--------- town of Lake Placid. If everybody would please stand, I'm going to ask our town attorney if he would please lead us in a invocation and pledge. Dear Gord, dear Lord, bless and guide us as we attempt to bring democracy and representative government to the town of
Lake Placid. May our decisions be wise and worthy of your view. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Clerk, would you please call the role? >> Mayor Hullbrook, >> here. >> Council member Hayes >> here. >> Council member Worley >> here. Council member Charles >> here. >> Council member Everheart
>> here. >> Board member Hartzel. >> Board member Levant >> here. >> Okay. >> All right. We'll open it up for public comments. Is there anything anybody has for
non-aggenda items? All right. Seeing none, we'll go to the consent agenda A and B. I'll make a motion to approve consent agenda A and B. >> Second. >> I've got a motion, a second. Any further
discussion from the podium? Hearing none, we'll take it to the audience. >> Okay, seeing none, bring it back. Pull the council. >> Council member Hayes, >> yes. >> Council member Worley, >> yes. Yes. Council member Charles. >> Yes. >> Council member Ebart. >> Yes.
>> Board member Leblanc. >> Yes. >> Uh I have no presentations or citizens. We have anything to come before the board. >> We wanted to provide some updates after the last meeting. We have um the CRA
mapping that we discussed where it had revealed Hillrest is outside the CRA boundary and would require funds to be reassigned. The board did request an agenda item for reallocation and prioriti a prioritized list of the top five projects. Members at that time
discussed the staffing limitations and the potential use of consultants. So we did speak with Kimley Horn who is in our consultant library list. Tomorrow we have a walkthrough with them and we have requested for them to identify on our actual project list and um provide us a
quote with what it would cost for them to give us estimates on every um item that is on that. So we have some realistic numbers that we can bring back to you at the next meeting for next month. Then at that time you can see realistic numbers for each project and prioritize which ones you would like us
to work on. In addition with that um under their umbrella we are able to utilize their project manager to assist and work with Harry as our boots on the ground here as our CRA coordinator so to speak to ensure that the projects are being done accurately.
So, it's not a it's this is an update, but we had hoped to be able to get that to you sooner. However, due to the holidays and with their staffing, it wasn't able to happen. However, it is due um to happen tomorrow with our staff and Kimley Horn. >> I'm confused. We I we had not determined
whether or not we could hire consultants through the CRA. >> We did get that clarification and it is in our purview and we um confirmed that with CFRPC. Thank you. I apologize. >> And oh, I'm sorry. And what is the cost?
>> That's what we're going to find out tomorrow when they come and they do the walkthrough. They're going to let us know what it will be. So, we'll have that for you when we come back. >> What will be their cost? >> Yes, ma'am. It will be their cost and then at that time they will tell us what it would be. >> So, they're going to be project
management for CRA projects. Is that just to clarify the scope of their assignment? >> Yes, ma'am. And that's based off of Mr. Mr. Leblanc, Mr. Leblanc's guidance when we had the meeting last month, that was some of the discussion was that because we do not have enough town staff to move
the projects forward, that if we were able to utilize a contractor who could do that then to do so. So, will you come back with the cost? >> Yes, ma'am. That's what I just said. Yes, ma'am. >> No, no, no. Their cost. I'm saying the consulting cost because it's my
understanding we have like four or five contractors in the consultants library and if they come back too high we can use any of them. >> That's correct. >> Yes, it'll come back and be for for up to discussion here and then ultimately for you all to vote on. >> Um sorry.
>> So for today's meeting we're doing just that update or is there any status on any of the projects? >> Yes. Um Allan and Harry are prepared to answer questions. Harry, would you like to speak about Dow Hall?
>> The Dow Hall building is complete. We have all the chairs and tables and everything there and it's ready to go. >> Past inspection. So technically we can open it up. We can use it. >> Correct. There has been conversation, as you're
aware of, Councilwoman Charles, because you initiated it for us to speak with the Boys and Girls Club, and they would like to be able to come forward at the town council meeting in um next month in February, uh also with the YMCA to discuss um possibility of using space
sharing. We do believe that that may be a good opportunity for us to be able to provide a service to the public for our um for the students. And um they do a lot of different things. Both programs have very different purviews, but they would be a nice complement to the um to
the town and also the offerings that we're able to provide and with our partnerships and collaboration. >> Okay. Have we gotten pricing? I I know you were working with contractors to see what it would cost to do a covered outside area, what it would take to uh
do some renovation to the outside um of the building. Do you have numbers together on that yet? I mean, what's the status of that? yet to get a contractor to give me prices. I got one from I think I got one from I forget the name of the contract.
>> Oh, GN GNC or something. >> Yes. And I was waiting on Chapman. He's supposed to send me one. >> Okay. Um, a few other questions then. Um, on Main Street, north side of Main Street, I think we approved increasing
the circles around the flower pots to match the size of the ones on the south side. What's the status of that project? >> I I wasn't aware that was approved. >> Didn't we approve that? >> Uhhuh. >> Yeah, that's been approved because the pots were bigger than originally
thought. So, the circles were smaller than So, we made the circles bigger on the south side. So then we were going to hire somebody to add to the north side so that they were all matching. So yeah, so we're expecting that that project is
going forward. I thought you had a price for it and everything. >> I have not gotten prices for those. I did not recall that that was approved. >> All right. Well, Charlotte, maybe you could look into that. And then the next thing was we approved the um cost to put
flower pots into landscape areas on Inner Lake. um what's the status of that project? >> So on that one, I don't I don't know if you ever made a decision whether they were going all in all the
planters or just on the papers. >> Well, I think we walked it with Billy Brantley and identified exactly the locations they were going to go. So my understanding was he was putting it on a drawing and then >> he agreed with me that they should not
go in the planters only on the the uh papers >> part of the >> you wanted them in the planters also. >> Well we walked and we all agreed as we were walking exactly where they were going to go. Did it change after our meeting? I don't think we all agreed that day
>> and and part of the concern and I know the chief is not here is he was saying that the way that they were going to grow if they grow like the other ones that are there that there's going to be an obstruction in the way of they're going to be able to view it to get around. >> Yeah. The chief was with us when we walked and he never said that. But I was
not expecting these to have the vertical stuff in it. My expectation were they just flowers to come out and over the side. So he never asked that question when we're there. So um so this is all new things. I mean I I left that meeting understanding that we had identified
every location and that this was happening. So um I I don't understand all this new stuff that was not part of the you know I don't it's uh this is all new to me. >> I recall Bill saying in the meeting when we walked that they shouldn't be going
in the the uh planter areas. Well, we walked the whole street and my understanding was we identified every location it was going specifically. Sometimes it was on pavers, sometimes maybe it was in in planter areas, but my understanding was we were identifying and he was taking notes on the plan as
to where they would go. So, I don't know. Sounds to me like we're back to square one. >> We can um we can schedule a meeting, Mr. Leblanc, also with Mr. Brantley and with Harry. We can schedule a meeting to make sure it's taken care of before we come back in February. >> Yeah, that'd be great. Thank you. >> Yes. When did you do that walkth
through? >> 3 months ago maybe. >> So before the last meeting. >> Yeah, at the last meeting I asked about it and I was told that there was irrigation issues. That's why it wasn't happening. They needed to fix irrigation. So >> can we get an update on the
>> I guess it wasn't captured in the minutes. So >> yeah, >> that discussion irrigation in Allen irrigation. >> I don't recall there being irrigation issue. They're all capped and ready to go on the PA areas and then all the other areas there's plants already there so the irrigation's working.
>> Yeah, that's why we were putting it in those areas because the irrigation already existed. Yeah. So, u I just don't know what's going on. Yeah. >> Somebody did some planting. I think it's done by is it by Walgreens or or by the new Grace Bible Church corner right
there by Walgreens. It looked really nice, but I I don't know who did it, but it really looked nice. I saw it this past week. >> I'm not sure who did that. >> No, I don't know. It's red. I don't know what kind of plant it is, which red. >> Yeah. I mean, that was an area that we
did with the original project. So, I I I don't know that there's anything new to what we did, but um I believe we did plant some stuff that's in their red. If somebody planted new stuff, I'm not aware of that or why. >> I have to check that out. >> Yeah. That's where we're at right now. We'd like to be able to bring back some clear
um numbers for you so that you have something to vote on for Kimley Horn and or to go out to another consultant. We just were using them because they're already actively working on projects with us and also throughout the Highlands County area both in Avon Park and in Sebring.
>> Do we have any update on the lighting? And I know we've been talking about lighting for almost two years and I know that many things have come to the council with pictures with this with this and I think Allan ordered something and was
going to check on that. So is there any update at all on trying to get better lighting specifically on Main Avenue and Inner Lake? I'm sorry you're smiling like I did I say something wrong? >> No. Um, I'm thinking the last thing that
we did with that was we spoke with Duke Energy and we were waiting on them to get back to us. I am yet to hear back from them. That meeting was possibly two months ago. Um, that was the last I heard of it. Uh, we looked into the
different style caps. uh the ret there was a retrofitting problem and then we were looking at um doing complete replacements in phases but I don't believe anything was ever decided on. >> What's the ask to Duke Energy? Do they
have lighting suggestions or replacements that they would provide? Uh Charlotte might remember more, but I believe there they have some kind of program um that we can get uh do everything through them and then I think there's like a like an annual fee that
we pay for >> like a lease program with them. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> They do. And they had um they had an executive director with staff turnover and so they had said that there would be a little bit of a lag time because they're trying to space out everyone through the district. So they came in,
they met with Allan and I introduced introduced us to the new representative that would be handling our area. Um he had said that it would be after the holidays. So we will follow up with him. >> Okay. >> I would just caution us on looking at leasing lighting and that with Duke. It's very
expensive and and it's not like it's gigantic poles and things like that. So I would just throw that out there. a little caution on leasing on those versus replacing them like we had talked about with whatever the appropriate option with the lighting is so that we
can get better lighting, you know, for pedestrians. And >> I I agree with that. I think we ought to use CRA funds and purchase the lights and replace them with lights that we own um as opposed to getting it to whole thing with Duke that we're stuck with forever. Um, it's my thoughts
and and there there is and I think when I gave you a few consultants in the past, one or two of the consultants were lighting consultants that I had met at that um that redevelopment association convention and they'll come here, meet us, bring samples, you know, look at our
lights, look at our situation. They'll engineer everything in the sense of tell us, you know, how much lighting will hit the ground, uh, foot foot candles on the ground from these various different lights and they'll help us, you know, through the process of making selections and pricing the whole thing out. So, I
mean, the easiest way for us to do this lighting is to just hire Well, not you're not hiring them, you're meeting with them, they're quoting the job. So, you got multiple people, you could get multiple quotes um, from these lighting companies. that's that's what they do, you know. So, I think that's what we
ought to be doing um to get this job job accomplished. >> So, Mr. Leblanc, are you saying you would like for that you would like for us to go out for an RFP for the lighting specifically, or would you like for us to wait until after we meet with Kimley Horn representatives tomorrow to see what that scope would contain?
>> I I guess you could talk to them and see what their thoughts are on how to accomplish it because I'm sure they've got their own ideas on how to accomplish it. I mean, me personally, I would have just called one of the consultants that don't charge. Come out here, meet with us, tell us what you can tell us, you know, teach us about, you know, um,
lighting and and what our options are. Um, and and then that's how I would have done it. But since you have a Kimberly Horn here, absolutely. I'd talk to them tomorrow and ask them what their recommendation is as to how to do it. If we got to hire them in order for them to have those meetings with these lighting
people and to get us the quotes, well, then we're going to pay them to do it. But, you know, if that's what we got to do to get it done, then I'm okay paying a consultant to get it done. Right. As long as the consultant is charging us reasonable amounts of money, not outrageous amounts of money. Yeah. >> Understood.
>> At the last town council meeting, if I remember right, you mentioned there was a possibility of replacing the 100 watt bulbs with 200 watt bulbs, but you were kind of concerned about distracting drivers. Yeah, I looked into what we actually have and it's hard to tell because everything we just order our
bulbs from Amazon, but everything in there has a different rating. >> But yeah, >> I believe we have a 29 watt, which is equivalent to a 200 watt already. >> I I don't think that's going to accomplish our goal of down lighting.
The problem with our lights we have now is they light the trees and the roofs of the buildings. They don't light the ground. Nowadays, they've come to that realization and they started creating new light fixtures that shine specifically down because your goal is to light the sidewalks really. I mean,
buildings light their own facades with their own lights, right? But our goal is to to have the sidewalks be lit so our town doesn't look sketchy at night, which it largely does right now. I just I I know how expensive it's going to be to replace what we have. And the the
style is so, you know, fitting for the town. I was hoping that that would be a cost-effective alternative. >> The the style has been the biggest issue of trying to find something that's antique uh that also is downward-f facing without all the downfalls of working off
a circuit board instead of a replaceable bulb. Um, we we went through before of just all the things we were specifically looking for and it's narrows it down to almost none. So, we're going to have to find something
uh more that does the job we want it to do and less aesthetic like something like the gooseeneck, something that faces down. Mhm. >> I think they do have some down lights that have um you know, historical look or character to them, but I'm I'm seeing
a lot of towns that are saying, you know, they're not even bothering with that anymore. They're they're just putting in down lights. You know, the fixtures don't look bad. The poles are still historic, right? But the lights themselves are, you know, not so historic I'm seeing in in a lot of
towns. Um but I do think there are some historic looking options. Um, but for the most part, I'm that's why these guys can bring us lights, show us the different options. We could put them in front of a CRA meeting saying, "What do you guys like out of these?" Right? This
is what each of them cost. And I think that's kind of where we need to try and make forward motion with this. >> My biggest concern was the ongoing maintenance of them. When when those circuit boards go out, you're looking at a $600 replacement per light. Yeah,
that's valid valid questions. Yeah, for sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And we we currently spend a little over 3,000 per poll and we have over 164 throughout town. >> What I noticed in Sebring is that the
lights our lights are just too tall. If they were the the pedestrian lights, we wouldn't be having this problem. So when we do Maine, we just need to to me we need to have the lights like around the circle and severing. They're much shorter about half the size, but that
then the lights right there and it's not up in the sky. So, but yeah, Inner Lake's a challenge. >> The trouble with the shorter ones is when we go to decorate for holidays, Christmas ornaments, you put a 4 foot tall ornament on there and it's head
level with someone walking by. Yeah, I can see that those ornaments would be hitting the public. You'd have to walk around them. Yeah, >> I think the reality is we're not changing our polls. So, the only thing we can do is change your lights, right? So, I think that's just what we got to focus on. Yeah.
>> I I Go ahead. Now, >> how many lights >> How many lights are we talking about? Do you know how many poles we have down there to retrofit? >> 164. >> Thank you. And then I think we all agree this is a
top or near the top of the priority. I mean when we had the regional planning meeting what six months ago or it seems like it was longer probably eight months ago and that was a lot of the feedback from a large group that came was the lighting the lighting the lighting. So
>> absolutely you know >> you'll be >> I'd be interested yeah of your your meeting tomorrow but yeah just make this a near the top priorities if not the top priorities for our how much money do we have in the CRN RA now 650ome thousand
that's a lot of money to just sit there when very excited that we can get somebody to start working on the projects to deliver some of the results for the taxpayers in the town and the business folks >> I I think it was a a very wise um suggestion to be able to go this way with us being able to use the
contractors because of the staff limitations. We um we are going to embrace that. We just want to make sure that council has realistic numbers or this CRA board has realistic numbers so that when you are prioritizing it's not just something that we're guessing on because that has been a lot of the
feedback that you have provided to us is that where did you get this number? How did you come up with that? And sometimes staff try to do their best guess, but now we have professionals who are able who are doing the work that can say this is what it's going to cost. And so you know exactly where the money is going. You'll be able to prioritize and if lighting is at the top, then you'll be
able to see what that is. If we're trying to do the streets and to be able to repair the roads, you'll be able to see what those costs are going to be. It would be able to be included in there so that you know exactly what it's going to to cost you. And then could we for future CRA meetings have that budget
sheet with all the projects just as part of the packet because I think that that a lot of times becomes the focal discussion of okay where are we at in this where are we at in this etc and it kind of keeps in our forefront this is the list of things that we've come up with. >> So you would like that provided at each
meeting for each CR meeting. >> It I I agree. I think it would be nice and if it was an updated one so we know when the money has been spent so we know how much we have accurately left in each of those departments would be helpful. >> Yeah. >> And particularly now that the Hillrest
line items have been moved um was it 70,000 to storm water and 30,000 was Anna allocated? Correct. >> Also put that into the update. >> Yes ma'am. And one of the harder things for us to do was for us to be able to separate out because you wanted us to be
able to separate from the CRA district to the outside of that. That's something that we do not have staff capacity at this time to do. And that is where Kimley Horn will be able to help us to identify those areas outside of the CRA district. >> I just want to let you know I just
contacted Bill Brantley and he said that uh >> Harry, can you talk in the microphone? It's it's fading up. I just contacted Bill Brantley through text and he said that uh we only agreed on pots on the pavers and around four spots.
So >> a total of four pots. >> He said he thinks around four spots. When when I went through today and counted I I counted about six. >> Yeah. And I remember like 13 that we we
had spotted. So, who's got the plan that he did where he marked it up on that day? >> What's that? >> Where's the plan that he marked up that day? >> I'm not >> You don't have it? >> I don't have it. >> I know. We talked about a bunch of spots. >> I'd like to see it because we walked the
entire length of Inner Lake and I remember at least 13 pots. I mean, at least 13 pots. >> We talked about multiple spots, but we didn't agree to put them in all those spots. >> No, exactly. We we talked about spots and then we agreed where we were going to put them. We didn't we didn't say
we're going to come back and talk about this later. We walked. We all agreed on each individual spot. As we went down the road, it went on to his drawing and that's what was supposed to get passed along. It was not four total pots. So, I mean, unless I'm in the upside down
here, I don't know what the heck's going on with that, you know? So, you I'd like to see that drawing that we came up with. Um it's, you know, there there was definitely more than four. >> I personally didn't have a drawing. I had a list of spots. I didn't have a drawing. >> So So um Ken, you're saying that Mr.
Brantley had a a diagram. >> Yeah, he had the diagram. He was the one that was marking all these pot locations down. >> Yeah. So >> we can definitely follow up. We'll have that meeting so four of us are all on the same page. >> Thank you. And would the process then be that comes
back to CR for here's what the recommendation is for a motion. >> Yes, ma'am. That's correct. >> If you can think now any other while you're looking at the CRA list, we have provided it. We can send it out in email again. However, that you know it's on
that long piece of paper. Actually, there's one sitting right next to the mayor and um Vice Mayor Worly there. Um but it's pretty long. I know it's difficult for you to be able to see it in email, but if you could start looking at that now, even before we get the the amounts, at least try and show us what
your top five priorities would be, that would help us to be able to start strategizing before we come into the next meeting. >> Can Can you send us an updated one? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. If I may, I would suggest looking
heavily towards road repavement and the gazebo railing at Deain Park. >> What was the last part of that? >> The de the Deain Park gazebo railing. >> Yeah. >> Alan, can you let will you um tell them
what we found out about that? Give them the update on the cost and what they're telling us. >> I haven't received the cost update yet. I believe the person that I had looking into it wanted to come to kind of present to you uh and kind of explain
why he recommends what he does. What he was trying to do is because each section is a separate distance. It had to kind of be engineered and to prefab it all and uh install it in place. He wanted to do something that is akin to what Disney
has, something like the stainless steel welded uh but probably painted uh white or whatever color you desire. Um and and have something sturdy, long lasting and that can't be just kicked and destroyed.
Um I I haven't given got been given a number exactly for that yet, but I believe it was I think he has everything. He just hasn't relayed it back to me yet. >> Is that process more expensive? It It's longerlasting, but is the initial outlay
>> I would >> quite a bit more. >> I would imagine so. But what is there now? In my opinion, it's there is no patching it. No one is willing to repair it because it's obsolete and it doesn't last.
And I I I heard that uh for the road paving was it you guys wanted to go out for RFP and we not we're not piggybacking off of EPI's contract with Sebring. Is that the case? >> I don't know about I I don't know that
we've ever had that discussion. >> I thought road paving we always use for for the town road paving we always use excavation point. >> Yeah. has what did a proposal come forward on? >> No, it was mentioned to me in passing and I didn't know uh whether that came
for you or whether that was something that was being tossed around. >> Um if if if that's if that's if that's not the case, I can I will get exact estimates from EPI. The trouble we had in 2024 was because
we were only spending $50,000. We were considered a small job and it took them nine months to get to us. So maybe that's why it was considered going to RFP to find someone else. >> That was from exclamation point. >> Yes.
>> What kind what kind of dollars do they need to make it a priority? I I I don't know. >> I think that might be helpful to know. Or do they just choose a number? >> Allan has been going through and taking
photos of some of the high areas that are priority. And so we have photo documentation of that. He's tried to do his um best guesstimate. And so we have that compiled and ready to go. When we spoke with Kimley Horn, they said it was better for them to be able to physically be here, see all of the projects, go on
a tour basically. So, that's what will be taking place tomorrow. So, we will be hitting all of the places that are identified on the CRA list for the projects so that they could see this with us, but Allan has been looking at the pavement because he's, if you recall, last year we didn't do any of
that because it wasn't allocated in the CRA budget. So, now they are deteriorating at a higher rate and we're having a hard time with being able to repair. I'm not clear what Kimley Horn's role would be in the paving. I mean, Alan knows which roads need to be fixed.
I don't know that Kimley Horn walking and nodding is going to agree or disagree. I I think we all see that we know what needs to be repaired. So, I'm not certain what Kimley Horns I get it on other projects that need to be managed, but certain ones like I don't
think they need to be involved at all unless Allan am I missing something? Unless unless it's >> cost estimates is what we were looking at some of the cost estimates. >> Unless it's part of the master plan that you're trying to get them to do, then I
could see that. But, you know, I think between between Allen and Exhibation Point, they they know the area and they've done it for years. They know what needs to be done. But if Kimley Horn just has to look at it so that they put the right piece in the puzzle, then okay, you know, I get that. But they
don't need to be re-engineering the wheel here. >> Correct. It's it's to separate the two from the CRA district to the outside of the district. It would be that portion, >> but Allan knows that, too. So, >> yeah. >> I I believe
three out of the five that we were hoping to do this year are right on the line of where CRA ends. And we didn't know, you know, you can't zoom in on their map. It's just a line on the road. So, we don't know if the line ends on this
side of the road or that side of the road. So, we're just probably want looking for some clarification on our exact boundary. >> We can't very well fix one side of the road and not the other. >> Yeah, >> we're going to have to we're have to figure that out. >> But we can prorate the cost between the
two buckets. >> Yeah. >> And Rachel knows how to do that. >> Yeah. and and the you know Ellen your knowledge isn't defined by whether it's a CRA area or not a CRA area your knowledge is based on Lake Placid so um
I just go forward with your knowledge and let us figure out the details okay so I overlook this uh I do have an estimate here for expanding the uh diameter of those seven spots on North
Main. Uh the total comes to $4,025. That's from TWWQ. >> Didn't we already approve that in the past? >> I think that we did. >> Do we need to? Yes, we did. No, we did. Yes, we did. Yes, we did. >> Yeah, that was approved. So, it's just a
matter of hiring and getting it done at this point. >> Okay. So, I'll move forward with that. I just I overlooked it. Yeah. And in regards to the flower pots, we already approved those too, didn't we? We an amount of money for flower pots. I believe we approved in the past for
Interlake. So, that's just work that just needs to be done. So, that doesn't need to come back up, but we need to get back, you know, an understanding of what we're doing. I think we had a certain amount of money. we were allowed to spend that money on flower pots, however many pots we could accomplish with that
money if I remember right. And uh that's what we were working with. So, okay, >> that's correct. >> I would just caution you on the pots on the corners that make sure that you can you can see even short people like me that see through the steering wheel that
we can see around the corner. that that's why the police chief was with us and as we walked the entire street he was commenting and you know we were getting his opinion can we put one here or not here and he was he was telling us exactly what he thought you know and we were not putting a pot where he said we
shouldn't put a pot so we were very careful to make sure that we complied with exactly what you're talking about now Okay. All right. Anything else? We'll take at the audience. Any any comments from the audience as far as the
CRA is concerned? All right. Bring it back. All right. If there's no other business meeting ajourned seven >> I have We have five. We have five council with
the mayor and then the town attorney. That's six. >> Sorry, that's seven. So, we got the mayor and four council members. >> Will you count me Charlotte? >> Oh, that's right. You got
Charlotte. >> Somebody's so All right, we need to pass it. somehow. Okay. ready. Being 612, I now call to order the regular meeting of the Lake Placid Town
Council this January 20th, 2026 in the government center of the town of Lake Placid. Um, clerk, would you please call the role? >> Mayor Hullbrook >> here. >> Council member Hayes >> here. Council member Worley
>> here. Council member Charles >> here. Council member Everheart >> here. Okay, next we'll go to public comments on non-aggenda items. Remember it' be a limited 3 minutes.
So there's any discussion out there, this is the time to step forward. Okay, seeing none, we'll go to number three, approval of the agenda.
I make a motion we approve the agenda. >> I'll second. >> All right, we have a motion to sec. Any discussion on the agenda from the podium? Hearing none, we'll take you to the audience. Seeing none, come back. Pull the
council. >> Council member Worley. >> Yes. Council member Hayes, >> yes. >> Council member Charles, >> yes. >> Council member Ebart, >> yes. >> Okay. Do we have any presentations? Don't have any. Okay.
Public hearings? None tonight. Uh before we get started on the action agenda, just want to take a few minutes to clear up some confusion that we seem to be
having on section 407 and 408 of our town tart charter and talk about how we move forward as a town. As anyone knows, I've never tried to run the town as a strong mayor. That's just
not who I am. And it's not how things work best in a small town like Blake Placid. I've always believed in including people, listening to different viewpoints, and working together with the town council and staff.
That said, the charter does spell out specific responsibilities for the mayor, and I think it's important we all understand what it actually says. Section 408 states, except as otherwise provided in the charter, the mayor is
responsible for the supervision and direction of all departments, agencies, and offices of the town. The department heads will tell you I have never interfered with them or their
duties. Our employees only have one boss as far as I'm concerned and that's the department heads. If they have a problem, they come to their boss, which is me and now the town manager,
and we will take care of it as as we think it should. If it's something that we think needs to be before come before the council, I have always done that and will continue to do so. It also says that the departments and
admin are administrated by officers who are appointed and subject to the direction and supervisor of the chief administrative officer. Under our town code, the mayor is the chief administrator officer. And that's just
what I was telling you. In plain terms, that means the mayor has management and supervisor responsibility over the town's operation unless the charter specifically says otherwise. That opportunity has always existed even
though I've I've chosen to exercise it in an inclusive way in which I will continue to do so. When it comes to appointments, sections 407 and 408 provide that the appointments are made by the mayor with the consent of the
town council. The charter does not require council members to be involved in every step of that hiring process like interviews, but I've never done that. I've always chosen to evolve the to involve the
council anyway because I I value their import input and I think it just makes for a stronger podium up here amongst us. When Charlotte was interviewed for the job as town administrator, based on her resume,
I was comfortable having town council permit participate in the interview process and recommending her for the town council. That was not a charter requirement. It was a cho it was a choice I made to keep things open and
transparent. The appointment itself was done the way the charter lays it out by the mayor with the consent of the council and the hiring resolution was approved appointing Charlotte as the mayor's designate.
Now, when it comes to evaluation as chief administrative officer, the evaluation of the town administrator falls within the mayor's preview. Historically, there have not been formal written evaluations for town
administrator. We've only been doing this for a short period of time. It started with Phil Williams. He was our police chief. I asked him to take over as as administrator when we started that process. He graciously accepted it. And
then we had Joe Barber fill in. We had Kevin fill in. and now Charlotte that is that's not something that started with Charlotte that said I want to be very clear that we are changing that and which we also discussed that
during the budget workshops we are in the process of drafting evaluations for every department and that includes the town administrator going forward each department head will conduct evaluations within their own department. The town
administrator will review the department evaluations and bring that forth to the council. I will con personally conduct the evaluation of the town administrator and the council will be informed of the evaluation outcome.
As has always been the case, performance and compensation will continue to be reviewed through the budget process, which it has been. If there's no agreement on the future salary increase for the town administrator, the town council will
have a continued opportunity to weigh in during the budget process. That process allows for discuss discussion, transparency, and shared responsibility. The salary increase for Charlotte in the
20 2526 budget reflects my view that she has done a great job as town administrator for the town. At the same time, the council has a full opportunity during the budget process to range raise
concerns or oppose any increases, including the increase for the town administrator. I'm not here to argue or draw lines. I'm here to explain what the charter says and how it's been applied historically and how we're improving the ongoing
changes for the town of Lake Pleasant. And at the end of the day, guys, we're here for the same reason to what do what's best for Lake Placid. Thank you. >> I I have some questions for clarification on what you just said. Are
you saying then that the town council will not be involved in the town administrator's evaluation? >> No, I'm not saying that at all. I've said I've always used I've always welcomed your input and which I will continue to do so. Uh, you know, but if
if one or two of you have a personal issue with her, maybe she didn't do something you wanted done, you know, that that may not reflect on what I decide. But I do want your opinion. I do want your feedback and that's why the evaluation forms will be spelled out.
But that being said, it's as the way the charter is written, it still comes back to me. And so then on the salary that we found out has been increased from 109. the resolution that we signed, right, was
109 and we found out that her salaries had been increased 120. But when you look at the and and we were told, well, that was in the budget, but we didn't in review individual salaries. But when you look at the budget packet
that was put out, it does say salaries. We're 2526 fiscal year on page 17 and 18 of that budget booklet that was given to us does say that s we are going to even though the HR policy manual says we're
supposed to be doing annual appraisals. So it's been there. how we've done it is different, but it does say that we an evaluation is done and the salary is tied to the evaluation. >> If I could um when we get to that item, I will have more backup to be able to
put on the screen for everybody to see and answer those questions. They are forthcoming. >> Right. I was asking the mayor on what he just read is and and and so you said you've already approved a current fiscal
year increase in her salary to 120. >> Rachel, I believe that was in the budget, wasn't it? >> Yes, >> you voted on it. >> How was it in the budget, sir? >> Pardon me. >> How was it in the budget? Councilwoman Charles, I will be able to pull that up
as soon unless you want. Reed Eva, will you go ahead and can you um pull up the agenda so that we can see it? >> Do we want to do this discussion under the agenda item and and >> I'm just trying to clarify on some of the things that he just read. >> We we're going to address that on the
agenda. We approve the agenda and it's we're going to take next we take um this request for consideration away parking and then we'll get down to that on our agenda that we approved. So I think we should just wait for that
discussion and do it at the proper time. >> Which section? >> Seven. >> Oh, you're I'm No, six is next. >> A >> 6A is next. >> No, you're saying we're going to discuss that. I'm saying on which agenda item?
>> 6B. >> Right after >> under the employment contract. >> Correct. >> Okay, fine. >> Okay. So, but next we do the waiver parking. So, we need our town planner.
Okay, I'm double checking for the applicant and I've been kind of perusing the room. I don't see her here today. We did talk about coming today, but I think likely with the holiday she might have gotten a little confused. So, I'm going to go ahead and present this parking waiver
request and uh try to answer any questions that you might have. If for some reason there's questions that cannot be answered, um, we can always table this, although I know that she is very much trying to move forward with
her lease agreement. So, uh, essentially what the applicant is requesting is a parking waiver on the property located at 176 East Inner Lake Boulevard. It was a property previously used as a barber shop, which only requires one space for
every 300 square feet. the properties under or the the actual storefront itself. So, this could have gotten a little confusing when you were looking at it if you tried to pull it up on the property appraisers website. Um, the building has three storefronts and
it might even have a business in the rear as well. Looking to pull up my maps here. So her business would incorporate a small little portion of one of these storefronts. Again, 532 square ft. Now,
when you convert the use to a eating or drinking establishment, you're required to have one space for every 75 square ft of guest service area. Uh, from what I understand, this is going to be a little Cuban cafe where they'll have pressed
sandwiches and coffee and guests won't really be dwelling long. Uh, at this time, she mentioned that it's going to be just a graband go. I do understand that the licensing is different if you have a graband-go facility versus actually having a chair and tables. So,
it sounds like it's really just going to be a graband go at this point, unless she pursues different licensing. But essentially the request is to go from a business that would require only two parking spaces to a business that would require eight parking spaces.
I've discussed uh certain changes to our code with the town administrator and we've agreed that we are waiting on the outcome of the downtown master plan to before making any steps into changing this. I but I do expect uh at least one
other parking waiver to come forward in the next couple months for something very similar. Again, it's going to an eating and drinking establishment on Inner Lake. I'm here to answer any questions and I'm happy to scroll through the packet if
needed. I see the recommendation was to approve the waiver and I'm so happy to see another restaurant coming to town. >> Amen. >> And then possibly another one after this one. And so we don't want to be too
difficult to stop businesses. So um I want to hear a motion. Yeah, I guess if I'll make a motion and if you want to discuss. Um, where is it? >> There it is. >> Okay, thank you. Um,
so I move to approve LPTC.26.001 AA from the parking requirements for a change in use at 176 East Interlake Boulevard, Lake Placid, Florida 33852. >> Second. I too am glad to see it's getting so
busy on Inner Lake. It's just it's just wonderful. It's like we just turned a corner or something and now we're going to get people walking around town and they're going to be going in the other businesses and I just think it's great. I might say when I was looking at this
just as a historic matter, we a long time ago, we just had an idea to maybe behind this building, the the church owns that lot right behind it on the other side of the alleyway. And we had at one time talked about maybe joining
in partnership with them so that because they basically use the parking lot evenings and on Sundays and that we would maybe do some kind of joint thing. We were having a lot of buses come through at that time, tourist buses, and they really didn't have anywhere to park. So, we looked at that as maybe
doing something joint and sharing the parking, the paving or whatever we needed to do to improve that lot to make it more uh more parking downtown. Um, a joint use, just so you all know. So Dana, it our town charter requires
for this square footage building eight parking spots, but if we were a historic district, it would only be two. Is that what I need to understand from what? No. So our code
states that the use determines the number of parking spaces required. So the barber shop required one per 300 square ft and an eating establishment requires one per
70 75 square ft of guest service area. So that's dependent on the use. However, there is language in our code that says if it is in a historic building or historic district, council retains the
authority to wave those parking requirements as needed. Um, and in this case, this applicant, which I failed to mention earlier, I do want to point it out. Um, they provided a parking study.
Here we go. They did theirs over a longer period of time than most because they had the holidays and they knew that it wouldn't be an accurate representation of the parking available on Inner Lake if they counted on Christmas and New
Year's and um Christmas Eve, but they did just so we had that information available. And you can see that most days it was a total of 66 spots that they counted on that one block. And most days they had anywhere from a 76 to a
95% availability, 100% on the holidays. Also, what's nice is this building is right close to that parking lot that we have, the public parking lot. It's just
a couple stores around and there it is. So, that gives some nice overflow parking if ever is needed. Okay. >> So, we got a motion, a second. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Any other comments from the
podium? Take the audience. Seeing none, bring it back. Pull the council. >> Council member Eberhart. >> Yes. >> Council member Worley. >> Yes. Yes. Council member Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council member Charles. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay.
>> I don't have it up here. >> Okay. All right, we'll go to town administrator employment contract. >> Thank you, mayor and council members for allowing me to speak. I will be reading from a very lengthy document, but I hope
that you all stick with me. I am respectfully requesting that the council approve the employment agreement presented before you. While my original offer letter referenced evaluations, the town council resolution approving my hire did not include any evaluation
requirement. No evaluations were conducting during this period and I did not refuse to participate in any evaluation process. As I stated in the last town council meeting, I do not oppose. With respect to the evaluation, I have
provided the 2025 2026 budget booklet that was presented to and reviewed by the town council during two budget workshops conducted on July 30th and August 27th. Eva is pulling it up. However, I will pass it out so that each one of you have
a copy. Pass it down. That's two pages. Thank you. I have >> as you will see in this it says transitioning to a de I'm sorry program overview employee evaluation and performance-based cons compensation
budget narrative in the prior budget sessions the town council approved an acrosstheboard salary increase for all employees to support wage stabilization and address and address market competitiveness for the upcoming fiscal year. We are requesting to return to the established personnel policy which
provides for an annual performance evaluation as the basis for determining individual merit-based pay adjustments. If you go on down to evaluation timeline and process, you will see that per section 27 of the town of Lake Placid personnel policy, all regular full-time
and part-time employees shall be evaluated annually by their department director supervisor. For 2026 27, the evaluation cycle will begin in September 2025 and continue through September 2026. This will allow for adequate time for
training supervisors on the evaluation procedures, integration of updated key performance indicators into evaluation tools, and alignment with future budget development timelines for fiscal year 2627. As reflected on page 17, I in my
capacity as the town administrator and as a former human resources director identified corrective measures to be implemented for the 2026 2027 budget year, including the townwide implementation of employee evaluations in accordance with the town employee
policy. The mayor has supported all efforts to move the business of day-to-day operations in a more unified and conducive manner. At this time, I am requesting approval of the employment agreement currently before the council this evening. I have
no objection to an evaluation being conducted by the mayor consistent with the town code, which designates the mayor as the town's chief executive officer per the town code. as we move forward with developing a townwide process for evaluations which will be
included with the 2627 budget workshops as part of the employee compensations for the new budget year. To clarify, some of the issues and circumstances currently unfolding in the town of Lake Placid have reached a point that cannot be ignored.
If I'm being honest, I don't really like that I'm the town administrator that has to bring this forward. As Pam Finchress recently stated, what is occurring is damaging our community and that damage is real and is going to be lasting impacts.
I'm going to quote President Abraham Lincoln where he once warned, "You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time." In simpler terms, misinformation may
work for a while, but it cannot stand forever against the truth. Unfortunately, when the truth comes too late, the harm has already been done. And in this instance, it will wreck a town and its reputation and what many, including Mr. Harris, who has been here
for a long time, have established and tried to put forth in this town. Tonight, we have an opportunity to do better. And I'm going to say to you the same thing that I said to the mayor last year as I sat before him in January as we had discussions about items that
needed to come forward. However, it was being manipulated behind the scenes and town staff were not being able to do their job. I said to the mayor, I need your help. So I say to each one of you council members, I need your help.
And I say to the public, we need your help. So to set the record straight, we need to clear the slate and we need a reset. Not for Charlotte, not for all of your hidden agenda agendas, not for the
political propaganda, but for the good of this entire community. Given the nature of the comments and the concerns that have been raised, it is important to clearly and factually address the record. The clarifications I am about to provide
are offered to ensure accuracy, true accuracy, transparency, which everyone has said they wanted since I got here, even in my interview process, and a shared understanding of both the actions that have been taken and the
authority under which they were made. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the town of Lake Placid. Not just the town, but the council. Every one of you have so many unique gifts that I see that if we could just get all on the same page that the town
of Lake Placid could flourish and move forward. We have residents that depend on us, taxpayers, businesses, and staff. For the past 16 months, I have approached this role with the mindset
that this community is an extension of my own family. I may not have forever roots rooted here, but I do have children that are here. I have grandbabies that attend school here, and I do have a vested interest. During that time, we have moved forward
with significant initiatives, including the CFRPC downtown strategic plan, the parks and recreation master plan, a town Facebook page that, if I'm being honest, when I'm trying to run a town, it is very taxing.
But we have a Facebook presence. It may not be perfect, but it's in place. Cost-saving measures, new revenue opportunities, expanded community partnerships, a police department groundbreaking, which we have met with
consistent resistance, and an increased regional collaboration. I have also represented the town through leadership highlands, regional engagements, and my most recent appointment to the economic development council. I must have workplace courage.
You know why? Because my legacy, my heritage, and my family, which I call every one of you family, because we're all here for the same goal. Equally important, we have focused heavily on transparency and public
engagement. Sometimes at the ex extent of it being a detriment to our town staff. I have been told that historically this town has never had as many workshops, meetings, and opportunities for residents to be heard and it has during this period that
I have been here. I don't take credit for that for myself. I am nothing without my team. And team stands for together everyone achieves more. So I ask you, search yourself. What are you here for? I maintain an open door
policy. Many in this room. Many of you in this room. I look around because many of you have sat in my office. You have sat with me. You have sat with staff. Sometimes two to four hours, sometimes five hours
reviewing how local local government works, why the decisions are made, and the legal framework that governs them. However, transparency only works when the information is received in good faith. Too often both staff and I have been met with resistance. We have been
met with accusations of dishonesty or claims that information was withheld. This is not new to this council. Mr. McCarthy stood before you and said the same thing. It's in history in the agendas. It can be reflected. That is simply not true that we are
withholding information or that we are not doing business the way that it is supposed to be conducted. We have established dedicated email channels, invited in-person meetings, and consistently made ourselves available to answer questions and answer
concerns. I have not had one vacation since I have been here. I answer phone calls. My business cards are up here. And I would challenge any of you to take this card where it says work number on it and dial it because it's going to ring to my cell phone. And nine times
out of 10, I'm going to answer it. And there's not anybody who is in this room who has tried to reach out to me that I don't get back to you immediately. 16 months I have approached this role with the mindset that this community is an extension of my family.
That's important to note. I have said this before from each of you and now formally from the dis and every one of you know that I have said this and I'm going to say it now publicly.
I will not be bullied and my integrity is more important to me than a position or a salary. When I was hired I made it very clear that I oper operate under a code of ethics and I answer to a higher standard. For me, that means conducting
public business with honesty, with accountability, and with my faith. And whether you believe in faith or not, that's your prerogative. But I do, and I know I answer to a higher calling. While others may hold different beliefs,
this is the foundation which I serve upon. And I do so that knowing one day I will be accountable for every action, every word, and everything that I do. This is not about me as an individual, although it feels that way. This is more
about my role that I was hired to perform where I sat with each one of you. And in every one of my interviews, I told you about a previous CEO I had who told me you do not compromise who you are. And I won't. I have carried this role out with integrity, with
professionalism, and full compliance with the Florida law. I do not make decisions independently. The mayor and council are kept very informed and actions are taken consistently with statutory requirements and town policy.
As a town administrator, my responsibility is to protect the interests of the council, of the residents, our taxpayers, the business community, and our staff. When misinformation targets staff or undermines the credibility of local
government, it is not only appropriate, it is necessary for me to speak up. We are tearing apart a town. I want to add important context so that council and the public understand how we have arrived at this moment because it didn't start with me. This happened well
before I got here. In January of last year, I went directly to the mayor, as I said, and I asked for his help. At that time, the personal attacks, the behind-the-scenes manipulation, and the efforts to undermine staff in the operations had
become deeply concerning. The mayor has been fully aware of these challenges and he has consistently supported moving the town forward in a lawful, professional and transparent manner. That support is the reason we are still moving forward today and why
we are here this evening with this upon us. Tonight, I'm asking you again for your help. I'm not preaching as most say. I'm giving facts. Each of you said yes to serving in this role. You said yes to this community, to the town of
Lake Placid, and to the staff who show up every day to serve the town of Lake Placid. The town and its employees need your leadership now more than ever. The residents need it. We are facing major issues ahead of us. One of the most significant is being the potential
elimination of property taxes and what that could mean for us as a town, our services, our long-term financial stability. These are serious matters that require unity, clarity, and trust in our professional administration.
I also want to be candid about the environment in which the work is being occurred and happening. During my first six months as a town administrator, I spent a considerable amount of time meeting with a specific group of indivi individuals who repeatedly attempted to dictate how town business should be
conducted. why I repeatedly said I work for a town council and that while you may feel the way you do, I ultimately do what this council directs and votes for me to do. I work I do not work independently and neither do my staff. They cited their own perceived
experiences and their various business roles and frequently escalated concerns outside the the organization. behind-the-scenes conversations. This included contacting the governor's office, the congressional offices, the
senate and house offices, state agencies, and even down to Doge, often after bringing forward to town council for consideration and discussion. This still was occurring during a legislative update meeting at mid Florida where there are members in
this room that attended. A council member implied that the town had engaged in improper business practices by bringing up doge and trying to bring heightened on us. That same day, during a tour of the police department, a member of the
public accompanied this council member who verbally confronted and bered me, insisting she should not be handled this way because she was told she couldn't go on a tour where I was asking for appropriations for our police department. Our police department that
our council voted for us to move forward. These moments are not isolated. I have watched repeated efforts to discredit the staff me misrepresenting how town business is conducted and reshaping the information to fit a particular
narrative that they want it to fit in. Despite this, our staff continues to show up with professionalism. I applaud them because I promise you they have stuck in here. And I look at you, Charlie Wilson, because I remember the words as I sat right there when I
walked out of here that day. When I said yes, he said to me, "You may not have no staff." This staff has set through so much of attacks and still they show up with pride and dedication. They meet each day
as a new opportunity to serve, often in the face of criticism, pressure, and misinformation that is skewed by personal agendas. They do so because they believe in public service, but even more they believe in the town of Lake Placid and
this community that has been built. I am sharing this not as a sign to blame and definitely not to look at me because I I promise you this was not easy, but to explain why clarity matters, why leadership matters, why silence in the
face of misinformation causes real harm to a town. The town of Lake Placid cannot move forward effectively if staff are constantly defending their integrity instead of doing the work that the community depends on us to do.
That is why I'm speaking tonight, not for myself, but for the staff, for the residents, and for the future of the town of Lake Placid. And before moving into the facts, it was important to explain why addressing these e issues openly, truthfully, is necessary for the
health, for the stability, and the trust of our local government. I draw your attention to an email on July 18th, 2025. It's important to pull them up because
facts are truth. All of council were invited to meet with myself and staff at their liberty. As you will note, all directors were copied and meetings were scheduled with each member of council. That's because we do everything as a
team. Any of these are public record and if you would like any copies, they will be readily available for you. Rachel, if you I mean Eva, if you'll go to July 29th as well.
On July 29th, the finance director, Miss Osborne, responded to Councilwoman Charles, who asked for the salaries, and she provided the proposed salaries for all town staff, which included the town administrator, the deputy clerk, and all
other staff. In an effort to ensure that all council members receive the same information, I followed up with the request by sending the requested information to all of council because that is Charlotte's normal practice as a town administrator. I draw your attention to that email
because it also reflects the council was given the salary information along with the explanation July 30th. Eva, let me scroll. Okay. >> A fellow council member requested the full budget workbook which includes
staff names and salary amounts. For consistency and transparency, the workbook is being provided to all of council. In past years, this information has been shared with council but not released publicly in this format. Any public-f facing budget documents only include position titles and salary
ranges. Please remember the salary information contained in the workbook is not for public consumption. Residents who wish to obtain a copy must do so by submitting a public records request through the town hall. Thank you Eva for that one. Additionally, due to previous practices
of accounting for funds in the budget before receiving them, the drone was discussed and not added into the budget. I highlight this because it was stated in the last council meeting that this information was not provided to council and that's not accurate. It was also
stated that we never discussed our uh deputy um clerk. That's not clear. That was not either. That's not truthful. It was discussed. I will draw your memory to the many discussions regarding the police department funding where town staff had
been asked to contact ARPA, the department of treasury and even Doge regarding the legality of this funding which in turn council voted to exclude any grants, any appropriations or funding until it had been received because we didn't want the budget to
look inflated. So we have only done what council has asked us to do. All of council in response to the comment that my contract provides a golden parachute. For clarity, the severance provision
included in the proposed contract is considered a standard contract language under Florida law and it is not a golden parachute. A golden parachute is generally understood particularly in the private sector. It's to be known as an
extraordinary or excessive compensation package, often triggered by mergers or changes in corporate control, and it's characterized by large unrestricted payouts well beyond customary compensation practices. And that
definition does not apply here. Florida statute 215.425 425 expressly authorizes severance in local government employment contracts. It limits severance to a maximum of 20
weeks of compensation and it prohibit prohibits severance in cases of misconduct. This statutory framework exists specifically to prevent excessive payouts, not to create them. I want to draw your attention attention
to several items now on the screen. The contract provided to the HR director and the mayor was properly vetted by our PRM attorney, public risk management. That is also our labor attorney and it
determined to be compliant with Florida law. I'll take it from here for a second. Eva, >> thanks Rachel. It's not uncommon for municipalities to have an employment agreement with the manager or administrator. If it's something that is agreeable to both the town and Miss
Rodriguez, I can help put together a draft outlining the terms of employment. Typically, to be consistent with the charter, I recommend having an agreement that is terminable at will by mayor and counsel under circumstances where severance is paid if they if the
dismissal is without cause and no severance is due if dismissal is with cause. Under Florida law, namely the section 215.425 of the Florida statutes, severance is limited to a maximum of 20 weeks of pay
and benefits, December 15th. You see our HR director in her response. We are eager to see your draft of the employment contract for Charlotte Rodriguez. Our goal is to have a final contract ready for the January 2026 meeting. I make note again that the
mayor has known about this. We have been wanting to bring this forward. Attached. Please find my revised draft of the town's prior draft employment agreement for consideration. If there are any questions or concerns or if you wish to discuss, please let me know.
The next item, please. Eva, the Florida City and County Management Association, better known as the FCCMMA, has a model employment agreement that is used statewide as a best practice reference. It contains the exact same
severance language. I draw your attention to the screen where you can see it for yourself and it's highlighted. 20week limit on severance pay in Florida. All agreements after July 1st, 2011 must comply with Florida State Florida statute section. And it referenc
it. It also says honor after July 1st, 2011 a unit of government that enters into a contract or employment agreement or renewal or renegotiation of an existing contract or employment agreement that contains the provision for severance pay with an officer, an agent, an employee,
or a contractor must include the following provisions in the contract. a requirement that severance pay provided may not exceed an amount greater than 20 weeks of compensation. A a prohibit a I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm
my mouth is getting dry. A provision of severance pay when the officer, agent, employer, contractor has been fired for misconduct. Let's be clear, it's only if you find misconduct that this would be considered to begin with. On the next page, it provides for a
sample of the Florida manager employment agreement. all consistent. However, I would like to state for the record and all of you received it on the on the dis a review of 14 Florida local government
administrator contracts including the city of Avon Park which I stated in the last meeting and 12 other city, town and county administrator agreements that reflects the same severance provision. And for this public and for anyone else
who's watching online, I will name them. The city of Hollandtown Beach, town of Fort Meyers, city of Lake Wells, town of Surfside, city of Sunrise, City of Cocoa Beach, the town of Juno Beach, Walton County,
city of Winter Springs, city of Cooper City, town of Jupiter, town of Seaws Point. I could go on and on and on. This is a standard agreement as I stated in the last meeting. Collectively, these examples demonstrate
that a severance provision of up to 20 weeks without cause is a standard practice in Florida local government and wellestablished precedent. Additionally, when two or more governing body seats are up for election, which we are,
this provision serves as a safeguard measure and a strong mayor form of government. Election cycles can result in rapid executive and policy changes that are unrelated to performance. Limited severance protection helps ensure the continuity of daily
operations to ensure that when we have staff turnover that projects can continue moving forward instead of being delayed. It means that our residents are able to be taken care of properly like they're supposed to be. It provides stability during political
transition and it also is retention of professional administration particularly following election-driven turnover. Since June 2023, the town has experienced significant administrative turnover. As was noted by Vice Mayor
Worley, as of January 20th, 2026, I am the third administrator in approximately 31 months. that does not reflect stability for the town of Lake Placid that the town of Lake Placid deserves. This history underscores the importance
of maintaining the stability, institutional knowledge, and uninterrupted service delivery for residents and staff. Accordingly, this provision is a lawful, measured, and commonly used safeguard. It's not a golden parachute and is consistent with
Florida statute, professional standards, and municipal best practices. You can read this language directly on the official Florida legislature website under section 215.425 and has been demonstrated on the
overhead screen and again is open to you for public record. Now let's address the legal RFP. The town council has been fully informed of all outreaches conducted relating the request for proposals for legal
services. The RFP was publicly advertised on BidNet and it was also directly distributed to seven law firms that currently provide municipal legal services within the region. Additionally, at the request of the
town's current attorney, Mr. Harris, the RFP information was provided to Mr. Clifford Rhodess, specifically for attorney Michael Durham, making this a total of eight. Eva, will you please pull those up? Town staff have followed the established
parameters and best practices associated with legal services RFP process to ensure fairness, transparency, and adherence to ethical and procurement standards. I'll take it from here for a moment. As you can see, I draw your attention to
November 23rd as it outlines that the RFP was sent to council. In the last town council meeting, my credibility was questioned and it was stated that I did not send this out. Again, that is inaccurate. The information is on the screen before you.
This is not to attack town council at all. This is because we have to make sure that the credibility of our town staff is not being questioned in the public when public trust is so important. As you can see, every one of council is
listed on here. You can see the RFP attachment. It was also sent out again after it was implied in the meeting that it wasn't sent. As part of that process, responses were required to include references, articles
of incorporation, and proof of liability insurance. Those required items were not provided in one of the submissions, and as a result, that response could not be considered compliant with the RFP requirements. As stated during the public meeting, failure to follow the established
procurement process for an RFP creates legal and ethical concerns and places the town in a position where any prior RFP actions could be questioned, including those related to major projects such as our police department and other professional service procurements.
It is inaccurate to suggest that I personally selected or directed the selection of any attorney. Town staff do not act independently in these matters. We carry out the directives by all of you. The majority vote. It's the
majority vote. You may not like it. One of you may not like it. But whatever the majority vote is, that's what the rule is for us. We carry out the directives of the town council and the mayor in accordance with town policy and applicable law.
Ultimately, the decision on how to proceed with legal services rests solely with the mayor and town council. However, I will state that under Florida law, the procurement of municipal legal services does not require a formal request for proposal or request for
qualifications. The process, and it may be directly procured by the mayor with con consent of the town council under section 407 of the town code. Again, I'm not an attorney. I don't want to be.
That's not my purview. Specifically, Florida statute says under 287.055, the Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act expressly excludes legal services from its competitive procurement requirements.
As a result, municipalities are authorized to directly hire legal counsel without issuing an RFP or an RFQ, provided the governing body determines the selection is in the best interest of the municipality. However, under our strong mayor form of
government, the mayor has the purview to bring forward who he would like and then council gives consent. Notwithstanding the statutory authority at the direction of the mayor and prior to making a formal recommendation, the mayor because he wants to involve
counsel on everything. He always tells me, "Make sure you discuss it all with town council with each one of them." He elected to allow a broader outreach for qualified firms in order to promote transparency, awareness, and informed
consideration. And this outreach was voluntary and not required by statute. I will highlight that every one of council has been emailed where it where we sent it to each individual. There were a total of nine that this was
emailed to and it went out on bidet. I'd also like to address the fact of our audit where one a member of the public who continually abuses our staff while our finance director was sitting right here after she approached the podium.
She walked away and said she deserved to be fired. Our audit was not terrible. Our auditor stood right here and they gave response to our audit. Would you pull that up, please, Eva?
>> I'm not sure where that one is. Did we scan it? >> I'll go through some of the comments. >> Yeah, it's not. >> Again, if anyone would like this, you are more than welcome to ask for a public record request. I am giving truthful and factual
information. >> They go through and state that there were recommendations. We recommend the town implement a process to track inventory activity and postearend adjustments to inventory accounts to ensure they are properly
accounted for in its general ledger system. We concur with the finding and have implemented processes to ensure the inventory is properly tracked, counted, and recorded. This year, the town began to transition to cell meters to streamline billing task and purchased a
bulk of meters, which were in two different locations, including in vehicles waiting to be installed. The utility department is working on future processes to check in and out water meters and inventory. Inventory will also be kept in one central location.
View recommendation. We recommend the town implement proper controls which includes cross trainining of employees to ensure compliance with all grant requirements including timelines of reporting. It was no no new news to town council
that this was an issue. Whenever we were trying to bring forward the agreement for the camp and conference center, the representative that sat here last week, and I'm sorry I
have to say this, was very aggressive with our utility director who was trying to state that their grant director who was supposed to be handling this went off the we could not contact him for at
least eight months. months and town staff had to pick this up because at the end of the day we are the ones responsibly financially. So we had to piece this together. At the same time I will note that we lost not
one not two but three individuals. Three Mr. McCarthy. We lost our engineer and we lost our grant administrator and we had the camp and conference cent's grant writer who we were unable
to get in contact with. And again, all of council has been fully made aware of that and a breast of that. We concur with the finding and will implement processes to ensure that acquired assets are properly dated to reflect the period to which the expense
and revenue relate. Town staff reach out to vendors to ensure monthly bills only reflect the monthly service and not cover multiple periods which vendors are complying with. And in this instance where service relating to the month of September will be posted in September regardless of when the invoice was paid
or when the revenue was received. We concur with the finding and will implement processes to ensure that acquired assets are properly dated to reflect the period to which the expense and revenue relate. It goes on and on and on to reflect
where we put measures in place. There are very few items that are noted here. I roughly view Rachel, do you remember how many exactly? >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I have duplicates here.
There were only three in an overall audit and they had corrective actions before they left here. They came and they stand before council and they gave all of the information to you when they showed up. We provided everything. There was no
hiding. We did not hide anything. And I'd like to note that some of the individuals that continually attack our finance department are the very individuals who came here previously in 2012. And I know this because they came to my office with the documents where they
were able to come in and evaluate staff and make recommendations. Councilwoman Ibrahart, you were part of that. Yes. Very way back. The point is is that the town has been very open for transparency.
We have had an open door policy to everyone, even people who do not live within the town limits. We have said these are all passed out. These are all passed out because the way that we see it is that if we don't have each other, we can't move forward. These are puzzle
pieces that we pass out to the community. And we tell everyone, you are a part of our community. We have an individual that consistently shows up in this meeting and I don't want to say names, but when our staff offered this and said, "Hey, you're part of the community." I don't want that.
So why do we have to do business so nasty? I end by saying that town staff have carried out the directions of the governing body and I am proud of the staff that we have. I am proud of the the work that we have done. But I
believe that if we can all hit a reset button button and remember that we're all here for everyone that calls the town of Lake Placid home that we can really drive us in the direction that we need to go. There are a lot of big things that are coming down and we are
staying so focused on our own propaganda that we're not being able to move things forward and everyone in this town depends on a council that will make the decisions that are best for the all of the residents holistically looking at
the picture. Thank you Charlotte. I I want to make a a couple questions and also put some things into perspective on what you said. Um, so the email on salary that you're referring to
because I'm the one that in order for transparency, everybody else got it. So I wanted to clarify and put that into, you know, proper context is when I met with Charlotte and Rachel on the budget worksheets, right, the big long budget worksheets and was asking a lot of
questions. One of the things I did ask is what are your assumptions for salary increases and it was$1 to2 dollars a person and we're going to be um passing that out based on evaluation but I was more interested in the
spreadsheet and can we see the spreadsheet because there was some hidden columns of doing some comparative from year to year and so Rachel is very organized and so she was able to bring up the spreadsheet address my questions s
unhide and I said, "Yeah, those are the years that I want to compare it to. Can you send me that spreadsheet?" And she did. She emailed it to me. What was discovered is there was a tab on that spreadsheet called salaries with all of the individuals of the town names and
salaries and everything. So by somebody infern because we all got this tab inside of a budget spreadsheet that that was our quai approval of town salaries I believe is inconsistent with how it
was passed out number one. Um, and just clarification on the attorney RFP cuz I didn't know that these concerns had come up is you're right on November 23rd you sent town council. The
attached RFP is going out tomorrow. I had never seen it before. I had never had input into it. Not that I need to because it's an attorney's job description, but I was surprised on that email that the town
attorney wasn't copied and then we found out last week he had never seen the job description on the role he did. So, I just think that there's some clarifications of things that sometimes maybe the full picture isn't out there
or what maybe seems like sensitive to one was a oh well here's how that process happened. I think on the audit maybe where the confusion is is you're right the town audit the um partner of the audit firm gave a
verbal update. We never had anything because it hadn't been finished yet. So he came to the meeting, he stood at that podium and he gave a verbal update but nothing for us to follow. Couldn't ask questions because it was a verbal update.
Subsequent to that, the audit was finalized. But in past years, it was always the audit, the completed audit would be part of the town packet and then it would be discussed. Maybe the timing didn't allow that, but everything that you just picked up on the audit and
read the public and in council hasn't seen that. Now, I asked for the completed audit. I don't know if the rest of you have that, but so I think that's where sometimes confusion takes place is things that we did before we've kind of changed. And on that audit, the
public was never a made aware of minimal things uh were found in the audit because it didn't come forward in a town meeting in the town packet so that people could review it. So, just a couple comments. Um, I'm glad you went through the
history of um, who constructed the uh, employment agreement because the perception I'm getting is that you wrote it yourself. And so that's cleared up. And then secondly, the the clause about if there
are two council people newly elected, so on and so forth. And that was like, oh, what's the ulterior motive behind that? The truth is it's a common clause. Avon Park has that. It's it's elsewhere.
There is no subtrifuge. And if I could make a comment to the RFP, I'm sorry I have too many towns and things in my mind, but Eva, do you recall where we copied that from? >> It was from another >> municipality. I don't recall the name
and it was used directly. Um, >> correct. pretty much verbatim. >> The the attorney RFP, >> correct? >> Is there a reason that our town attorney didn't review it? >> I think that all of you on here know the
reason why. And I'm going to leave it at that and not speak that in the public right now unless I am forced. But I think that you every one of you are all fully aware. Every one of you are fully aware. Every one of you are. Every one of you are. I think we can
guess, but I don't know that I know that. And if you don't want to put it in the public, fine. But I mean, it's somebody's job. They should have at least had a chance to read. That was my concern there. >> Once an attorney is um appointed, there is a transition and a succession plan
that takes place and the attorneys will be in discussion at that time. The mayor has already said we had wanted to be able to have Mr. Harris be able to work on special projects and to be able to still be affiliated.
However, we've not been able to have those conversations because, as has been stated with you, Councilwoman Charles, I'm only able to communicate with you by email. I can't communicate with you by phone or text. And the same followed suit with Mr. Harris. So, it makes it
where it's impossible for me to do my job as the town administrator if I'm unable to communicate with everyone. And again, this is not about Charlotte. This is about doing business for the best of the town of Lake Placid, the ones that you all represent
and that I represent because I'm a representation of you. I would like to make a comment that in the resolution it outlines the town administrator's scope of work.
A says supervises and directs all town department heads, contractors, and franchise entities. Serves as the town's point of contact. as stated an open door policy email for communication where anyone who has a concern or question is open to email
one-on-one and again as many of you in the audience have met with me residents other council members publishes the agendas for and attends all town council meetings. I do that. Communicates the official plan, the
policies and procedures to staff and the general public. I do that as well. carries out intergovernmental relations with other agencies. I have a very positive and active presence in the community, directs a high level of customer service
to internal and external customers. I work with surrounding municipalities. I'm a member of the Rotary. I participate in leadership highlands. As I stated, I was recently appointed to the economic development board. I
have strong relationships with the CFRPC. We have the recent strategic plan. The downtown revitalization develops present develops presents to town council and upon adoption implements a town budget. Councilwoman
Charles, I will be happy to provide the attachment. It's not here. However, in that attachment, I opened it. I'm at the top and my salary is listed there at 120. And I will challenge anybody in the public who wants to come see it for
themselves that you can come sit next to me and I will pull it up and you can see where the salary is listed there. only because I do not want my integrity and who I am as a professional to be questioned. Assures that assigned areas of
responsibility are performed within the budget. Performs cost control activities. Monitors revenues and expenses to asssure sound fiscal control. assists the department heads in preparing their annual budget, their
budget requests, and then finalizes the budget for submission to the town council. This is the first year that the town of Lake Placid has ever had a budget booklet. And Councilwoman Charles, you were the one that requested that and we pulled it off and delivered
it, successfully delivered it. In addition, there was training set forth for our staff. They have never been involved as in depth as they have been and they will all attest to that. Again, don't take my word for it. Speak to them yourself.
Chief and I participated in budgeting and and small police agencies. That was also emailed out to you. Small budget, big impact. How rural downtowns are winning. Budgeting guide for local government.
I have met everything that has been outlined for me to be able to I I deserve a contract and I've also worked for the salary that I have. Again, it's not about the salary. This is about doing the best thing for the
town of Lake Placid. And I have already openly said that if this council voted for my salary to be lowered and down to the 109, again, this is not about my salary. I will take that if that's what you say. But I believe I have worked for my
salary. I have proven myself and I am rightfully due a contract especially under the political climate that we are in and with the attacks that the staff keep having. The town deserves to have stability. Thank you.
I just want to say again too because um I talked to staff and um I've been watching what's going on. I've never seen anything like this that's been going on in the town. Um it it hurts my spirit to see how negative and hor how people talk to each
other. It's it's just it's just not a good situation. We have had changing utility directors. We have had administrators, like I said before, four different town administrators in three years. Now, Phil was here a long time,
but he I'm counting him in, but I'm just saying in transition, that's a lot of change. We've had, I think, three different utility directors. We have it's and we're trying to do a $40 million grant. We're trying to do a lot of things that just our tiny
little town and it's amazing. And our staff is working weekends and coming in at 7 in the morning and they're they're you know they are working way more than you could even imagine. And they're and then this is a sad thing.
People can say they don't like you. They can say you make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. They can do but when they attack your actual integrity that is where the wheels fall off. And I see that happening a lot and it's just
unfortunate. I know it hurts me when people attack my integrity. I'm not perfect. I make mistakes, but I try to do the right thing. And that's not going on here. I cannot tell you. We need stability. We need it now. I said this the other night. If we can make this
person next to me sit in that chair for three years, we're it's a home run. It's a home run. So anyway, that's my thoughts on it. I appreciate your time. May I respond >> as an attorney or citizen? >> As an attorney.
>> Okay. As the town attorney, I take issue with the representation that three administrators have walked because of this town. one left to care for a family member.
Another had serious physical ailments. Those aren't on us. I'm not going to attempt to speak to everything Charlotte addressed because I don't have personal knowledge of those, but I do regarding the new town
attorney. The RFP council had no input. was drafted by Charlotte. Sure, she considered other sources. I questioned, for example, where she said any council member has to go
through town staff to get legal advice or to contact the town attorney. That's not the way you administer the town. That's not appropriate to be in that town attorney's job description. The town attorney is one of two
employees that this council has and the mayor has. The administrator and the attorney, her staff, she should not stand between the attorney and counsel or the mayor. So, I take issue with what she spent
sent out. She acts as though the review of the RFP results are standard and best practices. I question that. She assembled three staff. Correct me where I'm wrong now. Three staff that
reviewed them and they determined that Mike didn't respond adequately to go forward because he didn't have adequate malpractice insurance. >> That wasn't the only item. >> That's the one you stated. you stated
for malpractice insurance as well as articles of incorporation. And I don't know that I ever knew the other two. In truth, neither application had articles of incorporation.
She didn't ding the other one. In truth, the other one, Mr. Sabastini, did not disclose malpractice insurance at all. The application is there for all to see. He and show he disclosed liability
insurance. Not sure why, but excuse me. That was in the RFP, but the most important thing for this community is for the lawyer to have malpractice insurance. Mr. Sabastini had none in his response. So why the
committee chaired by Charlotte chose to go forward with Mr. Sabastini and to eliminate Cliff and Mike and the third lawyer from consideration at all
baffles me particularly when and of course when I saw that come into the mayor I'm sorry to town council on the agenda took us about three minutes to review and Google and search the reputation of
both and it disclosed As I said previously and I stand by a shocking record who the she then doubled down on given the chance to withdraw last week and insists
on moving forward with Mr. Sabastine. >> Can I make it? >> Well, why don't you let me finish? I didn't interrupt you. I think I have the floor. >> The the only thing I was going to say is that I only address that because it was stated against my contract, but this
item's not on the agenda. It was only stated for >> So I'm bringing it up. I'm showing I'm addressing your judgment. >> Why would you Why would you bring forward Mr. Sabastini and double down on him as town attorney and then want to
keep town council from even being able to talk directly to the town attorney? I find that very troubling. I'll also say, and I'm not going into the detail, that the process you used
was not proper. I'm going to leave it at there because of other liability issues for my client, the town of Lake Placid, the conference center, an agreement made five years ago, and
when we tried to push it forward to get the application on the agenda, every time we did, Charlotte was pushing back. That called into that exposed us to liability. They've already paid
considerable money trying to move forward on this project with our at our request. Had she prevailed, the application would not according to the experts would not have been completed
and the project would have died and it would have been our fault. So yes, as town attorney, I intervened and I pushed that forward. When it was explained, you voted 40 for it. So, I question her judgment. Why did
she try to stop that conference center project? >> Can I respond? >> When I'd prefer when I finish. >> I apologize. I thought you finished >> and I recall the discussion of the fire hydrants had already been addressed.
I don't think any member of this council has said no contract. The issue is evaluation. Thank you for allowing me to speak, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. I think that we could probably go on all
night and this is exactly exactly what I'm trying to tell you has been going on and you are witnessing it tonight and it's it's um it's disappointing and I just don't understand what this is how our staff's being treated and I just
want you all to understand why this is important to go ahead and assure someone they have a job that every day they don't know what's going to happen and that they get treated fairly with in with their integrity intact. So, I'm I'm
going to go ahead and make a motion. And this is and I said this the other day, this is just a statement of support for all of this stuff that's been going on and this is every day. So, I'm going to go ahead
and make a motion and in respect to the mayor because he's asked us to do this. he has the power to do it. And he has given his life for how many years? Like 20 years. So I'm going to do this. I don't remember him ever asking us to do
something like this before. And I've been on this council 21 22 years. So, what I'm saying is out of respect for the mayor, he's asking us to do this and to in stability to the town, I'm going
to um make a motion to approve the town administrator employment contract as presented. I'll second All right, we've got a motion in a second. We've had a lot of discussion up here. Is there any more >> on the contract itself? Yeah, I have a
lot of I think there I've got changes that I think need to be embedded in there. I I don't support it as written if that's what the motion is. >> Well, I think the motion is to accept the contract, right? >> As written. As written.
>> So, as written. as presented. >> Okay. As presented. >> Likewise, I can't as written. Um, for example, the 5% guaranteed. I would propose a cost of living and then up to 5% including merit rather than a
guaranteed 5%. Um, and maybe there are some other adjustments in there. >> Are you okay with >> Mr. Mayor? I was recently appointed your parliamentarian. I believe it's time I
intervene just about a moment if I may. I believe you're about to have a discussion on term by term it sounds like of this contract. You have a motion on the floor. I would suggest a series of subsidiary motions to amend.
If, for example, Councilwoman Abrahart wants to take out the 5% automatic increase, then move to amend by taking out the 5% automatic increase. See if you get three votes yes. If you do, the motion is amended. If you don't, the
motion stands. Then the next motion could come along to make any other amendment that any member of council would like. What we've been doing since I've been on this council is that if we all agree to amend it, then I amend my motion. The second amends the motion and
then we vote on it. So that's what we've been doing for all this time. So I think that's what we're doing. I think that's what we're doing. >> Right up until you appointed me parliamentarian. >> Oh geez. Who did that? Do you want to
>> before we proceed, are there any other amendments that we can wrap into it or do you need to go um how does this work? >> You can do it any way you like. Uh you can wrap one or two or three or just do one at a time. And Deborah's right. If
the group decides to have a discussion, you can do that. I'm not going to stand in the way. I I would prefer to go ahead and any otherbody has any other suggestions and at the same time I think we probably just need to ask once we finished with
this would our town administrator accept it or is she going to quit? So I I think we need to know that. So and if she has a problem with any of these then we need to talk about it. This is our family. We need to talk about it. We need to come to a decision so we can all go forward.
So What did you just say? Our town administrator is going to quit. What did >> I said? If we're changing things, she's agreed to way it is. If we're going to change things, I think we need to include Miss Rodriguez in the con in the I mean, if we do this and then she's got
she doesn't like it. I Why are we do that? That's just to me that's just going around in circles. So, let's go ahead and figure out are you do you have any comments you want to change in the contract? >> I do. >> Okay. So, let's bring the contract up. I think
it might be easier also for as the discussions taking place and and there's going to be times I'm going to ask the town attorney too because just for clarification. So, we took the Avon Park one, right,
Charlotte? You got the Avon Park, >> correct? And then you and Rachel gave that to the PRM attorney for him to look at because today you've given us 13 more which which is good because they range from six pages to 12, right? So every
city has different in but similar terminology. >> Yes, ma'am. So we took the Avon I took the Avon park and I made modifications to it. It was provided to Rachel and also to the mayor and was stated that this is what my request is. This was my
request. So what you see here is what I have requested for my contract and it has been consistent when I have looked across other municipalities and what has been out there which is why it has been provided to you because this is my request. Additionally, Rachel as the HR director
which is proper practice is she said I need to send this to our PRM attorney because he is our labor attorney where Mr. Harris has said he doesn't handle labor matters. It was properly vetted through our PRM attorney who is our labor attorney who agreed and as you already saw in the in
the email agreed that this is standard practice with the language that is written in the contract stands as is. The contract stands as is except for my increase. I am perfectly fine with looking at that with the cost of living
but everything else in there is a standard contract and I do not believe that I should be requested to change that. So, it's standard for Avon Park and some modifications, but some of the labor contracts that you've given us, there's a lot of differences and some I
looked at, too. Um, and so I appreciate that and and my comments about PRM, right? PRM is the insurance company. So they're going to be looking at insurance liability and that whereas the town attorney right is looking at our
charter, he's looking at our policies and he's looking at other things to make sure that the town is being protected. So each of them provide a different type of value and and there should be no way that we overlook the
town attorney's feedback. Um so if you pull it up, these these are my concerns and I guess we're Robert's rules now. So if we do the parliamentary one at a time, I'm fine. Uh whereas the town operates under strong mayor council, we actually don't have in our charter
anyway the word strong. We basically say, you know, a mayor uh town council. Um I just wonder if that paragraph is even needed, right? Some of these the paragraphs probably aren't even needed. Um the next paragraph says um desires to
enter into a first formal written employment agreement. Technically we have a employment agreement. That's the July uh that's the um September one that was signed and it says an employment agreement. So we might need to change
that to an employment contract or something just to be um and again Mr. Paris. A lot of these are legal into your um area of expertise because we already have one. So, this isn't the first formal.
Um and then the same further down it says without a written employment agreement. We do have a written employment agreement. That's the se that's also in the packet on the September 24th I think was signed. Um so wherever it refers to a written
employment agreement we already we als we already have. Um if you go down to B and this is this is the employee serves at the will and pleasure of the mayor with advice and consent of the town council.
In one of the documents I read it's it's the the will I don't know if I like personally the pleasure word but I'll leave that to the town attorney. but the will of the mayor and the town council. It actually says both in the in something that's already been signed.
Um I actually have if you go down to D where it says um town or town policies her job description responsibilities lawfully delegated by the mayor and the town council. I think we should add as they exist now
or from time to time may be changed because they're going to change and and and so we need to reflect that and then as you get into the next the performance evaluation I mean I'm not big on every six months I
mean to me just an annual performance evaluation shall be conducted uh by the mayor and town council. And I guess Mr. Mayor, were you saying earlier that
it is only going to be you? I'm still trying to clarify if you're allowing the evaluation to be included. Town council, >> I don't think we can do without changing the charter.
I don't think the charter talks about the word evaluation. >> You know, I've told you I want you part of the process. You, you know, you all be part of the evaluation, but I think that's as far as I can go with
it right now. >> Well, I mean, >> because I can't change the charter. >> I don't think the charter talks about the evaluation. >> I don't know. I'd have to we'd have to get into it and see. >> If it does, we haven't been following
the charter then if we've never done an evaluation. >> But there again, I will tell you that you will be part of the eval the evaluation process. >> So we So this could be then changed to say an annual performance evaluation shall be conducted by the mayor and the town council.
>> All right. >> Doesn't need to be 100 then strike the rest of the way it says with the consultation from town council. Well, what do you describe consultation as? >> I'll I'll accept your feedback.
So, terms of employment, um, I'm not supportive of a three-year and most of the contracts that I've looked at, and I would love to have some time to look at these 12 that have been provided as good examples. And everything um is typically it's a
one-year term. A lot of them say employees employment shall be for a one-year term. Thereafter, this agreement shall automatically renew each year for successive one-year periods. So, it can have an automatic renewal versus a locked in three-year contract.
And then it can also say unless either party provides not less than 90 days prior written notice to the other party of an intent not to renew the contract. So, that's typical language that I've seen. I haven't looked at the 12, I think, Charlotte, that you provided to us to see what do they have in there for
the term of agreement, but usually there's not a locked in three-year. Um, I'm not supportive of a automatic 5% in in a an employment contract.
Typically, salary is based on evaluation. What this one is saying is employee will receive a 5% annual increase to the salary and then later is an additional salary increases. Employees eligible for across the board
salary increases provide to other town employees subject to the approval of town council. That to me is what I would expect as we just like we did as we go through the merit time. we make the recommendation what it should be and I'm fine with B there, but I'm not
supportive of in addition to B a 5% a year um base annual salary increase. So I would strike A. And then if you go to vacation leave after vacation leave
generally what I saw and this is kind of to protect the town. You know a lot in here is to protect the employee and I I get it. I understand that um our town administrator wants a broader written contract than what we already have in
place as an agreement as as a job agreement. But generally what you say is you see is rather than if the employee quits especially in this position to give us four weeks notice it's typically a 60 days advanced notice. So you increase it
a little so that you do have the time um in order for us to find a replacement and get the adequate training in place. We were really blessed with Kevin McCarthy who when he resigned agreed to stay on until a replacement was found
and the replacement was trained and up to speed. So four weeks doesn't really protect the town if the employee decides I'm going to resign. Whereas at least 60 days gives the town a little more uh opportunity to find the proper um
backfill and training. Um I think also included in that sentence is in the event the employee voluntarily resigns employee will not be entitled to severance pay. It's just and again to the town attorney it's just
strengthening on that to protect the town and cost to the town. Um three here says employee agrees to execute exhibit A. I think that should be exhibit B, right? Because this whole document is saying exhibit A. So just a
little oversight. And the same thing wherever it's talking about exhibit A, which is the general release form, I think that's exhibit B. If this contract is exhibit A, so you can't have
everything be exhibit A. >> That was an error. A typographical error. >> I can't hear you. I >> I think it was a typographical error that said A and B. I think that A for the contract should be removed and it be A for your exhibit. I think that's an
error on how they drafted it. >> On who did it? The PRM guy. >> Yeah, he he had drafted as to say exhibit A, but that's up to you. I mean, you can >> Okay. Well, I'm just saying it the motion was approve it as is. And these are the reasons I can't approve it as
is. Um, if we go to a resignation by employee, same thing. Employee may resign her employment by providing no less than four weeks written notice. I think that should be
60 days or 8 weeks for the reasons I stated above. This is then down below where it talks about severance pay. This is where I I and I really need and I think we all do kind of advice
and and approval by the town attorney on a lot of these terms. But seventh pay under this section will be 12 weeks of employee salary, regular salary paid monthly. To me that should be then period. the
whole however in the event of the termination without cause 60 days if newly elected council members I think that all should be stricken Avon Park had it I've never seen it in any other contract and that's where it gets to be political
why put something on the next council and things like that I think it's it it's it's an area that you don't want in this contract I don't want it in this contract Um C. And Bert, this is to you. Employees
will not be entitled to receive severance pay under this section unless she fully complies with their obligations under section five. So I would look to advice from our town attorney on anything related to that
severance and um you know the obligations there. Um I think three if you keep going it says termination with cause maybe it's minor but it should say for cause and the town
shall have no obligation to provide I think we can strengthen the with not be entitled to um and then it says for can be defined for cause for purposes of this section shall be defined as any of the following reasons
or a combinate I would strike or a combination of the following reasons but I would put but not limited to I think you need to add maleians malf misphesians malfions and and I guess again Bert to you
are these sufficient from what you've seen is it too strict or not so I would look to your comments on the definition of reasons for um termination for cause.
I I'm not certain I even understand five and six. In the event the parties are unable or unwilling to negotiate or enter into a successor agreement following the expiration of this agreement, the town shall have no obligations to employee under this paragraph six.
As as employee is an atwill employee and does not have proper right and her continued employment or the payment of severance, the decision by the town to terminate employee pursuant to subp paragraph 6b3 shall not employ entitle employee to pre or postdeision
procedural due process hearings. So, Mr. Attorney, that those are two that I would put into your area of expertise and guidance. U this does talk about um the town's personnel policies as they now exist. So
I guess we're agreeing to that, but we've never seen it or later maybe um changed. So, I'd like a copy of the town personnel policies that we're agreeing to and and G
Bert, should any section or provision of this agreement, the deletion of which would not adversely affect in the general sense the remainder be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or enforcable. So we start
talking about court, I look to you to make sure that that language is proper. And and last, this general release, Bert, I look to you. I mean, that whole general release to me is all attorney
language, you know, and and are all of those terms good. It talks about in cons in consideration of the mutual promises. Well, I don't know what they are. So, if that's, you know, all of this. Um, so
that general release to me started making my head spinning with all of the um the language that they would she would sign, we would sign, or you know, um so if you can just make sure we're
protected there. uh the ADA waiver acknowledgement that was not in Avon Parks. So I don't know where that one came from and um nor have I seen it in any other cities. So Bert again for consistency on what are we agreeing to
on that. Those are my comments. Miss Hayes, Council Member Hayes, >> after all that, I have nothing. Yeah. Um, coming back just I'll This was
This was reviewed by a labor attorney. Mr. Harris is not a labor attorney. So, there might be language in here that is consistent with the laws of labor that are constantly changing. any specialty field like that, they have to stay up on what's current and what's in the statute
and and everything. So, I'm very comfortable with the law language because it was done by a labor attorney, a specific specialist. So, that's just my comment on all the legal part of it. Um, so,
>> but can I just comment on just on that one and and that was my reaction, right? But then you start looking at it, the labor attorney, right? He's our insurance attorney. So, he's looking to make sure from the insurance perspective, it's fine.
Our town attorney is different where he may not specialize in workers comp and and he he's very knowledgeable, I would expect, but he's also knowledgeable about our charter, our policies, and the
protection of the town. And that's why you need both, you know. So, a labor attorney, yes, to set up a labor contract, but our town attorney, that's why we pay him. That's why we trust him because he's protecting the town, the
taxpayers, and this council along with the employees. So, to me, that's the difference of I have a lot of respect for our town attorney's opinion. >> Okay. So, back to the motion. Okay. So
could you repeat what change you wanted in the compensary >> count? Yeah. >> Okay. Um strike the automatic 5% and substitute what they call the living allowance plus merit
up to a maximum of 5%. >> Based on >> Okay. So, I'm going to amend my I'm going to amend my motion to include that to strike at the top of the pages of the employment agreement exhibit A.
And that's my changes. >> Which section is that? So, I can note it. >> I'm sorry, kid. >> Which section is that? So, I can note it in the motion. >> Oh, okay. Um it's number three compensation
a base salary. So it would be changed to be um effective. Each anniversary of this agreement employee shall receive a cost of living raise and merit increases up to 5%
and that would be annually to her base salary. Councilwoman, did you say that that did you have in there something about uh an evaluation or contingent upon evaluation? I thought
you had said that originally when you made that suggestion. >> I couldn't quite hear you. >> She wanted to >> when when you first said about your to change it to this cola plus a merit raise, didn't you say something in there
about having an evaluation? Well, I it's assumed that the merit is based on evaluation and then now that I there also should be to protect Charlotte the benchmarks for the merit evaluation.
So there's not any discussion about whether yes or no. >> So I do do we really need to put in their evaluation? >> We do. Okay. So that would be an A. It'd
be effective each anniversary of this agreement, employees shall receive an evaluation upon successful completion of >> Could you could you I'm asking I'm asking Miss Rodriguez because she she does this for a living.
say >> it typically would say upon successful completion of satisfactory evaluation >> Rachel, you concur with that? Yes. >> Okay. Did you get that, Eva? >> I I do have the basis of it. I can't
verbatim it, but I'll I'll have the correct one as a motion. >> Okay. All right. Well, if you can add that in there as well. And so that's my amendment ch my my motion with the amendment changes. >> Oh, >> and Colleen,
>> I'll amend my second appropriately. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> So those are all the changes. Everything I've said you're just disregarding. Wow. And the second also. >> Yeah.
>> Um just a quick question. when um just because that salary increase um it's and it's consistent with the current job description. Salary increases each year are subject to an overall rating of satisfactory and performance. So um it's
consistent there. So So also then the motion and the second have no interest in our town attorney reading and approving this. We've had a specialist, a labor attorney
review this and government is different than most. When you un every every class, I'm sure industry has certain things that they have to address. This is a government contract and he a labor attorney
reviewed it and to me it's very consistent with the other things I've ever looked at. It's very consistent. It's it's government And in government, we have a town attorney. So, just so you're you're not interested in Mr. Harris's review.
>> I am not because he's not a labor attorney and I just don't see the point of having somebody that's not a specialist review this. If you were going to do that, I would say send it to another labor attorney for its consistency. But we're moving forward because we need to we need to get this
town stable. We need to go ahead and get consistency. And that's my that's my point. So that's it. That's we've got a motion in a second. >> May I speak, Mr. Mayor? >> Yes. >> There are a lot of things in this contract that are not labor related.
For example, the town charter does not create an administrator form of government. Our voters specifically rejected an administrator form of government several years ago. The administrator form of government was created by a joint resolution of the
town council and proclamation of the mayor that set out certain responsibilities and duties. Each the council and the mayor delegated specific authorities and duties to the administrator.
I don't know that this this does not appear to be based upon that resolution and it should be. So yeah, I disagree with Deborah that gee, I don't have labor. There's a lot of things in here that are not labor related that you
really should look at. For example, the 20 weeks that Charlotte says, "Oh, that is customary and normal and it's Florida law." She did read you the Florida law and it says the maximum was 20 weeks. doesn't mean you have to
do 20 weeks severance. That is absolutely you can do zero week severance. That's the deal we've got with her right now. And I do agree that the contract should be accurate. There is another agreement, call it what you may, uh
between the town and Charlotte, um that we seem to be running past. I don't know that this lawyer knew of that other agreement. don't know whether he knew of the resolution creating our form of government. >> For the record, it was provided to him
and he had knowledge and it will be it was already reflected in the email that was pulled up and presented to the public. >> And again, it has already been told that if anybody in the public would like a copy, we have nothing to hide. We'll be happy to provide that. >> For example, I think your duty should be
tied strictly to that resolution. um which may be changed at any at any time by either the mayor or the council which comes back to the evaluation question. >> This resolution was provided. >> That's fine. It may have been provided. I disagree with the man's conclusion.
>> Resolution 2024-29 was provided >> and I disagree with his conclusion on how to structure the contract visav that resolution. it the the council can withdraw its support of this form of government at any time.
>> I think you have made your recommendations and this labor attorney was provided the charter. He was provided the resolution that was set forth. I'm sure that this was worded according to what the resolution said because he took that into consideration
because he received it. He also received the charter and that was one of the emails about about the charter. So, I'm Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. Thank you. >> You bet. >> Yeah. And just let me clarify, I'm not
against a formal employment agreement or contract, whatever, we have agreements. And if we want to broaden to an employment contract, I'm not against that act. I want to protect our town. I
mean, AB Park is a very large city and we're a small town. So, I'm looking at it as to make sure it's balanced for the employee. We take Charlotte's name on it. We should have probably done this as this is the right way to go before she,
you know, she name it. I'm looking at a balanced contract that also protects the town and and it's a small town and so that's where you know people walk away totally against it and against Charlotte
that's inac town because of his protection of the town and I get it the labor contracts and it's no different than business and government when it gets to this but I'm just protecting in the town. That's my This is really more way towards the
employee to protect them and there's little protecting the town. So for the record, this is council moves forward. I mean that's what I would do, but at the same time it's looking at protecting for
the town. So, we have a motion to assess that was amended. Okay. Okay. I'll take the audience. A couple comments. First step was made. If you go back to last week's meeting, I said someone should be pilot. I was not
responding to children. I I always had issues. My comm sent to this. It was comma unable. It had references on it. It was all
period. My comment was the first sign that federal by so let's return second Harris is the town attorney has been the town attorney for more years than I can
imagine I know and work with over 20 years a mutual respect we have for each other he cares day about this town more dayately than anybody else that I in the
tent who lives in the town or operates in the tent. So I think we have to make that very clear. I cannot imagine I worked in Belgic. I can't imagine the contractor coming in and telling us what would be
in the contract for a major project. No, we wrote a contract and giant. So I don't understand here why the town attorney wasn't involved in this contract. No one is saying it should not be a contractor. I say
but this contract that harms the town. It is not good for the town about it's about the town protecting the town. I put papers just a heart has over 10,000 people. It has a
budget of $70 million. We had 2200 people and a bunch of checks was 30ome million dollar and on the backs of taxpayers that's over $13,000 was tax. So we have an attorney who's
trying to protect welfare and keeping his town paying attention to that. I don't see any reasons why we can't sit down and come up with a contract that would be acceptable to all of you and acceptable to Charlotte rather than go
change this, change that. Colleen ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra raised very good points and none of that has been included in Deborah's change and I wonder why that is. Does she not count? Hm. Another point on something
else Charlotte said several months ago and it was a great decision and I applauded it and that was if you have an attorney coming in representing a client, let's put them up on the front part of the agenda so you're not costing the at the client a lot of attorney
fees. And what did we do last week? We put the whole thing on the portable water thing at the very end of the agenda. That's contrary to what Charlotte said she wanted to do. And in other cases, she moved things forward but didn't move them forward on that.
Why? Because she had an agenda. >> Time's up. Hello, my name is Josephine Conley. I spoke 607 Sunset Point Drive. I touched on this a little bit last week and Deborah, I understand where you're
coming from. You feel you're like family, but I'm sitting back here now for the last year and a half and it doesn't seem like family. Okay, there's a lot of friction. I cannot believe how many times the attorney has said, "That
didn't come across my desk. That didn't come across my desk. I don't need to go through the whole list because I've been here watching this. This is really sad. And I'm going to ask you, Deborah, do you have attorney experience? There are two different phases here. The
labor and who's protecting the town. You have to look at both of them to protect us. You got a thousand taxpayers in this state, in this town. It's scary. You
know, you spent what, an hour on this already. And like was already mentioned, why didn't we have a a little meeting beforehand, you know, just to kind of like have a a workshop and here we are. I mean, I sit here and I see Bert trying
to do a fabulous job and Deborah, you just don't seem to agree on anything. It's like your way or the highway. I mean, think of the taxpayers. I believe the attorney should be involved in this. You know, I like everybody, but I just
want it to be correct. I don't want to have to find out there's some kind of lawsuit because we're doing something incorrect. And if you can guarantee that, Deborah, well, then go for it. But if you can't, you know, if you're not an attorney, I don't see how you can make that decision. Thank you.
I just make a comment again. It's kind of like integrity. Um, I own four houses in the town. I have property in the town. I just sold three lots that I've had for a long time. Um, I do this because I feel like I want to
help the town. I would never hurt the taxpayers. I I am one of them and I grew up here and my family's pioneered here 100 years ago. The house I live in has been in my family a little over 90
years. So, I don't think that I'm frivolous and I think I take this extremely serious, but I'm on the front line out here every day and I think that this needs to go forward and we need stability in the town more than anything. We have got major projects in
the ground that we cannot fool around with this and wait anymore. We need stability. Um, I think that staff respects Charlotte extremely. Um I had talked I go to the county meetings and I hear wonderful things. We never had an
administrator that went out and and and m you know that's what we need. We need county support. We need everybody's support and these other organizations and Charlotte has accomplished that and like I said we just need to get her to
sign this so we can keep her up here. So that's why I'm moving forward. Thank you though. I appreciate your comments. >> Can I make a comment? >> And thank you for all of the comments. I do take them to heart. I want to um
specify for the record that the goal of public risk management and labor attorneys is to protect the organization from financial, legal, and reputational losses by identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. That is what they do. And in most municipalities, even when I
served as an assistant county administrator, we use this very organization and they are very well known. They're not new to this. They ensure compliance with the laws. They manage the workplace disputes and they reduce liability. They foster employee safety and organizational stability, but
they do safeguard the town. That is the reason why we have a labor attorney. In addition, I have said I do not want to have the hard conversations, but I will. Under my leadership since I have been here, I have watched as the town attorney has had several disputes with
our previous utilities director over items. We are unable to to be able to work with Mr. Harris without him having his own agenda on the way that the day-to-day operation should be managed. This has been discussed with this
council and again I did not want to have this conversation. However, we have to be truthful and transparent. And if anyone had listened to Miss Ventress in the last meeting, she said that this occurred in January of last year. So, we are here a year again. And it also
occurred when Mr. Warner was first coming on his first meeting in February at the utilities meeting. And you sit on that meeting, Councilwoman Ibrahart. It was pulled off both times. Mr. Harris and I had very heated discussions over the direction that he felt like the town
needed to go. And as I have stated to everyone on this council that we do what is set forth by the council decision and vote. It is not by us. It is not by the town attorney and is not by one member of this council.
We are trying to do business in an ethical way that is governed by democracy that this town is governed by under its charter. I do not want to put Mr. Warner on the spot. But I will tell you that if you have a conversation with him, he'll be
very honest with you. I have received resignation notices because people do not want to work with Mr. Harris because it is very difficult to work with him. He has done great work for the town and I will not take that away from him. His family has been here and I honor that.
And the fact that his wife came to the podium and spoke as a business owner against me was very disheartening. because I do know her sister and I know her as a prayer warrior. And to come up and not even disclose
that she is the attorney's wife and then to speak publicly causes alarm into the public. It makes it look like we do not know what we're doing. We are not Avon Park. We are not Cluon.
And we're not other areas of the town that we see where they're being destroyed because people are imploding. This is not about me. This is about the town of Lake Placid and what's best for the residents who reside here.
>> May I respond? >> Ready to move on? >> Yes, she's right. I have had some issues with some staff specifically when they depart what this council has ordered in the past. The
conference center was a great example had been going on for 5 years and some of the staff were doing their best to even keep it from coming before this council that voted 4 to proceed with it. And yes, that upsets
some people. I'm sorry. It is my job to say we've got to go forward with what is lawful, the $40 million grant. We've had disagreements over that. I still don't I even went to Charlotte and said, "I don't really think we're that far apart.
Let's sit down and talk." And her answer was, "I will not discuss it with you." So Charlotte's the one that really has pulled back. And I have yet to figure out where she's headed with this. I do not understand. My support has been for what this
council has approved time and again with any of these issues that we've disputed. Be happy to discuss any other in any other specifics you care to bring forward. >> Okay. Can we take it back to the public? Anybody else has anything?
>> Yeah, we'll take one more. Rosemary Heath, 558 Sunset Point Drive, Lake Placid. Our attorney Bert has protected our town for over 40 years with his knowledge, legal, and personal advice. Again, last
week, Bert protected our town considering an applicant for our uh town's attorney. The attorney candidate was fired at his previous position for unprofessional behavior, poor legal
advice, history of dishonesty, abet absenteeism, and tardiness. Burke stood up and said that we needed to take a look at the applicant that we were considering and to look at at the
other applicant and to go ahead and set out a new advertisement. We're ignoring we've ignored everything. September 30th, the council agreed to continue Charlotte's contract for another year.
No evaluation was necessary. Now, three and a half months later, she wants a three-year contract. I don't see that being reasonable. And this town really needs to be careful
for what they do and how um they respect their citizens as well as they respect each other and the council as well. Bird, I thank you for all that you've done for this city and I'm sad to see
what the disgracing statutes have. They thank you for all your hard work. I I appreciate you. Appreciate you and many many other business as well. Thank you. Quick, quick, quick. is not perfect. You know, high
business. Stop. Please, please. decision. >> Okay. Okay. So I don't think we need That's why again my texted she
Test 223. Test 23. Test 23. Test 23. She's not test3. 23. 1 2 3 1 2 3
1 2 3 being the problem is the people that are there might have been this if here and if you're here
I can I I can welcome those people and get up and so they can hear us. Would you would you loan that to the town? >> Yes. Yes. Exactly right.
Churches people are at home. It's they're always I'm so wonderful. screen is
ahead and ask for a copy of the then system. Yeah. Yeah. back. >> Yep. Yep. >> Okay. Okay. No, no, no.
All right. Uh, let's go. Part: 2
On the agenda is line item adjustment consultant services. This is with our utility director Bert Warner. Okay. uh in front of you. We all the uh confusion on the last one which was just
a a draft demonstration. Um we've had them send us a new scope um in the amount of 18,125 for the um public utilities management planning services incorporated
for our utility master plan. Um, so we're asking for a line adjustment out of uh the operations in the amount of 18,125 and asking to review the contract and
sign. That way we can get it started. I still have concerns that this is only phase A and we're improperly splitting a contract. >> No, this is all the this all we're asking for which is in his scope. This
will give us a start of a plan and if we decide to go with him on another part the utility MA master plan goes on for years. It it's it's continuous. This this will get us a start so we can show the state that we
started a plan for our future grants and stuff. So this is a stepping stone. That's all it is. What his last one was a draft with another community. >> Yeah. I >> So that's but they were thinking two phases. We're just doing the one phase now and if we decide to do another
phase, we'll bring it to you um or go to somebody else. But this way we can get it started and get our, you know, foot in the door with the for future grants. And I just wanted to add it was also one of the conversations with um Senator Erin Gro where she asked what our
planning um what our planning efforts were and if we had a strategic plan that was coming forward. That was when we had discussion about us um obtaining appropriations and asking for the request. So she she even suggested that this would be a a good path forward
>> with them being able to consider things >> and >> it give us a couple more stars. >> But but it would have been nice to have seen what they did for Cluon. >> The Clueiston one. It um when we asked for it, they had said that it was not
applicable because it had been so old based off of the requirements. >> Oh no, that was the piggyback. >> The piggyback. Yeah. >> Yeah. So this way she was asking about seeing what they did for closed. >> So this in no way obligates us to
utilize this firm in any further um consultant agreement just for this >> just for this scope of work that's presented in front of you. >> Okay. And then I'm just thinking to just to be devil's advocate, when we go forward with this, are you going to then
come and say, "Well, we should go with these guys because they've already had a a leg up on this on this project in the first place." >> Well, we can do that or we can investigate with our libraries the cost factors, you know, for for expanding expanding the uh the plan. You know, we
don't have to go with them. we can go with one of our libraries, but in the past they wanted $700,000 for a complete one. So this this $18,000 is a good stepping stone to get us going. >> But we still don't know that this same firm may not require or request $700,000
in the future either. We just know that just this section is >> just this section is $18,125. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So this will this will give us our our starting point. >> Thank you. >> Yes. I'll make a motion to approve the line
item transfer in the amount of $18,125 fee for professional consultant services with Public Utility Management and Planning Services, Inc. and authorize the town administrator to execute the necessary documents consistent with
Florida law. >> Well, the mayor's going to have to sign this. So, >> that's what I was thinking. It's like, yeah. So, um to Okay. To and to be signed by the mayor, >> reviewed by the council and signed by mayor. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay.
I'm Can I see that on this? I'm not seeing it on my other computer. What you just read there? The proposed motion. There you go. That's what I need. Okay. Thank you.
Say the mayor. >> Yes, I should say the mayor. >> On the contract, it does say mayor signature. >> Okay. So, I'm going to amend my motion to begin with and authorize the town admin uh town the town mayor to execute the necessary documents consistent with
Florida law. >> That's correct. >> I I would like to see in there um after review by the town attorney. >> That's fine. I'll my motion.
>> You amend it to that and in that way I'll second it. >> Okay. >> Uh we got a got a motion to second. There are the comments from the podium. >> Couple small >> couple small ones to Burton and Bert and and you expect these from me because I
do read these contracts. So just the on the contract itself the zip code's wrong. So correct that. >> What was that? on the contract itself, the zip code is wrong. So, have them correct that. >> Oh, okay. Yeah, we got it. We got to have it in word so we can make the correction. So,
>> minor. And then it does say uh the consultants under this contract will provide engineering consultant services for the water and wastewater services as described in the attached work order. What is the work order? >> It's the scope. >> Okay. Well, maybe change that to say
>> we can do that. >> Whatever that document's properly called, that's what that's intended. Um, and then I did research this guy and he's very impressive. I mean, he's written a lot of papers, you know, on all of this. So, that raised my comfort,
I'm I'm not certain that it shouldn't go out to bid, but since we are saying consistent with Florida law, >> correct? >> That's fine. But he's very impressive the work that he has done >> and the studies and the research papers. >> Absolutely. >> So, um, I just congratulate you on that.
And then to and then maybe uh now your second took care of this. But my other question was going to be to the town attorney. Has he read because this is a contract now? This is a >> you know it's not a labor contract. This is a contract and I want to make sure that the town attorney said
>> gives us any of his view inside. So >> comments from the audience >> pull the council. >> Council member Worley. >> Yes. Council member Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council member Charles. >> Yes. >> Council member. >> Yes. >> Okay. The last thing I have on the
agenda is discussion only. The status update on Lake June Park pickle ball project and procurement review. >> Thank you. We've been asked about updates regarding pickle ball. So staff have communicated with representatives
of the Florida Recreational Development Assistant Program, better known as FURDAP, regarding procurement requirements. FERDAP advised that the program does not explicitly prohibit the use of piggyback contracts, nor do its administrative rules prescribe a
specific procurement method. Ferd further advised that grantees must comply with all applicable procurement laws and policies governing their entities. Accordingly, piggyback contracts may be allowable procurement options under Florida local government procurement practices. The town has
historically utilized piggyback contracts and the contracts presented for legal review were competitively procured in compliance with applicable requirements. Final compliance remains subject to review during reimbursement and/or audit. Similarly, staff have
reviewed procurement considerations related to the Highlands County ARPAC grant. Grant compliance requires adherence to applicable local, state, and grant specific procurement requirements, and the town remains responsible for ensuring that any procurement method used is fully compliant. Staff has also been working
with the town attorney regarding the use of piggyback contracts. At this time, no formal approval has been granted to protect staff and ensure compliance with applicable pre procurement requirements under the FURDAP grant, the ARPAC grant, and the town of Lake Placid funding.
Staff halting further action related to piggyback contracts until clear direction is provided by the town attorney and town council regarding the preferred procurement method and overall direction for construction of the courts. Staff's actions to date have been undertaken to advance an approved
project remain consistent with prior council discussions regarding piggyback contracting and ensure transparency and compliance with Florida law grant requirements and town procurement policies. There's no action. We just brought it forward so that any questions could be asked and we could try to
answer them the best um available and possible. We are held up currently with lighting and the sense that we do not have a a lighting agreement that suffices for it to be considered under a piggyback is our understanding. Um there
was language that was provided that we believed would be able to qualify. However, that's where we have to defer to Mr. Harris who he says that the lighting portion does not under subcontractor follow that um with with Sebring. I'll let you speak to that. Um
I did find out very late before we came into this meeting that there is an agreement that we will be reaching out to Sebring to get tomorrow where they have a contract with a um local agency. Do you remember >> lighting? I don't remember the lighting
>> with a local lighting um company that is local that they have an agreement with that we should be able to use for a piggyback. So as soon as we get that from Sebring that should be able to move that forward. >> The lighting issue was more recently discovered. You're correct. Um she is
correct. It is not included in either of the piggyback is uh contracts. I've run that to the ground. Charlotte and I have exchanged emails and she said she thought she had another one that may qualify. We'll wait and see when we get it. Um
period. >> Okay. >> I just have a couple things. First of all, I noticed on the news that um it appears that Sun Lake is adding pickle ball courts or changing their tennis courts into pickle ball court. Maybe
there would be a possibility of a piggyback. Uh we're talking to them. It's a possibility. And um are we going to be consistent with Ferdap and RPAC deadlines trying to get this uh this project completed? I'm very concerned
about that. >> Yes. And yes, ma'am, we are we have um we've had those conversations. As soon as we can get the agreement, we have two options. If tomorrow we find out that the lighting agreement is not one that we can use, we can go out to RFP and
we're fully prepared to do that and to go out to RFP. We put it out for two weeks. Two weeks. It's typical practice of the way that it's even been handled before with um with the previous uh leadership and we would get it to come back. And as long as it comes within the
guidelines of the um the amount allotted, then it should be fine. But that's going to be up to Mr. Harris to look at because there it is outlined that lighting is part of um >> lighting is part of the FRAP grant
itself. So that is required under FURDAP >> to have the lighting correct because that's how it was applied for that. Um also the part you read about FDRAP approving uh piggyback probably ought to get that in writing from them.
Uh, Councilwoman uh Charles pointed out in one of their grant agreements they require that to have written appro maybe you did. I don't know. >> They they don't go ahead. >> I will forward the email that I received from Verdap and basically it outlines what I just said there. They don't have
a policy but they don't have a there's no problem going out for it as long as we're following procurement processes. If they've given you >> they don't have heartburn about it as well. My my I'll send you the email because I got the email from Jeremy. >> If you'd forward that to me if they've
given written approval >> and um per these grants first of all when are the deadlines for these two grants and um secondly what do we have to have done? Do we just have to break ground or do we have to be done with a
co? >> I believe both are 2027. I think on the trajectory we are now, we'll have plenty of time to get it done by 20. >> Okay. Are we sure they're 2027? >> Okay. I was I was afraid they were 26. So, okay. 27. And I'll never say that we
we have plenty of time. >> We never have plenty of time. Remember, we are building a police station. >> I retract. Um I I have concerns that that this is a true piggyback that it it meets all the
criteria because the nitty one that we're piggybacking on was a resurfacing and a repair job whereas this is new and then the um excavation point one that we're using was for like road paving,
curbing and so forth. As far as I see, I'm just concerned that they qualify as a true piggyback. The then once you answer that one, the next thing is if we're going to have to go out now for a lighting contract, now we're going to have three contractors on the site. We
really, it was bad enough when there were going to be two, but if there are three contractors, now we really need one general contractor. Just like when we did the landscaping on Interlake, there was a talk about splitting up irrigation, splitting up mulching,
whatever. And he said, "No, you have to have one person completely in charge." >> Absolutely. >> That will be up to your discretion. I was just going to say that when it came to the excavation point, it's in their um in their proposal was for them to
cover the lighting. So they provided the city of Sebring and in the city of Sebring it does have for subcontractor but that is where it's up to legal review to determine whether subcontractor for the lighting is considered an appropriate piece to a piggyback and that's where we deferred
that to Mr. Harris. However, like I said, we did find out and they used um several contractors because and they went with the lighting um separate from that because it was a better cost savings is what was explained to me. >> Okay. Would it be um feasible to do one
RFP that combines everything the the road work or the paving or grass whatever plus the courts plus the lighting under one RFP. >> It's what I'd prefer. >> Me too. >> Me too. >> And then and then there is no question
as to whether it's a proper piggyback or not. And you have one general contractor. >> If we would done this a long time ago, these courts would be built. We'd be playing in them. If >> we could have agreed on it a long time ago, we would have been. >> Yeah. What's the status of the swift mud? Do
we have the swift mud permits? It we're waiting on that. We were told that it could be forthcoming the end of this month, but that doesn't hold up piggybacks. >> No, no, no. But that holds up. >> Yes, ma'am. Um the only concern is is I believe that we
only have one in the state who is capable of being able to do the construction of the courts themselves. >> One in state one >> one one contractor >> actually there's two both on each coast more more is one and there's another one but that's moot.
>> So you would want to go out for an RFP now for all of this. is that >> back in June the mayor said once the legal issues are cleared up we're going out for bid and that's what I thought and then it kind of I guess snowballed from there and that's what Pollston had
written up included in the January 2023 town council meeting was actually what the RFQ the language that could have got posted um because that will give you a that's what Avon Park did they're building their courts that's what Avon Park did they went out
with an RFP um and then they ended up getting um a couple contractors bidding and then the transportation study that we talked about had to be done. Has that completed? All of all of those are in in process. I just want to um to draw August 11th,
2025, we had been instructed to go ahead and go forward with the with the piggyback. So that's the reason why staff has been going in that direction. Um, I'm sorry. I had to look at my notes. >> No, I get that. I'm just responding to somebody said I'd prefer that and I said I would too. So,
>> yes. Yes, >> that was um so the transportation study that needed to be done is that's done. >> It it would have to be in process and we have to it's Kimley Horn. I was going to say Evo >> I I can give you some update. So, right now the application is at Highlands
County for the traffic study concurrency. um planning, our planning department is working through some issues that they're looking for questions to be answered from Kimley Horn. The only thing I would point out for the RFP, if we went to RFP, that's probably most likely going
to be additional uh cost from Kimley Horn to draft those documents. We do not have the expertise to draft uh um documents to the specity for construction. I don't have it. So, I mean, I would say we would have to refer
to I'm not 100% if if there's other qualified people to be able to do that. I don't know. >> That's fair enough. But maybe in the meantime, maybe we don't have to go that way. But if we do look at the Jan January 2023
meeting post included in that packet because they were going to go to our PAC is a RFP. There's a whole packet that Pollston had prepared to go out and council had approved it. I don't know what happened subsequent. So there may be some the
documents already done. It was Pollston. It's not Kimley Horn but still that was the original engineering firm >> and as as I've re reiterated in the past this project was had so many hands in it and that was the last instructions prior
to the previous folks leaving that we were moving in that direction. So that's what we followed. >> And then I'll continue to be concerned on the ARPAC grant. We said we were going
to fix all those in front of the boat ramp. We were going to pave that and all the and I don't like to call it a pothole because it's going up versus down. So it's like the road is just all broken up in there. And in the our that was the whole reason we were adding the
parking versus just do the pickle ball courts. Nope. We added paving to fix that road coming in where it's just all chunked up. Um and then we were going to have paved and pvious parking. And I know um Charlotte has said she's talked
to ARPAC and they're okay. It's a conceptual design that we're not going to pave anything. We're just going to do pvious parking. Um, I I I'm continue to be concerned on the interpretation of a conceptual
change versus a material change. That's and and I I really wish we would have been able to go forward and fix that pavement in front of the boat ramp. The Boers want it. I mean, they come in, anybody who parks there. So, >> as far as my understanding is is that
when that was done, um, and the reason it's got side is because of cost of the whole project and that would put that over the budget set forth between all grants and the 200,000 the town has put forward. So if you'd look to add that
the last schematic that was given to as the premise of the design is the last one that was submitted by our previous I mean we went through and found the very last one saying this is the last one the design that we're going to put
forward and it did not have paid parking in it >> and that's the one that was put forward. Did did did you get or did he somebody get quotes of how much that pavement is going to cost and then that's why he then designed without it?
>> What was the basis of that? >> Very hard for me to determine because we had so many reiterations of the design by the previous engineer and then Mr. McCarthy was involved in it. There was a lot of changing of all of these things. what we've been able to piece together
and and speaking with previous that that's the design that ended up and I think it had a lot to do with the cost of the project and that's one that was determined. We checked with the county, are we okay with doing reinforced parking versus paved parking? And that
was all to keep. At this present time, minus whether we get the piggybacks or not, the cost for the project, if we were able to use the piggybacks from Sebring and Niti, we are in a uh um have about 158,000 left over that we'll still
be able to do some of that reinforced parking. That's after the court. If we were using the numbers that are right now, the newest numbers on the piggyback. So, that that's that's where it's at now. With the lighting, it might be a little bit different, but I think
it's pretty close to uh you know, just a reach out they did with uh Central Electric a while back and I did one while back with Central Electric just to it's not a bid. It was just like, hey, how much would this be? And I think we're still within the realm
to still be able to do some of that u reinforced parking, but the project has lasted quite a while. So costs go up. Now Niti has held their NITI has held their cost the same
>> since the moment that they even appro you know that we even approached them. So they have kept that cost down. Um I have looked at other uh municipalities that have used Niti and so they are really the pro predominantly
uh group that do pickle ball courts. Um on the whole um when you look at the state of Florida they're very prominent. But that's where I'm at. I mean that's all I know as far as how we've been able to piece this together and that's where it stands. >> So you're saying where we are right now
with the costs that you have, we're not going to be doing the parking. No, you will have still funding to do the parking once the pickle ball court, lighting, all of those other requirements for the pickle ball courts are done and then there'll be still
enough to do the paid parking. That was a concern that we reached out to the county and say, is there going to be issue if we have to downsize that parking? And at the time like most grants whether it's a utility grant or whatever grant oftent times those scopes
based on uh costs have to go down. It is a normal practice with grants. So when you're working with the county or you're working with FDA verd requirement is that we build pickle balls >> how we approach
that has flexibility with with the counter. So, so just to clarify, right now there's not a plan to pave in front of the boat ramp, the road coming in. >> There's no money to do that. >> No. >> Did Did we get quotes? I mean, so so
when we change from paving everything that um I'll call it Dennis had in his thing that went to our pack and then we determined, boy, we don't have enough money. Did you actually get quotes in from Esavation Point or whoever to make that decision?
I think when they when Kevin did that request for RPAC, whatever I can give you, that first column, which was what was presented, >> I believe that was in there. >> Um, but the costs have uh, for example,
just lighting alone, from the moment uh, that that was done, it went back to a central electric reach out that Phil Williams did for the lighting to be $96,000. That is now well over $200,000 from the
time Mr. Williams got it and that same number was used. I'm just using that as because that's the one that jumps out the most of the uh extreme increase from what originally was uh projected for the lighting.
Everything that's given to ARPAC is an estimated uh it's always an estimated cost until you either a R uh RFP or you be piggy back and get your final numbers. So that's kind of all I I mean that we've been able to try to piece
together what's been done since 2023 and and I think we've been able to collectively um on the website um think I added it but I plan on adding it and it'll have the new based on these piggyback now of course based on those
piggyback amounts to update what does it look like today if we were to move forward with those piggyback contracts at those costs and we are still within the budget um with a surplus of about 158,000 I I believe so we'll be able to
get some parking done I know that's about as much experience I have at this but I think we've tried to do our due diligence I'm always reaching out to folks to make sure we're doing it right. And at some point I will once we get going I will be stepping away as
handling this and it's going to go to Brandon. No Brand >> Yes. >> Yeah. Brandon. >> Who? Who? >> Yes. We we have our >> works with the utility but he's doing some of our projects. >> Our projects and Kimy Horn. Kimley Horn's still big part of the project
management part of it. Um, before we start paving down by the lake, the last plan, which is 2006, I think for the park, there wasn't paving down there. That's supposed to be all grass and open area to be near the lake
and not have paving right there at the lake. I mean, it needs to be gr to me. It needs to be on the other side of the pula. Yes, they could put their boat in. they're going to have to walk. But then that opens up the lakefront to be used as a park rather than a paved paved
street basically where they're going to leave their car and boat. I mean, I understand they would have to walk farther, but I'm not for paving down there right by the lake at all. I think we ought to tear up all of that gravel and put in grass. That's my opinion.
Just before we start going down that road, I just wanted to throw that in there. Thank you. >> I just want to step in for a second too with reference to that paving in that in that regard. You know, in the area where you're you're putting boats in the water, you have trucks and you have the
boats and all this type of thing and you have some always some fluids that are coming out and if you keep it to grass, the grass will f filter those fluids and not let so much of it go into the lake. where if you pave all the way down to the shoreline, all of that all of the gas and the oil and possibly that's
that's left there from the boats and the and the uh the vehicles pulling the boats that's going to go right into the lake. So, you want to keep as much grass as you can without, you know, I mean, I don't want the boats to get stuck, you know, or anything like that. But the more grass you can keep down there, the better filtering you have for that that
stuff going into the lake. Oh, I just I knew I had something else. I'm sorry. I had one more thing. Um, in previous meetings, I think it was referenced to the police station, someone commented that goodness, you you you always have these
contracts that get bigger and bigger and bigger and you ought to get better estimates in the first place. Um, and my my thought about that was and I ex I I think I I I used much self-control not to not to chuckle
but um when we start a project in 2023 and we are still arguing over it, discussing over it, trying to figure out who's going to do it over it two years later. It's is obvious why contract pricing goes up. So, if we can, as I
mentioned uh in my year-end comments, the thing I wish for this council going forward in 2026 is let's make quicker decisions. Let's make good, thoughtful decisions. But once we make a decision, move forward. Let's don't rehash it 37
times because that's what's making our cost go up. And that's our biggest responsibility to the taxpayers. We are using taxpayer money to discuss, discuss, discuss. Let's make decisions and move forward so we can eliminate that. Thank you
>> Charlie. >> For the record, Charlie Wilson, 763 Sunset Point Drive. I just appreciate the fact that the project is moving forward. were five months, one week past the last decision
for this to be gone out to bid and constructed. So, and prior to the previous council, another 14 months beyond that. So, we're two years out on this thing. It's been uh contentious on
a lot of different fronts. I'm glad we're moving forward and uh I just look forward to having an asset to our community that everyone will be able to enjoy and uh I just want to thank you for keeping the ball moving towards
uh construction and completion. Thank you. Hello, Josephine Conley again, 607 Sunset Point Drive. I just want to make sure I'm getting this all clear.
We are having one general contractor. Is that correct? Or one one general contractor for this project. Pardon me. >> We don't know that yet. See, now you you you come up and you you you say things.
It's not the taxpayers, okay? We're just trying to give and get some information. Here we are. We don't under we don't know if we have one general contractor, right? >> To do this job properly, and I don't know how many times I've I've suggested
it to protect the town's liability, you've got one contractor who controls the whole project. You don't have this contractor that contractor coordinating or you will be forever. So that's really important. The other
question is how did it go down from 800,000 to 700,000? I mean I'm happy to see $100,000 less. Okay. But three months ago it was 800,000.
So, are we going to try to stick at $700,000? Um, because or are we transferring any work from the pickle ball courts to another project? That's really important. I mean, the pickle ball
project should be the pickle ball project. And, you know, let's keep it together. And I mean, how many times have I asked this? Four months. How long does it take to find out whether you have one general contractor
and and that's a concern. So again, we all knew we were going to have a pickle ball court. We we've accepted it. Okay, it's not a big deal, but we're still going around in circles. And I don't get it, you know. And first of
all, I'm still embarrassed to think that the park is going to look the way it looks and you're going to have a $700,000 pickle ball court when the potholes in the ramp and then the um not potholes, but the hole and then you have the potholes and tree. I mean, really,
folks, come on. You're putting the cart before the horse. they're doing the beautiful pickle ball court and then you go look over your shoulder in the right part of the park is not so nice. So please let's let's get it together. Please. Okay, we know we're getting a
court but let's and and this is why now that we have had so many issues. You decided one thing to move it. Okay, you decided to move it back. Okay, fine, whatever. But let's move on and let's just try to keep the price because do we
think we're going to hold it at $700,000 and and again about the grants and I I know you said you're seeming to think that our pack and the grant is very flexible but yet we can't get anything in writing. I mean we should have
something in writing that whatever we're changed what we said we were going to do we're not going to do. We should have that contract in writing. Do you think that's correct, B, to have the contract in writing? >> Well, that talking we will have a
contract in writing. What? >> Okay. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Okay. Because you know, we do need to move on. So, thank you for listening and I just hope we do the general contractor for the uh security of the
taxpayers. Thank you. And oops, >> I'm sorry >> to to add to my suggestion that instead of having three contractors, we have one
general. They can use NIDI as a subcontractor. Secondly, if we go for out for bids, it'll put to rest whether or not we're getting the correct price, a competitive price, and then there's no questioning.
>> That's that's so correct. Thank you. I'd just like to make a note for the record that we have I have met with Miss Connley and I have reviewed in great detail the pickle ball and also the police department. It has been reviewed um December 5th in great detail.
>> Go ahead, Ken. >> Ken Leblanc 120 yesterday. Um yeah, I just want to say the pickle ball courts are an awesome thing. I I support them. I think they are going to be a wonderful thing for this town. I think the town of Lake Placid should always and the council should always be endeavoring to
make the town of Lake Placid a more livable place and pickle ball courts will go a long way in that direction. I've said it before, my kids when they're home, they drive all the way up to Sketchy Charlie Brown Park in Sebring. No offense to Sebring, but um you know, it's not where I want my kids going. You know, I'd much rather see him
come stay local, come to our pickle ball courts, and I guarantee those pickle ball courts are going to be packed all the time. Charlie Brown Park's packed all the time. So, it's going to be a good thing for this town. So, I appreciate you guys supporting it. You know, obviously you got to work out these details of who's doing it and how
much and all that kind of stuff, but you know, again, this is something we need to just get done. I mean, we've been talking about this thing for so long. Um, it's time to get this over with and move on to other things, you know. So, I appreciate all you guys and all the effort you've put forth on this. I think it's going to be a great thing for the town.
I just have one comment. The motion on the August 11th vote was for picky ball or uh piggybacks, authorizing piggyback contracts, and and am I missing something? Is it Kimberly Horn the
project manager which is the quasi in charge of coordinating everything or no? >> Yes, they they're the ones that are handling that portion. I'm trying to get to the actual motion. I'm sorry. >> I thought they were hired as that was
part of a >> as the engineering firm but not as the general contractor is my understanding. Well, not the no project manager, not general contractor project. >> He was a project manager. >> So, I think think what we're we're
losing sight of there's actually two contractors. They're actually going to be doing the work. That's Niti and if approved, the other piggyback contractor that's going to do all the subwork and I believe that and all the other work that's going to be done. So, Niti is actually going to be doing only the
courts. Um they're not doing the lighting. They're not doing all the ground work. I don't know the words for that, excavation, all of that. Um, so you have two contractors and you have Kimley Horn who right now is project managing because what they're doing now
is working with their planning and zoning to make sure that we're meeting all those they will be coordinating with whatever I know they've had preliminary talks with NIDI but until these contracts can go through um we're kind of in a holding pattern. I know there's
some questions that planning has asked that they are bringing forward their answers to get that taken care of for the commercial review. Um and and that's about where I understand it's two contractors. It would be Niti and whoever is doing the remainder of that
work that's part of actually the RPAT grant. So it's partial partial uh the the ports plus the underground work and all that work and then the parking. So it's really at this point two contractors. One is a specialized nitty
and the other one is the rest of the work >> or could be three. So similar to the police department, cool and cobb was the design. >> Yes. And then >> once Smco bid, they're the general contractor and they're going to have subcontractors under them. So I think
cool and cobb isn't the contractor. They just manage the project and Senco's taken off. Senco is doing the whole project whereas we would have the specialty of Niti and then the remainder. So it' be two contractors to have it under one general that's going to do it all. I'm not sure how that all
works. >> I I just want to say one thing really quick with reference to all of this. You mentioned something um Evo some issues or there's still some outstanding issues with planning. >> Yeah. Um and I don't think they're
major. They're they seem to be pretty much easily answered. I know Burton's been on those emails. >> I don't care if they're major or not. They have to be addressed, completed, and that's it. That's all. Not anymore coming up at the last minute. Not, oh, I
forgot. Not, oh my gosh, we have to do that. No, that's it. That's all done. >> So, so this one's a little bit different, I think, than the police department because this is a commercial review. Um, so I I think it may have to go to LPA, but it goes to LPA through um
um what they call um I forget. Dana's not here. >> I'm not worried about >> actually. Yeah, it it's different than the police department. So, >> I'm not worried about LPA. I'm worried about our planner >> coming up with something at the last moment. >> Yeah, I was going to say um she her she
actually asked for this early on and did a preliminary review. So, she was looking at it as soon as it came in. They already looked at it. Um, and then also worked with the county immediately to try and find out if there were going to be any things that were going to hang it up. So, she really tried to expedite
this preliminary and um and so we have that. We can share that information with you. We'll be happy to show you all the documentation. Um, Kimley Horn did a really good job of they gave us a flowheet with everything that was a bullet point that needed to be addressed from the county level. they um
identified who would need to have that. We had to provide several different documents that were already um taken care of that they didn't realize we had. So, it's it's moving and it's not held up with ours. She's just trying to make sure we cross our tees and dot our eyes with the county. So, there's no issue there.
>> And I'm just making sure that she doesn't come up with something again at the last moment out of the top of her hat. >> Understood. What are the questions that they're posing? >> I they're they're technical. a lot of questions, but >> is there a short version of the
questions? >> They're in planning and I have not involved myself. >> I thought that just said >> I know it was included. I say including on an email, but >> there's a lot of emails that fly around. >> I've been asked to look at planning, so I've stayed out of it. >> Okay. >> So, I mean, we could forward you those questions. Some of them have to do with
Duke Energy and how the electrical and then uh I think they needed um >> they needed a copy of the >> um the the deed clearance. >> I needed to send them another scan copy of the survey with the seal because the one that they had was a little outdated.
Um so we did that. So >> it's all items that most of it were items we already had. The the survey is outdated. I thought we >> No, no, we did a current one. whatever they had was a different we had the current one so Tina scanned it got it to them. What was the other there was
another document that we had to scan and get to them. Um I think it was the uh title opinion they wanted uh planning wanted. >> Um at various items and and some of them Kimy Horn's just going to go provide. I think it's a normal process. Um there
wasn't anything that I saw major and when we talked to Dana, she really did kick this one off to expedite it. So um so I think once that's done, then it'll go out to
um the various folks. Uh I forget what it's called. I'm sorry that's like out of my realm. the day that we received it, she made a point to drive here and to make sure she was reviewing it >> for the record just so that I know she's not here, but to she really wanted to
make sure she expedited it and that did a preliminary review so that she could get ahead of anything that was potential coming up. >> She did do that. >> Yes. >> So, you know, as I and and again to Mr.
Wilson's comments and everybody's we've been working on this for three years. Um, and I know there's a lot of sometimes unfair comments of people who get up and they make comments that seem like they're asking questions and it seems like they're against, you know,
the project. And clearly location has been an issue and will continue to be an issue, but the people who've raised those questions have never really stalled this project. And and I think it it just needs to be stated for the record that it when people get up and
say it's the children, the playground, the green space. None of that has ever stalled this. August 15 of 2024, our PAC, we finally got the full funding, right? August of 2024, we now have the funding.
November 2024 was where we made the agreement to move it to option one. You know, before that it was put it on this side, put it on this side, but we never had full funding. So, November, this council approved
option one, go forward. Regardless of how many people may have got up and spoke against it, none of that changed anything from a town council. We never bought it back up for a vote or anything. We listened to the comments and took them in stride.
Then then we found out um so then in June the mayor said we've got title issues that we're clearing out. So now we had title issues we didn't know about. We're cleared those out. We're going to go out to bid. And then I guess the next month we said nope, we're not going to go out to bid. We're going to
find our piggybacks. So since July of 2025, you know, do the math, we're we're trying to find piggybacks. Then we found, oh, we need transportation study.
Next month we're overbudget $100,000. Let's kill the project. Next month we're not over a h 100,000. Um, so it's just and and now we're finding out, okay, that we've got planning issues. So, I
just it's like what else? What what what else is out there? Because if we would have gone out for an RFP, I'll say that we would have had that back and we'd probably be on the way, but maybe we wouldn't because we're finding these
other questions are coming up. So, that's I think for everybody's anxious to move this project forward. And let's be fair to anybody that asks questions, it seems like it's against it. this has been delayed a lot and that's
us that's council not managing this properly that's that's not the the people who want it or they don't want it so I just continue to say what else what other surprise can be out there that is another question coming up to your point right this came up what else why did it
why did it just come up now >> yep yep transportation study we didn't know so I just >> that come from >> you're right it's been a long time that we've been working on it. And it's not that we've been saying no, it's we're finding these other things that we need
to get done. Maybe a general contractor or a project manager would have known that that all these things that you just mentioned. You have to do this, you have to do this, have to do this. So, and then I'll sit quiet.
>> All right. Any other comments? All right, we'll bring it back to our department heads. Anybody? Okay, Mr. Attorney. >> No, sir. >> Charlotte, anything else? All right, I'll bring it to Joy.
>> Um, no, I think but uh next council we should revisit the status of the tower. Tow, >> are you asking for final comments? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Um, this is very exciting. The in um the tax collector
has started collecting the tourist development taxes locally. So, we should um be getting his report. He started on January 1st. Um, I wanted to also I got a an a request destination development
stakeholder meeting. Uh, the chamber is kind enough to do refreshments and have it at their offices on January 27th, 9:00 a.m. This is going to help shape the future of tourism in Lake Placid area. Who should come? Residents,
business owners, nonprofits, event organizers, and community leaders. Um, it's an important meeting to we, you know, we talk a lot about wanting to get our people to come here and spend money and go home. And so anyway, but we we,
you know, so this will be a great uh it's a stakeholder meeting and um Shelley Phelps, the one that did the hometown network, she's going to be in charge of the meeting so everybody can get their input and find out what's going on and what we need to do as a
community to to accomplish our goals. So anyway, I'll see you there on J on January 27th at 9:00 a.m. at the chamber. Thank you. >> Joy, I didn't understand what you said. It should be brought up at the next meeting.
Um the uh the in particular the uh code violations on the tower the 90 days will be up by then and so we can get a uh update on what's going on. Thank you. I was going to think about
that too because I just noticed it the other day. Thank you. Um I have nothing. Thank you for your concern for my cat. She's doing better now. Thank you. And uh I have nothing else. Thank you. Um, just a couple questions here. Is what's the status of our parks master
plan? I will need to revisit that. I think it landed with Mr. Harris and I looking at it. It was the one we waited and it came back. We had to make sure it qualified because we did the one that they had did not contain all of the parks that we had
and Barto. We were waiting for Bartos to come back to us. We could not use Spring Lake because Spring Lake had less parks than we had identified in our parks here. And so there was um come I will have to look for that one. That one >> Yeah. Because I remember we we also decided let's take some of these parks
off, you know. >> Yep. And just small the basketball court and things like that. >> We were waiting for a revised to come back because they were taking it to I don't quote me. It was either Barto or Arcadia. I'm sorry. I always get the two of them confused, but it was one of them that we were waiting for it to come back
and they met the parameters where it would satisfy ours. >> Um, and then just in addition to the tower code violations, um, and I've been asked what's the status of those two demolish I don't know what the proper
word is. The one over on >> Gladiolas is across from the the park. And then the also the one on >> is it Hillrest? >> What's that? >> Maine on Maine. >> South Maine. >> Maine. Yeah. And then third somebody is brought up and maybe that's a code
violation. And I guess this house on Hillrest that just has boats and cars and every day becomes another vehicle that's being it looks like a junkyard or an auto repair shop right on Hillrest just just down from the post office.
>> So let's start on the two that we know that we've already approved that were >> foreclosure has been filed. The uh defendant uh one of them has been served. answer is due within the next week, I believe. Um, the other could not
be served because she was uh incarcerated and she is now out and on the run and we according to the sheriff. So, we are serving her by publication. So, foreclosure underway on both of them. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. And and Charlotte, I'll get you that address of
the other for code enforcement to to take a look at that. Um, and then on to the mayor to to Charlotte on business licenses. I've had three different business there's a process approvement opportunity and this three different business owners have told me that they
get this huge package in the mail to just renew it. And it's like it's like it's and and I don't know the process completely except three different business owners have commented that there's a big opportunity here that they've been a business license for 20
years and they get this gigantic package like they have to start from the beginning to file all this information and all that. So I think there might and of course the mailing that goes with that and the return. I think some of them got returned maybe insufficient postage because you know they kept they were getting calls that they haven't
renewed it and they're like so maybe there's a opportunity to separate a new business owner license package and if you want to renew what's the criteria that we need there so just a a good process improvement opportunity I think not just for us but also for the
business owner's perspective and if we could tell them that we have our upcoming workshop that is focused fusing on that. We will have Saul who primarily handles that. She's going to be present to discuss some of the concerns and then also explain the process and why we ask for what we have. So, if we could push
them to try to come, we've been putting that out. There's um the out when you walk out, we have the flyer that has the dates on it. And so, that session is going to be Tuesday, February 3rd at 5:30. And it will not be in this setting. It's going to be over
in the community room so that it is set up in the the way that everyone seems to really receive it better where there's a lot of interaction and some feedback. So, we are encouraging for the businesses and also for the faith-based organizations. We've um recently finalized what that's going to look
like, but there is a lot of opportunity. So, we're open to change. Let's just say that obviously we're we've had some tough conversations tonight. We're open for change and we want to be able to have feedback and make it easier. Um, and then last I I think last week we
found out there's a a a drone. So, I didn't know we had a drone in the town, but I guess a drone. Can I get a copy of that? I think you were going to pass that out. I think others wanted it, too. Do we have any other grants in process that we're not aware of? >> We have a whole list of grants. Um, I
was not prepared to bring that, but I do. We have a whole list of grants that we can send you >> or just put it on next maybe next month's meeting. These are the grants >> with an update >> and maybe it's three. These are ones we're p we're we're investigate researching. These are in progress and
then >> these have been approved or something like that. I think I think that's a good thing, right? That's a good thing for the town to know that there's a lot of opportunity now that we have this new software, you know, to pursue grants. >> The flip side is that's going to require
resources, right? So then you >> Yeah. Well, resources to run the projects and everything like that. Yes. Thank you, ma'am. >> Okay. One thing I'd like to mention to council is when it comes to the pickle ball
courts, I think we need to get rid of the word general contractor. A general contractor for this project is really not needed. We're not pouring any concrete. We don't have to worry about the right size rebar or where it's
going. Uh we're not putting on a roof there. There's no plumbing. As long as we have a project manager that can oversee the contractors that we have, that that's sufficient. We're going to have the proper permitting. They're
going to have the proper insurance. Um everything will be be done according to the way it should be done. But I just think a general contractor is just an overkill. That I don't know, Ken, if you agree with that or not, but it's I just
think it's something that's not needed. Yeah, we'll we'll stay on top of it. It's it's going to be done the way it should be done. And so I I just want to put that out there so you know that u a general contractor for this project is just not needed. All right. Anything
else come before council? >> Just a quick and that's fine. Thank you for that. Who would you see as the project manager? Well, right now it's it's >> Yeah, it's >> they are the project manager. >> I don't think that's in their scope of services, but we'd have to look at that. I don't think that
>> and that >> the contract said they're also going to be the project manager. >> Yes. You're saying >> that's their design engineers. Are they the contract manager? >> I didn't constru I mean construction manager. >> We will have to go back to look at their
>> Yeah, I don't think they were. So whether that's a revision to that contract or not >> or Eva, >> well, when the contract's left, we'll have all that finalized. >> I just don't want three contractors pointing fingers at each other.
>> Yeah. Okay, time out now. I I've heard three of I've heard three yes council people on a general and the mayor saying no general. >> I don't think we need a general either.
If we have a project manager, it is just, you know, there isn't plumbing. There's not >> I don't I don't see it. But let's just let it go. Let's go on down the road and Okay. >> And then we'll see what happens and we get it all together. That's what I'd like to do. And if we do the piggyback,
I just saying then you're going to have to pay a general contractor and the costs are going to go up again. And if we don't really need it, I think we'll be fine. >> Do you want to finish what you're saying? >> I I was just saying one, two, I heard.
Now I hear Deborah saying no and the mayor saying no. Comes down to what do >> I I'm not qualified to make that decision. I don't know anything about building a house or building anything >> to go to go to a contractor, general contractor. Now, you'd have to go out for another RFP, >> right? No. >> So, you're just going to delay this many
more months. >> No, we don't. In that case, we don't need it. >> It's just, you know, it's it's just it's it's not needed. No, >> it's it's already been approved. >> Yeah, we have to. >> No, I agree. We do not need a general contract. >> May I speak?
>> You need to be quick. We got to go. >> Josephine Conley, 607 Sunset Point. The priority here with the general contractor, even though we're not building a house, is he coordinates everything. You get your job done in the
time frame he gives you. When you have three different contractors running around, even though this might seem like a simple project, that layout of that land has to be absolutely correct. The reservoir on each side has to be
absolutely correct. I mean, it's a tedious project. courts that have been built that have had an issue. I'm just saying that's the purpose of a general contractor. We're then out of it and the liability exposure exposure is on them.
I'm just, you know, I understand where you're coming from, Mr. Mayor. I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just trying to explain to you why. You know, you might have to spend a couple dollars more. I don't know how because you'll wind up spending a couple dollars more when you have separate because the job
isn't getting done. That's probably what that's usually what happens. But again, >> that's not true because a general contractor will bring in his own subcontractors >> where we're already on piggybacks. We've already got our contractors lined up.
>> I know I >> and and Yeah. And and besides that, it would just delay this for months. >> But I understand It's not I understand what you're saying and you don't know my background. My background is been construction for most all my life. I I
managed large roofing company. Uh I I built houses here in Lake Placid for for many years. Uh I understand the process. I know the process. And to to to start over now with a general
contractor is just wrong. >> Well, we we didn't start over. It was supposed to origin to be a general contractor. >> All right. Any other comments? >> Thank you.