which again um there's there was attention brought to the fact that there's a blue store and an orange store uh location for home
improvement that has a vend food vending. Uh I don't think either of them have food vending today but they have an allowance. They are permitted because it's part of their plan development. And
nationally, those two companies do that so that there is a place for food and relief as none of their rest of their inventory has anything to do with food and there is a need. Uh and
it it's designed our ordinance accepts that if it's included in their plan development. Now we have the uh transient um market uh allowance. In other words, uh we can have
uh local we can have fish or local um farm-raised fruit and located on a a property that's donated that's designated as commercial or industrial. Um there are some
inclusions that uh make it a little easier to navigate. If one chooses to do so, they can uh be part of a function, a festival. Uh we we we see
them popping up. We've had our own with employee appreciation. We have a few trucks nearby. uh and there is uh a lot they can also work there's an agreement they can work
in other areas but it is limited um it does allow for mo mobile prepared food catering uh to employees and employment uh sites so patron patrons um can be
permitted uh at special events so in essence Since the if you look at the three ordinances that uh were actually designed uh for other purposes but to include kind of the
limitation of food trucks and I'm not looking to change drastically what we have here in Indie River County but if you look at other jurisdictions
some have lines of trucks. That's not what anybody's looking for. And the state said, "We can't compare a food truck with a stick and brick restaurant." And quite frankly, uh I I could support that because well, we have
no choice, but I could support that because what's happening out of a truck doesn't happen in a restaurant. It's a whole different world. Um there's there's other comparisons we could make, but I think you get the the picture that
a food truck is its own entity. It's a manner that many of us admire. We go to festivals or we have functions or we we go to a food truck and again a food truck is not granddaddy's food truck
that had just hot dogs and sausage. These food trucks are providing some very advanced culinary experiences uh at a reasonable price in today's market. It's very difficult to find a
reasonable affordable meal at lunchtime. And these very food trucks do provide that opportunity. It's also an experience. I'm not suggesting that we again have an abundance of food trucks, but I believe
uh we we can look at the ordinance for an allowance so that vehicles could operate uh in uh parking lots with the other mandates, properly parked, close
proximity to a wash station, uh a comfort station, uh that they could uh again be compared to the the the PD uh allowance so that we could see some of
this experience. It's great for commerce ability. It's great for the community. Um uh and once again uh there are opportunities now uh there is uh an RFI
uh that is in demand star uh which again if if you're a food truck operator and you take the time to navigate through our process you can find that you can there is a permit fee which I I
don't think we can charge a permit fee for uh at this time for an opportunity to work uh your food truck at any of our beach sites, the the county range, the the pool. There is a lot of
need and demand for this. However, when you look at our ordinances, it prevents that from happening. The other allowance that we have is when we have a construction site, that allowance for uh
servicing employees and employment on on a site. You can have uh I know they used to call it the old roach coach, but it's actually a rolling restaurant that stops by at a site and all of the workers, the construction workers and employees can
eat and and have a a warm, healthy meal and then go back to work. Uh it's a great service. Uh again, that opportunity is still available, but I'd like to see if there's any interest in
broadening this so we we could have a uh a more uniform, acceptable uh ordinance that provides for the safe, clean operation to service our community
for uh food vending. Mr. Mr. Chair, I asked uh administrator yesterday and we had a detailed discussion about uh this topic and one question that I had was not
for one uh social media post that as we know in 2025 can can get traction and a lot of comments about this and that. So my one of my first questions to the administrator was how many
complaints that we've had in recent years over food trucks. Mr. Administrator, so I reached out to code enforcement to verify and one of the things um that came back to me is that they were not
able to find any code cases whether it be citations or notice of violations for food trucks. I asked for three to five years worth. So, and that's what it's so this appears to be an episodic single incident, you know, type of situation.
So, Mr. Chair, we what we have is a situation and and I I wish I could show the public, but we've probably got no less than 40 pages here and I and I understand what you're saying with respect to how to navigate it. Uh and then we have uh the state's preeemption
on certain things that uh I spoke to our general counsel about and and she could certainly elaborate on that. But I think what your desire is is that uh we have three different ordinances now somehow
get these cleaned up and have essentially a model policy if you will or a model ordinance and and something that you know if I want to get into the food truck business I come to the county and I'd get you know a white paper saying these are the dos and these are
the don'ts and I think that would clarify albeit it would take staff some time, but I think that would clarify and limit all of the comments that are floating around with respect.
And I and I think as administrator mentioned, I I I do think currently we are a uh food truck friendly community. Um, I don't think we have any uh any major opposition to not being a food truck
friendly community, but I do agree with you, sir, in that uh there seems to be uh a lot of bureaucracy on when you pay, what do you pay, where can you be, and I do think that we could have this deduced
down to, you know, something very simple and and I think that would go a long long ways. that I think that we could easily uh with the staff of of uh Director Balter and others have a model policy or a model ordinance.
Well, I I appreciate that. Uh just a a a comment. Uh I could start with food truck friendly. Um I I don't uh I don't deal in the social media content and
start navigating uh policy and response. I mean it's awareness is there but all that was taking place on on social media u I I agree it it sounded like a lot a lot of
noise uh but in essence it's actually not and people are expressing their their feelings um when you look at uh the audiences when I I I attached them all uh as
backup so you have an opportunity to see them the first one, nothing has to be changed. The second one, uh, again, that's the allowance for the PD. And I I I just think
that as we've traveled the cost of food truck popularity and acceptance, we still had the the same old regulation of we really don't take too kindly to food trucks. So I I
disagree about the food truck friendly. Uh if you look at what was stated for we're a f food food truck friendly environment. Um if that was the case, why are we seeing now an awareness where
we have to apply a notice of violation? And that is one where a a vehicle was parked it well hidden on US1 on a parcel of property that all of us pass well
concealed. Uh so it took 6 months to find it, but it was parked inside of a parking lot, but it didn't fit. So we must have quit, right? No. No. We have to find them. We have to tell them they can't work there.
Uh, I I just think that we we might say we're food truck friendly, it maybe feel good, but in all actuality, we're not. We need to tune it up. If if we want to say we're food truck friendly and maybe
more food trucks will step up to the plate and service places like the range and like the the pool sites and the beach accesses and take that business into consideration too if we can allow
them to be properly parked inside of parking lots. I I just want you to note that um the after I submitted this, I drove down uh US1 and much to my surprise, well, not
my surprise, I saw six food trucks in parking lots. Why didn't they get NOVs? Why did we just get one? So, it's not that if you look at the record, how many complaints we've had,
it's how many have we applied. In other words, maybe we were being friendly, but we're not friendly because we now have cited one. Um I I hope there's not more to come. Uh communities uh have embraced
the food trucks. Basically, um the the argument was, well, you know, it's a cash business. This is how most people pay at food trucks with a card. So, it's all on record, documented, and they're
taxpaying individuals that are providing a service in our community. I meant food truck friendly and context of the citations or whatnot. And please keep in mind, Mr. Chair, we have to find the balance. Yes. of our hardworking code
enforcement officers that are doing their jobs. Uh, in other words, they're doing their jobs and then they're finding out later that somewhere somehow the administration is not fond of them doing
their job. So, we have to find that balance. And that's why I think I agree with that. I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr. Adams. No, I agree with that. I was just going to say that um my understanding of this particular situation is that the it's a
mobile food vendor and that the vendor wasn't being mobile and that is what resulted in the citation. Um and yeah, you you see them all up and down and they're but they're mobile. They move. Even the city of
Sebastian's ordinance um requires them food trucks to move from a business I think every two or three days. Every three days. So um otherwise they become permanent vendors and then that's a
whole different process. For instance, the city of Felsmere, we probably have the most food trucks per capita. And it's great because I can eat my way through tacos all weekend at different locations. But um they have a process
where a food a mobile food vendor can become permanent. And what that takes into account, and the reason that mobile food vendors are typically um mobile is because you have to have a place
to pump out your waste, whether that's your waste water, grease, all that kind of stuff. So, you're required to go to a commercially licensed facility, whether that's an RV pumpout station, a truck
stop, or have some kind of agreement that's licensed with a the property owner. Say if you were um at like a fraternal organization or something like that, there's different rules that I think in that case it's the health department. But all these things are um
it is I do agree it can be very confusing because FDAX or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services they license food trucks that are only doing pre-prepared food. So like packaged food whereas DBPR license
food trucks that are cooking on that truck. And then all mobile food vendors also have to be associated with a commissary or a um commercially inspected kitchen of some
sort in order to do their prep food, prep food, all those types of things if they're not able to do it within their vendor unit and also to store their extra supplies. So for instance, there is a commissary in St. Lucy County. One
of the reasons they put in the Sunshine Kitchen was to perform or serve that for the community. So, um I know that, you know, some mobile food vendors have agreements with restaurants that are commercially inspected to come in and kind of store their stuff or do prep in
the off hours. But that's why they're considered to be mobile because they have to go somewhere else to complete their their business from a health and safety standpoint. So, and I think you know I was looking
through some of my emails and and going back so it's been about five years to 2020. There was a um a food truck actually um that received a notice. It wasn't um it
didn't get to the violation stage because as you guys know with code enforcement, you get 30 days to to resolve the situation. And most times those code enforcement complaints are or notices are even extended beyond that if
you are working on resolving it but you don't have enough time for instance a permitting issue or something like that. So you don't get a violation and then boom you get a you get a fine. You get a violation that puts you on notice. you have time to resolve that and if you
just do absolutely nothing about it, you end up going to a code enforcement hearing and at that hearing the code board decides whether you get a violation or a fine or whatever. So, just to clarify that, but in this instance in 2020, there was a food truck
that was parked on Gator Building Supply up in the Sebastian area. And um that is exactly what the u in this case it was Roland
Deloy and Phil Matson. Um, and again, the issue there was that the food truck was not mobile. It was just parked for an extended period of time. And when that happens, it calls into question um some of those
discharges and what's happening there. So, I'm sure that's from a health and safety perspective why it raised to that point. If you guys want to have staff put together like a pamphlet, anformational pamphlet of these are the rules and regulations, I don't have a problem with
that. Um, but I do think that, you know, there's to say that the county isn't mobile food vendor friendly, I I don't think is accurate. I think there was a lot of misinformation put out there. Um, and that's because there's so many different statutes that govern it. I get
it. And then then each municipality has different rules. Sebastian is different from Felsmere which is probably different from Vureau and then the county is different you know from all of them. So it can be a patchwork but we could certainly put anformational thing together but I don't see the need because even back then you know if it is
ancillary to the business if it was at a farmers market um and I think even somewhere and I think you spoke about it um uh you know ones that were like very mobile in nature going to job sites and this and that be there for lunch and and
moving on. So those are my 17 cents on that. Those are those pre-prepared. Well, when you Yeah, pre-prepared foods. Uh, but you said that they have to be hooked up to a commissary. That's not necessarily true. Um some trucks
are inspected and uh verified that they are the commissary if they can prepare everything within as far as refrigeration and not sure and that was the situation with this particular case
that they were and they were told to cease. So how did they discharge their waste water again? They have to account for that. So I I you know, they don't have to be hooked up to a hose to a building. Uh
they have containment uh containers as you see it all when we have the firefighters fair and all those food vendors there the concessions they all have self-containment and they have these long gondilas that attach
underneath the the vehicle and when they're full they have to be emptied and discharged in the appropriate fashion per the health code violation health code uh asurances. Um, you know,
I you know, I just wanted to ask something there and I I see that community development director is here and I I'm going to ask him something about a food truck. If a food truck were
to go to a a parking lot and be properly parked, not obstructing traffic with the owner's permission, the property owner's pos permission. Can they do that?
If they're selling to the actual employees of said business for lunchtime hours or meal hours, yes. If they're selling to the general public as a food truck, uh, no. The only areas that we allow for food trucks are there's certain areas that we allow, which is in
the planned developments, which are specific zoning districts that allow for it. Uh, we allow them at special events at the county parks and we allow them at the Gford farmers market. Those are the areas that we allow food trucks. And they so they have to file a permit
in order to a request to be able to work. So the I I just wanted to mention that the the food truck that was told can no longer work there or be there because of the flag. Now the vehicle
cannot be there and they were there three days a week. So that would be mobile. That's not considered or two days a week. This is not a Okay. Well, I apologize. You said they were there for six months. So, I assumed you meant they
were there for six months. Six months is a long time to be there. Those types of That's what you had said. So, no, that's again, I'm just going by what what you're saying. If we want to look at the policy, the problem is is code enforcement is enforcing the code as it's written. So if you want to look at
the policy and I think that's what commission was alert alluding to but then we need to have a conversation and give direction but this situation is being resolved through the current code. So how do you want to address future?
When you said resolved um you know I I I see I think I see the operator here. Um it are you working at a location? Excuse me. Chairman, could could you come and just explain that you if are
you working at that location right now? Well, you're here right now, so you can't be working. No, I closed today to come to this uh commissioner's meeting. But are you operating your truck uh at at that site? Ootg. No, I'm only
operating in Sebastian right now where they're far more food truck friendly. Yes, sir. Okay. So, you you've had to find greener pastures because you're prohibited from working in the area that you were
working for 6 months. Yes, chairman. Well, again sound and again that's because our code says that they can't. So, if you want them to be allowed to, that is a code change. We have to change
the current code. So correct because otherwise the public will not have the experience because I guess I'm confused because I live in Sebastian. I go to the guys. I haven't heard that kind of um idea or direction on how you would like like that changed
otherwise it's going to continue to happen. And I you know we can only ask our staff to to enforce the codes that are currently written. If we would like them to look at what Sebastian or Felsmer or other places are doing and bring back suggestions, that's fine, too. But I had
heard that what we would like to do is create anformational pamphlet. So, I guess and I don't see I just want to know what you guys want to do so we can get to No, I don't want to see anformational pamphlet, a guideline
because the guidelines Okay. So, what would you like to see? I think what we need to do is um I would like to hear if we could direct staff to review the opportunities and come back with uh in
other words look at the other jurisdictions to see where it's worked, what works and what doesn't work and bring it back and if we have to make an ordinance change so that it can work so that the nearly 50 trucks that actually
originate in Indie River County that are working in other jurisdictions could work at home here. I didn't mean work at home policy. I meant work. They could work in the community in which they're raising their family. They have their
business and they could be community businesses and we could all benefit from it as opposed to them having to go out to other jurisdictions to have work and deliver their services and goods. Would did you want to say something?
Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Christopher Nun. Uh 709 Jordan Avenue, Sebastian, Florida. Uh I'm here today representing Chris, not the city of Sebastian. Um, I represent a hu whole bunch of con
constitu I can say that today constituents that you represent as well because we all live in the county. We all pay taxes in the county. Um, the specific case you're talking about, I feel he was targeted directly and the reason I say that is I see food trucks at other places besides Home
Depot, Walmart, and all the big box stores that has been named in the letter that the uh, county administrator posted on Facebook. I want to tell you that I've never read a letter that said I'm friendly, that said I'm more unfriendly than that letter. First of all, the letter not only uh had violations
against state law, the statutes, uh it also um went directly against a lawsuit in Fort Pierce of distance from brickandmortar restaurants that said that they wanted to do that here as well. So, there was already case law set about brickandmortar restaurants in in
in case law. There's no reason to go back and fight that one again. City of Fort Pierce lost that lost that bad uh in in that letter. That letter, Mr. Chairman, uh was completely unfriendly. Everything about it. Uh no code enforcement. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Nun or
Coun, you're not council member. I'm Mr. Nun. Yes, ma'am. You're just Mr. Nun. Yes, ma'am. And what letter? You're referring to a letter from the county administrator. Yes, ma'am. That he posted on Facebook. I just wanted to be clear. Yes, ma'am. about what he was up here alluding to and make sure it was
understood apparently that he's not alluding to that as a council member but as a personal resident. 100% I'm a personal resident here today. Okay. Uh speaking in in in behalf of a uh disabled veteran that has a mobile food truck that's been targeted. Um, there
are other mobile food vendors all over this county at places like uh fruit stands and other businesses that are not getting violated and have never got violated. I know a lot of them they are not getting violated. So, uh, as let's talk about OTG for a second. I don't
think he was hidden, Mr. Chairman. I think he's visible from the road two days a week. He's been there two days a week for 6 months. Um, he hasn't been there for a long period of time. Uh, as far as a commissary is concerned, if you're self- sustained, you're not required to have a
commissary. You still have to prove where you're dumping your waste. That is still a requirement by state law. Um, I only thing I'm going to say is I hear you. I I think you should come up with an ordinance that properly represents the state statutes and the needs and
wants of the community. Just be careful that you don't create a county ordinance that violates the state statute in its pure form. you know, saying that you don't want a restaurant on on wheels next to a brick-andmortar restaurant. Well, what about all the detailers out
there in the community that are detailing cars in people's driveways and businesses? Should they not be able to do that because there are car washes and those people should go open a car wash? So, it's kind of a ridiculous sentiment. Yes, it is. So, alls I would ask is as you do look at this and have a workshop
and discuss it, please be friendly to those. You know, these mobile food vendors, while they can't afford to open a restaurant, they're hoping one day, too. I know this mobile food vendor here. He wants to open a restaurant. He does, but unfortunately, we don't all have that kind of capital. Sometimes
they invest their entire life savings to get that food truck started because that's how they can get it started. So, I would just ask that you're friendly to the food truck community. I understand the concern. Honestly, I don't think food trucks are hampering brickandmortar businesses at all. those businesses have
their clientele. They have the people that don't want to sit outside and eat with the mosquitoes. Uh they don't want to go pick something up and take it back to their house. So, I just encourage you to come up with a new ordinance. I encourage you to make sure it's friendly and that it follows state statute. I appreciate your time. Thank you, sir.
Thank you. May I say one thing? the um the ordinance that was uh alluded to in the code violation for this particular instance. It's only um six pages, so it doesn't have to be a daunting uh task to
clarify certain things in here. It's uh section 911.04 and it's application of district regulations. Um there was a second one that had to do with signage, but he was not interested in pursuing signage just in
maintaining a business location um mobile business location. But at any rate, um yeah, I think clarification definitely is in order for this. Um and also one of the things that came out um
when he he came in, Mr. Jones came in to u to discuss the situation and one of the things that came out during that discussion was that it's not clear and I would ask the county's county attorney's office and or the planning department whichever the appropriate party is. It
wasn't clear um how many hours per day it was uh yes it has to be mobile but um code enforcement said well it can it can be there part of the day but there was no when I asked well what's part of the day there was no specific definition for
part of the day so um that's one thing that I you know I would like to see uh clarified thank you I think we can come up with some changes. If somebody wants
to recommend to direct staff to do a little review and understanding of how we can actually achieve that title of food truck friendly.
uh by adhering to all of the the state regulations and creating uh a little difference in the possibly creating a difference in the ordinance so that it's
user friendly for food trucks without creating a community frenzy. I think that we can accomplish that. Um, but we need to direct staff to do
so. And it shouldn't take that long for a little bit of research uh to come up with something that uh food trucks can conform with and operate safely, efficiency
uh to uh deliver a service to the community. Mr. Chair, I I would be happy to move that as I mentioned earlier. Um while being mindful that uh director Balter's team has a lot on their plate
right now. Uh but I do think that would done the right way again clarify this of a model ordinance and consistent with Florida state statute and it would be something that we could all admire in
the future. I move that second. Mr. Chair, if I could Mr. Bolton. Uh, so to do the research, I could probably come back in about a month with all of that research uh and bring it forward with some options for you all to hear out and see on a vote. Uh, after that,
any if we do decide to do any changes, it would have to go to the planning and zoning commission. So, it would be about a two-month process after that. So, it would go to planning and zoning and then back to county commission. So, it'll be about three months and and that's what
we had projected would take place. Uh when not not to say that we we might get a speeding ticket getting this through, but 3 months is is about appropriate with the public notice and any changes that we had to make and the two
hearings. Yes. Okay. I have a question. um is our current because I've heard up here and from the audience that our current ordinance is not it goes against state statute and that's not my understanding.
I will defer to Jennifer on this one. I'm not What is that? I said I will defer to Jennifer on this one. Miss Schuler. Well then Commissioner Flesher said so too. So, my understanding is you have to allow them somewhere, right? Can't zone them out of
existence and we do have allowances for them. So, I I just want to make sure I'm understanding where there's conflict with state statute. I I I don't know exactly uh what that reference is, but I
mean really the preeemption says that we cannot require any license, registration, permit, or fee as a condition to operate a food truck. and we cannot prohibit them from operating in the entirety of the county. Um and and otherwise we can't conflict with the
state law in the sense that the state's got some functions you were describing that they do. We don't need to be doing that also. So that's kind of the the preeemption in a nutshell. I can I can read two sentences and this is this is
uh 2020 2024 Florida statutes 509.102 102 section 2A. I'll just read the two sentences. Um, regulation of mobile food dispensing vehicles and temporary commercial kitchens involving licenses,
registrations, permits, and fees is preempted to the state. So, a lot of it is preempted to the state. And I'll read the last sentence in that paragraph. A municipality, county, or other local governmental entity may not prohibit mobile food dispensing vehicles or
temporary commercial kitchens from operating within the entirety of the entity's jurisdiction. Correct. So I take that in entire we have to allow them somewhere which our current statute does even but we're going to look at
allowing them other places and then we can't charge a permit fee or license and we don't do that currently. Correct. Uh I believe there's a temporary use permit that charges a fee so we'll have to remove that. Okay. So the temporary use
permit so that will need to be included then the temporary use permit. Uh, I just want to make sure we're all on the same page about what we need to be looking at and I want to make sure I understood what our current ordinance was and any conflicts that you guys because you um, Mr. Chair had indicated
that our ordinance did not adhere to state law. So, I just want to make sure I understood. Well, thank you. And yes, and I'll stand by that indication because it is uh we're what we're merely doing is saying that because we have it
at at the the two PD or 3PD areas and we have a special permit, a special use permit that we're not entirely eliminating them, but we shouldn't lavish in that proud moment that it's
not entirely because we're talking about a half of 1% of the allowances that we can provide when you can have other involvement. So yes,
technically in its entirety, yes. Okay, we we do have a couple out there, but yet we have a an RFI uh on uh at Demandstar. I believe there's a fee associated with that. So, are we really
having opportunity? Are we in compliance with the state law? If you find that and then find that there is a cost factor, well, there can't be a cost factor, right? We can't
have a financial arrangement. I believe that we had one at the range uh for years um off and on about three different vendors and I believe there was a financial arrangement on that as well. So,
I I I think we need to clean it up and be in conformance with state law and show more allowances so we can claim a victory lap on food food truck
friendly as opposed to Yeah, we got a couple of those things out there. I I think it it it could be improved. Let's do it. speaker. You wish to speak? Sure.
My name is Stephanie Smith and I am the owner of the OTG liquidation center where all of this um started. And um honestly, the reason I'm more upset is because it's only happening to us. Since this has happened, there's food trucks
all over this county. Um also, the way that I was spoken to by code enforcement, I don't appreciate. Um, we have a good business in this county. We give back to this county constantly. Um, we don't bother anybody. We ask for
nothing in return. I've actually had a food truck in that parking lot for two years. Not the same food truck, right? Several food trucks. I've never had a problem. It's in a spot that there's never been an accident. There's never been a single problem with anything. No
complaints. Matter of fact, um people engaged that our food trucks. Um last week not being open between two of us, we lost $5,000 in revenue. So saying we're going to go three more months without this is a lot of money.
And it's not easy right now for anybody to have a business in this county, it's hard. People aren't spending money. People don't have money. Um, you know, in our business, freight has went up four times. So, just to keep things manageable so people can afford it is
huge. Um, we're basically open to pay the rent and we have 30 employees that we're responsible for. So, every dollar we lose takes away from them and their families. We're blessed. If we close tomorrow, we'll still be able to eat, but 30 people won't and their kids
won't. So, it bothers me because of that. Um, I'm sorry. I'm getting emotional because of that. Also, saying that we get a notice and then 30 days to comply. That's not true. I got a notice with basically a week and a half to
comply from code enforcement. After um Dne called them to ask what the problem was, and the lady who answered the phone said, "Stephanie will find out when she gets her notice in the mail what the problem is." Completely unprofessional.
Um, for one thing, he's not part of OTG. He's his business. So, why is it her business to tell him my business before I even know it? So, I called and I asked her, "Why do you feel it's necessary or appropriate to tell that to somebody
else? Um, it's very unprofessional." She said, "I didn't say that. I don't even um have the authority to say that, but two days later, I got a notice." How ironic, right? Um, and all I've asked I called Brandon
who was the code um, enforcer and I said um, the beginning to to go back a little bit, we had a couple sale flags up. Um, I got a notice. I called Brandon. He said, "Oh, you have to file for a permit." I said, "No problem." Called to file for a permit. I was told you don't
get permits on those. So, I called Brandon. I said, "Hey, I was told I we don't have to get permits on those. Let me talk to my boss. I'm kind of new. I said, "Okay." Calls back and says, "Oh, you can't have them at all." No problem. Took him down while I was on the phone with Brandon. I don't want problems. I
had a hard enough time moving into this building, believe me. Um, so took him down. A month and a half later, I get a call from Brandon. You can't have your food truck anymore. Why? Um, because my boss said
so. I I don't understand that. I I don't get that. because my boss said so. Well, who's your boss? Can I talk to your boss? Never got a phone call from his boss. Um, talked to him again. He said, I said, "Is there something I can do
temporarily? Can I pay a fee? Can I pay a fine? Can I do something to keep this temporarily?" Um, I hadn't even went to Dane yet because I I didn't even know how to go to him with this. Um, I'll pay something if that's what you want to keep the food truck here. It brings us
business. it brings him business. We're all just trying to take care of our families. He said, "Let me talk to my boss. I'll get back to you." Again, still don't know who his boss is. Um calls me back and tells me basically um out of sight, out of mind until we
get this resolved. I said, "Okay." But I'm still working on how to get this resolved. I've called the county commissioners. I'm trying to do what I'm supposed to do as a part of this community, right? Um, next thing I know, I'm getting a citation. So, I call Brandon. He hasn't
answered my calls the past four calls, even though it says on here to call Brandon. Finally, I call him from a different phone number. And he answered. Um, and he said, "You're going to have to start talking to Patrick." And I said, "I don't know who Patrick is, but
why do I have to talk to Patrick?" And you told me on our last conversation that out of sight, out of mind. He said, "Well, I came there and it wasn't out of sight." And I said, "Well, considering you know where the truck's parked, it's never going to be out of sight for you." Um, I'm not trying to be funny in saying
that. It's just the truth. And then he said, "Well, you know, since you caused all this problem on social media, now this is the next step." So now I feel like this is retaliation and this is personal. And for one thing, I didn't
cause anything on social media. Um, did I repost things that I felt were appropriate? Yes. Did I start anything? No. Do I feel like um I'm proud to live in a community that's supportive? Yes.
Because we give so much that it felt really good to get people to support the fact that this isn't fair. Um, and it's not fair. and to ask us to wait three more months for a resolution um I don't find
fair. And honestly, even sitting here all day, I still don't understand what the violations are. And I feel like they all just contradict the next thing that's said. I feel like one thing contradicts the next thing. And to be honest, if you guys don't understand the
verbiage, how in the heck are we supposed to? I don't do this for a living. I just run a retail store. Um, so I I'm just very upset about the situation. I don't appreciate how I was
spoken to by code enforcement. Um, I believe that I deserve an apology cuz it's not right. Um, I don't want to feel like every complaint that is made on me is personal. Um, I don't want to feel like I have to look over my shoulder now
everything I do because something was brought out on social media. Um, again, I didn't bring it out on social media, but um, I appreciate you guys taking the time to make this, um, you know, what it's become and looking into it and
working hard on it. And I know that, you know, you guys added this at the last minute. But, um, if there's anything we can do to kind of get through the time it takes to fix whatever the problem is, um, I would really appreciate that happening.
Yeah. Well, um, thank you. That thank you for giving your account of what had occurred. I know it was a an awkward experience, uncomfortable, and you're most concerned about the delay. Um, as
as I said, it would probably take that long. Uh, the the response from our community development director is uh appears to be accurate. We had discussed it and uh it will take time uh if we
need to change an ordinance because there is notification and it's got to be brought back here and then it's it's it's got to travel its course as well. um it it can't be done uh as
expeditiously as you need and that's why I asked if there was any other operation that could be done for that. I understand that uh the uh violator has found
uh another area to work uh so that he can feed his family. uh and in some capacity. Um I wish it was better than that, but unfortunately if things have to be reviewed, developed, and brought
back here and then delivered out, um I I hope it's done as expeditiously as possible, but I don't know if we can f fulfill that request. Uh we are working to make change to come. I I guess I got a a motion in a second and all it takes
is one more. All right. Thank you. Okay. Commissioner, I just wanted on the record that as of now I'm the only one that's been shut down. Is that correct? I believe that's correct. I h haven't
heard from anybody else. And you you took the time time to call um his community development director. I haven't researched it. So I'm not aware of if anybody else has been cited, I can research it after that and get back to
you all. But anybody who breaks the code and is in violation will get cited. That's how it's they're treated fairly. The business was not shut down. Correct. in at sorry let me clarify at OTG liquidation center which is an unincorporated unzoneed Indian River
County sorry not shut down completely so and yes I I did see others out there and I again I don't know what the circumstances were there was a half a dozen trucks
um and then I had gone down through South County and traveled up. I saw more than six trucks hidden in plain view in parking lots. So, they're free to operate. Is that correct, Chairman?
I, as I stated before, anybody who breaks the land development regulations gets cited. It's equitable and treated across the board the same way. But I'm the only one that's been shut down. No, I'm not aware of that. Like I said
before, I haven't researched the rest of them to see if there was any more food trucks that have been cited. Um I I know 90% of the food trucks and they're not shut down. So I can give you that answer. We we talk often. There was a
couple food truck operators here that couldn't stay for the whole time because they had to get to work and make money right down the road from OTG liquidation. So, I feel like I'm being discriminated against 100%. And I'm not happy about it. I'm
I'm not. Luckily, the commissioner and I or the chairman and I have had some really good conversations where I want to keep it within the commissioners to be able to handle this. But at right
now, this is definition of discrimination. How long has it been? I think three and a half weeks or two and a half weeks now. It It's frustrating from my point of view. We go to these locations. I
have a set schedule. Two days, two days, two days. Uh two days Advanced Auto Parts, two days OT OTG liquidation, two days at the Davis House in right on the river. And um we get the into a routine, people's routine. Once
you start messing with those people's routine and I have to go to a different location, I'm losing money. I was down 452% in in lost revenue because I had to switch locations and I had to spend another $300 on advertising to let
people know, hey, we had to switch locations. We're going to be here. So to me, this isn't adding up. Not one bit. No one has else has been talked to but me in OTG
liquidation. And that's all I have to say. I just want that to be put on record. Thank you, chairman. Anyone else? Well, we have a motion in a second to direct staff
to do the research and come back with a model for regularity so that we can operate in Indian River County if possible. Any other further comment?
All in favor? Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Uh with that, it's our opportunity to have any public comment
that anything was not on the agenda that uh you feel is important to us or to you. And here's your opportunity. Hello. Good afternoon. Please, commissioners and staff. Name and address for the
record. Uh, Dena, Indian River County. So, the state of Florida just became the second state to ban statewide water fluidation. I'm here today because I want to know what are your plans for removing the hydrofuloric acid and the hydrofluorocyic acid and when will this
elimination take effect? Do we know that? I I don't I don't believe we have that hasn't been on the agenda right directive for discussion. Okay. Um will you wait for the state to process this on July 1st or will it
happen before then? Actually, I just briefly spoke with Sean Litzky and it seems like since we're only two months away, business as usual will happen until the state ban takes effect and of course learning how to remove safely remove this hazardous materials from the
water, which is what he actually said specifically, hazardous. I have mentioned to you before there are two Florida statutes 859.01 and 381.026 026 that discussed everything I've mentioned to you. So I started speaking
with you guys about a year ago about the medication known as hydrofluoric and hydrofluorocyic acid in our waters system and I've asked you numerous times to get you to put this agenda as a discussion so we can hear all sides and
you all failed to do that. I sent you all numerous studies and the recent science backing up what we have been talking about and it was all ignored still allowing to force medication on the people of Indian River County which all of the surrounding cities and
counties around us have removed it. The state took away your local control to force medication without informed consent. No one was informed that the fluoride added to our water was acid. It's really disturbing that this was never a discussion for the people. It
just shows that local government does not help the local people. That in fact we do indeed need the state to help us especially with issues regarding our health. You quoted, "We work for the taxpayers." And I don't feel that you've worked for us or even let us have a fair
discussion. What is the incentive for not putting this topic for discussion? I did hear from one of you that the city and the county receives grants for promoting fluoride. again known as acid in our water system. I was also so optimistic that our local government
wanted to help and heal the people even when numerous people told me it would not happen and it was a lost cause. I'm really sad that this local government did not represent any of the people. I will continue to inform local people of my journey here and my experiences with both local governments, county and city
except for Taylor Dingle. He was a champion for helping us and at least he got the topic on the agenda for discussion. A whole year has passed and the state came in and did it anyway. I want to wish you a wonderful day and God bless you all.
Thank you. I have to change my speech. I have good morning commissioners here, but I guess it's good afternoon at this point. Um, good afternoon. Good afternoon. I would like to hand these to you. Am I
permitted to do that? You you What is your My name I'm sorry. My name is Anthony Gerano. I've lived at 1435th Avenue in Rock Ridge for the past 12 years. Welcome. I want to talk about our drainage situation today. And I'd
like to hand these to you. Is that okay? I'm one of four Rockidge residents who after working on this issue individually for years came together collectively eight months ago to address the drainage crisis in our community. Rockbridge is a neighborhood
of about 400 families that sits at the foot of the 17th Street Bridge. It's basically the forgotten corner of the Three Corners project. Rock Ridge is a wonderful place to live. That is until hurricane season comes when flooding caused by rising water is met by the
silt-filled, overgrown, and unmaintained canal systems surrounding our neighborhood. Unmaintained for decades. Because of this fact, I personally witnessed the devastation that families in Rockidge have endured. Devastation that's occurred at least in
part to a lack of action by your predecessors. devastation that has also occurred to two of the three other Rockbridge citizens involved in the making of this 385page report who after getting their
own lives back on track have now spent countless hours pouring through archives and extracting relevant Rock Ridge drainage information after years of being informed by the county that they are not responsible for these canals. What we found is the exact opposite and
the findings are astounding. I'm honored to present the results of this effort which includes a 2006 resolution. It's in your packet by this very same governing body, accepting responsibility for the canals in question and directing the county to collaborate with the Florida Department
of Transportation to clean, dredge, reconnect, and subsequently maintain these canals and to ensure no further runoff from surrounding areas would be sent through those existing canals. 20 years later, after numerous requests by
concerned Rockidge citizens, no maintenance has ever occurred. Imagine what the Three Corners project is going to do to our drainage systems. Mhm. Other government directives pertaining to this issue, which are also
in your binders, which have also not been followed, along with pictures of the damage that continues to occur to our neighborhood as a result of these unmaintained canals are in your packet and this report. There are even documents showing a former $5 million grant from FEMA to
help address this issue that was partially applied elsewhere with the balance of these funds being sent back to FEMA after years of infighting between the government and this county. We respectfully request that this binder, which is a compilation of all of
our work relating to this, be placed in the public record by the county clerk and that the ID number allowing us and the county employees to access it be sent to the email address in the binder by the end of this week. We also
respectfully request that you honor the commitments passed forward from this 2006 resolution and take action to send the appropriate crews to the affected NL4 and 16 NL4 canal, excuse me, and 16th Street ditch, having them cleared of overgrown vegetation, dredged to
their appropriate depth, reconnected, and properly maintained thereafter. All of this per this same commission's previous directives. Hurricane season is only weeks away. Continued inaction will lead to disaster for our community. Rock Ridge can no
longer be forgotten by this county. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Any questions? Appreciate that. County administrator, are you aware of the Rock Ridge project? Was texting finding out where we were.
I'm h I'm happy I'm happy to work with you on it. Um other people have been in um from Rockidge and just to to add to the uh common knowledge on this um at the time uh Sean Leki was uh interim
public works director. He went and inspected that area. Uh so he was aware, you know, aware of that there was a problem there, but I was told and we'll have to look at this that the legalities of it, but I was told at that time that
it was mainly the city of Vera Beach and other parties. You have several other parties here. Well, we'll let you know, we'll figure it out legally and then proceed there. But I'm happy to work with you on it. I I hope so. I left a message with your office. Anything you
anything you give us is public record. So, and here it is. I'd like to submit it to public record. Yeah. Any anything you give us is public. It's automatic. Anything you give us is is public record. It has to go. Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you. So, is this in does this involve old Dixie
Highway, Westport Drive to 131st Street? No, sir. No, no. This is Rock Bridge by Mir Closer. You're think it's my district. Yeah, it's my it's my district. So, I I be I'm happy to work with you, Laura Moss. I left a message with your office last week. I'll leave
another one. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Good afternoon, county commissioners. Um, thank you for having us here today. I'm uh Colleen Jennings. I'm a local realtor and I'm also a previous resident
of Rockidge. Um, I want to thank all of you for your dedication to our community. Also, Tony for the very informative speech. I want to know if any of you have had a chance to visit or live in the Rockidge community ever. Yes. Well,
as a deputy, I navigated the waters uh during the hurricanes of 2004 and uh distributed MREs. Yes. and it had to be through slashing through the the waist waist high water. Yeah. But yes, I might be a little familiar
with it. I also am familiar with the project that was done with FEMA and the pumping stations and I believe that I have had the experience and I believe
that the benefit of the the uh the Fed to come in give us funding as well uh for those stations that big beautiful little center that's intended to ensure that we have the best in drainage may
not may not be exactly sufficient. Correct. Well, I want to let you know that I have I lived in Rockidge and I will say that the people of Rockidge are some of the kindest, warmest, most welcoming people I've ever met. When
walking my dog through the neighborhood, I was was always a joy. You'd always be greeted with a smile, a wave, a genuine sense of belonging. It's the kind of community you don't forget. Unfortunately, my time living there was brief, not because I wanted to leave, but because Hurricane Milton in 2024
brought devastation to that area once again. Our home was flooded and left uninhabitable, forcing me and my fiance to uproot our lives and search for housing all over again. This is not a one-time issue. With every storm, every hurricane, the Rockidge neighborhood is
left fighting for recovery. The flooding is persistent, destructive, and it's only getting worse. When we are not we are not talking about people with endless resources, we are talking about working-class families, some of whom have called Rockidge home for generations, who are left with picking
up the pieces time and time again. I stand before you today, not just for myself, but for every resident of Rockidge. For the best for my best friend's 95-year-old grandmother, who's called Rockidge home since 1973. For the young family who in just
four years have had their home flooded three times and displaced. I'm speaking for every family who's fought to stay in the place they love. I'm speaking for every child who's watched their home go underwater. I stand before you today, not just for myself, but for every resident of Rockidge. The community
needs your help. They need a solution to go the ongoing flooding issues that have plagued them for far too long. I'm asking you to listen with open minds, not just to me, but the many voices of Rockridge calling for action. They deserve safety. They deserve security. They deserve the same peace of mind that
every other neighborhood in this county county enjoys. They deserve dignity and deserve to live without the constant fear of the next storm washing their home away. Please, let's work together to protect this and preserve this incredible community before another storm takes it. Thank you for your time,
your service, and your dedication to our community. Thank you. Thank you. We need your help. That's basically what we're asking for. So, and Laura, thank you very much for offering to help us. Thank you.
Anything else? Well, seeing no further business to be conducted for the greater good. Meeting adjourned.