Good evening. The time is now 7 p.m. and I'll call to order the town council meeting of uh Tuesday, December 16th. Um we'll begin with an invocation followed by a moment of silence, a few moments, and the pledge of allegiance. For all
those that are able, please join me in standing. >> Let us pray. Almighty God, as we gather for our final council meeting of the year, we pause in gratitude, thankful for the good fortune we have shared, the progress we have made together, and the spirit of warmth and goodwill that
surrounds this season. We ask for your guidance and wisdom for the decisions to be made this evening and throughout the coming year. May our homes, businesses, and streets be kept safe, and may the year ahead bring increased peace, shared prosperity, and enduring goodwill to all. Amen.
>> Amen. We will now pause for a moment of silence. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. May we have roll call, please? >> Mayor Kitzky here. >> Vice Mayor Delaney here. >> Councelor Choy here. >> Councelor Gisinger >> here. Councelor Sunstrom >> here. >> Town manager Kitsero >> here. >> Town attorney B >> here.
>> Okay. Uh we begin tonight. We have one presentation uh getting an update from our Jupiter Fire Rescue Department. I presume that's given by our chief So, good evening, Mayor, council, and all those attending in person, as well
as those virtually watching tonight's meeting. We're honored to share an update with the Jupiter Fire Rescue. Um, we've been counting down the months until Jupiter Fire Rescue begins providing fire and emergency medical services to community. In less than 6 months from tonight, we'll have have
hired all of our operational personnel, completed construction of our new fire stations, received all of our fire apparatus and ambulances, and commence training for the transition of services to occur on October 1 of 2026. The slide before you is our implementation
timeline. We're in the process of ordering all the necessary supplies and equipment for ambulances and fire trucks, and all that will be arriving in the next few months. Tonight, I'm going to provide an update on three items. The purchase of our
self-contained breathing apparatus, our recruiting and hiring for captains, lieutenants, and driver engineers, as well as the temporary fire station for Abicoa and the surrounding areas. So, on your agenda tonight is a request
to approve the purchase of our self-contained breathing apparatus along with the necessary supporting equipment. Our self-contained breathing apparatus is the single most critical piece of personal protective equipment a firefighter wears. It is the lifeline
that allows our personnel to breathe safely in toxic, smoke fil, and oxygen deficient environments. And without these, we simply cannot enter a burning building, a confined space, or an area with toxic substances.
So this is our self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA. This is the air pack and the face mask along with a pass device or a warning device and engage. Um, as outlined on this slide, we're going to be purchasing
the full ecosystem of respiratory protection that's required to launch our department. That includes 38 MSA G1 XR edition air packs. These are the primary units worn on the firefighters backs. 38 spare air cylinders. That's in addition
to the cylinders that come with the packs. This ensures that we can swap out bottles and keep working during prolonged events. 98 face pieces. This will provide every firefighter with their own properly fitted masks for hygiene and safety. Four rapid
intervention team packs. These are specialized air supplies used to solely rescue a down firefighter. And a fit fit testing system to legally and safely certify that mass seal correctly to each firefighter space. So, we selected this
particular MS1 MSA G1 XR edition for three specific strategic reasons. First, safety and compliance. I'm proud to report that Jupiter Fire Rescue will be one of the first agencies to field airpack certified to the 2025 edition of
the NFPA1 1970 standard. This is absolutely the latest safety benchmark in the industry, ensuring our department starts operations at the pinnacle of compliance. Second is operational capability. Historically, communicating
while wearing a mask inside of a fire has been difficult. These new units solve that. With integrated noiseancelling, voice amplifiers and Bluetooth connectivity directly to our radios. Our firefighters will be able to hear and be heard clearly even in high
noise environments. And third is fiscal efficiency and longevity. We're proposing to purchase this equipment under a competitive piggyback contract with Lake County, Florida through 108 Fire and Safety. This ensures that we
receive the best available government pricing. And furthermore, these units will use a central rechargeable battery system, eliminating the recurring cost of purchasing thousands of alkaline batteries over the life of the units. The units are designed with a 10-year service life, and they can be updated
via software during that service life, preventing them from becoming obsolete as technology evolves. This acquisition is not just about buying gear. It's about ensuring that when our firefighters answer a call in 2026,
they have the safest, most reliable technology protecting them so they can protect others. Next on the agenda for us in this update is our recruiting and hiring. So yesterday the town began recruiting and
hiring for our operational personnel. We posted a job announcement for 12 fire rescue captains and 12 fire rescue lieutenants. Both with an anticipated start date of May 11th of 2026. I'm happy to report in just the first 24
hours of that posting, we have 40 applicants for captain and 37 applicants for lieutenant. In the coming weeks, we'll post our job announcement for drive driver engineers, also with a start date of May 11th. And in the beginning of January, we'll begin
advertising for our 54 firefighter, EMT, or firefighter paramedic positions, all with an anticipated start date of June 1st, 2026. We're excited and anxious to get our entire team on board and to establish the beacon of excellence for the fire
service right here in Jupiter. On this agenda for later in the meeting is a special exception and site plan amendment application for the temporary fire station. I will address the special exception site plan amendment application during that part of the meeting. So right now
my goal is just to kind of explain why we need this temporary fire station and how we'll be operating from it. The Abicoa Fire Station, also known as station 16, is located on Military Trail just north of Frederick Small Road. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is currently
using this station to provide service. Uh the station will revert to the town's ownership under a reversionary deed. uh but that deed provides for uh the reversion to occur at the time that the county no longer provides service. So
we've attempted to develop a phase transition plan that would include the transition of the Abicoa station. Uh that transition plan was denied. So as it stands now, the Abakoa fire station will revert to the town's ownership on October 1st of 2026, but Jupiter Fire
Rescue must be operational that very same day. And this flip of a switch approach requires us to establish a temporary fire station for the Abicoa area. Our current plan is to place a temporary fire station in the northwest corner of the Abakcoa Community Park.
Again, we'll discuss this further during the special exception and site plan amendment section of your agenda tonight. So, I'll leave you with this as always. In just a little over 6 months from tonight, we'll have hired all of our operational personnel, completed our new
fire stations, we'll have all of our apparatus and equipment in place, and we'll be preparing for the transition of services to Jupiter Fire Rescue. And in a little over 10 months from tonight, the Jupiter Fire Rescue Department will begin providing full fire and emergency medical services to the community. And
Jupiter Fire Rescue remains on schedule and on budget. I'll take any questions if you might have them. Any questions? >> Yeah, I just have one if you don't mind. Of the 12 captains and 12 lieutenants, I assume since you got so many applicants
so far, I think you said 40 and 37. Those are all experienced positions. >> Uh, so that is a requirement to apply for those positions. They all require prior experience. Yes. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Just curious. It was very effective. Thank you for uh having somebody model
that. Uh what how what is the weight on that? I'm just curious. Uh, you know, Kevin might be able to tell us that. I don't know to be honest with you. I can tell you it's not light. Melissa has put one on. She'll tell you. >> Yeah. No, I uh >> just just curious.
>> Sorry, Mr. Mayor. We actually did that when I first got hired. Steve and I did that. It was like 64 pounds >> with the gear. We weighed every each part of it and we put it on. It's about 64 pounds. >> Thank you, sir. Now, fortunately, you only put that on when you have to fight
fires, correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Cuz I know that our police, they wear a vest and other stuff that's over 20 pounds. That's eight hours a day. So, >> and then you're in difficult breathing conditions and then you find someone to rescue and you're carrying them as well,
>> right? >> That's Yeah. >> I just have a question. Um, with your hiring, do you give any priority to military or veterans? Absolutely. There's very strict state laws and standards on that issue. Um,
and you know, thankfully that's all well beyond me, but we have this incredible HR department who >> good >> handles all of that for us. They handle all the screening. They handle all the veterans preference points. Um, and they do a tremendous job. uh shout out to
them for helping us get these these uh announcements out on time, exactly as we need them. >> Uh you know, it's a it's a heavy lift. There's a a lot of legal things that go into hiring and so uh we have a a really jam up HR team who is doing a great job for us.
>> And just one last question, um with all of the hiring and bringing them on board, you're still staying within budget prior to October. Yeah, absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Uh Chief, just one question uh regarding
the required um experience. Do the applicants need to be at the current rank now that they're applying for with us? >> Uh so they they will need to have a certain number of years of experience depending on position and all of them depend on the different positions. Okay. >> And then they will need to have either
served in that rank >> either in a step up like an acting capacity or in a promoted capacity in the past. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, I just want to share something. Um, I was uh quite surprised. Um, my family
and I, we had a gathering in Orlando uh two weekends ago and on the way up, we stopped at a Publix. My wife had pre-ordered a birthday cake for my oldest daughter and she's in getting the cake and I'm walking outside and took me a while to kind of notice until I saw
the fire truck go, but there was a temporary station that was in a public shopping center and it's uh Orange County Station 32. Maybe you know about it. >> I I went back I because I saw a truck
coming back. So they had a you wouldn't have known it was in the shopping center although it did have a rather large sign up top but they basically took a storefront and I guess that must be the sleeping quarters and they had two uh I'd call them metal buildings you know
where they stored the you know the uh ambulance and the fire truck and uh so I happened to engage in a conversation with one of the firemen walking around back and um two things struck me. number one. He said, he said it was a temporary
station. They're finally getting their station. But then he quickly said, "But we've been in this temporary station for 18 years." >> Oh my goodness. >> Anyway, uh but uh and then uh of course just striking up a conversation. Apparently he was well familiar with
Jupiter, as one would expect, starting up a fire department. But uh but I'm just kind of delighted as a point of perspective. It was so stunning to see that in a shopping center, you know, and it wasn't it was done right. you know, we're on the top, but I wasn't looking up because I was walking along the
sidewalk, but um 18 years. So, I'm glad that we're ending up, you know, with the right kind of fire station right out of the box and we're going to be getting it temporary only as a transition uh until we, you know, we go ahead and
are able to take possession and refurbish as required, you know, the existing Abico station. So, I just thought I'd share that with you. Anyway, it was it was kind of >> interesting. >> What's the chances of me coming across that? >> Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh moving on to citizen comments. This is for non-aggenda items and anybody wishing to speak is asked to state his or her name for the an address
for the record prior to addressing town council. And um we don't generally respond to the items. It's referred to staff to follow up. Um so with that, I believe we have a couple com public comments. >> Yes, sir. We have three comment cards.
We have Joe Spano, followed by Christy Panelloo, followed by Peter Leo. >> Good evening and thank you for having me. My name is Joe Spano. I live at 1603 Kingsley Road. I've been here in this town for just about 50 years. Me and my
lovely wife, who's right there behind me. Uh back when I first moved into town, there were four police officers, which we're thankful for. There were 365 kids in my graduating class and there was less than 29,000 people in Jupiter. Uh it's changed quite
a bit since I moved here. We grew up on Jupiter Island. Um, if I knew then what I know now, I would have ran for council. And the only thing I would have pushed for is that you can't come to my town and say, "What a beautiful slice of
paradise. What a wonderful piece of heaven. This place is amazing." You know what you need? You need this. No, we don't. We don't need a CVS on every corner. We don't need a Walgreens on every corner. I'm up in Mafford's Vineyard a dozen times a year. They
don't have a Walmart. We don't need a Walmart. We don't need all these blue neon signs. You guys are pushing for all this construction. There's not one public boat ramp or town I mean public boat dock or town boat dock like Riviera
Beach, Stewart or Fort Pierce for us locals to put our boat in. It's just all this development. Maybe some of the money that's being taken and spent should buy Sunny Sands back and make that a park for our kids and our grandkids. That's how you guys can make
a legacy. That's how you can put a mark on Jupiter. I've been here for 50 years. The founding fathers, the pioneer families, they absolutely would be rolling in their grave. All of these storage facilities that you guys
condone. The fact that you're going to allow building next to Guanabanas and that park with the floating dock that us locals come to to go walk around to see the restaurants is going to be gone because you want to bring more people in.
So, I would have ran for council and I would have said, "You can't come to this town unless you're and and run for the board and the council unless you're a 20 or 30year resident because you don't understand from my eyes, from my heart
what I see happening. My wife and I go to Publix. We know nobody. Do you remember the commercial with the Indian on the horse with the tear running down his eyes? I wear my sunglasses one to hide my age and two to hide the tears
because you guys just want to make this full of people. You're turning it into a metropolis. You got to step back. You got to think of your kids. You got to think of your grandkids. It's wonderful to have a new fire station. I don't remember been here 50 years when we've
had a major major fire. Palm Beach County was fine. I'm not going to discount that because it's done. But make a park. Make a boat ramp. Do something for your children, something for your grandchildren. This is ridiculous.
We need this. We didn't before. Thank you for your time and thank you for letting me speak. I will speak on other subjects at different times. Don't hold my opinion against me. It's just my view from a hurt local. >> Christy Panel.
Hi, my name is Christy Panel. I live at 4829 Toquesta Drive and I'm also the owner and operator of Jupiter Inlet Boat Rentals which operates out of Utiki Marina. Um, we are a family business
that's been in business, same location, same spot, you know, started by my my father and my uncle, going on 27 years now. And what we do is we provide uh the only public access for boats on the water, the town of Jupiter. You know, you don't have to be a member to rent a
boat. We rent boats to the general public. If tourist visitors come down for a week, they want to get on the water, explore the beautiful water of Jupiter. We are the only place that rents boats to the the general public. We don't do that because it makes us more money. We do it because personally
feel like it is it's a necessary thing to have public access to to the water. Trust me, public rentals are gigantic headache, way more difficult and less money than them than doing private boat clubs and marinas. However, ethically public rentals are what we feel we
should do. And unfortunately, um, unless something drastic happens quickly, we're going to have to shut down and close due to the fact that we just we can't afford to stay at the marina there anymore, and there's no other options available. When the bridge went down, we we right off
the bat lost 40% of our business. That's fine. We can eat that. But at the same time, our landlord doubled our rent to $250,000 a year overnight. Doubled the rent. Same time the bridge went down. Um, he was was new new owner. We've tried to sit it out, wait for it.
Unfortunately, we we we just can't can't afford it and have been looking for a different place to to move to. There's a lack of commercially available public docks that can fit a fleet of 10 boats. Um, and so what's going to happen is Marine, who is at the marina, you know, they're they're a publicly traded
company on the stock market, you know, equivalent of the Walmarts of boats. They're they're offering more money. They're going to take over our spot. The landlord's going to give him our docks, something like that. And when we leave, the town will lose the only public access to the water for for boers. Um,
we don't want to close down. We'd like to move to a new location. Can't can't find one. There won't be a spot for tourists, visitor, anybody to run a boat to get in the water. I don't know how that's going to hurt visitors, tourism in Jupiter. Also, the the residents who won't be able to, you know, 50% of our
business, tourists, 50% are locals. Um, that that access is going to be gone to Jup Jupiter. And Jupiter is known for its water. uh the inlet village, you know, the the goal is to have support local businesses, things like that. I would really like some sort of support if there's any way to do a public
private partnership, maybe the docks by Guanabanas, something like that. Um but, uh you know, we've after 27 years, you know, it's month lease, we've got to be out in in 2 weeks, and when we go, there goes the the public access to to boating Jupiter. So, the town will greatly lose
out. and um just want to see if there's there's any way to to any kind of thing, you know, with a CRA, something like that, because I believe this is, you know, we're the type of business you guys look to support to give back to the town. Happy to do something like that if possible. Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you, >> Captain Peter Leo. Leo, >> good evening. My name is Captain Pete Leo. I live at Harbor Road North. I've been uh in living in Jupiter for 53 years. I worked 35 years for Palm Beach County
Parks and Recreation Department as an ocean lifeguard here on the Jupiter beaches, mainly around the Jupiter Inlet. I'm asking the council and the town of Jupiter to consider, this is a bit of a repeat performance of our last two
comments, but I seek the council to consider a resolution of support to consider a affordable affordable town dock and marina somewhere in the Jupiter waterways. I believe eventually it could be built
somewhere. There's not too many choices. Like they said earlier, Bert Reynolds Docks and Ramps is a po potential location. Sunny Sands might be another potential location. Sawfish Bay is another potential location.
Uh the reason why I'm so concerned about this is because everything else has been privatized and unaffordable for the bluecollar local boater to find dockage, lock, stock, and barrel. It's uh it's
it's rough out there. And that's uh basically all I wanted to ask the town to consider that uh resolution of support to consider a town affordable dock and marina. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Any others? >> No other speakers. >> Okay. U moving on to the minutes. Uh councel, we have before us uh the minutes to the December 2nd meeting and there's some some minor additions on the
dis. Uh there's no further additions or corrections. I'll take a motion and a second to adopt the minutes as amended. >> Motion to adopt the minutes. >> Second. >> All in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> I. Motion carries unanimously. Moving on to the consent agenda. This is items uh three through six. Is there any member of the public that wish to pull a consent agenda item? >> No sir. >> Any member of the on the dis wishes to pull a consent agenda item?
>> Seeing none, um we have uh one item which is quasi judicial. Uh does anybody have any quasi judicial uh disclosures uh for ordinance 2025? I have none. >> None. >> None.
Seeing none. Um I'll take a motion in a second. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I'd ask uh for ordinances 1725 and ordinance 2025 to be read. >> Well, Mayor, we need to take them
individually, but I'll read ordinance 1725 since it's first. An ordinance of the town council of town of Jupiter, Florida, amending the town code to create division 17.1 entitled recreation district to establish uses by right, accessory uses and special
exception uses, providing for supplemental regulations, providing for severability, providing for the appeals of laws in conflict, and providing for an effective date. >> So you indicate those need to be taken separately. >> Yes, mayor.
>> Uh take a motion. I'll take in a new motion uh to uh approve ordinance 17-25. >> Motion to Okay. Second. >> Motion a second. All All those in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. Motion carries unanimously. Um I'll take a motion and a second to adopt or uh for ordinance 2025 on first reading. >> I'll make a motion. >> Go ahead. Motion to approve ordinance 2025.
>> I'll second >> motion in a second and ask for it to be read to be read. Ordinance 2025, an ordinance of the town council, town of Jupiter, Florida, amending the town's official zoning map to reszone 1.19 acres of property located at 100 and 102
north coastal way from the Indian Town Road overlay zoning district, US Highway 1 District with underway general commercial C2 to US Highway 1 intra coastal waterway corridor district, waterway, commercial and entertainment
district subdist providing for several ility providing for repeal of laws in conflict and providing for an effective date. I >> have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. I'll take a
motion and a second to approve the consent agenda consistent of agenda items five and six. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. All those in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. Motion carries unanimously and I would just ask the town clerk um to change the wording under the consent agenda. Um it's the first time I can recollect um the guidance, but I appreciate the guidance because this says that we enacted everything under
consent in one motion. So, however, get with town attorney whatever the guidance is that ordinances are done separately if there's more than one. >> Yes, sir. We'll we'll make that change. so that I know clearly what the guidelines are. Thank you. Okay, moving
on to regular agenda. We have a public hearing on resolution 12125. This is quasi judicial. I would ask uh those uh expecting to possibly provide
testimony to be stand and sworn in. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give in this hearing is the whole truth and nothing but the truth? >> And this is a quasi judicial hearing. Um
I'd ask if anybody has any uh expporte disclosures. I did have Q&A with staff about temporary parking changes. >> Any others? >> No. >> I visited the site and I spoke with staff. I visited the site also.
>> I frequently visit the site on pickup time. Um I'll turn it over to staff for the presentation. >> So, uh good evening again. Um on October
1st of 2026, Jupiter Fire Rescue Department will begin providing full fire and EMS services to the community. The Abicoa Fire Station, currently located on Military Trail just north of Frederick Small Road, will revert to town
ownership on October 1st of 2026, but Jupiter Fire Rescue must be operational that same day. This requires us to establish a temporary fire station for the Abicoa area. We will run calls from this temporary fire station only until
we complete any required modifications in the existing Abico fire station and move our furnishings and equipment in. This temporary station will ensure continuity of service and rapid response times to Jupiter's residents and businesses.
So this is a site plan showing the location that we intend to place this temporary fire station. Uh so we'll occupy this temporary fire station beginning in the June of 2026 as a training base. We have been in touch with the surrounding community to keep
them informed of our intent to answer any of their questions. We're working closely with all the surrounding homeowners associations, the town's recreation department, Roger Dean Stadium, and Independence Middle School next door on our plans to provide service from the station up until we can
transition to the Abico station on Military Trail. We do recognize the significant traffic challenges that exist during the morning drop off and afternoon pickup times as Greenway Drive often becomes impassible or very slow moving. Congestion is heaviest from that
9:10 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. That's for the 9:30 Independence Middle School start time. And then again in the afternoon from 3:30 to 4:20 for their 405 dismissal time. To account for this, our firefighters and their units will be moving to another area to stage for any
calls during these time periods while we are running calls from that station. The current plan is to relocate the temporary station to the Abatoa Community Park site sometime in January of 26. Uh in March of 26, they will install a canopy for fire vehicles and a
shed for turnout gear. And by May of 2026, the temporary station will be substantially completed and ready for us to work out of. And we plan to occupy it in June of 2026. I'll turn it over to Garrett for the
site plan amendment components. Uh good evening council for the record. Garrett Watson with planning and zoning. This slide shows you the layout of the temporary fire station. The vertical structure is the actual temporary station. There's a canopy for JFRD
vehicles. That's to provide protection, weather protection from them, as well as an equipment shed on site. Uh a few modifications are being made to the site in terms of landscaping. Um so there's a requirement for a continuous hedge, a cocoa plum hedge to be along
the sidewalk in the road. And that just provides for buffering um from the roadway into the park. Um that's the current plan that's shown on the left side of your screen. Uh there's some room for adjustment uh as needed for any pieces there, but that's the current
layout. Uh in addition to that there is in blue some um or sorry in in red up against the building there's some potted kucia that's going to be added around the base of the temporary station. That's to provide some screening for the skirting of the building and just make sure that it complies with the intent of
foundation planting to beautify the base of the building. That potted kucia will maintain on site until such time as the station's removed at which point we can plant that kucia elsewhere. there's anything in the area that needs screening, we can move it there. Hopefully, it's nice and healthy and
full and can planted and provide some instant screening there. Uh so, in addition to what's going in around the station, um general park uh landscaping is going to be enhanced. We're installing some cocoa plum, vakahhatche grass, and some planted throughout the park as well as on the Frederick small
entrance. That just provides some beautifification and helps meet town code standards. There's two conditions in resolution 202125 for you tonight. Uh the first is that the temporary stations removed within 60 days of a certificate of
completion for renovations. The purpose of that is really just to signify to the public, the community at large that the intent is whenever that station's no longer operationally necessary to try to begin the move as quickly as possible. So, uh, that just gives a time frame for
us to to work within and gives the public some assurance that the the goal is to move it off site and restore that area to how it exists today as soon as that station is no longer operate operationally necessary. Uh, and lastly, we have a condition for water connection fees. It's very standard. You've seen
that in almost every site plan you've reviewed. In terms of the special exception and site plan criteria, staff has found that the application meets all criteria with the recommended conditions. Uh in addition, it we find that it meets all special exception criteria.
Uh the proposed fire station is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the town code. It's compatible with the character of the surrounding area that it serves and it's an integrated and essential part of any community. Uh, in conclusion, the temporary
station, as the chief mentioned, will ensure the continuity of service for Jupiter's residents and businesses. It's going to be removed as soon as it's no longer operationally necessary. And the condition ensures that and gives the public assurance of that. Uh, the town has been communicating, as the chief
mentioned, with all surrounding neighborhoods, including the residents and the principal of Independence Middle School about the potential for the temporary station. uh and your planning and zoning commission recommended approval of this application as it is before you tonight in resolution 12115.
I'm going to leave you here with just a rendering of you know from that parking lot looking at the unit. So this is looking from the middle of the parking lot towards Greenway Drive is in the background. Um so you can see the canopies on the left and the temporary station is is on the middle there with
the access ramp. So I'll leave it there and I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Okay, turning the council. Is there anybody have any questions for staff? >> Not at this point. >> I have a couple questions. Um, you said
that the apparatus might be moving during school drop off and pickup. What is where where in the park or what's the what exit are they taking or where will they go for those? So, so during those morning pickup and afternoon dismissal
times, it is our intent to move our apparatus away from the park and and uh our plan at this point is because the um this is when we're running calls October one on and so the Albakcoa fire station on Military Trail will have reverted to our ownership, but we'll be finalizing
any modifications, moving equipment, and we have access to that site and that's the site that we plan to move our vehicles to to run calls from. >> Okay. And the shed and um the coverings for the structures, they're all category five rated. Is that >> So the shed and the and the structures,
I I honestly couldn't tell you that. I don't have I don't have any real details on that. I know the temporary fire station itself is is Cat 5 rated and secured. >> Will the structure be secured to the ground? Um the paved area. Okay. And the pavement will be
>> fixed and returned in better condition. >> That's correct. >> Upon Okay. Okay. >> The teacher parking, to what extent do teachers use that parking lot? What percentage, you know, >> so we we've been in close contact with independents. Uh our police department
and fire department went and met with them just two weeks ago. Uh we met with the principal again. We've spoken with them prior. Um, and right now, you know, and anecdotally, I'll say we've been by there numerous times, and they're only using about maybe 30% of the parking
that's in that area. Um, maybe even a little less. Um, and we do intend to work closely with them that any unused parking that we don't have our vehicles in, uh, they'll be able to continue that use. And so there's more than enough spaces than they're currently using.
>> Okay. And then um I know you spoke with my neighborhood and you've continued to speak with neighborhoods even since uh the PNZ meeting, but can you share who you've spoken with? And I saw um there was concern about wanting to reach out to Roger Dean and JTAa as well. Um and I
just want to confirm have you have you been able to connect with those organizations? Yeah, I've spoken with representatives of the Heights, Valencia, Antigua, Tuscanyany, of course, Independence Middle School, their principal. Uh, and we've been working very closely with them, the
school police, uh, and our police department all together collaboratively. Uh, you know, traffic is really a big issue in that area, which is a law enforcement concern. And so, they've been involved in all of those conversations. uh also with Roger Dean Stadium as they use a part of the
Abakcoa Community Park uh for some parking during some of their events. So, we've been coordinating with them as well as uh spoken with uh folks from JTAa. All positive conversations, all supportive conversations and uh we look forward to continuing to work with them.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you. Yeah, I've gone by a couple times and counted parking places there and number of cars for teaching there. And you're right, it's about 30%. And just looking at the site plan, looks like maybe a third of it might be occupied by the station and the equipment and the the canopies and the shed and everything. So
that still leaves 2/3 left for the for the teachers. Uh, one question though. Um, you say after January until the station, the penance station is removed that, uh, parents would be no longer be allowed to drop off and pick up their kids at that
parking lot. Has that been communicated to the parents? >> Yes. So, our police department, community relations department are both working with Independence School, uh, Independence Middle School to get a message out to the the parents. That has not been done yet. We're kind of waiting
for your approval tonight to officially allow us to move to that point. At this point, we don't have official approval to use the site. And so once you do that tonight, if you do, then we'll be able to move to that next step for communicating with the public. >> Okay. And planning zoning may have
looked at this, but on your chart page three, that site view with the station here, it's heavily treed around the perimeter along Greenway and everything. Have we looked at can we physically move the temporary station in there without
have to remove trees to get access? >> Uh so we have uh had the folks that do move the stations come look at the site and so they've assured us they can do this. So >> Okay, good. All right. I have no further questions. Thank you. >> Not a question but just to weigh in
about the conversation about teacher parking. I have occasion uh to both do a drop off in in the morning and pick up in the afternoon for my grandson. Um first of all, I think drop off generally I wouldn't have thought the
parking spaces get used because drops drop off is a more efficient process. I use the north side because you're just driving through it moves quickly. Pickup is where you're waiting. Um, and I don't think I've ever seen all of the
spaces used, and I would say that at least half of the spaces used in that one parking area are are people picking up kids. I could say that just by having observed that firsthand. So therein, you know, your 30%
observation is on with consistent with anything I've ever seen. So I just pass that as a share. Um, so with that, uh, was there any public comments on this one? >> No, sir. >> No. Okay. Going back to council, uh, for
any, uh, final op comments or I'll take a motion in a second. >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution 121-25. >> Second. >> Have a motion in a second. Uh, all in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Motion
carries unanimously. Moving on to uh public business item resolution 10425, approving a contract uh for deep well injection phase 2 improvements. I'll turn it over to whoever is staff is
kicking this off. Good evening, mayor and town council. For the record, I am Amanda Barnes, the director of utilities for the town. This evening, I am requesting your consideration to award a construction contract for phase two of the deep injection well system project.
The commu the community investment program for the deep injection well system was originally adopted in 2022. Refinements to scope and budget were made in subsequent years with the most recent being in during the fiscal year 2026 CIP. Numerous milestones have been
achieved in the last three years for this project. And this slide on the screen illustrates the milestones completed to date and a look ahead towards completion of the entire CIP project in the summer of 2027. A brief review of the milestones include
entering into a contract for professional consulting services for the full scope of the CIP project with JLA GeoSciences in early 2023, completing design, obtaining regulatory permits, and receiving proposals for
both construction contracts, phases one and phase two. Phase one consisted of site preparation and drilling of the deep injection well and the associated dual zone monitoring well. And phase two, which is the contract before you, will consist of final wellheads for both
of the wells, sight piping, and pump stations to route the water to the deep injection well, and functional testing to place the wells into service. Drilling of the wells began in December of 2023 and the drill the drilling contractor Youngquist Brothers has a
treat has achieved substantial completion on both the deep injection well and the dual zone monitoring well and they have done this 4 months ahead of the projected schedule. They are currently working toward site restoration and inje injection testing
for permit compliance which they expect to complete in early 2026 which would be possibly four to 5 months ahead of final completion um the final contract completion deadline.
So tonight we are seeking approval for the final construction contract which is phase two that will enable us to place the deep injection well and the dual zone monitoring well into service and further comply with f with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's
order to cease um RO RORO treatment byproduct or concentrate disposal via our service water discharge permit. If the contract is awarded tonight, we expect that phase 2 improvements will be completed in May of 20 and 20 May of
2022 2027, I'm sorry. And you might notice on the CIP project that our current administrative order or permit from FD has a completion date of December 2026. when we started
construction of the wells um we have been required and have been submitting quarterly reports to DP to keep them updated on the progress of construction. So, with our next um so they're aware of the progress of of the project and we
would just submit a minor modification to our permit to request an extension to cease the surface water outfall discharges to to comply or agree with the construction schedule. As long as we are making um progress toward that
toward that end, they have been supportive. Once we do place the deep injection well and the dual zone monitoring well into service, they will remain they will operate under our construction permit for one year and then at that time we will transition the permit to an
operating permit with with D. Construction of the phase 2 improvements is complex with high risk if it's not executed properly and carefully. It involves multidiscipline industrial construction including electrical, mechanical, structural, instrumentation,
controls and site civil work. It it in involves new installations, modifications to existing critical infrastructure, heavily congested pipe corridors, extended equipment lead times, all while keeping plant processes in service and minimizing disruption to
existing operations and maintenance functions. We did um put out a request for proposals and Scott Reynolds, our finance director, is going to discuss that. Thank you, Amanda. Scott Reynolds, the finance director for the town of Jupiter. Uh two things uh we did go out
to for proposals. We received two proposals uh which were evaluated by a selection committee of staff and uh our uh consultants. the selection committee, they ranked Lawrence Lee Construction Services as the most qualified uh
contractor to award based based on the rankings. Uh just so it's understood that the type of procurement was the best value procurement. It wasn't solely based just on cost. Uh it was based on a point system. Uh with uh the cost being
one of the heaviest weighted uh of those points at 30 points. uh we they reviewed the and evaluated uh Lawrence's previous experience with similar type projects and there did reference checks which all came back excellent.
The uh proposed funding options uh it is uh being requested for a budget amendment of $3.2 million uh based on the proposal that's been received uh at the end of FY25. Uh, I will tell you, uh, we have additional RNR funds above
and beyond what we had targeted. Uh, so we do have, uh, just over almost $6 million additional in RNR funding, uh, to fund the shortfall, uh, that's being requested this evening. Uh, but you can see the original, uh, CIP project budget
was just over $30 million. Uh, there's an additional need for 3.2. Uh you can see the incumbrances and what's been spent to date uh underneath the uh at $24 million. The uh contract is being requested for this evening for Lawrence
Lee Construction is $8.7 million uh with some uh funds for contingency. Uh again, uh total request for additional funding of 3.2 uh which will come from the additional RNR funding uh at the end of FY25.
Thank you, Scott. The estimated budget developed for the project was last updated in May of 2025 during the fiscal year 2026 CIB CIP budget process. At that time design was sufficiently complete and the design
engineer provided a detailed opinion of probable construction costs based on input from material and equipment suppliers and labor and equipment costs from other similar type and recent construction projects. At that time, both town staff and the design engineer
felt that the opinion of probable construction cost was representative of the scope of work and construction market industry and the CIP budget was increased to reflect the updated costs. The increased construction pricing in only 5 months as represented by the
pricing received in response to this RFP is a testament of the extreme volatility in the construction market for industrial labor materials and equipment. Pipe and valve materials for this project are predominantly required to be high-grade
stainless steel for corrosion resistance. A comparison of bid pricing to the cost estimate revealed that pipe and valve costs are now 20% higher, pump costs are now 10% higher, electrical costs are 77% higher, and construction
labor for this type of project has nearly doubled. Tariffs as high as 50% are having a significant impact on stainless steel and electrical materials and equipment, including copper, steel, wiring, panels, and transformers,
leading to these higher project costs, longer delays, and shrinking margins for contractors. Other factors that contribute to the increase in cost is the complexity of this project, which has inherent inherent risk working in crowded utility
corridors with critical infrastructure. For example, rerouting exist existing piping to the deep injection well will require the contractor to navigate more than 25 util utility conflicts in less than 300 ft. Long material lead times
also contribute to the increased costs as construction durations are extended. Feedback that we received from other contractors who did not submit proposals for the project reported that the project was either too large for them, too small for them, or too complex for
them to take on at this time considering their other workloads. While other co while other qualified contractors for this type of industrial municipal work are bidding only construction management at risk and or design bid build contracts.
A survey of other utilities in Florida constructing deep injection wells revealed construction costs varying from $20.2 million in 2023 to $48 million. Ours is 33.
Historically, the water utility has referenced the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers. I know that's a lot, but it's the CPIU, commonly referred to as the CPIU. So, we commonly we we have typically and historically relied on the
CPIU for indexing our um construction projects for future budgets. That's not to say that we don't look at each project that that in each project in detail to make sure that our construction pricing is correct, but for those projects that were that are 5
years out, we typically apply the CPIU. But we're finding that that is that the CPIU is not sufficient especially for projects in our area or Florida um especially for industrial type municipal
projects. We we did conduct a review of our construction costs from historical projects which we included in um the agenda packet and it revealed that construction indices are only explaining a portion of the inflationary costs for
for our industry and that actual annual inflation rates are much higher based on actual construction costs ranging from 7% to as high as 24%. and we um feel that rebidding the contract will likely result in higher
pricing and will result in further delay of the project schedule. So some key takeaways um proposals were received and and evaluated according to the town's procurement purchasing policy. Lawrence Lee Construction Services was ranked by the selection
committee to be the most qualified contractor based on the proposal ranking and the proposals received. Lawrence Lee has had an experience modification ratio below one for the past three years indicating their attention to safety. And just a
reminder, the experience modification ratio measures a company's workman workers compensation claims against the average for a similar business. So anything below one is um is good.
Resolution 10425 before you provides for award of a construction contract to Lawrence Lee Construction Services for an amount of $8,769,000 and an increase to the CIP project budget of $3,216,563.
Funding is available in the water enterprise renewal and replacement fund to meet the budget need. Completion of this contract will cease surface water discharges of re reverse osmosis concentrate to the Cine Canal and improve water quality in the
Lockachi River. With that, I'll take any questions you might have. >> Um, I'll start with councelor Joy. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um, as I sit here and I go through what you're proposing, I just want to
reiterate again that we're working from policy and procedures. So bear with me if I ask a question that you've already gone. See you in the pre-bid meeting there were five invitees and only two and one being Lawrence Lee who ended up
with the contract. Am I correct? >> Correct. We had a for this project because of its complexity, we had a mandatory pre-bid meeting which had to attend the pre-bid meeting in order to qualify for submitting a proposal. Correct. >> So we had five attend the mandatory meeting and two submitted proposals.
>> And the three that chose not to were for the various reasons that you've already stated cost and and so forth. Yes. Okay. >> Or not they form small for them, too large for them or they were too busy at the time. >> Okay. And Mr. Reynolds has already
talked about where the 3 million plus is coming from. Correct. >> Correct. Renewal and replacement. >> All right. But again, I'm just trying to follow policy and procedures as we go through it. So, thank you. >> Okay. >> Where's Mayor? >> Yeah. Um, we're in a perfect storm of construction cost increases, so I'm not
shocked with the increases. U one question kind of not off subject, but what's the life expectancy once this is completed of this system and the, you know, down the road? what kind of upgrades is it going to need? >> So the the deep injection well itself
has a service life of 50 years. Um the stainless steel pipe and equipment will have to be maintained as long as we you know take care of it on a regular basis it will >> depending on the grade of the stainless steel also. >> Right. >> Correct. And
>> is it a super high grade stainless? >> Yes. It's super duplex in some locations. In other locations, it's just stainless steel 316. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. That's it. >> Councelor Sunstrom. >> Yes. Um, can you remind me of what was
the difference between the two bids in terms of price? It was something like >> It was just It was just over 5%. There was It was about a $500,000 difference. >> Okay. So, 5% between the two >> difference between the two. Um I'm
unfamiliar with some of the procurement vehicles that you listed. I know you talked about CMR and those are getting more bids. Um but they also can drive price because they're solely based on experience and performance. Is that right? So construct CM construction
management at risk is typically based solely on qualifications um a contractor's qualifications. Once you the selection committee selects a contractor based on qualifications then they would negotiate pricing. In some cases you'll have a pool of contractors
and maybe you'll shortlist them and negotiate you ask request for price proposals from each of them but typically in standard CR you are selecting the contractor and then negotiating it make
giving awarding a contract and then negotiating price. So you may have more biders, but it would potentially be at a higher price point. >> It it could I mean the benefits of of CM is that it it's typically a higher price, but
there the contractor has um is incentivized to reduce construction schedule. One of the difficulties in my opinion of doing that with the type of work that we do is, you know, some of it is kind of a design build. So, we're at
the mercy of the contractor and the way he wants to do it. Not to say we don't have input into it, but it's not designed to our necessarily designed to our standards. And so, we have not done CM for our plant processes. I could see
that given I mean the complexity of this and just this is in one of the busiest parts of town. Our water utility is surrounded by shopping centers by residential by the highway. I mean we saw the deep injection well construction going on. Um so I mean 300 utility or
what was it utility complex and 300 ft. >> We have put a lot of stuff onto that site. >> As an outsider looking in you know I see a phase one and phase two. You were saying some for some contractors it's too large of a project for others too small. Is there a way this could be
broken up or it it doesn't make sense? You know, I'm not a water expert for I mean the reason we broke phase one apart from phase 2 because some utilities would do that all as one project. The we the reason we did that is because we know phase one was a well driller and so
we felt like we would um we would not be experiencing a markup. We if we did a general contractor if a general contractor had had won the project and needed to hire a well driller and then other subs we would be paying a markup
on the the drilling contractor. So, splitting the contracts, we felt like that was a more economical approach to this project. Um, splitting phase two, the the only way I could see to do it would be to split the underground work apart from everything above ground. And
that gets complicated because then you could have fingerpointing when the above ground contractor comes in and the underground contractor didn't put something in the place that, you know, he wanted. It's just it would be easier from a um to have one contractor doing
the underground and the above ground so that they're responsible for it and there's no fingerpointing >> and we have such a tight deadline. We've been grateful for that. Um the extensions that's nice to hear. So um okay, no question no more questions at
this time. >> Just a couple questions. Director Barnes on your executive sum summary. I understand that you're asking for approval and award of a construction contract to Lawrence Lee Construction for I think $8,769,000 but under the amount of this request you
have $9,25 I mean excuse me 9,25,000 what's the difference $435,000? So the um if you look on attachment six is the project budget. The contract to Lawrence Lee is 8,769,000.
And then there's $5,000 allocated for permitting closing out um the construction contracts and other permit requirements. There's um testing that will need geotechnical testing, so density testing that will need to be conducted during construction. So, we've
allocated some costs for that and then we have a 5% construction contingency. >> Okay. All right. Another question. Um, I understand you're you're wanting to transfer the 3.2 million and change from your uh
water renewal and replacement fund, which is right now at 5.8 million. That leaves you with $2.6 million remaining in the fund. Um, that starts in 2026. How much have you budgeted of that fund
for 2026 for other CIP projects? >> No, these are actually additional above and beyond. They are uh at the end of FY25 uh September 30th, there was additional RNR funds to be transferred into the RNR fund from the operating
fund. We had accumulated additional uh funding from uh user fees and charges. Uh there was some savings as far as the budget goes. So we had these additional funds to be able to transfer to the RNR fund which will help fund the shortage
of the 3.2 million that you're seeing there. >> Okay. So no impact any CIP projects for next year. >> Absolutely not. In fact, it's >> always a learning opportunity for me. Thank you. I appreciate it. So no further question. >> Just one question um kind of as a followup to what uh councelor uh
Gisinger asked uh in your response. the um in the bid price the requested contract award and it was in the RFP to be done this way there's an allowance of a4 million for undefined conditions that
effectively is contingency correct so they're not entitled to it >> correct >> you've already contracted for the first amount of surprises if for any to be to be found I just wanted to point that out uh >> yes it's a it's an allowance that they
would have to submit a proposal to us for, we would have to review it and approve it. Um, and anything remaining in that allowance gets returned to the town by a deductive change order at the end of the project.
>> I don't think we have any further questions up here. Uh, is there any public comment? >> No, sir. >> Okay. Uh, returning to council, I just have some comments to make. Um I number one I agree generally with the
contracting approach. Um I believe um I have the most experience in the room on contracting uh this type of work uh from 46 years with FPL. So, and I understand that the design bid
build approach is often used when you're within a complex uh plant situation because you really manage all of the what I'd call the technical and operational risk by making sure the design is done
specs are cover you that then should if done right limit the risk uh to pure construction. uction. Um, so I just want to point that out. So these other alternative methods are moot because we had proceeded with the
design. I also think that the construction manager at risk which we've used successfully for projects like the this building, the police station, fire stations, those are different. Um, but I'm not sure you would have enough
biders uh effectively for an inplant type of project. I'm just saying that from having, you know, many years of decades of operational experience with plants. Um, so anyway, my comments though, um, number one, the recommended contract
award, and I'm really speaking to my colleagues here, the recommended contract award for 8,769 requires a budget increase of 3.2 million, which we've heard. Now, that represents a significant 54% increase
versus that which was included in the fiscal year CIP budget plan that we adopted a mere 3 months ago. And in total, the total in total, the overall cost of this project have increased $8 million since
adoption of the 24 CIP budget plan. I only share that as a point of perspective. It is what it is. Um the c the town council meeting agenda package was missing fundamental information that I had to request. I think you've all have gotten copies on
the bid evaluation bid proposal evaluation criteria to the completed bid cost proposal for other all other evaluated biders. In this case there was only one. The proposal evaluation scoring sheet for each bid evaluation
team member. Kimley Horn's opinion of probable cost for the phase two work prior to receipt of bid proposals and then Kimy Horn's evaluation of bid pricing versus it's two its pre-bid opinion of probable costs.
So I'd like to influence future situations. So, I'm going to ask that the town manager and staff provide the first three items for all future requested contract awards based on the best value procurement
method. This has not been consistently done between departments and now with a procurement manager, I trust it can happen. But I'm always going to need that um to see that and I would expect all of us would we we want to know, you know, sometimes we see the cost, sometimes we don't. We didn't on this
one. We don't know what the evaluation criteria was. So, enough said on that. And then the last two items about opinion and probable cost uh and evaluation of the costs, you know, those should always be provided for contract rewards that require
significant budget funding increases. That's the purpose for doing that. So, I just want to ask that in the future that's automatically provided um as information because I think that we need that as a council to feel like we understand where we're at.
Um I received the requested information and I know was forwarded everybody along with a reminder from the town finance director that solicitation was conducted as a best value procurement, not a low bid award. that under that method, the
town is required to award to the highest ranking vendor, not necessarily low bidder. And a separate justification for not awarding to the lowest bidder is not required by town procurement procedures. By the way, I did not need that reminder. I knew what that was.
Um so governmental best value procurement practices often in my opinion and observation do not place appropriate importance on the overall cost impacts to the public. publish low bid evaluation waitings for
cost, reduce bidder motivations to provide cost competitive pricing um because they realize they can get more points doing other things and they can also lead to reductions in the number of biders submitting proposals. So one of the circumstances, you know,
I'm compelled not to support and not to approve the requested budget increase of 3.2 2 million. And if at least two other council members would agree, then the requested contract award would be denied or at least postponed pending staff
consideration of alternative approaches to reduce project costs. Um, and there may be no support for that. I'm just kind of I'm speaking to my colleagues here. Governmental practices for best value procurement contracting may not require a separate justification for not awarding the
lowest bidder. But in this case, the second bidder um on this project had a cost that was a half million lower than staff's highest ranking bidder. So, I can't help but wonder what cost
savings amount and what budget shortfall dollar amount thresholds should it take to change some of the town's best value procurement practices. This requested contract award and huge
budget increase request are above my fiscal management thresholds for action and perhaps for other town council members. You know, at the last town council meeting, there were two contract award agenda items that relied upon
best value procurement approaches. The selection criteria for general contracting um awards assigned a waiting of 70% to cost. I actually kind of commented about
it last meeting. In contrast, the selection criteria for this contract assigned a waiting of only 30% to cost. The differences in selection criteria importance waiting for cost are significant
and very impactful. I analyze staff's bid evaluation scores and have two takeaways. The half a million dollar lowerc cost benefit was valued at less than 4% of the maximum
proposal evaluation score. Had staff used a waiting of 55% or higher for the cost, the second and lower bidder price bidder would have been deemed the highest ranked vendor. One of the five staff members bid
evaluations did already rank the lowest bidder as the highest ranked bidder. I share this just because as an approach I start with accepting the evaluations done um and not debating you know how they chose to weigh an indiv individual item.
uh but just in my experience uh knowing that customer value you know cost of the customer is so high that I would never have done a 30%. The project used a design bid contracting approach. A
multi-engineering con consultants team was used with over 2.3 million in contracted cost for professional services. The engineering team developed the overall design construction specifications used for bidding the construction work. This approach in
large part ensures the completed project will meet all water plan operational requirements. It's been my 46-year work experience that bid evaluations for construction work are often performed solely, not in
the town perhaps, but elsewhere are performed solely by those accountable to oversee and manage the contractor's onsign work. And then if I think and I've seen it and it's helpful along with a procurement specialist
and the contractor bid prices are assigned a significantly higher bid evaluation waiting than 30% is used in this case. By the way, I'm not advocating for the second bidder in this case. I'm just stating. So lastly, the town's practice to secure
Kimley Horn's opinion of probable costs provides a fundamentally important benchmark comparison to ascertain the cost competitive bid proposals. And everybody can have an opinion about this, but the $3 million difference in
Kimley Horn's preconstruction cost estimate in bid proposal prices represented a significant red flag to me. and hopefully others on town council. This should have been taken into account. This should be in my opinion
taken in account before awarding the contract to the staff to the highest ranked vendor. Um you we have a decision to make tonight. We can increase the budget, forge ahead with the project. Um
that has the highest cost impact potentially. Uh, but it brings certainly a moving head with the project. Just that based on my fiscal management values and public service obligations, I'm just compelled not to support and
not to approve the $3.2 million project budget increase because I think there's opportunity um to take some action, value engineer and rebid it aggressively. my experience,
when you really want to get biders, you have multiple pre-bid meetings. You do everything you can to get people to bid on the project. Um, and and I believe if you show a higher cost, uh, value, rating, uh, criteria,
um, then they recognize to win the job, they got to be competitive in price as opposed to no, they can win it on other attributes. So, you know, if if at least two other council members were to agree, then the requested contract award would be denied or at least postponed, pending
staff consideration of alternative approaches to reduce project costs. I appreciate the work staff did. I said I generally agreed with the contracting approach. It's just my experience has been different on what you assigned the cost. In fact, I tell you as a project
manager, I proceeded many times with not the contract I would have preferred to proceed with and I knew I was taking on headaches as a project manager, but as a project manager, my job was to deliver a successful project at the lowest cost. And overwhelmingly, it was always
successful. Maybe maybe more headaches in managing it, but everything was delivered uh has to be by definition to meet plan operations requests. So with that, I kind of turn it back to my colleagues. Anybody next person want to
comment or >> the way I view this is that we have an FD permit for our current disposal method that's running out. We're even getting extensions to get the work done. So there is a tight deadline. I don't think we have the luxury on this. I think water is health and safety. Um I
think time, you know, is very limited in what we can do. Um, I do think that, you know, I I think the cost difference between the two biders was not a very big difference, which says something. I did
ask about the engineers estimate. I know it was a surprise to them, but I'm also not surprised, as others have said, that um costs are going up and the volatility is very high in this industry. I've seen that multiple times even since the CIP discussions this summer when I first asked for a lot of this information. Um
I think the risks you know I looked at the evaluations provided and you know I do ask for that detail but not all the time. I think on a big project like this it's warranted and we need to I don't know if I want to drill so deep unless I
unless it is an especially large project um or I see red flags but um you know in in this case the detail was provided. I looked at the evaluations and the performance piece of it was concerning on the second bidder, I'll say. And to
think of 25 conflicts in 300 ft in downtown Jupiter in a very busy spot with our the most traffic, the highest traffic quadrant. I think about what the cost could be if there's something that goes wrong in a project this complex, so
complex that biders aren't aren't bidding on it. cost or no cost. No matter what the criteria are, the nature of the work is in some ways dictating the number of bidters we get in this market for industrial. So, um you know, I was I thought that was interesting. I
thought the level of detail provided in the proposals. I did go and look at some of the criteria. Um, I know that we're looking at, you know, procurement vehicles and we're continuing to talk about the CIP and refine it, but I'm certainly not going
to hold this up. I think it's really critical that we get this done. Um, I think that we have done a a pretty good job with our evaluation program and I'm satisfied with what I read in the evaluations and I certainly learned a
lot from them. Um, I'm very careful about, you know, performance in this contract. I am about cost as well. Um, and I'm grateful that we have the RNR to cover it in this case. Um, I think this is something we look, you know, we can
we can always look at in the future, but I think I think we have to move forward with it. I don't think we have any luxury on this. I think staff did a great job. I'm satisfied with the evaluations. Um I think I would have made the same decision and and that's
all I have to say. >> Just want to just in not debating I respect everybody's we all have to make our decisions. Number one, I use the term table because uh I do believe there's a good possibility that the FDP would understand that we're at a point
and with the bids being so higher than expected uh that uh they would uh be open to the idea that we if we were to decide that we wanted to rebid it, we'd have to ask them that. So, we don't know that tonight. Uh number two um you know they
know that when we took on this project that they knew how difficult you really can't compare deep injection well projects because the depth of the inject there's so many big variables so you know you can't none are all you know they fundamentally are deep injection
but that's the only thing that's common about them but um but you know we're told that uh FDP was very supportive of the project they knew it was a significant cost and in fact early on we were when it was the project was 24 million you know we thought we're going
to get um FTP funding assistance which we never got. So again, and I wasn't advocating to just give it to the second bidder cuz I think evidence is is we didn't get competitive bids period. And uh I expected more from our consultant
engineer and I didn't necessarily want to get in this but just explain because from my experience a true evaluation that I would expect from them is they look at the components of why their cost was different. they would look in the
RFP and conclude was it clear? Was the scope clear or did the was it maybe vague enough that the contract had to put all sorts of contingency in. I can tell you when I did a complex implant project, we went through extraordinary
efforts to make sure we defined everything crystal clear so a bidder could come in and really understand what they're facing. I realize that's not a perfectly done, but there's an effort on it. So, I would have expected if we were to take a time out that our consultant
could go back and look where the prices were significantly high higher and they're the ones that put the spec and the scope definition together to look, gee, if it's a lot higher, could there be the misunderstanding about this? If they come back and say, yeah, I can see it now. We could improve that. that that
increases the chances of then getting, you know, more competitive pricing. But those are the steps that we we'd have to take. But in any event, I just want to kind of explain that. >> But didn't we do that step in that part of the pre-bid meeting we had with the five different contractors, go through
that level of detail cuz that helps us formulate our proposal going out to them, right? >> Make sure they understand. >> Staff would have to talk about it. But you this, you know, there's only so much that can be said in the pre-bid meeting. So the rest of it's in the documents. >> Mayor, are you saying that the the the
um the biders didn't know the the complexity and the scope of the the job? >> I don't know. I'm just saying that when when if I was the engineer or the engineer was working directly for me when I was the project manager >> is I would challenge them saying look it's almost you know 50 plus% higher
than you said. What's the reason for the difference? That's what I had asked for. I just want to see what his opinion was. All they did was in some cases saying, "Well, the bidder bid higher than we had." Well, that's not an explanation. You try to do a deep dive of is there a causal factor? Did we miss something or
not? Right? In one case, he the engineer said, "Hey, there's a scope increase we didn't account for." Okay, that's understood. The other items he didn't. So, I'm just saying it's been my experience on complex projects. I mean the since I've been here this is the
most complex unique project I think we've discussed or looked at but also I mean you know uh Miss Barnes mentioned that the cost increase of the materials and the age that we're living in. It's it's it's across the whole economy. >> So I mean to me that's where the
increases and I mean I'm sure their contractors didn't bid on this cuz they weren't going to make enough money. They're too busy spread too thin. There's all different different variables why they didn't jump in. But you're saying because we the way we're waiting things more you don't think the way we wait the the bidding process
>> if you were a bit if you were a bidder you look at the points you know on a on a best proc you know value procurement you know what you're going to get credit for >> right >> heck I'm going to make sure that I'm going to get the most points I can
to to win the evaluation and under that typically the contractor you know is going to win it >> because you know enough about them where somebody new coming in has a dis inherent disadvantage. So, >> right, >> I'm just tell you inclinations I've experienced my 46 years. So, you >> I I understand your I appreciate your
experience. So, just trying to >> Can I Can I ask to speak to some of that in terms of the pre-bed meeting? I know we had spoken about that earlier or council member Gisinger had >> Amanda Barnes, director of utilities. So, the plans and specs are detailed. We
did complete a detailed design of the project. Um, we did explain the project to the attendees at the pre-bid meeting and we did conduct a site visit. >> During the design process, we did value
engineer the project and we reduced project costs by nearly 2 million maybe $2.2 million I don't remember the exact number right now. So we have done we have done a tremendous amount of value engineering on this project and
I mean I really don't know what else we could value engineer out of it. Um so that's it's helpful to confirm that level. I know you had spoken about like you had five different options for a very
specific part. Um as we and I had spoken about this earlier today. I'm trying to remember the exact maybe I'll leave it. But um no, I'm grateful for that confirmation. Thank you. >> Okay. I just as I sit here um I would
like to say that I am not an engineer. I take what I've been given. I've evaluated it. We've heard on why there were only two out of the five on the pre-bid. I've gotten the explanation on the three
million where this money is coming from. I think of our residents, the safety, the caliber of the folks that you're hiring and I would support this. Will there be other opportunities for procurement changes that may need to be
done? Quite frankly, it could be. I don't know. But I am not an engineer and I have to rely on what's given to me by the staff who knows and understands. Um, and again the answers to the questions that I even started with in the
beginning regarding the pre-bid, I'm satisfied with the answers that I've given. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Uh, any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. I.
>> Opposed? Nay. The motion carries 4 to one with Mayor Kitky dissenting. Moving on to reports, town attorney. >> Thank you, mayor. On uh Friday of this week, there will be a
preliminary injunction hearing on the Senate Bill 180 lawsuit. Um the cities that are participating in that had to identify individuals to file declarations which are uh is another
name for an affidavit in support of the local government's position in that litigation. I submitted a declaration on behalf of the town of Jupiter. I also submitted one on behalf of the town of Lake Park. At a hearing
this morning, the judge ruled that um there would have to be live testimony and um apparently at this point the judge has ruled out testimony by Zoom.
Uh which means that individuals who have provided declarations because a declaration is from an evidentiary standpoint it is not live testimony although it's testimony under oath and
so it can be considered um as hearsay testimony. So we don't want to support uh this local government's position solely by hearsay testimony. At any rate, uh, some communications I have with lead counsel
this afternoon. It may be, unless, uh, the judge revisits his opinion, and I'm told that's a possibility, I may be traveling to Tallahassee, uh, Thursday to provide some live
testimony on Friday. Um, I'm hoping that's not the case because it essentially takes two days out of the week to go to Tallahassee, spend the night, give a half hour of testimony, and drive back. Um, but, uh,
I will let you know, as you know, and as I know, this is a very important case. the um legislation that's been pre-filed in Tallahassee that um is supposedly going
to address some of the issues in Senate Bill 180. From my review of that legislation, it's addresses a few issues, but it really doesn't get to the core issue for local governments of home rule and their
authority to uh make determinations of when and and how, for example, to amend your comprehensive plans to address issues that are important to your constituents. So, um, preliminary injunction hearings
for the most part are hearings that decide cases. And the reason for that is that in order to prevail on a preliminary injunction motion, you have to demonstrate to the court
that there's a likelihood that you're going to prevail on the merits of the case. It's one of the uh, three standards that have to be proven. So, if a judge finds that you've demonstrated that you're going to that you there's a likelihood that you're going to prevail
on the merits of a case, that same judge is likely to make a decision that you prevail. On the other hand, if the judge's decision is it's not likely that you can prevail on the merits of the case for purposes of that preliminary injunction,
it's also not likely at the final hearing that the judge will rule in your favor. So, just wanted to let you know that I could be hopping in my sleigh on Thursday and making the trek north. not going as far as the North
Pole, but still going north. >> Question. Um, and maybe you said it, but I'm not sure I heard it. Um, and I read a new an article online which is the probably the worst place to get information. Uh because I is the issue
the first issue where the state was suggesting that no one has standing and then that was the first issue the hearing and then the injunction only hearing only it happens if we pass the standing issue which can you comment
about that? Yeah, the the uh the state has asserted that the local governments don't have standing. That was the purpose of requiring the declarations. So the declarations and the live
testimony if not a declaration do go to this issue in part of standing. They also go to the merits of the to the legislation but um without standing you don't you don't go any further.
>> Right. >> So that's why these declarations were important and that's why this this hearing is important. And other than that, I will say uh merry Christmas, happy holidays
and uh if I don't see you before then, see you next year. >> But before you leave your report, I just want to state on behalf of I think I can speak on behalf of all confident council. We have utmost confidence in you and we if you give testimony we
expect you to make it very clear that in the judge will assert will uh approve standing. Thank you. >> I'll do my best town manager. >> Thank you mayor. Um couple of things on
my report. First of all, uh I had mentioned it last at the last meeting, but I'm pleased to announce that the officers and sergeants of the Jupiter Police Department have ratified the contract that the town and the PBA have negotiated. Um it has been going on for
a year and I want to thank this council uh for their commitment to the police department. I'm speaking now as a town manager and as a tenure police chief with, you know, more than a decade as the chief of the Jupiter Police Department. I've not I've never
seen a contract like this. Um this council's commitment to the police department is just remarkable. I want to thank the men and women of the Jupiter Police Department for their vote. the contracts, the two agreements were
approved with more than 85% voting in favor of uh of the contract. And so um the ratification by the officers was the first step in the contract approval process. Um I will tell you that again the commitment of
this council because the previous contract had already expired. there was no there was no requirement for this council to fall back to the contents of that uh contract. However, however, um
this council has authorized me and uh to go back and uh honor uh some significant pieces of that previous contract. The first of which is the clothing allowance that each officer gets um as part of
that old agreement. um based on the fact that the um contract has been ratified, I've been working with the finance department and those funds will be released and the officers will have them in their checks by Friday. And so that
um that is a big one uh for them. The uh the other thing I will tell you that uh based on the approval, I'll be bringing the contract forward to you with more details at the January 6 meeting. Um, in terms of schedule, um, what we plan on doing at the moment, we'll bring you the
contract on January 6. Um, if you approve the contract, then, uh, the first paycheck after that meeting, the officers will get their new, uh, go to their new pay rates and we'll get them all settled in. and the check right
behind that because something else that you all have approved u they'll be getting their retroactive pay back to um October one when this contract should have gone into effect. So the the final takeaway when you add it all up and the retirement issues and getting rid of
that tier 2 and all the things that that this council has done has just been uh truly remarkable. And so uh I'm glad it's done and we get to move forward for the next few years. and thank you to the to the officers and the and the PBA and
all those that were involved. So, thank you very much. Um, also yesterday the town launched a new public records request portal called Just Foya. Uh, this portal will make it easier for an individual to submit and track the pro progress of a public
records request. Uh, the portal allows users to make secure online payments and to easily download the requested records. Individuals wishing to make public records requests can find out more and access the system by visiting
the town's website. On December 10, the Jupiter Police Department began its annual drive sober or get pulled over campaign, which will run through January 1. During this campaign, officers will conduct additional impaired driving enforcement throughout town to encourage safe
driving during the holiday season. Finally, I want to recognize, well, I got achieve two things. I want to recognize some of our employees who have recently celebrated significant milestones of service with the town. Our director of planning zoning, John Sichler, who's in the back over there.
Um, and David Roar both recently reached 30 years of service to uh to our community with the town. So, thank you, John. We appreciate that. And, uh, when I was at the celebration the other day, I was really surprised to see how many 30-year employees we have. It's almost
to the point we have to start club 30 and so we won't mayor. Um but there were just there were quite a few that had 30 years of service. Also Kevin Albone a service worker technician in public works recently c celebrated 20 years of
service. And finally, Paul Romero and Charles Barker of the utilities department, as well as officers Tyler Robashaw and Iris Stan of the Jupiter Police Department. All recently celebrated five years of uh service with the town. So, they're on their journey.
Um, and finally, I just want to take uh a moment to thank the council. This is our last meeting of the year for all the support and guidance and all the things that we've been able to get done this year based on your leadership. I want to thank the town staff. It's been a relentless year. I would like to say
that 2026 is going to be slower, but it's not. And so, um, the staff has just been remarkable. And, you know, when you just think about some of the things, you know, that we've accomplished over the last year, whether it's from JFRD shifting to get all those playgrounds
done, utilities projects, parks and wreck, engineering projects, ebikes, crosswalks. I mean, if you look at the at my board in the office, you you can see a lot of those. Uh, it was truly a remarkable year. So, thank you to the staff. I hope everybody has merry
Christmas, happy holidays, and happy new year. And we'll see you as as the town attorney says, we'll see you next year. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Want to go. I try to alternate, so I want to go council Sunstrom first. >> Oh, man.
>> Lack of prep. Um, question to manager. the new portal for public records requests. If if some residents are not as techn technologically advanced as others and don't want to use the portal, do they have the option of doing it another way
or >> they do it's still that >> the old system is staying in place. Okay, >> this is just a matter for convenience and added benefit. Okay, >> so I I struggle really. I just made that guy up. So, okay. Um, I also want to
say, um, you know, thank you to the staff that have been here for 30 years. I was talking to someone in my neighborhood, Nabakcoa, and they said, you know, what happened with our neighborhood when it was built and how was it structured? And I was like, you should go to our planning and zoning director. He helped build it. So, it's
been a long time, but we're so grateful just for the institutional knowledge and the wisdom and thank you for challenging us and offering different perspectives from that um longer view. And so, I just
want to say thank you to everyone who who has stuck it out. I mean, that's not hard to do, but or it's not easy to do, but I feel I hope you've received, you know, compound interest on your investment. I hope you've um built relationships that you value and I hope
we certainly see the value that you add to this town. Just driving around, I view the town differently now. I think when I first moved here, you know, and you drive around, you don't see I see every utility pole and conflict and police officer and you know this the story of every building and I'm sure a
lot of you do as well and I just I thank you um for all that you've put in and it has been a year. Um, I'm a worry word. I'm already worried about 2026, but it has been a wonderful year with um with the playgrounds especially. It's
been a wonderful experience um to get to go there and see that, but also with the fire department to really see that come to fruition and be fleshed out. I know with the parade, JTA parade, um I went to quickly say a quick hello to the fire department before jumping on the back of
the car to throw candy and I think they doubled or tripled in size. Um I'm used to like the five or six of them and there were like 20 of them or something crazy. So I was glad I could introduce myself and um I can't I don't know what we're going to do with them all when they're here. I'd love to see them all
in one place. Maybe invite them to a town hall and and welcome them. But um no, it's it's been a really good year. Um and merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy merry everything. I like to say happy new year. I think it's the great
clean slate for anyone who needs it. Um and one more comment actually Christie, thank you for coming. Uh we only know what people tell us. Um, my husband keeps telling me, you know, I'm not a mind readader. I wish he were. Um, we're not either. We only know what people tell us. And so, understanding what's
happening um with your business and with the inlet village, I'm really grateful for that perspective. So, thank you uh for that and I'll continue to think on that as time goes on. So, thank you, >> Councelor Giser. >> Yeah. Um again congrat congratulations
to all the employees not only those in December that celebrated anniversaries but to all the employees throughout the year had major anniversaries where it be 5 25 20 25 or 30 but uh also I read something in one of our weekly reports regarding Jupiter being the fourth best
place to live in the state of Florida and 124th in US. And I'd just personally like to thank all the uh first of all the town staff and all the employees for their dedication and commitment to the town and its residents throughout 2025. Uh your hard work, believe it or not,
has not gone unnoticed and attributed to Jupiter being recognized as being one of the best place to live, not only in Florida, but also United States. And that's a testament to all the work that these folks, these employees of the town put in every day to make it a great
place to live. And I thank you. So I'll go next and then go down the line here. Um so number one um I am just we all are just delighted to have finally reached success on the police contract
and um Mr. Kitsero, you're always kind in um in giving credit uh to the council and others for our commitment. Uh but I just want to say how grateful I am. Uh for those that don't know the way
the process works, we have sunshine laws. So we don't talk together on this except in the meeting. He meets one-on-one, but throughout the whole process, I know that uh you and staff were looking for how we could move rapidly as
an example on the clothing allowance payout. um which I know that our finance department has got a lot of stuff to do. So all that uh is an impact, but it's the right thing to do. So I just want to say thank you to you and the staff,
you know, for getting us to that point. And I'm I'm I hope we've accomplished what we all wanted is to make sure our police feel like they're highly valued. And I believe by the u a vote of approval um it it does
indicate that I wish it was 100% but it is what it is. But thank you. Um I just want to reflect you know since the last meeting that we've had two events. We had the snow place like Jupiter that was just oh my gosh that is an incredible
event. I think it worked out really nice to separate it from the tree lighting, which regrettably I missed because I was out of town. But uh so cuz it creates two events now. But, uh, I just, oh, it was just incredible the turnout and the
enjoyment of that event. And, um, you know, it, you know, warms my heart because it just shows how we're still such a familyoriented, you know, community, you know, with the small town feel. And, you know, I'm the one that does remember years back when
we talked about maintaining that and and quite frankly had no clue how you're going to do that. Uh but certainly staff with all the work they put in with these events helps to do that. And then just the community and um and then the JTAa
parade was just incredible. I just want to thank JTAa and some of the key people uh that um you know have you know u have been running it for years and I just we
all saw that one member uh longtime member is retiring from that role and um it's kind of hard to find people that that have given themselves for 50 years next person to step up for another 50
but anyway just grateful for that. Um and then um I just want to say as a comment, you know, with regard to Kimley Horn, I just would like to um have them hear a message from me. You know, we we pay
consultants a significant amount of money. Um and you know, 2.3 million on this project, Kim Horn's uh got almost $900,000. They make a lot of money. I So we should be expecting out of them. And I just want to share I've been disappointed with a number of things
with Kimley Horn and I am on this uh project because when I saw their evaluation there's something that we always did you know with my other employer was we look in the mirror first. I didn't see any of that on Kimley Horn. So they just attributed to
our prices are going up. You know that's not what I expect. Someone may say to you well it was perfect what we put together and it's not perfect. You can you I would have expected that you look line by line and try to understand could there have been misunderstanding because the value they then could have brought
by going out with a rebid could have potentially saved significant dollars. So they they weren't prepared. Um and I just want them to know I'm not going to until I see them step up and commit how they're going to improve. I'm not going
to support any more contract awards to them because they really have to me they've uh I've seen a drop off in the quality of what we're getting for that. And ultimately our staff have to rely upon consultants when it comes down to it. Um and then just lastly, you know,
as we've all said, you know, happy holiday season, uh Hanukkah, Christmas, uh just the whole season. And I really wish best wishes to all uh you know, in the new year. Thank you.
>> Yeah, it's been a pretty exciting year. Busy um uh town manager, PBA contract. Great to get that done. Thank you and all involved staff for that. Your ingenuity, all of you. Um it's complicated business. Took a long time
this time, but I knew we'd get there. Wasn't worried about it. I knew we'd get do the right thing. We always try to do the right thing for our police department. So, that being said, thanks everybody involved in that. Um, Chief Hennessy doing a great job as our
interim police chief taking on that task. Uh, Chief Dano, great year. Another busy one coming up. Fantastic. John Sichler back there. Uh, you don't know how much value you've added to this town with your expertise and what you do. Really appreciate all you do. Follow
you out of the blue sometimes with questions and probably drive you crazy, but anyway, thanks thanks that you're here. Um, Scott Reynolds as always. Is he still here? There he is. Newly married. Congratulations. But, uh, great year.
Another busy one coming up. And, uh, mayor, you missed the tree lighting ceremony was great on our new town green. Um, we had a nice nice turnout. I wasn't able to make the the the snow event, but can't hit everything. Um, the
JTA parade was fantastic. Another great turnout. There's been a little I've heard some things social media like why isn't it back on its usual route but I guess most people really like the avoca because it's shaded and it's more condensed and it's >> it's also the Bright Line train I recently learned and I don't know if it
ever got shared around Facebook but the fa the Bright Line conflict scheduled training time is very risky given the children. >> Yeah. Yeah. And but people want to see it over the new bridge because there's more room and all that which would be great but the bright line is a major issue. Just so people know, we don't
make that decision. There's a lot of entities involved there that have have to deal with that. So, >> right. >> Um, anything else here? There's a lot. >> Um, I think that's it. Well, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy new year, and everybody be safe, and we'll see you next year.
>> Thank you. For me personally, 2025 has been an extraordinary year. My first year are on the council. I'm learning every single day. and without the staff and I include our new fire, our police,
all of the directors, our town manager, my fellow council members. I thought I knew what was before me. Um, and I'm going to tell you every day I keep learning. But we do live in a town
where it is all family. People that you don't know will become your family. And yes, we're growing. We're getting bigger. And as I sat here tonight, I want to personally thank the public and Christie, you're still here for your input,
there's an insight that I think most of us will say we need to address. Um, and whatever we can do, we'll continue to pursue it. Holidays bring I think the best in everybody. And these past few weeks, it
has been a like every day is a celebration. I think if you go out into our grains out there, it doesn't it look like Disneyland? I mean, it puts you in that spirit that we have a lot to be proud of. I'm very proud to serve each
of you um on this dis and I wish everyone a really seriously very happy holiday, but most of all a new year filled with only good health. Without it, we're not here. Happy holidays.
I'm just going to as prerogative for being the chair one last item and we all can keep coming up with one last item in a meeting like this but uh but you know the lighthouse decoration. So, um, the town, to my knowledge, never had anything to do with lighthouse
decorations, but the public was disappointed when they got this continued. And then, you know, staff stepped up and uh was able to, and this is I guess the public should know this. I know we probably we
already have it covered in social media, but staff went ahead and town's now doing the decorations of the lighthouse. So there's a case where we are trying to continue you know something that uh was
considered very important uh to you know probably the longer tenured member of the public. So I I thank staff. I know that wasn't an easy task. Um >> Mayor Mayor if I could that was Roger H. >> Thank you so committed to that
to climb up the White House himself to put him on there. That's okay. >> Which is why I wanted to kind of bring it up, you know, like I know that was no small task and uh we we had to get through the government shutdown to be able to get the agreement with uh the lighthouse to be able to to do it. So,
and I know he was on it every day. Thank you. And with that, the time is now 8:53 and we'll adjourn the meeting.