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Good evening. The time is now 700 p.m. and all of us on council are joyful to be able to call to order this town council meeting of Tuesday, June 2nd. We'll begin with an invocation followed by a moment of

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silence and then a pledge of allegiance. All those that are able, please join me in standing. Let us pray. Almighty God, we gather this evening with gratitude for the privilege of serving this community. Give us wisdom in our decisions, integrity in our actions, and compassion

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for all who call this community home. May we strive always to be faithful stewards of the resources, opportunities, and responsibilities entrusted to our care. In all that we do, may grace and peace be with us all. Amen. Amen. Amen. >> We will now pause for a moment of silence.

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Please join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. May we have roll call, please?

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>> Mayor Kitzky >> here. >> Vice Mayor Choy >> here. Councelor Delaney >> here. >> Councelor Gisinger >> here. >> Councelor Sunstrom >> here. >> Town manager Kitsuro >> here. >> Town attorney Baird >> here. >> Okay, we begin tonight. Um we have a

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proclamation uh for code and compliance officers appreciation week. Um, before I do that, uh, I read this and I will be presenting it to Chris Isles, the code compliance officer. I thought I would just share

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some facts about our code compliance group and I'm going to start to try to do this for proclamations recognizing some of our departments. We get a monthly report from our town manager about the, you know, activities and efforts by the various departments. So,

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I'm just looking at code enforcement. So we named it code compliance many years ago uh because the real focus is not enforcing but to achieve compliance and they do a great job at that. I think this is a job that in my view is kind of a burnout job because uh you're always

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handling complaints and people aren't happy and and you're limited by what you can do based on what the laws allow you to do and I think many times the public doesn't understand that but just so I just thought it'd be worthwhile before I read the proclamation and just share you

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know from the latest month's data 174 cases opened one month 114 cases completed 167 illegal signs removed. You know, public hates signs and maybe they don't even know, but this group goes around and picks them up year round. Appreciate

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that. Um, and then we have this, uh, for those that don't know, we have a piece of software called Jupiter Connect. Um, our staff, overall staff developed that a few years back, and it's the one-stop place where residents can go and ask a

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question, and it's tracked. is tracked to make sure that it's followed up to conclusion. Um so I'm seeing activity for one month 198 juke connects uh that this department hand this small small group handles nine per calendar day. Um

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and then we have a magistrate that handles the more difficult cases that can't be resolved through just getting encouraging people to comply. Um, and that's I think it's held somewhat monthly and they'll either uphold

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resolve an uh a a case and then um in some cases because it's not about collecting fines for us. It's uh it's about getting compliance. So in few cases there's a fine abatement and that's what happens in that process. But I just thought since we get this every

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uh week, I should have done this before, but I just wanted to share to, you know, create understanding on why the council is uh choosing to present this proclamation. So, I'd ask uh Chris uh to come up to the podium and I will be presenting it. I'm going to just read it

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into the record here. Proclaiming the week of June 1st through 5th, 2026 as code compliance officers appreciation week. Whereas code compliance officers provide for the safety, health and welfare of the citizens of this community through the enforcement of

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building, zoning, housing, fire safety, environmental and other codes and ordinances. And whereas code compliance officers are often not credited for the jobs they do in saving lives and improving neighborhoods. And whereas every day assisted by support and

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program staff, they attempt to provide quality customer service to the public for the betterment of the community. And whereas too many times their efforts go unnoticed even after code compliance has been accomplished due to their efforts and expertise. And whereas code

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compliance officers are dedicated, well-trained, and highly responsible individuals who take their jobs seriously and are proud of their department in the local government within which they serve. And whereas the Florida Association of Code Enforcement,

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FACE, has declared the week first week of June to be set aside by local government to honor and recognize your code compliance officers. Now therefore, I, Jim Kitsky, mayor of the town of Jupiter, do hereby issue this proclamation on behalf of the Town of

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Jupiter Council, and do proclaim the week of June 1st through 5th, 2026 as code compliance officers appreciation week in Jupiter, Florida in accordance with the statewide observance of the same and encourage citizens of Jupiter

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to join this council in expressing appreciation for the dedication and outstanding service provided by the individuals who serve as our code compliance officers. In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and sealed

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this 2nd day of June, 2026. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Chris Als, co- compliance supervisor for the town of Jupiter. This would not be possible without the staff that works alongside

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me. They don't work for me. They don't work with me. They work alongside me. um they are dedicated every day to coming here and doing the utmost for this community. It's kind of crazy to think not a single one of these staff members actually lives in Jupiter, but

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they love Jupiter. They come from as far south as Miami Gardens and as far north as Fort Pierce, as far west as Lockxahhatchee to uh come and serve the citizens here. And I don't know of a better code enforcement team anywhere in the county.

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I'm proud of them. I'm proud of the work they do. We are appreciative of the support that the council, the town manager, and every other department within the agency provides us. So, thank you. Okay, next we have a presentation uh and

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this first one will be on from the Palm Beach County uh library systems and I believe it's uh coming from Doug Crane, director of the Palm Beach County Library System. Welcome. >> Welcome. Thank you all. >> Thank you, mayor, vice mayor, town

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counselors. My name is Doug Crane. I'm the director of the Palm Beach County Library System. With me today is Mark Frerieded, who's the assistant manager over at the Jupiter branch. And I'm proud to say we are both long-term residents of the town of Jupiter and very happy to be living in this wonderful town. Tonight, I want to give

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you an update. Oops, it looks like my presentation is already moving ahead of itself here. Don't know why that is. Let's go back to the start here quick. I want to highlight the library system because this is your library system. Even though it's the Palm Beach County Library system, I'm going to be highlighting. I don't know why the

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presentation is deciding to act on its own. So, I'll do it this way. How about that? All right. So, I know for many people when you think about libraries, you might have an outdated view of what libraries are and maybe a place you think you go

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and get a few books to read on the weekend and that's all. But I'm here to let you know that your libraries are much loved, especially by your town residents, but all of our residents who use the county library system. For we see libraries as a place where people bring their hopes, their dreams, their

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ambitions, and we supply them with the services, the resources, and the support to allow that to happen. Our vision is to open minds to a world of unlimited possibilities, and we have a mission to connect communities, inspire thought, and enrich lives. Now, I've been traveling around to the different

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municipalities in my library system. Uh but tonight I'm going to breeze through these slides very quickly because I have some important updates to share with you regarding the future of the library system. But I do want to set the stage though. Our library system is one of the big six public library systems in the

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state of Florida. And there are a number of statistics there. I'll just highlight the first few. We had 2.68 million visitors to Palm Beach County libraries in 2005 fiscal year and 8.8 8 million items borrowed and 353,000

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people using a library meeting room or study room. And if you have ever gone by your local library across the street after school is let out, you will not be able to find a place to sit. And on the weekends, it's pretty much the same. It is one of our busiest locations.

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And it is one of 18 locations. is our furthest north is your little sister city here in Tquesta all the way through the center part of the county down to western bokeh and then out through the western communities all the way to the shores of Lake Okachchobee where we have three library locations. A lot of this was made possible through a voter

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approved bond issue in 2002 that allowed us to do library expansion program too. We also have a support facility called the annex on Cherry Road. It's currently hidden behind the big supervisor of elections parking garage if you go to that site. And we are very excited that

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we opened our 18th location in the Canyon Town Center. That's in western Buon. If you take the turnpike south to Boon Beach Boulevard, go a mile west. There's a brand new library there and a brand new county park in that area as well. And you can see from the map here

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all of our library locations. Your card is good at any of those locations. If you happen to travel around, you can get material from any location and return it to any location. Now, the library system was actually established through a state statute in 1967 to serve all of the unincorporated

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areas of Palm Beach County and any municipality that wanted to be a part of it. Today, we have 24 municipalities of which Jupiter is one of them. Our millage rate has been steady since 2011 and we act as a tiny version of the county's general fund in that all the

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money raised on the library fund stays in the library and we have to use it for capital projects for reserves balance brought forward and all those fun things as well. We do get some grants from the state and we do get some private donations as well to support us. We also work in cooperation with nine

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municipalities that have their own library to form a cooperative where residents of those um municipalities can get a card and come to us and our residents get a card with them. Your closest ones would be North Palm Beach and Lake Park. Of course, when you think of library, you do think of books. We

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have over 2 million items in our collection, both physical and a growing collection of electronic material that you can download onto your computer or smart device. We also have special items such as Wi-Fi hotspots, perverting backpacks, citizenship kits, and if you've been staying away from libraries

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because you had an overdue fine and you were just a little shy to pay it, don't worry. The board of county commissioners approved us to stop charging fines in 2019 and we have since waved all fine charges. The only thing that would bar you from borrowing a material is if you damage or lose material and you don't

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pay for it. We also answer questions for the public. We had 941,000 questions answered in FY25. And you might be wondering why anyone would ask us a question anymore when we have AI out there for free. I'll tell you this though, my library staff

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do not hallucinate and give you the wrong answer. We provide factual information from paid databases that we subscribe to that have accurate data. And we also have specialist librarians. One I'll highlight today is our community research librarian. This one

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will do research projects for any municipality, government entity, or nonprofit community group out there. So, if the town ever has a research need, feel free to reach out to us and we'll do our best to provide you with the most accurate answers. As a former children's librarian, I believe children's services are the

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heart and soul of public libraries. And we, you can see by the numbers on the slide that we serve children of all ages from toddlers and newborns all the way up to teenagers. In fact, one of my favorite is an activity pictured here called ARP, animal reading friends,

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where children who are learning to read but a little shy to read to a person. We bring in a lovely therapy dog and they enjoy reading to the therapy dog. It's a lovely occasion and uh definitely very cute to see. But we also reach out from beyond our walls. We have a bookmobile

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that we put on the road um back in 2000 back last October that makes four up to 42 stops across Palm Beach County to any area that's over 3 miles away from a library location or has a special population such as a assisted living facility where the residents cannot get

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out to a traditional branch. And for those who are homebound, we have a books by mail program that will mail the books directly to the resident's home. For those who are blind, our talking books for the blind program has free material sent to them with an electronic reader. And for those and since we're champions

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of literacy, we also have an adult literacy project to teach adults how to read up to a level where they can fill out job applications, read the newspaper, and do all those things that are important in our society. I mentioned literacy. We are a founding member of the literacy coalition of Palm

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Beach County, and we work with them. We also work with the school district. Right now, we have started our summer lunch program. Any child 18 or younger can come into a Palm Beach County Library system for the entire summer from 11:30 to 12:30 and get a free

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lunch. And this is to help with food insecurity uh through the summer months when many children's only reliable source of lunch is their school. And throughout the year, we offer free weekend meal kits. Families can come in, get a bag of food that will support them

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through a weekend. We also work with different cultural organizations such as the Northern Art Gallery and our libraries are early voting sites. 12 of my locations are the Jupiter branch is just not efficient to be an early voting site. I know the user community center,

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excuse me, but uh the closest library location that's an early voting center is Palm Beach Gardens. And finally, we are a cultural hub of our community, offering activities for adults from anything from book discussions through concerts through

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dance through crafting programs. We also the largest, one of the largest technology training organizations in Palm Beach County. We provide classes from just using a mouse all the way up through office products and even more advanced, you know, audio and visual

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editing software. We even held classes on how to use your smartphone. Our writer's live program brings national known authors down here to speak to our residents. And we celebrate the different cultures in our community through things like Hispanic Heritage Month, Haitian Heritage Month, Black

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History Month, and more. And this year, we are proud that the board of county commissioners declared 2026 as the year to rediscover reading. Reading for pleasure has declined in the United States quite precipitously over the last 20 years with the rise of all

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this smart technology that seems to just be making us dumber out there. But so we invite everyone to rediscover the joys of just reading for pleasure because reading for pleasure has market has verified and measurable health benefits

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whether it's lowering your stress, increasing your empathy, making social connections through sharing what you read and more. And we have a free tool called Beanstack that allows you to track your reading and you can challenge other people to read more. So if the town council all wanted to jump on, you

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could challenge each other for reading. Now your closest location is the Jupiter Branch Library, of course, right across the street. We're open 7 days a week. We have public Wi-Fi. We have free space for the public to reserve. That's meeting room space. You can go online to

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our website at pbc library.org and you can check to see space available. You can put in your request and Mark and his team will go ahead and just verify that you have a library card or you live in the taxing district and you can get uh a room for the day. We also have study rooms available on a first come first-

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serve service. Your two closest other county locations is Gardens branch down by the mall and the courthouse and the Questa branch on the ca close to the county law. Now uh our branch manager Henry Clarson could not be here today but I know he has spoken to the town and we have a

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long history of working with the town uh collaborating on different activities sharing publicity from the town and the town in turn sharing the library's information. So I really value not only as a resident but as a library director the partnership that we've had with the

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town long term. So I do want to thank you for that. Now I promised to have two specific updates I want to give you on the library's future. The first is regarding our budget and capital program. I mentioned that we had a library expansion program that was initiated by the voters back in 2002.

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That voter expansion program completed in 2015. Since then, we've been using advalorum revenue directed into capital to pay for construction and renovation of library locations. However, in order all of our locations are in need of some

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touching up, some renovations, some more than others, and we are also looking at some new construction projects. Therefore, back in February, I pres I made a presentation to the board of county commissioners at their budget retreat where I asked for direction on three items. The first was their

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approval to do a comp a complete renovation of all of our branches over the next 15 to 20 years. and that would include the Jupiter Branch Library. Uh they gave me direction to continue on that path. The second was to construct a new main library. Our current main

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library is located on Summit Boulevard in suburban West Palm Beach just south of the airport. It is our oldest building, first opened in 1972, and it is really past its useful life. It is also the smallest main library out of

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the big six counties in Florida by quite a lot. Uh, the board has directed me to begin concept work on a new main library that would be three times the size of the current building, making it 150,000 square ft located on the Summit

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Boulevard property. So, I'm starting to get some work on that. But the third piece, in order to pay for all of this, uh the board directed myself to go as a library director to come back to them with a proposal to go in front of the

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voters to ask for their approval to get construction bonds to initiate a library expansion program three. These bonds would pay for new main library plus most of our renovations, which would include the Jupiter branch.

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I will be that item will be coming to the board of county commissioners next week at their June 9th meeting and it would be an item that if the board approved it would go to the voters on the November ballot uh to ask for their

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permission for the county to issue bonds to be able to pay for a construction program. Also on that agenda will be another bond request from the county parks department for uh also construction bonds as well.

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They are in much greater need than I am for construction work because they cover the entire county and have a much larger facilities and property footprint. Now I would hope to just ended it there, but as you probably were all paying attention to Tallahassee this week. And

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the of course the legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would affect property taxes and I'm sure the board is going to get your town council will be getting a detailed update if not today probably very soon the effect of that with a $250,000

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proposed homestead exemption. I wanted to share quickly what the effect would be on the library district. We would lose onethird of our budget at that level which would effectively end

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any ability for us to put away money from our ablum revenues into capital projects and would definitely affect our service levels. This could include the collections that we purchase, the hours of operation and the days of operation

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that we have. Uh and it may even result of course in a reduction of our staffing depending on how serious the effect is. We've got some preliminary numbers from our budget office and the property appraiser. But as you're all aware, this is a definitely a fast-moving target out

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there. We're not sure exactly what will happen with this and whether the voters of Florida will approve it, but it does add a wrinkle. And I know our board of county commissioners will be discussing this at their June 9th meeting when they discuss the potential bond issue and also that afternoon will be part of

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their budget workshop which was already scheduled for that day. Uh so with that I do want to just end maybe on a more positive note again to thank the town council for your long-standing support of our library system. We could not be a public library without the support of the public. And with that, I will close

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my presentation and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. >> Do any questions? >> Seeing none, I would like to just quickly share with you some information. >> Okay. >> Um, if you didn't know, the town of Jupiter has benchmarked

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our residents 10 times over the last 20 years. We do it about every two years. Um, and we use that very much. I can tell you that I and others on the council as well as staff when we get that we pour through

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it I'm sure for more than a day um to understand. So when I saw you on the agenda I already knew some feedback I wanted to share. >> Okay. Um so you know we use a national benchmark company and

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at least it's my view that local governments which in some cases are counties in some cases are municipalities that choose to benchmark nationally to see how they stand tend to be the better communities

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because they're investing in learning where they can get better. Um but so we have every time every time we've had uh a question about our public library services and uh so in December when we did the

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survey I'm just sharing those results. So the percent positive and this is Jupiter which means it's got to be the Jupiter branch right >> percent positive was 88%. It's going to get better as I share what I'm going to share here. Not that it isn't all good.

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nationally ranked 101 out of 345 benchmark communities nationally uh percentile 70%. Um, now turning to state, um, there's 26 benchmark communities in

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the state of Florida and our residents believe that our public library services ranked it third in the state with a percentile rank rank of 92%. >> Very good. >> So, I just thought if you had you ever

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heard those numbers? >> I'm not familiar with the studies you're quoting. I would love to uh the town can share the results with me. I'd love to say take a look at the >> Yeah. Well, that's why I wanted to take the opportunity tonight. You know, we get these surveys and I always have good intentions of sharing and then time moves on, but once since you on the

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agenda again, our residents have ranked the I I say it's got to be the Jupiter Library branch because that's where they would be going by and large. Ranked third in the state out of 26 communities, percentile 92%. So on behalf of our residents, not just us.

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Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it. >> And now we have an update by should I say the man of the hour here? >> Yes. >> Okay. Sean, what have you done here? Let's see if I can figure it out.

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>> This goes over here. And then what? >> Thank God for Sean. >> Mayor, council members, those attending here in person, and those watching from home, thank you so much for allowing me the honor to serve here at Jupiter Fire

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Rescue. Tonight's update is going to focus on our operational personnel, our apparatus, our fire stations, and our fire code adoption. But let me first start with this that we are here tonight because of the hard

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work and dedication of the entire team here in the town of Jupiter. From the financial and legal frameworks built by finance in the clerk's office to the physical infrastructure driven by planning, engineering, building, and

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parks, the public safety partnerships that we have with our police department, our relationship and cooperation with our utilities department, right down to the people and technology supported by HR, and community relations.

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This has been a masterclass in municipal teamwork. The entire team here at the town of Jupiter truly went above and beyond to get us to this historic moment tonight. Uniform personnel, please stand.

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I am incredibly honored to present to you tonight the Jupiter Fire Rescue Department. We have with us our 91 operational personnel as well as our command staff.

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So when I started here in January of 2024, town manager Kitsero said to me something that I have carried with me my entire time. He said, "Our firefighters are coming. We don't know their names

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yet, but we know they will be here." Well, tonight they are here. We know their names. We know their faces and we know that they are going to forge a legacy of exceptional service that

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will make this community proud for decades to come. These men and women are our founding members. They are the ones who will shape and deliver the highest standard of fire and

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emergency medical services to this town. They come to us from different backgrounds, different departments, bringing with them a tremendous wealth of knowledge and skill. But truly

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what unites them is a shared unwavering dedication to serve. The next four months of training will be very intentional. They will train together as teams, developing a unified operational culture that will

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demonstrate what it means to serve the Jupiter way. I could not be more proud of the team that is standing right before you tonight. The vision that we talked about two

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years ago is now standing right in front of us. And when that bell rings on October 1st, we will be ready. You can all be seated. Thank you. So, uh, it's hard to follow that up,

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right? We're going to talk a little bit about apparatus and stations. Um, in terms of our apparatus, I'm pleased to report that we've received our battalion chief vehicles and our first three fire engines all here in Jupiter. We're tracking the delivery of

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our remaining apparatus very closely. So, our frontline ambulances, all expected to arrive before the end of this month, and our ladder truck is scheduled for delivery in July. This timeline ensures our personnel will have ample time to train on the specific

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equipment that they will be operating in on in the field and we remain on schedule. In terms of our stations, our Payatt and our Sinquest fire stations, significant milestones have been reached. We've

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received both the stocking permit. We've loaded the furnishings and essential equipment. We'll have we have our uh temporary certificate of occupancy and we are fully prepared for our personnel to occupy the stations in just

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4 days on June 6th. Regarding our temporary fire station in the Abicoa Community Park, the physical structure is staged and we're simply waiting on some final sewer and water line connections so that can become fully operational. Uh we did delay some

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of the work at that station until after the end of the school year to minimize any impacts from underground construction. And uh tonight uh you'll be discussing uh ordinance 1126 which amends chapter 10 of our town

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code. So this is a critical step that formally adopts the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Uniform Fire Safety Standards of Florida. By adopting this ordinance, the council provides our fire marshal uh Drew, where is Drew?

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Uh the energy bunny and uh uh it provides our fire marshall with the necessary legal authority to enforce the statewide fire code. Uh this guarantees that we maintain strict continuity in our fire prevention services and we remain perfectly aligned with state

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standards. Ultimately, this framework must be in place so that on October 1st, all fire protection plan review and life safety inspections within the town will seamlessly transition to our department. And so, I'll end it here. Uh, we are

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here. We have our new fire stations completed. Our fire engines have been delivered. Our ambulances and ladder trucks are on the way and will be here shortly. and all of our firefighters are on board. These are incredibly exciting times.

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Very soon, Jupiter Fire Rescue will begin providing full fire and emergency medical services to the community. Not just Jupiter Fire Rescue, but all who serve here in the town of

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Jupiter are successfully delivering this financially responsible solution. on budget and on schedule and we look forward to serving and earning the trust of the community. Thank you. Ask my colleagues if you have any

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comments you want to make. Just if not, I'll go. So, um, again, um, you know, want to just echo about being honored. We on the council

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and all of us, our town manager, we could not be more honored and joyful by your becoming part of our family, town of Jupiter family. Uh, welcome. You're near you're now here. So, I'm I'm going to just pivot

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uh after having said that. and uh and I had spoken to our town manager about this as we were preparing for yesterday's event. Now, we're going to be putting emphasis on the fact that we are now blessed to

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have a unified public safety team of police and firefighters. And with that, um a few things. Number one, just to kind of get to know me. First of all, outside of this chambers, I go by Jim. So feel please feel

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welcome. Um and I encourage that. But the other thing is I do uh some may say tease is one way to put it. But the benchmark for excellence in this town has long been set by our police department.

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But now we're unified and I'm expecting no less from a fire rescue. So if you want to take that as a challenge, yes, it was somewhat intended for that. And then just another little fun uh aspect because you get quite a perspective all of us sitting up on the dis

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our police department leadership um has a tendency forever. Police don't normally sit down. They're standing along the back. And what I notice here tonight is the

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leadership of Palm Beach County for Jupiter Fire Rescue Department is standing as well. Now, they do that. We always ask, please sit down. But I I can already see that teamwork spreading by who I'm seeing standing up in the back

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of the room. But if there's seats to be had, we really welcome you to be in those seats. So, thank you very much. I just have a couple of questions just because um if the residents are listening, how many engines will we have and how many ambulances will we have

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when we're >> So, there'll be three fire engines that are in service at all times. Okay. >> And we have a fourth backup reserve engine. Uh we also have a ladder truck and we have three ambulances in service at all times and we have a backup

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ambulance as well. >> Okay. And how many of our staff out here are going to be the paramedics? >> Uh, so let me see if I'll get this right. Steve will fix it if I'm wrong. Uh, there are 33 firefighter paramedics.

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All 36 of our frontline leadership, our lieutenants, drivers, and uh and uh captains are or paramedics uh supervisors. Uh there are 33 uh paramedics who are firefighter

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paramedics and then another 22 uh firefighter EMTs. >> Okay, thank you. >> Yes, I get that right, Steve. >> Okay, >> he's going easy on you right now. >> Chief, I just want to say

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congratulations. We are thrilled for tonight. I have been waiting for this for a very long time and I know you have too. Um I I remember when you first came on board. We've been at this for a long time now and one of my favorite sayings of yours is we'll figure it out. And we

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all just I I have such fond memories um of this whole process. It was hard but just getting to know you better, work with you better. I think I have a few emails from 1:00 a.m. I think I have some frantic text messages and calls to understand the issue better before

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speaking. So, I just want to thank you for always being there for us. It has been very easy to make the decisions that we have made. Um, our mayor was talking about that at the event. You know, sometimes we take for granted how prepared our staff are, how easy they

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make it for us. When I spoke and made the decisions I've made all through these past couple of years, it's been with complete confidence because I know that our staff across the board could get it done and that includes you and I'm just so grateful and congratulations. This is really your night. You really are the man of the

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hour. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> I can't stop. >> You want to go? >> Oh. Uh just it's been great just taking in the last couple days. The ceremony yesterday was remarkable and it just it

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really hit home then you know everybody's here the swearing in how many people were there was it how many hundreds of people attended >> auditorium >> the auditorium held 600 >> 600 people it was just remarkable fact >> it was some standing did you notice >> stage

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>> right not counting not counting our firefighters who were on the stage >> on the overflow room and >> I told you yesterday I intentionally left you alone I didn't want to distract you but It's been wonderful watching the town staff, your the new fire staff, the

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leadership team get everything done and now to see all this here. Now, it's going to be fun to watch these folks come in and you guys just take over and run with it. So, just, you know, you're the man of the hour. Congratulations. And boy, almost three years went by quickly, didn't it? Just this is remarkable. So, anyway, and thank you

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all for choosing Jupiter. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Now we have a presentation on hometown heroes. Thank you, mayor. Uh, for the record, Sean Reed, director of community relations. I'm happy to be with you

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tonight as we honor our first Jupiter hometown hero. Uh, just to give a little background on this program, just a little reminder about it. Um, this program is to recognize uh a resident or a business or a volunteer or someone who works in the

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town of Jupiter that does a significant provides a significant impact to the community. Uh whether it be through their service, their kindness, uh uh promoting safety or stewardship of stewardship of the community. Uh again, I've already talked about who it's

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through. like to point out that this is a program that came about because of a request from town council. So staff back in uh November, town council requested it, staff put it together and and we're here tonight to honor our first honore.

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Uh just a little bit about the selection process on it. Uh nominations come in through an online form. A committee of town staff reviews the various nominations that come in. That committee is you can see online is myself, our town clerk. We have a representative

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from the Jupiter Police Department, a representative from the fire department, and then a representative from parks and wreck. Uh, and we do have a scoring matrix that each individual is um scored on and and then the uh that committee

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talks about the um different um nominees and and we pick someone. Uh it doesn't have to be just one person that is selected each time. Uh and nominations can come in at any time. And so we we do invite people to submit nominations. We'll look at them as soon as they come

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in. Um first time around we did have several nominees and happy tonight to introduce our first selection for this program. It's apppropo that he's being honored tonight with our firefighters here because he's an ER doc over at Jupiter Medical Center. So, someone that

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will uh as our firefighters are transporting to the hospital, someone that will be there to answer the call when they come through the doors. Uh, with that being said, I'd like to introduce Dr. Jonathan Berkeler. Dr. Bit about Dr. Berkeler. Uh, as I

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mentioned, he is an ER doctor over at JMC. He also mentors high school and college students. Uh, he serves as a speaker for the medical academy at Jupiter High. Uh, he also volunteers with the spirit of Jupiter marching band. So, pretty busy there with just

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all of that as you can imagine. Uh, however, in the little bit of free time he has left, he chooses to volunteer at his church teaching preschool. Uh so all great things all uh that our committee felt was very worthy of this honor. I've learned tonight probably the most

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important thing were alums of the same university. Uh he went to the uh prestigious medical uh graduated from prestigious medical school at Wake Forest. I was way before him in the undergrad. So go Deaks. Um so with that being said, we

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do have a couple things that we will present to Dr. Bergler. Uh can I ask town council come down for a picture also? Uh we have this picture of the lighthouse. Obviously the lighthouse being the um main symbol of the town of Jupiter. So we want to

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present this. And we have a certificate uh signed by uh town council that reads uh Jupiter's hometown heroes. This certificate is awarded to do Dr. Jonathan Berkeler in recognition of your meaningful meaningful contributions and exemplary

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service to the Jupiter community. Thank you for helping our hometown shine brighter. We'd like to >> Yes. get Dr. Verkller's family come up. I'd also like to mention that Dr. Verkler will be featured on the town website uh tomorrow with a little write

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up and we'll be featuring on on our town uh social media. get one with just his family and then one with council and the family and then we're going to get one more with council with the family. I'm not sure if Dr. Verkller knows this but it was his wife who nominated him for the

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award. Thank you. I just wanted to say a couple words of thanks. Um, first I would like to thank the town of Jupiter and the town council. I can't imagine a better place to live, to work, or to raise a family. I thank the town council for their

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leadership and for making this such an incredible town. Um, I'd like to thank my wife and my family for supporting me, giving me the motivation to do everything that I do. I'd like to thank my parents who have set an example for service their entire lives. And mostly, I would like to thank the staff at Jupiter Medical Center. We have a team

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of doctors, nurses, techs, and secretaries that is unmatched. And there are many at Jupiter Medical Center who should rightfully be called heroes. The work that we do is important. The lives that you touch are immeasurable. And I can't wait to work with you guys.

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So with that uh before we move on to public citizen comments, I always do this. I'll uh I'll give those uh wishing to leave, please feel welcome to don't feel compelled to sit here. So I'll wait

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a few minutes as people file out. They're looking to see if they all leave. >> Should have made him go last. >> I didn't know if it was part of their training or part of like how tough how weight >> but I had heard that what happened to

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>> I didn't know but they would have >> Yeah, I love I love that as part of the ceremony. You're in a great mood. >> Take it out of here. >> I don't know. Yeah. Thank you.

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>> 1078. Okay. It's lonely as >> I know after they leave. training. >> Yeah. So, I'd like to ask a special favor from Police Chief Hennessy

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because I happen to throw out there about the benchmark for excellence and how some people never sit down again. Could you please sit down? And I'd ask along with every along with our fire leadership team if you're staying but if

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you're going fine. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh this is a time for citizens comments. We have any citizen comments? >> Yes sir. We have five speakers. >> Okay. Um >> our first speaker is Douglas Crane

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followed by Elizabeth Dashiel. Well, good evening again, town council. I'm coming to speak to you not as my library director. I've taken that hat off, but as a 20-year citizen of the town of Jupiter, uh for the record, my name is Douglas Crane. I reside at 2612

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West Community Drive in Martinique and Abacco. I'm original homeowner in that community. Uh as Acoa has grown, there's been more traffic on Indian Creek Parkway. You know, it is a very busy east west uh road here in the town of

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Jupiter. It is a county-owned road. And my concern is a public safety one in that it is unlit with the exception of the roundabout at the top of Central. And I can hear from my home certainly like especially on weekend nights sounds like very loud cars going by. It is a

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very when you have to drive it at night, it's such very dark and I fear that it's probably a space where we can have a lot of accidents whether it's cars or pedestrians or now all these electronic motorbikes. And I did a little research.

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I talked to the county engineer and they indicated that the Indig Parkway is a countyowned road, but their policy is that when they have a county owned road in a municipality that they do not provide lighting. So, my request to the uh council tonight is if you could have

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your town engineer speak to the county engineer to see if we can facilitate lighting on Indian Creek Parkway as traffic builds on there. I think it does justify uh better lighting there in the evenings. And uh so I want to thank you for consideration of that. And as just

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one brief follow-up, I do have packages from my from my of library information that I know they'll be sharing with you all. But uh thank you for considering the request to put lighting on Indian Creek Parkway and I'd look forward to hearing if there's a possibility of doing that. Thank you. >> And we don't normally talk about these

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items, but to the degree I appreciate you're bringing the matter to our attention and uh to the degree that I know the county engineer and I didn't know what the rule was, I will also commit to follow up to learn myself um and then plead can they? So I don't want

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to just leave the burden on staff alone. But thank you. >> Okay. Well, thank you very much. I appreciate you looking into it. >> Elizabeth Dashio. >> Good evening everyone. It was an exciting night for me to be here. Um, for those of you who don't know me, my

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name is Elizabeth Dashong here. Um, And for those of you who don't know me, I am many other things the managing producer for the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival. And I'm pretty sure you should be

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familiar with that. We are the longest running of its kind in the entire state of Florida. We have welcomed hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to our annual Shakespeare by the Sea. It's

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the free outdoor production every July. We've held it here in Carlland Park, Jupiter since 1990. This year we have a world premiere production of William Shakespeare's fall staff. It'll be pieced together with Shakespeare's actual text. It isn't like

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we're making something up. So, we're staying true to our history and our mission. And I wanted to start tonight by thanking the town. Uh this is our home. It has been our home. We are blessed to call it home. And I

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personally want to thank you and everyone in the community for your many years of support, whether it's just by sharing the word or through charitable donation or like last year with our massively successful uh town of Jupiter

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centennial night which was a sponsorship. And I know I have sent personal letters to each of you. There might have been some confusion. Yes, I'm very aware of the charitable donation program, but as we are not included in

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it this year, I just wanted to extend the offer to join us in any way possible as our partner for this year's world premiere, Shakespeare by the Sea. We're blessed to be here, but the town has

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been blessed by having us. I know because for many years it was their most people's first visit to Jupiter was to come for the festival and anything we can do and I'm speaking as uh this is my

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hometown and a residence to have these kind of events that really focus on the yearround residents that bring the community together in a way that is not digitally inspired. Although it's for the community, we are

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not community. It costs a lot for us to put this on, but we present it free of charge to all. So, thank you for any and all consideration. And a personal invitation to each of you. I would like to say thank you and welcome from the stage. Please come out this summer.

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Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Carol Watson, followed by Craig Mauy. Good evening. Carol Watson, 6500 Chasewood Drive, Jupiter. Well, I'm sorry that Mr. Crane left

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because I'm a lifelong library person. When I was a kid, the librarian told my mom that I read every book that was in the elementary section of the library in East Liverpool, Ohio. We had to go over

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to Ohio. I'm from West Virginia because we didn't have anything in West Virginia. We had to go across the river. Anyways, I just wanted to say first of all about the Memorial Day service. I've gone to, as you know, quite a few of these services. I haven't made them all,

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but that Memorial Day service was the best that I have ever attended. and I was practically sobbing when when the speaker finished and the everything about it was just perfect.

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Next, I would like to talk about when I moved here in February of 2000, the community center. I don't know, can't remember how old it is now, but I thought, "Wow, this is a nice community center that they have here." And I thought, "Wow, this is a terrible town

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hall that they have." And the police department was terrible. But then finally after many, many years, we got a new police department. And I'm like, "Wow, that building is really nice." And I couldn't wait for the town hall. And

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the town hall came and I'm like, "Wow, that building is really nice." And look at this what we have now. And do you remember what we used to have? I mean, it's like totally opposite on the spectrum. And then we got the Veterans

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Memorial. And of course that speaks to my heart. And the Veterans Memorial, I just love it. It's just exquisitly done. And now now we have a fire department. And I remember that August 15th day I

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was at my house sitting in my dining room table watching it online. And when you guys took the courageous, brave, knowing what the firestorm was going to be, knowing what the backlash was probably going to happen, and you made

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that decision, and I jumped out of my seat, and I was like jumping up and down because I'm like, I can't believe that you actually did it. And I'm so happy that that you made that decision and you

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stuck by it and It was it was a tough go for a while as you know as we all know. I sat in the old place when everything was, you know, a firestorm, but it happened and it's the best thing that's

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ever happened. Yes, we got a new police station. Yes, we have a new town hall, but nothing compares to the fire stations. Thanks for being courageous. Oh, >> our next speaker is Craig Mauy, followed

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by Eric Whita. Wow, I got to follow Carol. Ditto, Carol. Well said. Thank you. I agree. >> Um Craig Mauy, 2:30 Blanc Lane here in Jupiter. Um, I do want to make one small

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correction to what I heard a little bit ago. Yesterday morning was beyond standing room only. I know that because Jane and I were the last ones through the door and we were standing and it was placked. All of the seats

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were taken and every place you could stand, at least up in the balcony it was taken. We were >> I'm going to say probably 700 people in there, maybe more. You know, I'm a proponent of JFRD. I have have been. I don't think that's any surprise.

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That ceremony yesterday, that swearing in ceremony, was a feather in the cap, I think, of the town staff. I really want to give kudos to all the staff who put that together.

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Really, really well done. Now, the hard stuff. I'm also a proponent of a non-advalorum assessment. I think it's more the way it's structured, what's been presented as council, I think it's more equitable than the same fee for every residence

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like some of the other municipalities have done. It makes no sense at all to me that you would charge a 400 foot small condo, the same as you would charge a 43,000 ft residence. Sorry, Michael Jordan, but that's the way I feel.

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Um, it does provide an alternate funding mechanism if something goes badly astray with a property tax and I think it still could. I think it's also easy to overlook the fact that the authority to base a

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non-advalorum assessment on size is new. We've heard comparisons with other municip municipalities in Palm Beach County, all of whom charge the same for every resident. It's because they weren't allowed to vary up until a couple of years ago. That's a new requ

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new new authority. No, it's not perfect, but I have in 77 years I have yet to see a single piece of legislation that was perfect. Doesn't happen. Everybody writes them. Um I'm still a proponent of it. That said, the

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letter that came out to all of the residents of Jupiter has had some probably unintended consequences. It's a little misleading. It says on the letter, "The town is considering a specialess assessment to

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fund JFRD." Somebody forgot to put the word partly in there. If you if you decipher the little chart below it, yeah, that comes up with that. And if you bury if you dig through the letter and find it, you can find the pieces. It's there.

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But there is a a new firestorm out on social media for people who misunderstanding this completely. I will stop there, but I think we really really need to take some damage control. Thank you.

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>> Our last speaker is Eric Whita. Eric Whites 230 Ocean Grand Boulevard in Jupiter. Mayor Kitky, you have a way of clearing out the house. I came here to speak to the firemen. I came to Jupiter 9 years ago. Uh I had

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a friend here. I didn't know anything about Jupiter. I'm here 9 years and I love the place. But yesterday uh was the icing on the cake. I I really found it uh fascinating. Um, I got there I thought in time the

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place was packed. I know I was standing up in the hallway but I really enjoyed it and I felt so proud of uh what is uh what has been done. Um and uh I went around yesterday and I talked to a bunch of the firemen

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that came from other towns and that was really great to see uh from all over Florida, Tallahassee and whatnot. So, I wanted to wish these guys I couldn't speak yesterday. I wasn't invited to speak and I didn't expect them to be

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here, but what a great opportunity and uh to thank the town council and all the staff and um Chief Donado who were really worked hard on this and um I'm just proud to be living here and I I

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want to thank you very much. And if the guys were still here, I would just tell them I'm more than likely to be rescued than uh seeing them in the fire. So, I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

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>> Okay. Thank you. Um that was it. Correct. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay, council. Moving on to the minutes uh for the May 19th special meeting and the May 19th regular meeting. I don't see any corrections on the dis if there are none and I take a motion and a second to approve both sets

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of minutes. >> So moved. Second. >> Motion a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Motion carries unanimously. Uh moving on to the consent agenda. Is there any member of the public that wish to pull a consent agenda item?

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>> No sir. Seeing none, any member of the dis wish to pull a consent agenda item? No, >> mayor. >> Seeing none, I'll take a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Second.

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>> Motion a second. All in favor signify by saying Oh, and I'm sorry. I'd ask u Mr. Baird to read ordinance 1126 on first reading. >> Well, actually, there's three ordinances. Yep.

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>> I'll do them in order. Ordinance 11:26, an ordinance of the town council of the town of Jupiter, Florida, amending chapter 10 of the Jupiter code of ordinances, renaming it fire prevention, protection, and community risk reduction division, providing for amendments to article 1 to

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create new regulations in section 101 through 103, and designating a town fire marshal as the authority having jurisdiction. Providing for the amendment of article 2, section 1019 entitled fire prevention code and creating section 1020 pertaining to

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uniform safety standards and section 1021 regarding access to gated subdivisions or planned unit developments providing for the repeal of ordinances in conflict providing for severability providing for codification providing for an effective date.

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Ordinance 2526, an ordinance of the town council of the town of Jupiter, Florida, amending subpart A, administrative regulations, chapter 11, entitled miscellaneous offenses of the town code, creating section 117 under article 1 governing trespassing on public

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property, establishing a process for issuance of trespass warnings on public property, establishing an appeals process, providing for severability, providing for the repeal of ordinances in conflict, providing for codification, ation and providing for an effective

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date. Ordinance number 2826, an ordinance of the town council of the town of Jupiter amending chapter 8, section 838 governing the special magistrate's jurisdiction, providing for severability, providing for the repeal of ordinances in conflict, providing for

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codification, and providing for an effective date. >> We had a motion and a second on the consent agenda. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Moving on to the regular agenda public

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hearing. Uh resolution 11:26. This item is quasi judicial. Does any member of the council have an exparte disclosure. >> I I met with the applicant to go over the basic project details. I met with staff and I drove by the site

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>> and I have none to disclose. >> I met with the applicant, met with staff and also drove by the site. Actually visited the site, not drove by it. So, >> okay. Uh >> I met with George Mamemer uh just us in the meeting and I've driven by the site.

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>> Okay. >> Okay. Um, I'd ask for those that will uh potentially be given expert uh testimony to stand up and be sworn in. >> Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're

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about to give in this hearing is the whole truth and nothing but the truth? >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh, I'd ask uh the applicant to go ahead and uh present its application. All right. Good evening. For the record, George Messimemer with Cotlin hearing

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here tonight on behalf of the property owner and the applicant. What a wonderful meeting this has been. I don't think I've ever been to a a council meeting or any public hearing this with this much positivity. And it's really wonderful to see. I could see the pride in all of your faces. And so my hands are maybe a little sore from all the

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clapping. It's it's been wonderful. But I'll try to speed through this. Um I know uh there's been a lot of information about the site. We've been going at this for almost 5 years now. So it's been a long process for us and there's really a wonderful project and we're very proud of uh everything that

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we've been able to put together. to start our project team uh our owner and applicant um Albert's Land Company LLC Nate Alers and his team they have a wonderful company headquartered here in Jupiter this is proposed to be their office location um our land planners and

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landscape architects uh Donaring and myself George Mr. Scotland hearing our civil and traffic engineer Johnny Irvani another local engineering firm and our architect Bur Thomas Alan Bur and Joe Thomas couple wonderful architects uh that we get to work with. We're here tonight requesting site plan approval

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for an infill redevelopment project designed to be resilient, sustainable, and compatible uh with the town. The project aligns with Jupiter's comp plan and meets all land development regulations. We've gotten several letters of approval from neighboring property owners that are excited about

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the new uh development along their corridor. The project site, we are located uh along uh A1A and this is the old Jupiter Dive location, so just south of Sawfish Bay Park. Uh the zoning, the property is C2 zoning

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district. It is the most intensive commercial uh zoning within the town of Jupiter. We are bordered by C2 to our north as well as C3 which is commercial office just to our south. Uh

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I've got quite a few slides so if you see me skip through if you have questions at the end I'd be happy to answer. There's a lot of information in a brief amount of time. Uh land use again commercial consistent. Uh the propos the land development regulations as outlined in the staff report we're meeting all of the requirements the land

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development code. uh a little bit closer on the location and the layout of the site. We are consistent with the general format of development that's to our south, the other commercial properties that have been developed. Um we are proposing uh one access point in and out which is a

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shared access drive between the town's property and our property which would be constructed as part of this pro project. Uh as well as a shared access point to the property to our south. Uh if you remember the old Jupiter dive location, the the development that was

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there previously, there was uh an in and out. So there was two curb cuts. It's right on the corner. It's really cramped. The visibility was terrible. Uh so we're improving that design, making a one curb cut uh and uh trying to reduce the potential traffic conflicts in that

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location. from a pedestrian standpoint providing safe ADA access from A1A into the site as well as connecting to the property to the south. Uh in terms of the design of the building, sustainability and resiliency has been uh a significant aspect of the

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design from the very beginning. Uh Nate Alers and his company uh they uh operate in the disaster relief world. So they set up mobile command centers all over the world uh as part of uh supporting government agencies uh from like FEMA or

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a number of others. And so that resiliency being on the waterfront is really important to them. Uh so having an elevated first floor was a mandatory to be able to elevate the building. uh but then in general an eco-oriented architectural design with primary

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frontage facing the east to get uh the benefit of the prevailing prevailing winds. Uh looking at sun studies to understand the angle of the sun into the building. Uh there's a lot of uh detailed research and design into that aspect of the site. 100% native

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landscape pallet. Restored native shoreline shoreline um reduction in the curb cuts as we talked about. Uh parking areas designed 100% pvious uh protection of cultural resources uh through specific construction techniques such as the

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pilings limiting the footprint of the building on the impacts below. As we talked about the project is consistent with the comprehensive plan and a number of different policies and goals and objectives. Uh the landscape plan as we talked about

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uh being native uh really significantly more than what was there previously but even more than that were more than what we're were required to provide by code in in landscape area. Uh the existing development talking about traffic was

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slightly larger. So we are technically a reduction in traffic trips. Um we talked about a little bit before the previous Jupiter dive center. We went through several certificate to dig applications. One to de demo the building uh and then another for this

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proposed construction. Uh we went all the way through a phase 2 archaeological study and as part of the construction activities we will perform a phase three study. So uh any excavation of the site will be analyzed through that report. Uh and then there's several conditions associated with any material that's

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removed from the site. Skipping through uh some of the planning principles that we look at in terms of consistent looking at the design of the site uh looking at setbacks uh consistent with the adjacent properties. Um the square footage of the building, the

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footprints, uh lot coverage. We're permitted up to 35% lot coverage. We're only proposing 18.5%. Uh that again being consistent with the adjacent developments. Looking at the height context of the site, it is slightly taller than the

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adjacent uh buildings that are constructed there, but we're still less than what we're allowed to go per code. Uh but again, the primary reason for the added height is elevating that first floor. So bringing in those resil resiliency design principles and making

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this a really wonderful project for the town. So again, if you're looking at it from a massing and a scale perspective, looking at that portion above that first floor line. Uh and here's just a good example of that in terms of comparison of of

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scale between our building and the building just to our south. Looking at green space, again, we talked about it. We're required 30% green space. for providing more than 35% green space uh and really enhancing that shoreline with additional native

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plantings. All part of our uh storm water treatment program to really improve the site building openness. I've got a number of slides about this, but just in general, the building has been designed to be very open as well as providing a view corridor through the building underneath

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for for views of Sawfish Bay. Uh so that brings us towards uh the architecture design. I'll skip ahead. There was uh a number of conditions and design recommendations that town staff had following our planning and zoning uh

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commission meeting. Uh we met with staff. We made some adjustments and I'm proud to say that we're all we're all aligned in the vision for the building. Uh and we are proposing uh what is being proposed and uh hopefully will be approved tonight has rotated some

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elements on the rooftop to reduce some of the scale of uh the rooftop facade. Uh so we're very proud of the building that we're presenting here tonight and be happy to answer any questions that town council has. I'll reserve the rest of my time for any questions or any uh

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feedback from sash presentation. Thank you. Thank you. Now our town staff to present. Good evening, uh, town council for the record, That Thatcher Heart, Planning and Zoning Department. Uh tonight's application, as you've heard from the

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applicant here, is a for a fourstory office building uh with underground or excuse me, under office parking that's on that ground floor uh including a shared access drive with that adjacent town-owned property to the north of the subject property. The subject application is subject to the conditions

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that are within that resolution 1126 and to the town council's approval of the shared access drive with town uh with the town's property to the north. Uh the shared driveway uh is is a beneficial aspect of the project to reduce the number of driveways along the uh main

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road there. Uh also but also allowing for additional parking to be provided on the subject property to allow for parking of the use. Um the proposed building satisfies standard zoning requirements that are outlined within the district that it is in which is C2. Uh however there are other qualitative

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characteristics like compatibility that are mentioned within section 27175 that is part of the review. Um that have been focused on throughout this process. Um you know staff continuously provided comments to the applicant to suggest uh greater compatibility with surrounding

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areas and uh has met with the applicant a number of times to uh reduce the massing and compatibility compared to adjacent uh developments. Um but the subject application uh did receive a recommendation for approval from the planning and zoning commission at their April 14th meeting uh with the condition

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that uh stated that we would meet with the applicant here uh prior to coming before you tonight to just discuss that uh architectural components of the application and um further solidify uh what was presented to you before

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tonight. Um and you can see that your uh compatibility um where we pulled those sections 271 175 on the screen there and then um this is the evolution of design. So on the left here you have uh what the applicant originally proposed um prior

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to planning and zoning and then to the right here is what you have tonight uh with their current proposal. Uh so and and just out outlining what you see there is the additional plantings and irrigation on the west facade. Uh coral stone at the base of the building and those vertical louvers uh along the

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stair openings. Um and then you if if the town council determines uh that the proposed development is not comp compatible uh code section 175 uh provides that authority to you all uh to ensure compatibility and uh we'll be glad to

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take any questions. Okay, thank you. I'll turn to council uh if council has any questions of either the applicant or uh staff and I'll start uh at one end and work my way down. Councelor Gisinger, any questions? >> Yeah, I have have a couple questions on

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that photograph right there, the picture on both the northwest corner and the southwest corner. Those protruding uh landings for the stairs, they're jetting out. Is there is that a safety issue to have them stick out that

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far or could they be more flush with the building itself? >> Yeah, it's not a safety issue at all um with the with the railings there. There's no concern from that regard. Um part of it, you know, is functional in the landings of the stairs, but also

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from a design element. They come out both consistent in the same uh depth uh from the face of the building. There are uh uh architectural elements that extend away from the building as well and with consistent depth. So it's part of a a

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theme. So if you were to look at it from a different angle, you can see those it doesn't protrude and extended per uh uh distance. It's not a safety concern. So it's all part of the intent behind the architectural design of it. >> Okay. They just sort of jet it out at

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me. And I guess it's all your peripheral personal preference. So, I did have one question. I spent a lot of time with my magnifying glass today going through going through your drawings, particularly your landscape plan. They're very hard to read, a little fine print,

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>> but I at least my count looks like the majority of the trees with height greater than 12t, 18, 22 on are on the south side of the building with very few of those larger trees on the left. Um,

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so was there a reason for that? So I'm looking at the aesthetics of looking from Sawfish Bay to the building have a clear view. The only thing it's knowing that view right now is that big fas tree. But I don't think the the applicant should totally depend upon

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that tree and put the larger trees on the south side of the property which is shield them from all the other businesses to the south of them. So >> appreciate the comment. I think just from from our own perspective in designing the landscape um you know it

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depends on what you're looking for. The design of the landscape is done in conjunction with the design of the building. So the trees are positioned and sized according to certain architectural features. Um height doesn't always mean quality. It doesn't

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always mean better design. In our perspective, this entire project is not a uh it does not impact the park. So, we're not needing to rely on landscape to offset development. We've designed a landscape that is both native and and

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beautifully designed to be consistent with the building. That being said, we do have one condition of approval from staff to add an additional foundation tree, and we'd be happy to do that on the north side of the building, and we'd be happy to add something with a little bit of height if that's something you'd like to see. >> Yeah, I'd like to see that. So,

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>> yeah, you got it. >> Okay. And, uh, I think that's all the questions I have of that. I do have a one question or a couple questions of staff pertaining to what is the town's plan for the commercial property just to the north of the uh

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between the the property being developed and Sawfish Bay. >> So I know that uh there's been uh plans in the past, but I don't believe that there is any solidified plan at this moment. Well, I walked it the other day and obviously it's been used a lot. Got a

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lot of vehicular traffic in it from the dive center. It's a lot of ruts, a lot of dirt, a sore looking chain link fence between the property and sawfish. Are there any plans to give that little bit of a facelift? It might take some of the dramatic, you

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know, looking out from Sawfish into it. That's first thing you see in the dirt and the ruts before we even see the mass of the building. I'm be going up there. So, Hello, Stephanie Thoburn. Um, assistant director planning zoning. Uh, there are

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no plans for that triangular piece. It's currently commercial. Um, it is being leased out for the dive shop. Um, we'd love to come back and have a discussion incorporating it perhaps to Sawfish Bay

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so it can be um, cohesive. Softish Bay Park. Um there really and up until the de demolition there was no no real discussion or uh need to push it forward because they were renting a significant

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part of their parking um on the town's property. So now that the building's demolished, um, we should probably, you know, think about it somewhere. >> At least you think about going out what can we do to recondition that because it is an eyesore looking from Sish Bay into

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that lot area. It's like I said, it's got ruts. It's got a lot of dirt and from the overall use of parking and that from the dive center. So >> we keep we take care of the the ficish tree that you're talking about. >> Well, I had I saw trucks parked right up against it on the root system. We we put

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in uh not fill, we put in fill and mulch to protect the tree. It's it's actually we call it the oakus because it's an oak that's being taken over by a ficus. So we take care of that tree. It's one of our signature trees like the cabbage oak. So that's the extent of what we've done.

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>> Okay. I like to at least have staff consider what can we do in the future. Not right now, but if it appropriate maybe to fix up that area because it is like I said a lot of ruts like at least leveled out. So, and I may get some sod to grow back in there or whatever. So, no other

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questions. >> It's hard to go after you as well. Um I will I just have one question for the applicant um for now. The um the stairwell appears to be on the northern

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end. um closest to the park. Uh what was the logic behind placing it there? And I know you said there were a lot of considerations regarding light and wind and resiliency. Um there are a lot of factors, but you have it, you know, so that the view from the park sees, you

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know, the tallest point versus potentially stepping it back and having it, you know, for the purposes of discussion, southside, uh to the right. So what were some of the factors that went into its placement in that location um specifically?

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>> A fantastic question. So when we looked at the site design and you know collaboration between our office and the architects, uh it was really critical that stairwell had to be on the western portion of the building. It wasn't going to be placed on the eastern. It's you know, you know, right next to the

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elevator core as well. So from an access standpoint from the street getting in, we wanted it on the west side as well. We didn't want it to impact the eastern side of the building facing the the waterfront. Uh so now we're looking at it north versus south elevation of the

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building and what corner you put it on. Uh it was pretty obvious we're putting the access point on the north side of the property. Uh again combining it with the town's piece having a shared access. Uh we talked about that very early on with the town manager uh to bring that

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forward to you all as a as a consideration for the site plan. Uh if we moved it to the south, it would just be too close to the neighbor to the south to their access point. Um if you had it on the south side, and

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something that the architect looked at that I was reminded of just a few minutes ago, if you had the stair tower on the south side of the building, that means our rooftop balcony would be right up towards facing the park, overlooking the park. Um there's uh a significant

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amount of landscaping that's along that south end of the park. We weren't concerned over any impact to the park from again our shadow studies that we did and the shadow casting from the building even with the tallest portion being there. So there was a number of

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factors um into that design choice work reverse. It's possible but there would be a number of disruptions to the site from an access and ADA perspective. Uh, I know something that we talked about through the certificate to dig was elevating the fill on the site so that

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we would have the least amount of impact to what was underground. Uh, that plays a part into sidewalk slopes and access. Um, so having it closer to our vehicular access can help with that. Um, so I'd say it it's a hard it's a hard question

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to answer because there's a lot of detail that went into it and a number of years, you know, of evolution of the design as well. Okay. Um, and I see in the rendering also, so you've added it looks like stone accents or

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>> Yeah, that was uh one of the some of the feedback we received from staff and providing something on the base of the building to anchor the structure. Uh, and so we worked with the architects to provide uh uh that stone accent to anchor the building on the ground level.

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>> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> I have a couple questions for the applicant. Um what is the thought behind the changing of the the roof line on the fourth floor from it has like sort of a is that a um is that a hip and then just the second one's just straight. Who who

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came up with that? What was the thought on that? >> So the the one on the left was um a quickly designed alternative that we wanted to present as feedback from staff's direction on the potential to relocate the bathroom to the other side.

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The graphic on the right was a formal design by the architect uh which took in account the the width of the stairwell and the actual relocation of the bathroom. Okay. >> So, I'd say probably the the roof line itself uh was more of a function of the

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the architect made the design uh on the on the final version versus a quickly rendered Photoshop to uh change to try to demonstrate how we could accomplish what staff was asking us to do. And then the the window design um it looks like

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on the on the current proposal the middle windows are narrower or is it just the those vertical um are they like a sunscreen or a what do you call those? >> Yeah. So it's a a vert vertical um not a

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louvered system but it's a um >> vertical awning I guess would be the terminology from from the architects. Um, so it's the same width, the windows the same width. Just an illusion. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um, and what are the future plans for

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the dock? They said, uh, private and commercial. >> Yeah, private use for the owner and operator of the office building. So, there'll be no commercial aspect. They won't be running a business out of there. Okay. Um, if he has a boat that he wants to keep there, then he'll keep it there, but he'll it'll remain the two

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slips that are there. Um, but no commercial aspect to it. >> Okay. Okay. That's it for now. Thank you. >> I just wanted to disclose I was given a copy of the design months ago. No meetings. It would piggy back on another meeting. I was going to ask some of the

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same questions and the building looks fantastic. I do appreciate the fact that it does deviate from what's the long A1A right now. Um but but I think it's a great compliment. But I did want to know about the docks

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as well and you answered that. Um, and some of the other questions were answered. So, thank you. >> Seeing no more comments, I'd open the floor for public comments. Any? >> Yes, sir. We have one speaker, Mary

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Theresate. >> Good evening. This is Mary Theres. I am past president and will be speaking for the Lockxahhatche Guild. As most of you know, the Lock Hatchee Guild has been around since 1981 as the premier historic preservation organization in

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this area. Um, as recently as 18 months ago, we gave the town of Jupiter $50,000 to help you uh put the ramp around the acre house. And this is kind of an unusual event for us to be here to

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comment on the non-historic building. However, it has a great impact on what we we have done um as an organization and that is to save uh both the um Jupiter FEC train depot and the um acre

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house. So, as you know, tonight is the uh on the agenda a motion to approve the variance on the proposed building, the acre property adjacent to the acre house and the 1915 FEC train depot. Um, the property is more than a half an acre and

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is part of the archaeological site known as the Harbor View Prehistoric Shell Midden, which includes Bay Fish, excuse me, Sawfish Bay Park to and including the former dive center property. And this is a midden that has been

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carbonated to 3,110 BC. So, it's very archaeologically significant and that's why it's taken so long because you've had to do all the digging to make sure um that this property is protected. The um understory

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the proposed property plans for plan, excuse me, the proposed plans for the property have been amended twice, but the reality is that a variance is still needed tonight due to the height and density of the project. The project uh

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as it is proposed tonight is more than a third bigger than is allowed in the current land use uh comp plan. The owners have are requesting a four-story building adjacent to a historic park to the north and a twotory building to the

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south. The current code is allows for two stories. The town council will determine the whether the proposed building is consistent with the established character of the area. This course the area of is the historic

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um area that I'm talking about. The applicant has proposed a contemporary architectural style for the building which is not consistent with the area. Now, as you may be aware, there is a very popular podcast called 99%

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Invisible. It's about design that sends subliminal messages and in architecture especially. We all know that everyone loves Palm Beach because it's beautiful, because it has a consistent architectural style. And

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that's what we're asking you to do. And I the the depot is not g getting a visitation because the parking is so far away. So I hope in the future you will consider uh upgrading that area so that it can get visitation. Thank you so

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much. >> Thank you. And that was it on public comments? >> Yes, sir. I go back to the applicant and their staff for any closing arguments. >> Yeah, I I think I'd just like to to reiterate there there's no waiverss or

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variances being requested as part of this application. We're meeting all of our code requirements and exceeding most of them in every uh circumstance. Uh we are adjacent to other C2 and C3 zoned properties on either side. Um I I'd be

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happy to go back and through and talk about compatibility and architectural design uh that's existing along this corridor if uh the council would uh like the benefit of some of those images. Um but there is no consistent architectural

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design along A1A. Um there's decades of various architectural styles uh very much so not compatible or consistent with each other. Um, so we've tried to create something that integrated contemporary uh construction methods as

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well as timeless design uh to meet all of the town's land development regulations as well as comprehensive plan guidelines. Um, so I'd be happy to answer anything else related to architectural consistency if it would benefit the council. Thank you.

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>> Staff, any have anything to uh add? Okay, returning to council uh for uh deliberation. I'll just I'll start on this one. Uh first of all, I always appreciate and I benefit from the fact

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that by the time it gets to me, I recognize there's been a lot of hard work back and forth to try to bring the best project that you can. So, I appreciate that. I appreciate staff in their brevity emphasizing what this

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decision tonight is about and what authority we have to render an opinion. So, uh first of all, I'll say that I appreciate the shared driveway. Uh I certainly support that. But uh but I'll

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then say that I don't find the site plan with the building height, scale, and mass to be compatible and are consistent with the established character of the area. The second and third floor office areas

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have expansive balcony amenities for building office users to enjoy, and I I'm okay with that. I appreciate that. But I think the huge rooftop accessory use creates building mass and height that appears out of place to me. I'm not

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even supportive of ever it ever being considered for a special event permit. So just as a practice to me that would be inconsistent with established character of the area. I you know over the years it's interesting that things

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come to us and it gets softened down pedals downplayed uh and then you know there's a door open for someone to come back and consistently when I see that is I'm I'm opposed to it. So that uh you know the

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whole roof element I think can lead to no good and and really out of character. So the building openness sales pitch by the way is not persuasive to me as I believe the general public will rarely see the building from that location that

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elevation views are depicted and I find this a lot of times is that uh and I look at it where the public will actually see it. So while if you happen to be standing in that one location before the elevation you know you see the openness but even the coloring

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uh on the claimed open space in blue in my mind is perceiving. So I just want I'm just giving the basis for why I I reviewed what we have here and uh and don't support it. And then louver deck to me it adds to the building mass

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appearance whether it's fixed open or operational. Um, so, uh, just in closing, and you know, I may be the in the minority here, which is fine. I've been there before. Uh, but I just don't feel like the question before us. I just don't feel

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that, uh, you know, it the height, scale, and mass is compatible or consistent with the established character of this area. So, with that, um, who wants to go next? >> Well, I'll go. I mean, you know, the

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underground parking is, you know, allows the the added height. They're still under what the code allows. Um, I know it's it it's a it's a it's a it's a nice soft looking building. It is taller than other buildings in the area. There probably down the road will be

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redevelopment. Um, there really is no consistent, you know, uh there's all sorts of different styles along A1A. Most of it's old and outdated. Um, I think it's definitely, you know, it it takes up less square footage area-wise

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than than the older building. Granted, that was only one story. Not very efficient. It'll, you know, probably live past it past its shelf life. So, um, I don't know. I I think it's definitely an upgrade from what was there.

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Um, and I think I prefer the the look of the original rendering, but I'm not going to, you know, you know, die in that hill. So, um, if if both parties are happy with the the current proposal of

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on the on the right from May 26, I I could live with that. Um, I think in all in all, it's an upgrade from what was there and um, I think it fits the area. So, >> I want to say um that area floods a lot.

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It been during significant rainstorms, most of the flooding on A1A is over there near Center Street. And so, I've thought a lot about this because um I've thought about the height. And what I don't want in the future on this

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corridor is intensity on this corridor. Um, I don't want there to be a building on the first floor, the second floor, the third floor. Um, but I I couldn't imagine having to deal with future flooding in future years. I do respect

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the resilience um focus here and the pvious pavers and I think the town would benefit from that in that area and the flooding would benefit from that going forward. So, I would be okay if you're going to lift it. I am this is a good

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reason to it's not adding intensity that's not um office space on that ground floor. So I am grateful also to staff just watching the evolution of the building. We gave very clear instruction

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on you know what we're hoping for along that corridor. I'm grateful for the stone, the coina there and the the architectural details that you worked with after planning and zoning. Um I actually appreciate the new version because you can see the sky and the way

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it's stepped back and I remember that was a comment from planning and zoning. Um I appreciate all that you've done to follow the direction. Um it does meet the code requirements. I know planning and zoning was supportive. Um, I

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understand the reason around the staircase. I I just think the one the one thing that kind of that helps me is that it's lifted for sustainability, for resilience, to prevent flooding, to protect the property long term. Um, I

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don't want to prevent that, you know, in the future. I think that's really, you know, what after we went through our resilience plan with our water utility and our vulnerability studies, you know, what we're seeing more of, honestly. So,

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um I I am generally supportive of that. I am a bit frustrated with the view. I do want to emphasize I would never support this if it weren't for that elevation. I don't want intensity in this area.

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Um, I don't want a lot of traffic. I'm glad that the traffic is reduced, that it's less intense because A1A has faster traffic, has more traffic. It's not center street. It's in the area, but it's, you know, it feels like it's on a highway and visibility is what it is.

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Um, so I'm glad that it's kind of a less intense use. I'm glad that the commercial or the dock is a kind of a private dock. It's not a commercial dock. So, I find these to be positive. I hope in the future um I'm actually grateful for the comment about our

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parcel next door. I hope it that's a wonderful idea that it continue maybe it could be improved to be a kind of parking space more formalized so that we can enhance visitation to our sites. Um and I would agree with council member Gisinger about any landscaping that can

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be added or the tree on the south side. Um I think that's a wonderful idea especially with height. So thank you And one more may comment, mayor. Um, I think the only reason we're here tonight is because of the shared ingressor's

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access. Correct. I mean, this could this is within a code. It could have been done administratively. So, >> well, I'm just going by what what's within our authority. >> No, no, I understand. I understand. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Um, yeah. Again, I appreciate the fact

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that resilience was a consideration. Flooding is a huge concern along A1A. Every time you drive by, even after a rainstorm, you don't even have to have a major catastrophic main uh rainstorm. Um, so this was a consideration as I was

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looking at it. Traffic was another point and I'm glad it was brought up because it's not going to add any more into A1A similar to a center street situation. Um, yeah, it's a little different.

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architecture is a little different, but quite frankly, it's it I like the word being used as refreshing. Um, and there is no consistency if you go up and down US1 and A1A. Um, that being said, I was glad to hear about the town-owned park

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or parcel. I would like to see that upgraded so that we can enhance um once they have more folks come in to the railroad. Um, I really don't find anything that um

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would stop me from supporting this. I think the building um has put many many hours with the staff with the applicant. Um, so it to me right now we're talking

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about the shared parking and I think it's it's been cleared up. And I I actually have another question for staff if I may. I just wanted to ask about the rooftop and restrictions on the rooftop or permits request. Um what

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what are the rules? Can I mean I don't want to see outdoor music. I don't want to see large events on the rooftop. Can someone speak to that? >> Good question. So, the intent behind um putting that in

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there was just to um basically say if there was anything more than uh office use up on that uh deck that they would need to come back in and make sure that they uh met all uh requirements within the zoning co zoning

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code. Um as well as if they were going to have extra events that they would need to meet the special event requirements. So, anything outside of the regular business operational uh use. Does that answer the question? >> They could in theory have a party at 10

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p.m. on a >> or with a band. >> Yeah. >> Well, they wouldn't need to meet uh like sound ordinance, sound restrictions, and all of the standard zoning requirements. >> John Sichler, for the record, uh director of planning and zoning. The

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applicant um is also bound by their statement of use. In addition to the conditions of approval that are in the resolution, um I would just note that there is a condition titled parking and I believe it's number 10. Y >> um on page 245 of your agenda.

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>> Um and that limits the use to being u only for accessory use to the professional office. Um and then any use that would exceed the normal those normal impacts would be required to receive a special permit or they would have to come forward with a special or a site plan amendment to allow some other

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activity on the rooftop. Um there are no current there currently are no hours of use limitations in this condition. Um if that's the desire of the council um condition 10 or another condition would need to be added to limit the hours of operation or use of that rooftop area.

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They did indicate in their statement of use um on page three of the statement of use, which is page 263 of your agenda on the top half of the page. Um they do state

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that it would be only intended for the use of the office tenants below and private use of the company, that it would be ancillary to the office space and only be used by employees within the offices below. um and that they will not have sound amplification.

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And then further if a special event is proposed, they would request um in the future they would u a permit will be requested and all requirements of that permit would be complied with. Um so if that's not adequate um then there

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would need to be some modifications to the resolution. >> Okay. So they're held to that until the statement of use. >> They are held to the statement of use. That is the first condition in the resolution. um includes a reference to that statement of use >> and if we wanted we could add hours of

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operation or restrict hours given that okay >> yeah that would just need >> Mr. Mayor, if I may. So, are you permitted to have special events in an accessory use on a property?

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>> You can have a I mean, special event um >> I mean, can I have a special event in my garage? >> An accessory use, correct? Or my pool patio. >> I mean, well, you don't we haven't had we haven't had that circumstance where

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someone has a party. We don't regulate like activities on a residential property. You have to meet orders. >> If my property was commercial and I have a commercial accessory use, I'm Are you saying that >> if they wanted to do a Christmas tree sale, they could ask for a permit to do Christmas tree?

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>> An accessory use to their shopping center. >> It doesn't have to be affiliated with the use that's approved. My concern about this is it sounds like you're inviting special events to this rooftop

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and I I mean I don't know what businesses use rooftops with for but I mean what would be the purpose of having special events on your business's rooftop? >> Well, and that was my fun point. And I want to make it pretty clear because

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part of to me first of all I always try to understand if I own the property was doing an office. I mean let's talk about our fire stations we go to. We have nice balcony areas we can go out. So the size of these two buildings they have very expansive for the size of the staff

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that's going to be there. They have very expansive uh balconies already all along the water on both levels. Okay. And I'm not saying, you know, not want to deprive them of that, but I think the mass gets added when you add in the the entire top

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floor. And I can't imagine any good coming out of that in addition to the balconies. So that's why radar went off to me when I saw, yeah, you know, they they're not going to use it for anything but, you know, business use, but gee, you know, we can come back at some date, not expecting to do so, and get a

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special permit. To me, it just invites uh once that amenity is there, it just invites that misuse. And I can't think of a worse place, you know, in town to that doesn't fit the character of that area uh than here. So, that's why I'm

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opposed to it. What >> may I ask the applicant? Sorry, may I ask the applicant to speak? >> Yeah, there's no proposed special exception event, party, anything of the the use of the rooftop. The reason that it's mentioned in the statement and the reason that it's part of the

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conversation now is staff doing their due diligence, making sure that there's protections that we're not going to have, say, you know, in the future, a restaurant or a bar or something on the rooftop that would add additional parking requirements to the site that

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the site can't accommodate. The site is designed for professional office. The rooftop amenity deck is for the benefit of those employees. We see this evolution in design of architecture of new office class A office buildings constantly now to where we're including

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rooftop decks for the benefit of those employees. It helps the companies recruit. It helps the companies retain. It means we get the best employees, the best companies uh in our area. So that's the intent of the rooftop. It's not nefarious. It's not intended for

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anything else but for the use of the employees. If the owner wants to have some kind of uh appreciation uh maybe after hours for their employees Christmas party something like that where they have their employees there that's the scope of what we're talking

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about. We're not talking about large special events with live music or anything like that. This is professional office building. Well, the the condition says exceeds that uh

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exceeds normal impacts. If you exceed normal impacts, you have to receive a special permit. So, what's what's the normal impact of the rooftop? Day-to-day operations where an employee might go up there on their lunch or they

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may work outside on a nice day. That's that's the impact of of that space. So the reason the condition is there at all is just a catchall to say that okay if we do go beyond that use we'd have to comply with the requirements of getting a special exception just like anybody

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else would and it's not proposed it's not intended that's not what that space is designed for. It's just precaution. So staff question. If our desired outcome was to not have a major event at 9:30, 10:00

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near a park. What our options are? We can limit the hours. So that would and the permit process would I mean permits are denied if they you know how does can you walk me through like what could we do if our

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desired outcome is to reduce that kind of impact? What tools are available to us? >> Um you could restrict them from having special event permit use of that area. Um, you know, when we review the special permits, um, they're reviewed by depart

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different various departments in the the town. Uh, depending on the type of permit, it's always reviewed by code compliance, um, building department, sometimes engineering. Um, we look to make sure that any impacts that they have are accommodated so that

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it doesn't affect the adjacent properties, that there's adequate parking. um we can place conditions on sound uh through that process, but there are a variety of different permit categories or categories of use um that

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can occur. um if they wanted to have, you know, some kind of different event that went beyond their office employees, that would be beyond their normal operations and we would we would indicate through that the information that's provided in their statement of

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use and through the conditions that they would have to get a special permit for that. But if that's not the desire of the council to allow that type of activity, um then it would have to be restricted. So they're not availed of the provisions of the special permit section of the code.

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>> Councelor Gisinger, did did you have any final comments? This is going down the row here. >> I I do excuse me. I do appreciate know the amount of work went into this and the compromise reached between both the staff and the applicant. Um, I think the

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end product is is a very nice building. Um, I like the openness of it. I like the fact that it's elevated above the ground, so we got minimal impact uh from the foundation to the men area. So, I appreciate all those things

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the applicant did uh to minimize that impact. And uh um from an architectural standpoint, there's nothing that matches up and down alternate A1A, North Alt A1A, as far as consistency from building to building. And this is a significant improvement

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above what we had with the dive center there, both in looks, mass, and everything else. That's mere size and square footage. So, um, I thought about this a lot and and I don't really have any more issues with this design and

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what's being proposed. So, thank you. >> Okay. Um, I turn it to council for a uh a motion for consideration. >> Motion to approve resolution 1126. >> Second. >> Motion a second. Uh, any discussion on

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the motion? You're going to leave open the ability for special permits on this roof? >> That was my only question. Can something be added in under >> that was a question that was asked, but there's a motion in the second on the floor discussion. We're in discuss it

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can be amended or if the motion maker wants to make it, but the discussion then is do we want to add any limitations to hours or restrictions to prevent that use? It already has restrictions. It already has. It has to be a regular use and it's an accessory

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use to an office building. So, it's lunch. It's things like that, which I can understand. >> Maybe a cocktail party after work or something. >> If that if it's beyond that, it requires a permit. Um, it has to meet sound ordinances, all of that. So, those are

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the rules on the books. Do we want to add to the rules? Why I question why would you even allow a permit a special permit to ever be issued from what the representation is here? >> Would the applicant be amenable to

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restricting? >> But we're the ones that also ultimately >> agreed. It's ultimately up to us. But I'm wondering if I mean we could make it conditional on that then. I think that's fair. >> Fair.

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>> Can I add one more? Do I need to This was discussed. I believe the applicant agreed to it, but do we need to uh uh codified here that the larger trees be put on the north side of the building? >> We can do that.

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>> I'd like to add that. So, >> by the way, there's a there is a motion in the second until it's withdrawn or amended. you know, I can't uh >> So, do we just >> councelor Delaney, as you made the motion, it's up to you.

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>> So, we want to do so. So, I will so I will withdraw the motion for approval >> and also the second gets is is null and void. So, okay, >> councelor Gisinger, you want to add in trees on the north side? >> Yes, I do. Taller trees on the north

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side of the building. and a town attorney. You have concerns about the special permit. What would you recommend that we add it as a condition? >> I don't have concerns about it. You do? >> Well, I I don't personally, but

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>> the council's intent is not to have special events on the rooftop of an office building >> in this area. It doesn't >> then you should just prohibit it. >> Yeah. Special events. You can't get a special event permit. And then they're

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limited to their normal impacts of their accessory use, whatever that is. >> People going up to have lunch or right >> after hours, >> what's in what I've learned last few

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years being here, what's in demand these days for office space is high-end office space. With high-end office space, it's expensive. There's more amenities. And this this rooftop I I look at that as it's an amenity for the tenants that rent here. >> They may down the road want to entertain

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guests contracts, you know, normal business things. I wouldn't want to deny them that usage of that expensive rooftop. I don't think there's going to be a bar up there 24/7 blaring music. But are we in danger of having that if we don't put exceptions in town

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attorney? about special permits, you're limited to a certain number per year and uh with rare exceptions, they don't come to council. They're administrative reviewed. >> So, I don't know what I I think the

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number five or 11 or something like that. So, that that's your risk so to speak in terms of events. >> Okay. I don't think anything could affect the impact, you know, impact this character of this area more than it becoming a

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place where special permits for events on the rooftop >> when they when they really have two yard huge balconies, you know, for the day-to-day stuff on the on the east side, right? >> So really, quite frankly, I thought to myself, I worked in this office building

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and co-workers that I've had over the years, and it comes to mind when I looked at our fire stations. Oh my gosh. When you have an expansive balcony like that, you can see it being enjoy enjoyed. >> Mhm. >> Fine. To have all that. That's looking over the water. There's no better spot.

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So to me, then on top of that, added a rooftop. It just it just creates for me just a wondering, you know, oh my gosh, there's got to be there there's the potential for this being abused. But, you know, so I'm it's you're making the

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motion. I'm just saying what's wrong with they're representing. No, that's not their intention. If it's not their intention, then make the motion to specifically exclude a special permit from ever being issued. Then what'll happen then? If they want it issued, it would have to then come back for an

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amendment. >> So, it would come back to the elected officials that are held accountable for this. Not I'm not suggesting, you know, staff doesn't look out, but if if we don't send that message in the motion and in the development order, then uh it doesn't exist.

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Is the rest of the council comfortable with adding that? >> I agree with that. >> You want to agree? Okay. >> I agree with that. >> Okay. >> All right. So, I'll make a motion for approval with uh removing the um the ability for SE permit for SE special

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exception activities or functions. Is that does that >> special permit? >> Special permit. >> Does that hit it? and add the additional landscaping on the north side >> and add uh the additional landscape trees of such suggested by councelor

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Gisinger on the north side. >> Second >> motion and second. All in favor signify signify by saying I. >> I mot uh oppose nay. Motion carries 4 to one. >> Um thank you. Uh moving on to reports.

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Uh town at Tony. Thank you, mayor. Uh, it's great been a great two days as stated earlier by one of the speakers of positive energy in the town surrounding the um inaugural class of our fire rescue department here

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um in an effort to continue with the seamless transition of our service. Um, I had earlier sent a letter to the assistant county attorney of fire rescue

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in regards to the return of the possession of station 16 in Abakoa. In the deed that was given to the county uh for that station, there are two

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conditions to the reversion of that land to the town. One was if the county ceases fire rescue services in the town, which it will be doing effective end of September 30 of this year, and

434
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two, payment to the county of all unamortised costs of the improvements to station 16. Uh the town's finance director and the county fire rescue's finance director have agreed on those costs. So there's no question about what

435
02:08:16.400 --> 02:08:33.199
the town will be paying. So my suggestion was to the county attorney was, "Well, then let's place a quick claim deed returning that would be recorded returning possession to the town and that money in

436
02:08:33.199 --> 02:08:50.960
escrow and upon October 1, released the deed and the uh finances that the town's paying from escrow just like you would do at a closing a real estate closing.

437
02:08:50.960 --> 02:09:09.520
So, the county's assistant director, Eric McCllen of facilities development and operations, wrote back to me, not the county attorney, but the assistant director wrote back to me um an email which I

438
02:09:09.520 --> 02:09:26.800
found to be both somewhat, in my opinion, incoherent and insulting. and he began that email with to set a correct expectation and understanding.

439
02:09:26.800 --> 02:09:44.400
County Fire Rescue intends to continue operations until midnight October 1. Now, that's actually a day longer than what they're entitled to do, but perhaps he's not familiar with um midnight.

440
02:09:44.400 --> 02:10:00.560
and then said that their work plan extends far beyond this housekeeping matter alone. Well, I don't know about y'all, but I don't consider the conveyance of property and payment of large sums of money to be housekeeping matters, especially when they're

441
02:10:00.560 --> 02:10:15.440
consistent with a deed that's already been conveyed to the county. You went on to state that the county is targeting the September 15th board of county commissioners meeting for whatever it is that the county is

442
02:10:15.440 --> 02:10:30.800
going to do. That wasn't clear. Um, which of course is the last meeting that the county commission would typically hold absent a special meeting before October 1 of 2026.

443
02:10:30.800 --> 02:10:48.320
Um he also wrote in response to my request um about the transfer that any different schedule um other than the one the county wants

444
02:10:48.320 --> 02:11:04.000
to follow um would be contrary to the important public service continuing and being rendered by the county. Well, we know that that service is ending September

445
02:11:04.000 --> 02:11:21.760
30th, so I'm not sure what that's all about. After October 1, he suggests that the county have a meeting with the town manager, myself, and whomever else we would like to exchange thoughts on the

446
02:11:21.760 --> 02:11:42.320
same. I'm not sure what the same is. I guess it's the transfer and logistics to effectuate closing. Well, my question which I will pose is well there's 120 days before now and

447
02:11:42.320 --> 02:11:58.400
October 1st. can't. Wouldn't it be appropriate to have that meeting to work all these things out at some point between June 2nd and October 1? So, the town manager, fire chief, and I

448
02:11:58.400 --> 02:12:15.599
have been working towards this milestone and others, you know, our entire town staff uh for more than two years. This email is consistent from my perspective of what I've seen out of the county. It's consistent with its ongoing

449
02:12:15.599 --> 02:12:31.679
efforts to objugate a seamless transition of a potent public safety in the town. It's taken lightly by Mr. McCllen and it should not be.

450
02:12:31.679 --> 02:12:48.639
From what I can tell, Mr. McCllen and other county officials do not understand public service and certainly do not understand public safety. So, the town manager chief and I discussed a response today. Um, I will

451
02:12:48.639 --> 02:13:05.639
be crafting a letter response to the county to get clarification on some issues and in all likelihood to take issue with some of the things that were said. My letter is going to be direct and it's not going to be diplomatic.

452
02:13:06.320 --> 02:13:22.560
If our legal team needs to reactivate, we will. Just like our fire rescue team, we'll be ready to go on October 1. That's my first report. >> Um, just a com a couple comments on

453
02:13:22.560 --> 02:13:39.440
that. So, thank you for the update. Um, you know, just remind council and I know I don't need to remind as much for the record here, uh, because I know you all know this, but you know, we weren't allowed they weren't they didn't give us the opportunity to go even go inside the station until the beginning of this

454
02:13:39.440 --> 02:13:55.679
year. So, we all hope and we keep offering as a town. We're going to help, we want to help you, whatever, but they just seem to be, you know, being extremely unreasonable. And, uh, one thing I mentioned to Mr.

455
02:13:55.679 --> 02:14:12.239
Barry when I heard about this was, you know, September is hurricane season. So, even if they even if we got them to agree and they were well-intentioned to, you know, how is this any different than a closing, you know, real estate transaction or whatever? You got a day

456
02:14:12.239 --> 02:14:28.480
or two to get out of there. You can get out of there, right? Um and um so, you know, if planning for 9:15, you know, puts at risk, they couldn't even act on it if we were to have a hurricane, right? Meeting gets deferred,

457
02:14:28.480 --> 02:14:43.040
right? So there's no reason to have delayed that to 9:15. And then further there's also no reason to wait until after October 1 to exchange starts. I mean that's pretty sal here um that they're

458
02:14:43.040 --> 02:15:00.320
yet not yet ready to partner on public safety which is disappointing. So I appreciate uh the update and uh it just disappoints me greatly. some point keep us posted because at some point it may be in that point maybe even now is to

459
02:15:00.320 --> 02:15:17.280
that we start reaching out to some of the county commission ourselves and make sure they're aware of what's happening here. Um, and I would trust that already the town manager is going to already be reaching out to the county manager or whatever, but simultaneously here

460
02:15:17.280 --> 02:15:34.239
because I just I just can't believe that this would that behavior would be condoned by the county commission. Uh, they know what public safety is about. Um, and so anyway, I just wanted to kind of weigh in on that. A lesson learned from earlier in working with

461
02:15:34.239 --> 02:15:49.440
them is that we often tried to work with the county fire department and we didn't go to our elected officials soon enough and so they didn't often know what was happening um or weren't fully aware. I do recommend I think we should all try to reach out if we can.

462
02:15:49.440 --> 02:16:04.480
>> I agree. >> Did you have any other report? I I do, but we we'll provide you with the email that I with the letter I sent to the county attorney, the email response, and then the response from the town to the email. >> Yep.

463
02:16:04.480 --> 02:16:19.679
>> And then you can reach out. You'll have the facts in front of you. Um, I do want to end on a a very positive note uh again with fire rescue because um it is such a momentous occasion for

464
02:16:19.679 --> 02:16:35.840
for this town, this little town that you know 101 years ago didn't have uh anything other than volunteers with buckets of water. And now you've got a

465
02:16:35.840 --> 02:16:52.240
first class operation that's going to complement very well our our police force. Um so after the ceremony I went to I took my two partners u Travis Fos who

466
02:16:52.240 --> 02:17:09.040
handled the litigation that we had that um was unfortunately brought by the county fire union and Brett Lashley and uh Travis said to me these are two young

467
02:17:09.040 --> 02:17:24.960
but especially Travis very accomplished very good lawyer And Travis's remarks to me was, you know, um it is not

468
02:17:24.960 --> 02:17:41.200
it has not been my experience that I see the tangible results of my work. >> Yeah. But being at that cere ceremony today, seeing all those firefighters, seeing

469
02:17:41.200 --> 02:17:56.160
the pride in the town in the town council and having created that department and realizing that it was going to be here, he said, "Now I can point to something that is

470
02:17:56.160 --> 02:18:12.880
tangible about my work." and he saw all of those uniforms and I could tell it it really made a big impression on him and um he's he's always been very gracious

471
02:18:12.880 --> 02:18:30.160
about his role, but as all of you know uh Travis really did his job and did his job well. So, um, hopefully he'll run the webcast back and see his compliments.

472
02:18:30.160 --> 02:18:45.439
Thank you. >> Thank you for that, >> town manager. >> Thank you, mayor. Just a couple of things from me. First of all, um, I couldn't agree more with the town attorney on both of his points. Um, it's unconscionable to me, and this is

473
02:18:45.439 --> 02:19:00.559
another example of the lack of integrity on that fire department's leadership. The fact that we are now months away from assuming primary responsibility

474
02:19:00.559 --> 02:19:18.160
for the safety of our residents and we're still going through this stuff. And we have had to go through this for the entire few years that we have been doing this and finding workaround after workaround after workaround. Shame on

475
02:19:18.160 --> 02:19:34.319
them. And I'm saying that as a career law enforcement officer, not a town manager. I'm making my remarks as a police chief. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Now having said that I will tell you and

476
02:19:34.319 --> 02:19:52.240
I want you to rest assured and people that may be listening to me that we have a plan. We are in great shape. We will be able to respond efficiently, effectively and set that benchmark for excellence the moment we have the

477
02:19:52.240 --> 02:20:09.120
authority to do so. and and that plan is not going to be compromised by some shenanigans going on over a fire station. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. So, um but it's just one more hurdle and

478
02:20:09.120 --> 02:20:26.319
hopefully it will be the final hurdle that we have to go through. Um and then having said that, I'm going to move to the positive side as well. Now, uh I couldn't agree more with the town attorney. You know yesterday in my remarks at that ceremony I talked about

479
02:20:26.319 --> 02:20:43.280
you know the courage of the town council and I always since I look down this dis all the time I always see Tom on the other side over there. So I I you know I put him in the in the realm with the town council and uh and so I had planned

480
02:20:43.280 --> 02:21:00.240
on bringing up the fact uh of how much Tom and his team and his firm have done for the creation of this fire department. And I ironically I was thinking about all the litigation associated uh with the petition and all

481
02:21:00.240 --> 02:21:16.800
those things, the going back and forth on the on uh the station on military trail. Um and uh and I can't thank them enough. we would, as complicated as all of this is, I I don't think we would be

482
02:21:16.800 --> 02:21:34.000
where we are today without all the legal uh assistance, the fighting, the you know, they get in the ring with them and let them have it. So, Tom, thank you to you and your staff and if you would please pass my kudos along to them

483
02:21:34.000 --> 02:21:50.160
because truly appreciate it. Um, and then I will say the other thing I wanted to acknowledge, I see Shawn sitting in the back of the room. That ceremony yesterday was about one of the finest I've ever seen in in

484
02:21:50.160 --> 02:22:04.640
almost 50 years in local government. Uh, I couldn't be any more proud of you guys. And uh and I think everyone yesterday when they left that event came away with what we call the wow factor. >> Mhm.

485
02:22:04.640 --> 02:22:22.319
>> And really got a strong look at what we've built and the level of experience and the level of commitment and professionalism. These guys are just remarkable uh in where in where they are. And so um

486
02:22:22.319 --> 02:22:39.600
so I wanted to acknowledge that as well. Okay, then moving along to just my few other small things. Uh first of all, uh Councelor Gisinger, we tomorrow I'll start taking a look at at what the issues are over that Sawfish Bay Park area. Uh and we'll start taking a peek

487
02:22:39.600 --> 02:22:56.240
at that and see what we need to do to clean that up. and say um and so uh also last week uh once again our Jupiter Police Department setting a benchmark um you know the derelik vessels you know what a challenge that is all the time

488
02:22:56.240 --> 02:23:12.720
and these guys do a remarkable job so last week the Jupiter Police Department directed the removal of the derelik vessel known as second love from Jupiter's waterways this removal was part of the town's ongoing strategic initiative to protect Jupiter's waterways by removing those derelic

489
02:23:12.720 --> 02:23:27.840
vessels and it is a process to remove them. Since the beginning of 2024, 21 derelik vessels have been removed from Jupiter's waterway. And I told you that's a very complicated process. Also,

490
02:23:27.840 --> 02:23:44.080
I wanted to provide you a quick update. Uh, if you remember at the May 19th town council meeting, uh, there was some comments regarding the large fus tree located at Sinquest Park. I can tell you from the very beginning that tree has been a priority in this project. The

491
02:23:44.080 --> 02:24:00.000
town's certified arberist and certified arborist from our own construction contract have closely monitored the tree throughout throughout the fire station construction. Minimal pruning of the tree has been conducted only when needed and for the health of the tree. This beloved tree continues to thrive and

492
02:24:00.000 --> 02:24:16.160
will continue to be a major part of Sinquest Park. And I'd like to also remind everyone of our two fire stations river cutting ceremony scheduled for this week. Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. we will officially open station number 10 located on US1 near Bert Reynolds Park.

493
02:24:16.160 --> 02:24:32.880
Meanwhile, on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. we will cut the ribbon on station number 12 located adjacent to Sinquis Park. And so uh hope to see you all there. And uh mayor, that is my report. And I asked uh our town manager um and I said we would

494
02:24:32.880 --> 02:24:50.640
be disciplined under town council uh section is I asked him if he would stick around and we will discuss one topic and that's fire rescue because I do think you know because he's going to leave because we're going to be doing his review and and conversations and that's

495
02:24:50.640 --> 02:25:05.840
the normal practice. But I thought before he did that, uh, to the degree that I'm sure that in closing here, each one of us may have something further to say about, you know, uh, Jupiter Fire Rescue Department and the event

496
02:25:05.840 --> 02:25:23.439
yesterday, etc., etc., that he ought to be here to hear that and not just notes passed on. Right. So, so with that, uh, who wants you want to start? Uh, mayor, vice mayor, >> I'd be honored. I sit here and a little different than

497
02:25:23.439 --> 02:25:41.840
some of my colleagues who were part of the decision to say yes. My decision to say yes came when I was asked to run for town council. that process, I knew what I could know

498
02:25:41.840 --> 02:25:58.479
at that point in time from sitting in and listening to the decision making that happened up to that point. However, my pride came the day I met with Chief Daryl and our chief of police at the

499
02:25:58.479 --> 02:26:14.560
time. I wanted to hear from them why number one we should have our own fire rescue department and I walked out after meeting with the chief and said I will be part of that team.

500
02:26:14.560 --> 02:26:30.399
I will be there. I believe 100% that our fire rescue and our police will be the best thing ever in the 101 years of Jupiter. And that gave me the momentum to keep moving forward in the

501
02:26:30.399 --> 02:26:45.920
campaign because I knew I wanted to sit here and I wanted to be part of that ceremony yesterday. And it was heartfelt. It was beyond a wow factor. Um to see and there were tears. I am the

502
02:26:45.920 --> 02:27:02.560
first to tell you I had tears. But to look in that room and to see all of the staff who will be here with us and their families and the pride that they're going to be working with the finest I mean you are remarkable our two chiefs

503
02:27:02.560 --> 02:27:23.040
sitting here um I'm proud to say I'm sitting here on this dis and it's because of folks like you uh and the residents who said yes we want it. Thank you. Yeah, the um so we were here for the

504
02:27:23.040 --> 02:27:39.280
beginning of all this and uh it was a you know it was a slog and it was hardest on you know we we made the decision but town manager and the staff and fire chief and you guys got it all done you know um but you know the

505
02:27:39.280 --> 02:27:56.399
ceremony was unbelieved expectations um it was just I was just absorbing it the whole day so after the ceremon I walked out into the lobby and I'm standing there next to uh to Chad Norman, our um our K9 officer. We chitchat a little bit. Then I just stood there and just watched everybody for

506
02:27:56.399 --> 02:28:13.600
about 15 20 minutes just kind of it was just kind of like floating on air. Then went home, went finished my day, got home last night and to hop on your remarks, I had to text Sean. I said and I I think when my text said, you know, congratulations. That was the finest town event I've ever been to. It

507
02:28:13.600 --> 02:28:30.240
exceeded and you did a great job. and he responded, "Thank you and all that, but I, you know, I I I I noticed the same thing. He he he and his staff did remarkable job on that." So, um, it's just, it's just, we're kind of like in the glory days here. So, um, all right.

508
02:28:30.240 --> 02:28:46.319
So, uh, and again, uh, correct, uh, Mr. Baird, town attorney, we would not be here if it wasn't for you and your firm. And I've said that in the past, and I want to reiterate that, that, you know, your name is going to be on one of these buildings someday, I think.

509
02:28:46.319 --> 02:29:02.720
Hey, slow down. >> Put it on the rooftop, please. >> On the rooftop. Cocktail party. >> Cocktail party. >> Um, and this whole issue with, you know, uh, the county and fire and just they're just it's just sour grapes. I'm tired of

510
02:29:02.720 --> 02:29:20.800
it. I could I could uh let us have expletives, but I won't. It's just um they're just pushing us aside and just making us go over every hurdle we need have to. It's not necessary. These meetings should have been held months ago. They should be tomorrow. But um

511
02:29:20.800 --> 02:29:37.800
just we just keep pressing on. We're getting it done in spite of, you know, we had to build an extra fire station cuz they didn't want to deal with it and they didn't want to work with us. So whatever. We're just getting it done. That's it. So I'm over it anyway. That's it. Councelor Sunstrom.

512
02:29:37.840 --> 02:29:55.120
>> Um, you know, when I think about how like an internship helps with a job or how wedding planning and engagement helps you prepare for a marriage, you surviving all the guests and all the people around it. Um, you know, we have

513
02:29:55.120 --> 02:30:11.680
been we are well prepared for whatever comes our way. And I know that there's some bad news and a hiccup now and I'm as frustrated as anyone else, but I'm too happy um frankly to be too frustrated tonight. Um you know, we have worked those muscles. We know how to

514
02:30:11.680 --> 02:30:26.880
work together. We know how to face conflict. We don't back down. We're confident. We're clear. We're together. And I know that we're going to be fine going forward. And I say that with regards to all things. Um Frank, town manager, I'm so grateful for

515
02:30:26.880 --> 02:30:42.479
you. you know, you had multiple phases. The first was the information phase. The first burden was on us making that decision, but there's so much staff work that goes into supporting that decision and making that decision. Um, I thank

516
02:30:42.479 --> 02:30:58.160
you for all the information, the analysis for all the negotiations. I think people forget that we were going to have the original county mill, the full county mill, and it took a huge effort to even get to the contract negotiation phase. None of it was fair.

517
02:30:58.160 --> 02:31:14.399
And that would have been enormous. I can't I'd love to see those numbers because I I can imagine what they are. Um after that decision-making support, which was substantial, you had a communication task because the firestorm came and we were all in it together. You

518
02:31:14.399 --> 02:31:30.240
built a web page. You filled it with source material at our request and and video and everything because you know we live in a world where trust has to be earned. And if you you know don't take

519
02:31:30.240 --> 02:31:45.760
it from me, take it from the source. Take it directly from the source and we're going to give you everything. And that's exactly what you did. And it took a lot of work and a lot of um just diligence. Um Sean communicating through

520
02:31:45.760 --> 02:32:01.439
all of that. Our external affairs team crisis communications is what it felt like. That was a lot of effort. Um Tom, the legal challenge I'll never forget. That's quite a chapter. That was a chapter that we had. I'll never That was

521
02:32:01.439 --> 02:32:17.680
my first time visiting the courthouse. That was quite an experience. and um Travis, all that he did for us and watching him make that argument. Thank you for all the information, for all the fight that you put into that. Um, thank you for walking us through the fire a

522
02:32:17.680 --> 02:32:34.640
little bit with calm and steady hands, a little bit of a fight as well. Thank you for sharing all of those documents with me because you know me by now and you don't even you'll just do it in advance because you know I'll ask. Um, but that was a significant chapter. You know, if someone writes a book, the chapter is

523
02:32:34.640 --> 02:32:51.200
going to be, you know, the preparation, the decision, the firestorm, the legal challenge. I mean, each of these is a chapter that we've been through, each with its own challenges, and I'm just so grateful for all of you. Um, the fire family was out there. We welcome them yesterday, but it's also here. We're all

524
02:32:51.200 --> 02:33:06.800
part of it. Um, there was a lot of, you know, it was very specific, a lot of criticism coming mostly from the fire union and those around it. It looked bigger than it was online, but we felt all of the back and we got so much

525
02:33:06.800 --> 02:33:22.479
support everywhere. And so we never felt alone and a lot of that you helped build and you helped show us when we couldn't see it sometimes. And so I just want to thank you. I'm I'm humbled and I'm too happy to let anything get me down this

526
02:33:22.479 --> 02:33:39.920
week. It's too good. >> Councelor Gariger, I hate being >> I'm last. Um, what can I say? Yesterday's event, the swearing ceremony and also with last week's memorials event we had for our

527
02:33:39.920 --> 02:33:56.399
veterans. I mean, two very superb events that took a lot of effort on town staff to pull it off. They're excellent. And as a resident of Jupiter, both made me very proud to be a resident and also proud to serve on this council. and and

528
02:33:56.399 --> 02:34:12.160
hats off to the staff, Frank, you and your staff, Tom, and these three counselors sitting beside me for what has happened over the last three years to make the Jupiter fire come to reality. Phenomenal work, and I appreciate all that you guys did to make

529
02:34:12.160 --> 02:34:28.479
this happen. That's all. Thank you. >> All on the topic. Um, but um, gee, uh, Mr. Barrett, I want to thank you for giving the two guys a tour and and

530
02:34:28.479 --> 02:34:44.240
bringing them to the event they could see it. Um, you know, I had the pleasure in my long career with my prior employer to work with a lot of attorneys and he generally was on contracts and I think I was one of the few that would tell them

531
02:34:44.240 --> 02:34:59.200
when there was success because attorneys, just as you put it, rarely ever get the feedback to know the difference they made. So, oh my gosh, thank you. I can't, you know, I I could really relate and appreciate that you did that because I didn't include him in

532
02:34:59.200 --> 02:35:16.399
my remarks, but I knew in my remarks I wasn't going to be able to include everybody. Um, but I try to keep it as groups, but oh my gosh, you know, that's why it was such a team effort and thank you for um and just the fact that you explained to us that he could see the

533
02:35:16.399 --> 02:35:32.800
fruits of his labor. Absolutely. Is part of that team. Um, you know, and this is related, but you know, for those that may not have yet read Navy Bob's book, which I had, and then I had the pleasure of uh of meeting him and

534
02:35:32.800 --> 02:35:50.240
sitting with sitting in on a uh afternoon session that he had to employees or anybody who signed up, I did. And you know, in large part, it's about culture. It's about team culture, leading with love and all that. And um you know he talks about this top deck

535
02:35:50.240 --> 02:36:05.200
three but and I just want to reinforce on the Abacco station thing it you know the behaving that way is not unexpected from the county. They've been doing it all along. But really where it it hits

536
02:36:05.200 --> 02:36:22.800
me is we have one of three teams that are going to be working out of a temporary station which is far less than the accommodations that we want in the benchmark we have. So you know it's

537
02:36:22.800 --> 02:36:38.880
unfair to them if we allow this to go any and there's a lot of renovations that are needed there, right? and and you know the county knew that because if you ever saw what they have in budget for station renovations, they got they they need renovations. So while we didn't get a chance to see it, it was

538
02:36:38.880 --> 02:36:53.680
not unexpected that it hasn't been renovated in all those years. So, you know, I know and I'm just emphasizing we as the council, you know, I'm going to feel bad every day that we still have one of our three stations in a temporary

539
02:36:53.680 --> 02:37:10.080
station. So, yes. Yeah, we can. I have no doubt and knew we're going to be able to, you know, serve, but it is in a disadvantaged, you know, living arrangement, right, and even response arrangement to getting

540
02:37:10.080 --> 02:37:25.840
into Abico Station 16. And that's what we need to appeal to, you know, our colleagues, you know, our counter the county commission as well to say, would you treat your employees that way, you know, and especially on the town team. I just wanted to have said that

541
02:37:25.840 --> 02:37:43.200
perspective and then you know just kind of in closing and I want to just say refer to a few things because but and I suspect there may be nobody up here that thought about what I'm about to say but it whenever I look as the blessing of

542
02:37:43.200 --> 02:37:59.040
being the mayor whenever I'm asked to give remarks I am very careful about using I versus we. If you didn't know that, if you were to listen to the words I said yesterday, I

543
02:37:59.040 --> 02:38:16.080
can tell you I went back, I used I one time because it was appropriate. It was when I used the word Mr. Kitser as well because I was talking about how we've gone back and forth on that issue. Um, and every other time it was a we. And

544
02:38:16.080 --> 02:38:32.960
what's interesting about it is oftent time well first of all oftentimes except that I know that two weren't there in the beginning but beyond that the we is five on council but it generally always included the town manage town manager

545
02:38:32.960 --> 02:38:49.920
and it often included the entire team. So nobody may have thought about this but you know I spent time preparing what I was saying and I really felt which gives me such joy to be sharing that right that we have just an incredible team I mean it is

546
02:38:49.920 --> 02:39:07.600
unprecedented um and um so I just I can't overemphasize that you think about it is like everybody that's participated and I said this the level of organizational teamwork has been inspiring an unprecedented government

547
02:39:08.080 --> 02:39:22.720
We're and it showed in the event, right? It shows where we are, right? It's divine providence that we're where we are today. But, you know, and and a lot of that I attribute to our town manager and his leadership because from the very

548
02:39:22.720 --> 02:39:41.040
first day when we went down this path, um, you know, he worked hard. He assembled a team, you know, and uh you know, he convinced me and as I said it on here, you know, with he and Scott and the others, but um you know, they led

549
02:39:41.040 --> 02:39:55.200
the studies, the analysis, the preliminary planning efforts, provided key information and professional opinions that enabled the council to make the policy decisions that we did and that's all of them not when and including some that have happened since

550
02:39:55.200 --> 02:40:12.640
everybody's here at the dis today and uh but you know as I said I'm just repeating this that you know his team and I I was calling out you know Frank and and Scott convinced me that they and

551
02:40:12.640 --> 02:40:29.760
then in turn I said we were capable and wellprepared to embark on this undertaking and that we grew over time that we started out on that first day and it was three council members And we knew that, you know, our town

552
02:40:29.760 --> 02:40:46.319
manager had the team engaged. But that team grew and truly and I hope our staff recall this believe this is every single staff member because whether they worked directly or they were covering for work

553
02:40:46.319 --> 02:41:02.960
that somebody left behind because they're working on the fire rescue, right? It is just just absolutely incredible. Um, and um, anyway, I'll just leave it at that. But, you know, oh my gosh, thank you. >> My pleasure.

554
02:41:02.960 --> 02:41:20.160
>> My honor. >> All of our pleasure and all of our honor. >> Exactly. >> And with that, I think you want to >> get out of here. Roger to come up here. >> Yep. >> Oh, he can't wait. >> And and thank you for giving us a heads up to come up with our questions of him.

555
02:41:20.160 --> 02:41:54.000
>> Thank you, mayor. Thank you. So I I I think that uh we should start we'll finish the round table after we do the one agenda item that we were not agenda but we knew we came here to discuss and that is uh talking about uh you know the perform our performance uh

556
02:41:54.000 --> 02:42:11.200
critique of our town manager, you know, let everybody have a chance to say something into the record and then um although we kind of already have >> uh but um if you want to say anything else and then we need to kind of go down the line and you know talk about what

557
02:42:11.200 --> 02:42:27.680
what does that how should we you know we address you know a compensation you know for the his work of the past year. So with that uh somebody want to go first on just the critique? I mean

558
02:42:27.680 --> 02:42:44.080
>> I don't have a problem with um going first. During my performance evaluation with the town manager cons a lot of consideration was given to the creation of Jupiter fire rescue. I look at everything you've all said on

559
02:42:44.080 --> 02:43:00.800
the dis and I won't repeat it. That was it's right in front of us. So he's overseeing 150 staff there. He's overseeing a police department with 150 gun and I say this gun carrying

560
02:43:00.800 --> 02:43:16.720
officers overseeing capital projects, budgets, emergency management, negotiating the PBA contract for our police, managing 600 staff. As I look at this town manager,

561
02:43:16.720 --> 02:43:31.840
um, this man leads with skill, diligence, but the biggest thing I see with our town manager, he leads with a huge heart. And that of course cannot be done alone. And it's been demonstrated by every

562
02:43:31.840 --> 02:43:49.840
single department that I have and all of us see every day. Yesterday was a clear example. Um, this man knows how to run a town. I equate what this gentleman does. It's

563
02:43:49.840 --> 02:44:07.439
he's as superior if not better than CEO of private firms outside of municipality or in government. Um, so when we get to the point of compensation, um, I think we need to address

564
02:44:07.439 --> 02:44:23.760
everything he's done to this point and know that it took an extraordinary individual who has skills beyond what may have been required of a town manager um, in other municipalities. So, um,

565
02:44:23.760 --> 02:44:38.640
with that I say those are my comments and wait until we get into, um, consideration for compensation. >> I go, I just have a partial list here. Um, I could have gone on much longer,

566
02:44:38.640 --> 02:44:56.240
but anyway, recent hirings of department heads have repart recent hirings of department heads have paid immediate dividends. Effectively reorganized some town directors organiz organizational chart. Effectively improved town staff morale with award recognition.

567
02:44:56.240 --> 02:45:13.200
Has great teaching and mentoring skill due to his vast experience. Effectively organizes and schedules projects, agendas, and time-sensitive ventures. Brilliantly organized and executed the JFRD department in less than three years, which by the way, we started with nothing but one fire station that we

568
02:45:13.200 --> 02:45:28.640
can't even access until after the fire department's online. be touched on that tonight. Uh, Mr. Kitro has is met and exceeded all my expectations. I could just go on and on. This is this would be a waste of time. So, go to the next counselor. >> Well, I'll just go down to Das on this

569
02:45:28.640 --> 02:45:43.840
one and just add because I already commented, but you know, um, you know what I said yesterday was in reflecting upon just fire rescue really because it's not just fire rescue. It's the whole organization that made it happen.

570
02:45:43.840 --> 02:46:00.319
And for the three of us that made that initial decision and yes I didn't worry about it um I had confidence but I and you know if you knew me in my

571
02:46:00.319 --> 02:46:17.120
other job for years I have really high it it takes a lot for some you know when I would do reviews and whatever but every single reasonable expectation that I could have ever imagined was exceeded.

572
02:46:17.120 --> 02:46:36.000
I mean, really, um, you can't I in my wildest dreams, I had no doubt we were going to get ready by October 1st, but I thought there'd be some more hiccups along the way. Right. >> Can I ask you? >> I'm a project manager. >> I ask you a question because this is your thing. >> Yeah. The only thing I

573
02:46:36.000 --> 02:46:52.560
sort of worried about was just the timelines of building completion of worrying about the contractor trucks just delivery on time. I never feared what but it all happened. So was that your same was that the only little nagging thing you had because that's all I >> No. No. But look, I'm a longtime project

574
02:46:52.560 --> 02:47:10.080
manager and you know we get paid to solve issues that come up, right? And uh there's no project that ever went smooth, you know, >> right? >> And that's why I don't have any hair, by the way. if you didn't know that. But uh um but just the fact that uh it um you

575
02:47:10.080 --> 02:47:25.520
know just the fact that we kept going along and we had hurdles. I mean we had walls that we had to kind of climb over but every one of them we just climbed over and just kept going. Right. It was just it really was it's the most enjoyable experience I've ever had. So

576
02:47:25.520 --> 02:47:41.600
you know and you know I never expected you know per se we're going to be within budget. I knew when we when I was saying to committing to the public, we're going to come in under um and um again, this is from a seasoned, you know, project manager,

577
02:47:41.600 --> 02:48:00.560
right? Um and um so just I just I'm just in awe and uh grateful, you know, for the leadership and the entire team effort. So this is a team effort, but a team effort unlike anything I think anybody has truly experienced.

578
02:48:00.560 --> 02:48:15.680
All right, we're at 9:45 p.m. So, I'm going to be super quick. I'm going to say the PBA negotiation was excellent. We've talked on fire, so assume all things fire. Yes, PBA negotiation was excellent. 100th year anniversary was a lot to coordinate. I think that was excellent. Um, I appreciate his

579
02:48:15.680 --> 02:48:31.200
attention to staff, both with his committee to look at quality of life for staff, but also uh leadership Jupiter, which is something he started, which is still continuing, just always being accessible. Um I'm grateful he successfully swore in our new JPD chief.

580
02:48:31.200 --> 02:48:48.319
Um and well a couple actually uh onboarded our full JFRD team uh with you know all these all these different sectors. Strategic planning you know I was I you do have to touch on fire because it does touch everything. But you know project management is making

581
02:48:48.319 --> 02:49:03.680
sure there's enough of a buffer when you order apparatus. We ordered those like immediately after making the decision knowing the three-year lead time. We made sure we had every bit of time we could to ensure success and allow for hiccups. So we do um that was good. The temporary station is creative problem

582
02:49:03.680 --> 02:49:18.800
solving. We had a we had a wall. We we worked our way over around it. Um and you know I just think that's excellent. So those are kind of some of the things that stood out to me. a lot of the negotiations we've had um working on the

583
02:49:18.800 --> 02:49:36.319
budget, transparency around the budget, mapping um strategic planning to the budget more closely um all of that. So the nonavalorum studies, all that's been going into that he's really been focusing on on our budget quite a bit

584
02:49:36.319 --> 02:49:52.640
and I'm grateful to him for that. So all of these different areas, communications, personnel, project management, fiscal discipline, all of it, I'm grateful. So ditto. No. Um,

585
02:49:52.640 --> 02:50:09.040
couple things stood out. Uh, from an achievement standpoint, obviously we've all mentioned the Jupiter fire established in the fire department. We saw everything come to fruition tonight or yesterday with the swear in ceremony. Uh, the PBA contract was a big hurdle. So, Sunny Sands was a big hurdle that we

586
02:50:09.040 --> 02:50:25.600
had to get through with Tom and Frank's leadership. We got through that. So, uh I always looked at Frank's board up there of all of the things he had he was working on and when he would check them off and I checked my notes, how are we doing everything? And he shared that

587
02:50:25.600 --> 02:50:42.560
list with me. So, there are so many things you can credit Frank from his leadership standpoint getting things done. He's very proactive. He's liked by his staff. He uh looks at opportunities to develop his employees. We've seen that this year. And also he looked where

588
02:50:42.560 --> 02:50:59.279
he needed to look as far as promoting some people to very high positions within the town. So and we had to go upon his wisdom and what he fed us and provided us in making those decision and they were all the right decisions. So uh u I had like six different categories I

589
02:50:59.279 --> 02:51:15.120
ranked rank on. I evaluated each one of them and all but five out of six I gave him exceeded expectations. So I think Haleium he works well with council. He keeps us informed and I think he's the right person for this job at this time.

590
02:51:15.120 --> 02:51:31.200
So >> okay now moving on to the second part of it is uh a compensation adjustment. I'll just start by saying I do believe uh that uh we should give him a uh adjustment in his base salary and then I

591
02:51:31.200 --> 02:51:47.040
do believe uh due to the special year and coincidentally this review goes to 61 you know which was the event you know as we reflect I do believe that he should get uh we should reward him also with some kind of you know a one-time

592
02:51:47.040 --> 02:52:03.760
bonus if you will you know for that work. So I' open it up for discussion about that. >> Sure. >> I agree with that. I think we need a bonus. Um we sp we spoke about how we were structuring compensation before. I

593
02:52:03.760 --> 02:52:21.200
do want to note May 17th, 2025, we gave one of the largest structural changes with the contract, the new contract and his pay. We bumped him up from 248 to 300,000 which was the largest ever done in the history of the town. So we did a lot um

594
02:52:21.200 --> 02:52:36.080
that was with his contract. It was timed with his contract. So um was kind I kind of wish that that would have come with the completion of fire, you know, with the perfect timing for everything. But uh we do have another big year for us.

595
02:52:36.080 --> 02:52:52.479
And we did talk about how, you know, the bonus is it only speaks to the year, right? It's one time and what a year we've had. So I really want to stand out with that. Um, and for um, base I want to look at I we're going to have a lot

596
02:52:52.479 --> 02:53:10.279
of discussions going forward, but the big picture with budget, what we're doing for our staff, looking at what's in line there. Um, because I feel like we've already done a huge restructuring of base. Uh, we did a lot of that last year. So,

597
02:53:15.760 --> 02:53:32.319
>> regarding a bonus, yeah, I think the emphasis should be on the bonus this year based upon all the competence in last year and this year and and I'm not opposed to an adjustment, but I think the emphasis should be on all the accomplishments he's completed over the past year or so.

598
02:53:32.319 --> 02:53:48.880
I I the reason I said both I thought to some degree is that just as a general rule when we established the budget and we're still really in the fiscal year 26 budget and making this decision. >> We said we set a decision uh in the

599
02:53:48.880 --> 02:54:06.720
current fiscal year that people whose review come up during the year would get a 5% you know adjustment. That doesn't mean everybody gets one. It depends how you perform and whatever. >> But I do think that sets the basis for and then beyond that um you know um you

600
02:54:06.720 --> 02:54:20.960
know I think a >> you know a bonus is in is this because of the just the special nature of what's been achieved and where we stand at this moment right momentous moment. So that's

601
02:54:20.960 --> 02:54:39.120
so I'm throwing out the 5% as a salary adjustment, you know, to kind of keep it, you know, every year people generally get, you know, some type of adjustment and then and then a bonus, but as opposed to doing all bonus. >> No, I agree with you. My notes reflect

602
02:54:39.120 --> 02:54:56.720
uh what we're giving in the staff. 5% would have been the top employee performance and I think that's very appropriate and I think a bonus on the year's activity and what is still to come is where our conversation

603
02:54:56.720 --> 02:55:20.800
should we should put energy into that >> any was the bonus last go around >> we didn't we focused on the structure and the base. We did a 50,000 jump 51 >> two years ago. >> Two years ago. Well, 2025. May 2025. Yeah. With the contract. So, we because

604
02:55:20.800 --> 02:55:38.000
we focused on base, we didn't do a >> We didn't do a bonus last time. >> No, we did it two years ago. Few years ago, we moved that bonus into the base. >> Into the base. Right. Okay. >> Kind of what we did. >> I think it was 10,000. >> What was that bonus? >> It was the one time.

605
02:55:38.000 --> 02:55:52.479
>> It was hefty. It was 51 time >> because that's almost why we then moved that into base, right? >> The second year has seen it's really been consistent, right? >> Okay. >> Plus, we had, you know, we don't for the newer members here, for the newer

606
02:55:52.479 --> 02:56:09.680
members, you know, we do get when we ask um and we have it from last year and you know, vice mayor, you were a board, but you know, councelor Gisinger wasn't. So we you know um and I I didn't ask for it this time because I still had the

607
02:56:09.680 --> 02:56:27.439
benchmark to other you know of the uh and I know there's adjust every year but you know and I so I still even have that here you know of how others are you know compensated if you will uh but um any event

608
02:56:27.439 --> 02:56:44.080
so >> well you're looking for a recommendation for a bonus. Yeah. Well, we need to come to a consensus on it. So, let's talk about it. >> You know, >> we agreed upon the 5%. >> Do we agree on >> adjustment? I guess >> I think that's >> that'd be a 15k increase in salary.

609
02:56:44.080 --> 02:56:59.200
>> Correct. And we've we've done 5% before and the plan is currently outlined. >> From a bonus, I think it's something should be a little higher than that. Higher than 15, maybe double. So, I'd be happy with the 35k bonus. It takes it to 350 for all the work he's done in the

610
02:56:59.200 --> 02:57:15.279
last year. The bonus plus the adjustment. I would agree with that. >> I think to the well just to the degree that I've been I've sitting up here and in the past participated >> um you know two years ago in large part

611
02:57:15.279 --> 02:57:31.840
when we gave them 50 it was in large part the progress we were making. >> Mhm. >> Now it's been effectively brought across the finish line. So, I was curious to hear what people would say, but it's in my mind it have to be at least that.

612
02:57:31.840 --> 02:57:49.560
>> I I agree. Yeah. If it it was 50 at least that >> for what's >> for this type of >> for this? Yeah. >> But what number >> these results we've gotten since? It's um >> what were you thinking of a number?

613
02:57:51.600 --> 02:58:08.640
It's kind of not really, but 60 more. I mean, I'm open-ended because it's >> Sure, we need to come to >> No, I'm I'm open to the 50. Um, I understand your rationale about wanting

614
02:58:08.640 --> 02:58:28.160
to go forward, but I think with the 5% leaving it at that and $50,000 bonus, um, I'm comfortable there. >> Do we have do we have a consensus on that?

615
02:58:28.160 --> 02:58:45.200
>> I was happy with the 35. So >> I was also I think we've got a really challenging operating environment, a different operating environment than we had before. Um it is it's I mean I've always been cautious about

616
02:58:45.200 --> 02:59:02.560
he is an executive and we have to pay him like an executive and I agree with the 5% and I agree with the bonus. I think 35 is excellent. I think it's not it's not a small amount. I want to be careful about where we go with this in the future because I see these amounts like the 50 the 50k base was really

617
02:59:02.560 --> 02:59:18.080
shocking, really hard to digest for me. I we got it there, but that was really hard for me and I'm just I kind of worry where this is going because we're really leaving the stratosphere of other municipalities. >> You think so? >> Oh, yes. >> I don't I don't know. >> Bokeh is 307.

618
02:59:18.080 --> 02:59:34.319
>> Well, I I also >> and it's a larger population. I absolutely want to honor this accomplishment. I want the bonus. I want there to be a bonus. I want it to be significant. I think it is. Um I welcome the 5%. I want to be careful with staff watching with others watching and all

619
02:59:34.319 --> 02:59:49.520
that we're about to go through. I want to signal that we're being careful and being >> I understand. >> Yeah. >> And I'll just give my basis. Um the and I have a year old salary data here. So,

620
02:59:49.520 --> 03:00:07.439
you know, we said last year, Palm Beach Gardens city mayor gets last year was at 412. >> Mhm. >> And uh we said, "No, we're never going to compensate for that." Right. So, we we're aware of that. But none No, I'm just saying. >> But there was three others on this list

621
03:00:07.439 --> 03:00:23.840
last year that were making that were making 300 more than 300. >> Okay. So I, you know, I put uh M, you know, Frank in that category, which is why last year I was supportive of moving his base salary to there. >> We're still in the range.

622
03:00:23.840 --> 03:00:39.920
>> What's that? >> We're still in the range. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, understand. >> But is it based on population? >> Is one of them West Palm Beach with a >> Yeah, West Palm Beach. Palm Beach population. Yeah. >> But when we look at what's been achieved, I'm just saying that was last year. And so I don't think moving at 5%

623
03:00:39.920 --> 03:00:56.240
you know it's still kind of and they could all have gotten >> but then on the bonus side I mean if there ever is a time you know and the bonus isn't perpetual it's one time and that's it right so I'm not as sensitive to a message I'm sending

624
03:00:56.240 --> 03:01:11.840
>> because I certainly believe that it's time to you know reward. So that's why >> I I agree this the the Jupiter fire is so significant and I think the five I think the 5% increase in salary that's just to me that would just be successful

625
03:01:11.840 --> 03:01:28.560
just just mandatory. I think this is such a milestone. I mean I asked him I said Frank is this the crowning achievement on your career? He kind of pondered a little bit. He goes yeah I've never started a department before. You know it's it's significant.

626
03:01:28.560 --> 03:01:46.560
So, um I I'm I'm in at least 50. I mean, I'll I'll do what you know, you folks want, but I I think you deserve at least 50 because we you know >> Well, and I look at bonuses as just that the past year. >> Yeah. >> In addition to fire rescue, the contractual nightmare that he went

627
03:01:46.560 --> 03:02:02.080
through police department >> and then just what we saw tonight. I think it's a thank you. He did it. He did it in a seamless way that not many people could do his emotions

628
03:02:02.080 --> 03:02:19.200
and to keep the team that made that happen. His leadership is powerful and I think we have to appreciate that and I know we all do. So I think that 50,000 it one time bonuses aren't given out every year and they shouldn't be

629
03:02:19.200 --> 03:02:35.520
structured into somebody's compensation >> which is why we have it in the contract that way and the way we deal with it. Exactly. >> And last year we didn't do a bonus. >> But I'll just say this also to add is like you know I remember as we were preparing for the

630
03:02:35.520 --> 03:02:51.040
event yesterday meaning some days before I was telling Frank you know we made the decision on August 15th 2023 and here we are 33 and a half months later. His first words were

631
03:02:51.040 --> 03:03:07.439
>> it felt like six years, >> right? >> No, no. I mean, I'm serious. So, you think about it is I agree >> is now time flies, but you know, it was subconsciously saying >> the toll it took on him >> the longest pregnancy ever. And the

632
03:03:07.439 --> 03:03:22.640
reason he could do it because he has the temperament >> to to withstand all the moving parts. And >> not most people do not even in an executive position is that and I know you you're thinking of town employees what they're saying but this is this is

633
03:03:22.640 --> 03:03:38.640
a this is this is the CEO of the town. It's a special position. I don't gauge it with the other pay scales and I the 5%. Yeah. But you know I'm looking at retention. Want to keep him for a while. He's going to want to retire someday. But I and I think he deserves a 50.

634
03:03:38.640 --> 03:03:54.640
>> I think we have a majority, too. And I'm certainly not going to get in the way of harming our top manager or get have a vote be, you know, too close. So, you know, I understand what you're saying. And so, I think we're already >> You can also look at is is the success

635
03:03:54.640 --> 03:04:10.720
of implementing Jupiter Fire, the money the taxpayers are saving. This is just a nice little thank you from everybody. They're paying for it. >> Thank you. Thank you for saving us $10 million a year. I know sometimes they're giving the guy 50k bonus. >> Not everybody out there realizes the

636
03:04:10.720 --> 03:04:26.000
work and the whiteboards. >> Oh, those I mean he just gets he Tom you see it. He just gets it done. So >> and it was more than 10 million because if we went to the full millillage it would have done. But just lastly, and

637
03:04:26.000 --> 03:04:41.600
almost really this really did hit me actually because you know >> Frank probably wasn't even thinking about what he was saying but it was really how he felt. I mean he was yesterday was like and he he was saying

638
03:04:41.600 --> 03:04:58.800
I feel the weight off my shoulder and I said to him you put it there right >> he put it on himself but he's been through six years in 33 and a2 months >> and I was sharing that with his wife because we were standing there and she was saying how many times she was

639
03:04:58.800 --> 03:05:13.600
experienced of him >> not being able to rest well >> sleep >> because of all these obstacles, you know. Anyway, >> well, and he also ran the entire town in addition in addition to bringing that 33

640
03:05:13.600 --> 03:05:30.479
months together. So, I think we all >> Do we have a consensus then for 5% and $50,000? >> Yeah, I won't stand in the way. You have my consensus. >> Thank you. >> I just don't want to confuse what's required of the job like to me the PBA suns all part of the job as what went

641
03:05:30.479 --> 03:05:46.240
above me which is the fire department. So, I'm okay with it. >> Thank you. And you know what? There's a hell heck of bunches of managers for other municipalities that never would have taken this lift on. >> Right. >> Because it'd been easy to say, "Hell, we can't do it." >> Exactly.

642
03:05:46.240 --> 03:06:02.000
>> There's been a lot of councils and managers would not have taken this lift on. >> So, thank you. Uh then moving on. I don't think we have to >> motion. No. >> Do we need a motion? >> Why don't you do that? >> Okay.

643
03:06:02.000 --> 03:06:17.520
>> All right. I'd like to make a motion to give the town manager uh 15% sorry 5% salary salary increase and a a onetime $50,000 bonus. >> Okay. >> Second >> motion to second. All in favor signify

644
03:06:17.520 --> 03:06:32.000
by saying I. >> I. Motion carries unanimously. >> Um okay, moving on to just remaining items for round table. I know one item I'll first turn it over to uh uh

645
03:06:32.000 --> 03:06:47.520
councelor Sunstrom because we got uh given to us uh a legislative item she wanted to discuss. >> Um and this isn't round table. We're just doing council comments. So it's my okay overall. Okay. Just checking. Um

646
03:06:47.520 --> 03:07:04.880
yes, let me move over. So council, you received um a series of eight letters today. uh they are drafted for each of our appropriations requests which are still in the budget. Unbelievable unbelievably we're we're thrilled with our lobbyists with all the efforts that have gone into

647
03:07:04.880 --> 03:07:20.560
this. Um we have been actively building a case for each of these. A number of letters are being sent um from others, but we also wanted to have this suite of letters from our mayor and from our council. So, they were sent earlier for review and I just wanted to ask um that

648
03:07:20.560 --> 03:07:36.399
we have consensus that we send those out um in support of our priorities. Um and it is again it's great news that this late in the game we have we have all of these appropriations requests still you know still in the game. Yeah.

649
03:07:36.399 --> 03:07:51.200
>> We have an opportunity to support them through these letters like this. So, >> absolutely. And for us it's kind of you know table stakes. We're also getting others. But this is something we needed to do and we've never done it before. I'm so thrilled with our lobbyists just to understand the processing to be

650
03:07:51.200 --> 03:08:08.319
included like this, to be able to be a part of it, to learn to to contribute. Um, >> I can't say enough good things about our lobbyists. >> Do you need a motion for this? >> Well, discussion discussion. I I just I have just two comments about the letters

651
03:08:08.319 --> 03:08:24.080
and I could live with them exactly as they are but what I'm about to say the first part is first item is consistent what I said earlier mayor as mayor it's appropriate that I would sign the letter but all the councils on here so I think all the

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letters should start with not as mayor of the town of Jupiter I but we are writing >> we as the town >> okay I like that >> we have in the past sent letters Like on the Jonathan Dickinson Jonathan Dickinson issue, we sent a letter with

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all of our signatures. We could do that. >> Well, we could do that or we could do that. And you know, I wasn't saying that, but I'm okay with that. >> My point was I do think that, >> you know, because it says mayor on the signature. So if it was just my signature, then you don't need to start

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off, you know, saying, you know, as mayor. So either way, I'm okay with. So that's one item, but I think that it's more appropriate to to share that to change that >> mayor on behalf of the council a good idea. >> That's the quickest. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.

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Um, and then and then I just thought um on the athletic field repairs and I really, you know, I was trying to come up with some quick wording, but I just wanted to make the point um that, you know, and I like the fact I think

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there was even words in here about the athletic park. It talks about regional athletic complex, but in the first second paragraph, I'm just talking about the uh $700,000 athletic repairs, >> right? But I do think that some

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reference to the fact that 50 I think education to the governor helps that 50% of athletic team participation participants using these town-owned parks and facilities reside outside the town of Jupiter and therefore contribute no

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maybe sensitive but property taxes towards field maintenance and upgrades. you know, because I do think I mean I said that to the, you know, our uh uh legislators because I wanted them to know, no, this isn't an earmark for the town. >> This is an earmark truly, you know, for

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a greater population. >> Yeah, exactly. So, I just think that note could be added in here. Other than that, I looked at them and I appreciate the effort >> put into this, but I just think that does help our case. >> It's a good recommendation. >> Do I agree with that?

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>> Yeah. I I want to just check with staff because a number of letters are being sent on our behalf um from like BDB from a number of other partners of ours that may offer other perspectives and we may be trying to offer different perspectives but I agree we want to generally have a higher level view of

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things we could talk about um yeah the number of of youth and adults from other municipality we we can you know >> we know from the data it's 50% well exactly we could give percentages we could give numbers but we could give a regional a more regional perspective in

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terms of data. So, I did look at that one. Um, and I did notice the same thing, especially after the beach one that talks about the 500,000 annual users and that gave the regional perspective. We should have the same for the parks. So, that's fine. I think that's fine.

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>> But then all of the letters would need to be changed for on behalf of versus the one. >> Keep it brief. Keep it brief. >> Yep. As long as we can get them signed out soon because this is a tight I know it does. Yeah. So, we'll just leave it to you with that comments and you can edit it and then

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>> you can sign digitally or whatever. >> Wonderful. >> Um, and then just the other update, as I'm sure all of you know, um, the Florida legislature approved Governor Dantis' property tax relief proposal. So, it was passed with a 30-9 vote in

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the Senate, a 75 to 26 in the House. Um, this measure could scale up the state's homestead exemption from 50,000 to 150,000 in 2027 up to 250,000 by 2028. So, it's a lot to digest. It was released, you know, late last week over the weekend. Uh, this session was

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only a couple of days. So, we're all taking a breath, digesting, understanding how this um, you know, works in Jupiter. And so, you know, as time goes on, I'm sure throughout this budget season, we'll be having more conversations about that. But that is

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all for the legislative side. Um I thanked Travis and legal that was on my list. Um I do want to say I'm going to I'm going to say this. I'm really um a little frustrated with the communication around the NAV. I think we

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really need to improve the nonavalorome assessment communication. I think there's a lot of good news there that's getting um a little confused. >> That word is >> Yeah. And I know the letter and I I kind of agree. I've had so many residents and neighbors come up to me since the letter

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came out and the main concern is that they feel when they hear assessment, when you hear HOA assessment or something like that, um they're thinking it's additive. >> Correct. >> They're thinking it's additive. It is not. It is not additive. >> This is a conversation I had with Scott

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yesterday. >> Visual. We just need to do a better job visualizing sharing that from the resident's point of view across a kitchen table. Um >> I've said before like maybe morally

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could Marley could do something just um we need to do a better job with this. We are replacing we're we're removing a huge number. We talked about that, all the savings, but um every single um trim

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notice, every, you know, every single property tax bill, that line item for Jupiter fire is disappearing. And that is big news. Big news potentially. So depending on, of course, what we do, >> we need to do it. We're not doing it.

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And we really need to um and I'm frustrated and I know that legally we have different restrictions in terms of the letter that wasn't our language. That's legal language that has to go in there. But we are burying the lead. We

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are, you know, not not being clear and we're not putting it at a household level. 10 million is not easy to understand. So I agree with some >> video. >> Yeah. all that we did for fire rescue on

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the on the web page, not the website, but we need to really make sure that everyone understands what this is and that there is a lot of good news all around um on fire rescue and it's going

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to keep coming. It started yesterday, but the savings, all of it is good news. And so as soon as I walk it through with my neighbors and I show them the trim notice and I put a giant X through this one line and I talk about the dollars,

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then they get it. But I have to I can't do that, you know, 62,000 times or whatever. So we really have to scale it up. We I want to see I want to see something and soon because I you know we're going to come to a meeting that's going to be packed with mostly confused

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residents and I don't want that for them and I want everyone to be able to celebrate and enjoy Jupiter Fire Rescue and that's it. >> Council Ging, do you have anything? >> Nothing to add to that. >> I'm done. And no, I just want to say I

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agree um with council sunstorm and that that language unfortunately of special assessment is what I think precipitated >> you're sitting at a kitchen table we and we can't do it to 62,000 people. So >> well if we can do

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>> and I just want to add to that Adam. Well, first of all, you know, I've watched how the community has um reacted to the notification and they're all over the map. I mean, I

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saw one person saying, "Oh my gosh, I thought I was going to this line item goes away and now only pay 60 bucks." So, they were actually using it to defend people. Oh my gosh, no, it's not bad. This is good news. Look how much we're saving. So, I mean, there is so they're all over the map. Not everybody

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is worrying. Some people think they're getting much better. I Oh my gosh, I'm getting a bigger savings than I thought. So, with that, I just want to say I looked at Well, it's a complicated subject, >> and I don't know that anybody could have

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ever done it the way we ideally we want because it's a complicated subject. Which is why I've been advocated all along. Let's just keep it simple. what we were telling people for two years. But that said, and but the next meeting is when this happens. So people going to

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be here next meeting. And uh I just want to share kind of in closing, you know, I I had gotten from, you know, Scott the line item by property number assessment.

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And uh so I've I've confirmed that the what I consider to be unfair disparities are widespread and uh I've talked that so I'm talking about the non and the disparities is

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that fundamentally residential properties that have garages, porches, balcony spaces, if you got a town or a condo, you don't pay for that. Single family, you do. So, I've confirmed that I've given this uh to uh you know,

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Scott, the Islands of Abakcoa town houses, the Charleston Court town houses, the Abaccoa town center town houses, the Tuskanyany town houses, the Martinique town houses, the Windsor Park town houses, the Caniper Place town houses, New Haven townous, Botanica town houses, Se Palms town houses, Malerie

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Creek townouses, Grand Witch townous, OciOla wood townous, Tiarod del Solo, Jupiter condominiums, the cornerstone economy, miniums 15 areas widespread will benefit from a different assessment

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that I think is unfair. Now, you could say everybody's, you know, it's okay. But in addition, early on, I was just saying I didn't agree with the way the assessment is where it was kind of an exponential. Um, I don't think, and I would hope I don't want our staff to

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have to try to defend this, to try to defend how there was ever any logic. Everybody was well-intentioned, you know, I have no doubt about that, right? The ideal thing was to do this, but I I I just think it's a mistake. um and you know people why you know

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can't answer that because we were told on day one you couldn't change it when we asked the question >> but we have to know that it's not I agree with the residents that spoke earlier it's not you could argue either way I should I be paying as much as a celebrity with a 40,000 there it's either you can make the case either way

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but ultimately it's at the margins the vast majority of the rate will be at will be non advalorum this st it offers resilience It offer it takes care of that the debt portion. It's it does a lot for the stability financial.

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>> We're not debating it. All I want to do is just have shares. >> There's a 2 million gap as well in the general fund that we would have to sort it would be it would be done by advalorum tax. So, >> but that's taken a tiny percentage of the what's going to be. So, the line items coming off from from Palm Beach

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County Fire is coming off their their tax bill that's going away. And the the cheaper price of Jupiter fire is going to be added to the the normal adum. Hold on. But hold on a second. And a tiny percentage of what's added to the the ad valerum that we're going to have a 50

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vote to increase. It'll still be much cheaper than the Palm Beach County fire. Then a tiny percentage of that is going to be that. But when you keep bringing that up, you're adding to the confusion out there because people have learn now you're saying it's not fair. That's that's adding to it.

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>> It's not confusion. It isn't fair. by you could say it's fair. All four of you can say you think it's fair >> but it's also not fair for like you know you know 2,000 foot home to to pay it the same amount is a >> celebrity 40 we'll say 40 that's not

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fair. So there's no there's no exact fair absolute down to the penny fair. It's peanuts on the margins. >> So but we're going to have we did that. I understand I understand you want complete fairness. Nothing's going to be exact. It's it's pennies, but that gives

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the town flexibility in the future for because that can be used for debt service, which ad Valerum cannot, and seeing what's coming down the pike with property taxes with Tallahassee. We don't know yet. It just gives us flexibility. >> No, we don't. And we could come back if

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we if if we were to decide not to do it, we could come back next year and do it. and you would keep the cut in explanation completely consistent with what we represented. We could >> and but I'm just saying this because >> next time I'm not married to that.

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>> Next meeting it's going to be the public hearing >> but we're getting a chance to discuss and it is complicated. So any time to discuss is good time. So either way either way we're saving over 10 million a year first year in out of the gate >> and every resident is saving and this is at the margin >> adding to the confusion. So

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>> the confusion that's a fact. >> Well >> there's a logic. Okay. A garage or or a porch or a balcony in a town home isn't doesn't have a fire hazard. >> It's granular. and we've got a communications issue, >> but we go to the flat rate. That's not fair. If you if you if if you know, does

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a 20,000t home have more potential for fire hazard than a 3,000 foot home? It probably does. It has more systems. >> To me, this is the bigger disparity than the than the square footage. >> I don't know. >> But whatever. >> But we've got a millage issue as well. I mean, we're going to have a host of

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communication issues, but if we're not aligned on this, if we're not being proactive, um, we need to be more proactive, I think, because we have more stuff coming down the pike. This is just one part of it. And given our external environment, we're really going to have to, what we learned from fire rescue is

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that in tough times, more communication is better, not less. And so if we have to do an town hall like we did during ebikes or something listening sessions HOAs we have to get the message out around the financing for Jupiter fire because there is a lot of confusion

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around finance and we are we have done such an incredible job we are doing this is good news this is good news agree and I don't want that to be lost and I don't want to build anxiety into an environment that already has so much and so I just caution this council, all of

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us, we have a lot of a heavy lift coming up through these next months. >> Let's do our best to not add to confusion to try to come around something so that we can help our residents digest a whole lot of change.

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>> We we were told in the first meeting we heard about that when you do a study, you can't change it. We were told when we asked. So, okay. >> I Right. But there's there's no absolute fair system. This is just >> I don't disagree. >> And I think just to summarize it is

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>> but if not all of us are married to it then >> we have we have a communication issue more than anything else. >> Just adding to the confusion. >> We have a positive $10 million. I mean all positive. We got to communicate >> right >> and if we have to think about communicate communicating around a

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kitchen table let's do it. Town halls whatever it takes. >> It's positive. get the message out. >> Yep. >> With that, the time is now 10:21 and we'll adjourn the meeting.