Good evening. The time is now 700 p.m. and I'll call to order the town council meeting of Thursday, August 7th. We'll begin with an invocation followed by a moment of silence and then the pledge of allegiance. If all those that are able
please join me in standing. Let us pray. Almighty God, as we gather here today in service, we give thanks for this opportunity. May our choices reflect the trust placed in us by our community. And may you guide our words, our actions, and our decisions as we serve the community with integrity,
purpose, and respect. Amen. Amen. We will now pause for a moment of silence. Please join me in the pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. May we have a roll call, please? Mayor Kitky, here. Vice Mayor Delaney, here. Councelor Choy, here. Councelor Gisinger, here. Councelor Sunstrom, here. Town Manager Kitsa
here. Town attorney Baird here. Okay. Uh, we begin tonight. Uh, we have a couple items before citizen comments. First one is a proclamation uh that I'll be presenting to Amanda
Barnes, our director of utilities. I'll read it uh into the record and then come down there. Proclaiming August 2025 as Florida Water Professionals Month. Whereas water is one of Florida's most vital resources essential to public
health, environmental protection, and economic growth. And whereas the delivery of clean, safe, and reliable water, as well as the effective treatment of waste water is made possible by the dedication and expertise of highly trained water professionals.
And whereas Florida's water professionals work around the clock to manage water treatment facilities and protect water sources and ensure compliance with strict environmental health standards. And whereas these professionals plays a play a critical
role in safeguarding our communities, supporting public infrastructure and promoting sustainable water practices across the state. And whereas the Florida section of the American Waterworks Association has designated the month of August as Florida Water
Professionals Month to recognize and honor these individuals for their service and commitment. And whereas there are several nonprofit professional organizations in Florida that promote the sustainability of Florida's water utility industry through workforce
development to protect the health of Florida's citizens and to preserve the state's water resources. And whereas those organizations recognize the importance of the Florida statutes and administrative code that regulate the
water industry and oftentimes act as liaison between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and industry personnel. And whereas this proclamation recognizes all people who play a suffic significant part in operating and
maintaining drinking water, wastewater, and storm water systems in Florida by celebrating Florida Water Professionals Month, which applauds their constant efforts to protect public health and the environment. Now therefore, I, Jim Kitsky, mayor of the town of Jupiter, do
hereby proclaim August 2025 as Florida Water Professionals Month in the town of Jupiter and encourage all citizens to recognize and thank the water professionals who work diligently every day to ensure that we have safe, clean,
reliable, and sustainable water for current and future generations. in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the 7th day of August, 2025, my staff
joining and managing might just a little bit of holding the Sure. Thank you. Thank you. I don't get a booster. Um, mayor and town council, I just want to thank you for the recognition. Um, we
don't take lightly our responsibility to provide safe and um, reliable drinking water and storm water systems. Um, my staff works very hard and I'm very proud of them. We are too. Thank you. Okay, next we have a a presentation uh
by our Jupiter Police Department, a status update and our chief. Okay. Good evening, council. I'm Michael Barbara. from the chief of police and I'd like to give you a status update of the police departments going over staffing crime trends and cost of service and response. Um but before I
get into that, um more importantly, I want to talk about National Night Out. Just do a quick shout out. Um what a great great turnout. Um it's it's really great feeling as you're driving down the road seeing all those kids and families holding signs and uh the the support we're getting from the community. It's
it's it's phenomenal. But also, I want to thank each and every one of you because every council person showed up, rode with one of us, and having the support from you is incredible. So, thank you. But then on top of that, there were so many members of other departments in the town that were also here. So, to have that kind of support
with not only within the town department council, then seeing all the wonderful people on the road, you know, waving the signs and saying thank you. Um, and then we had a bag of candy. I did have to tell Frank to share some with the kids, and he did. He listened. So, we got to throw some candy out the window. So, uh anyway, I just wanted to mention that
and thank you. Okay, so uh JPD is staffing sworn. So, we're allocated 121 allocated positions. Um on Tuesday, we swore in six new officers. Um they just started their field training program. So, right now we're at 116 positions are filled. Um
two individuals are currently processing. We plan on uh staffing them or getting them hired sometime in the next couple of months. Um so but as of right now we're at 116. Um I want to go over response times because this is pretty impressive um for
Jupiter compared to the rest of the country. So response times what we call priority P calls and those are priority one calls and it doesn't mean a 911 call because believe it or not people call 911 when it's not an emergency. I mean, actually, people call the non-emergency number when it is an emergency, but the dispatcher makes a determination right
then and there if it's a priority one call. And so, in uh January to June of 24, that response time, what we call, some people call a hello to hello, meaning hello on the phone to the officer showing up, hello, I'm here to help you. Um, from January June 24, it
was 5 minutes and 12 seconds. And then year-to- date 25, it went down to 4 minutes and 33 seconds. And keeping in mind the average call when you do call uh the commo or 911 um it's 51 second average from the time the dispatcher
picks up to when they dispatch that call. So that time right there the response time if you minus 51 seconds and then uh that is our response to the call average. So that's pretty impressive in in in my mind. So financial crimes. Okay. I I I wanted
to highlight this in my presentation because this seems to be um the ever increasing uh crime trend as you get on the internet or TV just it's it's constant. I'm sure you're getting the text messages, emails, everybody trying to scam you out of something. These are
very uh very complex cases and if if you look on the left side of the screen, it's counterfeiting, embezzlement, extortion, credit card, um fraud by false pretense, identity theft, etc. Um, the reason I want to highlight this is this just isn't a normal call for service where an officer can show up and
and help somebody and be done in five or 10 minutes. Um, this usually takes a lot of effort of the officer to try to find out where the scam's coming from, whether it's a phone number, an IP address, email address. Um, they're going to try to get as much information as they can. Usually a report is written and then that goes to our criminal
investigations division and those detectives end up doing multiple subpoenas, search warrants on bank records. Uh the list goes on and these these cases can take months if not I've seen some even over a year. Um so as you look there it's increased steadily since
24 up to 111. But like I said each one has its own little niche of of being complicated and we have to sort that out. Um, so what we've done, uh, because this is such an ever growing problem, we've really made a concerted effort to to tell the public and Jupiter how not
to become a fraud victim. So we've started by placing flyers on bit Bitcoin ATMs, which seem to be a trend. You know, come for some reason people think that they can pay their water bill or their um, SunPass violation using
Bitcoin, an ATM. um community presentations and events. We go out to every community event we can to talk about fraud prevention. Social media posts um uh when the bimonthly JPD newsletter, we're putting fraud information on every single one of those. Um and at the end of the day, anytime you think you might be a victim
or something just doesn't seem right on our website, we do have a beast scam smart page. Um I welcome people to check that out. We do have a video um that former officer Kanico made about a lot of the scams, how not to fall victim to them, and uh that's on our URL, but you can go to our website and and go to that
page, be scams smart. Finally, um just a quick overview, um person's offenses, you know, that's always it's our personal safety, right? So there's always catch our attention about persons crimes. Um those include al assault offenses which are domestic
assault or batteries, aggravated assaults, simple assaults, intimidations, homicides, and the list goes on. Um year to date 24 to 25, we're exactly at 202. Um but if you look, I highlighted down the bottom. Um in 2022,
we were at 231. 2023 year to date 221. So it's steadily decreasing. Um which is uh is good to hear. And I'm hoping as time goes on it will continue to decrease because obviously person's offenses are are are very personal and
uh and includes our safety. So I just wanted to highlight that. Um so that that's that's pretty much the update. I just kind some key some key takeaways I just wanted to to highlight at this time now that we swore those six people in. Uh we are 95% fully staffed. um fraud
investigations are becoming increasingly more uh complex and very very timeconuming for the officer and detective. And finally to kind of sum it up um I think as a chief of police we are very very fortunate to have such a supportive community and town council and support staff from the other
departments and we're very very appreciative to have everyone's support and thank you for everyone that came out to national night out. I will open up. Does anybody have any questions? I have one. uh what do you attribute the uh decrease in call time to? Um yeah, that's a good question. I think
that uh we we our district configuration is usually we have obviously three districts, north, south, one, two, and three, north, south, and east side. And I think the officers are a little bit more cognizant about positioning themselves instead of congregating on one end of the district. So it's just a communication piece with supervisors and
officers. So I think it decreases the time. Great. Thank you. You're welcome. Yeah, I got one question, too. What do you attribute to uh the decrease in personal offenses over the last three, four years? So, that's a very good question. Um, I had lunch with the Martin County Sheriff uh
last month and I talked to the uh the district commander for the north end of Palm Beach County PBSO. We've had this uh conversation because mo all part one crimes which are your your your person's crimes, motor vehicles, burglaries, thefts, um that right now as of 2024,
this whole area is down an average of 20% in part one crimes. Um frauds are increasing and frauds are becoming a lot more complex. So, it's taking a lot of our time and energy or pushing instead of responding to these person's crimes like the the armed robberies and things like that. We're actually we're actually
putting more resources and time into the fraud type investigations. So, um it's just not this this Jupiter, it's actually this area from Palm Beach County and Martin County that we statistically can see uh those Portland crimes are down 20%. I personally think it has a lot to do with um the license
plate readers um cameras on people's homes, everybody having a phone out videoing um plus uh we're we're the communication piece with all the police departments and sheriff's office uh that we're constantly working together synergistically as task forces and sharing all that intelligence. So I
think technology has really driven that uh crime to go down. just have one um just curious for your opinion on this. I can I have a hypothesis but you know um the the
person offenses I think can and are affected by the reputation of the police department. People know they're not going to get away with something, you know, or the the community. Uh but the fraud ones
almost no know boundaries, you know. So reputation really doesn't matter and it can be coming from anywhere. Is that really what the data shows? Well, and that that's a good point and I will tell you that um without a doubt Jupiter is known as a premier agency in Palm Beach County and I personally I know I'm biased but I think we're one of
the best police departments in the state of Florida seeing how we do things compared to a lot of other places and a lot of our success rates. Um so I do agree with you with the person's crimes whe whether someone's going to come from down south or up north and come to Jupiter commit a crime. um they know based on our reputation, we're more than
likely going to get caught. Um the frauds, they expand internationally. So, so I would agree with you there. Reputation won't carry over the internet like that. Um and we do see them as far as you know, whether it be Nigeria, China, Russia. We're seeing those type of scams that that far away and we try
to work with our federal partners on those. So, yes, I would agree with you. I think we all see those scams because we all get them. I can't tell you how many times my license was going to be revoked for missing some kind of payment, but uh violations. Total violations. Yeah, we all get it. But uh but thank you. That's uh I
appreciate and I know that over time our police have moved into doing more of the fraud type work. Um and um it's it's important to uh people that are victims to know that there's somebody, you know, that will at least look into it and and
try to help. Could you also though speak to this is the I think the biggest thing of understanding about policing that I think I try to share to the community is police can only go so far but they're not the ones that do the prosecution. So
do you want to speak to that? Yeah. So there it's it's a phased process, right? So we we make an arrest based on probable cause. Um and then when we make that arrest and a person goes to jail um we file was called filing. you file that paperwork, the probable cause with the state attorney's
office. State attorney state attorney's reoff office reviews that and they determine that what they say is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt whether they actually file those charges and take it to court. Um so yeah, it's a phase process. We have our our position of the probable cause. State attorney decides
whether they're going to completely file and or go to uh to court with the or make a plea agreement. Right. So, so bottom line then police can go only go so far and then it gets handed off where it may or may not be prosecuted. Exactly. Many times we'll make an arrest, it'll go to the state attorney's
office for filing and they'll decide either to uh not file the charges or make a plea agreement or take it to court. Right. Thank you. You're welcome. I just have a question on um the new staff that was sworn in the other day. You had I think you said six.
Yes, ma'am. were four of them through the certification program that the town offers. Yes. So, tell me how you chose those folks to give them that opportunity. Okay. So, um there was four that we swore in yesterday that we put through the police academy. And so, there
there's two types. We will open up hiring for non-certified. That means you have not been to the police academy yet and you're not certified. Or we will open up a process for only certified officers. And that means you're already certified. Maybe you work for another agency or you went to the police academy and you're looking for a job. Um last
year we opened up a position um positions for non-certified and so people put in their applications, their resumes. Um they are reviewed and then the recruiter and the training team will decide which ones are the best to be interviewed. Um they go through an oral
oral board panel. Um they're asked a series numbers of questions. Lot of scenario based lot integrity based questions. Um and then they decide which ones out of that pool they're going to sponsor. So we actually hire them as a non-certified police officer. We send
them to the police academy. Um we monitor their progress throughout and once they graduate, you'll see what they saw on Tuesday. We swear them in and they're proud Juper police officers. That's a great opportunity. It really is. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have a good
night. Okay, moving on to uh citizen comments. Uh this is a time for non-aggenda items and uh the comments are limited to three minutes. Anyone wishing to speak is asked to state his or her name and
address for the record prior to addressing town council. We generally don't discuss the items. Uh uh we refer them to staff for followup and report back to council. Do we have any uh citizen comments? Yes, sir. We have two citizen comments.
Dean Ericson followed by Willie Paw. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council. Steen Ericson, 3713 South Congress Avenue. I'd like to clarify a few of the services that Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is currently providing. There was some um mistakes or misinformation last
time after the presentation on Jupiter Fire Department at the July 15th meeting. Councelor Choy asked what services will be enhanced when we have our own department that we do not have now. The answer was whole blood. The thing is Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has been providing whole blood administration since in Jupiter since
2022. In July of 2022, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue was the only department in Palm Beach County and one of the few in Florida to provide whole blood administration to patients in the field. We rolled out our program in North County to provide the service to Jupiter's residents and visitors. Today,
all 10 of our EMS captains carry plasma and six of those carry whole blood and plasma, which is a it's a very beneficial thing for the patients. Both healthcare district helicopters that are staffed with Pomish County Fire Rescue Flight Medics also carry blood or whole blood and plasma. The EMS captain in
station 19 here on Central Boulevard in uh Jupiter has administered whole blood to 11 patients in Jupiter. Of the seven patients that we have received outcome reports for, five of those survived. Considering the critical condition of those patients, they likely would not have survived without the whole blood.
Every year, Pomish County Fire Rescue produces an annual report specifically for the town of Jupiter. These are presented to each council member either individually or given to the town manager for dissemination. In the annual report for 2022, whole blood is discussed on page 13. In 2023
report page 23 explains that whole blood that our whole blood program won an award from the national association of counties and we published a paper about the benefits and the outcomes of whole blood administration and is in the national library of medicine. Our whole
blood program is mentioned again on page 24. There's a wealth of information in these annual reports that we produce for just for just the town of Jupiter and it's a lot of it is pertaining to the most of it pertain to the emergency services that are provided to uh the
town of Jupiter residents. So I hope you have had that you've had a chance to read those and review those and if you have not especially to the newer members I will gladly provide any or all of these if you would like these. Um Mr. Kitro knows how to get a hold of me if you would like to do that. I think it's
very important that you know what at least now is currently being provided by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and that's all in these reports here. Mr. Mayor, you made a statement that if you were not creating your own fire department, traffic signal preeemption would not happen in Jupiter. The thing is we have
traffic preeemption live right now and we have for two years in a program with the Florida Department of Transportation that was initiated with the construction of the US1 bridge. It controls US1, alternate A1A, Indiantown Road, and some of the areas surrounding Tequa.
Additionally, every unit that responds in Jupiter out of stations 11, 15, 16, 18, and 19 already have the modules for traffic preeemption installed in them that we are preparing. Can I go just a few more seconds? Okay. That were uh for a program that we are
preparing to take live that would have included the major thorough affairs in town. This is the same program that has 16 units with traffic preeemption in battalion 2 making helping to mitigate the traffic issues with the North Lake Boulevard and Beline Highway. So to say that traffic preeemption and Jupiter will be a significant change with the
creation of Jupiter Fire Department is just not correct. It would have been here anyway. So just so you know. So let me thank you and uh thanks thanks for listening. Let me clarify those things. Thank you. By the way, for the record since I've been here and I read those reports,
thank you. Obviously, our newer members wouldn't uh um what I referred to clearly on traffic preeemption is on Indian Town Road. Uh the fact that because we're in fact paying through the county to get the traffic signals so we can move up traffic pre preeemption. I
know that the county was going to eventually get it, but they're doing by regions. I'm well familiar with uh and I'm not debating, I'm just trying to say for the record so you understood. I was talking about Indian Town Road which is the most congested area that residents, you know, complain about. Thank you.
Reiterate, Mr. Mayor, if you anybody would like the reports concerning. Yep. We'll get them to them. Thank you. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, uh, counselors, and town manager. My name is Willie Puzz, and I live at 6121 Street. and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. I
have two items that I'd like to address. The first one is to reinforce what an outstanding job your summer camp team does. Our son has been a camper for many years and has had the greatest experiences. The planned activities, the
developed relationships, the care that the camp the camp team gives to the campers I feel is second to none. And I would personally like to recognize the staff and counselors who had the biggest impact on our son through the years. Like to give a thank you to Mr. Ned, Mr.
Austin, Mr. Bryson, Miss Crystal, Mr. Dan, Miss Katie, Mr. London, and Miss Skyler. Now, there are so many others that I'm not going to recognize, but these are the ones that had the direct impact on our son. And while our son is
aging out of the town camp experience and he has said it would be awesome if I could have another year. Um he still has the memories that is going to stick with him for a lifetime. So the second issue is is twofold and it relates to emails that I've sent to some
of you about two community issues that I unfortunately haven't received a reply back on. The first one is to thank the mayor for attending the county's countywide transportation master plan kickoff meeting. He made comments at this meeting that he was ready to roll up his shirt sleeves personally so the
town does his part to make it easy for the contractor in the discovery phase. My email was asking if we could ask the county's consultant to attend a council meeting to give an overview of the project and show town residents that Jupiter is serious about addressing its
traffic concerns. And this would also reinforce that resident input is important to the process which we heard during that meeting. And the second is to follow up on the ebike issue. The transportation planning agency is hosting an ebike and micromobility
safety workshop in September. My email asked if a counselor or a town representative was going to participate in this important countywide topic. So, we had the ebike issue town hall uh a few months ago and that was very promising. But this ebike issue is still
a topic on social media today. I just feel the town participation in this workshop is important and vital uh for our town. Thank you. Thank you. Any others? Yes, sir.
Okay. Um council, we have before us the minutes of the July 15th meeting. I don't see any corrections on the dis. If there are none, um I'll take a motion in a second to approve the meeting minutes as presented. Motion to approve.
Second. Motion and second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. I. Motion carries unanimously. Moving on to the consent agenda. Um this is items uh 4 through 12. Uh on the
agenda, um was there any member of the public that wished to pull a consent agenda item? Yes, sir. Um Mr. Craig Mauy would like to pull item four and Mr. Willie Puzz would like to pull item nine.
Okay. Um, any member of the on the on the dis wish to pull a consent agenda item? Yes, mayor. I'd like to pull item 12. I'd wanted to pull four and nine as well. Okay.
Okay. Um, I'll take a motion and a second on approving the amended agenda which would consist of 5 6 7 8 10 and 11. So move as amended. Second. Motion and second. All in favor signify
by saying I. I. I. Motion carries unanimously. Uh moving back to or agenda item four pulled by uh member of the public and uh councelor Sunstrom. Um
turning to the member of the public uh did you want to make comments or did receive your email. Thank you, mayor. Uh Craig Mauy, 230 Blanc Lane here in Jupiter. Um let me start by saying I am in favor of the amendment. I
think it's overdue. I'm glad to see it happening, but I think it needs some fairly straightforward changes. I emailed all of you and uh staff, and I hope you'll just I'll I'll leave it at that. I don't care to address those. Um I want to address here the testing aspect.
Um the homeowners where I live in Sonoma, have used at least six different plumbing companies to test the backflow preventers in our neighborhoods. Um, just a couple of items here. One told the homeowner the test had failed and
wanted $500 to repair it. The homeowner did a second test with another company and it passed. Was another homeowner was had a test done, was told it failed, and they actually paid $1775 to have the black folk preed.
Uh, the homeowner didn't know any better. They do now. These fail then pass scenarios suggest that either the testing protocol is flawed if companies can get such different results or the plumbing company or someone at the
plumbing company is um I'll just say unscrupulous and perhaps should no longer be certified. So, one question that rose to me was, "How does a resident file a complaint against a specific
plumber or plumbing company for having been told that their backflow pretor fails and then someone else says it passes?" Uh, I'm not asking for an answer, but that's that's one question. Uh, personal experience, I've lived in Jupiter now
for six years, next month. In those six years here, we have received exactly one notice to test our backflow pretor. And it was a pink one saying, "You've already received two. This is your last one." We never got the first two. We got it tested, went on um 15 days to test it
or lose the water. So, we got it done. uh with this amendment I heard last uh town council meeting there were 31,300 service connections and that implies to me between 50 and 75,000 notifications per year going out by the
water purveyor and I'll be real interested to see how the water purveyor is going to maintain compliance with this new 90 60 30day requirement and I'm concerned that this amendment says it's effective immediately
And I'll leave it at that. Thank you. Um I just wanted to share one item, then I'm going to turn it over to um Council Sunstrom to comment and then I think our uh director of utilities was going to
respond. Uh but just in case others don't think to say this uh in the weekly talent managers report there was an attachment too that was provided because I'd asked for this information it was very insightful so I just want to bring
that to your attention um because it talked about the number of backflow devices and what the historical rate has been and I think our utilities director is going to speak to that but it's a small subset of the total number of connection because it's only those that
have the risk of uh of having something else interconnected with their system. So to the degree you follow up on everything manager report attachment 2 was in very informative and I had just one question to follow up
and I'll ask um our director of the utility to come forward but um we had spoken Mr. Maui about the issue of 15 days. So the notice of 90 6030 days is not for um if it fails to remedy it.
It's just to go through the reertification to identify if it does pass or fail. So the 90 6030 is to determine if it's pass or fail. If it does fail, it says then um on page six that there are 15 days to remedy it. And
the question is is that sufficient time? So, if it were I had thought when I read the ordinance at first that if I get a notice at 90 days, you know, I'd immediately start to work towards identifying past fail and remedying that. But you've got um depending on
when you know you start to respond to those notices, potentially only 15 days to remedy it. Is that is that correct first of all? And is that sufficient? So, there's two different scenarios. So, if you are due for testing, say you I'm
not going to pick a month because I'll do the math wrong in my head, but you're due for testing, you're going to get a notice 90 days, 60 days, and 30 days prior to your due date. So, you in essence have 90 days to get your backflow device tested and certifi reertified.
If by your deadline you haven't done that, you haven't reported the results, um, then you have another 15 days to do it. If after that 15 days, so in essence you had what 90 plus 15 you you had 105
days to do that. If after that 105 days you haven't, then we can with the discretion of the town manager, we can interrupt water service in the instance where we have identified a cross connection. And so one of Mr. Mauy's
questions in his email was related to site inspections by town staff. So this ordinance under no scenario are we just going to go doortodoor and inspect everybody's property. That's not the intent. The intent is if we suspect a
cross connection exists um and the most likely way that we would do that would be if our meters are registering flow backwards through them. Um then we would go inspect the property and make sure there's not a cross connection. If there is a cross connection, we're required by
the statute to sever it immediately and to notify the property owner and the the new ordinance or the amended ordinance says that they would have 15 days to re to resolve that to rectify it either by putting an appropriate backflow device
or making sure that the cross connection is you know completely gone whatever the instance was. So, so there's two scenarios. one, if it's just regular testing, you have in essence 105 days to get it done. And unless you have a
violation where you have a cross connection, you'll have 15 days. And we have never had a plumber um report to us long lead times on backflow preventers or um parts for repairs. That's not to say, I mean, we just never
have had that reported to us as a problem. Okay. If there were an issue that were to come up, would there be or could there be a grace period or with notification to the utility? I mean, as long as the um as long as the customer is taking initiative to resolve the issue, we will definitely work with
them. Okay. And then just one more item with the um the plumber and certification. And so I understand the town has a backflow prevention and cross connection web page on its website and it does talk about the certification that plumbers need to have um to be qualified to do
this work. Is that right? But um if you could also speak to Mr. Maui's point just if there is a problem with the plumber or if one does fail and a second opinion passes this could potentially be expensive work um for a resident,
right? So I I mean I would have to look into that more closely. Um I am not aware of it being rep that being reported to us. I mean I agree $500 to repair replace a back seems seems
excessive. Um the research that we did we did call a couple couple plumbers. Um, and we found that the average cost to test a a reduced pressure device or a double check valve is $1205
for anything under 2 in. And then over 2 in, it's $150. And then the average cost for a plumber to come in and test like a whole neighborhood in bulk is $75 per device. So, um, I mean, that's just what we
found from calling a couple plumbers. So uh I'll just ask this in a question format but you know the question was asked if in using a so-called professional there's a feeling like it wasn't professional
um how would it how would a resident report that or do with that information and what I would answer but I'd ask you to answer after I do is we have this Jupiter connect system and it's a catch That's all. And um the one good thing about it, we always encouraged people to
use it because the one good thing about it is it just doesn't used to be you could call somebody and and then it wasn't being tracked. So everything that goes in there gets tracked. So if it's an unusual item, most of them automatically, you know, I've used it. Most of them automatically go to the the
program to go to the responsible person. But an oddball one that may be one would be looked at. But I do think we'd like to know that information. I think we'd have to be careful how we used it. But I think we've asked in the last meeting, you know, and our staff was going to do
it if we didn't ask is going to try to be as proactive as we can in sharing, you know, who are we doing that? Who who is available to do this kind of work? And then that may eliminate or reduce the opportunity
um for people to be taken advantage of. Right. So I mean the state requires that it's a licensed plumber in the state of Florida and that they also have a backflow certification accredited by an
accredited um company agency through the Florida section Florida section AWA American Waterworks Association. I would say I mean in cases like that if you just let us know I mean we have a website um email address backflow@juper.fl
us or call our customer service department and we'll definitely um you know for any egregious charges we'll definitely get in touch with the plumbers and find out you know why why was it that much money and if it see if it was justified and I mean we'll help we'll help as much as we can.
I thought Mr. Mary said $1,700. Did you say that? Okay. So that's just that's $1,700 a lot. That's worth just following up on what could possibly have been done to cost that much money. Yeah, I I'll I can look into that. I'll
need to know the size. I'll I'll call you. Quick question. Uh would we or could we have a list of approved contractors sanctioned by the town that the town could vet and that'd be a safe bet to go through as anybody can do
it that's licensed and certified but would is it I have thought about that. Um, the closest that I could come up with is we can put out a solicitation or a letter of interest to plumbers and they can
provide us with a price sheet um of, you know, what their normal routine charges would be and we can provide that list to customers. They may be eager to do it knowing that if they're going to get a lot of these jobs
and they may be willing to reduce their price just because, you know, they have guys out there doing it, they, you know, they get more depth to it, they're quicker, they have the parts, they they stock the parts, they can just run out and do it. And people have more comfort in calling approved contractors. We can certainly do that. I'm I'm not
opposed to it. I think it's a good idea. We won't have a contract with the plumbers, but they would just be basically responding to the letter and then their name would be provided on a list that we can share the information with. Any I wouldn't I don't know if we would post
it publicly, but anybody that contacted us and asked for it, we can provide it to them. We we realize what we're asking is unprecedented, not normally done. Um so we we own it with you. Um I we would appreciate us figuring out how we can do
this together, right? This is not burdened upon you. Uh because we wouldn't be having the contract. Um you know, your neighborhood apparently it's left to the individuals, but other neighborhoods, the association handles it, so it's less likely to be taken
advantage of. put, but somehow we'll take it as an action item. Not just we're not just dumping it on our water utility director to do, but because we really have to think through this, but in order to provide the best information
we can um because bottom line, having it tested and fixed if need be is it the public's interest, you know, cost-effectively. So, thank you for uh taking it on. I also would like to just share that in the dashboard that I
provided I mean in in 2024 um we tested over 6500 backflow devices not we but over 6,400 backflow devices were um test were tested or reported and 168 of those
failed so the failure rate was I mean we had 95% compliance so it's we're not it's not an we're not in a bad position but I would like to improve improve improve that um compliance rate and just know that the majority of people are complying and testing and repairing, but
we will try to work at coming up with some way to control pricing. I was just going to ask um can you put the guidelines what the average pricing is on the website in case consumers are out there looking and they get this
crazy 1700 and you get 125 or 150 that should be the red light or red the the flag right there. Well, 1700 we don't know what what he did what was done. I have to look into that a little more because it might have been more than just testing and reertifying. I'm guessing the the 12 125
is for them to come out, test it, it passes, and they report the results, which because it is difficult with the oversight if you put out a list of suggested, you just don't know what goes on in between the time that list was put
out. Um, it's a hard definitely hard. The request actually goes to the town manager to, you know, to see what we can do, right? Because it's it's beyond just the water utility here. You know, we have procurement rules that I'm not clear on. And so, Mr.
Kit, you agree you to take that on? And we're already looking into it, mayor. Thank you. Do that. But, and you may never get to 100% accuracy on the testing cuz sometimes valves with sediment and silt, they can work intermittently.
Am I correct on that? So, yeah, you know, there may be mistakes. Those are easy. Yeah. flush them out, right? Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And I can make a motion. Uh I'll make a motion to approve ordinance 1325. Second reading.
I'll second. Motion is second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Motion carries unanimously. Moving on to item nine. Mayor, I need to read the ordinance title. Sorry. Thank you. Read it on short
title. Ordinance 1325, an ordinance of the town council of the town of Jupiter, Florida, pertaining to backflow prevention and cross connection control, contained in chapter 20, article 5 of the town code by amending the definitions of certain terms, adding a new definition and amending the
regulations contained in sections 227, 2219, 2021 to 20236, 2238 to 22 239 providing for codification providing for severability and providing
for an effective date. Thank you. Moving on to uh p public visit item number nine. Um pulled by Mr. Puzz. Um do you want to
make comments on this and did you need a presentation? Tell us what year. No presentation. Uh again, good evening, mayor, vice mayor, counselors, town manager. Willie Puzz, 6121 Unur Street. This basically
is just a general comment about transparency. In many correspondences from council and uh through the town, there's been mentions of effort of transparency on the fire issue. You have even openly defended that the fire decision was well
communicated and that the public had many opportunities to speak of it. But here we are. Before us is a consent agenda item for a possible temporary fire station by a school that could be the first time that many may have heard
of this issue. What's even more troubling in relation to transparency is that there's a web page titled fire stations and construction projects. It says, and this is quoting from the page, this page provides updates on ongoing
fire station construction projects, including the new Sinquaz fire station and the Piatt Place fire station, as well as information on existing stations that will be integrated into our fire service network. There is no information on station 16. There is no mention of a
temporary station to come. And my research of quote temporary fire stations on the town website showed no results. You can do better. The residents deserve better. Please make transparency happen. Thank you.
Just to comment on that and thank you for your uh observations. Um, it's interesting. We do spend a significant amount of effort to feel like we're being transparent. Um, it is extremely common practice
to use a temporary fire station while while an existing station is getting renovated. So, we did always anticipate this and had conversations about it. Um, and um, so it's it's just in the natural wasn't like this just came out of left
field for us. Uh we we've always known we needed to do this when we get the station from back from Palm Beach County. It's it's needs to get renovations. Um and that's what this plan's about. I don't know if town madam if you wanted to add anything, but I just wanted to speak to the transparency
point. Thank you, mayor. Um as you know, we when we went before the county commission, we asked for a 90day transition period. One of which part of that process was to be able to work with
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue on station 16 and the transition of that station. As you well know that the the county commission supported the flip of the switch approach and um and you can't have
um and this is this is based on my own emergency management experience. You can't have one fire department pull out of a station at 12:00 midnight and the next fire department come in at 1 second past midnight and expect them to
function. And so we would prefer not to have to put up a temporary station. And so uh but unfortunately that's this that's the uh circumstances that we find ourselves in. Now, having said that, for transparency, uh I did ask the fire chief and the
police chief went and met with the homeowners associations that would be affected by this station being there and met with the school, the local school officials to make sure everyone was aware of what we're doing. What we don't anticipate the station to be there very
long. We needed to make sure that the station was within the appropriate response district to make sure that didn't negatively impact response times and was able to adequately house the um the
staff that will be there. And so, uh, we've we've worked through all of these issues. And as a matter of fact, as the mayor said, um, unlike the police stations, I' I've since found out that it's not uncommon to have temporary fire stations. As a matter of fact, there are
temporary fire stations all around the county. And one of our deputy chiefs in the previous uh, life with another county fire rescue department, another fire rescue department, that was his job. And so he's very uh adept at that.
And the temporary station that we uh have secured was actually used by another local fire department while their station was being renovated. So we're doing everything that we can to be as transparent as we can. And the number one priority was to make sure that
before we had any public any other public discussion and we we've talked about this several times is that I've asked the fire chief to go down and and meet with those homeowners associations and we've gotten very good feedback from them. As a matter of fact, one of them wants to open the clubhouse for us to
use. Um I mean they can't they can't do enough. All we wanted to really do was just let them make sure that we let them know what we were doing. So, um I don't know, Chief, if you wanted to add anything to that. I know you were the person that that went down and spoke to
them. Hi, Daryl Donado. Fire Chief. Chief of Fire Rescue. Um so you know as the town manager said you know for us uh it's extremely important that we ensure the continuity of service that you know when residents call 911 on October 1, 2026
Jupiter Fire Rescue is going to be ready to respond. Um we did make an attempt to try and um create a transition plan uh with the county on the Abico station to transition that earlier. Uh but you know
that uh didn't transpire. Uh we are still waiting to meet with them to figure out the details of that, but we've got a fire department to run and we have calls that are going to come in and we're going to respond. And so we can't wait on that and so we have to be prepared no matter what. We have to be
ready. And so we've secured a station. Um this is a station that has already been used here locally. Uh it's designed as a fire station. It's Cat 5 rated. Um and uh and we do need to use that on a temporary basis to ensure continuity of service and response times in that area.
We did go meet with the homeowners associations in that area. Um and as well as met with the principal of the school to talk about that and you know this is still a ways out. This is uh the station's not going to move there until I don't know March, April time frame, right? And so we're going to work
closely with them uh as we go through that. Uh right now the item you have before you is simply to do the engineering you know to to put a building anywhere in the town of Jupiter. You got to make it through a number of processes and we're going through the same processes that any
private industry building anybody else would go through. Uh we have to have all of our permitting stuff in order. Uh so the item before you tonight is simply to to get authorization to begin that process to get the building stuff in order to come back to go through your
planning and zoning process through your building department and before council for all those things. Again um tonight is just an item that will allow us to get the engineering things going so that we'll be able to to do this at a future date. And mayor, I had also pulled
number nine. Um, and I wanted to ask um, Chief Donado while he was here just to confirm, we don't know that we don't know um, kind of the status of station 16 or the condition of station 16. So, we don't know what that timeline looks like. Is that correct? Yeah, that's correct. I have been in
discussions with uh earlier on with uh the chiefs out of the county and they've promised me and assured me that the station's in great shape, that it'll be turned over in great shape. And I I trust and believe them that that's the case. I mean, I have no reason to think any anything else. But what we don't know is, you know, what all equipment
and furniture has to get moved in to make it usable, right? We don't know that yet. And uh we don't know what all is leaving and what all is staying. We just don't know that yet. Um, again, we attempted to get a meeting to talk about some of those finer details and that meeting won't occur till January.
January is too late for us. If we need to have a temp station, we've got to start that process right now to guarantee your service. So, that's why we're before you. So, I agree. I wish those conversations could be earlier than January, but I know that that's what the county committed. And I had pulled this item for transparency because I know it is
such a hot topic in town. Um, but it is very early and there's a lot we don't know as you said, including the condition of 16, including how this permitting process will go. You obviously wanted to show respect for the communities around there who are immediately affected. I spoke with the
HOA president for Tuscanyany and others who have spoken with you and have offered um to help. So, that's wonderful to hear. I wanted to check with them as this item was on the agenda and share that and um just kind of confirm that tonight. So, thank you for sharing that
with us. I'm sure there will be more information to share with residents as we learn more um working with this consultant. So, thank you. Thank you. And chief, like you said, you don't know what's what what equipment they're going to pull and take out, you know, on
October 1st. So, um would you imagine it's probably going to be fairly stripped down? Yeah, I don't think so. I mean, I'm I do believe, you know, I've had some conversations again with them, very very great conversations. Uh they indicated to me that, you know, it's kind of like buying a house. Those things that are
fixed stay, right? Those things that are not fixed go. Um but I haven't I've never been in the station yet, right? I've haven't haven't been able to get into it. I don't know what it looks like inside. Don't know what's fixed, what's not. Um so, you
know, you know, our goal is to uh ensure continuity of service no matter what. This is a plan B. Mhm. We wish we didn't have to do this, but we're certainly going to be prepared no matter what. Okay, great. Thank you. Appreciate it. Yes, Vice Mayor, if I could add another thing, too, that's really important.
You know, and this is uh from a spec perspective of having worked with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue for 20 years now, both as a police chief in Jupiter, police chief of the Palm Beach County School District, and now as the town manager. We're not expect we have they're they're very professional
department. We're not expecting any issues or challenges uh from them. I know this has been a little tenuous at times and you know and it's just the nature of it. Um but we're fully expecting that um Palm
Beach County Fire Rescue will be very professional in you know as we get closer to this transition. So as the chief said, better to be safe than sorry. We're moving forward. These are the initial steps. We have to get it done now. January is too late, but we're
not expecting any anything other than professionalism from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. It's public safety's priority one, so we do what we have to do. Correct. Correct. Correct. And and that's and I know they feel the same way. I know. I know they do. I think the um your analogy of when you
buy a home, for example, fix stuff stay, but there's a bunch of stuff that there is no standard, right? Does the appliances stay or not? Right? So they may go and there's nothing wrong with that, but then you have to get have
appliances there, you know, at at 1 at 01 12 midnight that night. Right. So that's what you were describing that we'll have to work out and make sure it's, you know, and it's not just that. It's the equipment and stuff that our firemen
need, you know, and paramedics supplies and whatever. They're not going to leave supplies behind. So there's a whole host of stuff. Thank you for uh what your team is doing and getting an early start on this and making sure everything is there. Gives us confidence. Also, we'll
need to bring that station up to the standards of our newer, more modern stations. Correct. Um so, you know, we don't anticipate, you know, going through and tearing it down and rebuilding it, right? I mean, I think right the station will, but again, I don't
know what's inside. I don't know. I don't know what I don't know. I know they're using it now. I know that uh they do a great job with their facilities. They've got some great folks over there. Uh they design great facilities and u you I don't I don't anticipate great problems. Okay.
You know, but will we need to go in and put in furniture? I'm sure we will. Sure. Will we need to go in and um maybe put some paint somewhere? That's possible, right? And so we don't know those things. Um, some of those things might not keep us from occupying it. We could
do it during it, but but because we don't know and the continuity of the service is essential, we do not want anything that would ever jeopardize our ability to respond to the area around that station. Um, we're going to have a a plan that guarantees that we're ready
to go. Right. Thank you. Just want I just want to add one more thing because you know county fire rescues has served this community well. You know we appreciate those professional services. We feel it was time to move on but you know there
still always is this uh situation uh of sensitivities and and I get that and understand that. But I'm just want to make sure we're trying to all go out of the way go out of our way to emphasize you know the county as part of their
normal process renovate stations and um so you know if they've left behind something that needs to be renovated that's not a negative. No they do it. It's has to be done. Homes do it right. So it's likely we're going
to find some stuff that have to be renovated. they wouldn't be renovating because they know that they're moving on, right? But so I just want to emphasize that none of this is any fault finding, but we have to expect that there'll be some of that. There is any
home you ever buy, right? Anyway, thank you. You put it well by using that example because we all could relate to that. Excellent. That's it. I'll make a motion to approve item nine as well. Second.
Motion and second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. I. Motion carries unanimously. Um, moving on to item 12, pulled by uh, Councelor Gisinger. Um, I think you wanted to.
Yes. Thank you, thank you, mayor. I have a family member member who is currently employed by Johnson Davis and will likely be engaged in this contract. So, I want to recuse myself from this item on the agenda.
Okay. Thank you. Um, so, uh, y'll see if you make it to the door. I'll take a motion and a second on resolution 8025. So moved. Second. Motion to second. All in favor signify by saying I. I.
I. Motion carries four to zero with councelor Gisinger uh abstaining. Okay. Uh moving on to round table. Um we're going to have a discussion on the park facility master plan and guiding document.
Um I believe we had a member of we have one member of the public that has the comments. Yes sir. Mr. Adam Magna. You know this it's always unusual in a round table. So I would ask him to come up and uh make his comments if he can
so we can address them and uh All right. Good uh good evening mayor council. Uh just real quick just wanted to uh share my appreciation for the council for town staff that took so much time putting this together. Uh obviously the consultants as well, but the the
oversight by the Town of Jupiter staff has been phenomenal getting to this point. I've had a chance to review the master plan and uh it's great. Uh addresses a lot of uh renovations that are needed. Uh some exciting
items that that are bringing or coming to the the parks like Maplewood Park. So just wanted to share my appreciation to everybody for for getting to this point. We're excited uh hopefully to move forward with this and uh if there's anything we can do to see it through, just let us know. But really appreciate where we're at right now. So, thank you.
Thank you. Awesome. Thank you, Adam. Uh good evening, mayor, council members. Uh my name is Mike Hoffman, uh community services, and I'm incredibly excited to be here tonight to go ahead and present the park facility master plan and guiding document. We've come a long way over the last year and a half. And I'm
going to go ahead and jump into the presentation. So speaking a long way, you know, we've back in 2023, the strategic initiative was developed uh to create a master plan and there's several steps that take place in order to get to where we are today where we're proposing this draft
master plan. Uh some of those steps include soliciting public input through public workshops. Back in April of 2024, we had a public workshop that involved 80 residents that went through several exercises where we were to collect data and do an analysis. Uh we also had an online survey through the month of uh I
believe the month of April in 2024 that had just under 800 respondents and again able to collect data and analysis and also utilizing and leveraging our social media channels in order to collect information that the residents are responding to. All of that really is the
foundation of what you've looked at today in the draft master plan. We've also collaborated with internal and external stakeholders. uh that includes several departments that we shared this document with that they're able to give input on and also our external stakeholders that we have continuous
relationships uh throughout the year. We've assessed our inventory and also analyzed our needs and essentially have developed a roadmap of project recommendations that align with our CIP and we've worked extensively with our finance department to ensure that this
does align with our CIP process. And lastly, the plan does identify uh an implementation strategy which again we've aligned with our finance. Uh I touched on public engagement and kind of what we heard through that uh process is uh the community relations. I
got to give them a shout because they've done a fantastic job getting information out to the public. Over 80% of the residents feel that the communication efforts done by the town of Jupiter is effective and that they're well aware of what programs the department offers. Some of the more popular facilities
include Abicoa Community Park, Jupiter Community Park, Lighthouse Park, Indian Creek Park, and also the community center. And the most used facilities kind of correlate with those most uh most popular facilities uh including all the playgrounds, athletic fields, fitness trails, and the community
center, which is the hub of programming here, the town of Jupiter. Uh the emphasis really from the public engagement process was shaded outdoor areas. Obviously, Florida's hot. It seems like it gets hotter every year. So there was a big emphasis on incorporating more shaded areas and
improving upon what we have. Also uh there was uh questions about indoor gym space facilities, facility upgrades, playground enhancements which we're already currently doing going through that process and additional parking which if we're going to make all these upgrades we want to ensure that we have
additional parking that for people to utilize. And lastly, just there's a lot of high support. Uh there's a common theme for support among residents for revitalizing the aging infrastructure and amenities. So what's the strategic approach and the the plan vision? If you look at that
icon, the revitalize, connect, expand, enhance, that seems to be a core theme throughout the draft. Uh and really that is that town of Jupiter has a strong park infrastructure to begin with. 22 uh 22 town operated parks. So, what we really want to do is leverage uh and
upgrade the existing fields, courts, renovate restrooms, playgrounds, uh currently what we're doing and expand the parking. And not only that, we want to protect the town investments if we're going to allocate all this funding for projects. We want to make sure that we're extending the life maintenance of these and have the appropriate
preventive maintenance plans and standardization throughout the parks department, which they do already a fantastic job maintaining our parks. And then obviously we want to upgrade our irrigation systems to expand the the life cycle of our fields. Uh can't have enough shade obviously add shade where
where it's possible. Playgrounds, pavilions, bleachers, that's all throughout the plan as well. And then enhance the connection and access. Uh you know we want to ensure you know the the number one aerobic exercise not only here locally but nationally is walking. And we want to give the opportunity to
our residents to have the opportunity to better improve their lives at our parks by exercising. And so we want to create those trails and pathways, but also we want to ensure connectivity just makes sense for the the average user and resident, you know, getting from point A to point B. We want to make that
seamless as possible. And then we want to find efficiencies as well, uh, and partner with the county where it's possible, uh, you know, at the West Jupiter Recreation Center and also at the aquatic center. I know it's hard to see this matrix, but really it's it's part of the implementation strategy throughout the
draft master plan and really it's identifying the PL uh the parks and then the corresponding uh projects underneath them and all these projects are identified short, mid and long-term. So 1 to 3 years, four to six years and 7 to 10 years.
Some major considerations. We've worked extensively with the finance department to ensure that we've aligned this draft master plan uh with the finance department to ensure that the 5-year capital investment plan matches what we're proposing tonight to what we're proposing for fiscal year 26. And also
it addresses uh and implements the talent strategic plan. But ultimately this is really a guide of a guiding framework for the annual budget and capital investment process. It gives us the ability each fiscal year to choose from different options on you know what we can do in certain years and what we
can't do other years. Uh maybe some years we are able to do more projects than others. But essentially this gives us a strategic position uh coordination and organization to look at the projects that the uh that residents have asked for and implement them systematically.
Some of the major projects uh that we've identified are the community center improvements, uh the athletic field and park upgrades, the trail and connectivity projects, restrooms, storage facilities, and then the playgrounds and amenities. Uh next steps, what we're looking to do
is uh we're obviously seeking uh town council guidance on project priorization. Um if there's any input on tonight's round table, we would obviously update the document to reflect that input. And then we're looking to formally adopt the plan on August 19th, which is our next town council meeting.
And then once that plan is officially adopted, we'd post the plan to our website and then essentially the implementation process would begin from there. Um, so I try to keep that brief and sweet to the point. Um, and hopefully, uh, if you have any questions, feel free.
Let me, uh, I just want to I'll kick it off. Um so um number one I think this is a phenomenal effort. Um, you know, the strategic initiative was initiated in 2023
and uh, I would say it has already driven and influenced projects that we're doing right now that I want the public to make sure they understand that we're we're doing a playground uh, upgrade program that really was
initiated then and uh, now we're getting the report. Um but so a lot of what or some of what's is in recommendations it's already underway. It's underway by this initiative.
Um the and I have a number of comments I want to make tonight, but I just wanted to more try to frame it to the council because if we're sitting there and this the way it works, staff presents when they're done and then we receive it, but
we ultimately have to decide what to do with it. So we we also had for the public to know, we also had met one-on-one. I think you met with everybody, right? Mhm. So, you know, feedback was provided from every one of us individually. We don't know what each other said, but we
individually gave input. I saw that some of what I gave was already I saw some revisions were made in the text, and I appreciate that. Um, and I reacted to this formally adopt the plan on August 19th. Quite frankly, I think I might have said
something like that's an impossibility, but it isn't. It's it's the decision. And I'm just kind of framing this because, you know, I as as the mayor, you know, I have to try to steer us, but ultimately it's the five of us to
decide. The reason why I had said that in just a one-on-one was we haven't had our CIP plan workshop. Um, and that could be okay, but we want to make sure that the public then understands, right? So, we could adopt
it if that's what we decide at the end of this discussion. um or we can I don't want to say table because we are using it as was said very well but for example when I looked at and I had reviewed this before I reviewed the CIP and I've already given
comments on but as an example uh and I thought I was very grateful for the plan that was in the CIP um you know the totality of this plan was in the 75 to$100 million range so we
don't have that kind of money. We got to use this to prioritize and make decisions. And part of it is ones we've already made or we will make collectively in the CIP, right? We'll react to what we have. Um and um like I
thought some things it was important to accelerate them. So, you know, limited funds, if something gets accelerated, something gets pushed back. But I'm not trying to get into the workshop conversations, but I'm just trying to frame everybody to understand what you're making a decision on. We still
every CIP process, which is annually, staff would be using this as a guideline and we'd be using it as a guideline, right? And we want to get maximum benefit of having used that. But again,
I'm just kind of trying to frame it. So then we go down to, you know, everybody can, you know, weigh in on your opinion about that. That's separate from giving specific items. And I do think due to the nature of you know the public
hearing this being received some of the comments I made already to staff that will be in the workshop. I just wanted to point out and I'll just use one as an example is like you know uh Lighthouse Park. Um, you know, it's interesting. You look
at the scoring table on page 69 in the draft and it was to me it's, you know, it's funny for years I remember other council members saying, "Hey, we got to do something with Lighthouse Park." And I didn't go to Lighthouse Park, so I wasn't as familiar with it. Well, I've been going to Lighthouse Park. It's a
need. So, like I think the fields at Lighthouse, there's things need to be done at Lighthouse Park as an example. Now, five of us will decide that, right? So, there's something that maybe needs to be moved up. I think we're well on our way for the um playground upgrades,
but I don't think we're doing enough to renovate the multi-purpose fields. This is not I want to make sure the public understands this a criticism on our staff because you are making a very difficult decision to present to us
knowing we have a limitation on funding. But in the end, that's what prioritization is about, right? If all of us were to agree or a majority that yeah, we have to prioritize more the renovation of the fields
than is in the draft CIP we have then we either have to find funding or something else moves back, right? So, you know, we're not going to talk about all that tonight. I'm just kind of using this as an illustration, right, to know that we're receiving this. It's a phenomenal
uh effort. It's going to serve us extremely well. You all can weigh in on your opinion about that. But but but it's kind of like when we do act upon it, you know, it isn't going to be as clean as
everything's addressed because even our fiveyear plan only is a fiveyear look ahead, right? So, and this is the most difficult of times that I've ever been involved with in 25 years on going beyond what money we have. Right. I'm just going to say
that. Um so, uh I'll just pause there and um um I'll just turn to my left first. Uh councelor Sunstrom, do you want to react or you want to say? Sure. Um so, I Yes, we had met with
staff oneonone. Thank you so much for including the comments, particularly the history section. Um, so if anyone wants to learn about the history of recreation specifically in our department, that's wonderful. Um, you know, I I just had a couple of questions and and I'll share
some thoughts I had um just because it's our first time sharing our reactions and kind of our priorities tonight. So the CIP is the five-year CIP. It's five-year plan, but this plan goes beyond that. So we've got the short, medium, long term. So the CIP is important and I agree I
think you know it's not something I had immediately thought of but we had we have not seen our CIP document and had that discussion. It is especially important this year because we are doing such a scrub of it because of our budget environment and future budget environment as we hear in the external
environment. There's still this discussion on property taxes. You have to put an asterisk on all of this because it could all change. We have no idea what the regulatory environment will be next year. what legislative sessions will look like in the next years. So, all of this is we would love
to do this, but it's going to be dependent on a couple of things. Um, and we're going to work, you know, with what we can and with what we prioritize. Um, I wondered, you know, I look at the implementation strategy on pages 106,
107, 8, and 9. Um, that shows the short, mid, long-term projects, those CIP projects that we're already planning and beyond. And I'm thinking about what the operational logic will be for that. Right. So, um you and I had spoken before how my prioritization with my
experiences in parks which will look different from yours. Um and thinking of JTAa and others would be I would want to prioritize capacity. So we we are at buildout. The land is going to be an issue things like that. But there are things we can do to expand capacity. for
example, the lighting features. You know, there are environmental concerns, but there's newer technology that's better able to direct lighting and and do a lot of different things. Um, but reaching out to neighborhoods and really considering lighting at Lighthouse Park, Maplewood Park, Jupiter Village,
potentially that allows our fields to be used for a longer period of time, which gives us more capacity without needing more land. And so that would release or relieve some pressure I think from the number of users we see on those fields
and courts. So lighted tennis or you know what lighting to me would be a priority because it expands capacity. Um shade is another thing that may expand capacity. Um I looked at our level of service. So you're saying you know and
our pickle ball level of service is like one court per 9,000 or something. We're doing very well there. Tennis is one per four,000 and we've fallen short a little bit. So I would not be in support of replacing a tennis court with a pickle ball court especially when we know that
we have a level of service that we need to meet there. Um it could be adding pickle ball courts in the f in future years which I see here. It could be shading them to extend their use or lighting them to extend their use. But again, it's the discussion of how can we add capacity without building all new
all new everything. And it may be that may be lowhanging fruit. Um let's see. Uh so yeah, so not replacing tennis um with pickle ball capacity. And then I actually had a question. It's kind of
it's kind of off from this, but we we just received a ton of data on recreation. We've never had so much data. And I wondered actually if it changed our programming or our look at programming at all because I looked at page 37 and fishing is wildly popular.
Do we have enough fishing programming for this town based on its number one status across so many age groups? Um I so I'm curious you know not just in facilities but you know in our efficiencies and programming to meet the needs of residents are we are we looking
at anything programming related or have we learned anything about our programming through this? Absolutely. I think a constant evaluation of our programs is always happening, but when you have so much data at hand through such a comprehensive document, you know, you can't help but put yourself under a
microscope and and understand that, you know, there's potential areas of growth, uh, especially from a programming standpoint. So, yes, uh, there is probably areas that we can improve upon and I've already been in discussions with Kristen who's our director of parks and recreation that we will be evaluating that.
Okay. So, so in short, I mean, my my biggest areas of focus would be on this implementation priorities. I feel like that's kind of what we're focusing on tonight in terms of the whole document. It's really it really comes down to the short, medium, and long-term project
list. And um very specifically, I would want to focus on I'm I'm thrilled to see artificial turf for Jupiter Community Park in the short and midterm. Um, but again, I think the mayor has a point
with comparing that with our CIP scrub. And I would recommend not well, giving direction that um, this plan incorporate that CIP discussion as well. Maybe we hold off on formally adopting this. It could be, you know,
some short thing um after the CIP just so everything kind of goes together um and is thoughtfully discussed. So, you know, just looking at this, let's let's do it after the CIP. Let's discuss this
tonight. Let's discuss CIP. Let's marry the two and then we'll feel good about it. Um and I my priorities would be move up sports lighting at Lighthouse Park. But again, that is going to have certain concerns. The timeline on that could be
long. Just, you know, in Maplewood, um, Vice Mayor, you live over there. A story on that. Yeah. Do you want to hear baseball bats, you know, at 10 p.m.? I don't know. And what with the residents, we're going to have to have resident input. So, I'm curious about all of that. But the general program logic for me is how can
we expand capacity with this quickly done more quickly done you know items potentially or less expensive items um and then work on the quality um or or do both in a way and push back
other things like sand volleyball courts. So, if you look at the county's recreation master plan, they actually have conceptual plans for all the parks in the town and they're adding sand volleyball courts everywhere. So, do we need to add ours at the same time? You know, is that going to meet a need while
we can be focusing on something else? I really think we have to look at that bigger picture. So, sand volleyball courts may not be my priority, especially knowing that they're being addressed, you know, elsewhere in the town. um and their recreation plan speaks to the school district, speaks to
municipalities as well. So, it's all one big picture and like even in Valencia in my neighborhood um we have a like a green it belongs to the town but my HOA maintains it and kids play soccer there all the time. So, you had spoken to that on in the plan as well that there are a
number of private not private but you know HOA manage spaces for people. So, it's this bigger context and there are improvements happening in all of them. the school district is upgrading some of their um some of their fields as well
and we while they're not available to our public we do have the option to partner and we can always look at that and that should be you know in this plan just what's available I'd like to know more specifics on the Jupiter High School I know that we'll be doing that later but which courts which field is it
just the track um what are they using what just kind of a better understanding of that I So, so that's my rant and my thought process on this. Vice Mayor. Sure. Um,
Mike, uh, great document. We we met a couple weeks ago. I met with you and Scott Reynolds and town manager. I I think you pretty much covered everything. Uh, I would agree with my colleagues that's kind of drive this when we look at our CIP. Um, I'm still
going through it and kind of sort of prioritizing. I guess my main priority is multi-use fields, what the most impact, you know, you know, get best bang for the buck there to start and other things. So, but still kind of, this is there's a lot to digest here.
Just a quick um councelor Sunsome's uh comments about lighting other parks. Just a history lesson, Maplewood. Uh when I first got on council many years ago, Russ was still here and he was our former director of um parks and wreck among other things. And I walked by his
office say, "Hey, Ron, come in here. I got a story for you." Cuz I live right behind Maplewood Park. It's a beautiful park. I love it. And he said, "Did you know that um there used to be lights behind your house in Maplewood?" I said, "I didn't know that." So, uh, when they I I think when they were de developing Lockxahhatchee Club, uh, at public
comments, one of their attorneys showed up and said, "I have a check for a million dollars to the town if you take those lights out of Maplewood Park." The council disent JCP. So, that deal was already made and it's not that I live there, but it's like I
don't know if we want to go back on that, but, you know, everything's up for discussion. Are you familiar with that? I I had heard something about a neighborhood and discussions. Um, and my curiosity and discussion around it went to, you know, a lot's changed in 20
years, including technology and the ability to direct the lights, so they aren't as disturbing, but the sound may be another issue. So, um, but it's worth exploring because the the potential upside is so big maybe, but again, the timeline, all of it. Sure.
And JC, that's another thing is the community center. So, we're talking a lot about outdoor spaces, but indoor is a really big deal. And I know that we have a new county administrator and new staff that um we are reaching out to.
Their their master plan speaks to West Jupiter Community Center and they do want major renovations, but they're also struggling with funding. So on paper, it looks like there's a lot of opportunity potentially a mutual um of to for this
to be mutually beneficial. Um so that that should be another priority and I I just wonder if there's more detail on Jupiter Community Center, what you see, what its needs are, what its future could be. Could you speak to
that at all? Because I see the CIP and I see way out, you know, in 35. What what would that look like or Yeah. Yeah. just from our understanding from a level of service we feel like there's opportunity there to expand that level of service and the town is uh we feel is better positioned to do that.
Um, but currently it's more of an evening uh routine uh evening center where I I believe JTA actually uses the facility for practices and whatnot, but we see an opportunity during the day that we could leverage programming uh maybe senior programming or shift programming from the community center
here at the municipal complex over to to the West Jupiter community center and that expands and opens the footprint here locally. So, uh, there's lots of options, lots of opportunities, but I feel like, uh, you know, there's there's definitely some opportunity, uh, to expand that level of service.
Okay. And, yeah, it looks really good. The multi-purpose gym floor that that's coming forward very quickly. I think that'll really enhance the experience from what I've heard and seen. Um, some of it's not necessarily stuff that residents would notice. Um, but that but
that is so that the auditorium floor, all of that. So, okay. Thank you. I want to just add particularly now interject for the benefit particularly for newer members and you know I'll still go back to vice mayor but because I think this is underlying and it's important
is you know again this was an incredible effort. I have the benefit of knowing how the plan how the town has been planning and um it's not really doesn't really come out of the documents. I wanted to just point this out.
So, first of all, level of service and I'm we're looking at section 3.2.1 and it's on page 76 in the draft the original draft. So, it might have moved a few pages with the changes,
but um I just can't overemphasize that in I'm going to ask it a request to staff and it's an open item to come back. This process should enable changing the level of service standards. We shouldn't
be judging against standards that were set in the past. Okay? I can't overemphasize that because I've been involved and and embraced the comp plan I would like to believe more than anybody ever does but it changes. So I think when pickle board became so
popular we redeployed fields pickle board knowingly because in uh that's how we ended up in roller hockey. I happen to know that we had kids come to the town council meeting asking for roller hockey. That's how it came to be. And
what the number that get put in there is how many roller hockey I mean it's just that simple. How many roller hockey rinks we had but now we redeployed right? So these are all judgmental things. It doesn't mean now if we redeployed it we made a judgment that we
could do without it to a higher priority. So I do believe and I don't want to get off track but you know like I think we redeployed some tennis courts to pickle ball courts. Okay. As an example. So I think it's time to reset that football. No, understand that. But my point was is
I don't know that we have a shortfall if you use this. Plus there's a complication because we know that our fields are used by 50% 50% of the field usage is outside of the town. So this has always been a complicated thing. But what it should do is kind of set the
ratios if you will of what percentage should be tennis courts versus pickle ball courts. and and we have done it over the years, but there's never been an effort like this. This is should be an outcome. And so, not negative, but I'm kind of disappointed like that wasn't flagged. So, I'm flagging it
because to judge against a, you know, uh a criteria that was dated the last time we updated it and didn't have the extraordinary amount of the last two years of public input. So, I'm going to ask staff to come back and and propose,
right, changes and we'll do that in some meeting because we should. So, I just want to emphasize so nobody's taken too literally. Oh, we got to we got to do two more here because it says so here, right? The other thing I wanted to share is if you look and it also goes to the
level of service is so if you go back you know 20 25 years back is we realized we had a town that was going to be really growing and we thought about certain and that's you know our community center is 20 years what 20
it's over 20 years but I remember when it was put in and we knew that and if you look at it to this day so then all the newer neighborhoods for example most of them got uh club houses. So we knew that the community center and it does to
this day gets used by associations for their annual meetings and such whereas those that have clubous don't. So I just use as an example even something like one of the uses in the community center um you know we knew it and and we also
knew that there's other the schools and whatever that could be used. So the community center that use is an oddball one that we never intended to entirely provide ourselves. Then I'll go to the recreational to the
playgrounds as an example. It's interesting if you look in and again on page 81, but it may have moved on walkability of town parks. I think it's misleading and it deserves a footnote. And I say that not to criticize because
I look at this and in the north end of the town, the only place that there's a walkability issue according to this is my neighborhood. And uh we have two parks that we have.
we don't need a town park. And uh so I do think when you really look at where the gaps are, the gaps quite frankly are explainable because a lot of them, not all of them, were remedied when our planning department
was helping to drive what amenities needed to be provided. So particularly in the way of playgrounds I just want to share and community space meeting space that was planned and we never would have
achieved and never because we didn't set aside land or whatever. So it those two things to some degree need to be footnoted because in the end what the town needed to do is make sure that every community had
you know the facilities that they needed. So we were trying to equalize if you will, right? And uh so you don't see Abicoa, you know, renting the community center for the most part neighborhoods to have meetings because they haven't been there. And again, I'm just laying
this out because it's fundamental to this level of service and you know trying to make sure that uh so again I would submit a footnote is in order my neighborhood I got we don't have a walkability issue. It's interesting. My
my granddaughter I have I have a 28-month old granddaughter and you know her my daughter moved from Malerie Creek to the shores and just like she used to walk to the playground in Mallerie Creek.
I can't tell you how many times. It's a lot. I've done a lot of them with her. Move to the go to the playground. No different than where we have town parks. So I wonder I I agree with that. Um I remember an earlier discussion where they talked about there's a national standard of parks. What is that standard
called? The National Recreation and Parks Association. Yeah. They they create the level of service standards. Mhm. Yes. So they so they create a level of service there and I agree. Um but this was just done for town and I'm not criticizing. So that's a shortfall that if we if we make sure we're
inventorying and footnoting that we knew the reason we're not going to go into the shores or these other areas, we may find there's some we need to, right? But I'm just saying we ought to at least say but they have the amenities. And I I agree with that because well so for example there was a standard earlier
on that we discussed um with the national parks that you need so many community gardens and the town does not have an official town community garden but you have others that do including an abekoa. You've got the aba community garden that anyone can join. So you know that need in the community is being met
just not specifically by this specific service provider. Um, so I think that's what you're speaking to as well. And my neighborhood has a playground that we use that's not a town playground, but it does help meet a kind of level of service. So I'm wondering if it's um if
this is a one-stop shop document, a comprehensive document, is it worth inventorying any of that? As a minimum, it needs to be footnoted. So someone that like someone we're moving in shores doesn't know what I know, saying, "Gee, why am I left out?" Well, you're not. You know, I'm just I'm just saying that, right? because it
truly was planned by town staff, right? Knew that that was, you know, and that's why, you know, we've been doing what we're doing. So, it come it's somewhat it's kind of complicated, but it is those things didn't just happen. We
didn't originally have a a playground in the shores when I moved in there, but we retrofitted one, right? And we don't have a shade structure and don't need one because it's in a nice treed area, right? shaded, right? Yes, it is. Name of it. Yeah,
I don't know. The another good point though is the uh level of service in the comprehensive plan. So, pickle ball is up plus 50% a year. So, I mean, we have our level of service being seven courts and we have 23. So, you know, we're more than exceeding it. Um, but it's one per
9,000. So, I had I had raised that in the one-on-one um because we have just recently amended our comprehensive plan to add pickle ball. It was not included in our comprehensive plan um and should have been. So, you know, we fixed it. It I would be interested to know what year
these um were created. So, they may have different years. When was tennis put at one per four or one per six for baseball? They may be different years. The ruler hockey, most of them are really dated. I would just tell you that. So they regardless of what they were, we need to look at
what the current need is almost look don't be influenced by that, right? Just look at where we have gaps still, right? But also and specific because some neighborhoods have their own tennis courts. So with that awareness, what is the right size for Jupiter and your
professional opinion and how can we look at that? So that's I think that's worth looking at and I'd be curious um to see when they were put in place. Yeah. And I'd like to see that um should be that opinion should be in here right
about that and and I don't think it's something you can whip out in a week but you want to reflect about it and and you know and come back and we'll so then it's meaningful that we've took a two-year effort and it truly leads into
adjusting capacity and recognizing where there truly is a capacity shortfall. And um just to that point again going back to the comments that I was with the stuff I was given the CIP was um and I appreciate you increase
capacity by making it more usable. Yes. Um but if you were talking about adding fields that's an expense. I thought that some of our the multi-purpose fields in particular we've been hearing that for years. We've
they've been neglected. So, I just think that, you know, you can't really count them as in the field and then when you're renovating them, they're you lose them for a bit of time. So, I just believe I just was advocating to get started on that sooner than later. You may say it's not adding capacity, but
it's adding, you know, better quality, you know, feels for it's the priority, which is a priority, I would say. I think it is. But again, we're going to talk about that in a CIP meeting. But I just wanted to, you know, we're kind of like everybody, you can weigh in tonight
on how you see the priority and then, you know, from that it'll lead into the CIP. But I just want to explain that and then take one like lighthouse as an example. They had in here in year six or seven lighthouse to renovate and expand
the restroom as an example. And I agree both need to be done, but expanding is expensive. And if it's not going to be done in seven years, seems to me let's do a lowcost renovation. Mayor, that actually I did find out I remember you asked that question. It has
been renovated recently. So the park has addressed that. Yeah. Along with Jupiter Village, which I believe was also Okay. And fine. But that's the point like renovations if they're needed and staff would know that better than us unless we happen to have been there is uh as opposed to waiting until you do a
big expansion. Let's let's spruce it up where we can quickly and cost effectively. Um but um I just I just one more point. Um councelor Sunstone uh referenced indoor gym space and I think ever since I was on council like when my daughter was in
uh girls volleyball we have a major deficit of indoor gym space for basketball volleyball and other functions. So, but the cost of that, you know, we we've looked at maybe doing it on this campus at some at one point. We were going to do the whole campus, you know, police station, town hall, maybe gym space at once, but we kind of did it
in pieces. But I'm I'm very interested in the um the county's facility up on Indiantown Road. That might be a great opportunity to get something to expand that and but we really need more indoor space that's addressed in here. Yeah, I I know, but that's one of my priorities, but again, it's cost. That's
that's a biggie, you know. So, um, but I'm I would piggy back on that one. So, and that's it. You know, just it's a like I said, great document, a lot of work, and we had a great meeting a couple weeks ago. So, I'll move it on. I won't belor everything that's been going back and forth. And I agree. This
is a 10-year plan. Look, see kind of thing. Agree. Marry it up with the CIPs. But priorities, I look at things now a little differently in age, demographics for our fields. Not so much the parks. I
think the parks, we've got them dispersed throughout, but the field. We've got 40, 50, 60 year old people out there playing basketball. Maximizing all of our facilities. I think we really should address technology. You you've
nailed it. Um when you said lightly, how can we maximize Maplewood Park without offending the neighbors? have to figure out the technology so that if you do have folks that want to play basketball at 9:00 at night, they can do it without upending
parking over at Lighthouse Park that we've heard over and over and again cost effective wise, how can we maximize getting more families? Families are here for quality of life.
if they get to the park and they can't get the children out of the car to get to where they want to go on the field because the parking is an issue. Are we really doing the park justice if we're trying to increase participation? Um,
again, the synergy of the family, spreading it out, giving everyone in the family that opportunity to use what we have. Um there's so many great ideas coming out of here, but I I can see it needs to
marry up with CIP. It really does. Um so I won't go into they've all had great great concepts, great ideas. Maximizing has to be some way to look at it where cost effectiveness goes across the board.
I agree. I we had just recently been to a presentation with you at 6 p.m. and we had heard about parking at lighthouse being an issue when soccer is in play on Saturdays. So, you know, there's no projects here, but to have a plan or a concept, a concept the way that it has
for others could be a start somewhere. So, my turn. uh I didn't have the benefit of a lot of your past knowledge of what was going on here relative to the planning but I did have an opportunity to meet with uh
senior director and did answer a lot of my question I have a few more based on the in detail review of the plan itself but I'll share with those later they're just mainly comments but uh uh I did go through and look at the priorities what were my priorities what I thought we should address obviously one of the big
items to me is a high maintenance equipment facilities and fields uh which translate to higher cost to the town to maintain. Um and my question you are high maintenance costs on equipment and facilities prioritized for renovation or
replacement in this plan. I saw a lot of detail for when we're going to do various things but were those cost impact it gets to the point where it costs more to maintain something is to replace it or renovate it. So I just want those considered in the plan. Yeah, absolutely. And uh definitely the cost
impact of what we're maintaining right now uh I don't think it was specifically addressed in the plan, but uh they are due for renovation. So we're we highly understand that maintaining those fields requires a lot of dedication and kudos to our park staff. They do a fantastic job maintaining the fields, but it does
require a lot of time and attention. And I think the turf fields are an excellent opportunity to alleviate some of those issues. um you know the proposed concept plans I think it has a handful of turf fields and several different parks so that would alleviate and free up some staff time and create some more
efficiencies uh to focus and be more focused on on maintaining what we have. Thank you. Another question obviously from all your workshops and meeting and the surveys one of the big issues were obviously shaded facilities where be
bleachers or playgrounds. So to me that's important that we get the shade structure in there cuz it's not getting any cooler in Florida. It's getting a lot warmer and I remember sitting coaching either softball or or watching games how hot those areas can behind home plate and those bleachers. So I
very much encourage as soon as we can maybe expedite the addition of shaded areas for these parks. So, and back to what Council Sun and Stan, uh, number one of my priorities was improved and added lighting, especially for capacity
and also public safety. So, obviously public safety is the big issue. So, we got to make sure we got folks there at night that they're secure and they have good lighting. So, and one of the things, and I applaud the town for the connectivity as far as the trails and
connecting with the parking, I think that's great. Like you said, a lot of our elder population spent a lot of time walking. So, I think that's important to get out into our parks and be able to walk around. So, and I did have one other comment that uh where I applaud you for u and we talked about this the
lucidity is it lucidity? Yep. That's the asset management software. That's the asset life cycle management tool that you've guys have incorporated. And I know you plan on running a pilot program with that tool, but I encourage
you, I don't know, through hiring an intern or maybe a temp worker to take all the data we have and dump it in that tool because that is a very powerful tool. It'll forecast what the life cycle of our part various equipment fields
are. When can we then when do we have to start planning for replacement and include that in our CIP budget on a yearly basis? So I I think that's a very important tool and whatever we can do to start inputting all the data we have not just the pilot program into that tool for all of our parks I think it' be very
beneficial in the future. So yeah, we have a brand new park superintendent that's going to be starting this upcoming Monday. So very excited to task him with uh looking at operating software and potentially leveraging that. Okay, great. That's good news. I'm glad to hear that. So, and
one of the thing we talked about this regarding the Jupiter community center, the roof, it's state of repair and everything and also the windows and the HVAC system. Are these systems expected to last another 3 years? And if not, do
we have a contingency plan just in case we have to move in earlier to do repairs or replacement? That's something we need to work with the engineering team with. Uh I know that uh when I was not here with the town that they did do some patchwork in the previous years to try and get by to
to what we need. But uh that's something that we definitely can evaluate with engineering team and come up with a a contingency plan and also look at what we're currently facing from uh our current issues. And and one last thing, I I like how you laid out the master
plan vision for goals and objectives utilize and revitalize, connect, expand, and also enhance. Um, regarding the town's access to indoor um and outdoor wreck facilities owned and operated either by the county or school district,
has the town made any headway advancing interlocal agreements with these entities? So, as far as I understand, the the interlocal agreement between us and the Jupiter High School was asked to be put on pause until we've developed the JTA athletic policy, which we we are
firmly establishing here in the near future. So, we we have been in communication with Jupiter High School and we are looking at finalizing that uh those details of that interlocal agreement and council Sunundrum, we'd be happy to share those uh share that agreement with you as well and and with
council. What about the agreements with on the aquatic complex and also the uh West Jupiter Recreation? So the county the aquatic complex we were in discussion with uh Bob Bob Hamilton. He is the uh CIP director or
development and planning director for the parks and recreation department and we were uh looking at potentially uh working in collaboration with Palm Beach County to uh develop a splash pad at the aquatic center. uh from my understanding is that they had funding to uh renovate
the the pool area, but they did not have the funding to transition that kitty pool area into a splash pad, which they felt would be more conducive for the residents. And that's where the town of Jupiter was going to step in. But my last conversation with him is that he wanted to get through the budget process
before they commit to anything and before they come here and speak to the council about those plans. Um obviously they want to ensure that uh the appropriate amount of funding for that initial project I'm sure uh is appropriately funded. And lastly, I want to thank you and your staff putting together a very
comprehensive plan. Um it's got the right level of detail and also I appreciate the fact you had all the different various stakeholders input to it. So a nice job all around by the entire team. Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you. I want to raise Oh go sorry. I just wanted to raise um two
more points as I was listening to my colleague. Uh, one thing I just wanted to flag here raised potentially is, uh, we are moving forward on the playgrounds. We will be doing all the playgrounds over a certain period of time. Uh, we're doing some of the biggest ones now. So, we really have relieved a lot of pressure and a lot of
families are about to enjoy um, enjoy these. Um, I'm not sure if there is the same desire to renovate some immediately or comprehensively. Um, each playground's very different. Each each of these facilities is very different. we've learned through this process. Um,
we do collect input. We have collected input, but it shouldn't be this one-time snapshot in the beginning and then we're not going to do it again for the next 10 years, you know. So, we we've learned that, you know, these are very specific to these neighborhoods. It's important. I really like the signage that you've
put out with a QR code in advance and then you can you're getting feedback through social media and through the QR code. um we should do that in advance just um of any design or planning just to kind of make it a little more specific to the neighborhood
where possible and easy. Um but you know I think about um capacity again is just weighing heavily on my mind. We used to have a fitness center on town hall like here at town hall before the new building we had like a fitness center and there are a number of groups um that
enjoy that. We don't have it now to my knowledge in the town. Um it was proposed at Sinquis Park I see in this plan. So if there is you know I worry something to push back something to add maybe something like reintroducing a fitness center at Sinquaz Park so that
there is that capacity for people and maybe pushing back you know a playground where people want to take more time. For example, Old Town Hall I really think about that's a historic neighborhood. I've always said they might just want a fresh coat of paint on that. I don't know what the desire is going to be, but
I know it's going to be a really important consideration and I don't know if there's a rush to change that area, right? So, it might warrant a discussion where you trade that out. I don't know. But something to think about and I will mention there are four playgrounds that are being designed for
fiscal year 26. So, we are we are approaching 100% on construction design. So, we would come. I know from the last town council meeting when I came and presented briefly about the the playgrounds that a presentation was asked to be given. So, we'll definitely schedule that in the near future.
Thank you. And you have shared some of those plans on social media and you've gotten input. So, that's been great. Thank you. Three uh housekeeping items left that I had when I came here, but I've been picking from my list. First of all, um, and the first two may not make me
popular, but I'm up here to make decisions on the behalf of the public. The Maplewood Park lighting. Okay. I I had heard some hearsay about that, but I'd rather we approach these things
assuming there's no walls constraining us, confining us, right? It's a saying I know I'm shar with others but that I learned a long time ago from somebody that was my mentor. The walls that we perceive are the walls
that confine us. I don't perceive any more walls. So, uh until I'm proven otherwise um and it may well be it may happen very quick because I'm speaking up about this. we ought to consider lighting Maplewood
Park because you still would go through a process where you would getting be getting b public comment about it. So I wouldn't want to just I know you said you shared that Russ shared that background but you know that million dollars you know spared lighting there
for 20some years most of those people may even have moved on but we should think about maximizing our facilities. I just wouldn't have weighed in as opposed to not having spoke up, right? Oh, yeah. I mean, so I' I'd ask, you know, and often times
there's somebody on staff or a town attorney may remember the history on that. Not to get in discussion here, but the whole thing is, as has been said by others here tonight, is to try to maximize use. So putting lighting wood
while there was an agreement 20some years ago deferred it being done doesn't mean that we were unless someone tells me otherwise we stay constrained by that. I understand. No I know but I mean I just wanted to have said it on behalf of council. I know everybody would agree then unless
someone tells us otherwise and there's some lighting there now. The basketball courts are lit I think till 10 and the rocket ball courts. There's some lighting over there. But no, I remember that. And so we But now that we're, you know, built out and constrained um to the degree there's any fields that we could make
more available, it it behooves us. Um and um so that was one. And then um the fitness center um and it's the will of the council. Many years ago, we
didn't focus on fitness center. the council at that time took the position that there's a lot of private fitness centers. So, we didn't want to compete with that. So, that's something we'd have to think because with limited money, do you want to do it? I'm not saying we mean not decide now, but I
just wanted to say that that that's why we don't have a fitness center because there's a bunch of fitness centers in town and and we didn't want to get into competing, if you will, on that. Um, and then I think I had one more here. Um um
I do think that we ought to have a policy of sorts. What park type for use do we feel we ought to have restrooms? Because neighborhood playgrounds I am just in my
opinion. I'm only saying this because we only have so much money. Gee, it'd be nice to do a lot of stuff. But a neighborhood playground in theory is within walking distance. And the way they've been historically is you go back home and we haven't put
restrooms in there. When a park gets like an Indian Creek to where it's viewed as a flagship one or whatever, that's a larger one. It's drawing people that are not walking there and then doing a restroom. Uh, but
I just wanted to maybe there was a couple that there was a suggestion about restrooms and I can learn otherwise and change my mind, but I just wanted to say we have to be careful in um, you know, not we're not going to get into retrofitting those. Well, first of all,
not worried about it because we don't have the money to do it, but wouldn't don't want that to be detracting us from doing other higher priority needs. So, that hasn't been established a criteria. And I just would ask staff could think about that and
we could make some policy decision based on how you would articulate it. Right. So, you know, I see that tonight there's a consensus. We know that it's all in our mind that in the CIP workshopping
and the budget plan that we're doing for this year, this your fiveyear CIP and again for the public, we've already incorporated a lot of this. That's why parks are now done some of the playgrounds. But um but that's the way we
roll into linking this document, you know, with the prioritization decisions that go into the CIP action item from staff to come back on the comp plan level service
recommendations to change. I am again emphasizing to you the complications of it is we're only obligated to serve our residents. We're not going to for example so knowing that when our standard for
example the fields are used twice as much as we really can't control that because we can't build twice because think about it that's what it says here we got 65 you know I mean we're planning for 65,000 but there's really like twice that when
you take that's a complication of the comp plan nonetheless what I would expect and we all would want is the prioritization of what where do we need to add capacity, you know, where can we redeploy capacity, right? So, bottom line, that's
what the takeaway. I'm just advising that as opposed to getting too caught up into, well, what is level of service, right? When you have 50% of the users, you know, outside of the area, I don't know how to deal with that. I'm just, you know, just talk about
number of fields, right? Um anyway um and um so I think to some degree it's a staff decision. I do think it's worthwhile I'm asking my colleagues to do a little bit of executive
amendment to incorporate some of what we're talking about so when the public picks this up when you post it as it's been adopted you know they understand that. Do you not do you agree with that? Yeah, absolutely. We can incorporate a lot of
of what you're discussing uh from a footnote standpoint or from changing Yeah. changing it. So, but there's no way you can get it for the 19. So, uh No, I would I would think not understand. So, then our action would be you would come back when you have it
ready. I think that we all agree to that as opposed to setting it. We can't set a date. I'm not saying you're going to take years to do it, but you know, this way it's in your control what to come back, but um
just so that people understand how this will translate and be a guiding document that we'll be using as as we go forth. Everybody kind of agree to that? Mhm. So um
so generally I've been very broad because right we don't have dollar numbers next to any of these right and CIP is going to be really important. So I've tried to speak in just terms of operating logic and principle and leave that to staff to really work out the numbers knowing the priorities of
council. Um, you know, like like sports lighting for Indian Creek I see in long-term, but also in long-term I see a parking area for East View Manor Park, which again is a neighborhood park. So that might go along with restrooms, too. Those have never had parking because they've always been walking from the
homes in the area. And that may be the way that the neighborhood prefers it. Who knows? But parking is expensive. That would be something I would be more comfortable pushing back. I would push forward sports lighting for courts to again increase capacity. So that's just an example. It doesn't mean it's a
specific prescription. Um but an example of what um I'm looking for and I hope a majority um if there's consensus just capacity is like an operational, you know, logic to it. Um, and then as we go into CIP, you know, we trust our
staff to to figure out what to push back and what to bring forward to kind of um fulfill that. And then the comp plan, yes, I agree with um and footnotes just again that pro the the bigger context because again each municipality is so
unique and we have a very unique feature particularly in Abicoa where I live with all these extra playgrounds and fields and things that aren't necessarily accounted for in gardens. So that's a really important thing to note. So thank you. I just there's two more items and it
came up in the just the last few minutes to make sure you addressed in the summary. Um collaboration with Palm Beach County and school district about leveraging their facilities to beat the need. It's addressed in here,
but it probably should be highlighted in executive summary that that'll be an ongoing thing. um and uh as it had and I'm really grateful for how we're doing out of more out of the box thinking of
you know contributing at the county pool you know to get a splash pad in there that's the most cost effective thing to do and um and then at West Jupiter Community Center you know wherever that'll lead I know staff made a run at
that and got rejected but it still would be and I'm you g kind of gave you know at least I was hearing maybe there's some hope that something's going to happen there but some of these things may not happen this year and we may not
have a plan but we're going to keep working at it have to right and we means the council town manager you know staff you know you staff everybody we just have to and then not not remiss with uh
councelor uh Gisinger had asked, "Have we made progress with interlocal agreements?" We had inter local agreements and they expired and changed. No, I want to just emphasize that. So it's not it still is
a priority to the council and we realize we have to help the fact that JTA started incurring more costs. they came to us and you know for using the facilities. So that still is a hope
of mine that somehow in the new inner local we can address that to the we to the way that the original one did. Um it's really all about just serving the same common population of people, right?
So, um I realize there's costs in keeping the school facility open, but again, I'm just reacting to they were saying they were having to incur, you know, more cost than they had in the past. So, I just want to make sure they're hearing. We're still going to
try to get that in addressed in, you know, local if we can. Do you feel you have enough uh guidance here, clarity? Absolutely. I really do appreciate the thoroughess and and all the feedback and I think everything is is, you know, well within reach of accomplishing. You know, we're we're right there at the finish
line. So, very excited to to get it across the line and meet the needs of of council and, you know, obviously subsequently the residents. Thank you. Wonderful. Thank you. Awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Okay. Uh, moving on to reports. Town attorney. Couple of reports. Thank you, mayor. Um, today I received uh or I participated in a phone call with council
uh representing Mr. Modica and I have uh some encouraging news to report. Um we are under mediation so that
remains confidential. Um but I am going to share that with the town manager tomorrow at some point. Unfortunately, I'm having some wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow. So,
uh, Frank, it'll be later in the day. Um, and I and and I hope I will be, uh, able to speak clearly to you. Um, and I will be on vacation the following
week. So, my my partner, town manager Kitsro, is going to have to deliver the uh, information. But it's uh it's been a progressive process and I think we are getting very close.
The other thing I wanted to mention is uh I know all of you are aware of Senate Bill 180. Um I don't know that you are quite aware of its the significant impact that it has on all communities in Florida.
Um, I've spent a lot of time talking with other land use and municipal attorneys around the state about this, including a law firm that um, represents a number of municipalities in Broward and Dade
County, which successfully challenged the form six uh, legislation. I have a couple of uh close uh friends and contacts there and they have indicated that they are uh interested in
leading the charge to challenge Senate Bill 180. What Senate Bill 180 does so that we're clear is that it effectively eliminates the council's ability to make changes to its comprehensive plan and
its land development regulations. retroactive to November 1 of 2024 and going prospectively through 2027. But it gets worse than that because there's a provision in the bill that
says thereafter anytime there is a hurricane that uh any executive order extended emergency order extended um will also be applied within 100 miles
of the path of that hurricane. Now, Senate Bill 180, given the storms that we had in 2024 and 2023, uh effectively covered all 57 counties
of Florida. So with the potential for uh strong storm seasons as we go forward with the warming of our oceans and warming of our climate, it's reasonable to expect and I
think scientists have reported that hurricane activity is likely to continue to be strong. What that means is that that legislation could go beyond 2027. So it could keep
perpetuating itself because of each storm season. Um Weiss Serota, who's the law firm that uh I've been discussing this with has a plan to challenge the the legislation.
They are asking communities who would like to join as plaintiffs in the uh challenge to invest $10,000. Their goal is to attract 50 communities
through Florida. Uh, which provides a significant war chest, but a significant war chest in litigation of this nature is what is necessary because it's certainly going to go through the appellet levels unless the legislature
comes to its senses and amends the legislation. There's also some talk of that and perhaps litigation would assist them in coming to a reasonable conclusion about planning in Florida.
I want to say uh because I've been around here a long time that you know the the leadership of mayors Galanca, Wadrasa, and Caretsky over the years. One of the things in the hallmarks of this council has always been a very
thoughtful approach to planning in this community. That's what makes it such a great community. Um, innovative and responsible planning here has been the hallmark of Jupiter for at least 30 years.
And it's given you and our citizens things like the Riverwalk, Abaccoa, environmental bond issues to preserve open space. And the result of that is not by
accident, it's by good planning. So, the thought that um I'm on a little bit of a soap box here, but the thought that going forward your ability to plan for your community will be restricted under the threat of litigation by
private property owners who do not like your planning is something that I think um bears strong consideration as to whether or not you would participate in this litigation. I'm not asking you to make a commitment.
Um, tonight I am asking you to think about it and um at a future council meeting make a decision. But I think it to me this is the most damaging legislation that I've
planning legislation that I've seen in Florida since I began my career as a land use planner back in 1979. So, um, think about it and, uh,
whenever you're ready to discuss it, I'm ready to address any questions you might have. Can I ask one question? Is there a timeline on this when you need to hear from the council? Uh, I would say sooner than later. Um, this dialogue has been last week. We
were at we city attorneys were at the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association conference uh for 3 days in Boca Raton and I had the opportunity to speak with Susan Travaran who's a a planner lawyer
with Weiss Serota and um Susan and I were at the same law firm many years ago that Fred Boselman was the the head partner there and Mr. Bosselman was the
architect of most of the growth management laws in Florida and so we kind of grew up in that that environment and uh you know we we talked about this legislation and with a lot of our colleagues there there's there's a lot
of concern throughout the state and uh it's really the latest attack on home rule because in Florida as you uh a growth state and continuing to be a growth state and Jupiter is in really a
cycle of there's still growth going on but there's redevelopment going on so you still have to plan for future growth. Um the restriction on or the fear that a council might have that if you adopt
responsible planning legislation, it could be attacked by a property owner who doesn't agree that it's responsible and challenge that legislation and if they win, recover their attorney fees has a significant chilling effect on uh
local government officials. Well, I just want to point out three items and I'll I'll weigh in already personally. Um, number one, I can hypothesize some of what we do may
be okay, but nonetheless, this is so far reaching. We talked tonight about level of service for parks and wreck. I would imagine that that doesn't fall in the category you can't do it because it affects no one but us but it's our guiding but you can get back I think we
need to have a round table on all these things uh you know we have been and will continue to pursue land use and zoning changes but we've we do them typically well some of the ones we do is with the agreement of the property owner therein
I would hope that that still could be done but not clear from the legislation And then in the way of traffic we rely upon and we feel compelled to meet our level of service obligations for traffic and we update that on a periodic basis
to you know to reflect where we are and from that we decide what to spend capital dollars on. So we we use the comp plan as as much and more than I think anybody I know. So, you know, I'm
in on the $10,000. Uh, so, and if my colleagues want to wait, we'll call it back again. But in addition, I do think kind of this one maybe should be roundtabled. Not to hold up, you know, saying whether we will or won't agree, but I do think this is going to impact
us, right? So, here I'm talking about let's update our comp plan and maybe I didn't have a right to ask that, right? I mean that's why another meeting where you give us we can use examples of things we can't you think we can and and I understand everything can be
challenged which is what's makes this whole thing why I'm $10,000 is money well invested to get clarity I don't know if anybody else wants to weigh in or you want to wait till next meeting I I think it's an egregious attack on home rule and I'm I'm all for fighting
it and you know we're we're in a you know we're built out with Lisa. We're doing um um uh not renovation, um what's the word? Redevelopment. Um but other towns that are growing, they have the right to do
what Jupiter's done to to develop their town and and if the will with the people in their elected officials choose. So I I just, you know, any attack on home rule just drives me out of my mind and I I'm all in. So thank you for the update. I generally agree with that, but I'd
also like to know if there is there a memo or something more specific deta more detail. I'm glad you asked that. We have a memo coming out tomorrow to the town manager on Senate Bill 180. Um,
we have also put in motion uh with Mr. particular identifying all ordinances, land use, and land development regulations that the council has adopted since November 1, 2024,
along with prospective ordinances that the planning staff is got now in process. Uh, and we're doing this for our other three communities that our firm represents also. And what we will go
through and do with those ordinances is from our perspective a risk analysis. Um, keeping in mind that regardless of regardless of our opinion that something may be a low risk, it's not our opinion
that matters. It's a property owner's opinion that matters. And so it's it's pretty difficult to say there is a safe plan amendment or there is a safe land development regulation that the council
can adopt because we just don't know who might find it offensive. So first I think that that's incredibly helpful not only the SP80 but also how it applies specifically to Jupiter to know what we're getting into. Um, B, I think that that information is going to be incredibly helpful in what we may
endeavor to do potentially and will help League of Cities and others. They're constantly looking for these types of specific examples from municipalities. So, the hours of effort I'm sure you all are spending on this uh will not be wasted. So, thank you. Let me add one other thing because this
just came out last week. Orange County, which you know is a large metropolitan county, as part of the update to their comprehensive plan, they adopted a vision statement, and we're just talking about a vision statement for what they
see in terms of growth of their county. That plan amendment went to the Department of Economic Opportunity, as all transmitted plan amendments must go. the department, which of course is under
the control of the governor, um advised Orange County that they were not they were not recommending approval of the county's plan amendment. So, there's a second layer here. The first
layer is that we have private property owners that can interfere with your home rule authority. And then we have the state um directly uh addressing at least comprehensive plan amendments. Now they don't have
control over land development regulations but they do because of the statutory process of plan amendments. The state is uh some in the state are driving us to unbridled growth. It's ridiculous
by hand by handcuffing local governments that way. And for what purpose though? It's progrowth but not worry. They don't want while while the public wants us to worry about growth and manage it, right? They just want to but the purpose of
this legislation is just allow anybody to build anything they care about. I mean really I think they view it as a once in a-lifetime opportunity postco where there's so much interest in the state. They want to capture and retain as much of it as possible and any obstacle is a challenge. Okay.
But there are other considerations. Well, keep in mind while they're uh talking about um promoting growth, which of course promotes population, population requires services that local governments provide. They're
also talking about eliminating property taxes, which is what local governments, the primary source of funding for local governments to provide services. So, um, you know, in the words of Carl Hyas, it's a double whammy
and it may work counter to their goals, right? It may not retain residents if they have issues with traffic or quality of life concerns. And we say by eliminating property taxes, that money comes from somewhere. So get spoonfed from the state to the towns and then you're restricted on you don't know what you're going to get,
what you can do and how you can serve your citizens. Am I correct? Yes. Yeah. And and what I'm seeing is this bill is so broad. It affects everything from before after hurricanes, wind
mitigation, flood mapping, what counties can and cannot do after a hurricane. So, this bill is huge and it's wide and expansive. Um, need a lot of guidance here, but thank you for bringing it up.
We need to hear about it. We need to do something about it. Path to central control and it's okay. But I think I've only heard two that have said they were they're supportive of this 10 10 grand. Anybody else? I think we should join the fight. I'm
supportive of it. Okay. I'm supportive, too. But I'm always going to say, "Let me read the memo first." No, understand. I'm just taking I just know the memo is going to give me what I need. Yeah. I mean, it it's not at this point it's not a commitment, but but
the law firm needs to understand who who is likely in and who's who's not. And that's what we're weighing in here. And so, yeah, you know, I mean, they have from their track record is a good one. They have a lot of communities who joined in the
form six fight. So my guess is those are fairly enlightened communities and that the same communities will probably participate here. Well, in essence, this bill does also
strengthen um the state's emergency preparedness. Number one, that's kind of how they're looking at it, if you will. But it really put the um the handcuffs on what locals can do. So, I'm looking forward to
getting your memo and seeing it all. Seeing it all. It's 11 pages. Town manager. Thank you, Mayor. Uh just a couple of things. Uh Mr. Bear, but please don't worry tomorrow about trying to get to me during the day. I'd rather you get your
wisdom back. Um, and I will make myself That's what the mayor said. Might be waiting a while. And I'll make myself available anytime over the weekend. Uh, if you want to chat over the weekend, just text me. Um, mayor and council, uh, the first thing
I'm really happy to announce that finally the quiet zone designation for the town of Jupiter will go into effect tomorrow, August 8th. designation removes the requirement for trains to sound their horn as they approach the six railroad crossings located in
Jupiter and should significantly cut down on the train uh horn noise that has been affecting our residents and businesses. With the quiet zones going into effect, I would also like to remind everyone to be vigilant when around the railroad tracks. While trains will be
passing through a bit quieter, they will still be moving very quickly. I've spoken with Chief Barbara and we're going to have a police presence around the cross around the uh crossings uh starting tomorrow and probably till next
Monday. We'll see how it goes to give commuters an opportunity to, you know, to be aware and remind them, you know, be careful. And then also the weekend traveler, the weekend people out as well. Yes, mayor. Do we know um I've said this a number of
times because I know uh Bright Line told me this ultimately it's at their discretion. Do we know when because the gardens had had their and I know you have to take the signs down before it becomes effective. So it's effective in our asking bright line but did the
gardens have they already implement did they immediately implement the gardens because that'll be a telltale sign. I I don't know that they immediately implemented the gardens. I know when we were going through this final phase, they wanted us to wait until the gardens uh was uh all the way um in compliance.
Um we've been so far ahead of the curve that we just wanted to get it done. So I'm not sure if the gardens has gone ahead now. No, they have because it was reported. So the gardens did a section. That's why I was wondering I just you know people
are public hearing we everything's in order. The Federal Railway Association has agreed it it's done everything we've done everything we can and it should be acquired. It is designated. But then the last step is Bright Line has to
implement that in their operational procedures and to the degree that um you know the gardens got a section or all of it in a couple weeks ago. I was just curious if anybody knew if they in fact
like stopped that that same day or they could have waited until we joined. I don't know the answer. I I don't know the answer either, Mayor. I know it was going back and forth and um and you know we were really mostly concerned with what Jupiter's you know yes and I say Bright Line that's also
FAC so it's uh it goes to the railroad operators and then now they don't have they're no longer obligated but time will tell I just don't want people to be disappointed tomorrow if it turns out they're still blowing the horns well and and they and they can still bl
by the way if they need if they need to if they need to They can still blow the horn. Agreed. It's not that you can't. I hope there's at least starting sometimes you're not blowing it. Can we put this out on our social media? Oh, yeah. 100%. So, um, and while I'm at
it, I know there's a lot of work that went into this, so I just want to thank a few folks. Roger Held, CJ Lan, all the staff, um, including many, many people in public's works who work so hard to get this designation. and as you know
it's been around and around and around and so I can't thank them enough. Um also uh again like to thank everybody who came out took part national night out uh last Tuesday uh this past Tuesday two nights ago our police officers fire rescue personnel and staff were really just
humbled by the support from the community and for you know for those that were in uh in the parade. It was really just remarkable to see all those little kids dressed in police uniforms and fire uniforms and just just really really remarkable. So I just want to say
thank you to the public for that. Um and then last week the town's planning and zoning staff ho hosted the focus groups with residents and b business owners along center street Carter to discuss the two key initiatives uh relating to the Palm Beach County projects to widen
street. Um, we've also created a web page to collect input for anybody that wasn't there and wants to give input. And on uh Wednesday, September 10 at 6 p.m., the town will hold a public input workshop here in the council chambers.
And then, um, finally, our utilities department is going to be performing a systemwide maintenance of the water distribution system beginning next Tuesday, August 12. Uh, during that time, chlorine will be used to disinfect the water. um you know just to assure
everyone this process is safe and is a recommended practice to maintain water water quality throughout the system. Um but our water customers may notice a slight difference in the taste of the water but please rest assured that this is safe to drink and cook with and the
process is going to end on Tuesday, September 2nd. That's my report. Mayor Councelor Troy. Okay. Again, I want to piggyback on um town manager. The parade was amazing.
All of the energy that and we're still coming up with a number. 5,000 people. It could have been more. The energy that our residents showed for our staff, first responders. Um for me personally,
it was just very heartwarming. I was very very proud to be in that fire truck. By the way, want to also say thank you for the new signs that are up on the slowdowns. I've seen people in cars along Tony
Penna slowing down. That was a great timing before school. Thank you for doing that. And again, I want to say thank you to all the staff. There's been a lot of work put on them between CIPS, budgets, parks and recrecks. They have
done an amazing job. And I as I sit here and listen, we can all keep adding um and they take get very humbly. They don't take it personally and they're going to come back with amazing products for us to finalize in the coming months.
So, please convey to them thank you. It's a lot of work. Um a couple weeks ago I um we were all invited to meet with um some of the Palm Beach County traffic engineers and um I was able to go and the mayor also was there and uh they wanted to discuss the
they their 5-year traffic plan that they're putting into their CIP and we got we got a a tour of the facility and we got a um brief presentation and um and and they they want to know from the town our priorities as they work it into
their budget of um traffic improvements that we need. So, we're on we're on that. And um and also there's talk of, you know, as the half penny sales tax um sunsets that there'll be a new sales tax is strictly just going to be for transportation. So, we want to make sure
that they have our priorities in order. What we need done especially I would say specifically out on Indiantown Road, Center Street Intersection, Indiantown Road. and they said they've already done right right is my memory correct mayor that they always they already did a study on that on that intersection of central and Indiantown road
so we need to take a look at that and just stay on top of that so um so good things happening there and again I um I was involved I want to thank um uh Major Chris Smith he let me ride in his vehicle at national night out was fantastic and it that's the first one I
I was involved in I've been on vacation the last couple years and the the outpouring of of of the residents coming out and the respect and the enthusiasm was just, you know, you guys all felt it. It was amazing. This town really supports it there, the police department
and it was just um and officer I think officer Diaz had a lot to do with with that whole night. He deserves a lot of recognition for that. So um and I think that is it. It's been a long This is a late night. I'll let I'll wrap it up. Few quick items. Number one, um I know
Stacy sometimes watches these meetings, so I want to give a shout out of appreciation to her. When this new uh dis was created, the phone charger escaped the mayor's area and and so I
really hadn't had one. Uh cuz like the one on this side is really No, no, no, no, it's really No, the point was No, but it's out it's out of reach. So that I was always worried about using one out of reach and I leave it behind. So I asked her just
yesterday to see if she couldn't get me a pad. A I walked in here. Typical of Stacy. Next day it's done, right? So I just wanted to say thank you to her. It says mayor on it, too. I know. I understand.
But no, but there's plugs to do it, but now it'll be here permanently. And it isn't just me. So, mayor should come off of that because when planning and zoning commission or anybody else uses this up here, it means people sitting in the seat get to use it. So, u thank you. Uh just a
followup on the vice mayor's comment. Um, so I had asked and arranged I'd always wanted to get down to the traffic control center uh at the county and tried to do it when our new uh uh
engineering director was there but unfortunately you know he had unbeknownst to me he had vacation planned. So, we had a meeting which uh the vice mayor was there. I was there. You all had an invite to it. Uh and um
and he wasn't there. So, I'm going to have to get back to download. Uh but I'm just pleased to say in addition to getting, you know, the uh seeing, you know, the traffic control center, which I'd always imagined but never saw, we had a lot of great conversations. They
did a presentation. Uh Mr. Kitser, I'm going to have to get back with you to share because I do think some of the issues that we've been struggling with there may have been some misunderstandings about. So, we had really some widespread discussion and I would say on the county transportation
plan because that's what the vice mayor was talking about. Well, they were asking stuff from us is I got an opportunity to ask them for their input like on Ross Road and whatever. So, we began the dialogue
uh which and it may well have already begun the week or two before when you know our engineering director was there. I'm not suggesting it didn't. I just know now it did with on our basis. So, uh we're off and running together. And what they talked about is they were
telling me about a project. There's really a lot of road potential road projects that we just need to update the the line of sight to because they were talking about an in a uh they're in the design phase at Central Biantown Road
for a intersection improvement. Not completely like we need but still nonetheless an improvement. And what they're doing is uh and I'm going to get more details so we can share it and make sure everybody knows about it on the dis
but and the public. Um but they're extending the eastbound turn lanes for capacity to turn northbound on the central boulevard and then they're going to add a
legitimate northbound through lane up to Riverwalk. I suppose where it always was an oddball one, you know, two people turning, you're really turning in the lane that's already emerged lane. And uh so they're making
that more of a proper design, which will help out even for northbound traffic. So they're um you know, they're doing you know, they're proceeding to do road projects. We talked about projects we had they wanted to learn about or ones we're advocating for because we've
always we have always advocated together. So bottom line in that spirit we had conversations. Um and I'll make sure that there's some I I think uh uniquely uh Mr. Kitsro, we should have a meeting with your staff
and we can talk about all those that I may know, they may not, they may or may not know, and then that can be communicated on the be the council. Um, I want to probably every one of us are going to talk about National Night Out, but the thing that I
was delighted about and I can't overemphasize my gratitude towards staff and I mean staff, you know, I've had the privilege of being on this council when we began strategic planning and I remember when
we created our vision and we wanted to maintain our small town feel and not one of us really knew knew how you're going to do that. But that was something we said decades ago. And and uh I submit to you what I was delightful to me was so I
was in one of our uh fire vehicles, not the fire truck, and with two two uh of our leadership team that are from outside the area. And it was so delightful to hear them observe like wow
I have never seen anything the likes of this and uh you know and while we know it and we take it for granted you know at that moment and I've already gone back and told some staff you think about it it's
just the job that our police do that people were out there saying thank you police right it was you know our uh our staff who put signs out to let the public know about it and the communications. I could go on and on. I
mean, it's like an entire team effort. So, that would not have happened just because council said we want to maintain a small town feel, right? Um, and so it just was particularly gratifying. Uh, and I'm just thankful and I know all
of us that were there would and so I'm just as we go down I'm just emphasizing that. But that is again just the hearing two members that now are part of the town but didn't live here were stunned because they've never
seen anything like it. That's that's a that's a statement right and staff need to hear that uh town manager right to really celebrate that. Thank you. Um, this stormwater, you know, I'd asked last meeting for information and it was in the weekly report. The stormwater
utility inspections overview and metrics. Uh, kudos. Uh, you know, there's been improvements since I last saw it. I really wanted to shout out and recognize I wanted newer members or maybe all of you to realize that that's actually something that exists. When you
look at that document, what's so I mean that is extremely valuable work because they know all the hot spots that other agencies are responsible for, but we don't allow ourselves to become a victim. I know this firsthand. Northern
FDOT, other the Heights Control District, other entities are responsible for the storm elements of the storm water system. But before our staff started doing this, those things would occasionally be neglected, I can tell
you I've called into our staff to report some things at the choke point that could in fact call, you know, result in flooding. So again, great shout out. I, you know, give more comments to staff. And then it really was enlightening on the back prevention inspection results,
what it shows. And thank you. And then just lastly, I want to say the strategic plan, the quarterly update, if I don't know if every if everybody hadn't had a chance to look at it, and of course, you wouldn't have the perspective that I have, but that was
the most well done strategic plan update that we've ever had. And I know that it hasn't been for lack of effort. So there's been a a real effort made um to really improve that to make it meaningful that we know where we are at
and uh there's never been one like this last one. So, um I just wanted to say thank you to staff. Again, I know many have done it and um because when it really comes down to it, the strategic plan to us up here, well, and and our
staff, that's the the big breakthroughs we want to make sure happen, right? And so, the fact that everyone they're moving along, right? Progress is being made certainly running obstacles and we climb over them, but uh but thank you for that. And with that, Council
Sunstrom, going to be super quick. Number one, I texted and uh my colleague in Palm Beach Gardens and their quiet zone started the morning that it was supposed to start. So, I have hope, you know, you never know, but just wanted to check on that. Uh number two, National Night Out. I
completely agree. You know, we I was talking to someone the other day about police see us on our worst days sometimes, and that worst day can have a different meaning for everyone. But um this is a chance for them to become not just a protector but a neighbor and to see everyone to connect with everyone.
Um small town field parades you know you know your town um has a sense of community when you have parades and they keep going. I'm always worried they're going to fade. I loved council choy and her dog the dalmatation the mascot of the fire department till they find one. Um just anything just to bring that
interest and that heart to it. Um this is their night. We want to support them. We want to support their celebration so that it always continues. And um I loved it. I always do. My kids loved it. We forgot a bag of candy till the very end. So I had like 10 full handfuls to throw
out at Abaccoa. It was a great moment. So that's always good. Um and that's it. Just if I could add one more thing about the um about the quiet zones. Uh, Roger Held must be watching because I got a text message that the FRA inspector said
to call him if the horns are repeatedly being sounded. So, we're anticipating that tomorrow the quiet zones will begin. Good signs. Okay, everybody's talked about National Night Out. I'm going to talk about it
also, but from a different perspective. This is my first time riding. I was with Captain uh Ronowski, very fine young young gentleman. Uh I appreciate the privilege of him hosting me in his vehicle. But really amazed me is a lot of turnout, but the number of
citizens going down the various roads who knew him by name. So that's a tribute to the police personnel being bedded in our communities and hats off to him because everybody screaming out his name. He was tossing cars and balls everywhere. So, I really appreciate that
and I learned a lot just riding with him and talking to him. And second, I appreciate the the proclamation, the recognition tonight of the utility department. They do a phenomenal job safeguarding and protecting our water and maintaining the system. So, I think that was a welldeserved prop
proclamation tonight. So, thank you. The time is now 9:44 and we'll adjourn the meeting.