Good morning. >> That was good. >> Tuesday, August 19th, 2025, regular Board of County Commissioners meeting will now be called to order. We'll begin with a moment of silent reflection for members of our armed forces and our
emergency responders. Then we'll have a invocation by none other than Wesley S. Davis, our property appraiser. And Laura Moss, Commissioner Laura Moss will lead us in the pledge. Please rise.
Our heavenly father, we thank you for the opportunity that we have to come before you today and conduct the public's business that'll make decisions for this community for generations to come. May the commissioners and the staff use their your guidance, your knowledge, and
your wisdom in these crucial decisions. In your heavenly name we pray. Amen. I'm so glad to see everyone today. Welcome and please join me in the pledge. >> I aliance 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. At this time, are there any additions, deletions to the agenda or emergency
items? I do have a uh change uh on the consent agenda. Uh item 9, J. Juliet will be moved to county attorney's matters and we will denote that as 14 A2
and 14 will become 14 A1 and then we need to there's been a request to remove uh 13F1 which is the Indie River storm water management plan by the county administrator.
Are there any other changes? Move to approve as amended. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Moss, seconded by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries
unanimously. We'll move on to proclamations of presentations. And the first one would be a presentation proclamation honoring Julianne Rank Price for her contributions to any river county health department.
We normally don't encourage applause, but I have to tell you that was had to be encouraged >> because you well deserve it. Julianne, uh, I've had the honor of working with you, I think, a couple of
weeks now. >> Yeah. long time >> and it it's been a great experience. Uh you your care and concern for those in need specifically with
health and the county related concerns regarding water and uh so many other uh items that come to your attention that quite frankly uh when I began working
with you um I truly didn't understand your position with the health department. It was because you treated it with such
attention that you you were widescoped in your assessment and I I thought you were a federal engineer. Uh it it was just you really gave your all and your caring and
concern always came out in the process. I just want to thank you for the experience and opportunity to have worked with you or for you. It was very rewarding. >> Thank you
>> and well accomplished. Well, without further ado, I'd like to uh present this proclamation honoring Julianne Rank Price for her contributions to Indie River County Health Department. Whereas Julian Rank Price served Indie River County
residents, working tirelessly to improve the health and safety of our community members for over 20 years. Whereas while acting as environmental health administrator for the health department, Julianne Price chaired and
co-chared the affordable housing advisory committee, was an active member of the NAACP, the Gifford and Wobbasa Progressive Civic Leagues and FACT Fact, serving on the board of the
Treasure Coast Homeless Coil and in her spare time developed Every Dream Has a Price, a nonprofit organization that built houses and apartments and group homes for veterans and people in need. Whereas Julianne
Price used the principles of PACE eh the protocol for assessing community excellence in environmental health to listen to community concerns and guide communityled improvements in Wabaso Gford Felsmere
and South County. And while working in the statewide PACE EH coordinator, she received national recognition and awards for leading more than $10 million into community identified improvements
and statewide, many of them in In River County. Whereas Julian Price advocated for community improvements, including bringing the county water at the water team here too
in Mubaso and community addressing the uh the drainage and the flooding sidewalks and lighting, neighborhood cleanups, removal and abandoned housing, brownfield site cleanup with the county and in the creation or improvement of
parks in Wobbaso. gifted South County and Felsmere. Whereas Julian Price continues to be dedicated and resilient advocate for those whose voices are not always heard and inspires
everyone around her to be the best version of themselves. Now therefore be a proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of ini river county that we acknowledge that Julian Price
for her steadfast determination and dedicated service to all members of the community. Julie adopted this 19th day of August 2025. It is signed by all five of your county commissioners.
Julianne, it it's a crowded room and I noticed that quite a few of your peers that your colleagues, the people that you've served are in the room. Um, can I can I can I ask those
people to stand up so Julianne can Julianne And of course we have many members of our water team. Thank you. We have many members of our water team here which um they appreciate that you have provided
so much work for them and to ensure that they have a very active livelihood. as you were feverishly looking for connections and connections and connections to ensure that our public was served.
Julianne, >> well, thank you. So, it has truly been an honor to um to be of service and um work with such a great team of um you know from the level of commissioners to
even you know state legislators and um nonprofit agencies, partner agencies, um county employees and um gosh staff, co-workers.
so many so many people um have helped make all those improvements happen. So, it's been an honor and um thank you for the kind words and the proclamation and uh I appreciate it. Thank you.
[Applause] That's fine. It's your time. [Applause] Okay. She brought an entourage. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you
Julianne. Next item is uh 5B and it's a presentation of a $110,000 check to support the repurposing of material from Florida Department of Transportation on State Road A1A, a bridge replacement for
Indie River County's artificial reef program. Good morning, commissioners. Kylie Anchula, the natural resources director for the record, and I have many people with me today. So, I'm excited to announce that today our county is
receiving funds for an artificial reef project. So, I'm going to tell a quick story. When I first joined Indian River County, Kathy Copelan introduced me to Representative Brackett and he was eager to discuss this potential partnership involving the county, DOT, and Coastal
Conservation Association of America. So, this project involves repurposing approximately 3,500 tons of debris from the old State Road A1A bridge and placing it placing it at one of our permitted artificial reef locations. So,
Representative Brackett played a crucial role in connecting us with the right people in order to move this project forward. Your unanimous vote to utilize the Coastal Program artificial reef funding for this project in collaboration with the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida
underscores the value that you see in recycling bridge material for creating habitat rather than having it end up in a landfill. So today we are honored to have our partners from this coastal conservation association of Florida here to present a check to the county. So
joining me are Frank Gidus, Andy Steinberg, Jack Deal, Pete M Leode, Paul Osman, and Kyle Osman. And they would like to address the board >> and they're going to fight over who doesn't. >> Good morning. Uh I'm Frank Gitis. I'm
the director of habitat and environmental restoration with CCA Florida. Uh and then we have representatives here from the uh Treasure Coast chapter of CCA and the Space Coast chapter. Um CCA is truly a a grassroots nonprofit organization. So we
find out about a lot of things from our members from the boots on the ground because you know we have a small staff but we have a lot of members throughout the state and we found out about this project through uh Paul Osman back here who told us about it quite a while ago. And so we were able to um use that
information to pursue finding out more about the bridge demolition. Uh we worked with the FDOT. We worked with Inu River County and we've gotten to the point where we are where um it is going to become a reality is become a reef. And so um we're just uh really proud to
be part of this. I know everybody knows about the benefits of artificial reefs. It's it does wonders for our environment and the ecosystem services that it provides. But a lot of people tend to forget that artificial reefs uh have a huge return on investment for for the
local area. Um you know, these reefs will be out here for decades and decades and you're going to have people fishing and diving them basically every day. And you know, these folks are spending money at local gas stations and bait and tackle stores and hotels, restaurants, gas, you name it on a daily basis. So
it's it's a great thing for the economy as well. So, we're just uh proud to be part of the of the uh project and we have a $110,000 check to present to y'all today.
[Applause] >> Up in the chat. >> Okay. >> Thank you for this. I don't know if it's going to fit in the uh machine, but might need some assistance from the
clerk. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Pastor, >> come on down. >> Still in the same line. Doc Thank you. Thank you for supporting. Thank you.
the >> remnants. The concrete would uh customarily just be offcasted, ground up, and returned back to the earth. This is just a a a great example of uh
recovery and a productive project that is going to serve all of us and with a lot of help from our friends. Thank you, CCA. appreciate it. That's a quite a donation.
Next item is a presentation proclamation designating August 2025 as Florida Water Professionals Month. You may have noticed we have a few water professionals here. You're going to see them all. I
>> Come on. Come on down team. This is the oldest. >> Yeah. Just I don't know how long it's going to take, but you know, the good people of Indie River County enjoy the fruits of your efforts
and they often don't get a chance to see who's making this happen. >> Wow. I I hope there's somebody at the plant. Don't worry, we have people at the plant still working. >> We can get there.
>> You're on your account, >> right? All right. >> Someone else trying to get in. >> Well, now that you're all assembled, uh, County Commissioner Joe man will be having the honors of presenting you with this proclamation.
>> Commissioner Airman. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's a it's an honor to present this proclamation to so many good people that work so hard for this county to provide a just a basic element that we all need and provide it properly and and and carefully and
helpfully and all that sort of stuff. So, it's my honor to to read this proclamation to y'all. It's a proclamation designating the month of August 2025 as Florida Water Professionals Month. Whereas the Florida
Water and Pollution Control Operators Association, organized in 1941, is a nonprofit trade organization that promotes the sustainability of Florida's water utility industry through workforce development to protect the health of
Florida's citizens and to preserve the state's water resources. And whereas this organization offers water and wastewater treatment plant operator and water distribution operator training courses required for the state of
Florida operators licenses, eight voluntary certification programs and continuing education programs for operator license renewal. And whereas this organization in recognizing the importance of Florida statutes and
administrative code that regulate the water industry acts as the liaison between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and industry personnel and whereas this organization in recognizing the importance of the
Florida statue I just read that I'm sorry whereas the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association and the Indian River County Board Board of County Commissioners recognize all those who have played a significant part in operating and maintaining drinking
water, wastewater, and reclaimed water systems in Florida by celebrating Florida Water Professionals Month, which applauds their constant efforts to protect our health and environment. And whereas water and wastewater operators,
distribution and collection system staffs play an integral role in the safeguarding the public's health and protecting the environment. And whereas water professionals are first responders during hurricanes and other catastrophic
events working to ensure safe drinking water and safe disposal of waste waters for our communities. Now therefore be it proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of Indian River County, Florida that the board designates August
as Florida Water Professionals Month and in any river county and extend greetings and the best wishes to all observing Florida Water Professionals Month adopted this 19th day of August 2025 and signed by all five county commissioners.
Ladies and gentlemen, we this is just a small token of what we can offer today, but we appreciate everything that each of each each and every one of you do every day. >> Good morning, Chairman, distinguished commissioner. Sean Lei, director of
Indian River County Department of Utility Services. Um, behind me are water professionals of all sorts, right? We've got water plant operators. We've got um consum our our customer service representatives. We've got managers. Um you know, this this proclamation was
initially started to just um dedicate and and recognize operators. But there's a lot more that goes into providing water and sewer services and reclaimed water services to this community. And it takes every single one of these people that you see behind me and those that that are, as I mentioned earlier, at the
plants working hard tirelessly to make sure that we're producing water and treating sewer. um to make sure that we're providing those services to this community. And I applaud every single last one of them. Um they work hard. They work tirelessly every day to do that. Um they are truly dedicated to
Indian River County through service excellence. Um and I appreciate every single one of them for everything that they do day in and day out. So I applaud all of you. Thank you for all the work that you all do. [Applause]
We're going to try to get up there and take a picture. So, >> I was >> Okay, I want to see this crowd get together. >> Might have to um come across the back, too. >> Thank you. >> Glad you're here.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Trying to remember which one came off your house. >> Uh, I don't know. Shut off your water or get it back going. [Laughter] >> Great. Great. Thank you.
>> It'll probably take us 20 minutes to get this crowd together. And look at how the room's going to look empty without them. >> Hug somebody. >> Don't Hey, don't tempt me with a good time. Listen, I got to stand in front of you. >> You know what? Could have a second line
walk right behind us, Sean. >> We could have a second line walk right behind us if they want. >> Especially this guy. >> How are you? Oh my gosh. >> Bring the tall ones back here.
>> See you. See you. [Applause] >> The sheriff's office had a lot of first. Look at this. >> Makes you want to really appreciate a class. >> I'm afair. Howard over there. >> I don't know if we can get this picture,
guys. >> You think we got it? >> Got it. >> Time to shine. >> Jeez. >> Hi, Mom. >> Can't forget Rich. >> You got it.
>> Enterprise. Yeah. >> Largest enterprise for >> Oh my gosh. Still marketing. >> 20 more years. >> I might do a little more. I don't know. >> Okay. Bring it over. >> I'm going to sit under 33 years.
>> I'll be I'll be too young. >> Yeah. >> Watch what happens when you start at 15. >> Okay. That'll work. That'll work. 24. >> Wow. >> Thank you again, team. >> All right. See you.
>> All right. >> Wow. >> Oh, boy. Everybody knows everybody. >> You know went to school with >> Yeah. cousins. Thank you all. Next item on the agenda
is the approval of the minutes for the regular meeting of June the 3rd, 2025. >> Move approval. >> Or you want to do both of them or separate? >> No. >> Okay. I'll move approval of the first. >> I second. We have a motion by
Commissioner Adams, seconded by myself for the minutes. Anything further? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Then we have the regular meeting minutes for June 17, 2025.
>> Approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Vice Chairman Law, seconded by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. We're off to a good start. We now
haveformational items uh and uh or items that uh are not required for any board action. Uh as as the list goes on, we have the administrator approved items. We have Florida Public Service
Commission order number PSC 2025-2028 PAQ. say that quickly. Uh then we have the third quarter budget report and we have the 2026 holiday schedule.
The same customary uh days are being allocated for the holidays. Uh we have uh squid closure and collection services changes uh for the Labor Day holiday. Um and and again
um that's coming up quickly. the event calendar which is uh all too thick to be able to enumerate before midnight tonight. So please uh check the website and then uh notice of unclaimed monies.
Uh there is a list provided and again item 7H is beach and shores preservation advisory uh committee vacancy. We do have a vacancy on the beach and shores. Uh
>> yes, Commission. >> And could I add that that Shelby was one of our youngest members that she was a great member. She offered so much to the to the committee. She's a professional engineer with Kimbley Horn and she's got a promotion within a company to move
over to the West Coast to do flood mitigation and renovation of old buildings and facilities over in the Tampa St. Peter area. So, we'll miss her greatly, but she was we hated to see her go. So, >> well, we thank we thank Shelby for his
service and we hope that uh others will be able to uh submit their application so we can have a uh a full team at the beach and shores. Uh we have another vacancy which is the construction board
uh of adjustment and appeals committee vacancy um that has been uh standing for a while. So, construction board of adjustment and appeals. We then have uh the children uh services advisory the
main committee and the children's services advisory committee grants review program. Uh we're in receipt of the resignation of Robert Slit and uh he he leaves a void in the
children's services. Commission Adams. I just want to thank um Bob for his long tenure of service to the SEESAC committee. Um he that does leave us with a vacancy on the main committee and he also chaired the grants review
committee. So um anybody that's interested please uh submit an application. We'll be reviewing those in subsequent meetings. >> And then we have uh Thank you. And then we have the uh opening in the economic
development council committee vacancies. >> We have a couple. >> We do have um several there um because people uh on that committee they have to align in certain categories. So people have either um moved on to to other
moved away from the area or changed jobs. We have several vacancies on that committee. I think a member at large, an agg person um and a couple others. So if you guys are interested, if anybody's interested in economic development, this is a great opportunity. We are going
through our economic development um study. So there's a lot of work to be done and we'd love to have some some fresh voices at the table. >> Thank you. At this time, uh, with the exception of
a public hearing, uh, if there's anybody that wishes to speak regarding any matter that's on the agenda that may not be here when that agenda item takes place, uh, they have the opportunity to speak now or wait till later.
There's a podium there. >> Yeah, there's a second podium. If you >> I usually let me just >> Good morning. How are you? >> Good morning. >> My name is Christopher Drake. I'm the executive director of YSF Community Sailing in right here in Vero Beach. I
think uh we have a item on the agenda regarding the ordinance that's coming for the the zones for the um for the anchorage areas and anchorage limitations. I have a meeting at 11:00 I have to attend. So I just want to address it. In your
map and chart, you have an area too that's located just to the east of the inter coastal, pretty much adjacent to YSF Community Sailing. That area for us makes it very difficult. Um there was a triple fatality in Miami from navigational hazards recently uh with
sailing. We're all aware of it. And I'm just trying to limit the amount of navigational hazards to our children. We sail 350 kids a year. Half them come from the underserved communities. We're out there teaching daily, pretty much 7 days a week to these children. Uh having additional um hazards out there,
anchorage areas, people mooring within a 45day limit poses hazards to us. There was some support from the city of Vero Beach. I don't know if you received any the memo from Monty Falls a little while ago. I don't know if you have it. Um they were co-joining in support for
us. And what I would ask is that the proposed area 2 be eliminated off that or at least tabled for further discussion uh to look at possible safety hazards for small children navigating those waters. Uh we have been recently in contact with fish and wildlife to
address uh speeding issues within that area in the near coastal which is irrelevant to this but we're trying to address the uh the slowdown from from the bridge south. Um, but I would ask that the council just take some deep thought about that area proposed two, which when you look at the the chart,
you're talking to the area immediately east of the inter coastal. And I don't know, I know the inter coastal limitations are over 300 ft of, you know, east to west and it looks like those 9.3 acres or whatever you have established in there kind of fits another 300t barrier. So, I'd ask that
that would be stricken from this area, too. And uh also just thoughts of the consideration in signage for the area also pose navigational hazards to small children during instruction so forth. Okay. >> I thank you. I just I just hope you take some consideration to it. I know everybody has read this. It's pretty
lengthy and I I thank you for just listening to what we have to say about this and we hope uh the council makes a great decision on it. Do >> you have that documentation >> from the city? >> Yes. >> Sure. Absolutely. One, two, approach.
>> Please, please. And what we'll do is you have one for each and I'll ensure that I'll ensure that the the clerk has a copy as well when that item comes up. >> Thank you.
And counselor, is is this the first time you're seeing this? >> Yes, it is. And I know that um our natural resources department was working with the city and town and these requested areas are came from the city and town and I also showed this
ordinance to the city attorney and town attorney. So, it is the first time I'm seeing this. >> Thank you, >> council. And that's what I thought. maybe you were unaware of what we had been working on on the backside to ensure the safety of our children on the water. So that's why I'd ask if at least if that area too is stricken or at least
tabled to a further time where there could be some thought and discussion on it. >> Thank you. Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Hi, I'm Chris Pope. I'm with you Sailing Foundation, one of the um founders and
also on the board meet on the board of directors. Um, I also wanted to add to what Chris Drake just said. Uh, our, um, kids are sailing in boats that are close to the water. The water is splashing on
them. They're, uh, capsizing, and there is no regulation in these designated anchoring areas for sewage. Now, many boats who are in our lagoon pump overboard. Um, we have a a there's no regulation
that they have to use a pumpout boat, that they have to go to marina and empty their their um sewage tanks. And to have our kids sailing through there all the time is really a safety issue. And so I want you to seriously consider what
Chris said, um, eliminating area two and any other areas. I mean, we have another area that's uh adjacent to us. Um, but that just because you designated it as an area doesn't mean the water is not going to uh go into where our kids sail.
So, that's a main main concern for us. >> Will you be here later for the presentation? >> I'm sorry. >> Will you be here later for the presentation? >> Um, is that uh you mean number 11 or whatever? >> Yes.
>> Yeah. Be I can stay if you I need to. >> Okay. I'd like the county the county administrator to address that one point. >> Yeah, I will add that the governor just uh established that it's a no discharge zone from from Fort Pierce all the way
up through basically almost all of the county. So, I mean that should no longer be an issue. It's a no discharge zones from vessels even not just untreated but treated. >> Okay. But is there some kind of um method that he designated to check to
see if it's >> Well, that would that would fall upon Florida Fish and Wildlife for enforcement purposes. >> Council, a lot of the problem with this is illegal discharge even from my days working marine patrol up in New York. >> I mean, he just he literally just like last I think it was like two weeks ago.
>> Yeah. But he also said that the people can't come uh public officials can't come aboard board boats for uh issues like checking their holding tank. They can only do it if there's a violation like if they're drunk or inebriated or
something. >> So you know it's not going to be enforced. >> We don't have jurisdiction. Hey, you >> I this >> I just want to if you're going to be here for the public hearing, then the comments are more appropriate during the
public hearing so it can be on the record. This part of the meeting is just intended for like the gentleman that may have to leave and anybody else that wants to talk on something that's not a public hearing. Okay. >> Because I think we need to go through that presentation and explain what's going on and then we will have an
opportunity to address those comments during the public hearing part. >> All right. Thank you, >> council. Thank you. I'll stay as >> hi, my name is Martin Stiger. I live in Sebastian, 318 Sebastian Boulevard. Uh I
just stood up because I'm have nothing to talk about what as far as what's you've been talking about this morning but it's been a big concern to me and a number of other people that uh the state of Florida and Indian River County has
seems to neglect uh a lot of people that are in my position such as me. Uh I I moved here 20 years ago. Uh every place I lived there was no garbage pickup. I had to take it to
recycling center. And then all of a sudden now they passed this ordinance that everybody has to have garbage pickup. And I couldn't understand why. Nobody could answer. I went to the town meetings and everything and Sebastian. Nobody could tell me why all of a sudden
it's an emergency. uh but uh that's >> it's not under the bridge now. >> It's not an emergency but it is progression in order to provide for health, safety and welfare for all citizens. Uh we had a lot of de dilemma
in working it out but uh the lowest cost to the citizen was chosen to ensure that we provide for the health, safety and welfare for the citizens and I understand it. What jurisdiction did you come from sir?
>> Excuse me. >> Where did you come from originally? >> Originally from uh New Jersey. You I lived in Washington state. a living >> which has paid mandatory >> pickup and most larger um jurisdictions
uh already have that uh and I I trust that there are very few left that don't have the uh mandatory or universal pickup. >> Yeah, >> it's considered with I mean I I understand it's an additional cost factor. It was a cost factor for me and
a number of other people, but also it seems like uh when I most people came here for because of a number of reasons, but the weather uh the communities uh the state itself and the tax basis
and it seems like in the last 10 years the tax basis on the properties the millage rate has not changed enough to be adjusted. And I'm just wondering where all this new money is going in the in the in the county and the state and
the towns. It's uh millions and millions of dollars that have come in because houses that used to be $100,000 or less are now are four $500,000 and the taxes have gone up.
Unbelievable. My taxes since I start I moved here have doubled. My insurance has doubled. when everything else is doubled and in a number of states people over the age of at retirement age s get
a break on their taxes as far as paying I paid for school taxes my whole lifetime I have four children >> my wife had four children I had 14 foster children over the years
and it's just gotten to the point where I thought I was going to be able to retire and have a good retirement And it seems like all the costs have gone up significantly that I hadn't planned on. And uh in my community, my taxes have doubled. Like I said, in my community,
houses now are paying because of the the values of that properties have gone up. They're paying $67,000 a year taxes, which is like unheard of in the state of Florida. and and yeah, just right in my
town, little little town of Sebastian, taxes are gone up almost to what more than what I was paying in New Jersey when I left there. And I'm just saying uh >> some consideration should be taken for retirees. >> That's not a valid statement, sir. Uh if
if you check on some of your old neighbors that are still in New Jersey, you'll find out uh what they're truly paying. Uh it's phenomenal. In the jurisdiction where I came from, there are some people that are paying 18 and $20,000 a year for their services. Okay.
I would just want to also clarify that our mill rate 3.5475 has maintained flat for the past six years. The reason why your taxes it's still considered an increase because
your property value has gone up. your net worth has gone up and you're assessed on your ad valorium rate. >> Well, I just wanted to point out that my income hasn't gone up. If anything has gone down and with the cost of everything else and it's to the point where people that are even in worse
positions than I'm going to be have to go to and put a burden on the burden is going to have to change to the county or to the cities or the towns because people cannot I mean I worked my whole life. I served my country. >> Thank you for your service.
>> And all of a sudden now, even though I had planned ahead, I thought a significantly >> the cost of everything had just gone out of sight. And like I said, there was a number of states that have considerations for retirees where they realized that our income is
set. I can't get another job. My doctors and everything have taken away a lot of money that I hadn't planned on. And uh my expenses just keep going up. And even like the garbage, which is insignificant to a lot of people, to me that was
another $20 expense to add it on. And uh like I think it's actually going to affect the whole state. But the the taxes, like I said, on the houses, when I first came here, the taxes were like $900.
Now people are paying $6,000 for the same house >> because the value of the house went up and I'm just wondering has has the expenses because basically we pay taxes for services. Why is it that we have so much more
money coming in now and I don't see any more services and besides that we don't need more services. Are you I think there should be a little bit more consideration for the people that are moving cuz they're they're going to hurt people moving to the state because now there's other states that have a lot
better tax basis and they're not going to be coming to Florida and the house values are going to start going which you can see the houses are on the market now a long time they aren't selling because of people are saying hey I can
move to South Carolina, Georgia, or North Carolina, some other state where they have better tax bases. So, I think it's just something that should be taken in consideration. I think it would go a long way for keeping the retired people
coming to Florida if they say, "Well, we're going to make a consideration for people that have paid school taxes their whole life, have no kids in school, and have to pay a significant amount." My biggest part of my bill is my taxes for
schools which I don't use. I don't have any money in my family to use it. And like I said, I I pay them all my life, have forced their children, serve my country, and all of a sudden I'm looking and I'm saying, where the hell am I to get more money?
I just I just wanted to bring this to your attention so that maybe some consideration could be done because there's number of people still wanting to come to Florida but when they start seeing that they're going to have to pay 6 $8,000 or more and we're talking about
Sebastian. Some of these other towns are even worse. My son lives in South Florida. I have nephews and nieces down there too and they're paying ridiculous. My son is paying $2,400 a month rent for
a one-bedroom apartment in South Florida. And it's like, what do you have to earn to have a roof over your head? That's not counting the electric and the gas and the water and everything else that's gone up. My water bill has gone up.
But anyway, I just wanted to bring it to your attention that you might consider it. And also I think it will help the state continue to have people come here if they have some consideration for the people that like myself and
uh that came here because of the lover course. And that's all I have to say. Thank you very much for your attention and I hope everybody has a great day. >> You have a great day, sir. Thank you. Anyone else?
We'll move on to the consent agenda. It's uh quite robust. There are many items on there. Does anybody wish to anything off the agenda?
>> U Mr. Chair I'd like to pull a 9 I India >> 9 I nine indigo and is there any anything else? No sir. >> With that, do we have a motion in mind?
>> Approval as amended. >> Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by myself. Any for the amended? You have any comments? All in favor? >> I
>> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. With that, uh, item nine, Indigo. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. This is a request for an additional $40,000
for the county's, uh, problem solving courts. Uh, the initial amount allocated uh, was 50,000. My question is, is this a a one-time expense since we're being asked almost to double the budget for
this or is this something that will uh that we can expect to see uh from now on? >> Good morning, commissioners. My name is Wendy Parent. I am the senior court operations consultant with court administration. Um I um submitted this
and I wanted to be present today to answer any questions. Um basically when we asked for the original 50,000 um we did not anticipate transportation expenses um so I did do an amended to
incorporate um the transportation services um that because of that service um this has caused um us to go over the original allocated amount of the 50,000 or anticipated. So that's why we're
asking for the additional 40,000. It should be the one time um and that's it just to carry us through the end of the fiscal year. >> Okay. All right. So it's a one-time expense. It's it's it's just this year. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Well, we just heard the gentleman speaking about we're trying to keep you
know expenses down and I know this is not adorum but it doesn't make a difference because all the money comes from the taxpayers one way or another. >> I understand. >> Okay. Um we did submit a request for next fiscal year which we do for the drug abuse trust fund every year to help
support um participants who can't financially afford to come through the programs. We assist them in that um aspect for any of the problem solving courts in Indian River County. >> Okay. Well, thank you for that and I appreciate that. Move to approve. >> So just to give you the next year's
budget amount is 75,000. I'm >> I'm sorry. Pardon me. >> Next year's requested amount is $75,000. We increased it a little based on this um because we did incorporate um that service that we weren't anticipating.
>> Okay. Well, please be very judicious. >> We will >> what you asked for, what you spend. Thank you. >> Appropriate. Um >> we did approve that during our budget workshop. So that additional amount and I think can you just quickly for the
residents um talk about what the different problem solving courts are because these are not normal court processes or programs and you have to meet specific requirements to be a part of them. Correct. >> Correct. So um for Indian River County
um we have three different types of problem solving courts. We have adult drug court, um, mental health court, and veterans treatment court. When someone is arrested, they're screened, and if they have have been identified as having a substance use history or a mental health disorder or have served in the
military, um, they can get referred over, and we do a screening on them to determine their level of care and what type of um, treatment they would need. Each program um operates as a diversion, meaning someone can come in um and if they successfully complete the program,
their charges can be dismissed or they can come in as a special condition of their probation during the sentencing phase. Um each program offers different levels of services, different types of services based on what they were initially arrested for. So, someone coming into drug court, we're going to
address their substance use um history. someone coming into mental health court, we're going to address their um mental health disorder and vets treatment court. Same as having served in the military, if they have a combination of substance use or mental health, we address that. Um we also address the
barriers that restrict them from being able to um complete their program requirements such as transportation, housing, employment. All these things have to be put in place not only to make sure that they're successful in the programs but also to make sure that they're successful outside of the
program. Once they successfully complete it helps us to lower the recidivism um keep people out of jail or prison um which is a cost savings to the community. >> Thank you. um this courts have been very successful in inter intervention as well
as um keeping recetivism rates low and helping people move on to productive and happy um lives outside of the court system. So, I appreciate what you're doing and I appreciate those wraparound services that really allow this court um those specialty courts to be successful. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um I will add that with um the 50,000 um we have been able to provide services to 96 participants throughout the programs. So um whether it's drug
testing, transportation, substance use treatment, um mental health treatment, um all of that has been very instrumental in providing services to um participants who come into the program who can't financially afford to come in.
Thank you. >> You're welcome. Are there any other questions from the board? >> No. Watch this. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you.
>> Is the approval. Next item under constitutional offices and government agencies item 10 A1 which is the river county supervisor elections Lesie Swan. Uh a request revenues received to be rolled back to the
supervisor elections for the fiscal year 2024 2025 budget. >> Good morning commissioners. Lesie Swan, supervisor of elections, and I am here today uh to request that the revenue that we receive from petition
verification, data lists, and also public records requests be rolled back into my 2024 2025 budget. Um to date, we verified 8567 petitions and fulfilled 23 data
requests. So, the revenue from these services was $4,89. And um we would like to use these funds to help offset the cost of our voter voter notification mailings that we are
now required to begin sending out because of House Bill 1205, which was signed into law on May 2nd. So, I would sincerely appreciate your consideration of this request. Move approval. >> Second.
>> We have a motion by Vice Chairman Law, seconded by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? >> Thank you very much. Have a great day. >> Thank you. At this time, next item is a
public uh public hearing. We will take a brief recess. meeting will now be called back to order and the next item is a public hearing. That's item 11 A1 which is amending the code for Indie River County title 9
which is the land development regulations chapter 932 the coastal management to establish anchoring limitations areas in the city of Vero Beach and the town of Indie River Shores in accordance with Florida state statute
327.4108 108 and we have backup and we have a presentation. Good morning. Melissa Meisenberg, senior lagoon environmental specialist for the natural resources department. So you guys have seen this about the
anchoring limitation areas for a while now and we're bringing it forward to um go ahead for the public hearing and we're going to do a little bit of background and history. So the cities of Sebastian, the town of Indian River Shores, and the city of Vera Beach all
pass resolutions requesting that the county pass anchoring limitation areas through amending the code. Only a county can amend the code to establish an anchoring limitation area. We executed interlocal agreements between the requesting municipalities at
the August 20th, 2024 meeting and at that time the city of Sebastian withdrew their request. There was a development of the ordinance language, some adjustments to the maps from both the city and the town, and the notice was
submitted in May to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. And then we published our public hearing notice to amend the code. There are specific requirements outlined in the statute for establishing anchoring limitation areas. Um, counties
may establish an ALA on behalf of the municipalities. They must be adjacent to urban areas, residential docking facilities, and have significant boating traffic. Total acreage of an ALA may not exceed 10% of the county's delineated
navigable in fact waterways and may not include a moing field or marina and they have to be less than 100 acres. Um, they also have to be 100 ft from the actual intra coastal. So, there is some enforcement for an
ALA. Citations may be issued if you've anchored over 45 days. So, this is 45 consecutive days in a six-month period. So, if a boat were to anchor for 39, and then leave, move a mile away, and come back, that starts the clock all over again. So, it's not congruent. It's
consecutive. Failure to move a vessel though after those 45 days can end up in poundment for 48 hours. It can receive a citation. It can be declared a derelict or a nuisance and then removed if it is received three citations within a
12-month period. There are obviously some exclusions for this. If we have impeding weather conditions, if the is an active working vessel building a dock doing construction in the water, or there's some type of mechanical failure. Obviously, the boat cannot move, but a good faith effort has to be made to get
the boat working again. So, just to show you the maps, this is the town of Indian River Shores. The city council passed a resolution in August of 2023. The interlocal agreements followed the following year, and they have selected three ALAs and
high priority areas for their town. And this is the city of Vero Beach who has modified their maps several times to uh meet the requirements and their needs as well. The city council resolution took place on August 9th of 2023 and we
entered into the interlocal agreement uh September 12th of 2024 and they are requesting six ALAs. This is the projected budget which includes consultant fees that the county will staff will consult with um a
consultant to get the permitting and work with the municipalities as well as creating the bid documents for construction as this will require signage and potentially buoys depending on FWC's requirements for their waterway
markers. In addition to that, we will um the county is going to pay the upfront cost for the construction and the agreement in the interlocal agreement is that the county will be reimbursed 50% of the construction costs by the requesting municipalities.
The municipalities will be required to handle all their ongoing maintenance, monitoring and enforcement of these sites that they have requested. And at this time, our recommendation is that the board of county commissioners adopt
the proposed ordinance to establish the anchoring limitation areas on behalf of the city of Vera Beach and the town of Indian River Shores. >> Are there any questions? >> Sebastian did not submit. >> They did not at this time. They said
they when we provided them with the interlocal agreement at the time they decided that it was best that they withdraw they would like to see how the ALA's perform in other areas before they make that commitment. >> They can do that. There's no penalty. >> We can modify the map at any time as if we have somebody who you know a
municipality who says we this area isn't working for us. It's not necessary. We do not see a benefit. It could be modified. It can be modified. We have to go through construction costs of removing the signage and any buoys, but the map can be modified at any time.
>> Okay. I just want to make sure there was no penalty with the state or >> No, I talked to FWC directly and before we brought the public hearing, I supplied them with the ordinance language and the map and they saw no problems with any of them. So, uh, they were okay with it and the map will stay
within the natural resources department so we can modify it as necessary. Mr. Chair, may I just make a >> Please. >> It would need to go through the ordinance process because you're actually adopting these areas in your ordinance. So, yeah, you can change
them, but you have to go through the whole process. >> It's not it's not just a phone call away. >> Right. >> Right. We have to go through the ordinance procedure. >> U as far as what you heard this morning
regarding area 2 in uh Vero Beach. So I was notified that youth sailing foundation did want to modify the map. It was my understanding that the city of Vieira Beach did remove the area directly adjacent to youth sailing foundation and the map that I currently
have is their most updated map. um the city was going to send a representative um hopefully um he would be here to be able to give further detail because I did not do those negotiations with you sailing foundation as these maps were provided by the city directly to the
county as we're forming these ALAs on their behalf. >> So that's uh and that agreement is between you and the city. >> Yes, correct. and they provided you with the information is what they they want
in their particular area. >> Yes, correct. >> Thank you. Just wanted to clarify that. >> Any other questions? >> No. >> The anchorage that was in question by the you sailing the anchorage on
question by the you sailing is on the east side of the channel. >> There is an area on the east side of the channel. Yes. Correct. >> Okay. on like just south of 17th Street, right? >> Pull that map up because we have the the
resolution and I think this one shows 13.9 acres and yours shows 8.4 for area 2 for the city of Beach. >> Which area? >> 9.4. So it's been reduced by 4.5 acres.
>> Yes. >> So maybe the city can comment on that. Well, we're going to uh open up the public hearing. So, at that point, we'd like the city to be able to address that. At this time,
we will open this for the public. Anyone wishing to comment or add to this presentation? Danessa Chambers, City of Euro Beach, city engineer. So to address the areas adjacent to the youth sailing, youth sailing submitted a request to our city
manager that was reviewed by staff and we did respond to them that we would be able to reduce the area directly adjacent to their frontage, but that we wouldn't feel comfortable reducing areas adjacent to other property owners frontages. So the gap that you see
between area three and area two on the east side of the channel that used to have limitation area in it and that was removed because that is the frontage that's adjacent to the youth sailing lease area. The remaining areas were left because those are adjacent to other
properties. >> So this map that's up here now is um the map that the city of Vero Beach is good with. And Melissa, this is the map that you're asking us to approve as part of this ordinance? >> Yes, ma'am. >> This current one that's up on the screen.
>> Okay. Thank you so much. >> And that's correct. That's what the city is good with. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> These carveouts, it appears that it's going to require some signage to allow for enforcement to uh work its
way. >> Can I just make one more comment on the area too, please? >> Please, you're back. >> Okay. Sorry. I still got a couple more minutes that um you were talking about the areas adjacent to what was the phrase I'm sorry the phrase was other properties and so forth. The ICW is pretty much the when you look at that
area. Can you go back to that map channel? Let's take a look at that map. Can we move back to area 2? Anybody calling up? Okay. See where you see on the map and I'm looking at the slide to the left. Okay. You see the barrier island, right? over the the spoil island which is in
front of the uh uh the park right there, the mobile park. You've got the ICW. U visually the barrier island is obstructing that mobile park. So really what you're looking for and what we feel is the area 2 is pretty much the sailing
area where we operate in that area east of the ICW and it's pretty much when the span it's it's almost center channel or just just just to the east of the the center line of of that. So, I don't know if it was able to be removed. It really wouldn't
impact anybody in that um in that housing area that's where the view is obstructed by that spoil island. So, I don't see how that would be a detriment to those people in that area. I
>> I would just say that this is what's been submitted to us and agreed upon from the city of Vero Beach. So if that is something that you would like considered, it would need to go through the city of Vero Beach. We're a conduit for this program. >> We're not the decision makers on this
program. And from my perspective, we are approving what the city of Vero Beach has asked us to approve and that is the map that they have supplied. So if that's something that you want addressed, my suggestion would be to have further conversations with them.
>> Right. So, so the purpose of is it would it be possible either to stricken or amend that section to be decided at a later time that area too? >> Again, that would need to be a conversation with them. Okay, >> we are >> we are approving what they have given us and this is what they have given us.
>> Okay, thank you. >> But thank you for your comments. >> We are the host. >> Pardon? >> We are the host of this program. >> Sure. >> I just wanted to say that the confusion was we got the letter that he gave you from to us from uh the Monty Falls said
that they were eliminating area two, but that's not what they did. they just eliminated a part of area two and we thought they were eliminating the entire one and until we saw this in your minutes or the agenda. We didn't realize that you'd only only a part of that area
had been eliminated. So that's why we came to make our objections known. again the participation in the program or the lack of participation in the program those opting out uh that requires an
ordinance change uh if if that were were to occur but as far as the area I believe the city of Vero Beach can make that determination and because it's enforced by the jurisdiction and signed by the
jurisdiction of concern. >> Okay. Okay. Well, we'll address it with them, but um are you not voting on this today? >> Yes, we are. We're moving moving forward in great anticipation. There's five of us and we need at least three votes to support it.
>> So, really, we don't have an opportunity to go back to the city. Is that what you're saying? >> Well, you you're welcome to go back to the city and discuss this and they can they can change their uh participation area.
But we'll be approving what's been provided if we do approve it today. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. I'm Keith Dre. I'm vice president of the clean water coalition
of Indian River counties. I think you all know. Um, just for the record, I'm not going to go into detail of youth sailing's position. I just regard it as totally furious. And I say that as a 45 year boater, been involved with youth
sailing for 40 years. Um, the conditions here are very comparable to anywhere else in the country in terms of the anchored boats and the condition of the water. I'm a 45 year recreational boder. I've sailed
power and sail everywhere from Maine to the islands. I've got over 20,000 miles in my log. So I speak to this issue as a boder as well as a environmental advocate and a proponent for clean water.
The sewage and speed limit issues are not part of this discussion. Those are totally separate issues. Speed limit with fish and wildlife, sewage with the enforcement agencies, they're not part of this discussion. Enough of that.
You guys have been talking about this for a long time. I remember just to Laura about it. We brought this up with Commissioner O'Brien was when this started and I don't see him up there. So I guess that was quite a quite a while ago. >> You retired, sir.
>> I know that. That's a Okay. Um >> but I do commend you for sticking with this. I think you've done a great job. I commend staff. Melissa in particular has been terrific in stewarding this through the um
through the maze of legislation. This is another tool. It's not a it's not a silver bullet, but I think it's close to a silver bullet. Um if it's properly enforced, I think it will make a substantial difference both environmentally and in terms of the
lagoon's appearance with derelic vessels and so on. And to that point, um I think you're aware the city now has a full-time beach and lagoon patrol officer with a vessel that the city is enforcing and I believe
is ready to enforce this ordinance. So we are Clean Water Coalition is totally in favor and we recommend your approval. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Two microphones. Anybody?
Seeing none. Now that the public has spoken and you've given your presentation on behalf of the entire board, I want to say congratulations. Uh Melissa, you received uh as as senior
environmental specialist on the you received the lagoon champion award and we truly appreciate it. Uh that's an honor. Your
expertise, your passion for uh the lagoon recovery is well noted and we have the opportunity to have you in the county employee to ensure that we continue to recover our lagoon. So,
thank you for your efforts and endeavors. >> Thank you. I was very very honored for the Clean Water Coalition to to honor me that way. And I'm I'm proud of my job and I'm proud of the work we're doing moving the lagoon program forward. >> Well, we we notice it and the council
noticed it and I just wanted to acknowledge it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anybody? >> Excuse me. You can't hear a word you're saying. >> You can't hear me? >> No.
>> Okay. All right. Apologize now. I'll make sure it's going to happen. Is that better? >> What? >> All right. Okay. Did Did you want to say anything today?
>> No. Maybe later. >> Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? Well, public hearing is now closed. >> Commissioners >> move to approve.
>> Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Moss, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously.
County administrator, if you if you would uh can you uh notice if he wasn't watching because he's out of state, uh can you notify Commissioner O'Brien that uh his efforts have been satisfied. And I do want to thank
Melissa and and Eric and Kylie because I think within the first month of coming here uh we met to discuss to get this on board after meeting with some of the city managers and some of you and it's just been a it's a long process and uh
and actually I think Indian River County did it right because we partnered with the our municipal partners more than other jurisdictions and counties have with theirs. So, I want to thank you, Melissa, and I also want to congratulate you on being recognized as well by the
Clean Water Coalition as a lagoon champion because we we appreciate all that you're doing to implement our lagoon management plan. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right.
Well, the next item uh well, we did remove the Indie River County Stormwater Management Plan. Uh so we'll move on to the Office of Management Budget approval of the changes of the purchasing manual and procedures authorization to advertise uh
for public hearing for the changes to chapter 105 in the Rivera County Code. >> Good morning. Um I'm Jennifer. for Hyde. I'm the county procurement manager. Um, and we're just going to flip through some recommended changes to our procurement manual. I want to take a
minute just briefly to recognize my team and illustrate that um, the county has invested uh, a good amount of money and effort into allowing us to be certified, pursue our education, and keep on top of continuing trends and current legislation. So, I um, I'm certified
public procurement officer as well as a certified procurement professional. I'm also a Florida certified contract management manager by the Florida uh Department of Management Services and I'm the current president of the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials. Um Diane, our contract
administrator, is a certified public procurement buyer and a certified contract manager. And Shelby is a public procurement associate and she's also participating in the Florida Florida Sheriff's Association selection committees for a bunch of their cooperative programs that we are able to piggyback on. And this is just an
illustration of that we uh don't operate in a cone. We network with our peers across the state, the country and North America altogether. Um our purpose as a division is to ensure the efficient procurement of goods and services. We need to ensure fair, open, ethical and
transparent processes. We want to be fiscally conservative, ensure we're always in compliance with state and federal laws. And we want consistency among all departments and vendors so everybody's getting the same interaction with us. Our procurement policies are established in chapter 105 of the Indian
River County Code, which is titled purchasing, and that was most recently updated in 2019. We also have a purchasing policies and procedures manual that was most recently updated in 2023. Our ongoing goals are to shorten time to acquire goods and services. That's for
our our customers and and our citizens. We want to continuously streamline and improve our internal processes just to make things easier. We also want to improve our solicitation so we can obtain the best value because we all realize that the lowest price isn't always the best product. And we're also
striving to enhance and encourage local and disadvantaged business participation. And we realize that some of our current thresholds can make participation for those types of entities a little more difficult. I wanted to touch briefly on our 202425 division goals that were stated in uh
the budget book because it's a great time to update y'all with what we've been doing. Um, we wanted to complete the transition to electronic solicitations and I'm happy to announce that we accepted our last paper solicitation in January of this year. So, no more no more papers in the forests can uh can survive a little
longer. Um, we've enhanced our vendor management processes by starting to shift our intake and tracking through our Bonfire electronic platform that's easier for our vendors to access. We wanted to hold at least one vendor open house and we did that in April of 2025 and we're starting to kick off monthly o
office open hours for vendors to come in and talk to us, learn about how to do business with us and what our policies and procedures are. We wanted to position ourselves to earn the achievement of excellence in procurement award and we're happy to uh announce once again that we did award a earn that
award this year and we're for the first time and we're super proud of ourselves for that. Um, and finally, the reason we're here today is that we wanted to update code and procedures to enhance efficiencies in procurement. So, the changes we're talking about today and proposing, we're anticipating will be
effective on October 1st at the beginning of the fiscal year. So, our current challenges as the cost of goods and services continue to increase uh makes operating within our thresholds a little harder. So, the time to acquire our goods and services is
getting longer. Additionally, our current low thresholds sometimes impact our eligible recovery after a hurricane because we are forced to adhere to the absolute lowest published threshold. While day-to-day the administrator has certain authority to wave processes and
u mandatory solicitations and I have a authority those we aren't able to execute those authorities during after a hurricane. Um and additionally we have we're recognizing additional need to protect information that's related to our in infrastructure our critical
infrastructure and cyber security and that's allowable under chapter 119. So if we have higher thresholds it's easier for us to uh protect that information. So if we look at the chapter the changes to chapter 105 there's not a whole lot of actual modification of the content.
It's just reordering just to make it uh flow a little bit better. Um, you'll notice in bidding procedures, we are pulling out kind of the just the day-to-day execution steps of the formal bidding. That's moving into the manual, but we aren't that's about the only
content that's been moving out. We are proposing to add um the authority level of the C of the procurement manager in the code just so that's established. Um that's currently designated in the manual. Additionally, we want to propose an a
threshold increase to the county administrators procurement authority. And we added um one disclosure to our disclosure of relationships to note that if a vendor is a current county commissioner or employee and that's just to remind folks that statute prohibits
employees from selling goods or services to the agency they're employed by. So, we just wanted to close the loop on that. So, those are our proposed structural changes to code. We'll talk a little bit more about the thresholds here in a minute. Starting with the procurement manual. Um, it's currently called the purchasing manual. The
administrators allowed us to rebrand our division to procurement because purchasing is seen as kind of a transactional process. Procurement is more strategic. We want to be more proactive instead of reactive. So, we want to rebrand the manual to procurement.
The first change is our quote threshold. Right now, anything $3,500 or more, we have we're supposed to get three quotes. Um it was recently increased from a,000 to 3500 in 2019, but we're still struggling with vendor participation at that low level. Um getting three quotes.
We're recommending we increase that to $10,000. That equals the federal thresh thresholds above which that we would have to get three quotes. So it makes um reacting to a storm seamless to our day-to-day activities. And then this also enables our smaller contractors to
quote lump sum and not to exceed. The impact uh for this change is a shortened timeline to obtain minor goods and services by at least 7 to 10 days. Um we hope it'll increase participation by local and disadvantaged businesses
and again enhances our reimbursement eligibility from FEMA. Another change in the manual that's proposed is an increase to our formal procurement threshold or bid threshold as it's commonly known. Right now, we can get three written quotes up to
$35,000 and above that we were supposed to go out to formal solicitation. We're recommending this amount increase to $100,000. Those are lower risk, smaller projects. And we're looking at an average of 107 days from when we think we need to go out to bid for something
through the bid development, issue, receipt, acceptance, and award. Um, and I have uh it's 124 days for request for proposals and 159 days for requests for qualifications. And some of the projects
that would fall under this category are painting, boardwalk construction, um mowing and rightaways that you uh looked at earlier today. These are some of the projects that would be more quickly adapted um to purchase orders. So we can easily obtain three quotes
within 14 days. Impact of this change is to significantly shorten the timelines to complete projects, increase local and minority firm participation, and then also enable commodity purchase at at the best current quoted rate. And that impacts our utilities, chemicals, and
those sorts of things where the prices fluctuate quite quite a bit, but we can get quotes and and respond within a week as opposed to 107 days for a bid. the procurement manager authority level has always been at an equal level to the
the solicitation threshold. So, we're recommending that that also increase to $100,000. So, under this threshold, uh the procurement manager is authorized to wave the requirement for bids or for quotes um as is as appropriate. An impact to
this increase is that it again shortens timelines to timelines to complete projects and increasing local and minority firm participation. The next threshold we'd like to increase is the county administrator authority and this is uh detailed in the county
code. Currently it's $35,000 for consultant related work orders and $75,000 uh for everything else. We're recommending an overall increase to $200,000 um because that matches the state threshold for public construction bonds. Sometimes when we have so many different
thresholds for at this level we have to do this and this level we have to do that it gets more confusing for departments and they flip-flop them around. So we're trying to establish a fewer a shorter list of of thresholds if you would. The federal threshold uh
allows us to get quotes up to $250,000. So, this is well within our authority to respond after a hurricane. Um, and all approvals are still going to continue to be presented to the board for review and approval quarterly as we're doing now. This will also reduce and eliminate the
blanket PO increase requests that you see frequently. Additional impact of this change is an increase local and minority firm participation and it will reduce the number of bids issued annually by approximately 12%.
Bid security is currently uh referenced in code. We're planning to move that into the manual. Right now, we're at we're asking for bid security for every bid at $35,000. And a bid security essentially is a guarantee that the bidder is going to honor their price. We're recommending an
increase of the required bid security to $200,000. A to align with the administrator's proposed authority, but also b to to increase bid participation. Sometimes contractors just don't want to deal with giving a bid security or they don't have the financial capacity to
provide it. So this would also increase local and minor minority firm participation that may have low or no bonding cap capacity. Uh public construction payment and performance bonds are also referenced in code. We want to move that to the manual
as well. Um, currently a 100% construction bond is required for projects over $100,000. And this saves us or it protects us against uh the contractor's failure to perform the work as as contracted. We're recommending an
increase for this to $200,000. A that aligns with the state's threshold for public construction bonds and it also equals the proposed administrator's authority. The impacts uh of this change are to increase local and minority firm participation, enable quicker execution, including
after a storm for $200,000. If we can um respond more quickly, that'll help us get back up and running a lot quicker. And this will also give us a slight decrease to project cost, probably between three and 5% for projects between 100 and $200,000 because that's the typical cost for a public
construction bond for our contractors. specific um verbiage changes to the manual. We discussed that agreements signed by the administrator or anyone on behalf of the county should be routed through both procurement and the county attorney's office. Um there are a lot of clauses that statute requires be
included in every agreement that um an agency or a municipality enters into. Um so we need to make sure those are there. And there are a lot of recent requirements that prohibit various types of vendors from doing business. So we have to ensure that we're signing
agreements only with vendors who are legally authorized to do business with the county. Um we discuss additional types of bid security accepted because of our electronic bidding platform. We can accept some different types to make it easier. We removed a stated geographic pref preference that was
there because of the code of federal regulations and that's been changed and uh statute change requires us to reference iron and steel in our domestic preference. We're including a requirement that every contract have a termination for
convenience and for non appropriation that protects us for a lot of reasons. Several um terms were referenced in the manual, but we didn't find a definition for them. So, we've got a list of them that we are actually providing definitions for.
We're offering reverse auctions as a an an a solicitation option. Um, and that's kind of like a an eBay type thing where say chemical providers again can kind of bid against each other and in a decreasing manner for providing us with
the items that we need or the the the chemicals. Um, we also included a statement that solicitations are only issued by procurement. We just want to make sure no one's doing anything on their own. Um, just to be safe. We added some prohibited practices and purchases such as bid shopping.
We reference that invoice payment is per statute. We wanted to we want to make sure the recommendation of award timeline is set in stone so that we afford any potentially agreved bidder the opportunity to protest. We don't want to cut the legs out from under them and and
circumvent that option for them. We've added a requirement that selection committees have one member from outside of the originating division. That's just to ensure that um that our committees are are broad. The RFP RFP ranking procedures are
updated and that's a reflection of our electronic process. Our new system enables us to do our scoring in the system and it kind of streamlines the process a little bit. And then finally, we're proposing that RFQ negotiations occur without first requiring permission to negotiate and ranking approval.
That's going to save about 35 days in the process for uh selecting consultants, uh surveyors and architects. Um we added procedures for how to handle unsolicited bids. We noted that board approved awards may
only be modified by the board or as recommended in the staff report. made some changes to the pecard policy and you saw se several of those uh back in June when we brought uh the travel policy and the purchase of food items policy. Finally, we added some special
procurement procedures again talking about the cyber security related projects and guidance on how we identify that information to be exempt from public records but with a supporting statute backup and also some information about vehicle and vehicle maintenance.
So this is a summary of the requested threshold or the recommended threshold changes and uh the justifications for each. So we've kind of hit on all of those. This slide is a little easier to see. It just kind of shows what the our proposed thresholds are going forward. 0 to $10,000 multiple quotes are not
required. This equals the federal microurchase threshold at which multiple quotes are not required. And this falls under the procurement manager's authority. From $10,000 to $100,000, three quotes should be obtained unless they are waved under the procurement
manager's authority. For $100,000 to $200,000, formal solicitations are required unless waved under the county administrator's authority. Finally, above $200,000, formal solicitations are required. Bid bonds are required. Public constructions
are required by our code and then also by the state. And these all fall under the board's authority or equivalent. So you would have the authority to wave the requirement for solicitations as you do now. So our recommendation is that the board approved the proposed changes to the
procurement and policies and procedures manual. Specifically the quote threshold increased to $10,000 and the formal procurement or bid threshold to $200,000. And then we also recommend the board authorize advertisement for public hearing to modify chapter 105 Indian
River County Code. And that would discuss the um increases for the procurement manager authority to 100,000 county administrator to 200,000. Bid security requirement uh moving to the manual and at $200,000 and the public construction bond requirement moved to
the manual at a threshold of $200,000. And with that, I like to entertain any questions you might have. >> Well, thank you. Um, and and today's uh discussion is for uh approval of of the
presentation and then we'll have to go forward with the ordinance change. and in looking at it and having a prior discussion, I I have to say that uh you've you've done a thorough job and ensuring
uh many uh protective uh qualities and avenues for procurement. It's a very involved process and it it also uh requires transparency
and again communication with the county commissioners as well. uh with the exception of the when we go into a state of emergency which everything is turned over to the
county administrator daytoday uh I feel that uh the threshold to $200,000 for the county administrator is a bit high
uh to have the authority to spend $200,000 at uh at discretion uh only to find out later on. It's kind of like buying the saddle for the horse that's already out the pasture. Um we
we'll get notified and then we'll see it in the report or we'll see it on the agenda. But quite frankly, this may take the way we have meetings uh limited meetings. It may take a month before we
find out that the county tax that the taxpayer has spent $200,000 in one foul swoop uh without recognition knowledge and I believe the authority is a bit high. Um I I understand all all the
other adjustments uh in comparing and meeting with the federal threshold and they're all fair and appropriate but I believe uh currently from $75,000 to $200,000
is uh a bidded warrant for the organization known as Indie River County. So, uh, I would feel far more comfortable and and confident in the process for transparency
I if it was held at $100,000. Uh, the same authority that you have as well. Um, just my opinion. I I just think that $200,000 it's nearly quarter
of a million dollars. So combined, uh, if you make a decision and the county administrator makes a decision, we're close to half a million dollars on on on a decision uh, without prior knowledge.
Thank you. >> Everybody's got their own microphone. Jennifer, if I can ask one question about lowering the bond capacity on certain projects, that would more than likely enhance our competitiveness
countywide. >> For sure. It's it's a cost. It's a headache for for contractors and we always still have the estimates, go out to bid or require a bond below those thresholds. It's just kind of increasing the the minimum bar for all of them. And we've heard some
frustration that some can't compete because they're not in that position. >> Correct. >> Thank you. >> I was happy to see this. Um, >> and when Jennifer and I met, the first question I asked her is, "Is this going
to make us more expedient, more efficient? Is it going to move projects faster?" And unequivocally, she said yes. And that's that's what I that's what I like to hear. I know this is something I've been questioned ever since I've been a commissioner with a
previous administrator and even with John about about how we can move different projects quicker. It seems that you know over a 100 days in most cases which is over three months just to
get bids and get that process done and then you move into everything else the other phases uh was was not efficient and I'm I'm very happy to see this. I thank you for for doing this and presenting this and
um yeah, I just I just think it's just just this will make us a little bit stronger and a little bit more efficient and make a lot of a lot of people and us included a little more happy when it comes to
seeing projects get done. As for Mr. chairman, as for your 100,000, I understand what you said, but I think it whatever we need to do to uh make this more efficient uh even further
when something happens there. Surely there's a way for us to to move quick if something comes under the county administrator's purview that he needs 200,000 for. I would think it would be a uh there would be there there' be a way to
make that happen. John, do you have any comments on that about reasons why or what we can you know how we can make sure that that that we're knowledgeable and and know as to why you need $200,000 for something.
>> So, we currently provide the quarterly report. uh we could you know I I think can work with Jennifer and we could do a monthly report if that's more you know appropriate for the board especially if it's an amount like that but still after the fact
after after the fact and if it's not an emergency as you have changed authority uh when we initiate uh a state of county emergency uh then the
the rules adjust. I understand that as far as for an emergency, but as far as a day-to-day procurement, I just feel uncomfortable that it's that number that we would be notified even if
it was monthly and we have meetings just twice a month. That means that some 6 weeks later we would be there's a possibility that we would be notified that the expenditure took place. In the meantime, we have inquiring public. We
see action and we get the phone calls. So, uh I I believe that it would be best served if the authority was given at the time. Again, the chairman has the discretion to call a special call meeting at any time.
So the it's very fluid as to the authority that could be given uh if you had such an issue tomorrow if this was intact at 200,000 or 100,000
uh and you went beyond that uh we we could have a meeting tomorrow tomorrow afternoon. So, it's not a matter of it's not a an inconvenience for your board to meet and nor do I I I just think it's a bit high.
That's it. I just don't have a good comfort zone on on $200,000 being spended and finding out six weeks later that it was spent. This is taxpayer dollar. This is not our money. It's not your money. and it most
certainly uh I don't think it expedites any of the action that is procured for the greater good of the citizens of Indian River County. Jennifer, can I ask um for some examples of
how that extra would or would not impact like projects we may have had in the past or just I understand both sides. I'm just trying to see does the one outweigh I'm not sure. So, >> sure. So, if we look at um the items
we've been out to bid for in the past um four years, uh most of the projects that are between that hundred to $200,000 range are roofing bids, boardwalks. Again, the same the same uh categories that we pulled out for um up to
$100,000. Painting, um power washing, some of the the bigger facilities. Um number 10, Lake Lakes tea relocation. um most uh the marquee sign at the fairgrounds. Um everything else, the larger projects, the roadway projects,
the repaving, uh there might be a couple of covert projects that would fall under that that um that could fall under that threshold, but most of the the thresholds are just larger repair projects that we would we would normally quote for a smaller building, but for larger buildings, we really the cost
gets over 100,000. So historically it was it was $50,000 for many years and then it was bumped up to $75,000. U and that's the way it's been for some
time. Um it had it hasn't been problematic. Uh it it may have uh it has nothing to do with the bidding
process the the approval process. Yes. And uh again if it's an emergent matter the threshold changes but more importantly is again if we are in a state of emergency uh which
those factors come into play uh I I believe the others should be uh approved or reported. Uh often times we hear uh during the procurement process that bids are rejected, but we also need to hear
when they're approved as well. >> Thank you for your work on this. I appreciate it all the detail you went into uh right down to the foundation of it explaining that it's not purchasing, it's procurement. Um as far as the um uh
the amount goes, whether it should be 100,000, 200,000, um you know, it's funny because every meeting we discuss basically how the cost of everything across almost every category has increased. Um you know,
after co nothing was the same. So you know, I hate to say it, but uh you know, 100,000 even 200,000 it ain't what it used to be. So, I'm I'm comfortable, you know, with with your recommendation and I appreciate all your efforts. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any more questions of staff? Anybody from the public wish to uh >> this? Is there anybody from the public that wishes to enter into the discussion or
add to this process? >> Oh, please come forward, sir. Thank you for hearing me. I uh I listened to this presentation quite intently and it seems to me that this young lady has done an excellent job in in increasing or trying to increase the
efficiency of her organization which would save the taxpayers money. Maybe what needs to be done and you could consider this is let her do it for a year, see what happens at the end of the year and then proceed accordingly.
Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Oh, ma'am. >> Pardon me. >> No, I is somebody else >> that there's somebody else that wants to come to the podium. >> I'm Lolita Janei, a resident of the
community and um I appreciate whenever staff puts a whole project together and makes a presentation. However, when you when the when you were asked uh what are the emergency things that come up and why you need the higher levels, it
didn't seem to me that they warranted an emergency decision to raise the level. Um spraying a building, painting, doing things like that didn't need a $250,000 limit. Um so I think that if we lower it
nothing would be destroyed or harmed or you know delayed because your responsibility is making up losses once you take a bid and it's high you can't go down in any way.
So, I appreciate that yall are considering keeping it to a lower amount and then raising it whenever you all get together. As you said, uh, Commissioner, you'll meet whenever you all need to meet on an emergency basis. So, thank
you. >> Thank you, Mr. Ch, >> Mr. Chair. I'll just add that our responsibility as a board is to establish policy and approve budgets.
Um we certainly hold the county administrator accountable. We have to empower him if this by any means helps expedite moving along the county, limiting the frustration of our taxpayers, ultimately saving taxpaying
dollars. The county administrator is well aware that he's a contract employee and he's well aware that this board is is uh aware of his decisions and I trust that he would make those right decisions. to imply that there's any
type of nefarious activities I think would be unfair. So, >> well, that's not implied whatsoever. >> Well, I didn't say it was, but I believe that >> I gave you an impression. No, please don't. Uh, >> and and 200 that into my >> is the uh industry standard.
In fact, it's set by the state, I believe. >> Actually, there are other jurisdictions that have uh even higher thresholds, >> right? >> Um, and we wish them well. But uh but no no means did I did I infer
that it was nefarious as you state. Um, I I believe that it's just fair and gives uh robust uh uh elements of transparency and communication to the taxpayer to the county commission if
that threshold is held at $100,000. That's and and I don't think in in reviewing some of the purchasing uh most of and again Miss Hyde uh stated
it uh a lot of decisions are made or at 135,000 and 165,000. Um I'm not going to uh state uh the purposes of of those uh procurements.
Uh but to have the just that wide angle discretion I believe is a a little bit high but there was no intention inlected that somebody would not be doing the right thing but I think we are have to be
accountable. I think the county administrator needs to be accountable and I trust he is. Uh, but I believe that it's far more comfortable for the taxpayer to know that their taxpayer
dollar is being closely scrutinized and examined. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. It's Ralph Ppple, 52534th Avenue Southwest. Commissioner Man made a comment that I
thought was very appropriate. He talked about expedience and getting a job done and and he talked about transparency. I'm going to digress just one second
that and that unless you give me permission, I'll I'll hold that part of that. But I've been trying for almost five months to get county the county uh manager and some of
the commissioners to look at an important issue to a neighborhood yet do not have a decision as we speak now. So what commissioner man was saying I hope is taken to heart. Expedience is
dollars to the taxpayers, to the community, and to you guys. And transparency and honesty upfront. Either you can do something or you can't do something.
Been there and done that. So, I'm I think you're your 100,000 is probably in line and that's up to you guys as to what you decide. However, um
making something happen is as much as as important as anything. So, I'll know you're staying on this subject now. So, well understood. You'll be you'll be here uh Mr. properly.
You'll be here uh after this item. >> I'm sorry, I didn't understand. >> You'll be here to discuss this after your item. After this item a little later on >> I can be I make Yeah, I
>> thank you because again the topic is not germaine to what we're discussing now. >> Correct. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anything else? Is anybody else want to speak?
>> Okay. So, now we need to move forward and uh >> Mr. Chair, I'd be happy to move approval as presented. >> Second. We have a motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Commi
Commissioner Moss. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? I >> Thank you. [Music]
Next item is uh we'll be discussing the ringree corners special assessment request and there is uh background uh on that uh in your agenda.
Councelor, good morning. Good morning, commissioners. Danny Ulie, assistant public works director. Dan, >> the Rainree Corners is a 16 home subdivision located at the intersection of 12th Street and 54th Avenue. The
covert situated at the entrance of 54th Avenue has experienced significant structural degradation. During a major rain event several months ago, the covert failed, resulting in the loss of vehicular access. In response, Indian County Road and
Bridge implemented a temporary fix by putting in filter cloth and fill dirt and putting a large steel plate over the roadway. However, the fix is not long-term solution and will not prevent further degradation of the structure.
In an effort to address the issue, the homeowners have engaged contractors and engineers and have coordinated with both Indian River Farms Water Control District and Indian River County Engineering. As part of the permitting process, Indian River Farms Water Control
District has required the existing 60-in culvert to be upsized to an 84 in reinforced concrete pipe, significantly increasing the project's cost. The total estimated cost for the covert
replacement is over $300,000. Due to the high cost, most homeowners are unable to contribute the full amount upfront. Consequently, they have petitioned the public works department to assist by establishing a special assessment for their subdivision.
Since this will be added to the resident's tax bill, the property appraiser and the tax collector will require a fee of 2% of the assessment levied to cover their expenses. The budget office also has to add a 5% fee
for non-collectibles per Florida statute to cover non-payment and discounts for tax bills paid early. These fees will be in addition to the construction costs and interest charged on the assessment levied.
The Rainree Homeowners Association has provided the following documentation. a letter signed by 12 of the 16 homeowners supporting the request along with the map showing approved homes, a
paid for and approved permit from Indian River Farms Water Control District, an Indian River County ready rightway permit, signed and sealed engineered construction plans, a construction proposal from CK contractors and
development that was dated July 3rd of 2025. The HOA is formally requesting that the board of county commissioners authorize the creation of a special assessment to fund the covert replacement project with repayment to be collected through
assessments on the individual properties within Rainfree Corners. Once the special assessment is established, staff will develop and issue and issue a formal solicitation for execution of the work as designed with recommended award presented to the
board. Approval of an initial assessment and final assessment resolution award of bid for construction of the cover replacement. Staff recommends the board consider the Raintree Corners neighborhood request.
Public works staff supports the request because the existing cover is not expected to last much longer and it is in the best interest of all parties to move this forward as quickly as possible to ensure continued and safe access to the subdivision.
If the board approves the request, staff will proceed to prepare an initial assessment resolution to begin the process of creating a new capital project special assessment and obtain bids to come up with a final cost estimate. The project will not commence
until the board approves a final assessment resolution. Now, also too, just before the meeting started this morning, there are some residents from Rainree and we do have right now verbal commitment from eight
of the 16 property owners to pay their part in full to at the start of the project. The homeowners that we don't yet have the signatures for for consent, there's four of those, but they're not
in town right now. The gentleman who is I believe he is here today and wants to speak said that he can get those other four signatures that are needed to have all 16 >> question. >> I do have a question. Thank you for
this. It's good to have everybody or the majority signed up and at least half of them willing to pay right up front. My question is if we move forward with the resolution and assessment, we will have to do the public notice to the
residents. Who is going to be in charge of that? Is that public works or is that the attorney's office? I just want it clear from the beginning. Um the department has been handling that but we help prepare the notice and we
work in cooperation with them to make sure now we uh have an affidavit of mailing too just to so we have um can prove that it was done. >> Okay. I just want to make sure that we're only doing it once. >> Thank you.
>> Other than that it sounds like a great thing. >> Yes. >> Uh Mr. I met I see where the CK contractors they have a a bid but we would rebid it. We would rebid the job. >> Yes, sir.
>> Uh is there discussion about the terms 5 10 15 years that have we got to that point yet? >> We haven't finalized it. The initial term that was mentioned was a 20-year term. That has not been f finalized yet.
>> Right. And of eight have verbally committed to pay essentially cash, the other eight, I presume, realize that they would be uh obviously 20 years on their tax bill.
>> Yes, sir. >> And would the eight that would be paying cash potentially reduce the amount uh of the bid? >> Yes, sir. That's going to be the intent. if they're paying upfront, it should reduce the cost upfront and the length
of the uh assessment payback substantially, right? So in other words, we we probably have to have a you know a a finite number of that those that would be participating
um in this process and they would be clearly notified, clearly recognized and uh clearly aware uh of the construction process and the duration. >> Yes, sir. Okay. Anything
else? >> I'm good. >> We're good. I'm good. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Is there anybody else that wishes to speak from the public? >> I'm one of the residents, Richard Vanetti, in this project. And uh I want
to thank >> Pardon me. I didn't hear you. >> You want to just Thank you. My name is Richard Manetti. I'm one of the residents and I've appro I've approved paying, you know, for it right away. But
I want to thank the council for entertaining this because we're really in dire need of getting this thing done. I can't get to my house if I don't have it. So, thank you very much for considering this.
>> Quite welcome and thank you for your service. Stop. >> You're welcome. >> Good morning, commissioners. Uh Joel Moliner, 1025 54th Avenue in Univer County. Um so, a couple slight corrections. One is I we have 14
signatures already. I just need two more for the uh agreement in principle with what the staff has provided. Um yeah, so I want to say on the record that public works has been tremendous in this when this happened back in Milton. We
obviously were we had a garbage truck go through the road there. So we've got several residents on the street that are um could need emergency services variety of ages, but uh so it's a big access is a huge deal for us. It's just one, one way in, one way out. So, we do
appreciate you guys looking at this and and considering it. And I think we'll probably have more than eight pay up front. Right now, I've got commitments from half of us. So, I think that'll probably be a little bit more. We are uh super appreciative for the, you know,
the team effort here and um yeah, if you have any questions, any more questions, I'm glad to answer them through the department or from you guys directly. So, but thank you. Thank you, Joel. Um, and knowing that you're you're on the case, uh, there's
just, uh, two signatures that, and I'm sure they're right around the corner. Good man. >> Hi, I'm Mary Walinowski, one6 54th Avenue. I just want to say that like this gentleman, my husband is disabled
and there's plenty of times I need to rush him out and get him to the hospital with the doctor's office. This has been a horror. It's, you know, whether that thing is going to collapse again. Collapsed once, collapsed again. We got the garbage trucks coming. The way it was designed and where that culvert sits
is the stop sign is right there. That garbage truck sits and any heavy truck sit right there. Also on the maps that you guys have, wherever it is, we it shows that it's a through street. So when they were building that development
on ETH, those big dump trucks with all that dirt would come down to the end of the street. I'm in the end of the culvert at the end of the road and they turning around and coming back again sitting right there at that stop sign on that culvert.
the way it was designed where that culvert sits. You know, for all the other people along 12 street, they don't have a garbage truck coming in and going out. Their garbage is out on the road. We have all those heavy trucks coming in and out and in and out. And that culvert
sits right there. And then for it to be called that, we have to increase it because of all the other county water that's coming down because we're close to 58th where all the water has to go out. that shouldn't be on us. We should have to pay for we should have to pay
for or the county should help because we take the influx of all the water that's coming down that has to get out and and I just hope that it gets done fast. Thank you. >> Thank you.
There anyone else? Thank you J commissioners. >> It's a good idea. >> On the move. >> We have a motion by Vice Chairman Law, seconded by Commissioner Adams. Any further discussion? All in favor?
>> Opposed? Motion carried unanimously. Thank you all for that. Now we'll go to the county attorney. And before we do that, a break has been requested. Take a short recess.
the land acquisition panel committee appointment. Mr. Chairman, you you have three um applicants for this position, which is a vacant position on that committee for a natural resources member at large. Um
their their information and resumes were provided. One one didn't make it onto Granicus, but Christina Moore sent it to you also. So, your applicants are Richard Baker, Nora Fossman, and Richard Gilmore. So, u I ask that the board
review uh these applicants and make an appointment. >> Have you all had the opportunity to uh review the applications? I uh I I have to say that uh uh one in
particular I've been studying since the mid70s um is uh Dr. Richard Gilmore and I I think he is >> he's a good man move to approve >> most suitable
>> Mr. Gilmore >> for this location and this assignment. So we have a motion for Dr. Gilmore which I'd be honored to second. Um and
uh any discussion on that one? >> I just say Mr. chair that all of the applicants uh it's amazing to read the qualifications and what they've done and it's just a reflection on our community.
>> Yes. Yes. Um I I have to say I I could probably talk quite some time about uh Dr. Gilmore. Um he his resume will take you a half an hour to go through it. But
all of the other applicants are it did >> impressive. >> Yes. Um the amount of work he's done and what he knows about our environment is absolutely incredible. So uh we're happy to have him aboard. Um but I did want to
comment that the uh other applicants are quite impressive as well. >> Yes. So with that, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor?
>> Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Welcome aboard, Dr. Gilmore. We now uh have another item 14 A2. Councelor. >> Yes. Um we have a early learning coalition request from the early
learning co coalition that um the board appoint um someone to sit on that board and we had one applicant Jessica Stout and uh it does look like she has background in this area. So, um, my
recommendation is that the board approve her as your applicant for the an appointment for the early learning coalition. >> Well, we have a sole applicant and >> move to approve. >> Second. And we have a motion by
Commissioner Moss, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? Everybody's got their own. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> We're now off to uh item 14B,
which is the sale of the tower easement and property near Sea Oaks. Councelor, >> good morning, commissioners. >> It's good morning. >> It still is. And we're here to discuss the property at Sea Oaks is near Sea Oaks, but we'll call it the property at
Sea Oaks. It was bought by the county originally in 1988 to use as a wastewater facility and was used for some time thereafter. We paid $3.1 million for it back then and it was paid for through a variety of sources and then it provided water and sewer to residents of the island including Sea
Oaks. Recently, no longer became useful for utilities purposes. However, there is an existing wireless tower there since 2007 through Verizon. We got a lease with them and that lease is not up until 2032, but it is anticipated they
would want to extend it as the location of the tower >> and all of the necessities and why it is a vital tower to the county. Um, it is expected it would always be a tower there until some new form of communication comes along at but a year ago the board declared the property
surplus at the request of um Mr. for Bquette on behalf of um Sea Oaks and the utilities division agreed with that um and asked us to staff to go ahead and work with Seols about the possible sale of the property so we could negotiate a price. In doing that, the county received appraisals. Seols provided
appraisals and they made an offer. One of the conditions of the offer we went back and forth to Sea Oaks was the tower easement property had to remain a tower easement. We either had to keep it as a county or to sell it to a third party. We did come to an agreement with Sea
Oaks where the sale of the property based upon the two appraisals and they would be responsible for removing any existing buildings that are still there from when it was being used as utilities. And that prop that price was $859,700 and that did not include any of the any
of the tower equipment, any of the tower leases, any of those things. It was solely for the property accepting the tower. During that time period, we also received an offer um for $2.025 million for a 99-year easement for the priority that the tower
currently sits on as well as the access easement that is already drawn out in the lease that we have. We went back and forth again. This was with Wireless Edge. Um they upped their offer to include a little bit more land to allow them the ability to have equipment on the land if they need to modify to
repair to make sure maintain the equipment. And that prop that price then went up to $2.1 million. And today we have reached negotiated settlement with them as far as terms we believe that the county protects the county but also is fair to all the other parties in this
and we are presenting that to the board today. I did pres pro provide a draft copy. There have been some updates to that as we said in the staff report. We are still negotiating back and forth and we are waiting on the only thing we are still waiting on is the final um surveys. They had a couple things they
were working out as of last Friday and we should have those any day. The language in the um agreement, the easement does include that we would only sell it sell the property to Sea Oaks or to another nonwireless tower company. We
could not sell it to any competing companies if for some reason which I have no reason to believe, but if for some reason Se doesn't, you know, follow through or something happens, we are not allowed to sell the underlying property to anybody who would be a competitor of Wireless Edge. Other than that, the
contract is similar to as it was written. Seios has is here is present, Mr. Bquettes here and I believe some of the representatives. We also have a representative from Wireless Edge and our tower consultant is online. If anybody has any questions for him, that's Mr. James Kennedy who
helped broker the deal. Um, based upon the information we have, we believe it's the best way to both preserve the ability to have access wireless communication for the beach side in that area of town as well as get some return on our investment that we made in 1988
and provide the land back to Sea Oaks as a resident community that can use it. We don't have a need for that land, but we don't want to just give away things. We actually have a fiduciary duty not to. And so we believe it balances all of those interests and so we have those contracts. staff is recommending approve
the sale of the easement today and then allow us to finalize the sale of Sea Oaks once that is finalized. And so we have if any questions as I said the tower consultant is available online. We have a representative from the wireless wireless edge the company who would be purchasing the easement as well as Mr.
Bquette and representatives from C Oaks. >> Thank you councelor. Uh just just a comment. Uh you know, if we just want to roll back the the tape to 15 years ago,
I said tape, I meant time. But, uh, if we want to roll roll back the coverage of, uh, a cell tower process, wanting to have a willing seller and a willing purchaser of a cell tower site,
just go back 15 years, and I know I'm looking at you, Bruce, you remember the discussions about wanting to have a cell tower. >> I still have stars. >> Yes. It doesn't show, though. you do it well.
But it it's just quite interesting our our acceptance, our embracement for those cell phones and the the towers associated with it has changed with time
and it has uh I'm very pleased that the agreement that uh you have negotiated anything from the board >> Mr. chair and as previously discussed this uh the sale is consistent with our
policy of being contiguous to the proposed. Additionally, I believe Mr. Hicks has spoken with emergency services and this would not have an effect on our reliability or function. >> Correct. They do not have specific
equipment on the tower. They do, as we all do if we're in that area, use the tower for our cell phones, but there they do not have equipment mounted onto that tower. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anybody who wishes to speak regarding this matter?
Councelor, >> thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Chris, for the work you put into this. Uh, as Chris said, when the county took title to this property back in 1988, it had a functioning wastewater treatment plant on it and um there was no thought given by the county at that time or by
the developer as to what would happen if that treatment plant was decommissioned and became obsolete. So, the county since it had no other plans for the property, no provision was made for a reverter to Sea Oaks, which I think should have been done. Um, the only use the county now has for the property is
to host a communications tower. But the county does have this great opportunity to basically sell the property twice. The easement to the wireless edge and the fee simple to Sea Oaks. And Seols is happy to make that happen and we appreciate the effort that you've put into that. So we think that Seox we put
a great deal of effort into our offer. We submitted all the materials that we used to make the offer. We are ready to to go forward with that offer and we support the staff's recommendation today and look forward to completing the transaction as soon as we can get
approval of our contract. Happy to answer any questions. Oh, and I've got all these folks from Seios who have waited through this thrilling meeting today. Um, in case you have any questions. >> Did you want them to all come up for a group photo?
>> I know we should. We've done that with all the other groups today >> at the cos group. >> No, thank you for coming. >> Are there any questions for me? >> Good. Thank you. >> No. And council, you have no no questions or concerns?
>> No. I mean, we'd like to see it restricted to a monopole or a single like a flagpole tower like it is, but it's we think it's probably going to happen anyway. We don't we would we would not like to see a lattice structure or or you know scaffolding type structure out there. But we're you know we think that's going to happen
anyway. But if if Wireless Edge would agree to that, that would be great. That's that's all it that's what's out there now is a monopole, the single pole. It's not a lattice structure. We think that's more appropriate for the for the area. So we'd love to see that condition put in, but that's about it. >> Well, hopefully they they save those
plans for something more rural out west of this great nation. Yeah. Okay. >> And not in the pristine environment that you have. >> Thank you. >> And that's been discussed though. It has been discussed. >> No, it has. We haven't had an
opportunity to discuss anything with wireless edge because you were in negotiations with them and there's a tort called torchious interference and I didn't want to get involved in that. So, we've proposed it but we haven't heard back and it's not critical but if wireless edge would agree to that we'd be grateful. That that's it. Thank you,
>> counselor. and they are not buying the equipment on the property. Currently, there's still a lease with Verizon and Verizon owns that equipment and it's their responsibility as I he can speak to it better if he'd like to, but essentially they can't because it's not their right now. There's a lease on it
that's governed by the terms of the lease. And so it doesn't appear that there would be any way to put a bigger one on there, but that's not something that we can agree to at this time. And Wireless Edge can't put that in their agreement based upon >> those terms. I've seen all forms of uh wireless antennas. Some have Christmas
trees on the top of them or some kind of uh onate object and some of them look like they can uh be on the top of NORAD. But uh you're if you're comfortable and
confident with it and we can I trust we can all appreciate all the fine work that's gone to get us to this point. And I did just want to comment on I something Mr. Bquette said is just to be clear the reason the we offer we agreed
to their offer after speaking with the county administrator and all the group that was working on that is even though it is slightly lower than the um appraisals I just wanted to make sure it was very clear is because of the work that they were putting into it and because of the nature of the property it is contiguous to sees and then it's actually border state property on the
south and it it made sense based under that it is slightly lower than what the appraisal would be but there is reasons for that and if the commissioners need more backup on that we would be happy to give it but I just want to be clear that's why it's slightly lower but it they provided their reasoning for that and after the meetings we had some time
to talk and agreed to that. >> Thank you. >> Is there anybody else that wishes to have input in this matter? We heard you. He spoke. All right. Well, commissioners
>> move approval. Mr. >> Second. That's a motion by Vice Chairman Law, seconded by myself. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? Unanimously. Thank you.
[Applause] >> Thank you for all your hard work. Next item is uh item 14C, which is the Florida Development Finance Corp consent resolution for Bright Line.
M Mr. Chair, I'm presenting that one. >> Excuse me. >> Said I'll present that one. >> Well, thank you. >> Okay, >> proceed. >> Um, Bright Line Holdings has requested that the Florida Development Finance Corporation issue re revenue bonds in
the amount of up to $400 million to finance or refinance uh railway improvements. The Florida Development Finance Corporation is a statutory creature. It's a state authorized issuer of revenue bonds. Um, Indian River
County does have an interlocal with the Florida Development Finance Corporation which permits it to issue bonds in our jurisdiction subject to the board's uh reserve right to consent to each project. So, um, this matters before you
today on request that you consent to the issuance of these bonds. Uh, they would not be a a responsibility or indebtedness of the county. And I understand that there is a representative from Bright Line here
today, Mr. Cronberg. Um what Bright Line has told the county is that the intention is to use the money for within our county for SA safety improvements at the railway crossings. So our recommendation is that the board
consider approval of the consent for the Bright Line project, the issuance of the bonds. >> Thank you, councelor. As as you may recall, uh this has a long history uh with Indian River County. Uh and in
2013, we had a uh agreement and there were many safety applications that were provided uh to ensure the public safety as Bright Line traveled through our county. And in
addition, part of that agreement was uh that we be notified and involved with any future endeavor. Uh now and explaining uh with Brian uh as as far as the safety
and security, there are not many applications that are due in any river county. However, overall there will be some improvements that will be afforded to the citizens of Indian River County. But
more importantly is that uh this action requires uh no funding or a financial obligation, commitment uh legally or otherwise uh for the
process should we approve it. Brian took time to be here. Wanted to hear from you. >> Yes. Good good afternoon, chairman. Thank you for having us. Fellow commissioners. Brian Cromberg, senior vice president of Bright Line. Um the county attorney did a great job
explaining this. So, thank you to to you and to your staff for for your time today. And I'm available for any questions that you have. >> Thank you. We did discuss some of the uh
improvements that might take place here as far as pedestrian flow. Sure. So within within Indian River County, some of the funds that we get as a result of the bond proceeds will be used to enhance the existing crossings
within Indian River County. There are 32 crossings that we will touch within this county. They will all get um edgeline delineators. A handful of them will also get centerline delineators. We're going to install some um no trespassing and
crisis support signage at the crossings. And then lastly, we're going to install about a half a mile of fencing throughout the county. >> Those the bright yellow uh gate >> type device. >> The delineators are about 4T. They're
plastic that go on the edge that will prevent vehicles from inadvertently driving onto the train tracks. >> Thank you. >> Anything further? Anybody have any questions of I
>> no >> move to approve Florida Development Finance Corporation consent resolution for Bright Line. >> Second. That's a motion by Commissioner Mo, seconded by myself. Any further discussion?
All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Well, the next item is 14D Delta, which is the Michael and Gene Sole versus
Indie River County settlement agreement. Counselor. >> Yes. Um, Indian River County owns a piece of land land, the Kroal Homestead Conservation Area. Um, that property was purchased in 2002.
And when it was purchased, it had a pre-existing open space agreement that was entered into between the a prior coal owner and the neighboring property. Um, in 2023, the Souls filed a lawsuit, uh, who are the current owners of that
property against Indian River County to enforce that open space agreement. And Judge Cynthia Cox, uh, did enter a judgment for the souls. Uh basically what the judge requires um well the judge
uh granted an injunction that enjoins the county from permitting unlimited and unfettered access to that open space area and also ordered the county and the souls to confer and come to an agreement on a permanent plan to restrict the
public in that area. So um we we have entered into negotiations with the souls. I know Miss Jeannie Soul and their attorney are present here today to show support for this settlement agreement. Um at this point the court
has reserved jurisdiction to award costs and attorneys fees to the souls. The sooles have agreed um if the county is willing to approve the settlement agreement to drop that motion for attorneys fees and costs. Um that
hearing is pending. Um, so at this point, the the proposed settlement agreement would uh mean that the county would agree to install a locked fence west of the open space area within 90 days, to have the county staff escort
non-county visitors while in the open space area, and to plant and maintain native plants and grasses in the open space area, which is already required by the open space agreement. Uh, and as I stated, in exchange for this, the souls agreed to withdraw their motion for
attorneys fees and costs. So, um, I will say that since we negotiated this, we did learn that the souls are under contract to sell the property. The there is a consent from the buyers included in your
packet today. The buyers have um stated that they are in favor of this settlement agreement. I will say that um even though they aren't a party to the lawsuit, the judge very clearly interpreted the open space agreement um
to limit public access and that open space agreement runs with the land. So I think um you know there's really no avoiding dealing with anyone who owns that property on this issue. Um, my recommendation is that the board
approved this settlement agreement. Mr. Chair, the part about the county would escort people off of the property, who would that be? Arcs Recreation, who would that be? Yeah, I
really I know there is someone from parks here today. Um I think really the only people that would be entering there would be park staff or or maybe maintenance staff to deal with yard maintenance. The the fence would be
locked. >> So why would you escort someone off the property? >> Oh, escort them in that area >> beyond the fence. >> Still >> beyond the gate. It was in between the two properties, >> right? >> To the river. >> Okay. Yes. Yes. >> That would be the reason to
>> for maintenance. >> Yeah. If someone was visiting it, I mean, the the purpose of the judge's order was to limit public access to that open space area. And so, um, this would
limit public access and require that a county staff member accompany any member of the public into that area. Who who owns the open space? >> We own the open space area. >> We own the open space and the judge has
decided that we and the public cannot access it. >> Yes. the judges. Um, you know, obviously this was a litigated and contested issue and uh the county had a different position than the judge, but
the judge's uh judgment was based on her interpretation of the open space agreement as having been negotiated between two private parties and in her opinion um that it the intention was not to allow for public access. So that has
really kind of guided her judgment. And again, as I said, you know, the county was disappointed in the ruling, but I read the ruling and I thought it was well reasoned and I did not think that it would be a good use of money to appeal it
>> and what are the options if we do not approve the settlement? So the judge has ordered us to uh negotiate with the plaintiffs on a permanent plan to restrict public access. So I do think we
are obligated to um come up with some type of plan. Um at what we would get in exchange for this plan would be that the souls would uh withdraw their motion for attorney's fees and costs which when it
was filed uh they were seeking $62,000. I'm sure that amount has grown since they filed it. Um obviously if we end up having to litigate it, it's set for hearing on September 3rd. I would probably enter an appearance to do it myself because our our council is not
available. But, you know, that's that's on the table, but we cannot escape the judge's direction that we negotiate some type of solution to limit access. >> Did the judge give any parameters as to what that limited access needed to look like?
>> No, she didn't say anything specific. her ruling really kind of talked about different options like fencing or um things that the open space agreement really actually didn't want anything there but um that she
thought would be allowable based on uh this judgment. So I mean I can get out the judgment see if she talked about it. Essentially, it's open space agreement until a certain point, then it's no longer an open space,
>> right? According to the judge. >> So, uh, by way of this lawsuit, one would assume or feel like, uh, the soul's property went up in value.
>> I I don't I don't know. I mean, I haven't we haven't done an appraisal, but uh just to speak to your question, Commissioner Adams, the judges order um suggested measures such as fencing walls
or BMS >> and well, you're all correct. The property went up in value because it now has become waterfront property. with essentially no public access,
>> right? It would be limited public access, which is essentially no public access, >> which is originally when we bought it, the whole idea was to have members of our community to be able to launch a kayak, do whatever.
But since the ruling the ruling trumps what we originally bought the property for >> in this area. Yes. So if facto we we've we've lost the
original mission, the original intent by following the judge's orders, which we have to um unless appeal and we can't appeal it
because that ship has sailed. So the only way through this is to accept this or not accept it and then have to deal with the judge again. >> Go back to the negot Yes. We will
exactly >> lose the sale. Unfortunately, >> the original intent on engaging in getting the grant money for that property has somewhat diminished.
Correct. There's no more public access >> effectively. >> Right. >> Mr. Chairman, >> deal this uh I'm very well aware of this
situation in my opinion is we we cut our we cut our losses and move on and and enter into the settlement agreement about how we're going to manage this property. This this property in my
opinion is not and never has been been a good piece of property for public access. First of all, if if we were going to allow public access full-time, it's not big enough to park more than a few cars on.
Yes, it could be used for swimming or kayaking or something. Some people say, "Well, you can look at Pelican Island." Well, when you're standing on that property, Pelican Island's about this big because it's all the way across the river on the other side. Um,
it's just it's just not a good fit for the people that live there. It's not a good piece of park property for the county in my opinion. We ought to look at something later on down the road. I know there's some if we ever decided to
do something further with it or sell it, it would have to fit I think the Kroal agreement or whatever when we got the property. But as for today, I'm happy to make a motion to uh
to approve the settlement with and follow the county attorney's recommendation on this because it's this just a no-win situation all the way around and we need to get out and cut our losses and figure out what we can do in the future, what we can do with the
limited access issue that Judge Cox was clear on what she said. So, I'll make a motion to that we approve the attached settlement and release agreement. >> Have a motion. >> I have a question before
second and I don't know if this is for park staff or the attorney, but what type of fence was approved? Is it like a split rail fence? Is it like a backyard fence? Is it opaque? Is it What's that
look like? Can you see through it and see the lagoon? >> The settlement agreement itself specifies that the fence would be consistent with other fencing on the property. Let me see. Basically, there is field fence adjacent
to it >> which uh would be consistent what you're familiar with in your area. There's a whole lot of that going on. >> Right. I was I was curious >> and it doesn't have uh with with the exception of barbs,
>> right? >> But it it is basically a cow fence. >> Okay. uh with wire is what what was there uh across the front frontage and alongside I believe that we had discussed that uh here's Beth Powell we
had discussed that on property uh with u Mr. Sole uh many years ago. Good afternoon, uh, commissioners, chair, Beth Pel, parks, recreation, conservation director for Indian River County. Um, in regards to the fence, I
don't think that there, uh, the judge's orders or the agreement have specify the actual material. Um, is that correct? >> No, it's it I read the language of her suggestion. She didn't say in particular. I was reading from the a
settlement agreement itself. That's what the language was. That's correct. >> That it be consistent with other fencing. >> So, nothing from the judge. However, uh the settlement agreement
reveals >> Yes. The settlement agreement states that the fencing that gets installed be consistent with existing fencing installed in the in the conservation area.
So that would be a hogwire type fence uh square mesh with wooden posts and then >> So hogwire and fence post. Yes. With a rail across the top. >> Uh no rail across the top. >> Uh and then the gate would be a uh typically what we use are pole gates. Uh
and then that would be locked. >> Top post would interfere with the visual appreciation of the waterfront property. Okay. >> Have a question if that's right. Um, was
grant money used in the purchase of this property? >> Yes, grant money was used. Florida Communities Trust funding was used. >> Did the Did the grant specify that it's that it uh that it remain as open space or, you know, were there requirements within the grant that might pertain to
this in any way? >> No, not at all. Uh as a matter of fact, the Florida Communities Trust Grant requires uh for all the properties uh that we have currently that public access is an integral component. And this property was also purchased under
uh this um with the intention to preserve the historical nature of the property which includes uh you know uh old midens etc. and to be used as an interpretive uh educational area. Public access has been limited uh to the property since the public uh access
improvements amounting to about $350,000 were uh completed where the county had uh design engineered plans uh we brought to the board as well as to the public. All of those plans, they were available on our county website as well as demand
star for review and comment and uh that includes an improved parking area, uh a pavilion, and some walk pathways on the property. Uh all of those improvements have been completed and have never been open to the public.
Uh just as a point uh again we've we've traveled a long course with this uh property but the property's been around quite some time. It was the property uh attached to Paul Kro >> uh the very first game warden of the
very first national park uh which is Pelican Island. and uh he uh he protected that park uh with uh himself and a single long gun and uh he he
protected it quite some time. It does have significance that property uh was intended but through the grant to ensure that we maintain and conserve uh this historical site but um I don't know how
much interference with the fence that we cannot actually have uh this historical site maintained Uh the challenge is that we won't have
public access to an area that uh would probably explain the whole story uh about you know getting off to the boat and getting out there and uh I like I said the original mission has been changed.
If this is approved today, will we be able to open the park for public access to the part that is available to the public? >> Once the uh proposed fence would be installed, we would be able to open it to the public. >> Okay, then I'll be happy to second the motion. I think it needs to be open.
We've been sitting on it with all this too long. People need to be out there, >> even if it's a more limited space than I originally anticipated. So, we have a motion by Commissioner
Airman, seconded by Commissioner Adams. We support staff recommendation. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried unanimously.
Thank you, team. Some decisions are easier than others to acknowledge and absorb. But thank you team. And with that, I'm seeing just the opportunity for any member of
the public be able to speak about any matter regardless of on the agenda or otherwise. Seeing none, having given a fair and uh abundant opportunity commission, you have anything?
This meeting's journed