Are we good? >> Hello everyone. Thank you very much for coming to our council meeting. >> Um Marne, would you please call the role? >> Council member Steve Freriedman >> here. >> Council member Deb Gillis here. Council member Anna Richard
>> here. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> I'm here. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney >> here. >> We have a court. >> Okay. >> I hear Dennis Ward is out there in the crowd. Would you lead us in the pledge of allegiance, please? >> Thank you, Mayor.
Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much.
Okay, council requests for additions, deletions. Deb, I'll start with you. Um, Mike, >> um, hit everybody else. >> Okay. >> Well, I've been behind all day, so Don,
anything for you? >> Uh, no, ma'am. I have none. >> Anna? >> Nope. >> Steve, >> I'm good. Okay, >> back to me. Um, I thought about it. I need to have a short discussion about
surveys um by the village under mayor council communication. Okay. >> Not the kind Anna does. >> Yes. The kind Anna does. Anna, I have no ink. >> Can I have your pen? I have no ink in my
pen. You'll get a note from me. Okay. All righty then. Moving on. Reports, presentations, and announcements. We'll start with our wonderful Rick Ramsey. Would you like to come up, sir? >> I would love to. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Madame Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council, Citizens. I wanted to come up and recap on our lighting project that Captain Conturo and others from Electric Co-op, City of Ana, Marada, Aqueduct, I'm sorry, FDOT worked on. But I kind of
want to talk about what brought it to rise, why we focused on this. Most council will probably remember back in late March of this year, we had like three car crashes within a week where four people perished in Alamrada. So that was the catalyst for us to look back and
say, we got to reassess what's going on. Is there a problem that we can identify? Can we mitigate and fix it? Is there a common cause here, common theme? So, what we determined was, and it took a little while to get the crash report back from FHP because being part of a traffic homicide investigation, it
doesn't come out fast, but we had one crash at the 90 mile marker. And that crash resulted about 8:00 at night, a pedestrian being killed. So, we looked at one to determine was this a lighting, it was a pedestrian with a crossing. What we determined was a male was
walking on the bike path. There was a driver who was driving one of these Tesla type cars. I'm not sure what model, but it was an auto drive where it drives itself. And he alleges the car was in a self-driving mode while he was having lunch eating. And he alleges the car malfunction, left the road, went on
to the shoulder, struck and killed this pedestrian. So that was a situation we determined that it wasn't a lighting, it wasn't a crosswalk, it wasn't a traffic related matter that we or no one else have control over. either a self-driving car
which malfunctioned or the person lying and distracted driving eating a sandwich left the road. Either way, it wasn't something that was correctable in our minds. We also had a crash at the 81.5 mile marker. This is about 7:00 in the
morning just when the sun was coming up. This is up around the outdoor sportsman. At 81.5 mile marker, we had a driver who was going northbound on US1. We had an individual homeless who was suicidal just two days earlier who was trying to
cross from the bay to the ocean on his bike. Had no bike lights, no reflectives, dark clothing, crossed the southbound lane, entered into the center turn lane. There was no northbound oncoming car. traffic was
extremely light, but yet he drove directly in front of that northbound car who was not speeding, was not intoxicated, had no time to make any evasive maneuvers whatsoever. So, that person was struck and died, unfortunately. So, we're not sure if
this was a suicide attempt as the person 2 days prior was suicidal. Seems odd when you're in safe haven in middle street that you didn't stop and you clearly see this car coming. So, we determined clearly that was a possibility. There was some lighting issues there which could be a
contributing factor. And then we had a really sad case that week as well at the 80 mile marker in front of Papa Joe's where an adult male and female older couple crossing from Papa Joe's to the other side got struck and killed by a car. Again, the driver was not
intoxicated. It's about 8:30 at night time. Driver was not speeding. Driver was not cited in this case at all. They appear to be crossing and anybody would have a hard time at nighttime determining distance, speed, and closure of a car. It's hard to see headlights and really determine how close are they,
how fast are they coming. So, this couple were crossing. I think the time when they probably figured out it was coming pretty fast. They weren't in the age capacity to run or really step it up. Again, they had dark clothing, no lights on them. Lighting is the issue there. Contributing factor. The crash
was listed as a lighting issue. the driver of the car didn't see him until um impact occurred and uh again so after that point in time I got with the district captain and I said we need to identify what's going on if anything I wanted to at that point time I asked her
to come in at night time I wanted to assess the lighting from the 80 to the 90 tomorrow marker to see if there's any particular area or areas of concern that we could either see as a contributing factor for these crashes or we could see as potential area of crashes may occur thus we need to mitigate the impact
acts. We identified 11 areas of strategic concern for us initially. Now, we could go out and find probably 100 areas who need a street light. Some people want more lights, some people don't want more lights, but our focus was trying to do what we can to start off and address this problem. The
captain identified 11 areas. Uh then she did a good job to work with our partners. We always talk about partnerships. She got with the city of Alamada staff, Florida Keys, uh electric co-op. We talked to our friends at Florida Department of Transportation. Everyone was on board to identify that there's a need and worked together to
get it done in a pretty fast time. I think we identified these areas and we had 11 locations where we either put in new lights that did not exist or we did a few upgrades where we had some older lights which were almost orange and yellow in color. Some of the older ones we had those upgraded to highintensity
white crisp LED lights, a lot more visible. So, we've got those errors um identified and those errors have been corrected. >> So, we continue to try to focus on this really to try to give you a brief background in case some of you are wondering about those crashes and what
took place and why and what's being done about if anything. So, we again believe that a contributing factor 80 mile marker for the most part was probably the lack of lighting which has been corrected. The 81.5 we think there was a lighting issues which been corrected. We also think there's a good chance this
was a um self-imposed suicide. And the 90 mile marker, again, no contributing factors that was in anybody's control other than in fact of either the car malfunction or the person was distracted driving. And that's yet to be I think determined if the car malfunctioned or
not. So, I don't want to drag it out and you got a lot of business tonight. I have any questions. I'll try to answer, but I thought we should just recap that as well. >> Thank you very much, council. Do we have anybody have anything for Mr. Ramsay? Mr. Thank you for what you do. >> Thank you my team and thank you for your
partnership and friendship. I appreciate each and every one of you and our citizens. Thank you. >> We appreciate you. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Our wonderful Captain Lette. >> Good evening everyone to justice. I'm Captain Intero and I'm
happy to be here today. Thank you for allowing me uh this opportunity to speak to you a little bit about a project that I've been working on since uh October of last year. So, as you can see on the screen, our topic today is Plantation
Key Colony spec specifically Halloween night. So, Plantation Key Colony, that was last year with uh a lot of our young youth and uh very very happy to be there. And uh the reason why we're here, it's
because there were some safety measures, some safety concerns that I identified while um during that night. And I have some pictures and please excuse the quality of the pictures. I didn't think that I would be showing and sharing these pictures today in front of everyone. Um so
these this is um Plantation Key Colony particularly um you you'll see Royal Point Sienna Boulevard which is the main street in that area and then you also have your side streets and what I would like everyone to to notice is the
vehicular traffic and the foot traffic that is uh moving along together and it was uh very challenging for vehicles to get from one point to another with the heavy foot traffic in that area.
This was early in the night. As you can see, it was a bit uh busy. This is Royal Point Sienna Boulevard. Like I stated, as you can see, this vehicle is actually having to move on to the opposite lane of traffic so that he can maneuver around the pedestrians who are
trick-or-treating in the area. Here you've got golf carts. And as you can see, this little guy right next to the golf cart, pretty close to the golf cart. And that's a bit concerning to me because obviously we don't want our our youth to be injured in any way. We want
to protect them at all cost. Um, this gentleman here thought it would be a good idea to uh trickor treat or to deliver candy from his monster truck. And uh there was a juvenile that was close to this vehicle as well at one point that caused a lot of concern. Obviously, we stopped this behavior
immediately. so that he didn't continue um handing out candy. Um we've got here as you can see again another street the um traffic foot traffic is getting thicker because obviously later in the night you have your um older kids that
come out that want to um trickor treat and um it it just kept getting busier and busier. This is again the main road where you can see that um vehicles parked. there's just no order and there was everywhere. Everyone was everywhere and it was really concerning because
lighting is an issue there as well, which is something that we're going to look at together with FKC later on to to install a few lights in the area, but particularly the the volume of pedestrians and and the the vehicular traffic that was in the area was a
concern. So, um, we what we what we've done is I've looked at the area and I'm proposing doing some street closures for that night for a few hours. Not hard closures, but certainly control the
amount of um, vehicles that come into that area so that we can minimize the exposure of the foot traffic and the vehicle traffic together in that area. And basically the safety measures is to prevent accidents and to protect human lives, working closely with respected
community leaders and citizens such as the members of the Plantation Key Colony Civic Club. I will be u meeting with them just because it's important to me in that meeting that we establish feedback channels through which community members can provide their
input, share concerns, and more importantly um suggest any changes that we'll consider because that is important to us. Um, I plan to communicate this through message boards, newspaper notices, press releases via via all of
our social media uh platforms. And again, the reason why I'm here and I want to make these changes and I hope that the community understands that there is a need for this is because safety is our highest priority. We're committed to the safety of our members, our community, and more particularly the
citizens and our young ones. So, thank you very much for your attention and your time. >> Thank you. Um, does anybody on council have anything for Lette before she goes away? No. I thank you very much. It's much needed. I think we all know that the Colony and Indian Mound, there's
another area that gets a lot of trick-or-treaters. >> Unfortunately, last year with all the rain, I didn't have an opportunity to assess Indian bound, but definitely this year we'll get there and we'll we'll make the adjustments as needed. >> Just as crazy as as the other ones. >> I've heard. Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. I just wanted to also thank
you for your efforts. This is good. We should always protect our kids. >> Thank you, ma'am. Appreciate it. Yes. >> And now the most popular man in all of Marada, Aaron. You're in front of my neighborhood now.
Thank you, village council, for allowing me to give an update again tonight on our project. Uh, yes, we are moving really quickly through Plantation Key. Just to give everybody some updates, I'll try to work this thing. I'll go this way. Okay. Um, so our project team,
everybody knows who we are by now. I will mention that we have our project engineer with us tonight, David Mullen. So if there are any technical questions after I'm done, feel free. David will come up here and answer them. Okay, there we go. Okay, so I want to update the council and the citizens on
our new project map. Basically, you can see kind of what we've gotten done. The green area at the bottom is all the pipeline that has been installed. Uh we're currently in that pink zone, that next color, and we're about right at
mile marker 88 and a half. So if you uh Forest Tech hardware store, that's basically where our end of pipe is. So um they're actually had worked themselves so efficiently that they're waiting for some more pipe materials to come in. Um with lobster se mini season
right around the corner, they're going to pause, drop back, do a little bit of cleanup, catch up some of their um stuff that they need to do with the equipment and get some more materials in. Um so they're not planning to install more straight line pipe till the week uh
after lobster mini season that Sunday, which I think is August 3rd. Um so you'll see a lull. Now, I say that um there's still going to be trenching cuz they want to get ahead with the trenching operation. So, you'll still
see that up to the week of mini season. I think up till Tuesday, that week. Uh but as far as pipe installation, uh that's kind of that's on pause for the next couple weeks. Um also, we've got a new update kind of on when we're going to be up towards the school zone. Uh we
were originally anticipating maybe even mid August which was creating some hurdles with law enforcement and coordinating with the schools. Um we're pushing that back till September right now and we're currently meeting with FDOT. Um we're we've done some some
minor changes to the design kind of in construction. um looking at things several different ways to try to ensure that we have at least one northbound lane open similar to like we did during the Tavern crossing. Um but this will be a moving. It'll be much quicker. Um but
we're working through that right now. I'll have some more updates probably at our next meeting on how that's going to go. See? Okay. And then um I want to give you guys some more updates just on pipe quantities. This is this is a pretty big deal. But of the 34,000 ft of pipe,
we've got 15,28 ft of new drinking water pipe in the ground. So that's a that's a a really big number. We've only been at this since March. Um, as you know, the new drinking water pipe is being installed along US1. The crews are working 24
hours a day, Monday through Friday. Uh, we completed the directional drill crossing and our project is ahead of schedule. We're currently tracking March 2026 to hopefully have all the pipe in the ground. I'm going to give a little bit of
traffic updates here. Um, as everybody knows, I don't know if everyone has been here at all these updates, but the basically the rolling uh steel pipeline installation, it's a rolling traffic control zone. So, you it's kind of a train of work. That um zone is about
3,000 ft and it normally moves up about 1,000 ft a week. So, um, if we're in front of your business, I mean, the contractor is doing everything they can to maintain access. That's actually a contract requirement to do so. If somebody doesn't have access, definitely contact there's some contact information
at the end of this. Contact me and we'll make sure that that happens. Um, but again, we we move through the area pretty quickly. Um, but that full zone is 3,000 ft. And one of the things that we're getting a lot of calls on again is, you know, people heading southbound
that can't cut through the zone to in order to get to businesses on the um the ocean side. They the one of the inconveniences is in that 30,000 ft people going southbound if if they need to get into a business like the Tom or Forest Tech. Um FDOT allows some
openings and sometimes we don't know which ones they're going to allow till we get there. But mo for the general public they need to drive all the way down the zone, come to up a side street and then come back up. And we understand how much of a an inconvenience that is to businesses. That's why we try to get
through as quickly as we can. But that's one thing that we just want to continue to let the public know. Um we get a lot of calls on that. We also see some people trying to cut through the zone and it's dangerous. It's a safety concern. So, um, we want to definitely get that word out there. Again, um, like I mentioned at the beginning, we are
going to pause for lobster mini season. The only work that we're aware of right now is Monday and Tuesday of that week. They're going to run the trencher and then allot, so all barrels, everything will be off the roadway by Tuesday around midday and then it won't be back
up until Sunday the 3rd. So, everybody will get a break from us for lobster mini season. >> Okay. But you have no no plans on on uh shutting down for the beginning of season on August the 6th. Correct.
>> We have we we get a list of dates from the Department of Transportation on which dates. >> Yeah. That wasn't on the blackout list. Um >> just just FYI for the public. >> Yes, ma'am. And and I think one thing to that point though is they continue to do
um volume tracking throughout the keys. if there's ever a significant backup or the volume is too high, FDOT notifies us and we're able to move our our traffic our MOT equipment off the road. So if lobster if the main season gets is a is a big traffic event and they start
seeing that we have too much volume, they will notify us and and we'll get everything off just so so we're ready for that as well. >> I want to um mention another thing real quick and we can get into maybe >> Hey, there we go. broke it. Sorry,
>> this went out on some bulletins and some people may have received this, but um we got some questions about the installation process. You know, when you see that first train of work with the main pipe going through, there are some additional steps and this is really helpful to kind of understand, you know,
once we've laid the pipe, there's actually a cathotic protection electrical conduit and and some cabling and everything that goes with that. So, they come back and do that. um they have to pave the road obviously um and and then they're basically repeating that
process and then they have to make some of these interconnections on step seven where if if you have a master meter near your business or near your uh development they have to come back and do that and I'm going to talk about that a little bit more in a minute. So, um,
it's kind of a misconception when you see that first initial rush come through. There's still a little bit of stuff we have to drop back and do. And I think some people have been calling about, well, you know, I thought they made it through the zone. Why do we still see this or or that? So, I want to start giving some more details on on
that process. Um, so just to talk a little bit about that, you know, this is a couple images. A lot of the pipe they're installing at night. Um, so I know these images are a little bit dark to see, but as you can see when they're putting these pipes in, those trench those excavation and
trenches are very are made dry. There's no water. They have to be dry. There's welding and everything that they have to do to assemble that pipe. And in order to dewater that though, um, some of you may have seen those vertical big white pipes that stick up out of the ground.
Those are whales that they can pump the water into to get rid of the water. So, until the pipe is all installed and it's basically passed all its testing, we can't take those down. Um, a lot of communities have called and said, "Hey, why is this still in front of my
property?" But until we get everything passed and certified and cleared for service, you guys will still see those up there. We've tried to work with people and and um, you know, put cones around them or put different things to hide them as best we can, but we do have to keep that in place until the end of
the project. Uh the other thing like where you see this little leg of pipe coming off the main dark blue pipe, that's an area where there's going to be a connection to the existing water mane. And in those areas, we actually push some of the um flushing and and swabbing
of the pipe to clean it out of there. So, we'll leave in some areas an excavation and we'll plate it, make it safe. But that's another question we've got from a lot of people is why is this still here? And that's why because we still have to connect some of the pipe in those areas. So, I just wanted to
show a visual on that. Um, and I want to talk briefly about hurricane season. You know, we have a hurricane preparedness plan. Um, you know, nobody wants to be dealing with that, but we are plan, we plan ahead for that. We make sure that, um, there's
measures taken so that even though we're a moving operation, we have a lot of materials, we have a lot of equipment that has to get off the road. So, we do have a full um, inclusive plan. We actually met with FDOT and their emergency management through in and
Marathon last month just to go over that plan with Department of Transportation as well as Monroe County to make sure we were all on the same page. And um that meeting went really well. Um this is a little bit I'm not going to read through the whole thing, but this basically shows you the measures we take
when there's a hurricane watch and then the additional measures we have to take when there's a hurricane warning. But just rest assure, we've had several, you know, tropical storm events since we've been doing these projects the past two years. But on every one of them, we've been prepared. Our contractors stop what they're doing. They get everything out
of the way to make sure that, you know, we don't have any issues during a storm event. And then with that, again, we're continuing to reach out to businesses ahead of our pipeline installation. Um, we put out these maps. Sorry, we have a public information officer that prepares
mapping and um they meet with us and our contractor to get specifics on businesses. Any business that has any specific issues like deliveries or anything like that that you need to coordinate with us directly, make sure you reach out to us cuz we will meet you
at your property site uh to make sure that we can handle any type of um access issue. Now, we still have to put the pipe in the ground somehow. So keep that in mind. But thus far, everybody has been really helpful and these meetings have went have went well. So
So with that, that's all I have. And this um slide right here shows you how you can stay connected and get updated information. It also has phone numbers where you could reach me, the contractor, and if you scan the QR code, you'll get project updates if you haven't already done so.
>> That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Aaron. Uh, council, anybody else have something for Aaron? No, I appreciate it. I think you guys are doing great. We have no choice. We need water. >> So, but you've been really, really super about everything and I greatly
appreciate you. So, thank you. >> Thank you for the support. We appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay. >> Did you want to talk about the citizen advisory thing or No. Is that going to be Carolyn for Parks and Rex? Come on up, Carolyn.
Thank you, Madame Mayor and Council. I'd like to begin our presentation uh the report from the parks and recck committee with a celebration. And the celebration is of our little siren swim
group which first of all finished first place in the state regional championships in Gainesville in May. And they have just come back from competing in the nationals, the US Junior Olympics this year, finishing in first place
there. And I think we've got a whole lot to celebrate. So And what we have not celebrated appropriately is some of our baseball team which I believe won the region the districts in the past year. And so we've
omitted that and I'd like to have the opportunity perhaps at another time to celebrate that. But sometimes I think we don't realize the things that are going on around us in the park and even our small little group what we've been accomplishing.
So what I'd like to do is do a quick report on the parks and recre committee meeting which we had on July 10th. Um it included the full parks and recck committee um and including three members of the council that were there for the
entire meeting which was over three hours. Um and there was a broad group of people from the public and this was specifically at the request and coordinating with the manager. Um we designed it to address two specific
topics. At first, the first topic was to validate or support the signing of the interlocal agreement between the Monroe County School Board and the village relating to the baseball field, which we
like to call a multi-purpose field, but that agreement has now been signed. And so, at the request of the manager, we wanted to make sure that that was agreed to by the committee. So when I finish um I'll turn this back over to you all. So
that was the first thing the committee supported that by a vote of 7 to one. The second topic which is what we limited it to this time was specifically on which kind of turf would be used on
that field. And that was important um because as the manager said, you can't begin to do planning and finance and so on until you know exactly what's going to be on the turf. And so the importance
of recognizing that this is not just a baseball field that's five months out of the year. Um but it is a multi-use field which can also be used you know softball, kickball, other practice kinds of areas. So for
the rest of the 12 months. So there was no conversation about budget that was not part of the topic. This was simply um an overview. um first of all acknowledging the um the agreement and then secondly having the conversation
about the distinction between natural turf and artificial turf. Let me start with the the the natural turf and natural of course would be everybody's ideal. Everybody loves to have real grass but there are some important
concerns about that. One of them has to do with very expensive maintenance. So just think about our weather. think about the amount of water that is required. Um, and then in addition to that with anything but artificial, we
have the use of pesticides and fertilizers. And all of these run into the bay. So part of our environmental concern is not just it'd be nice to have grass, but what is the price that we have to pay? Um we were given a number
of models of some of the D1 schools and even some of the professional um the professional um teams. Some of which do have natural turf, some of which do not, but an acknowledgment that that is not
only an enormous investment, but in many cases those fields are used solely for that one particular use. They are not multi-use fields. Um and we had some some commentaries from a number of the coaches. Um so that was the conversation
in terms of the natural um having natural grass. When it came to the point of artificial um the first thing to acknowledge is that this is not the old astroturf that had you know broken up tires and all that toxic stuff. There
has been an enormous development and improvement in the use of different kinds of artificial turf so that they are now grounded with cork and different kinds of shells and you know things that
are natural um natural things that stay underneath. Um the argument in in favor of the artificial is that there's an enormous amount of flexibility for multi-use because the baseball field would be only 5 months of the year and
not 100% of the time. So the flexibility of having artificial turf, there's less ongoing maintenance. There would be none of the runoff to the bay issues. obviously limited water requirements and we've just been talking about water and
um the extraordinary amount of water that would be required to keep um a natural turf functioning but actually the committee felt that some of the most persuasive comments came actually from the coaches and some of the experienced
players um you know one of our coaches former major league baseball player Olympic gold medalist father coach um who's played all around the world was very um was very outspoken about the fact that much as we'd all love to have
grass that the turf really was a better choice in terms of the uses that we have here. Um we had um conversations from the other coaches and from a number of other people. There was a wide
conversation in terms of ongoing um public comment, but the committee voted 7 to one to um support the fact that when the school board made their agreement, the school board's agreement
was not necessarily you will have artificial, but they did say that all of the school projects within the county were artificial. And I believe Key West has had theirs for several years successfully.
So, um, the the vote was 7 to1 to support the use of the artificial turf, which then gave something to the manager then to be able to begin to make some planning and, you know, outlines and so
on. So, um, before I continue, I just had a couple more things, but before I continue, since number of you were there live, is there anything that was misstated or that I missed or we should
say differently in terms of this report? >> No, I don't think so. >> Wow. Thank you. Well, so our next steps are, as I understand it, I'm going to turn this back over to the manager, but our next
steps are there is um another parks and wreck meeting scheduled in August, and what we've done is sorted out many of the details. We took just these two this time, but some of the things that will be left are things like the construction
and the budget and the dugouts and the offices and all of those kinds of things which will then be a part of conversations that we will begin to get more into depth with. Um so and then a new consideration which
was suggested which is looking at some commemoration opportunities in this park um citizens or students or athletes who have um might might be celebrated as a result of what we have. So um I may I
turn it back over to you um Ron or to any of you if there are any questions that I can be supportive of. I thought of one after you asked and then I thought of one. Um, so during the actual baseball season, if with a multi-use
field, we could use it, the village could use it in between games, um, assuming we have a a long enough time span to do stuff in between games, right? >> I believe so. That is my understanding. >> And in the past, uh, or with grass,
that's not necessarily true. >> Well, exactly. And the challenge with anything except the artificial takes away that multi-use. Yes. Um and many of the sports groups um they'll have practice sessions like for soccer. There
are the additional other sports of kickball and so on. So it means that the field would not be limited just to that amount of time when it's a ball field. It is referred to as a multi-use field. >> Thank you.
Ron, is there anything that I should add that was missing or that >> Madame Mayor? >> No, go ahead. I >> always like to make a couple of points. One is that uh we won't repeat this every time. The ball fields owned by the
village of Alam Marada. Nothing will happen there without the approval of the village council. So ultimately all decisions must be approved by both the school board and by this council. So reassure that. Number two, the interlocal agreement that she referenced has been recorded and it states in the
agreement that 100% of all funds uh needed for the renovation, construction of any buildings, etc. 100% are paid by the school board. There's been no offer or discussion of having the village uh pick up any of that expense. So any rumors to the contrary are not accurate.
It's not my intention to recommend that we pay any money towards it. It's the school board's proposal and we are looking at it as a partner but we have not offered any financial consideration there. So always want to make those points just to be clear. Uh we did ask to uh to go forward as far as a
recommendation because uh the two other things have to be negotiated are a baseball license agreement and a use agreement and and as the chair said it's hard to uh have a negotiated of a uh use agreement when you don't know the type of turf because a big deal is going to be the maintenance of it. That's been a
problem in the past is who's m who's responsible for maintaining that grass field and that's created some issues. And so going forward, I've I've asked uh uh five citizens to serve on a baseball field task force. One of them is here tonight, Captain Black I think came in,
Brian Conn, uh Tony Hammond. uh we we have a good group of people and I've committed that I will not move forward with any type of proposal to bring before you before running it past that task force because they're they're people that are involved at Alena Davis
and Jamie Engel are the other two and so they have various opinions on it. They're not one side or the other. And so any use agreement or baseball license agreement I'll run past them. The other consideration is the buildings. There are buildings on a it is a proposed draft plan. It's a design plan. Design
plans can be changed. So, there's discussion about the need for a second building, how high they're going to be. Uh we actually marked the field out so you can see where the buildings might go that were proposed. So, there's a lot more to be done. Some people are thinking that bulldozers are going to start next month. We're about a year
away. So, we have a lot more to do in the in the interim as far as making decisions in conjunction with the school district. So, I want to make that clear that nothing's really happening right away. I did want to get some direction from the the council tonight. similar to what the parks and recreation committee did. Number one, are we moving forward?
I think the answer is pretty clear. Something's going to be happening. And if you wanted to make a recommendation on grass versus artificial, that would be helpful because I can't negotiate a use agreement without knowing that we're going to end up there. The proposal from the school district is specifically for artificial. If for whatever reason we
changed it, it all goes back to the drawing board because their proposal is contingent upon it being artificial turf. And if we tried to change that, then I think we'd have to start the process again. So that's up to the council whether you want to do that. I'm in the process of negotiating with Mr. Pat Leafir who's been to several of our
meetings uh to get these uh documents moving. Uh but at this point if you want to give direction I think I've kind of individually spoken with you and I think that the direction is we're going to at least continue the discussions uh but with no agreements until you approve
them by the council. Okay. Um, I'd like to see the five people on the baseball committee come in the sunshine, discuss like they did at Parks and Rex, and have it open to the community to input. I'd
like to do that within the next couple weeks if we can arrange it. I think the five of them not being able to talk, not being able to discuss doesn't really solve anything. They need to be able to communicate, to talk, and to go back and forth. So before I I'm ready to do
anything, I'd like to have these five people who are more than qualified. It is a balanced group. I'm very happy with that. And uh I'd like to schedule something with them and the community within the next couple weeks if that is
agreed with everybody. >> In response, we have already been in contact with all five members and we are trying to set a date. Obviously, we have some budget issues and hearings and workshops we have to kind of do that on top of, but all five have indicated they want to meet. I purposely didn't want to
have any meetings because there was nothing to really discuss at this point, but we're more than happy to have a publicly noticed sunshine meeting with the five members of the task force and the public. Uh, I'm still proceeding with negotiations with the school district because we have to have some documents. I'll be more than willing to
at that point sometime, let's say mid August, uh come back to the to the task force with those documents, let them have any input and then bring them back perhaps at the September uh regular council meeting to maybe get some approvals. But once again, nothing's really going to be happening for months
as far as actually seeing something happening on the ball field. But the in particular that use agreement is important to get direction as far as grass versus artificial at some point in time because I can't finalize that until we know which direction we're going to want to go in.
>> Okay. Anybody have anything? >> Go ahead. >> I would like to see us move forward. I think this is way overdue. I think the kids deserve it. I think the parents that are paying taxes in this town deserve it. Um, as a parent of two boys that have played on that field, have
done travel ball, I've been to many, many baseball stadiums and ballparks. And 10 years ago, that field was in bad shape. And we spend our own money and our own time trying to make it safe for those kids. and to have one field in
this entire upper keys community that fits the high school and middle school level of size and everything for them to play. I think it's way beyond time that we move forward with this. >> Go ahead, Don.
>> I'm um I'm in agreement, Anna. I think we need to just move this thing along. we, you know, it's been kicked, the can has been kicked down the road. And I think we just need to get you, we need to listen our committees. We need to listen to these these groups that you're
putting together. And uh and we just need to move this forward instead of continuing on it. And I want to thank you for your dedication to all of this. You you were sick as a dog that night you here, but you came here and you worked >> and I really appreciate what you did that night. So, thank you very much, Carol.
>> Thank you. Okay. I also would like to support moving forward um with the project. Um it's going to change as we go forward as we've all talked about that we had a tentative draft. Uh but but it's time to
move forward. We need the multi-use fields. We we we need to move forward with this. We've put it off a long time. >> Steve, do you want to say anything? Are we good? Okay. >> Well, and just to reinforce the only two
issues that were discussed or that were worked on were one was reinforcing the agreement which the manager needed and the second was a committee consensus to go forward with the art official. Now,
that is obviously up to council, but those are the only two things. There's nothing in budget. There's nothing in details or any of those those things will be the next step after whatever you all decide is next. So I also would like
to suggest that we move forward with uh the um artificial surface so that we can make some headway. Um, you had a lot of good information at that meeting and I appreciate you so for bringing all that
together and Ron the part that you took in making sure that all those people were there to to speak. Um, but we it's time and if we want a multi-use field that we can do more things for our kids,
I think we need to do the artificial. Carolyn, thank you very much. >> Thank you. So, do we have direction on that? >> Go ahead. >> Yeah, I don't really need a formal vote. Uh, it's just I just want to get a feeling from the council as far as
getting to negotiations. I still want to have the task force meeting in a couple of weeks and I'll bring any uh proposed documents to them and to the council before we sign anything. So, I think we have enough protection for the public's interest that we we won't take any steps without full involvement by the public
and the council. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Um Marne, we have a new uh committee person. >> Yes, ma'am. On um our >> William Todd.
>> Yes, William Todd. at May 6th appointments. Um Emma Hayd was reappointed to the nearshore water regulation committee. Uh she has moved out of town and has resigned. Um therefore we're asking that the last
application um that we received during the uh push in the spring for Mr. Todd be considered for um the completing the vacancy. It would run through May of 2026. So, I guess the council needs to have a motion to accept him and a second.
>> Motion to approve. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Marty, you want to call the role? >> Council member Anna Richards. >> Yes. Con, excuse me, Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. >> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Council member Deb Gillis. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney.
>> Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much, Marty. >> Okay, moving on to Mayor Council communication. Deb, you want to start? Well, I thought the peacocks was first. >> Doesn't matter. Do you want me to do the peacocks? >> Sure. >> Okay. Um, I know there's some people
here tonight who want to talk about our peacocks in Alam Marada. Um, I have been working with the attorney from uh, Porttool who set the whole thing in motion where there has been complaints from the residents about the peacocks
gathering in one place and becoming a nuisance. and they went ahead and hired a service, I guess that's what you would call them, to remove the peacocks. Um, I was able to negotiate with them to the
deal I made with them and with Marsha, who is our official animal control person and has total say over it, was that the peacocks will be left alone. I want our lawyers to maybe draft a resolution. I know
Miami Dade County, I checked into it, has something that um people are not allowed to birds, their nests, their eggs, just to leave them alone and not touch them. And I don't know, Lily, if who's from Weiss Road, if you know about that, John can probably handle it. And
uh I would like for us to adopt the same thing with one condition that I promised Marsha and the lawyers who had hired the what they're called bounty hunters. I can't believe they're bounty hunters for peacocks, but I guess there are. No one
no one is to feed them. They can live their life very well on their own. And if we feed them just like the cat rescue that I run that we become their food source. So they will gather and that's
what we need to stop doing is have them ga gathering in one spot. So by not feeding them we'll keep our beautiful peacocks in all Marada which I think everybody wants and they will be fine. They will they will forage they will
live and they'll cruise up and down the old road that they have. So, I'm asking the fellow council people tonight to agree to have a resolution brought up that I just talked about. So, anybody have anything? >> Go ahead, Don.
>> I agree. And I like the idea not feeding them. Maybe we can teach them to start eating the iguanas when they're little. >> No, I think it's a good idea. I mean, the peacocks have been part of Plantation Key for a very long time. >> I agree. and uh and maybe they won't
propagate as much if they're not fed all the time. >> You know, when in the world of feral animals, when you feed them, they do reproduce faster. They just do. And uh leaving them alone, they won't gather in one spot. And I've been working with a
wonderful couple here who care greatly about the peacocks. But when it comes to the balance, we have to give and take. And the give is that they're going to stay in all Marada hopefully protected if we all can get the resolution done that I'm hoping for. And um the take is
that we have to give something by not feeding them and so that's the agreement I made. So can we do the resolution? How do you guys feel? >> Is there going to be consequences for the people they caught feeding them? >> You know that that would be animal controls department Marsha just like the
same thing with the chickens that we had before and everything. So, and if you know Marca, you don't mess with that woman. I know her very well. She does a great job and uh she will, you know, probably pursue you if you did. So,
yeah. >> So, in that resolution, I guess we'll we'll be able to see what those pursues what would happen because that is part of what the problem has become. Mhm. >> Um wild wild animals and that is what the
peacocks are. Uh if you feed them, they come to you. >> They will. Uh it doesn't matter whether we're talking chickens, birds, uh alligators, if you feed them, they will come. So, so yeah, something needs to
happen. Um, if you have I want to I want to be cautious with the um resolution because if you have a problem in your yard, there is a way of them solving their problem. Whether that be calling Marsha or they have an alternative to be
able to remove the peacocks from their property. I didn't say do anything with them. I just >> again we can work with Marsha to uh fine-tune what we want, you know. So, well, yeah. Um, we all we all know that
we have the wild chickens and it's it's hard to compare chickens to the peacocks because the chickens are a domestic animal. Peacocks are classified as domestic. >> Um, they're actually classified as an invasive >> domestic chickens are farmard.
>> Well, okay. Yes. But but they have a different category. So, um, we we passed the the chicken ordinance and I hear more roosters than I ever
have now. It's amazing. But anyway, um, I'm willing to to to read the ordinance and or the resolution and see what it says. >> Steve? >> Yeah, I'm willing to move along. I think you've indicated that you've talked with the HOA about this and that's what
they're they're happy with that is >> anything else? So, are we good? We can have our lawyers work on something and uh I'll have Marsha or I don't know how that'll work, but I'll get you with animal control if there's, you know, we
tie them up and hang them upside down if they don't Excuse me. >> I thought you were done. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Um, should that go through the county since Marca works for the county actually? >> Oh, of course. Of course. She did the same thing with the chickens with the lawyers. So, it'll be the same thing.
So, yes. Okay. >> I The public comment is going to be in a couple minutes and you can talk about it. It's if that's okay. All right. All right. So, Deb, let's go ahead with the survey thing. >> Okay. So,
>> sorry. So, um I'm all for surveys and finding out who who thinks what. Um but I do think that they need to be council approved that we're going to have a survey and they need to be written in nonbiased ways. Um, so I would like to
see going forward that any any council person can bring one forward, but it needs to be approved through council that we're going to do a survey and that um that the the questions are
screened or written by so that they're not in a biased manner. Um if any council person wants to do their own survey, of course they can do their own, but it should not be uh presented on the villages
uh Facebook pages or in the newsletter or um backed by the village. Not that we deny it, but just it it's not it wasn't condoned by the village. So therefore it
it wasn't it wasn't approved by the village. It's not a approved survey. Well that would be me you're talking about and to if I stepped on anybody's toes I'm sorry but my the way I feel about up here we are five people
who represent the community and I didn't think those questions were biased. I I just did and you have a right of opinion. Well, I was just going to try to say that that it's that's your opinion and it's fine, but I want to know what the community thinks. I don't want to know what you guys think.
Really, I want to know what the people Let me finish before you're ready to jump in there again. I want to know how the people who live here feel. And this whole baseball thing has sort of been done sort of, you know, and I think everybody feels that way. It's not been
really transparent. I talked to Ron about it. The last council I sat on, none of you guys were here and I did two surveys and no one on that council cared that I did them. So, I apologize if I didn't get the you guys' blessings. I'm
fine with going forward not doing it. And it's not that the village doesn't approve of the survey. I'm sort of questioning why you would say that. But um again I want to know what the people who live here who don't come to the meetings who don't have all the
information. I want to know how they feel. So moving forward I know moving forward I will make sure everybody's happy with everything and if I stepped on anybody's toes I apologize but again I I did surveys before and no one cared on the
last council. So my apologies. >> Well I wasn't on the last council but I did care. >> Okay. Well, I I didn't say you didn't care. And I'm telling everybody to voice your opinion on with this survey. And again, you know, just so just like 200
people for did the freebie survey, which whatever and that made a difference in how we voted. So, I just think we people should be able to say how they feel. So, >> so that being said, I'm not saying that we shouldn't do surveys. I know that >> I I encourage us to survey because
you're exactly right. We need to know what the people >> 100%. >> But I think we need to do them a little bit different than we've been doing them. >> That's fine. >> Okay. And and um Yeah. Okay. Enough said. Okay. All
righty. Ron, you want to take it from here? >> Yeah. I just have one item. Uh at several meetings we've talked about having uh someone do grants for us. At our budget review task force, uh one of the members, Dr. Larry Dalton, is here and he made a specific recommendation
that we hire grant writer uh to go out and secure grants. Uh I brought it up that I was familiar with some grant firms, but because I knew some of the people that might be doing it, I signed that task to our deputy village manager, uh Sheila, who would I'd like to maybe do a one minute, two-minute explanation
of where we are. uh briefly we piggybacked onto the city of Key West uh to do their contract and bring it in at a very economical rate for what he's going to be doing. But I I want to defer to Sheila to let her because she handled the negotiations. >> I'm all for it. I I've been asking for a grant writer. Ron, you know that. Yes.
>> So, thank you, Larry, very much. >> And in particular, too, because we anticipate some cutbacks at the state and federal level with grants. Uh we wanted a firm that does this for a living, and they're out there already looking, even though they don't technically start till August 1st. I asked them to go ahead and start locating some potential grants because
it's a it's a process, but nearshore water quality, uh, some beautifification projects, etc. Things I think most people would support, but you got to go find them and ask for them. And so, I appreciate Sheila's efforts, and I want to just let her give a brief summary. >> Uh, yeah. So, we were attempting to uh
write an RFP, which was turning into a long process. Um, we reached I reached out to Michael Langton and um found out that he had a contract with Key West and they had already competitively bid the uh process. So, we just piggybacked off
of that. Um, the rate to us is 25,000 or $24,000 a year. So, it's under the threshold to have to come to village council. So, between myself and um legal counsel, we crafted the contract. It's been signed and executed and goes into
effect uh August 1st of this year. August 1st, 2025. >> That's great. And it'll pay for itself in million times with all the grants that we can get. >> And then of course in the subsequent years if it if it were to increase over the 25,000 threshold for um Ron, of
course, it would come to council for your approval. >> Great job. Thank you, >> council. No problem. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah. Um, so Ron and Sheila, I'd like for us to be able to keep track of that and see what it what it costs us to raise a dollar and uh maybe report back
in in a year and and let us know how this is going. Uh, I too have been begging this other councils to get this a grant writer because we need somebody. We used to have somebody back in early 2000. So >> that was that was kind of um my idea as
well for entering into a one-year contract. This kind of is like a trial period so we can see, you know, I guess return on investment. >> Yeah. Cost to raise a dollar to see what happens. Thank you. Anybody else have anything before she leaves? >> No. No. Thank you, Sheila. Very, very much.
>> Okay. Now, it's general public comment. And this is anything that is not a tab for tonight. So, Marne, who do we have? >> We will be starting with Professor Thomas. Thank you. My name is Ken Thomas. I've
been coming to the Keys since the 1950s and I've lived in Alam Marada for over 20 years. I have a PhD in financial in the Wharton School where I taught finance for over 40 years. I've completed over 100 feasibility studies for private and public entities
including Congress. I've also done proono affordable housing work for our local Habitat for Humanity. Back in 2011, I worked with Jerry Wilkinson, God rest his soul, to successfully prevent the conversion of our historic Winley Key Park into a
dinosaur park by a wealthy outsider. I'm here for a similar reason, to speak against the proposed parking handout for Angller's Reef and Windley Key. My independent feasibility study summarized in the July 19th Keys News
found it fiscally irresponsible with no public purpose. I have copies of the article if anyone's interested. Anglers Reef has already benefited twice at our public expense. First, they got approval for 52 units which in should have been at the most 47.
Second, the village granted a 600 ft long, 17 ft rightway to build a wall and cut off public access. Now they're asking taxpayers to fund overflow parking for a problem they created. Of the 52 taxpayers, only four have marada
addresses. According to our property appraiser, two of them being the HOA uh representative. About half are wealthy out ofstate landlords from New Jersey, New York, elsewhere getting up to $900 nightly. At Wharton, we teach
capitalism, which means a private solution to a private problem. When Hog Heaven needed overflow parking, they bought the adjacent lot. Those are good capitalists. Angler Reef has many private solutions. They could lease Hog Heaven space. They could buy a nearby
31,000 square ft parcel that's available for sale. They could buy and pay over four of their units currently for sale. They could use the 600 ft rightway we already gave them. And contrary to their own HOA rules, they could park on their
private street and private grass instead of ours. The estimated 0.5 million taxpayer costs will be closer to 1 million with ADA lighting utilities, soft costs, and the rightway value. Additional taxpayer costs include
potential liability for accidents, parking code changes by our attorneys, continuing costs by our engineers that should be reimbursed, the loss of our rightway tax exempt status due to private use, an exploding precedent for sun outdoors and other developments want
an equal treatment, and finally the loss of our hammock green space enjoyed by 22,000 daily drivers. In summary, this project benefits less than 2% of our taxpayers at the expense of the other 98%. With no public purpose, it can't be
financially justified and should be immediately rejected. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> I'm available to answer any questions. >> Okay. Marne. >> Next, we have Jerry Wagner and Nicole Matteo. >> Good afternoon. My name is Jerry Wagner
and this is Nicole Batto. And um you basically have done everything. We're amazed. Um there's not that many peacocks. There's a flock that's been here since the 1950s. There's about 50
to 60 of them. And honestly, between cars and dogs and you know for the little ones, snakes, cats, they they don't live that long. So, it stays at that level. So, we're not talking about
expanding populations there. I live back behind um the sheriff's office and off of High Point Road there. And they pretty much come except for when they're breeding um almost every morning and I
can see them while I'm having my coffee. They come in my yard. They forage around. They eat bugs. They also look for seeds. If you know you have bird feeders up and some of them drop, they like that. But they're amazing. I mean, they're majestic. They're incredibly
beautiful and they're fun to watch and especially when they bring their young. So, thank you so much for what we're doing, what you're doing. Um, we love them. I mean, neighborhoods love them. They they travel pretty far from where
they're roosting on undeveloped land. So, I hope we truly can keep them safe in Isa Marada because they're just wonderful. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very fantastic.
I don't have a copy of it, but I can give it to you. We have over a thousand signatures just in support from this little community. Remember that? >> I will tell you that I saw baby babies.
Yeah, they're like this big with a mother. I thought they I thought they were born bigger. show you how much I know. But uh >> you know that's one that came naturale but male.
>> Thank you very much. >> I know. Thank you very much. Marne, >> next up is Mike Daylor. Hey there, I'm uh Mike. Uh my wife and I are residents of Boric Call, home of the
Peacock Fuffle Kur Fuffle. Um we were outraged when a couple of bounty hunters showed up in our front yard one morning and told us that they were there to remove a 100 peacocks from Plantation Key without telling anyone.
Um, we we complained to our HOA and uh we were got paperwork from their lawyers uh telling us um that there was nothing that we could do about it. We asked questions. We got more papers uh that said that we were going to be arrested
if we attempted to do anything about it. Um, so we let the secret out through social media and we got papers that said that we were going to be sued for slander and liel if we didn't shut up. >> Oh, there there are some of them right
there. >> So, I want to thank the residents of Plantation Key for standing up and saying, "Oh, no, you don't." Um and uh your folks have
created petitions for us. We have well over a thousand signatures now, right? Um and and you folks who are helping us with all of this. Thank thank you for helping us and thank you for helping the birds. >> Thank you very much. >> Y
um I may have the last name wrong here, but I believe it's George Scott. My name is George Scott and I came down through Hurricane Donna in 1960 and I've been around a little while. Anyway, a
few years back, a little history lesson. Uh, oh god, I'm forgetting what I'm saying. Anyway, I'm in uh 100% in favor of the peacocks and I think they should stay here. My grandchildren love to see them.
My children when they were here, they love to see them. And where else in the United States on the East Coast can you see peacocks? We've got them wild here. They're not in a cage and they're not like a zoo. So, I think we should keep them. And I think it's good for
everybody and we need to keep them. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Morning. >> Excuse me. Next up is Captain at Davidson. For the record, I am Captain Ed
Davidson, chairman of the uh IRS 501c3 Florida Key Citizens Coalition and also a former four-year elected member of the school board. The 24 June 2025 ballfield artificial turf briefing during the Founders Park
master plan update was the first actual televised and zoom public report to the citizens of Alam Marada after two and a half years of largely undisclosed development of and widespread lobbying for the school systems conceptual plan for the 6 to7 million bulldozer
installed artificial turf upholstered commercial stadium office complex with significantly expanded yearround usage by multiple sports programs that the citizens don't know much about and
imported promotional events. After all, the school board has already approved two substantial design build contracts without publicly consulting Alamra taxpayer park owners at all. the current underway contract having been authorized
at their 11th February consent agenda with no board discussion at all and no public comment allowed. But the most usage rights the school board ever had, this is the permit was
2:30 to dark Monday through Friday only with specifically no weekends for 19 weeks a year from January to May. They have no entitlement to build a stadium office complex. They defaulted on building 24 years ago.
Especially as the carrying capacity, and this is the point, campers, the carrying capacity of the park has been used up by other parks construction in the 24 years since then. We built facilities for the sheriff, for the fire and rescue, for other government functions. So the carrying capacity has been used up
during the 24 years of their default. The very limited public discussion available to IMRA taxpayers has been dominated by self-proclaimed astrourf experts who are in fact dedicated turf lobbyists uh and advocates and they've
made many biased claims that have not proven to be entirely factual. For instance, at the 24 June hearing when ardent turf lobbyist Richie Russell blatantly claimed at timeline 624, look it up yourself, that the existing field of God's green grass rapidly degraded to
a quote artillery range that was dangerous to children. school's facility director Pat Lefir, the only real expert in the room, directly contradicted such misstatements at timeline 625, by adamantly declaring on the record
that the Founders Park Natural Grass Field had never been dangerous and was a safe surface to play on. Expanded use caused major ball field maintenance costs are still being concealed from the Alamra
taxpayers. Here's why. The ball field was originally intended only to support Coral Shores high school program of about 13 annual games for about 28 varsity and JV players. But turf advocate Richie Russell has repeatedly
stated he no longer refers to it as a ball field but as a multiports facility and further refers to more than a half a dozen new and expanded sports programs he intends to promote and host at the AstroTurf Stadium and concession stand
year round. Isa Marada needs to make those decisions. They keep proming on that we're going to but that ain't what's been happening. And Tony Hammond has publicly referred to hosting quote all of the sports all
of the time. That's going to be expensive and we are going to pay for it. Dramatically expanded highdensity over commercial of our family nature park as a main justification for turning nature grass ball field into a giant woven plastic rug that will wear better
under such heavy uses to which the schoolboard has no entitlement. But there's still nowhere near full disclosure by Astro Turf Stadium promoters. As the 24th June school board meeting, Key West member Darren Heran said plainly timeline 1 hour and 21
minutes. Look it up yourself. It's entertaining that the village should have to kick in as much as $2 million to help fund the initial cost overruns with more expected in the future. Chairman Mindy Khan has said similar things on camera uh at other times. Uh
Pat Lefir uh commended Ron for being in quote in lock step with us in wanting to sign this actually today originally. Um but that's not his job. Uh his job is to be sure that the citizens are fully
informed on what these costs are going to become. They're going to be significant. The school board is going to force us into paying a bunch of money. >> Thank you. It's five minutes. So, appreciate it. Marne, who's next?
>> Uh, next up is Rich Russell. And you when you guys talk in the audience, if I can hear you all the way up here, everybody else can hear you, too. So, try not to, you know, commentate people or whatever. Go ahead, Rich.
>> Thank you. For the record, I'm I'm Rich Russell. My wife and I are owners and proprietors of First Family Rentals at 52 Russell Lane North in Almada. Uh if I can, I'd like to request five minutes. I be speaking on behalf of the village-based
Keys History and Discovery Center. Uh I'm on their board of directors. So, first of all, I'll start with uh recognizing my appreciation for each of you as council members. Uh, I do fully understand that it's not always a fun
job and uh I appreciate your service and your dedication to our community. Um, I want to use this opportunity, maybe predictably, to voice my disappointment about the new multi-use facility survey. And let me preface by saying the mayor
and I have been friends for over 60 years, which is quite remarkable because we're both in our 40s, right? >> That's right. Um, our family, I think our families have been inextricably connected for probably the majority of that time. >> Yes,
>> I know her very well. I know her heart. I've seen her actions. I've seen the results of her actions. She is a true difference maker in this community. Very positive one. And uh, for that I I find her integrity to be unimpeachable.
Um, so deductively I'm thinking when I see the survey that she received some false information and I think that led to the survey being framed with an obvious was alluded to prejudice. One that I may have had myself if I had
that same knowledge base. There are several inaccurac within the preface which in my humble opinion uh invalidates the entire survey. False statements include, but aren't limited to the village and school board each having six months of control.
Historically, it's been five and seven. Five for the village, seven for the school board. It's referred to uh it is uh inferred that the village was responsible for the $1.2 million change order that's going to be needed if this
proposal is actually approved. In fact, as as uh village manager Ron Saunders said, the ILA is very very specific about who is responsible for all associated costs of construction and and renovations and any
subsequent renovations. It's all the school board. Uh the village will if they get asked, it's because somebody came up and said, you know, it's like me asking Don if he'd help me put a new roof on my place over here. You know, it's not his not his job. It's it's laid
out. Our village uh as I said, our village manager stated this at the uh at the park and recreation board meeting or committee meeting. Uh you reiterated it several times. The preface also um says that a combined seven bathrooms
will be created for the players changing room, the coaches room, and the state required umpire facility. The truth is one bathroom is for the team, one is for our coaches and you had to have those separate and then by law we had to have something for the umpires and they had
to be able to go to the bathroom. Um that's somewhat new and standard but Key West had to do the same thing when they were just building their facility. Uh the other four bathrooms will be be for public public use. Perhaps more significant are the emissions in the
preface like what these renovations will add for us as a village of Almada during the seven months of full control. These provisions can assist with glaring deficiencies that that exist in our community. Field can be used for youth,
female and male soccer teams, youth female and male lacrosse teams, youth flag football, youth uh softball, youth baseball, adult kickball, adult softball, and the proposed amenities if if they get approved. Uh again, they
have countless use opportunities, particularly in light of the fact that the school board is going to air condition those locker rooms and some of the other amenities. Uh, so what what will you gain? You're going to gain four public bathrooms. Uh, you're going to have be able to use a, you know, you can
use the the dugout for whatever purpose you are. I'd suggest maybe a cool off area and special events. That's always pretty necessary when you're sitting out there 95°ree heat. And a lot of folks that are up in age like me, um, they can
serve the youth and adult groups identified earlier, places for them to go in and change or just cool off. They'd be a great addition to the village summer camps. They can be a place where village staff can meet or perhaps just cool off. All of those
positives in my estimation were omitted to the preface. I thought that's pretty important. Also thought it was very telling that the results of the latest park and recreation meeting about artificial turf were highly which were was highly debated. uh and subsequent
approval or support was made almost unanimously 7 to1 and the the while there was one desending vote I will tell you that going into that meeting if you were to ask me my personal opinion I think there was going to be five people against it but those folks listened they
with an open mind and they heard from experts and they all of a sudden realized that some of the information they had been receiving was inaccurate and I think that there's like a reoccurring theme here. >> Thanks, Rich. >> Am I five minutes? >> Yes, sir. >> Gosh, that was quick. >> I know. >> Thanks,
>> and I enjoyed it all. Thank you. >> Dare. >> Marne, who's next? >> Next up is Barry Ray. >> Oh, he's got a peacock feather. >> Very good. >> All right. Greetings to Barry Ray Isa
Marada. And yes, we celebrate precocks. All right. They are wonderful, but we should not walk into this just going, "Hey, we're going to protect the peacocks." We should learn a little bit about them. Make sure that we have a program in the village that does some
type of monitoring so that we do keep tabs on them. We are aware of what's going to happen. They are technically an invasive species kind of like chickens are. All right? even though chickens have been around for longer. Uh but they haven't proliferated as much u you know
until lately. Now we see chickens everywhere, but we really should do the other side of the work. I'm Florida Keys Environmental Coalition Executive Director and I believe in doing things the right way. So I'm going to implore the village as we create this ordinance
that we use some of the talents of our staff. Unfortunately, Pete is just adamant that we don't need invasive species here, but I I still want his opinion on how to do this properly. Okay? And I'm more than happy to
volunteer to help with those thoughts and those processes. So, uh, the other thing to talk about tonight is this sports complex. And no, I'm not a fan of the artificial turf. I
hope that if we have this next phase of meetings with the group that Ron has put together to be specifically, you know, attentive to this, that we treat this as another opportunity for a, you know, a community discussion. You know, we
definitely need a workshop on this, not just a committee making decisions and making recommendations. I applaud what I saw the other night from the parks and recck committee. it. You know that I I've said this for a long time. The most wonderful part of our village are those
who volunteer and that just shows it all over again. So, I'm not going to take 5 minutes, but I wanted to at least comment on those things. And um there was one other thing I was going to comment on and now I'm not remembering
exactly what it was other than to thank the construction crew that's doing such a wonderful and rapid job, you know, uh for our pipeline. They are just phenomenal. I'm amazed how quick they're going. Everybody has a positive attitude about it. Thank you all. Thank you.
>> Thank you. And I appreciate the comment on the uh somebody maybe we'll make you the peacock counter. >> We need that. Uh >> there Marty Okay, next up will be Mr. Wishmire on Zoom. Okay, Mr. Wishmire, go ahead. Give
three minutes. >> Yes. Thank you, Joe Wishmire, Plantation Key. I wish I could have been in there in person, but I'm busy getting stuck on a boat with a mechanic. So, I'm not as prepared as normal. But first thing I
want to do is thank our new manager, Ron Saunders, for putting together a committee for the budget. I attended that budget uh meet, workshop, meeting, whatever you want to call it. And it felt really good to have the public get
an idea and participate into what's going on with our budget rather than just having all of a sudden, well, here's the numbers. Take it or leave it. That's it. you're stuck with it. So, it's certainly appreciated and I hope we have more of these coming up. Uh I know
you're going to discuss the budget and some of the budget issues here later tonight. I'm hoping to still be on Zoom for that. So, I will talk to you about that. Then, as far as the baseball field goes, I know there's still going to be
lots and lots of controversy. And from what I understand, even the school board tonight has now on their agenda for a discussion, there's quite a few of them that actually want a portable concession stand so that it can
be used at Coral Shores and Founders Park. So, that might be something you all want to look into just to make sure that we've got all our facts straight. So, I appreciate the time. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Joe Marne. Next up is Tony Hammond. >> Thank you very much. Thank you, council. Um Tony Hammond, 246 Jasmine Street, and uh I'm one of the ones that years ago uh when I started baseball, I was a old
school natural grass only guy. Um, I went to Key West, uh, coached a JB ball game down there and then have watched, interviewed the coaches while I was there and have since interviewed a number of baseball people about artificial versus natural grass. And as
we heard over and over and over in the meeting the other evening, um, about the only way to go is with artificial turf to make it usable u year round here in in this particular facility in the Florida Keys. I spent all day working on
figures, numbers for what it would take um to maintain the sod on the field. I'm not going to go into that with you tonight. Um I want to remind you that the drawings are all conceptual. You heard a village manager say that our interlocal agreement says the school
board is responsible for the utilities, for maintenance, for and and no for additional funding coming from the village. If you decide to do that in the future, that's that's your call. That's your choice. But certainly not. We're these are conceptual drawings and we've got to stop uh making up more than that.
Uh I extremely uh resent the fact that that that coach Russell is being vilified or that there's some uh conversation about there being some clandestine meetings moving this forward. That is absolutely not true. And then the last issue I want to
address is is the the bias that I read into the survey. I completed the survey. Um, any survey that's done that, um, has any bias in the questions invalidates the survey. And in terms of education, it would both be invalid and and
unreliable. Um, and having the person's name added to it further uh, invalidates it. So, I just in moving forward and chairing you and up, we're friends and we've been friends all of our life, but I just want to caution the entire board about surveys like that. make sure the
group is agreement on it and moving forward. Um, I want to commend Carolyn Whiteitman for her comments. She did a great job in her presentation presenting the facts as they appeared as they went forward in the meeting and I look forward to what we will be doing in the future and just continue to push this on
down the field so we make this happen. Thanks. >> Thank you, Tony. >> Thank you, Tony. Marty. >> Next and last is Richard Black. Richard Black, Village of Alamada. Uh just a couple questions or really just comments for tonight. Um as part of this
group, task force, whatever you want to formally call it. Um I I think we need a few things out of the village in order to be effectively, you know, commenting or even, you know, many questions need answered. Um there was a uh kind of a
rough finance sheet that was emailed out. Um I think Ron had had sent that um to our group and it is by rough it is a very rough estimate. Um I I think we need more hard numbers and if we could
get the village to actually you know the council members to maybe help Ron or whatever but we need more numbers more facts. Um the there's been many, you know, comments by people about Bright View, uh which is
they're the company that's in charge of taking care of the field, uh during the high school, um times. Um many of the high school coaches made comment that they're maybe not qualified or they don't keep up with it and they have to
use outside funds, outside uh services to keep up with the field. um you know that the bright view is something that's paid for by um Monroe County School District and it's supposed to be effective in taking care of the field more so than us actually putting more
effort into it. Um so maybe their you know their their size is not you know covering the field or something but that needs to be looked at as well. Uh also something from the village they're supposed to keep log books and uh no one
has seen these log books. So maybe somewhere about asking um Bright View to keep log books about you know their actual time on the field uh how many people are there working uh their scheduling all of that and maybe compare that to what we're doing there as well.
Um that that's it for the ball field. Something else I just wanted to add would be uh in the parking issues. You know, the village of Alam Marada is a small place and a lot of tourists travel here and have a lot of trailers. Um, I mentioned it before a couple times. I
would ask the village to look into some of the lots that are owned that are already cleared um both on Plantation Key and in the heart of Alam Marada and maybe putting up a kiosk and paid parking. So, it' be a way to generate revenue for the village of Alam Marada.
it would alleviate some of these rightaway problems. And uh we have the property. Let's use it. Thank you. >> Thanks, Richard. >> Thanks, Richard. >> Marne. >> Um we do have Alina Davis with her hand raised on Zoom. Um she did just do that, so it's up to you whether you would like to.
>> All right. >> Okay, Elena, go ahead. You have three minutes. >> Thank you so much. I just I've been listening to everything that has been going on with the you know with your
meeting and I cannot more agree with Richard Black. So during our parks and wreck meeting we had so little information. The problem is we have no information on who is
responsible and how much does it cost. We have no dollars on what the school board was paying for water. What does the village pay for water? What are
the responsibilities exactly? When I received the information that Maria Badiotti provided, I was surprised to see that it's the school board that is responsible for the
maintenance of that baseball field 12 months of the year. Did anybody else know that? I didn't. I had always thought that the school board did this and when baseball season was over, it was Monroe. It was uh the village vio
marada but that is not the information that Maria gave us after the meeting that the parks and wreck had. So, we really need to
see check dot the eyes and cross the tees because we do not have the total information on what the cost will be for turf and what the cost will be for
maintenance on grass. The school board has been supposed to be responsible for the maintenance of that field that they have called unsafe and
third world. And that is why I was the lone dissenting vote on that parks and wreck meeting. So, I hope that before you all
go forward with, "Oh, we're all in on turf," you ask the questions that really need to be answered. How much is this going to cost? and who has been
responsible for the deterioration of that baseball field. Thank you so much. Have a good evening. >> Thank you, Marne. Is that it? >> That is it. >> Okay.
All right. Moving on to the consent agenda. Anna, do you want to read something before I turn it over to Lily? >> Yep. You ready? Okay. On tonight's consent agenda on item C, resolution awarding professional
professionals for engineering, architectural, and surveying services. I am disclosing and abstaining from voting on this item or resolution on tonight's agenda due to a voting conflict under the state ethics law. I am a principal of the surveying firm Massie Richard Surveying, which is under consideration
as an approved vendor for future award of surveying services. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Go ahead, Miss Lillly. >> Yes. Good evening everybody. Uh we are into the consent portion of the agenda tonight. These items are of a routine nature and council members have reviewed
these items in advance and sought the advice of staff as they felt necessary. There will be one vote on the consent items tonight which are agenda section 9 items A, B, C, D, E, and F. Those are tabs 2 to 7. If anyone would like to
pull an item from consent, he or she should state so now. Thank you. Anybody councel? >> I just have a question. >> Uh in relationship to what she do we need to pull that because um she is abstaining from that?
>> No, ma'am. It was just a disclosure at this time. >> All right. Because she's included in the vote. That's the reason I didn't know. >> Yeah. She will not be voting on that item as she disclosed. >> But under a consent, she'd vote for all of them. >> Oh, okay. I see what you're saying.
>> See what I'm saying? So, okay, we can pull that item now. >> I'm not asking. I'm just >> That's fine. We can pull that item. So, there's a separate vote, mayor, if you will. >> Okay. So, that is C. Okay. All right. We'll pull then see. Okay. Don.
>> So, I move to approve the consent agenda except for item C, which has been pulled. >> And I second. >> Marne, would you like to call the role, please? >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Yes.
>> Uh, Council Member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Council member Deb Gillis. >> Yes. That motion passes four to zero. >> Well, Anna can vote on that one. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yes. Thank you so much. And uh, Council Member Anna Richards. >> Yes. The motion passes 5.
>> I'm trying to I'm trying to keep you included. >> Now, I move to approve item C on the consent agenda. >> And I'll second that. All right. Marne. Okay. Council, excuse me, Vice Mayor Don Horton, >> yes. >> Council member Deb Gillis, >> yes.
>> Council member Steve Freriedman, >> yes. >> Mayor Sharon Mahoney, >> yes. >> That motion passes 4 to zero. >> Okay. >> Mayor, we could take public comment on any of those consent agenda. >> I don't Yeah, we were supposed to, weren't we? >> Yeah. Does anybody have public comment
on the consent agenda morning? >> I don't have anyone signed up for it. >> Okay. All right, got through that one. Okay, let's move along then. So, Lily, would you like Yeah. Would you like to read?
>> Can we take a second and introduce Lily? I don't think we did at the beginning of the meeting, did we? >> Lily, would you like to introduce yourself? >> Hi. >> Yes. Thank you for having me here. I am helping John Quick, my partner. I am a partner also at White Serot and I used
to work in the village many years ago when I was a young lady really um worked on the wastewater project and other extensive projects. So I'm glad to be back. >> Oh that's wonderful. We welcome you very much. So thank you. >> All right.
So would you like to read the next tab? I believe we're on eight, correct? >> Yes. Uh, this is tab 8, a resolution of the village council of Island Marada, village of Islands, Florida, declaring the proposed millage rate for fiscal year 202526,
establishing the current year rolled back rate and the date, time, and place for the first and second budget hearings as required by state law. directing the interim finance director and village manager to properly file the certification of taxable value via etim.
Directing the village clerk to transmit the resolution to Monroe County Property Appraiser pursuant to the requirements of Florida statutes and the rules and regulations of the department of the state of Florida, Department of Revenue and providing for an effective date. >> Thank you very much.
Okay, council before we want to go ahead Ron. >> Yeah, just a brief explanation. There is a statutory process for approval of budget. Uh so tonight we're bringing up the tenative millage rate. They'll have we'll have three budget workshops August 5th, 6th and 7th for the public to come
in and get input and then the final approval will be sometime in December in September. Uh so we have several more hearings but that tonight we have to make a decision because we have some deadlines to do that. And so that the process tonight is just setting a tenative millage rate. over the past 6
years uh the proposed millage rate to start out has been 3 ms or 3.2 mil up to 3.2. So we picked that it's a tentative number. It's just something to start with because once you start the process you can no longer increase that millillage. You can only decrease it.
And so I want to say publicly that our intention is to decrease it. Uh we are looking for some savings. Uh I do want to point out though that there are some uncontrollable costs that we're going have to take into account. Uh specifically, we have a fire, rescue, and law enforcement. We have some collective bargaining agreements that
are people are guaranteed raises. They're the only ones that are guaranteed a raise, but those are costs that we're going to have to absorb going forward. Also, our Florida retirement system, FRS, we have required contributions that will be increasing. Then, like many homeowners, we're going to see windstorm insurance and h and hazard insurance increases. I estimate
those increases to be a minimum of a million dollars. So uncontrollable cost, non-discretionary costs. We're going to decrease, excuse me, increase our budget without any discretion by over a million dollars. Having said that, we are looking for some cost savings. We did
have the uh citizens budget task force that did a great job. Came in and gave recommendations. Several of you attended in person or online. Uh they had some good recommendations, a couple of which I would like to implement. One is going to be a hiring freeze uh for the next two months into this fiscal year. We're
not going to hire anybody else. We're going to keep uh the the workforce as is. Uh we are looking at maybe eliminating some vacant positions. Uh we're also looking at uh reducing overtime perhaps. You can't really eliminate it because of the circumstances, but we need to get better
control overtime. Uh starting tomorrow, I'll be meeting with department heads and asking them to come forward and justify their budget. Basically, zerobased budget, not how much more you need, but tell me why you need everything. Uh and we're looking for some efficiencies there as far as costs
go. It's a difficult process. Uh we've already seen the Mun County Commission what they went through this past week and it was not pretty and and we want to avoid uh the kind of massive layoffs that they did and some of the things that decisions they had to make which are very difficult decisions. And the
other thing to keep in mind is as we cut we also have to keep in mind that there are things going on at the state and federal level. For example, FEMA uh with hurricane reimbursements. We've had several meetings. Our chief uh fire chief Abel is also emerging management director. Uh we've had discussions about
what may or may not happen going forward. Uh we have hurricane reserves. We may want to beef those up. That's one reason the county made so many cuts is they wanted to increase their reserves for hurricane preparation. So that's the other factor to keep in mind as we are cutting the budget. Do we want to
replace some of those dollars uh for hurricane reserves? So going forward, this is the first meeting. We're going to have a lot of more input. I'm going to have another meeting of the uh the citizens budget task force because before they didn't talk to each other, but now we've had a public meeting. They've asked for another meeting. We'll
do that again. We're going to get input from the public as far as potential cuts. We had some great input. Dr. Dalton is here. I've already recognized him uh tonight. He has some great suggestions, some of which I'm mentioning. I think we will going to follow. Uh so with that, I'll just open up for any questions.
>> Okay. Council, does anybody want to say anything or should we open up public comment to hear? Are we good comment first? >> Yeah. Okay. Morning. >> Okay. First up is Sue Miller. Sue Miller, lower Madakumbi. It was
really interesting and great to have the um task force for the budget meeting this past week and I was really impressed with the amount of research they did and the um ideas and questions
they had and um and I hope that a lot will be implemented. It was a little disappointing to me to see the agenda tonight where we're uh suggesting that we need a three mills millage rate
approved for the trim notice. With that um we also have increased the value of Alam Marada by $560 million since last year. So that alone should
increase the taxes significantly. If we at three mills and with the $560 million, we will be increasing the amount of taxes coming out of our
property owners by 27.35%. If you listened to what the um task force said this week, it was let's cut let's not increase certainly not by 27%.
And and I'm glad to see Mr. Saunders suggesting some of the things that he suggested in in a way to reduce our expenditures, but we have been spending like there's no tomorrow. And and we need to get it under control. And I
think that the first thing that we can do is show that we're serious about it by reducing the millillage rate tonight to show the people of Alamraada that you really do take this seriously that we need to reduce our costs. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Sue. Marty. Uh next up is Dr. Larry Delton. Good evening, council. Good evening, staff. Uh, as always, thank you very much for your service uh and your time and effort. Um, Ron, thank you very much
for uh implementing some of the suggestions that that we had. Um I I was uh honored to be able to serve on the the citizens uh budget advisory task force. Um a and one of the main emphasis
uh that uh we put in review and particularly as we looked at the uh the tax revenues is a uh trying to decrease the amount of taxes that our citizens and particularly our
taxpayers pay. And as we look at increasing property values, uh the amount of money that is needed for this uh citizens group or I'm sorry this uh this community is too high. Our our budget's
too high. It needs to be reduced and the only way to do it is to really force a decrease in revenue. I would strongly encourage you to decrease the ad valorum tax rate by 10%. Okay? Not 80%, not 90%,
10%. Okay, we don't need to continue go up and up and up. Okay, we can reduce costs by 10%, we can reduce revenues by 10% and still there's plenty of money. We were $1.6 million over budget when
you take out or not over budget, but our income was $1.6 million over what we what we needed uh two years ago. And uh again, I strongly encourage you to decrease the advalorum tax by 10%. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Marne. >> We have no one else signed up. >> All righty. Council, does anybody want to have a discussion? Anybody got something to say? >> Yeah, I I tend to agree with the speakers tonight. I had uh similar um
hesitencies about tonight uh starting at three. Uh, I I definitely am in favor of of um uh of reducing that amount and and starting that out from the gate. So, >> okay. I Deb, do you want to say something?
>> Sure. Um, I also have hesitations um of starting at three, but I also have been trying to do some research on my own and find out what happened at the county and
I don't have all the answers and I want to protect the village um in in the money we do need going forward. Uh there are places that we can save of course, but from what I can
figure out the items that that Ron referred to um a few minutes ago, such as the uh the fire, the police, the the windstorm increases, and you said a couple others. um that as well as the county lost some
sales tax funds and I haven't been able to figure out how that relates to us yet and the fact that the FEMA requirements are changing. I want to be very cautious in keeping our reserves and uh us able
to do what we did to put this town back together in 2017. Um, it is a proven fact through studies that the sooner you put a town back together after a natural disaster,
the more businesses will stay in business, the longer they're out of business, the less people can come back. It's just it's harder and harder and harder. And I think we worked very quickly, as quickly as we could then. And part of the reason we were able to
do that is we didn't have to go out for loans and um right off the bat we had money to work with. So I just want to be cautious on this first go around until we have more information. And I know I know that the finance department, Hattie
and Ron are are working overtime to try to come back with all those answers and those questions and we don't have them tonight. >> Anna, do you have anything? >> No, I agree. I mean, it's just a
starting point. It's not We're not saying that's where we're going to go whatsoever. and we have lots of room, but we need to trust our department heads to do their job, do their due diligence, and really come up with the real numbers so that we can come back and really do our job.
>> Don, um I think Ron has sent the message that that he wants he he is going to be diligent in in working on uh reducing and and making the cuts where we can make. uh in the past as you said the
past six years um we've started off at this proposed millage rate at three or 3.2 um I think the message I'm hoping the message that comes out of our council is that uh if we set it at 3.0
uh that the message out of this body is that uh I you know at least out of me I'd like to see roll back once we're all said and done. Um I know that there is u uh the un you know the the unavoidable
increases that are there. Um but I think that there are places that we can we can start looking and relying on the committee and and and making some cuts without without harming our employees. Our employees are our lifeblood and they're doing a wonderful job. And I
really got to thank Hattie for jumping in here and doing what she's doing on the finance and and she's very capable of that and I have a lot of faith in her. Uh and I'm thankful for our staff. So I don't want to hurt our staff in any way. Um but I I I do want to see where
we can make possible cuts. >> Well, I agree with Steve. I have a problem with the three, but the only way I would go with the three is if we do what you said we're going to do. And I want roll back, too. I feel like Henry Rosenthal because that's all he said for
two years is roll back, roll back. And I agree with him. Our taxes are just crazy. >> And I think we owe it to this community to there's things we can cut. We all know that. So I would make a motion to do the three just to start forward with
the promise that we do our best to get it down for the people in this community. And so, anybody else? >> You made a motion. >> Did you make a motion? Yeah, I made a motion. >> I'll second a three with the idea that
that we're going to come in under I I'm not sure at this point of time I'll say I'll go to rollback. >> Okay. >> But, um, I want to see the I want to see the figures and I want to see, um, some of these consequences of what's
happening that we don't have a lot of control on. Um, we love our town. We need to protect our town. Okay. My >> Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Yes. >> Uh, excuse me. Council member doc Deb
Gillis. >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> Doc. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> Council member Steve. >> No. >> Council member Anna Richards. >> Yes. >> And Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. Uh, >> that motion passes 4 to one.
>> Okay. Thank you, Lily. >> Uh, yes. The next tabs 9 to 15 are the annual assessment resolutions for various assessment areas in the village. Um, due to a the mail notices were sent timely for these assessments, but the
publication notice was not timely. So, tonight um we should start the public hearing, take public comment, and then we should have a motion to continue this item for further comment on August 5th, the next meeting. August 5th would be at the budget hearing have a special call
first. Correct. So that's what she's talking about. >> Manager is at the August 5th meeting. >> Yeah. It would be piggybacked onto budget workshop. >> Okay. So I'll read each item. Then we'll have public comment and we'll have a vote to continue the item. >> Got it. >> Okay. The first item is tab nine, a
resolution of the village council of Isa Marada, village of islands, Florida, relating to the provision of storm water management services reimposing storm water service assessments against certain real property within Island Marada Village of Islands for the fiscal
year beginning October 1, 2025. approving the storm water assessment role for the storm water service assessments, providing for collection of the storm water service assessments, and providing for an effective date. >> Do we want to open up public comment
after each one? >> Yes, ma'am. Please. >> Morning. Do we have anybody? >> We do not. >> Okay. So, Miss Lily, continue, please. >> Do we need to make a motion on each one? >> Yes. I would ask for a motion to continue this item today. >> Oh, I thought we going to do it in one group. We're not.
>> We're going to do each one. I'm sorry. >> I'll make I'll make the motion to continue it to August the 5th at 5:00. Is that right? >> 5:30. >> 5:30. >> Oh, sorry. >> I thought we were going to do it early. >> I thought we were going to do it at 3. >> I said 3.
>> I understood it was after the workshop, but >> the budget workshop starts at 3. So, we were trying to tendly say maybe 5 or 5:30 is whatever the pleasure of the council is. August 5th. >> August 5th. Is that what we're talking about? >> Yes. It's the first budget workshop. >> We're not lost, are we?
>> So, it's August the 5th at 5:30, correct? >> For this, but we >> Yes. For this for the assessment. >> Did you make a motion? >> Yes. I tried to my daughter. She did. Second. >> Okay. Marne. >> Council member Deb Gillis. >> Yes. >> Council member Anna Richards.
>> Yes. >> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Yes. Motion passes 5 to zero. >> Okay, Miss Loy. >> Thank you. Item 10 is a resolution of the village council of Isa Marada village of Islands, Florida, relating to the collection and disposal of solid
waste in Island Marada village of Islands, Florida, reimposing solid waste service assessments against assessed property located within Marada Village of Islands, Florida for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. approving the rate of assessment, approving the
assessment role, and providing for an effective date. >> Morning. Any public comment? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. Council, do I have a motion? >> Make a motion to um rehear this on August the 5th at
5:30. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Go ahead. Morning. >> Council member Deb Gillis. >> Yes. >> Council member Anna Richards. Yes. >> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney.
>> Yes. >> Motion passes 5-0. >> 11. Tab 11. A resolution of the village council of Isa Marada village of Islands, Florida, relating to the construction and funding of wastewater collection and treatment facilities within the north plantation key
assessment area. Reimposing special assessments for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. approving the assessment role, providing for collection of the assessments, and providing for an effective date. >> Morning. Any public comment?
>> No, ma'am. >> Okay. Council, I'll make a motion to move this to >> August the 5th at 5:30. >> Second. >> Go ahead and call the role. I need >> Council Member Deb Gillis. >> Yes. >> Council member Anna Richards. >> Yes.
>> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. and Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Yes. >> The motion passes 5 to zero. >> Tab 12, a resolution of the village council of Island Marada village of Islands, Florida, relating to the collection of wastewater fees and
administrative costs within the Woods Corner assessment area, reimposing special assessments for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. Approving the assessment rule, providing for collection of the assessments, and providing for an effective date.
>> Any public comment? No public comment. Okay. >> I'll make a motion to move this to August the 5th at 5:30. >> I was just getting it faster. Second. Go ahead. >> Call. You can have a rule. >> Council member Deb Gillis. >> Yes. >> Council member Anna Richards. >> Yes.
>> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Yes. >> The motion passes 5 to zero. >> Item tab 13. A resolution of the village council of island marada village of islands Florida relating to the construction and funding of wastewater
collection and treatment facilities within the north plantation key supplemental assessment area reimposing special assessments for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 approving the assessment rule. Providing for collection of the assessments and providing for an effective date.
>> Any public comment? >> There is not. Go. I make a motion. I thought somebody else wanted to. I'll make a motion to move this to August the 5th at 5:30. >> Second. >> Oh, we have a tie.
>> Call the role. >> Eight before. >> Council member Debb Gillis. >> Yes. >> We We'll go ahead and let Vice Mayor Don Hart. >> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Council member Anna Richard. >> Yes. And Mayor Sharon Mahoney.
>> Yes. That motion passes 5-0. >> 14. >> Tab 14. A resolution of the village council of Island Marada village of Islands, Florida, relating to the construction of wastewater collection and treatment facilities for the wastewater assessment area within the village excluding the North Plantation
Key Woods Corner and North Plantation Key supplemental assessment areas. Reimposing special assessments for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. approving the assessment role, providing for collection of the assessments, and providing for an effective date.
>> Any public comment? >> There is not. >> I make a motion to move it to August the 5th at 5:30. >> Second, >> Council Member Debiff, >> yes. >> Council member Anna Richard, >> yes.
>> Council member Steve Freriedman, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton, >> yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney, >> yes. Motion passes five to zero. Uh tab 15 last assessment resolution a resolution of the village council of Isa Marada village of islands Florida
relating to the construction and funding of wastewater collection and treatment facilities for phase two of the wastewater assessment area within the village but excluding the north plantation key north plantation key supplemental and woods corner assessment
areas reimposing special assessments for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. approving the assessment role, providing for collection of the assessments, and providing for an effective date. >> Any public comment? >> No, there is not.
>> Deb, >> I make a motion to move it to August the 5th at 5:30. >> Anna, >> second >> council member Deb Gillis. >> Yes. >> Council member Anna Richards. >> Yes. >> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. Vice Mayor Don Horton.
>> Yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Money. >> Yes. >> That motion passes 5-0. >> Okay. Does anybody want a break? Are we good to keep going? Everybody good? >> Peter done. >> Okay. So, we move to 16. >> Tab 16. A resolution of the village council of Vio Marada village of
Islands, Florida. Approving work authorization number 22 with WSPUSA Inc. for lower Matakumbi Canal's covert restoration project construction engineering inspections services authorizing village officials to implement the terms and conditions of
work authorization number 22 authorizing the village manager to expend budgeted funds authorizing the village manager to execute the project agreement for work authorization number 22 and providing for an effective date >> Peter would you like to come up please.
>> Okay. Uh good evening council. So this resolution, it would approve a work authorization with WSPUSA. That's the firm that has been doing the village's uh canal restoration work, engineering work for about 10 years now. They do a fantastic job for the village.
Uh so uh this work is these services are uh necessary for a large construction project like this just to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, permitting regulations, uh best management practices and the uh grant requirements. Um there this this
work is being funded through through a grant. Um so we're getting very close to completing or construction of this project. We've been in planning for 5 years now. Uh we do have a contractor procured for this. They are assembling their parts and they expect to start in
September. So if this uh is approved tonight uh we do expect the work to begin sometime in September, possibly into early October. Um and the the uh staff is recommending uh approval of this and any questions I'd be happy to answer them. >> Council, any questions?
>> Go ahead, Don. Uh Peter, I want to commend you for the work you've done here and the grant that you've s got for this. Um these this canal restoration down lower mumbi is going to be fantastic on Palm Drive on Sandy Co, White Marlin and um they're in that
cover that crosses uh across US. It's just >> this is fantastic work and it's not costing the taxpayers a ton of money to get this done and and really thank you for this. This is awesome. So we have love to move whenever it's time that Deb wants to say something.
>> I I also want to commend this is a a total I believe of a 9 million dollar project and and very little of that will fall to the villages expense. Um uh please keep a close eye on the grants. >> We will.
>> Okay. Steve Anna, anything? Okay. Is there any public comment or anybody? I think we're good. Okay. So, council, >> I'd like to make a motion to approve. >> I'll second. >> Morning, would you call the role, please? >> Vice Mayor Dan Horton, >> yes. >> Council member Deb Gillis,
>> yes. >> Council member Steve Freriedman, >> yes. >> Council member Anna Richards, >> yes. And Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Motion passes 5 to zero. >> Thanks again. >> Thanks. Thanks, Peter. Okay, moving on. Tab 17, a resolution of the village council of Island Marada village of
Islands, Florida, approving the second amendment to the Monroe County State Wastewater Funding Agreement, authorizing the village manager to execute the second amendment authorizing the manager to expend budgeted funds, providing for implementation,
corrections, and an effective date. >> Okay. So, go ahead, run. >> Yeah. >> Yes, madam mayor. Uh the legislature this year approved funding for the stewardship of grants of $20 million, but the revisal language in the budget
says we need an local agreement with the various entities and so we've been trying to negotiate that and we just need this amendment to move forward. So I recommend approval. >> Okay. Is there any public comment? Does anybody want to say anything or >> I have no one signed up? >> Okay,
Deb. >> Um just just for information to the public. Um this grant money is being divided pretty equally. Uh there's provisions of when people don't when
other municipalities or areas do not use it of what to do, but it's 12 1.5% is being divided equally among the um areas of the keys. >> Okay. Do I have a motion? >> Motion to approve.
>> I have a second. >> I'll second. Morning. Would you call the role, please? >> Council member Anna Richards. >> Yes. >> Council member Doug Gillis. >> Yes. >> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Yes. >> Motion passes 5-0.
>> We are flying here. Go ahead. Uh, tab 18, a resolution of the village council of Island Marada, village of Islands, Florida, approving annual subscription fees from paychecks for the village IT and human resources department, authorizing the village manager to
execute necessary documents, authorizing the manager to expend funds, authorizing waiver of competitive bidding, and providing for an effective date. >> Jamie, hello. >> Hello. Good evening. Um for the last little over a year I've been in the HR
department and in that time I've been looking at our HR system and how it fits the needs for us. So I started reaching out to several software companies that do specifically HR and payroll functions
and I did demos with four different um HR and payroll uh softwares and we've narrowed it down to paychecks. And a couple of reasons we went with paychecks was one because a couple of the other um providers wouldn't sign off on the
Florida required type um contract language that they would need to put in their agreements. And um one was just the price was just way out of line. So we went with um we're recommending to go with paychecks. It's
about a $1,700 a year difference from what we're currently paying for about seven different systems that we use in order to process HR data people, moving them through the life cycle of when we bid the job to when we hire them to when
we offboard them and paying them. So, um there's about seven different programs that we use and this would combine all of that into one um easy to use program for both the HR department, the finance department and the employees themselves.
So, I'm >> going to answer any questions, >> anything for Jamie, Deb. >> Um when you and I talked about this, uh we talked about the the figure that you came up with for the um the new program. Mhm.
>> Um, and you said, "Well, it'll vary by the number of people." Uh, and you took what you thought was an average. Was that a a high average? I'm What I'm trying to get at is the the figure that you're telling us. Um, that would not
necessarily be the maximum, but that would probably be not more than what you're saying as to be our annual fees. >> Correct. because we pay on a monthly basis and it's based on the number of active employees that we have during
that month. So some months we have for the most part of the month the year we have a low number of employees that are considered active because we're actively paying them. They're on our payroll. Um but in in the season for parks and wreck
for example we have a high number of um seasonal employees and that's really where the fluctuation is and that's only for about 2 and 1 half to 3 months of the year. So we've taken like the max for the entire year and so it will fluctuate from month to month. Yeah, it
will fluctuate, but what what you're stating here of I didn't write down the figure. You said about $1,300 difference. >> Yeah. >> Um would probably stay pretty steady be at least under 2,000 or something. Okay.
>> Right. >> Anna, Steve, anything? Is there any public comment? >> There is not. >> Okay. Council, >> I'll make a motion. >> Mike, >> oh, sorry. >> I'll make a motion to approve.
>> Second. >> Lori, would you call the role, please? >> Council member Doug Gillis. >> Yes. >> Council member Anna Richards. >> Yes. >> Council member Steve Freriedman. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Sorry. Yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Yes.
>> Motion passes 5 to zero. Thank you to all very much. >> Thanks. >> Yes, sir. >> Tab 19, a resolution of the village council of Isa Marada, village of Islands, Florida, approving the interlocal agreement between Monroe County, Florida, and Iser Marada village of Islands to provide reimbursement
funding from boating improvement funds during fiscal year 2025-26. Authorizing village officials to implement the terms and conditions of the agreement. Authorizing the village manager to execute the agreement. authorizing the manager to expend budgeted funds and providing for an
effective date. >> Uh, is Lisa, is she here? Oh, you look different. >> That's why I didn't recognize you. >> I'm stepping in for Lisa tonight. Just Just don't ask me about the boat ramp. >> Sorry.
>> Not gonna knock on them. Um, so for the past 15 years, the village has been receiving funds from Monroe County to maintain the system of buoys we use to delineate the 300 foot idle speed zone from shore system that we have. We have been getting those funds each year from
the county. We request those funds each year. We apply for them. It's a a grant. It's a competitive grant system. Those funds come down from the state through their boater improvement fund. Um, this year we requested $14,000 again like we have the past few years. we were approved for that funding. So in order
to disperse or to spell out the terms and conditions of the reimbursement for that, we do need an interlocal agreement with the county. So that's what you have before you here tonight. That's just to approve the interlocal agreement. Be happy to answer any question. This is something we do every year.
>> Go ahead, Don. >> So again, this is not money that's going to be costing the taxpayers of Alamada. which is grant funding that to be able to take care of these buoys. >> That's correct. Up to $14,000. >> 14,000. Yes. Now, from discussions with
Lisa, those maintenance costs have been going a bit over $14,000, but that the remainder of that is paid out of the marina fund. >> Comes out of the marina fund. And what we charge for that over there, again, not out of taxpayers money again. So all
this talk we're doing about taxing, we're we're finding other places that we can monetize or divert the funds and not have to come out of my back pocket. Right. >> Correct. >> Great work. Thank you. >> Anna, did you want to say something? >> No.
>> Steve. >> Okay. Thank you, Peter. Is there any public comment? >> No, there is not. >> Motion to approve. I'll second it. >> Oh, new people. >> Marty, would you call Council member Steve Freriedman.
>> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Don Horton. >> Yes. >> Council member Deb Gillis. >> Yes. >> Council member Anna Richards. >> Yes. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney. >> Yes. >> The motion passes 5 to zero. >> Lily item or tab 20 rather. A resolution of the village council of Isa Marada
village of islands. Widely known as the sport fishing capital of the world opposing the construction and operation of alligator Alcatra migrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades. Okay.
Who was taking this one? Um >> Steve, go ahead. >> Public comment first. >> It's up to you. Turn your mic on, please, though. >> Sure. >> I'd welcome public comment first to hear what people have. >> Okay. Public comment. >> Uh we have Mr. Wishmire on Zoom. Okay.
Mr. Wishmire, go ahead. Three minutes. >> Yes. Thank you. You know, as Islam was known as the fishing capital of the world, one of our biggest things that we need to depend on is the Everglades. We've spent so much time on Everglades
restoration and we're trying to restore water flow. We're trying to do all these things to help out the Everglades. Yet now the federal government decides to put a detention camp out there and nobody seems to even have any access to it.
I remember on the news just the other day, the arch dasis of Miami, the Catholics on bikes went out because they can't even get into the center to administer to their to their Catholics on on Sunday for their mass. A lot of
congressmen have tried to get out there and maybe they can see a little tiny section. There is so much shadiness going on and a facility like that. where is all the waste going? Uh, you know,
how how's all this happening? So, we need to protect our Everglades. And I believe as a village, we all need to stand up and support Mr. Freeman's resolution saying we do not support
having alligator Alcatra. We need to protect our Everglades. And one of the ways to do it is to stop from putting all these migrants out there and figuring out what happens to them and how they're being treated. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Joe. Morning. >> We have no other speakers. >> No other speakers. What? >> I was trying to mute him as I was speaking. >> All right. So, there's no other public
comment, right? >> There is no more public comment. You Steve, I'm going to go back to you. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. And um I just want to thank uh the folks that that wrote in. Um we got a lot of emails uh about this subject. And I also want to
um thank the council for uh considering this this resolution. Um, I think it's really important to delineate uh this resolution from u being something that uh we want to support and go on record on uh to um let people know that we
understand the importance of the Everglades in the Florida Bay to our economy. Uh this has nothing to do with a detention or prison. It has to do with a development in um in the Everglades. I would be bringing forth this resolution
should it be a school, a hospital, or a church that's going in there. So, I think that's really important to understand um where we're coming from on on this resolution. Uh we I'm I think a lot of you know I'm a backount fishing guide. I I know firsthand what it's like
when we see devastation um uh coming down from the Everglades. Uh I think some of you may recall um when we had the Deep Water Horizon spill that when a tarball washed up in Key West that uh tourism went down overnight by about
75%. So I think we all realize how important um our environment and our water is uh to this community and that's why I'm bringing forth this resolution to simply say we don't want any prisons, we don't want any development and we don't want any incinerators. And that's
another thing that's happening with this um with this uh uh development that's going on. Um it's inviting others to think that if this is indeed a temporary detention center as they've uh alluded to uh that even one
of the um Miami um county commissioners last week suggested that when they're out that's maybe a site that we should consider for our garbage incinerator. So, I really think um this is about just leave the Everglades alone. And I think that's uh that's why um we're trying to
protect our community because of how we rely on that area and clean water coming south. >> Okay. Council, do you guys discussion? >> No. Deb, no. Anna, no.
Okay. And there's no public comment. >> Correct. So then uh I guess I'm looking for a motion. >> I'll make the motion. >> Is there a second >> if there's something that people Sorry, Deb. Go ahead.
>> I just want to make a comment. Um I guess I should have done it before you started your motion. Do we need to Can Can I go ahead? Okay. Um, I think I would have liked it better if
we were commenting about the good things uh that like the um E I was looking up the initials because I always get it wrong. EA reservoir that was just um given some more funds and money and uh
approval. Um you are exactly right that we need the water and I remember those days when we were struggling and um so I I would have just liked to focus more on
that. >> So >> so can I continue then the discussion if >> Yeah, go ahead. Um I you know I think that there's been some some argument uh against this that uh this is not a local issue and and I feel that it is a local
issue. I think that we're connected to it. We do have precedent where um uh a previous village council has supported um resolutions that ask the state and and federal uh government for um certain things. 2016 after the massive seagrass
die off. Um the resolution said the coastal waters of the village are connected to and dependent on the health of the Everglades ecosystem as the primary source of fresh water that serves as the foundation of nearshore estrine environment in Florida Bay. I agree with Deb. I think that those
things that those measures, the fact that the state is taking over the construction of what is now a $4 billion reservoir is all the more reason why we need to um send messages like this to keep that momentum going because we do
have record funding that's happening. And so, um, I I really like to, uh, present resolutions, um, uh, now and before disasters might happen like we did in 2016, which instigated that resolution after that disaster.
>> Um, I'll chime in here that I applaud your enthusiasm, but you're trying to equate the environment with the deportation of people. >> No, not at all. >> Well, that's what it seems like if we were going against it. So I I I have a
hard time going that with you. I don't really think it's within our jurisdiction to do that. Protect the Everglades 100 million%. But by going against this, we're basically saying we're going against what the governor is doing. That's how I
feel. So does anybody else want to say something? Don say anything. Anna, >> you I'll say it. I don't care. Go ahead. It it's not an Islamada issue. It is not a Monroe County issue. It's not even in our district. We should not be involved.
We wouldn't want them coming down here and getting involved in our business. I'm all for the Everglades and protecting the Everglades. This is a airirstrip that's been in place for 57 years. They have not poured any new concrete that I've heard of. It's tents and portaotties.
So, no. >> I I appreciate those comments. Um, I think I I I recognize that it's not geographically, you know, local, but anything that happens in the Everglades does affect us. Um, there has been 20 acres of new pavement that has been
poured in that area um just last week uh that we've seen from aerial photographs. So, um, while, uh, yes, I think they're they're stating that they're doing everything they can to contain and do all that, but you know, we still have industrial light intrusion. We have
diesel engines, we have diesel fuel. The air strip was there. It started and it was stopped after it began because of it being put on sacred native lands and that the potential to um wreak havoc on
natural habitat that use that area. So, I I think it is connected and and I think that there there's potential for damage and this is really I've taken out any of the um uh any sort of illusion to us not agreeing with the detention
center or the cost of running that to uh to the taxpayers and concentrated on just the environmental impacts. And that's all I'm asking for in this resolution. That's not what it says. That's not what it says. That's not what it part of it. Do you disagree with >> pretty much all of it? And this is this
is not marada business. If you want to take this up, I think this should be taken up with go to your captains for clean water. Go to your what is it? Florida Bay Forever. Go. Those are the people that should be dealing with this. This is not Alam
Marada city business. Well, in March 2023, the village council passed a resolution in support of Florida House Bill 363 and Senate Bill 336, both aimed at regulating singleuse plastic products. >> You know, they fine, but this is July 2025.
>> Yeah. I'm just saying that there's precedent there that that shows that we can um we can urge Tallahassee and the state and federal government to do things that are going to benefit our community. >> I disagree. >> Okay. We we So, that was in support of something that was good. Uh right now
our governor has uh uh dedicated millions of dollars to go towards the Everglades restoration. We need to put faith in our governor that if he's going to put forth millions of dollars on a 57y old airirst strip that still is
existing out there that uh that uh he's not going to damage the uh the Everglades by temporarily using this site that's previously developed. And uh you know even the Everglades Foundation is applauding the the uh joint
announcement between the governor and the army corps for all the wonderful work that they're doing and the money that they're pouring into there. I see it makes no sense that we would pour that much money and put that much effort at the state level and at the federal level and on one hand and that just
assume that they're going to damage the Everglades um in a 57y old site that's been previously developed. So I can't I can't support this. It's it's a negative and I want to like that last one you mentioned is a positive and I think
that's where we need to head. I think that Steve um again you're focusing on the environment but it's a detention center so you're trying to get in by going to the environment. I have a problem with the lights at night there
which is an issue but to me this is way beyond what we should be sticking our nose into. And uh I have to agree with the other council members here that I applaud what you did, but it's not the environment you're trying to protect.
It's the detention center and it's to me it's not like I said I I I can't do it. So again, Deb, do you want to say anything before we see a motion again? Well, I just I just
I'm kind of where Don is is I can't I can't bring wrap my brain around the fact that the governor is is putting so much money and energy into the Everglades, the EAA reservoir and
everything and yet um negatively affect affecting the environment. Um, and yeah, there's there are some things that could be corrupted, but um I I just can't support it because of the
political implications. Um, I am all for Everglades. I am all I have sat here in the past and supported resolutions on plastic on uh the uh um
the water coming out of the plant uh uh and and the uh salt plume and all sorts of crazy things. I I just I just I just can't put two and two together to get to support this. I'm
sorry. Okay. So, Steve, you want to make a motion again to see if there's a second? >> Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve the resolution. >> Okay. Do >> Unless there anybody wants to tweak any. I'm open to editing or any amendments. >> Anybody have a second?
Okay. So, no second, then it fails. Correct. Okay. All righty. Willy, the last one. >> Last item. 21 tab 21. This is first reading of an ordinance of Island Marada Village of Islands, Florida, amending
chapter 62 utilities, article 62-3, wastewater utility policy to amend 62-39 to add provisions related to wastewater backup policy, providing for repeal, providing for inclusion in the code, providing for severability, and
providing for an effective date. >> AJ. >> All right. Good evening. Uh the village wastewater currently lacks a formal policy outlining the responsibilities, procedures, and mitigation steps related to sewage backups. Um the residents have
peri periodically experienced sewer issues uh steaming from both private lateral lines failures and blockages within the village system. The absence of a codified policy has resulted in confusion and or
inconsistent handling of such events or particularly regarding liability response protocols and preventative responsibilities. This new section uh provides a comprehensive framework to address wastewater backup incidents and ensures both the village and the property owners
understand their roles. The policy is consistent with the industry standards and best practices for wastewater utilities. Anybody have any questions for AJ before I ask for public comment? Here's my question. Why don't we go into Kargo?
>> Please go ahead. Uh AJ, are you going to follow up with this if it's approved with a flyer to the homeowners so that they understand what this is and what their responsibility is are uh and uh
and uh what actions they need to take, you know, instead of calling you in the event there's a a plugage on their property and those kind of things. >> So we we still push if there if there is a wastewater issue, if you don't know, uh call us. we have a 247 response to
that. Um, I'd rather them call us out there and if it's our, you know, something wrong with our our system, we will make those repairs. Um, if you have some type of backup and you call a plumber out there and it's just a uh,
you know, it it came up at the toilet, toilet's gurgling or something of that nature, and you call a plumber out there, and it's not your issue, it's our issue, the plumber is going to charge you an emergency fee. So, I'd rather them call us out there. We let them know, hey, our system is fine. It is on your side. Go ahead and uh call a
plumber to to take a look at it. >> So, can you develop some kind of flyer so that they understand what you know where that line is and what what their responsibilities are on theirs and they can still call you? Absolutely. >> Uh you will check it out. Your people will check it out and then they'll uh
they'll make a determination, right? >> Yes. >> I I think we should follow up with some kind of flyer on this. >> I can I can make that happen. Yeah. Awesome. Thank you. >> I I also have a a a question, I guess. Um there's been times that it it took a
little bit to determine whether or not it was the homeowner's fault or the village's fault, but in the meantime, there was a sewer backup problem going on. um if it's not obvious
when when the village responds and and what you just described should happen that the the the homeowner should call the village first. But if it's not obvious whose side it's on when when we do that, then at least the
benefit of the doubt should be given to the homeowner to help them resolve the problem. And maybe there needs to be something put in here that they are still responsible for the fees because it was their problem. It was proved at a
later time that it was on their side that caused the the issue. >> So, so the way this the policy uh basically outlines is the village is responsible for any damages or anything that happened to our system. um if
there's a even if there's a failure in the system itself, uh we do routine maintenance, everything else. There's no um negligence on our part, anything of that nature, which we do on our system. Um every once in a while there are failures. Um each home is backed up with
a backflow pre. So if there is a failure in the system, you continually flushing the toilet and using the system is the sewage is your sewage. it's just not going anywhere. Um, but what it what it really does is outline that the homeowner is responsible for any, you
know, uh, unforeseen circumstances on their property, whether like they have a a broken pipe or something like that similar, your insurance would cover that. So, if you had a backup in your system, in your home that flooded your bathroom or downstairs, whatever it may
be, that would be an insurance issue. >> I understand that. But you and I had this conversation that there are times that it's not quite black and white or whatever you want to call sewers. >> Correct.
>> Um when it's going on and uh all I'm concerned with is that um we we just don't go n we don't know who is this but we think it's you. So you got to do it. So, >> so,
>> so I think I think we should as the government the homeowner is ultimately responsible if it's on the homeowner's side. I'm not saying that he should not be responsible. I'm saying that at at
there's a a point of time that we may not know who the responsibility but it has to get fixed because it's sewer. >> Correct? So the way this outline is, no matter who's at fault, whether it's our system or their system, anything that happens on their side of the property is
their responsibility. >> You're not listening to what I said. >> No. Okay. Even we don't have to determine whose fault it is. It doesn't matter one way or the other. If our system had a backup, a failure, whatever it may have happened, and then it continues up the system into their property and has a backup in their
house, it's still their fault. >> They still have to to >> No. If it if it's a village problem, why should the homeowner be responsible? >> If it there are system failures that happen within many different system that the
>> there are is not there. So there are system failures that happen within our system >> and it's not due to negligence or anything of that nature. This is the standard pretty much across all >> there's nothing that the homeowner could correct either. >> Correct. But that >> so why should the homeowner be
responsible for it? It's the same like the same thing as like having a broken pipe. Is it the aqueduct's fault that there was a a broken pipe because the water pressure continued to flow through their house? >> You two want to take this outside? >> We we did a lot of extensive research.
This is the industry standard. >> I don't care if it's the industry standard or not. We're in Isa Marada and we need to take care of our citizens. >> Gotcha. I think you need to take this out. I think Sharon's right. You two go outside. All right. So, outside of that,
does anybody else have anything for AJ? >> Do we need a motion on this? >> No, it was public comment. >> Oh, okay. >> See, I got this down now. >> Is there any? >> Yes, there is. First up is Sue Miller. Okay. So, first of all, I didn't like what I
heard about a system problem causing a backup in a home and of it being the homeowner's responsibility. I just can't see where that is feasible at all. But the problem that I have is that
sometimes a homeowner can be responsible for a problem that's on the village side. And um and so therefore it's really difficult for this policy to make
any sense to me. And one of the things I live in an area where we have grinder pumps. The grinder pump is owned by the village. So it's on the village side. But if I flush the wrong things, I'm
gonna damage the grinder pump. I also will tell you that in the areas that have grinder pumps, we were promised a I don't even know if I'm pronouncing
this right, a SCADA system that would automatically if there's a failure >> would would notify the village that there is a failure in this sewage system for grinder pumps. that has never
worked. Not since the thing was installed. We have never had it. We have therefore failures that that the village doesn't know about until somebody calls. We have lots of
out of town people. I know that in our neighborhood, we had an alarm going off several years ago and we had to wander around the neighborhood to figure out where the alarm was coming from cuz it's so loud you can't tell what house it's
coming from and it happened to be a home that was unoccupied. How does that happen? And yet without a skater system, we couldn't even tell. And recently, within the last couple months, my light
came on red on my grinder pump. And I'm thinking, gee, what what is that about? It was at midnight. And I felt guilty calling the village at midnight to tell them that the red light is on in my grinder pump. And I thought, oh, I just won't flush until morning. And I'll call
the village in the morning. I go outside and the light is green. And uh so so the the system itself is not always dependable. And and so I I sort of have a problem being responsible
or not responsible. And I think that we need to make sure that the property owners have a brochure to explain what they're responsible for, what they're not responsible for. But I think the village also needs to figure out why we
don't have a skater system and why the the lights don't always work right, why the alarm doesn't always work right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Morning. >> Yep. We have on Zoom Dylan Scott. Okay,
go ahead, Dylan. You have three minutes. >> Yes. I would just uh first off like to commend Captain Steve for bringing the resolution that unfortunately none of the other members of the council um felt confident enough to vote on. Um this is an island Marada issue. This is an
Everglades issue. This project is impacting the Everglades ecosystem and due to the number of tourism dollars from ecoourism from the Florida Bay um that Isa Marada
depends on. It's a shame that none of you had the courage to even second his motion to vote on this resolution. I hope none of you continue to run on Everglades conservation in the future because that's a lie.
It's an absolute shame. I'm ashamed of this council that they did not take up this resolution to even vote on it. This facility is negatively impacting the environment and the Everglades ecosystem due to increased pollution
from non-stop generator use at alligator Alcatraz. An abomination that you guys have refused to even consider and give this an this issue the light of day. Uh deeply concerning. Um, and Steve, I
again I commend you. I hope that the rest of the council educates themselves on this issue. And Steve, I would suggest you bring this resolution up for a vote in a future meeting. I commend you again. Um, deeply unsettling that uh
the rest of your commissioners did not um even try to join you in uh voicing their concerns against this issue. Um, I am absolutely disgusted at this time. Thank you. Morning. Anybody else?
>> Yes. Next up is Alena Dav. Uh, excuse me, Alina Davis. Go ahead, Elena. You have three minutes. I totally agree with the last speaker and I think that Steve's uh resolution
or um should be considered because everything that is north of us affects us and if we don't see that we are fools.
The next thing is we're talking about the Everglades and the national park and it is absolutely integral to the village of Isa Marada's
well-being. Oh, sorry, I got a text. Um, so, um, I I think you all need to really realize how deep this
connection is with the Everglades. And anything that happens in the Everglades comes down and flows to us. If it's pollution, it flows to us. If it's green, it flows to us.
and you really really need to analyze that going forward. Thank you. >> Thank you, Marne. There are no other hands raised or comment cards filled up. >> Okay, so going back to the tab which was
about AJ. I know getting confused here. Uh does anybody want to have a discussion or we have a motion? Was there public comment on that one? We let's just go right by that. >> Um the public comment for that item has
been done. Sue was the only person that signed up for it. >> Okay. All right. So, councel, do I have a motion or what do we want to do? Uh, I'll make a motion to approve this as long as we make sure that we notify
the public of of of what this what this addition to our code is and what how this really is it's not going to impact them one way or the other because it already had the responsibility. It's just an explanation of where the
responsibility is. But I really would like to see a flyer go out to the public so they understand that. That's all. So I make a motion to approve. Do I have a second? >> I'll second it. Just exactly what Dolan said. >> Marne, would you call the role, please? >> Vice Mayor Don Horton,
>> yes. >> Council member Anna Richards, >> yes. >> Council member Steve Freriedman, >> yes. >> Council member Deb Gillis, >> no. >> And Mayor Sharon Mahoney, >> sorry. No. >> Yes. >> Okay, the motion passes 4 to one.
>> All righty. I believe that is the end of our meeting. We survived maybe. Thank you. Huh? Mute. Move to adjourn.