Being 5:33, I now call to order the regular meeting of the Lake Placid Town Council this 9inth day of March in the government center of the great town of Lake Placid. We have with us today
I had it. I got so many papers here. We have the pleasure of having with us tonight. That's not it. There it is. Pastor Don Don Roberts from the Leisure Lake Baptist Church who will lead us in
our invocation and pledge. Is he here? Oh, I guess he's not here. All right, for everybody to please rise. Let us pray to our gracious heavenly father. We thank you for another beautiful day in paradise, better known
as Lake Placid, Florida. We thank you for all that you have given us and we hope that you will put your blessing down on this group tonight that they make the decisions that will be in the best interest of Lake Placid and its res residents and its surrounding
community. And please God bless our troops around the world who are protecting our freedom and our first responders also. In your glorious name we pray. 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 Hogwart >> here.
>> Council member Hayes >> here. >> Council member Worley >> here. >> Council member Charles >> here. Council member Ebart >> here. I'll now open it up to the public for non-aggenda items if anybody has anything they'd like to bring before
council. Good evening. Marlene Barker, 760 Sunset King Drive. I just want to thank Jennifer and Nicole with the Chamber of Commerce for the great event that we had Friday night. Um the the merchants in the town. I also thank them and the
merchants who provided supplies. It was really a terrific evening. People got to be walking around for three hours, which you normally don't see in Lake Placid. Inner Lake and Maine were busy. Um, we met new people who had moved here recently. They had very positive things to say. A couple of them even said,
"Wow, we're so glad because we just discovered the purple iris." So, it was a really good event. So, please pass on to Jennifer and all the folks that it was a wellplanned, excellent event. Thank you. >> I'd just like to add to that the next
day on Saturday morning, I was over at one of the businesses and a couple came in and said, "We were here last night. Any others? Okay, we'll move on. Uh, under the mayor's report, the only thing I got, we
got a an update today from FDOT. And so everybody knows, starting March 13th, um, the intersection at at Dow Hall, Tower Street, and 27, the median will be closed for 10 days. You will not be able
to cross the road there. Uh, they're hopefully going to be finishing up that that part of the project. Um if if anybody wants to see it, we have the we have the detours. They've got signs up all over town how they're going to be detouring everybody, but but if you'd
like to see this, we'll lay it up here for for anybody to look at. Okay. Oh, no. I guess there is some out on the on the table. Okay. Thank you. All right. We'll go to item four, consent agenda A
through D. >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda A through D. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion to second. Any comments from the podium? Hearing none, we'll take it to the audience.
>> Okay, seeing none, pull the council, please. >> Can I get a Who said the second? I'm sorry, I missed it. Somebody down there. >> Okay. Thank you. Sorry. Council member Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council member Worley. >> Yes. >> Council member Charles. >> Yes.
>> Council Everheart. >> Yes. >> Okay. We'll now go to five present presentations. Uh first we have uh Melanie Beverly who is here representing
the women's club and she would like to address the council. >> Good evening. My name is Melanie Beverly and I'm here representing the GFWC Lake Placid Women's Club. Um, I also have with me additional representatives from the Women's Club, Chamber of Commerce,
and the Legacy Foundation. We're here to tell you about an exciting project that we started, and we wanted to make you aware of it. This year, we started the Lake Placid Poetry Trail Contest. We solicited original poems from all of the
local public schools, plus two additional private schools here in Lake Placid. Um they they were themed based on the grade levels. Grade level three through five was the wonders of Lake Placid. Middle school 6 through 8 was
what Lake Placid means to me. And then 9 through 12 was uh the past and future of Lake Placid. We did not receive entries from all of the schools, but we did receive 122
original poems. Um that was pretty exciting. The uh we had them judged by two uh former teachers and the the students will receive a certificate of appreciation. But that's not the exciting part. The exciting part is we
plan to put posts up and trans uh I don't know how to say it. print their poem on a piece of polycarbonate that will be mounted onto the stand. At the bottom of the stand um
at the bottom of the poem, there will be a QR code and anyone with a smartphone will be able to scan that and hear the student reading their own poem. So, it's more it's very exciting. Uh we have our uh selected uh winners this year. We
only received entries four through 11. So, we have seven entries this year. The intent is to put them near the murals. We want to uh highlight what Lake Placid has to offer. Currently, uh we have
solicited some business owners that we could put the posts actually on their property. Um we have met with the Legacy Foundation. They're on board and they're very excited about it. The chamber is involved. And so why I'm here today is
we're hoping that the town council will also be excited about this program. We have close to 50 murals in this town. So even if we had poems from grades 3 through 12, it would take us several
years to uh get uh poems at most of the uh murals. But what will happen is after a certain number of years, then we'll uh replace those and we're hoping that we can post the previous winners at the chamber um in the in the mural room. I'm
keeping my fingers crossed on that. So, I'm not asking you for anything. I'm just hoping that you'll consider supporting the idea. It is a great collaboration between the Women's Club, the Legacy Foundation, the Chamber, and of course, Lake Placid. Thank you.
Thank you. All right. I have several proclamations here that I that I would like to read into the record. The first one is 2026-01 child abuse prevention month in Florida.
Whereas Florida is committed to improve the lives of all Florianans and securing a better future for the citizens of this state. And whereas children who have adverse childhood experiences are at a higher risk of short and long-term
physical, physiological, and behavioral challenges that can impact the individual child and the greater community. And whereas parents and caregivers who have resources and supports are better equipped to give
their children safe and nutriing nurturing experiences. And whereas children have better mental health and physical health and academic success when they are raised in a safe, stable and neuter nutring environment.
And whereas the Florida Department of Children and Family Secretary has a vision for holistic services by integrating systems and services. And whereas the state of Florida has established Hope Florida, a pathway to
prosperity, a personalized approach to helping families overcome barriers to self-efficiency through community collaboration. And whereas Florianans can call 850300
hope to speak with a care navigator for support to develop a plan to achieve economic self sufficiency referrals to local partners and help identifying goals and barriers and their
lives. And whereas during the month of April, Prevent Child Abuse Florida in collaboration with the Governor's Office of Adoption and Child Protection, the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Oceance of Pro
Prevention Fund of Florida implements Pinwheels for Prevention, a statewide coordinated campaign to raise awareness of child abuse prevention efforts by teaching about healthy child development and positive parenting. practices and
establishing circle of parents peerroup support. And whereas child abuse pre prevention month provides everyone a chance to learn how they can play a role in preventing abuse and neglect including including adverse childhood
experiences. And whereas Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds Flanians of all ages that they can help children increase positive childhood experiences which lead to healthier, happier homes. Therefore, be
it proclaimed that I, John M. Hullbrook, mayor of the town of Lake Placid, of the town of Lake Placid, do hereby extend my support to all observing April 2026 as child abuse prevention month in Florida.
Done and adopted this ninth day of March 2026. Is uh Miss Charles here? >> Yes, sir. >> Would you like to come and I'll present this to you? Thank you. All right. The next block formation is
20262. National Donation Life Month. Whereas one of the most meaningful gifts a human being can bestow upon another is the gift of life. And whereas over 105,000 men, women, and children are currently
on the national waiting list for owner transportation, of which over 6,000 reside in Florida. And whereas 49,65 historic number of organ transplants incurred in the calendar year 2025 in
the United States thanks to the generosity of 23,787 deceased and living donors of which Lifelink of Florida honored more donors than ever before serving 360 organ
donors who provided 995 life saving receiving transplants to patient in need. Whereas more than 2.5 million people throughout the country and in Florida benefit annually from tissue transport transplantation
thanks to thousands of tissue donors. And whereas the need for organ, eye, and tissue donation remain critical as a new patient is added to the national waiting list for an organ transplant every eight
minutes of each day. Roughly 13 people die to the lack of available organs. And whereas more than 10 million Forians have already registered their decision to give the gift life through organ and tissue donation
w.donatelife florida.org or on their driver's license. And whereas LifeLink of Florida, the nonprofit organization dedicated to the recovery of organs and tra t tissue for transplantation therapy
in Florida with a mission to honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation. Now therefore, I, Jenm John M. Mbrook, mayor of the town of Lake Placid, Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of
April 2026 as donor life month and the town of Lake Placid and encourage all residents consider leaving an an infinite legacy through organ donation and to sign up at mystory.com
or when renewing their driver's license or state identification card. And this is signed and dated by me. And the last one is proclamation 2026-03, town of Lake Placid, Florida. Whereas
water is a basic and essential need of every living creature. And whereas the state of Florida Wastewater Management District and Lake Placid are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conversation
conservation. And whereas the town of Lake Placid in the state of Florida has designated April typically a dry month when water demands are more acute, Florida's water conversation conservation month to
educate citizens about how how they can help Florida's precious water reserves. And whereas every business, industry, school, and citizen can make a different difference when it comes to conserving
water. And whereas every business, industry, school, and citizen can help by saving water and thus promote a healthy economy and community. And whereas efficient irrigation design, programming, and maintenance can
conserve water, Lake Plaza will encourage citizens and businesses to evaluate their irrigation system for potential efficiency enhancements. Now, therefore, it be resolved by the virtue of the authority authority vested
in me as mayor of the town of Lake Placid to hereby proclaim the month of April as water conservation month. The town of Lake Placid, Florida, is calling upon each citizen and business to help protect our precious resource by
practicing water saving measures and becoming a more more aware of the need to save water. For this, the 28th year of water conf conservation month, there will be a special focus on irrigation
system evaluations. Again, signed and dated by me. Okay. All right. Public hearing. We have none. >> We have Central Florida Regional Planning is next. >> Oh.
Oh, that's under Okay, I see it. Yeah. All right. At this time, we have Central Florida Regional Planning Council uh with the downtown revitalization plan draft presentation. And we have with us tonight Jennifer
Salsbury. >> All right. Good evening. Thank you. Uh and also here is Jeff Schmucker from our staff as well. Uh we appreciate the opportunity. We keep coming with updates. I promise you will have a plan in your hands very soon. But
we wanted to go over uh the projects that we have identified to date um and get further feedback. So just a little bit of an overview. Um, we have been charged with developing a downtown
master plan for the town and really looking at providing that vision for the future and putting pen to paper uh and really being the scribes as we look at that future. And we have um really many thanks to the
community for um showing up at a number of workshops and there has been overlap with the strategic plan and the downtown master plan. Um but really have appreciated the feedback and what resonates from the community so much is
maintaining the small town character and charm that this town has. acknowledging that uh we do see, you know, growth coming, but how to preserve that uh and also enhance the downtown.
And as part of that, uh these are some snapshots of what we heard from the community. Um and really the community noting uh connectivity, continuing the connectivity that we have and enhancing that. Um and also uh really preserving
the businesses we have, helping them expand and um opportunities for new businesses as well. And really that placem, that sense of place, uh that includes uh public spaces, um
architectural design, a lot of uh components that you have in your land development code. Um but we, as you know, had asked uh the community and everybody went and put pen to paper on a vision statement for downtown. And this
is a draft. So certainly uh open for interpretation and edits. But um through all that feedback uh we came up with downtown Lake Placid uh will be a connected walkable downtown that
leverages its lakes, arts, and small town identity to strengthen economic opportunity, support local entrepreneurship, and balance tourism and community life. we heard, you know, so much about all of these amazing
things that go on here. And I'm a patron of the Caladium Festival. Um it's just the the most amazing um event, but also uh I don't know how you all live here when that's going on because everybody in the country converges upon Lake
Placid. So um again we'll we'll have this out uh for comment as well but uh we had so many uh amazing uh statements it was really hard to put it all together to capture everything
and then uh we had worked our first workshop uh folks may remember each group drew on the map of what is downtown and what are the gateways coming into the town. So over time and through additional
community meetings, whoops, uh we really had worked to develop that downtown area and we really focused on what is the core of downtown and you can see kind of that core and the bigger map. So we have a significant map series
in the downtown master plan. not only the CRA of which the downtown area is a part of but that connectivity to the greater town the parks and recreation as well
and really uh where we've looked and at the last workshop we had additional comments we actually were showing um the western boundary going past the railroad tracks in downtown so canal no cannot oh yeah you can see the mouse Okay, great.
So, if you if you look here, we we did go south of H Heartland Boulevard uh as we're talking about the core of downtown. Um and we came just north of Lake View and we came across and we captured Journal Plaza and we came down
the railroad tracks directly to the west there. Uh but then we did bring in um there's really kind of an an office complex behind the uh depot and then brought in the area around Deain Park as well and then came down to the south on
Phoenix and then uh we had a lot of comments about you know don't forget about Maine and US 27 that geography from the core downtown was a little a little bigger. Um, but what we did is,
uh, this map shows the north to the north of downtown and to the south. And what it captures is gateway locations, those areas that welcome folks into the town and direct them to downtown. So,
this is a map showing wayfinding and gateways, but those gateways are really going to be uh those enhanced areas welcoming you to downtown. And in one of the strategies for the downtown plan, it's looking at Main Street from the south as folks are coming in. Uh we had
heard uh a lot of folks from the community say, "Boy, if you come that way, you wonder what Lake Placid really is." Um but we want you to come in. Um we also have other gateways bringing you in as well. If you don't come in on Maine, uh you can come in if you're
coming from the south. Uh on Inner Lake, of course, and on Doll Hall as well. So each of those little dots with a number indicates where there would be welcoming folks to downtown, enhanced uh landscaping and signage. Uh and again
that main street corridor down to the south uh would be an area of improvement uh as you bring folks in. So what does that look like? Okay. So, uh we do have in the plan a
number of examples of wayfinding looks like, but this is just an example. Um and if you all met Marissa on our staff, um she loves arches. Uh so this is just one example of many. Um and these are
just snippets of what could be. But the wayfinding, if you look at this sign down here, what I find so much about Lake Placid is we have so many landscape medians in place. We have so many good bones and really it's just the next step
to bring forward that way finding uh additional landscaping things like that. But these are examples of what we're talking about. And then I'll turn this over to Jeff. Um, but this is, uh, an I, you know,
concepts of what bring together a downtown. And we see so much of this already on Main Avenue and, uh, opportunities on Inner Lake as well. >> All right. Thanks, James. Good to see everyone tonight. Um, yeah, just to
build off of what Jennifer was saying, we brought in a few more concepts that we want to share with you. And I think the overriding theme of this is that there's really not one element that makes downtown. It's really this comprehensive approach to it, right? So, it's the design parts, the physical
parts. Um, you'll hear a little about a little bit about and you'll see in the master plan some of the programs and the cooperation and the coordination with with other groups and other agencies, right? So, it's more than just what are the physical elements and the dollars that can be put towards something to
make it, you know, look pretty. Uh, but that's a big part of it, right? Um, there's an old term we used to use in design. It's the broken windows effect, right? If if every place had broken windows, um, a lot of people then will also have broken windows because it shows that there's not an investment in the downtown. But as you beautify a
place and you you add to that, um, it starts to have a natural effect that other folks want to do that as well. Um so again just building off some of the concepts that uh Jennifer had mentioned. This is just one um and again not the uh that one piece uh makes downtown happen.
Uh this is just a general concept uh talking about parking right and parking can be part of that beautifification, how it's designed, how it comes together. Um how it functions as a space where you can bring people to the downtown, how they can park, how they can maneuver and have connectivity through the downtown. but it can also
add to um how the downtown looks and how it functions over time. Uh with that same thing with connectivity, we know that we've got a lot of residential area that surrounds uh what we kind of um refer to as the core part of the downtown or where more
of your commercial activity might occur. Um and we've incorporated that into port parts and portions of the the downtown boundary. Um, and we recognize that those communities are important part of how downtown will work over time. And so some of the elements that you might
think of when you think of connectivity would be sidewalks, multi-use paths, but in lie of just perhaps having just a sidewalk, having elements with benches or street furniture along the way, having elements of shade along the way where you can rest for a moment um as
you're making that journey from a residential area into the downtown. Uh so again just some elements in addition to the physical parts of um what could be applied on the ground the functional purposes of those those pieces as well.
Um another big uh component of any place especially your downtown is creating or developing that that sense of place. Um there's places that we travel to or go to um on vacations and you always remember that you you got there and
there was just something about it that just felt different from where you were, you know, just a moment ago. And that's an extremely um uh crucial part of how downtown will really identify or or develop its identity. It'll be that sense of place and that can happen
through a number of things. It can happen through your landscaping. Uh we'll talk in a moment about facades, but you know how the buildings and everything look all the way down to the street furniture and the signage and the lighting having a unified uh
infrastructure that is different in this area than it may be in other areas. Uh you see that sometimes in historic districts where the street signs uh they go from, you know, the traditional uh standard sign that we see in Florida, which is green, to something that's maybe brown, has a little ornateness to
it, and it might even have a logo on it as well, like a caladium or something that says, "Oh, wow. I'm in a different place. What is this?" Um, so it's all of those elements that come together to try to help create and develop that sense of place. Um just looking at a few concepts that
we had put together uh using some photographs in the downtown. Um this is one that would look at potential design standards and facade improvements. Um, this is not to say this is how this would come together, but it's just to give a general idea or a concept um of
how uh when we look at the downtown today and we know that there's areas where we've got large expanses of rideway, lots of pavement, it almost kind of screams that this is really geared towards vehicles and cars. And while we don't want to get rid of the vehicle and the car, we need to work with the vehicle and the car to get to
the downtown. We also want to think about it as a place for people. And so the the picture on the left is a picture today. And what you see on the right is again just just a concept, just an idea to show how improvements can be made with your landscaping, with your signage, with some facade improvements,
and how all of these upgrades can come together uh to generate what downtown might look like. And some of that might be through development standards in your land development code over time. Um things like awnings, um facade materials, window treatments. It doesn't need to say that this is exactly how it
needs to look, but it gives those parameters. We like to say that it's it's strict but flexible, right? We want to see these things because they know we know that they add to the downtown, that sense of place, but we're going to let you kind of do it how you want to do it with your own uh interpretation of how
your building and how your business might look. Um, as part of that, again, just another uh concept here when we talk about streetscaping. Um again when we were talking about connectivity streetscaping also plays an important role. Um again this is just a concept
existing picture on the left. Uh but what could potentially be on the right? We've taken an area that really is a car centric uh kind of design with a large right ofway open space that's got some uh general median down the middle but really enhancing that and making it more
of a an area that even if you're driving through here you're probably going to slow down. That's just kind of a human tendency when we add the colors and the crosswalks and we add the bike lane, incorporating the the parking still on the street, but having those improvements and some signage and
lighting and additional landscaping in the median. When you bring all that together really starts to create that sense of place, but it also creates an opportunity as a streetscape to kind of slow people down a little bit as well. So form and function.
Um, another concept that we uh will have in the the plan as well will be uh parkletits and and pocket parks. And and what you see here is is a little bit bigger than probably what a a parklet or a pocket park is. Um but it's again just a concept, but you know taking some
vacant properties that might be available and making those those small wins or those small improvements. Now again, that concept on the right is is definitely a little detailed and probably more than just a small improvement, but you can take small pieces of property that maybe sit at key intersections. Uh they can have
beautifification or landscaping in them with uh maybe a small bench that folks might want to sit down at. Maybe there's a water feature uh that's that's in there as well. But it's kind of a refuge as part of the connectivity through the downtown to take advantage of some of
those smaller spaces that you have along the way. But they could also be um something like you see on the right that might be a little bit bigger. It might be something that gets implemented as a if it's a got the right size to maybe have a pop-up market or something in there um that
also contributes to the downtown, but it's it's just something that happens maybe on an on an event uh event basis. Um and then lastly, I want to talk a little bit about storm water as an amenity. um with uh a lot of the folks that I see in the room that had joined
us with our um our workshops. I definitely talked about this uh quite a bit and um tried to get a lot of input from folks and what their thoughts were. But when we think of storm water as an amenity, again, it's really a form and a function um element, right? um the
opportunities to uh provide a functional system in your downtown um that also looks really nice and can be uh perhaps an area that in this concept where you might sit next to it. It it looks nice. It could even be a park um that serves
as a feature that people want to come down to and spend time at and just relax, but it has a functional side to it too where it serves as your storm water. So, one of the elements that we'd like to present in the plan is looking at a master storm water plan for the downtown, one of the opportunities for
that, uh, as you all know in Florida, uh, any site that develops, we typically see that area that's kind of shoved off into the corner and it just, we call them storm water ponds, and it just kind of sits there. Sometimes it's fenced. Um, it it's needed. We know that it's
needed. When you have a master storm water system, maybe there's an opportunity to provide a larger area for storm water for the downtown. Again, that looks and functions like a storm water pond, but actually has more beautifification to it. But it also can have um a benefit to the property owners
and the development in downtown over time where we've got a master storm water system you can connect into. So, we don't need to put all of that storm water on each individual lot over time. Um that becomes tax revenue. uh storm water ponds generate don't typically generate tax revenue. We want more of
the development on the site in the downtown uh to serve the downtown to serve the community um and make it be an asset for us. So storm water as an amenity is is a is a great opportunity to um kind of combine a number of different things again with form and
function. >> Okay. And I'm going to turn it over to Jennifer to go through the goals real quick. Oh, no. Okay. Or do you want to >> Hold on. Wait. >> How do you go back? >> I don't know. I was just kind of >> back. >> There we go. Okay. So, I just had to
jump in for a little comic relief. Does anybody see anything wrong with this image? So, there's a poll in the bike lane. So, uh we are making some edits to the plan, but um we had caught that before. So,
um, yes. Um, so we won't be riding our bike down that bike lane yet until we remove the, um, the light pole, but, um, I do want to say that, um, this type of design, uh, Winter Haven is now implementing this, um, in Arcadia
downtown. Um, so we also have some good examples in the region, some neighbors who are happy to share how they got funding and what path they pursued. Um, but as Jeff said, it's it's a good use of space, but it does provide that amenity. So, I didn't mean to interrupt,
but this is uh why we haven't released the plan yet. We've got some a little bit of editing to do yet, but um I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll turn it over to you. Oops, wrong way. >> Okay, these might look familiar to you. We've got a series of eight goals and
we'll just kind of run through them uh briefly again with you all. Um again, uh this really is the basis for the plan. This is what we heard from the community. Um and so everything that you'll see in the plan really falls underneath um each and every one of these goals. Um again, the establishing
a a downtown identity and sense of place kind of uh first and foremost. Uh goal two, supporting a cohesive high quality design and development. that would go back to um you know facade improvements, looking at opportunities for um amendments to the land development code
to really help emphasize and support that that redevelopment of the downtown. Uh goal three being strengthen downtown as a vibrant community gathering place. Um knowing the number of parks that we already have today, the commercial businesses, but then also thinking about the residential areas and making sure
that we bring that all together. It is a community gathering place for for different types of social gathering opportunities. Uh goal four uh being promoting economic vi vitality and local business growth. So again, aside from just the physical improvements, but also working um with
the town, with other uh agencies, with funding opportunities uh to really work uh to help build that economic growth um and development in the downtown over time. Uh goal five being to improve that walkability, connectivity, and mobility.
Uh goal six, enhancing quality of life and environmental stewardship. Um that could be in in um addresses a number of things in terms of uh being able to have that work, live and play area uh in and around the downtown, but also serving
the greater area of Lake Placid as well. And when we think about uh Lake Placid as a whole and some of some of you at a few of the workshops might remember those maps where we kind of looked at the greater area of Lake Placid and what Lake Placid really serves. Um when we
think about downtown um from one perspective that you know this kind of is a growth center in the downtown that can really have a lot of viability. Uh but when we think about maybe where some of that density is and we had heard a lot about bringing some more residential maybe into the downtown
that also when you have good planning um in your core it creates uh good conservation planning on your on your periphery as well and we know that Lake Placid functions in that way especially within the area of Highlands County that we're in. Uh goal seven, fostering those
partnerships and implementation. Um again, working with other communities, organizations, and other groups um as part of the effort to um to build uh a better uh downtown Lake Plen. Goal eight then also being that develop a master
storm water system uh which we just talked about. I just want to say on goal seven and back to there's there's so much already in place. So, we were very excited to work with you on the downtown master plan because you have that great sense
of downtown. But just when you drive through, you see the the little signs and different rights of way, different businesses in Lake Placid and community groups that contribute to the beautifification and to that sense of place already. So,
I just wanted to say seven uh number seven, you've already got so much going on. It's just continuing to build upon that and and that's true of the entire downtown. But I I just couldn't help interrupt, but just so many good nuts
and bolts already. It's just continuing to build. >> Okay. So, looking ahead, and I think this is the section where we're going to just kind of dive briefly into, you know, how do we get there? Um and the three approaches that we believe um is a
start is those early action projects. What are the things that could be big wins? They don't necessarily have to cost a whole lot uh but you can get them done quickly and it shows that the town is invested in this like we are ready to do this. So early action projects, what are those catalyst investments over time
uh that can be um applied to get some of the bigger things that we want to see in the downtown and the different funding streams um and opportunities that can serve that? And then those long-term infrastructure improvements when we think, you know, 10, 20, 30 years down the road, what is downtown going to be
and what are those things that we have some time to work on as we as we move to the future? So, what you'll see in um in the master plan, you'll see a series of these uh I call them kind of cut sheets, if you
will, uh that kind of breaks down those different projects. uh what the priorities of those projects are, a description of what they are, how they meet the goals that have been applied um in the master plan, and then some of the steps to get there and what we see as
potential time frames uh that it might take to achieve um these projects. And then at the very bottom, you'll notice uh responsible parties and then potential funding opportunities or funding streams uh to to meet those projects. Um so the first one uh here is
downtown branding and wayfinding. I think Jennifer gave a good overview of that. I mean that's really again key first and foremost. I mean bringing people to the downtown, right? There's there's probably so many folks that might drive through Lake Placid on 27 and they don't even know that downtown
is there. They might have heard of Lake Placid and where's downtown? I know it come through on 27, but that wayfinding um the uh the gateway signage, it just draws attention. And these are some very lowanging fruit types of opportunities that can be applied to uh bring that
attention to downtown. Oops. Oh, can I go back? And again, this is just building off of the that um that first cut sheet, the downtown gateway features. So, again, a high priority uh something that might be able to be done within the first couple
years. um looking at some of the uh funding opportunities that might be available uh to help do that. But again, these would be those um those identity markers as you come uh into the downtown or to identify that downtown is this direction. Downtown design standards and facade
improvement program. So again, just kind of running through some of those things that I I'd already mentioned in some of the earlier slides. Uh but again breaking that down and you'll notice um the pri the the majority of the first few of these they all say high um it's it's hard to not quantify something as a
a high priority but when you look at the time frame we know that it's going to take a little bit longer or there might be some different elements to get to uh what we need to get to to to implement that in a longer period of time. So, uh, to not discount that any of these
things, um, are, you know, low priorities, um, they're they're really for all intent and purposes really kind of high priority projects. And I think there's different ways to get there. Uh, but in included in this one, just looking at step one, you know, preparing downtown design standards. That might be something that then um, as this moves
through, there might be some opportunities to update the land development code to really support that to having some of those design elements as we see things develop in the downtown, wanting those awnings or window treatments or those types of things. So could take maybe a year, could take maybe five years depending on, you know, the the time frame to get
those things done, but um we didn't want to we didn't want to shortcut that any number one of these are not high priority. Uh streetscape and pilot corridors. Uh again, outlining the steps of these, the time frame that that might take. Uh sometimes there's additional
coordination with these, especially if we're talking about areas out near 27 uh where we have to coordinate with uh DOT or other state agencies. Um but uh your your transportation corridors are a little bit uh more intensive sometimes than maybe just applying, hey, we just
want to do facade treatment. So, uh, some of the streetscaping, uh, opportunities might take a little bit longer, even though we recognize them as, uh, I'm so sorry I keep doing that. Um, as high priority, but just having a time frame that might might take a little bit longer. So, these are just
kind of realistic, um, uh, kind of goals, if you will, to to meet these objectives. the parklets and outdoor dining and pop-up activation. That goes back to some of those areas where we might find along those connectivity routes where we might be able to provide some opportunities that help kind of create
that continuity as downtown is doing its thing and we see where there's sidewalk gaps might have some small improvements along the way, but uh bringing in some of these ideas of these parkletit and outdoor uh pop-up activation areas. And then finally, we we brought the one
in also on storm water master system. And we do recognize um that this really is more of that long-term investment in the town. Uh we put short to long term here because I I do believe um as the town has shown us that they uh really
want to bring the downtown to life. Like this is something that the community really wants and we see a of value in this. One of those uh key things at the beginning is really going to um be to put a storm water master plan together. Uh so to
look at these types of improvements, we really need a plan. Just like we're putting the downtown master plan together, we need to kind of tackle that from the same angle when we think of storm water as well. So, uh there might be some opportunities in the in the more near term uh to look at uh preparing a
storm water master plan, but realizing that getting that type of infrastructure improvement in over time is probably going to take some time. And I think as we do with um all of our communities, it takes a community, right? And I think we've seen that. Um I
think we want to give a lot of kudos to the town. I think um each and every one of us as staff have the the puzzle pieces that we wear. I don't have mine on tonight. Um but every piece comes together and it does take a community to
make this happen. So um with that, we will address any questions that you all might have on it this time. >> I I appreciate all the workshops. It was a lot of good feedback. I actually like this picture here. I've seen this in
another in in in California. And all of these tiles are from kids drawing them. >> Yep. The the school had the kids drew them and then they put together just a beautiful art project like that. Um what do you see the next steps? This is
a draft. So, how do we get the feedback out to the community so that we can get, you know, any comments and then we can tweak it? And maybe I'm jumping ahead, but it's kind of next step. >> You're not. >> Yep. So, we're wrapping up this week bringing
these components into a website which is linked to us uh that we will link to the town and uh the comment boxes will be there for folks to submit their comment comments on each of these aspects of the
plan. So, I my my dream would be to um we would be working to get that out by the end of this week and then um ask for comments by the end of the um sorry I have to think one two three
April 3rd April 3rd is that Friday I think. So the 30th is Monday. Yeah, I think it's April 3rd. So that would that would be uh what we're working toward. I like it. Thank you. And what I really like is that you didn't just um compile
the platitudes and the comments. You were specific in the road forward, the tasks to be done. That'll help a lot than just having a study that sits on a shelf somewhere. And oh, and the the facade improvements.
It had been kind of a dream of mine for years to have something to dress up our downtown facades. So, >> thank you. >> There's also an appendix um which
provides a number of different funding sources um and resources as well. We also um have an appendix. Uh it it's a fairly thick document. uh what will go on the website is similar to what you saw
tonight. Um but there's an appendix um many thanks to um over the years uh town council for a guide for landscaping. Uh there really is a plan very specific to this area. So as we look at downtown and we look at landscape plans, it's already
in your code of ordinances, but also referencing it here in the downtown plan as well for guidance. The other comment and question is I mean it's great right it's where we are today and where in the future depending on the
time and the money and the resources so I would be interested in you said Winter Haven Arcadia some of the others is how did they go from the yeah this looks great to implementing I mean is it a full-time project manager that then can manage it bring it to council get the
approval guiding the funds etc. So you know a presentation and we all agree but then now putting it in place is going to be the challenge with resources, time and money. >> Let me let me just say one thing to
that. Um I think it's a mix of that. I think in in Winter Haven there's um they've I think a lot of folks have heard of the One Water Project, right? And um that is a master storm water system. I mean, that is very utilities driven. So, you might have some parts of
this that are more departmental driven or have someone that has an oversight on some of this. A lot of this though is really it's a reference document. So, when you all um get approached by a developer or there's a reasonzoning near the downtown um in addition to the comp
plan and your land development code, you go, "Hey, we've got this master development plan, too. How does that work? and how does that fit with the goals, the vision of the community um when we went through this whole process and where we see our vision moving forward. So I think it's also organic in
a nature too, but it has um the teeth for you guys to lean back on. I think it also serves as a document for additional funding opportunities as well. We've been through this process. It's we've vetted this out with the community. It's been adopted by this commission, by the
by the town. Um so I think it's a mix. Um some of it might more oversight where others it's it's really that planning document to help lean on um to show where our priorities might be over time. Any questions from the audience for them
while they're here? Come to the podium, please. Jack Conley, 607 Sunset Point Drive. I just want to make sure that uh the uh the stormwater portion of of the project, which I understand is that's a
longer term type solution. You know, we want to make sure that any of the shorter term type things that we do like benches, additional grass areas, uh relocating street lights, any any of
that kind of stuff that that we do that with the idea that it's not going to interfere with where the storm water lines eventually have to go. And there's even though we can't do the storm water lines now, we may need to get an idea of
a basic idea of what we want to do so that we don't do some of the short-term stuff and then have to relocate it or something in in the future for the storm water systems. >> Thank you. Any other comments?
Okay. I want to thank them for all the work they're doing for us. It's a uh been a long drawn out process and I know we're not done yet, but again, thank you. Okay, we'll go to item seven, action agenda.
A, presentation of new septic to sewer program. Good evening everyone. Going to give my daughter a minute here. She's assisting handing out some frequently asked questions to help guide
us along in our presentation tonight. And I I that's a hard one to follow up. Oh, sorry. Hang on, Lily. My apologies.
That's going to be very difficult to follow up. How beautiful the town. Uh, looks great. Okay. So, good evening everyone. I'm Jennifer Cooper, the town's subject to sewer program coordinator.
I want to thank you all for the opportunity to present tonight. Tonight, I am very excited to introduce the Connect to Protect Lake Placid, a long-term structured subject to sewer program designed to protect our water
resources while providing a clear and responsible path forward for our community. Connect to Protect is more than a project. It is a phase criteria based program that provides structure,
fairness, and predictability for council staff and residents of Lake Placid moving forward with our wastewater improvements. There has been some recent discussion including media coverage and so on and
so forth referencing several topics related to wastewater planning such as funding project areas, construction decisions and other future considerations. Those are all extremely important topics
and they will absolutely be addressed as the program moves forward. However, the action before the council tonight is much more focused. Tonight's item is to consider approval of the connect to
protect program framework. This framework establishes the structure the town will use to evaluate subject to sewer improvements over time. It provides the process for determining engineering needs, evaluating funding
opportunities, identifying project phases based on objective criteria, and ultimately determining project costs before any construction decisions can be made. Approval tonight does not determine
which neighborhoods will be connected. It does not establish cost and it does not approve construction projects. It simply allows the town to begin the structured planning process necessary to make those decisions responsibly.
To keep the information clear and organized, I'll walk through the program framework first. Many of the common questions surrounding subject to sewer planning are addressed throughout the presentation and I'll be happy to answer any additional questions at the end of
the presentation. We've also provided a short frequently asked questions document for anyone in attendance that addresses this document addresses several of the most common questions we've received while putting this plan together.
With that, I'll walk you through the connect to protect program framework and how the program is designed to move forward. Tonight's presentation has three purposes. First, explain why this
program is necessary. Second, to outline how it is structured and implemented. Third, to request council's approval to formally establish the connect to protect Lake Placid framework. No property owner is being asked to take
action tonight. The presentation tonight is about understanding the structure and setting the framework for the responsible path forward. So how does Lake Placid fit into this? Lake Placid is located within the Lake
Okachchobee watershed which operates under the basin management operation plan or as we like to refer to it as the BMAP. Communities within this watershed are a priority for nutrient reduction efforts
and funding alignment. This designation supports our eligibility for grants, supports program justification, and provides long-term planning authority. Why this matters? This conversation did
not start overnight. In fact, it has been going on for quite some time. Across Florida, communities are addressing excess nutrients that contribute to rec re reoccurring blue green algae blooms. These harmful
conditions affect recreation, public confidence, property value, and local economies. Connect to Protect Lake Placid is about proactive planning, responding to documented conditions with a structured,
transparent approach rather than waiting for problems to escalate. Many of you are aware Lake Placid, Lake June along with all of our local lakes are part of the Lake Okachchobee wershed
which enters our groundwater and surface water does not stay isolated to Lake Placet only. Over time, it moves through a series of connected waterways ultimately ending up in Lake Okachchobee
and beyond. The state maintains a public real-time algae monitoring dashboard so residents can see current conditions for themselves. This program is built on documented data
and transparency, not on assumptions. Why we need to take action now? Florida has taken legislative action and allocated grant funding because protecting water quality is not optional. It is a statewide priority for
Lake Placid. This is about protecting our future. It protects water quality and public health. It addresses aging septic systems before they become a larger issue. It supports long-term
environmental sustainability. And it preserves the quality of life and define that defines our community. This program framework aligns with state law. Florida's statutes authorize municipalities to require connection to
central sewer once service becomes available. The town's ordinance simply provides a clear local process for implementing that authority, including written notice and a defined compliance period before
any timeline begins. State law also establishes future nutrient reduction benchmarks that communities within the Lake Okachchobee wershed must work toward over time.
Those benchmarks currently extend into 2030. This program positions Lake Placid Lake Placid to move forward in an orderly phased manner rather than facing compressed timelines later.
The question before us is not whether we respond but how thoughtfully and proactively we do so. When we refer to the program we mean a regional utility authority framework framework not just construction.
It includes planning. This project is ultimately going to be a minimum of 10 to 15 years. It consists of funding coordination, resident education, communication,
installation, and state reporting. The Connect to Protect program is designed to support residents, not to surprise them. The core principles of our program are built on a partnership with property
owners. criteria based selection, clear communication before, during, and after work, ultimately providing a fullervice turnkey installation. Every phase and project will follow the
same standards and expectations. This program reflects septic to sewer models that have already been implemented successfully in other Florida communities and it is tailored for Lake
Placid size and infrastructure. The focus remains consistent. protect water quality, maintain transparency, implement this in phases, and communicate clearly with residents at
every step of the way. Um, as of today, we currently have 34 um, municipalities that are in the transition of going from septic to sewer. I do have a list of those. Um if
you're interested later we can go over a couple of them. Um a big part of this program is taken from Martin County which has been very successful in their implementation of their connect to protect program.
So each neighborhood represents a defined phase or project. phases align funding, engineering readiness, existing infrastructure, council oversight, which will be
maintained at each phase, outreach to the community, and all progress will be tracked and reported. The Connect to Protect Lake Placida program follows a clear sevenstep
structure. Step one is program readiness, making sure funding, engineering, and legal frameworks are in place before we move forward. Steps two and three focus on community
awareness and education and engagement. This ensures residents understand the process before any work begins. Step four is property specific coordination where we partner with individual
property owners so that timelines and expectations are clearly defined. Step five is construction which includes the installation and inspections. Step six is connection and transition
when systems are activated and existing septic tanks are properly abandoned. And finally, step seven is completion and close out, property restoration, and final sign off. Each phase builds on the
one before it. Nothing moves ahead without the prior step being completed. So how are these phasic and project areas selected? Let me go back. Project areas will be selected using objective criteria
including infrastructure proximity, environmental impact, septic density and condition, proximity to bodies of water, constructability, grant eligibility
and selection is data driven and repeatable. Tracking and accountability. Lake Placid uses more than one wastewater collection method. Some areas are suited for gravity sewer.
Others require low pressure grinder pump systems due to the terrain and groundwater conditions. Technology selection is based on physical feasibility and long-term reliability, not preference.
Connecting to sewer eliminates nutrient discharge at the source by transporting waste water away for centralized treatment instead of dispersing into the surrounding soil. Somehow
we cover that one. Okay. So the image before you shows gravity versus pressure. These systems are different in multiple factors. On the left is the traditional
gravity system. Gravity lines are typically installed much deeper in the ground. Sometimes they could be as deep as 15 to 20 feet underground. That means more excavation, more construction,
and ultimately more restoration work. On the right, you'll see a low pressure system. These lines are much smaller, shallower, and generally around 2 to 4 feet deep. Because they don't rely on
natural slope, they can be easily easier to install in areas with flat terrain, high groundwater, or challenging layouts. The key point is that system selection is based on physical conditions, not
preference. We use the method that makes the most sense for the environment. So, you might be asking, why subject to sewer? With sewer, waste water is carried away from the home to a treatment facility
designated to handle it at a much larger scale. The goal is simply to provide a long-term solution that helps protect communities water and keeps our systems reliable for the homeowner.
The next image you'll see here is a traditional gravity sewer system. This diagram lays out how water flows from the home through a sloped sewer lateral, moves naturally downhill into the public water
sewer main. There are no pumps on the property. The system relies on elevation and slope. It's simple, reliable, and works well in areas where the train allows for it.
On this next slide, you'll see an image of a low pressure grinder pump installation. In these particular systems, waste water flows into a buried tank where the grinder pump automatically activates and
moves any debris through a small service line to the public's sewer main. The wall-mounted control panel monitors the system. The pump is compact, underground, and designed for reliable operation.
This next slide is a short video. Um, I'm going to see if the volume plays for this one. Um, but this goes ahead and kind of gives you an overview of what a gravity or a low pressure
system would look like. Um, based on elev elevation, soil conditions, and groundwater levels. Sometimes going with low pressure is often the only route possible. So this particular video is going to
highlight the E1 grinder pump which is the company that at this point um the town of Lake Placid has decided to um utilize for this construction phase. So let's see if we can get some volume
on this. Are you able to turn it up over there? I can go ahead. I'll narrate just a little bit. Uh what they're showing you here. That was an example of an actual grinder pump. And this is just showing the
effectiveness of how easily it is to install a grinder pump. No matter what the elevation or terrain looks like, these are really nice because if you have a a beautiful yard with a lot of trees, sidewalks, and other types of
beautifification, we're able to bring in the smaller piping and work around it. This is showing you how it breaks down waste and it moves through a very small pipe that connects to the larger uh city
main. Some of these will move into other larger low pressure lines and some of these pressure lines will connect to an existing gravity line if that's the infrastructure that is closest.
>> So we'll go ahead and just bypass that. So recently we have two homes under construction and they installed two of the E1 grinder pumps and we were able to go out and get a couple of pictures. So
this is here in Lake Placid and kind of gives you again this is new construction prior to any grass being laid but very very simple installation. Once it is completed, there will be a
round. You'll see what it'll look like there. It's about five inches above ground level. Um, and very low key. Um, doesn't stick out very far, but that is ultimately what it would
look like at the end. So, one of the keys here with our connect to protect program is we want to make it essential that we are partnering with the property owners. The town will manage the design and
construction. Residents will be supported at each step. The responsibilities will be clearly communicated. And the shared goal is protecting health, local waters, and overall
community quality of life. We all love our lakes here. To the next one. So, what our residents can expect going through this experience? Residents receive multiple advanced
written notices and clear timelines will be given before any type of construction begins. No one will be surprised by any construction activity. The town manages coordination from start
to finish, scheduling contractors, inspections, and communication. The goal is minimal disruption. Work areas are restored once installation is complete. At the end of the project, the
property has completed sewer service, fully operational, and transitioned from septic. The process is structured so residents are informed, supported, and not left navigating
anything alone. Another one of our goals with connect to protect is consistency for our homeowners. Consistency is essential to maintaining public trust. Every home will move through the same
process and under the same standards. Cost should not depend on where a neighborhood is reached or how phases are sequenced. At this time, final costs have not been determined. We cannot responsibly
calculate those numbers until connect to protect is formally approved and we are able to move into the engineering design, contractor bidding, and grant alignment phase. Establishing the program framework first
allows us to determine cost accurately and fairly rather than speculating prematurely. Residents deserve predictable expectations and consistent standards will reduce any confusion and protect
everyone over long term. Our goal is to provide turnkey installation. And by that we mean we will coordinate the entire process from start to finish.
That includes installing the control panel on the exterior of your home. Placing the grinder pump unit. Connecting the home to the public sewer. Completing the inspections. Activating the system. Properly
abandoning the old septic tank. Each step is structured and managed the same way for every home. The goal is simple. a consistent organized experience that minimizes disruption and ensures
residents are not left navigating the process on their own. Once we have our system up and running, we will have a very simple process for connection. Uh this will be located on our website
and we are working on a new one. So when the time comes, the connection process will be structured and clearly defined. It begins with completing the required paperwork which will be available through a dedicated link on the town's
website. There will be a one-time deposit fee that will be submitted at that time. From there, residents will be contacted to schedule a pre-insspection appointment that will be conducted with the plumbing and electrical contractor
as well as a town representative. Complete installation. Again, it includes a wall-mounted control panel, placement of the grinder pump, connection to the sewer service lines, and abandoning the existing septic tank.
my cut off. Okay. So, communication commitments. It is extremely important to us that we are transparent and everything that is going on with this program will be on our website.
There will be notices, training events, workshops. Um, our goal is to partner So again, there will be no surprises. All residents will have advanced notification.
There will be consistent townwide messaging, clear points of contact, and all residents will be informed before any construction begins. So, education, transparency, and communication,
they are built into every phase of this program. We will hold public meetings and workshops so residents can ask questions and understand the process before construction begins. Written notices and updates will be provided at
defined stages so timelines are clear. Program information will be accessible accessible both online and through direct contact with town staff. Most importantly, this is not one-way communication. Residents will have the
opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and receive responses throughout the entire process. Transparency reduces uncertainty, and clear communication builds confidence.
So in summary, as we bring this together, connect to Protect is a structured phased subject to sewer program, not a one-time construction project.
It responds to documented water quality conditions and aligns with state law while giving Lake Placid a clear and organized path forward. Each phase is selecting selected using objective criteria and includes education,
communication, and resident partnership before any construction begins. Again, our goal is to fulfill a turnkey installation, ensuring that every property moves through the same defined
process, creating consistency and fairness across neighborhoods. Council action tonight enables responsible, transparent progress with structure, not uncertainty.
So I again I just want to reiterate the importance for what residents can expect. So in closing this portion I want to stress that we will provide clear communication and individual
coordination. They are built into this program. There will be direct outreach from the town before any work begins. Each property is coordinated individually with defined
steps divine defined timelines and clear expectations. Residents will know what is happening, when it is happening, and who they need to contact for any type of support. No one will be left navigating this
transition alone. The goal is confidence and clarity at every stage. I want to be very clear that connect to protect Lake Placid is not an immediate town mandate.
It is not a decision affecting every homeowner and this is not a tax increase. And most importantly, it does not require any immediate action tonight. Looking ahead, this program is designed
to grow thoughtfully and responsibly. As infrastructure and funding align, we will expand into additional neighborhoods using the same criteriabased structure. We will continue pursuing grant opportunities to
reduce financial impact whenever and wherever possible. Resident engagement does not end with installation. It remains ongoing throughout each phase. Our goal is to build a model program that other Florida Lake
communities can look to as an example of how to move forward with structure, transparency, and partnership. This is about positioning Lake Placid for long-term success. So, what your approval tonight for this
program enables is to give this program a structured framework. It does not authorize immediate construction in any neighborhood. It does not create new obligations beyond adopting the program structure.
Your approval allows us to move forward with coordinating for more grants, aligning utilities planning, defining our projects and phases, and continuing outreach in an organized manner. In
short, council approval establishes clarity and structure, not sudden change. It creates a long-term consistent solution that can be implemented thoughtfully over time.
And including as I conclude the overview of the connect to protect program framework, I want to briefly return to the purpose of what has been presented tonight. Connect to Protect establishes a
structured program framework that allows Lake Placid to move forward with septic to sewer planning in an organized and transparent way. Approval of framework tonight simply allows the town to begin
the detailed work necessary to evaluate engineering needs, funding opportunities, and project phases using objective criteria. Those steps are what allow the town to determine accurate
cost and responsible project sequency sequencing before any construction decisions are made. So the action before council tonight is focused specifically on establishing the
connect to protect lake plastid program framework which allows those evaluations to occur. Approving the program framework does not authorize spending. It simply allows the town to determine
what responsible cost would actually be and ensure fiscal accountability. Without a structured program framework, the town has no organized process for evaluating engineering funding or
environmental priorities. I want to thank you all for your time and your consideration this evening and if anyone has any further questions. I do. Um both you and Mr. Warner were
not here when there was a special meeting um called I think was it August 23rd of 2023. Uh it's on the YouTube channel. Um there when there was talk of putting in the
low pressure system, this hall was filled to capacity. People were turned away or because there was no more room. They were not happy with the low pressure system whatsoever. So you should probably review that YouTube video if you haven't.
>> I have watched that video. >> Okay. It's at the 1 hour and 33 minute mark is when it starts. It bothers me that this seems to be geared towards low pressure with very little mention of the gravity system.
I would like you to flesh this out to show that you will do a complete life cycle cost analysis of both systems. I mean mention that that will be part of this and that includes the uh cost of um sending
people around to pump out the low pressure systems in the event of a hurricane and there's a power outage. Um people are were expected to buy their own generators and that was unacceptable. Um
just the way this is slanted, it's towards the the low pressure system. >> Uh yes, ma'am. I my focus is subject to sewer coordination, but our goal is to find the solution
that best fits each individual property. I am currently going through and looking at what wastewater lines are available and it will require an onsite evaluation to ensure that if gravity is possible
then we would by all means go in that direction. >> Okay. But if you just make it clear that your analysis is going to include the full life cycle cost and not just the upfront construction cost or the u in
the convenience versus the inconvenience, it it's not apparent that that's going to go on according to this. I don't want people to get the wrong impression that you're dead set on low pressure.
>> Oh no, ma'am. that that was not the goal. This simply is so we have a program framework so that we can come together and again build out all of those essential criteria,
which areas are going to be eligible for gravity, which ones are going to be required to go on low pressure. They every neighborhood will be evaluated for the best fit model. We we've talked about hurricanes and loss of power. Um
in the case of these particular systems, they do come with uh a connection and I know generators was an issue um in the planning. We will have staff that will be going around every day and they will
be connecting and pumping out those systems. >> Yeah, but I did the math on that. There's going to be a breaking point where you will not have enough staff to service everybody if you figure so many hours per pump out so many people
there's no way you're going to have even to pulling them in from outside. Anyway, I don't want to belabor it here, but perception on this presentation. Uh, we got to kind of tweak the perception a little bit. And and then
also you said communications, but the perception what I got from this is that you're going to have educational workshops and you're going to tell them here's what's going to happen, so on and so forth. you need to put in here. It's going to be a two-way conversation,
not a sit down. Here's what we're going to do to you. >> So, just clean. I It's perception. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We're going to have workshops on this and everything else. We're just trying to get a framework from the ground up so we can start having our
workshops, talking to the community. Uh we don't have one set up in the town yet. >> Okay. So this this is all we're asking for is approval of the structure from a high altitude. Nothing's been decided on anything. We're going to have workshops
um with Lupra planning um town council and then we'll work through these other things that that that's where you'll get the we can come to the understanding of of cost um and all the small details. But right now we
don't have a program. So we just want to get a approval just to start the program based on presentation and then as we move forward lots of workshops, lot of education and then we'll move forward from there.
>> Yeah. >> Uh loop has approved this already last last meeting. Um, like I said, this is just a high alitude just overview, just starting a program. That way we can start um investigating um some
financing, grants, um everything. >> Okay. And then I sent you an email this morning. I I don't know if you saw it. I just said I didn't want to blindside you, but I just found out today there is a third alternative that um I think Indian River and two other places have
installed it and it's a h it's um rather than the 100gallon holding tank that the E1 has. It's called a stem system, septic tank effluent system. They put in a thousandgalon tank
and then it works on the same principle as your conventional septic tank. Solids go to the bottom. The pumps are only pumping the semicarlent. So the wear and tear on the pumps and the clogging and the breakage is far
less than using a grinder pump. And then the other thing was you get to thousand gallon tank you have more holding capacity and if your septic tank is new or proven to be in good condition
they can put this pump in your existing tank and not have to destroy it. So um >> maybe add a third one to your list of options. >> Well again during the workshops we can discuss this. No nothing set in stone.
Um, you know, uh, I'm not I haven't heard of this system, but like I said, like I said, getting the program started. That's all we're trying to do. Get the workshops. That's could be a viable option. Yeah. >> But then that could be a third option, but that's something in the workshops we'll discuss.
>> So, um, I'll just real quick, it's a city of Vero Beach, uh, Indian River, and Marian County. Um, okay. Oh, the Vero Beach. um has 1,500 plus
uh systems of this nature and I don't have I don't have the numbers >> for the others. >> We can investigate it and see what the process is. Like I said, this is just getting the program going, you know, but right now we've received some grants for
the 319 on pro private property. We're just trying to get going. But during these workshops under the direction of lupra town council this this is what we're going to work through and then once we come to the understanding of all the process education starting so like I
said it's we don't have a program we just want to start one this is just the structure one >> yes this this is not meant to make any commitments on contractors systems any of that this is
simply to create a structured program so that we can begin having those very those discussions. Um we can send out for bid requests, we can start pricing items. Uh a lot of these grants, they want to know
that we do have a structured program in place and a commitment towards building, you know, out. So this puts us in a good position for that. And um that's that's our ultimate goal is to kind of get that
leg up and have that, you know, show them that we are committed and we are wanting to we have an amazing new wastewater treatment plant and the goal is to bring as many homes off of septic
as possible in whichever manner is best suited for each individual property. So this does not by any means say that you must go to low pressure. My title is subject to sewer. So it does
you know weigh heavier on that side but absolutely all every individual property will be assessed for the best suited fit for them. I think the real fear is that we didn't
have a program before. We didn't have a program. Everybody just was told what's going to happen and that did not go well to say the least. It did not go well and everybody's terrified that that would happen again. I think that's the real
fear here is that people don't want to go through that again. But um I I believe in in having a program where things can be brought forward and discussed and I'd be very disappointed if that doesn't happen. But this is a program so that never happens again. So
we don't just get a surprise. Oh, guess what's going to happen to you? Well, wow. Really? And so this will be a process where people will give input and it will be explained to them maybe some options. And that's my understanding of
having this program is that it is a it's inviting the public to participate instead of just being sold this told this is what's going to happen to you and then you know no I don't why and I mean you're we're Americans we don't
accept that very well. Yeah, absolutely. Um, my when I first got here, that was the first thing I did is I went back and I watched council meeting after council meeting and rewatched and I learned and
paid attention to the concerns of of the residents here, to the concerns of council, and absolutely I I I have those concerns as well. Um, so I understand the fear and
that's the whole purpose and and our goal here is we want people to know that we're not going to surprise them. We're not going to force anything on them. Um but we do need to have some type of structure in place so that we can bring
together people and start discussing how are we going to go for more grant money. How are we going to I understand I support doing this because we're planning again. We're starting we're actually going to plan
something instead of just go down the road without any plan at all. So, I think this is going to be more efficient, probably cost-saving, and definitely better for the public. >> I have a few questions. Hi, Jennifer. >> Hi.
>> I don't want you all to think that she just came from somewhere else. She's from here. She knows this area. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, how about tree root in intrusion on these pumps that you put in the ground >> for the low pressure? >> Yes. >> So, that's another beautiful thing about
it. um because they are flexible. So if you have standing trees and these pipes are able to go right around them, snake around them. >> And the other nice thing is when they come in and they they trench, it's very
shallow and they literally will lift and kind of fold over >> and they'll put their piping in and then they kind of just lay it right back over and put it down. But it it it gives a lot more flexibility, especially people sidewalks and
driveways. We can do directional boring right underneath. Um and you wouldn't even know that we were there when the project is done. >> Okay. >> But your question about roots getting into it, um there's no seams in it like
the old clay pipes. It's a solid PVC or poly, so there is no root intrusion in them. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, how much does this cost the homeowner and would each home be the same amount of money or about the same? >> So, we have not been able to determine
the cost yet uh because we have to go out for bid and and things like that. So, and that's another thing to discuss. ultimately um in my opinion, my opinion only is that whatever the cost does end
up being, it should be the same for everyone. >> Okay. >> There are I have also looked into I've done a lot of research um for low income because I know a lot of people are on uh
fixed low income and that's a struggle. I'm a single mom. I I get it. Um, so I've done a lot of research into grants and assistance for those specific situations. And the one that I find very
appealing, um, it's a SHIP grant, SHIP. Um, and for instance, an example, uh, if you're 62 or over and depending on how many residents are in your home and say
your yearly income is $28,000, if I recall correctly, um, you can qualify for up to $30,000 on this ship grant. And their number their one and two priorities are roofing
and transitioning subject to sewer. And another beautiful part about it is if you are homesteaded and you stay in that property for 10 years that is forgiven. That loan is forgiven. >> Great. Cool.
>> So there are a lot of opportunities for homeowners um that they can access. But as a regional utility, they're not open to us. >> But part of my role would be to work with everybody individually and assist
them in applying for any type of grant they could get to offset that charge. >> Okay. Uh what is the one-time deposit fee? What is that for? What is it? >> The one I'm sorry, >> on one of those slides, there was a
onetime deposit fee. Oh. Uh, the deposit fee, I believe. Is that $50? $50 deposit for a standard. >> I didn't think we had that put together. That would be discussed in a workshop. >> Okay. >> It's just, you know, guarantee they're
going to do their paperwork and get everything out. That's all. >> It's based off of if somebody moves in and starts service with us, they pay a onetime deposit fee. That That's what that is. >> Okay. And would the homeowners have the
choice of gravity or grinder or does connect to protect make that decision for them? >> No. The um that decision is made on elevation of the home. So you're down by a lake, you can't make water run uphill. That would be a grinder. If you're in an
area, they'd have to um unknown. you have to get a plumber out and let you know if you have enough slope if it's if it's a septic I mean u a gravity. So each home's going to be has to be individually evaluated
if they can um gravity or um low low pressure. It just depends on the elevation of the house. You have to have a certain degree of slope to for gravity. And if they're flat, they can't do it. It'll have to be a a grind pump.
I I just remember when we had all these people here and they were saying about that they didn't want this pump or they didn't want that pump or whatever it was and they yelled at us and they they threatened us and they >> Yeah, I I watched that like two or three times that particular one
>> and and it seemed to me like um I kind of made that point too that you know I I'm no expert but I do have a biology major and I know that gravity goes down and water doesn't go up and um I they they weren't really open to that
concept. So um just saying I think um it will be it will be important I think it's important for connect and protect to make that decision for each property >> based on facts. >> Yes. But I think it's important that they convince that property that that is
the best thing for them. And that would be um that is key for um infrastructure and how it is evaluated on exactly what type of system you would be getting because obviously if if your house is
six feet below the roadway, there's not going to be too many options on which >> it seemed obvious to me. It did not seem obvious to them. So right >> but but some areas you know 90% of them are below grade that would be a low pressure
>> you know if you got maybe 80% up there that would be they could get the slope it could be gravity because you can attach low pressure to a gravity man. >> So each each area is going to have to be assessed. >> Okay. you know, just see the feasibility
and you know, density of gravity, low pressure, you know, it's go, you know, if you got 75% that's all low grade, it's going to be grinder. >> You know, if you got like 7 50 to 70% that can get gravity, then it'll be
gravity. >> Okay? >> Depending if the cost of putting gravity in that area, depending on groundwater, it all has to be evaluated. So, >> well, I I like the idea of the program. I think it's it's really good and it has a lot of good components to it and it
seems to be very transparent. I think it would be excellent. Um, my wish is that we could get grants for everyone to cover at least some part or if not all of their connection. And it seems like Charlotte, don't we have something in
the works for 33 homes already that would cover that? And I just think it's so important that we I mean we've built this wonderful wastewater treatment facility and now we have we we would have people that that we are going to
put into a financial bind by asking them to to connect to it and I don't think we should do that if we possibly can get grants to cover all of the cost of this for people to be able to hook up. completely agree 100% and I am I am
going to be searching for every grant that we could possibly apply for. >> Um that's that's part of it. um and using it in the best way and uh we just
can't guarantee that there will always be grant funding there which is why I think it is key that when we do sit down and we discuss the overall cost of installation that it is equal for all
>> because I think having this this um type of a situation this type of a program in place might give us a leg up on getting some of those grants. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Um, I appreciate the presentation, very in-depth, um, very thoughtful and
informational and because this is such a significant infrastructure project for our town, you know, first the 40 million and now we're entering the phase of hooking up. I was hoping though, just to kind of
back up based on the last meeting, to get an update of the $40 million where are we with the the overall sewer plant. Um, and so that's something that I would like if it can be next week's meeting or what. It's just the overall $40 million
grant that we have and a couple other grants that we have received um for lift stations and that what's the overall status of rel related to costs, budget, and then the risks. Um, where this one is a little
possibly confusing is trying to move away from what we've done to date in presenting to the town on septic to sewer and now we're changing it to connect to protect. There has been a lot of prior work that
was done with cost, estimated cost. There were nine different areas that were going to be hooked up. These are the cost of gravity versus grinder pump. And so the estimated costs are of course of interest to a lot of our taxpayers
whether it's what they have to pay or what the town has to pay because somehow the town paying for it eventually equates to them. But this is beyond just the town. There's a lot of county folks that have been involved. >> Yes. So, the the questions that I have,
and I don't expect them to be answered tonight, um is how you move away from what we've committed to DP with all of our other presentations of these are the areas we're going to hook up. Second, we
as a town council, the prior I've been two years, but the council prior and myself, there's been decisions made and commitments made and resolutions made. So, how do those change now that we're evolving to something different? Um,
what have and so what have we committed to DP? We need to look at that and how are we changing it because originally I think it was 3,600 homes and it was 2600 homes and it worked its way down. What are the estimated costs on the new force mains and the connection lines? Right,
we've got a sewer plant and now we want to connect. Well, there's the force main lines and I and I'm not good on the terminology, but up to getting to the residence. What are those costs? And then a lot of co it's going to be
what are the costs per household to hook up? So, I'm curious. You said you've hooked up two homes. You you showed two homes. How much was that cost to hook them up? >> The contractor actually did that. So, I don't know. Um, I know they paid our our
connection fee for Lake Placid >> Gratuitus or is that just coming back to us? I can't believe the contractor just >> No, they they hired our own contractor. They >> I can't I'm sorry. >> They hired their own contractor. They paid the development fee, tap fees, um,
whatever stated in code, that's what they paid. They hired the contractor to install >> who who is >> the homeowners. We have no policy. If they want it hooked up, that's the only way they could do. They had to purchase the grind station, pay the contractor, and paid
development fees, tap fees to the town, just like hook it up to any sewer system. >> They is who? >> The homeowner. >> So, the what was the homeowner's cost of these two? >> I I don't know what the Oh, the development fee and the tap fees. Leanne, do you know what basically what they were?
>> If you give us a couple minutes, she's >> And who was the contractor Penoni that did this? No, >> they hired their own contractor >> and so they just absorbed the cost theirelves, nothing to the town, >> right? Because they had to hook up to the sewer they wanted to hook. That's
they had to hire the contractor by the the the grind system and hook it up themselves. >> Again, they as the property owner >> hired the contractor. Yes. >> So, which properties are those? >> They were on >> Marquada. on Marquada down by Green Dragon.
There's two properties. >> There's two propert. So, if somebody wanted to see what a finished grinder pump and landscaping looks like, >> that that was the picture she was showing you. >> It's right by the track. >> It's at the corner of Marquada and and
Green Dragon by the new lift station. >> So, those So, what are the cost estimated costs per household? As Councilwoman Hayes said, that's a big interest. I mean a lot of people came and I didn't hear a lot against a sewer project. It's how much is it going to
cost me personally. So that is and and I mean those estimated cost >> that's where we have to work out in the workshops >> once we figure out the grants. We got we have to go out for bids for contractors to do the work and stuff. >> So that that's a workshop. >> Um like right now we're just soon as you
give if we get approval we can start putting a bid package out for contractors. uh Jennifer can start looking better at these uh uh grants for the homeowners, things like that. But we just have to have permission to move forward with this project. All these pro all this
cost and everything will be discussed with town council and loop at a workshop. We'll sit down and work it out and see which way council wants to go with it. So, >> I mean, how would you know how many pumps to go out to bid for if we don't
know how many homes are going to be impacted? >> Well, we go off to bid, they'll just have to give us a price based on so much footage. It's just a basic uh uh say 80 foot install grind pump uh abandoned septic tank do electrical. Anything over
the footage or more electrical, there'll be a larger cost, but it'll be a base price. That's how they do it over in Martin County. Um, I put in when I went for the 319 grant, I put $15,000 down. It could be from 10 to 15, you know, but we don't
know until we go out for bids and get the prices. >> And those are the the things that we would be putting in writing in a fee structure. Um and again like he said the base typical you're looking at 80 to
100 on the long stretch to connect from the station to the city main but there are so that would be what we would be basing the the cost on. If a home happens to be 150 feet away, then we
would have to set an additional charge per foot beyond the base of whichever the committee goes with. Um same with the electric running the electric line as well. So it would be a a basic and if
it's beyond then that additional cost would go to the homeowner. I mean, so overall, of course, I support a structured program, but I'm still not certain how we're evolving from what we've told D, what
we've told the residents, and now we're going to go out to bid. I would like to see some type of a here's what we said, but here's where we are now. Maybe we don't have the estimated cost, but we did have a list of
nine different areas of of homeowners. It would be nice also have separate meetings with them early on, you know, what issues they have versus a large 400 people come to a meeting and
we couldn't get through a lot. So, that's kind of where I'm at. I I would like to know what the total costs of the sewer plant today are. and then also what are the commitments that we've made and just answers to a lot of these questions before we go forward. I don't
know if that's something you can come back at next week's meeting, give us an update on or what. >> We can find out where we're at on on grants that we have started utilizing. There's some that we have not yet
started uh like the 319 specifically. Um but other ones we are working on getting exactly where we're at and what expenditures have gone out and what is still remaining. So we are gathering
that data as we speak. Um, in terms of the original areas that were selected, um, that was part of the wastewater plant and they're going to get into all
of that as well. Not all of those are going to have the funding left based on the increases over time during that construction. But one of the other main priorities of once we get this approved
is to now start looking at our infrastructure. Where is it possible for us to even start doing these installations? Because if we don't have wastewater pipes running anywhere
then so we've got to that's a big goal is figuring out where setting up these projects we can put timelines on them. Uh if we look at like Martin County and others of course they're very far into it but my goal in my head is that on our
website we would have 26 27 we are on this project this phase estimated completion years 27 28 we're coming here here and here um so that is what we want
to do um once we can sit down and actually do that and it's going to take several meetings and gettogethers and um but that is the goal is to lay out a
plan of where and then how much is it going to cost. Councilwoman Charles Eva is working on compiling all of the excerpts from the previous meetings because as we've stated before we have cut back on the project and so the original that was
originally in there in the first grant they have been changed and even some of the specific areas have been redacted totally. So she's been compiling that she just didn't have it ready for this evening. So that will be forthcoming. I think that that it's very confusing
for people to think we've got projects going and that this program is moving forward. This is not this will help us move forward with our with the money we're going to have left to use in our new grants. But the the
pro How many people in here are on sewer? Town sewer. Okay. the winner. >> I know I'm the winner, but I did 29. >> Let me tell But let me tell you what happened. And um and this is why we
should have this program, okay? It was not decided by me what kind of sewer I got in front of my property. It was I was told and it just appeared that was it and this is what it's going to cost or whatever. So, we're on the top of the ridge. I'm I'm Hartzell is about two
feet higher than me. We should have had gravity downtown. We don't. We have low pressure. That is a place you could have used gravity, but instead it's all low pressure lines. There was no input, no one to talk to. I would have preferred
gravity. But I drank the Kool-Aid and I went ahead and hooked in because I was trying to do the right thing. But I'm just telling you that that was a disaster. This is a program moving forward with the monies that we have and
the grant money we have and the money we have left over from the construction to make to involve the public so they don't end up like me, the only one on sewer on low pressure when it should been gravity. This is a good program. I've
been through it. We need a program. >> Thank you. I just I just have one more suggestion. Having experienced the last meeting, I would suggest that you have meetings by
subdivision or by area, not one whole big meeting because otherwise you're going to need the egg center in about 15 police. So if you just do >> that was our plan. >> So one one neighborhood at a time. Thank you. >> Yeah. as it's determined that we have
the infrastructure in place then those people would be notified and yeah they would have personalized workshops education um yes >> Charlotte
is just a brief thing I threw together this morning that compares the gravity the low pressure system grinder pumps and the new system that I emailed to Bert and Um, with your permission, I'll send it to you and you can distribute it to the rest of the council. And then I
would appreciate it if you added the third option, this third option to your presentation. Um, I'm still don't like low pressure. >> I I'm very curious to look into that myself. >> I I don't like low pressure. Uh, but if
it has to be, then this would be a better alternative in my mind. And that's the other thing especially talking to St. John's and Martin and they're into eight year eight year 10 and technology has been advancing and as
it advances they are moving towards the latest and greatest and so I I anticipate again when we are eight years down the road we'll probably face that same situation as well and then do
what's best at that time and with what's available. So, ever evolving for the best price and what's best for the homeowner and the town as a whole.
That's our goal. I guess now we're to um public comment, but before we go on on the on the motion options, um this we didn't see them till we got in tonight. So, what was the one that
staff is supporting? Is it option one, two, three, or four? which one works the best as far as this program. >> All four of them actually approve. They're just little contingencies in each one of them if something needed to
be changed. So, I just put it together that way. So, you had Well, of course, we want the one that works the best with the public, keeps everybody informed, and is most coste effective always. So,
I mean, I'd have to study each one of them and try to find the nuances, I guess. Um, but anyway, maybe we should just move on to the public and maybe they have some ideas. So, what do you want to do? >> We don't have to have a motion in a
second. Yes, you should. That's what I thought. >> So basic, we just asked council to for approval to start the structure of this program. >> That's >> would you prefer just to do um to
approve the connect to pro protect lake class program framework as presented? That would be the simplest one without getting into the because I think it outlines what you're allowed to do and basically it's got to come back to us anyway. Is that true?
>> Yes. Like I said, we're just looking for just permission to move forward with the program so we can start investigating contractors, >> more uh grants for homeowners, just moving forward and getting workshops going. That's that's all we're
asking for. And look again as uh loop approved this at our last meeting. Mor >> I need a motion to second. >> Okay. I'm going to go ahead and make a motion to approve the connect to protect
lake class program framework as presented. Are you on option one, two, three, or four? Or did you make your own option? I think without getting into the nuances of each one of these, I mean, I'm happy with the
program. I mean, I read through it before we got here tonight, so I think all of this is just getting in the weeds. Um, I mean, if you want me to add to that that um I don't know. Do you want to improve on
the motion? I mean, I could put in here that no, I mean, I think the first concern that I learned at the utility meeting was, is there money going to be spent? Um, and I'm sure there's going to have to be some money spent even t um
time, but um I think this is just to get us to the place we can compare different sewer whether it's gravity or um low pressure perhaps the new program to get us to the
point we can even analy they need to analyze it enough so we can even go to the public to say which which program would you like the test. So I would just make the motion to approve the connect to protect lake placid
program framework as presented what they presented tonight. >> I'll second that. >> What? Okay. All right. We have a mo motion and a second. Any further discussion from the podium? >> Where did Bert go? I just wanted to ask
him. Hey Bert, you just made the comment that you need this approved so that you can start workshops. >> Yeah. >> And those would be workshops with the different >> workshops with town council loop so we
can get some direction and gives us the opportunity to start looking for grants and other things. uh bid contractors put a bid together to get contracts to install and stuff and present it present that and then go out for bid. Um but
what I put in as a recommendation it was just to approve that. I don't know where you guys are getting those three different options. >> So there there's two agenda two agenda items on here. >> Yes. And that's where I was gonna >> No, I'm confused, too.
>> I'm going to reach out to the attorney because when we came in, there was a piece of paper with four different options. >> Four different motions which are different than what was in >> Yeah. What I put in with EVA was just one to approve program. That's
>> that was the original uh um agenda item. >> Is there a fifth one? Oh, so there's >> this is >> five different motions were laid here that the public didn't see that we didn't have it. And I think that's what the confusion is. What is the motion?
>> Okay. I think before at the other meeting I suggested u the recommended motion is to approve program to move forward with 319 grant and um that's one they're looking at right now but I had um recommended at the utility meeting
that to approve program to move forward with 319 grants with an S and any other potential um what did I recommend? I don't bring it with me in any future potential grant
opportunities and con and projects. I think I put projects in there because sometimes we're not going to have grants for these projects. So, it would be to approve program to move forward with 319 grants
and other potential grants and programs for the what's it called? the for the connect to protect Lake Placid
pre program framework as presented. Does that make sense? Eva, >> it combines that motion and then your motion to move the >> Is that your second? I don't have any idea what I'm seconding right at this moment.
>> Could we try that again? >> What? Well, what's on the screen? Um, it it's a this was a recommended original motion to approve program to move forward with 319 grant. They're looking at one grant right now, but we need to say this is going to be moving forward
to 319 grants and any potential further grants or expansion projects using the connect to protect lake Placid program framework
as presented. >> Okay, I'll second that. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Any other comments from the podium? >> Yes. >> Oh, the 319 grant is
is what? I mean, we didn't talk about a 319 grant in this presentation. All we talked about was a structure. And so now the motion is to approve the structure and go forward with 319 grant. I would just ask that that grant comes back to council so we can see what are we asking
for because I would think We've already been awarded that grant that is just make connections on private property. Um we can >> let's leave let's just leave out the 39. >> That's what we decided at Lrack. Leave the 319 out of it. Just move forward
looking for grants >> with grants >> and uh programs and just take the 39 >> and any future projects using the connect to protect lake plastid program framework as presented. >> Yeah. because that that caused confusion at loop rack. So,
>> and that just it doesn't it it just it doesn't exclude 319, but it just doesn't bring it to the forefront. Any grants or programs or future expansion >> and those would come back to council for review approval along with the attorney
before submitted to D. >> Well, we already have the 1319 grant, but everything else is going to come back to you guys. Correct. We have enough for I think it was 33 connections. 4 $480,000. We we have been awarded but we haven't
received it yet. We haven't signed the papers. So that's why we're trying to get the program going so we can take advantage of this grant and start doing some stuff with it. >> And I do agree with you that it muddies the waters. So, let's just leave out the
the 319 and just go with program to move forward with grants and programs and future expansion using the connect to protect lake placid program framework as presented. That keeps it simple
>> maybe. >> Okay, I I'll approve that as well. Yes. >> Okay. All right. Being no other comments, we'll take it to the audience. >> My name is Josephine Conley, 607 Sunset Point Drive. You can understand this is
a little confusing to the taxpayers as a taxpayer. Um, hearing you folks talk of it and I want to just be absolutely certain. Um, there are going to be workshops. You've talked about workshops to talk
about the phases and what's best for whatever area, whatever. Correct. You're not making a decision on okay this this that. You're just making a decision on in moving forward. >> Just moving forward. I >> I just want to clarify that because you can understand we've been in the dark
when this started three years ago. >> And and the way we had it set up, it it's going to be done in phases. >> Okay. And I think depending on the grant money, uh, that's going to determine the scope, how far we can go, how many we
can maybe hook up, uh, how much infrastructure we can put in. But we we got to have a plan going first just to get started, then that's that's all we're doing. >> Okay, that makes sense. Now, last month, someone stated, and maybe you said it, and I might have missed it. Uh, it was
around 14.5 million. that seem to be the remaining amount. Is that correct or is that just like a rumor? Like uh let me let me start with my question maybe. Um an update on the wastewater treatment plant completion
and date amount of remaining outside uh outstanding. Last month someone stated it was around $14.5 million. That seems very high if the project is to be be completed this month. What is the dollar amount for any approved or expected
change orders? Is there anything there in that comment that I just asked? >> We have more, Miss Connley. It's there's actually another agenda item that's on where the finances are going to be discussed. So, that's to that's going to be coming up. >> That's going to be coming tonight. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Oh, okay. Okay. That answers that question. >> Yeah, we'll answer your questions then. >> Pardon me. >> I say yeah, you'll get your you'll get your answers then. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Hi, my name is Keith Loi. I live at 3118 Lake Gross Road, Northeast Lake Placid.
Uh my concern is in the audience, we've now had three motions, both made and seconded. Could we please repeat the motion that we're voting on and withdraw the other motions that have been made for clarification for the community? >> Okay,
>> I'll give it a go. >> You want to read back the is yes I get the basic test. So just to prove uh grants and programs and future expanses using the connect to protect lake class septic to sewer program
framework as presented. Did that make it more clear? You're good. >> Right. Right. This just the final motion is the only one that's that's still active. >> Okay. >> Okay. Okay.
>> Any other comments? Seeing none, bring it back. Pull the council. >> Council member Worley. >> Yes. >> Council member Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council member Charles. >> Yes. >> Council member Everheart?
>> No. It needs some tweaking before it goes out to the public. Okay, >> Mayor Hullbrook, as a followup to a lot of the discussion that took place, uh would it be fine to ask staff to come back at next week's meeting with a
detailed review of the current sewer plant, the funding, where we are in budget, and then we I know we have other associated grants with that. We all talk about the $40 million grant, but then we have a it's like a $700,000 grant for the Marquita lift station. Then there
was another $600 and some thousand grant. And I think it would be worthwhile. I mean, I've been on council for two years, and I've not had an update of the funding, the budget, and what are some of the risks that we might have. And I thought that was what I had
asked that the last meeting would come forward. So, is that something that we can put on next week's agenda to get an update to ourselves and the public? >> Isn't that what we're going to talk about next? >> That's one item next. That's fine.
>> Yeah, we're going to talk that into that discussion then. >> Yeah, I think we're going to talk about all that next because it seemed like there were a lot of those things that were addressed in the packet that we got. >> Okay. We'll go to B. Change order for lift station pipe up
sizing and additional CI. >> Okay. Um, based on your last question, Rachel came to me, I think that was the night of the last town council, and she had her uh, spreadsheet figured out and came to find
out we had 3.3.2 million left on that $40 million grant. Um, I talked to our our contractor and our engineers. We can I'm asking to put back uh
upsizing on the pipe that was taken out of the first uh bid because they didn't think they had the money and the contractor told me he can get it done by the end of September so we can finish out the contract and then we can use
$1.75 million of that remaining money. and Rachel uh she has her spreadsheet all put together to cover all this. Uh usually I don't have to come to council but that's just the size of the the change order being through
transparency I wanted you guys to see it and authorize me to approve the change order. This this will upsize the pipes coming from camp to camping conference going to our Numar aquatic green dragon lift station. um leaving there, moving all
the way up to uh north of the Ma um Main Street live station and connect into a pipe there to uh accept future flows from the camping conference line. This that's was this is
was in the original design but it was uh pulled out because of they uh thought they had lack of funds on it. So, like I said, we don't have to go out to bid for nothing. There's just the change order. Contractors say you can
already do it and we can use 1.7 million of the 3.2 left over. >> Just a couple quick questions. Is let's talk about the timing. So, you're saying there is money left over in the WG17 the $40 million grant.
>> Just the 40 million, >> right? There's money there's money available. I shouldn't say left. money available in the $40 million grant. >> Let's talk about timing because I know that with um that grant we have to have
the project completed by June, the end of June with all reimbursements submitted by September. >> The end of September, all reimbursements have to be in right. >> Do we But I thought the work had to be completed by June 30th. We having a
phone call with D tomorrow to confirm and see if we can throw this project in on that with the due date midepptember to get it completed. >> Yeah. I Well, I would get in writing if they're going to say, "Yeah, you've got a three-month extension because the
specifics are I mean, we're really crunching down to some deadlines that could put us at risk of absorbing too." >> Oh, no. We get all authorization in writing, but I just hate to give back 3.3 million. I mean 3.2 million. So they they give us the okay, but since it's town
>> I want that okay in writing. Okay. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Okay. Okay. >> Oh, no. Got to have you got to have a paper trail. >> And is the estimated cost that you received a year ago? >> Nope. I just got this one. It was well
uh one million. Can Can you scroll? Where is No, 1 million6 right there. 1 million6580 58526 and a change order for CI from uh the art engineer. Um they
haven't got me the actual quote but it gave me a estimate about 100,000 but it'll be be deter determined when I actually get the okay the quote. >> So I just put extra 100,000 on it to cover inspections. >> Okay. So I I think it's the right thing
to do, right? Let's make sure we have the right size pipes for correct growth in the future versus absorbing something now, pulling it out to expand it. So >> my concerns are going to be okay. The cost >> completion. Yes. >> So that we can get reimbursed.
>> Absolutely. And the big thing is this project will be complete if we put the pipes in now. So we can takeick that off our list because when we did these ones, they pulled the upsizing of the pipes out of that that original bid.
So at least we have a complete project. This is something we have to go back on and change pipe size. >> And Councilwoman Charles Penoni is here. They're in the audience as well. So, I'm confused that we we could opt
not to do this and the system was going to work just fine. >> Yes, this is for future flows up from the camp and conference line that comes down East Lake Drive comes up and goes down um Marquada to the new lift station
and then when it leaves there it goes into the old size pipe that which for future flows. It'll handle our current flows for right now, but if there's future flows on it, it needs to be upsized. And this will go down, I think, down the Heartland and cut back up and then connect over on 17 right there into
the pipe that's going to the new uh lift uh wastewater plant. >> Okay. So, it's it's for future >> future flows. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Because you tie that in where it's not critical to do it. >> No. >> And balance that against the risk of having to absorb it if we don't get it done in time.
>> Right. So, actually we're we're tying in the south plant when we de decommissioned it, which comes down Lake Mir Drive down East Lake Drive. But if we start doing connections out there, then that's when the flows will actually
go up. So, this this is upsizing the pipe. That whole project will be complete for future flows. >> Okay? and we have the opportunity to use some grant money that we didn't know we had. But it's time time restraint. So that's
why I'm bringing it to you guys tonight. So after we have a discussion with D tomorrow and get everything in writing, I'm just looking for the authorization to sign the change order to move forward with it so we can get it done in a timely manner. >> Is the smaller pipe in the ground now?
Yes, it's original pipe from uh one of the lift stations that we did commissioned down there for um down by the high school. >> So, it's not new pipe that's in the ground. >> No, >> we're not digging up new pipe to put any more new pipe. Okay, >> we're going to put a brand new pipe in next to it.
>> Okay. Okay. Thank you. I'm going to vote for because I do believe what we need to do, but I also want everybody to know I may profit from this because I have lakefront property and I want to take the septic off the lake. Just so everybody knows, I believe
in the program. Is that okay? I mean, I I I support the program, but it's >> Are you abstaining with the because of a conflict? >> Well, I don't know. Should I? Well, I would have to I would have to know more facts about >> Well, this this one's just asking for
>> I've only have I have just I'd be a house hooking into the system creating more flow into the but I don't think so because it's not just me. It's the whole >> It's not okay. >> What you told me um no conflict. The program is open to everyone as long as
they pay for what >> this is totally different. >> Right. Thank you. But I I I I want to hook in because I'm on the lake and Lake Stream is beautiful and I don't want to damage the lake anymore. >> Yeah. But this this one's for the change order of pipes from Mark Marquada going
up. So that shouldn't affect your property or nothing. It's just for flows. >> Okay. and and and then when you get it in writing the extension or whatever um just to make sure that we are because
the system would work without doing this and it is only for future use. I'd like confirmation from D that it falls within the guidelines. >> Oh, it does. It was already it was already in the original bid >> and plans from D under the 40 million.
They just pulled that out. U I think Kevin did because of he didn't have think he had enough money. So everything has been approved, permitted, everything through the $40 million grant for this. So that's that's why we're trying to go for that. It's low hanging fruit and we
can, you know, get get a project completed. >> Okay. >> I'll go ahead and make a motion uh to approve a budget amendment of 1,758. >> No, it's not a budget. It's a change order
>> and a budget amendment, right? Is a vote? >> No, because it's coming out of the grants. It's a change order. >> Okay. So uh to make a motion to approve a change order of 1,758526 of the remaining grant to improve the
future flow from the camp and conference center lift station to main and marquita life lift marquada lift stations to the new um >> could you make that change orders because we'll have to do one for engineering and one >> oh that's 100,000 as a
>> 100,000 is CI yes >> change orders in the amount of million7 758. Is that fine? >> Correct. >> Okay. Let me read it again. Um I'll make a motion to approve change orders in the amount of 1 million 758
526 of the remaining grant to improve the future flow from the camp and conference center lift station to main and marquita lift stations to the new sewer plant. Second.
>> Okay. Thank you. We have a motion to second. Any other comments from the podium? >> Uh hearing none. We'll take it to the audience. >> Josephine calmly at 607 Sunset Point Drive. I'm just as asking council and
the mayor that we don't repeat our mistakes uh because we're going to be doing multiple lift stations. going to be doing multiple piping. Back in 2017,
there was a lift station that was built and there was a flaw in it. And when that flaw occurred, apparently the town of Lake Placid did not do the final billing uh building inspector inspection
on that lift station, which caused some concerns and backup stewward to two residents. So those two residents had to go through quite the you know quite um trying to get who's
responsible for that. Town said they weren't and come to find out the town was responsible. I'm only bringing this up because we have to be really cautious with all these lift stations that we get the proper people to inspect and they
make sure that the job is done correctly. Okay. And same thing with the wastewater treatment plant, whether it be a wastewater treatment plant or a lift station. We don't want to have it come back at us that oh boy, there's a flaw.
The town did not inspect it. So, I'm just asking you to please be cautious. Okay. Thank you. >> Pam address 12373. Lost Lake Drive, Lake Placid. I think I can help add some clarity here. So, you had the 40 million
project and as time went along, there was cost overruns. Y'all had a a emergency town council meeting back in December 24 and Kevin found out you had to not spend all the 40 million by a certain date, but you had to have it
allocated. So, you put into the plans, we're going to decommission Tamoka. We're going to do a force man from Tamoka to the new wastewater treatment plant. We're going to do all these certain things. As time went on, funds ran out. You've had to pull back. We no
longer have the any of the 40 million to decommission Tamoka. We no longer have the money to do the force man from Tamoka to the new wastewater treatment plant. The 6inch line sewer line that goes from the high school Marquada to
the Lake Placid Cam Convert Center is in the ground. It was a 4-inch line. They upsized it through this $40 million grant. What they're talking about now is there's a current probably 4 inch line in the ground that's old. And so they're
going to put a new one. I don't know if it's 6 inch. By is it a 6 inch line? But it's an upsiz. >> So upsize line, 6 inch line that will connect to the north of Journal Plaza, then connect on to the new wastewater
treatment plant. It's I know there he said like new future development. It's not like you're going to have a thousand units or 800 units. You're talking about 100 units. I mean, it's not a 10-inch line. It's a 6 inch line that is not
very big at the end of the day. But but you've already y'all have approved this. It's just it's where the consultant cut back and pulled things out. We don't have money for that. We don't have money for that. And they just pulled things out. Thank you.
Lisa Sherman, 400 Lake Mirror Drive. Charlotte, is it appropriate for me to still state that I'm the wife of the former attorney or are you good with me just saying Lisa Sherman? >> I have no preference. >> Okay, great. Um, it sounds like this change order is a great thing to do to
use the rest of your money, but I feel like you're all running past the fact that you still have not seen a report that tells you the numbers. you're making this decision to allow them to um put these change orders in and you don't
even really know if there is $3 million left. You've got Rachel saying that there is. And I believe that she's not lying. She's telling to the best of her knowledge, but somebody needs to see something in writing that reconciles Rachel's spreadsheet back to the money
that has come through the town's account, the money that is owed. Spreadsheets are standalone and they can have an error if it does not tie back to the money. And until this town council can see a report in writing, I don't see how you vote to spend $3 million when
you can't be comfortable that you have $3 million. You're doing that just based on somebody said, "Oh yeah, we got $3 million." What have you seen evidence of that? Just my opinion as a accountant. Thank
you. We are going to base this on our phone call from D tomorrow. They'll let us know if that figure is correct. Nothing's going to be signed until we get something in writing from D saying we have the money and we have the time.
>> Yes, they do. >> It's it's actually open for you to even see it there. And anybody who has asked, you can go on there and see it yourself on the D website. It's open for everybody. Every change order, every every everything that we have ever provided, every payment that has ever
been received is all open in public knowledge. The only reason why we're not giving actual amounts in here is because every time we do that, it comes back and it says that we've given inconsistent information. So instead of giving wrong information, we are going to make sure we talk to the experts and we true that
up with them tomorrow. Rachel has a spreadsheet that we'll be happy to provide. Our legal has also been able to review this because he has been fully involved in the process as we are looking at the $4 million. >> And every day, every day we touch that spreadsheet, we check tech check um
touch invoices, that number changes. So right now the town has spent like 26 million of that money that on the WGO 17 and that is the sword accepted project. There was two other grants that kind of helped out kind of piggybacked that kind
of pushed the project alone which was um the WGO 25 and um the Rift grant. So right now the Rift is spent 100%. 570,000 that was spent. Um we're getting ready to submit the closing documents on
that. Um WGO 17 um 25 that grant for 600,000 that spent 100%. So right now everything else that left on the project is going to be spent out of WG 207 which is the sort accepted project that should
take over the rest of the project. But then we still have other grants that we still trying to get to the sew accepted project is just not after the WO7 the 40 million is just getting this part this project done but you still have to
continue to to work on the other parts of the sewer accepted project. So, this is just a piece of the puzzle. It's a lot more of the project that's coming um that's coming in the future. >> Bert, does this decision for you need to
be tonight or could it push into next week's meeting? Because it does tie into why I'd ask earlier to Mayor Hullbrook and we said, "Well, it's going to be on here." I would like to see an open. >> That's why I'm asking for tonight because of the time frame. >> So, this you need this change order
tonight. It can't wait one week. >> It change order approval tonight after the phone call with D and approval from them. And then I'd like to get them going on it because it's, you know, timesensitive. But we not going to do nothing until we
get absolutely approval and consent from D. So basically your motion would say based on D's approval in writing give permission utility director to sign change order for upsizing a pipe. If a
DP doesn't give it to us it's dead. So but it's just timesensitive that's all. And Rachel, you're very confident that there is money remaining in the 40 million to cover this.
Yes. And I can count for every vendor or every um contract permit, everything with that $40 million down to the penny. And so um with the upgraded line that Bert is speaking of, he have the funds
to do that. And of course the money the amount that he give you for the estimate that's still a change order estimate is not 100% either. So >> right and and I appreciate what you just kind of quickly summarized with WG17
2526. I mean that was the point I was making. We have a lot of grants out there that we've received. It would be of my interest of well where are we with these grants? You know how much have we spent? how much is outstanding, how much have we got reimbursed, what the risks
are. And that's what I was asking and I and I'll continue to ask after this motion for next week's meeting. We really do need, you know, a summary in writing of here's where we're at, knowing it's a moving target, but still you can give us the best estimate of of
all of the the initial costs and the change orders. information is available, but it's sort of like trying to put it into one night or one hour. That's a lot of information to kind of throw out there. So, if council can come in anytime, I can show
you I can show you the the information, show you the vendor, show you the payables, show you the the request that we got back from the state. The information is there. >> Isn't this what I'm looking at? It looks like this is what I'm looking
at as far as the wastewater treatment thing. And then I have the current grants thing here. And it looks like I'm being told what each of these grants is, where they're at, and what they're doing. Looks like you want something else.
And the public wants that information. So by having something sitting on the dis. >> So all you want is this to go out to the public. I and ability to ask questions. >> Okay. >> So, so maybe it's as simple as whatever
this summary is that we just put on the agenda, we go through it, we ask questions, and we move on. Okay. >> I mean, I get it that the >> re the invoices come in a different time, but we've got purchase orders are out there, right? So we should have an idea of where are
we overall with the 40 million the couple the and I think we've got about four out grants right so and maybe it is that I haven't looked at that it's extensively but it's the transparency that needs to be also to the public and
I mean for two years we haven't got updates on the sewer plant and the grants that's all I'm asking is a good overall summary of where we're at >> and and I I agree that's fine and we can put this out to the public. I think it's probably already on a website somewhere
that they can look it up. But I also feel like we've been elected to do something up here and and sometimes we're going to have information that we need to make decisions on and the public elected us to make it a good decision on their behalf. So, um yes, I mean transparency is everything. Okay, fine.
Let let everybody have it. But we have to go over it four or five times just to make sure everybody has seen this. We're going to run every project we have right into the ground. So that's just my opinion. >> Good evening, council. It's a pleasure
to stand on this side and not have the weight of the decision on my hands. Uh, one issue you may want to consider would be the legal documentation because I've not seen it in the agenda most of the time that comes with it to the
proposal is exactly what contract are you going to be adopting. So, I assume you're leaving that to Mike. He's a good lawyer. He can figure that out. But this one's kind of important and you really ought to take a look. For example, you got to go back and change some
things in your existing contract that says when this project will be complete, not just do a change order that says, "Yeah, go do it." It's got to be drop deadad completion and drop dead payment and drop dead bills or else we eat it.
I'm back. Also, I'm troubled by the answer. Well, we get condemned if we gather the information. It's not hard to come back and say, "Here's where we are on that sewer plant." I did a records request. Charlotte's chosen not to respond
um last night or la last week when we had the septic to sewer meeting. G give us the you know what's the darn thing cost? I don't think anybody up here knows the answer to that. Do you? No.
No, sir. I don't think I do. >> Well, I mean, it's not a matter of we're micromanaging. It's a matter of show me the expense and show me what's been spent and put it on a piece of paper so we can make sure. That is our job. While he's writing the
legal documents that you got to do, come back in a week like Councilman Charles suggested and get her done. I agree. This is the right project. It's the one that allow we put in a really big sewer um pumping station
at Muada. How am I doing timewise at Muana? And without this line, you you can't use that ex bigger sewer plant. And it's the one that's designed to bring from the north shore of Blake Placid via the conference center enlarge line to that MUATA station that's
enlarged to this line that needs to be enlarged to get to your plant. That will take all of the Lake Placid, not just development, but the existing septic to sewer. Am I right on that? >> Yes. And Rachel has the breakdown B. She already has. >> Show it to us.
>> Rachel, can you please pull this up? >> Show it to us. That's That's what the >> the breakdown that you said to Cruz. >> The Regional Utility Commission requested it. I've heard this council requested it. Why is it a secret? >> I've requested it by
>> It's not a secret, Bert. It's because we're trying to explain to you that there are moving parts and every time we have a a bill that comes in and we are paying it, it's going to move. So, we're going to put something in the public that you keep insisting on and it's going to keep moving the target because
as an invoice comes in, it gets paid out. That's what Rachel just explained. >> And as you know, that's normal operating procedure. We keep paying our bills, but as of this date, what is the number? >> Rachel, you're going to have to give a response to that. >> Can I send it out in in the morning?
>> Yeah. I I don't want to put Rachel to pull something up on the screen right now. I >> But you are. I am not suggesting tonight to put Rachel on the spot. That's cruel and unusual punishment. But it's you ought to have that in this package for the public as she is saying.
>> Bert, we just received it from Penoni on their way here and Rachel just worked on >> cut it off a week ago. Cut it off a month ago. No, we didn't. >> Show us >> time. Thank you, >> Pam Fentress. I I kind of pride myself
on being a super sleuthther on the DP Swift mud websites. I dig in. I track things. I'm on the Oculus site. I follow the 17, the 25, whatever it is. I'm trying to see what the status is. Having always been in the audience and always
having asked at the different meetings, what's the update on the Lake Plastic Camp for sewer line, water line, bulk water agreement, never getting any details. I can tell you on this $40 million, you can go on the DP's website. There are 38 documents. What I saw was
the last one. They submitted bills from April to September 30th. They do progress reports. Quarterly, the town does quarterly progress reports. Turn those in. They have to to send in a batch of the invoices for reimbursement.
They did April through September. And so at that time there was 6.5 million roughly requested. 13 and a half million is left on your 40 million grant. So then you'll have October 1st. So let's quarterly report to the end of December.
Then it'll like it'll take month or two for that batch to go through. You should be getting a a in my opinion a next lump sum amount of money. But this stuff is all here. You can you can spend days. I know that's weird, but I can spend days
just looking, opening up attachments, tracking it. So, not normal people don't have that time. I get it. I I we've been looking at this Burr Harris for five years. And it morphed over time. We did have nine area. I say we because I feel
a part of it. Nine areas. Then it went to seven, then it went to six, and it went to five. There are five tasks that need to be completed on the current contract. There was a number of homes, but Bert wrote the contract and it said like I think it's either one house has to be hooked up. He he spent a whole
year or 10 months making sure that y'all wouldn't stumble when it came to the $40 million contract. Um, but that decommission of Tamoka is in there as well. So, it is a legal contract and it's not just the the phone call
tomorrow. You have other tasks, but a lot of things changed over that time. Thank you, >> Lisa Sherman, 400 Lake Mirror Drive. I understand that it's moving, Charlotte, and that you're constantly having new invoices, but there was a way that
Rachel figured out that she had $3 million left. So in my simple little brain, it seems like you could have a report that says this is what we have paid out in actual money. These are the invoices that we have left that we need
to pay right now that we've already received. And then these are the estimated invoices from the contractor. That would then total some number, right? Maybe it totals 37 million. And that's how she came up with the fact that we have three million left. But why
can't we get a simple thing that's not going to be on DP's website? We want to know what has the town actually written checks for. What's that total? 26 million. Maybe we have invoices that we need to write checks for and that's 10 million. And then the contractor says we
have 5 million left. That's what we want to see. We don't we don't need to see 20 different spreadsheets and 20 different uh reports, but something that's very simple. We've actually written checks for this. We have this many invoices in here to write checks for and the
contractor says this is what's left. Can we see that? >> Great. When when >> and and it it is a moving target, but if we put a date on it, these are the numbers as of >> right this day.
>> Because she had to do that to come up with the fact that we have three million left, right? She had to go through some exercise like that. That's what we would want to see. >> And I'd like to add to it. It's not just
the financial numbers that's important, but what other risk do we have? Are there some contractual things that we've agreed to in the grant that might be at risk? And during the big meeting and there were questions, what's the number? First
it was 3,400 homes and then we revised it to 2600 homes and then we kept to 700 I think 1,600 then 700 and one wise person said Bert Mr. Harris, is there a number that we might
be at to be at default? Could it be zero? And of course, he said, "No, it can't be." Because in our contract with them, we said, "This is what we want to do." So, I mean, you a good question was asked. Does it have to be one or what? What is the risk? So,
are there some some legal issues that as this is winding down that maybe we didn't know about that we should. So, it's not just the financial numbers, it's also the timing.
You know, when is the plant going to be complete? First, it was February 1, then the end of February. Now, I'm here in the end of March. If that keeps slipping, we're going to have some issues. So to me it's a executive summary of the overall grants
financial dollars but also timing and other issues and risks. So how do we do I need a motion to have that put on next week's agenda or is that something
that that you can pull together? >> I can't hear you. It's already coming forward and Cruise Bank will be here next week as well. So, it's already coming forward for next week. So, a a summary of all of our grants. >> Yes, ma'am. It was my understanding that the financial information was going to
be presented in this meeting. So, I apologize that it's not >> okay. >> Very briefly, one minute or less. You made a good point. I don't remember the number of homes. I don't know that what we settled on because after I wrote
Kevin amended a few times always discussed here but I just don't remember the context of those amendments. Have you looked at the the grant agreement to make sure all of the boxes and minimum requirements have been are being checked before we spend this last 3 million?
I'll take that as a no. >> We're in the process of doing that. We passed off the the meeting minutes to our attorney today. He received them. He can confirm that it is moving. We are moving right along with it as quick as we possibly can. >> But that's just not meeting minutes. All
you need are the grant agreements and amendments to see what the town has committed to provide. >> Yes, we are doing that. >> So you haven't done that. So she's right. You need to bring that back in a week. But this to be clear the line I am
absolutely supporting the change order. I am >> what would you like us to do? Because that seems to be the question at hand. What would you like us to do? >> I would encourage you to be able to report back that this town council has met all of the requirements of the grant agreement. $40 million.
>> That's what we're trying to do. >> By next week, you'll be able to say yes, then. >> Thank you. We've got a motion, a second. >> Yes. >> Bring it back. Pull the council, please. >> Council member Charles. >> Yes. >> Council member Worley.
>> Yes. >> Council member Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council member Everheart. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. What else we got? >> That's it. Okay, I'll bring it to our town
administrator. >> You have nothing. >> I've been asked about where we are with the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. We had a meeting last week with the YMCA. That project seems to be that it will move quicker opposed to Boys and Girls
Club because there are financial implications with the Boys and Girls Club. So, we do have a meeting scheduled for this Wednesday to discuss that a little more in depth and we'll bring that back in April. >> That's all I have right now. Thank you. >> Okay, Mr. Attorney, you've got anything?
Any words of wisdom? >> No words of wisdom. >> Okay. All right. Staff, anything from staff? Um, I was asked to give an update on the where we are at with the cemetery fencing. Uh, first off, regarding the
front fence line, it has been repaired uh the second time it was hit and we're monitoring it daily to ensure um if any if anything happens now uh we'll be aware of it. Um,
the hogs in the back, eight of them were removed from an adjacent property several months ago, and there's been no sign that I'm aware of that they've returned. Regarding fencing off the back of the fence line, uh, that was a question.
Somebody wanted to know how much it would be. Uh it looks like it'll be between 10 and $11,000 if you want to close off the existing property, not the expanded properties. Uh that it fluctuates a,000 because we
haven't considered if we want gates installed. I don't know how much extra that would be. Uh is it do you have any other questions? I mean, if you want to move forward on that, we don't have the money in the budget this year. it can it can
be put in the budget for this upcoming year or if you're happy with dehawks haven't come back yet and we'll see if they come back and go forward from there we can do that >> I I understand from Bill Brantley
>> he trapped them so it's not as much they haven't come back but he >> was it like five of them or something he was able to >> trap some, shoot some, and and he felt from where he saw they were coming that >> there was >> problem solved.
>> Yeah, there was eight removed. Uh those >> eight >> Yes, th those won't be coming back, but >> you never know. A new group could come at any time. >> I'm sorry. Did you ask for us to make a motion to approve money? It's not on our
agenda. We can put it on next month. I mean, >> no, no, I don't I don't need a motion. I was just letting you know >> just so you have food for thought if you if you if you want to move forward with this. That's something just to think about. >> Good job. Thank you. >> Uh just a quick update on the
construction of the police department. It is just a little bit ahead of schedule and things are actually moving along quite smoothly. >> Okay. Very good. Uh we have our engineers
here with us tonight. So I want to make sure we give them a chance to come up and address the council. >> Good evening council. I'm Roger Hman with Penoni and with me is Jeff McKenna. Um so we're the engineers as you I think
all know that designed and are now um doing technical services during construction for your advanced wastewater treatment plant. Um I want to come here and give you a little bit of an update about where things stand and where they're where they're going to go. Um right now overall um far as a
percentage wise I'd probably say 90 to 95% of the plan is constructed. Um physically what's done is all of the structures, all of the equipment is installed. Um really what remains is um there's some
um quality control work, some tanks that are the coatings on some tanks that are going to require some repairs that has to be done. And then probably more importantly, all of the training for the operators still still remains. Um there's um the existing plant is going
going to be converted into a digtor and a chlorine contact chamber. That that work still needs to be done, but that can kind of come at the end kind of parallel to some most of the other work that we're that's being done right now. Um just a little update on I guess who
the contractor is. The contractor is pool and Kent. Um some some dates. Um they were the notice to proceed on the project was July 8th, 2024. Um the current final completion date is March
10th, 2026, which is tomorrow. Um we know that they're late. Um the the reason that they're late, there's been some quality control throughout the projects. A lot of things have already been fixed. The the some of the tanks had some leaks that needed to be
resolved. Some of those items were critical path items and definitely set the contractor back. However, you know, in the contract, um, anything that is a rework or, you know, a contractor mistake, that's not cause for a time extension. That's that's supposed to be
on them. If they if they made a mistake, that's not a reason for a time extension. Um the town attorney sent out a letter on uh was January 29th um informing the contractor that there's
$1,000 a day liquidated damages that are going to be enforced, which that'll be um after tomorrow. That'll be the date that the $1,000 a day is going to be going to be enforced. Um we've been trying to accelerate them as much as we can, doing our best. Um,
that's probably the thing that's going to motivate them more than anything to get finished with the project. Um, but I will say that we want to make sure that the project's done right. We want to we don't want to rush through things and if there's mistakes going on, we want to make sure that y'all are getting what you paid for with the project. It's an
expensive project and you deserve to get exactly how it was designed and and designed with, you know, good care. So, um, a little bit about the kind of where the contract amount is of the of the project. It's, uh, the the overall the
construction contract with the contractor was 30,66,644.93. Um, the current um contractor pay amounts that have been approved are 22,856,000. And then there's another pay application
for February which is about 2.1 million. We're still working with them to they've asked for some pay items that are we can't approve. So that's why that's kind of an approximate number. So overall about 25 million has been approved for
them out of the again like it's 30,66,000. Um there have only been um really $16,000 in change orders on this project that have been additive change orders. There was a deductive change order that was
for owner direct purchase that was for about three million that was done to save on sales tax and that saved the town aboutund close to $190,000. So, I think we're in good shape as far as how many, you know, how much the change orders are. And probably the
reason why there's, you know, more money left over in the grant is because Kevin accounted for probably more change orders than really what there have been. So, that's why you're now you got some money to spend, so to speak, which is why Bert's here in front of you to do
some extra work on another project. So, um that's that's pretty much it. Um the uh I guess I can go over some of the scope items that remain. Again, there's some codings repairs. Uh
see the conversion to the digesttor and chlorine contact chamber like I mentioned, equipment checkouts, final controls integration and SCADA commissioning, plant startup, biological process startup, operator training, final site grading and roadway
construction, and then asbuilt and onm. So with that, if you all have any questions, be glad to answer. >> Can you just talk briefly about decommissioning because the plan is once this is up functioning, we're going to
decommission the old plant. Correct. >> Yeah, that's that's where pretty much where we're at right now. We're about ready to start putting flows into the new plant. And when the old plants decommissioned, it's going to be converted into for other purposes a digtor and chlorine contact. So that'll
that'll start. And that's not a long process. That involves in coating the interior, adding some other equipment inside the that old the old plant. Any other questions? Appreciate that update. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh, one thing I like to say, I noticed recently on between Lake June Point and the entrance to Oak Island on Catfish Creek, there been a lady out there every day picking up trash and putting it in
plastic bags. Uh, I don't know who she is. Uh but I I I want to be sure that at this I hope she's watching because we need more residents like that. She she did a phenomenal job cleaning up both sides of the road. And uh I just
personally want to uh thank her for for what she did. And if anybody knows her, please please tell her that I think council would agree that uh uh that's that's quite a a community asset. and I'm real proud to have people like that
in our town. So, thank you. Anything else to come before council? >> Yeah, I have a just a couple questions here. One is to Harry if Thank you for what you did for opening day. The the
you know, last Sat a week ago, Saturday was opening day at the ballpark and I know that you and Joe had worked hard to get a lot you know um of the fields ready. Um and and then the question comes my way is for Amazon. Do we know how many jobs
Amazon ended up creating for the town? We kept hearing different numbers, 200 this and that. Do we have any final how they ended up? I think that's something the community is interested in. >> I don't have that right. >> Okay. Maybe if you can follow up and get that follow. Um, and then the next ARPAC
meeting is April 16th, and we have an April 13th town council meeting. Um, it would be nice to maybe go to this ARPAC meeting asking for some money. I I know that Avon Park is always in the news with money that they've got
in Sebring. So, you know, I don't want to miss another quarterly ARPAC meeting. I know that we're working on um different playground equipment in that. And so this would be a good chance to incorporate that and get some of the funds from um from the county.
So Oh, and and then chief, I did have a followup from the president of Lake June Point Homeowners Association. Annual meeting was this last week and the chief came and gave an update and it was very much appreciated to the point that you're going to get an annual invitation.
>> Thank you, >> Mel. I don't >> nothing. Deborah >> Joy, >> um, did I see correctly that the YMC is going to have an office here in the town hall?
>> No, not in the town hall. >> Oh, okay. >> They they would like to be able to have registration space down at Lake June Park. >> Oh, okay. That's where it was. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Thanks. You're welcome. >> For um the YMCA to be able to have a registration location
for the signups. >> Okay. Okay. There's nothing else to come before council. Meeting adjourned.