32. I'll now call to order the regular meeting of the community redevelopment agency and town hall of the great town of Lake Placid, Florida. I'd ask everybody please make sure your phones are either
off or on vibrate. Uh and if everybody would please stand, we'll have a an invocation and pledge to our allegiance. Let us pray. To our gracious heavenly father, we thank you for another beautiful day in
paradise, better known as Lake Placid, Florida. And we thank you for the continual guidance that you have given us over the years. And we hope that you will continue to bless this council that the decisions they make will not only be in the best interest of the town of Lake
Placid, but our county and our state. and please bless our troops and first responders around the world who are protecting our freedom. In your name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Clerk, would you please call the role? >> Mayor Hbert >> here.
>> Council member Hayes >> here. >> Council member Worley >> here. >> Council member Charles >> here. >> Council member Everheart >> here. >> Board member Hartzel >> here. >> Board member Leant >> here.
>> All right. At this time, I'll open it up for public comments that are on non-aggenda items. All right. Seeing none, we'll move on. We'll go to consent agenda A and B. >> I'll make a motion that we approve the
consented agenda A and B. >> We have a motion in a second. Any other comments from the podium hearing? None. We'll take the audience. All right, seeing none, bring it back. Pull the council. >> Council member Worley, >> yes. >> Council member Hayes, >> yes.
>> Council member Charles, >> yes. >> Council member Everart, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Board member Herzel. >> Yes. >> Board member LeBlanc. >> Yes. >> Mayor Hullbrook. >> Yes. >> Uh, I don't have any presentations. Are
there any on the board? Okay. Seeing none, we'll move to action agenda, the CRA updates. Thank you, mayor. In your packet, you will see a very thick Kimley Horn document, and we met with Kimley Horn,
and we reviewed our project list, and we asked them to develop for us a proposal on each item. We received this a little later today. That's the reason it wasn't in included in your packet. There's no decisions being made tonight. This will come back to you in March. However, we
wanted to make sure you receive this as we give the updates. Rachel is going to review some of the financial updates with the updated spreadsheet that you received with the projects which will outline the costs that have already been spent, where we are with any funding balances, and then the goal is for when
we come back in March to be able to prioritize the projects so that we know which ones you would like us to focus on first. and then we'll move into Allan and Harry have some updates for you for the lightings and also for the road and pavement. >> Can I just ask some clarification? So,
so we have on the DIS a Kimley Horn packet and you're saying if for their time permitted it would have been included in the packet. >> Yes, ma'am. They they sent that over to us. It was probably about 1:30 whenever we received it. >> Okay. And so it would have just been
included as aformational or what would have been the >> the plan would have been for you to have received it whenever the agenda originally went out last week so that you would have been able to go over everything that's contained in this because it's a very thick document. But since you're getting it so late, we weren't making any decisions on this
tonight anyways. You'll need to be able to review it. So we'll bring it back to you in March unless you decide that you want to make a decision tonight. >> No, no, no. I'm just trying to understand when I have all of this paperwork on the dis what the plan and then how do we get it out to the public? >> It'll be put on the website. We'll put it on the website >> after this meeting. You'll put it on the
website. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. We'll go over the spreadsheet which includes some actual expenses and also the budget. Um but I first want to bring your attention to the budget um
amount for the revenue um every year when they put it on the um the tax role as far as the alarm revenue that the town is getting this year is $7,695 less than what was actually budgeted.
and that's on column I to the top. Um but other than that, um we kind of went through the budget as far as putting all the projects out there and um kind of explaining each project. Um
some is waiting, some of the projects is waiting for for quotes and some was holding for the street scope. The streetscaping is what it is. Um so on the last page I want to go I'll
jump all the way to the bottom is that based on the budget and based on some of the projects some of the projects is already over and that is the is the pots downtown flower pots. It's over about
$5,000. So, some of the line items, I guess we're waiting on you guys to give us some direction as far as where we going to reallocate some of these budget items to make sure that we're still going to be within the budget.
But other than that, it's just the downtown flower pots and the building rehab has actual expenses year to date. So Rachel, can we stay with that one as an example? The downtown flower pots. >> Yes. >> So the first column is the year-to-ate
budget is 65,000. That's what we approved. >> The downtown flower pots. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So line 19,000. >> That's a total line. You're looking at the 65,000. >> Yeah, it's 5,000. >> The one that you just said is okay. So
the 5,000 is the pots themselves. >> Yes. >> And we spent 9,000. So we have to do at one point a budget amendment for the 4,000. Is that what we're saying? Okay. Just to understand the spreadsheet. Thank you. >> I think it was in the November meeting
when we realized that the Hillrest was outside of the CRA and we had said we would put uh 70,000 Where are my notes here? um 70,000 to storm water and then 30,000
as an unallocated line item. So that didn't get updated on the spreadsheet. >> Do you recall if we did a motion on that one or if it was just discussion? >> I don't remember. >> I believe it was just discussion and I think we were saying we were going to bring it back. Okay.
>> Reallocation. So there's a total of $100,000 sitting there. So, should we make a motion now to >> I mean that if you like. >> Okay. So, then I'll Okay, I'll make a motion to formalize it that of the $100,000 that had been attributed to
Hillrest, 70,000 will go to storm water management, 30,000 will go to a line item for unallocated projects. Second. >> So you're saying 70 and 30. 70 for storm water.
>> 70 for storm water >> and 30 just open >> unallocated for for and where are you getting that from? What what what lines are you getting that from? >> It's from the Hillrest the last page where you'll see it's in red.
Um there are several line items for Hillrest. >> Okay. And >> it's actually 100,000. >> It is 100. Yes. It was 70 and 30 split. >> So the 30 you're saying not just So what was that again? What is it?
>> Well, since we don't know what we want to spend it on, just put a line item for future whatever needs. Maybe take maybe to take care of the 5,000 overrun, you know, whatever. But just a separate line item for unallocated.
No, I I like that idea, but just while we're discussing it, I did go through and we knew that Hillrest was not in the CRA, so we're reallocating that 100,000. But from the um peanut gallery downtown,
um they really would like to move the flower pots ahead as soon as possible is what I'm hearing. Um no specific people, just um different ones saying that and coming back to me saying, "I've talked to a lot of people." that's what they want. And then when we had that meeting,
and maybe not quite yet, let's just set it aside, but maybe we should try to figure out what we're going to do with that 30,000 because um the wfair signs, the signage, and the flags seem to be something that we could do. Um it's on
the on the lesser side of the cost, but a big bang for a buck as far as the people. They've been wanting to see that. Um really that was something like the pots and the flags and the and the wayward signs. So I just you know I'm
agreeing with you but when we discuss this next time if everybody could I think I mean if you disagree with me let me know but so I'll go back to these people but that's kind of where I'm hearing that's what they want the money spent on.
So um so Joy the 70,000 for storm water we're just parking it there until such time as we have something to spend it on meaning engineering design you know or projects in the future right okay 30,000 is just you know for what comes up like
we went 5,000 over on the pots right so we can use that money to shift into something like that to cover it yeah okay I like that and and I agree with Deborah there's >> 30 just clarify on the pots what did you just say 30,000 for pots. >> No, no, >> no.
>> 30,000 is just unallocated in case we go over, we need to put it here, put it there. So, like we're over on pots, $4,000 something dollars. So, that's like a category that we might take it out of and put it to that just unallocated. >> Right. Right. I mean, so right now we've
already know we've got a budget amendment 6,000. So, we know that we don't have enough. And actually, my follow-up question was that's like doubled. So the budget I mean I'm just surprised that costs go up that much because we put in all these pots, right?
And then all of a sudden we estimated 5,000 that came in at 10. >> Correct me if I'm wrong, but is that the pots that went in um the second phase that went in on Maine south of Inner Lake? >> That's what I'm wondering too. I didn't
want to move. >> It's not the original pots on Maine. It's the second set of pots that went on Maine. And and I assume it probably included pavers underneath the pots south of Inner Lake. You know what I
mean? Was that an overrun? Because we expanded the area of the circles. So I don't understand that portion because I when we did the pot >> can't hear you >> when we did the pots on South Main I
thought we were approved for 10,000 to do that. So that's what I did. I got the estimates for that area and spent what I understood we were approved for. >> And and the pots on North Main happened in a previous year, right? Budget cycle.
So we're not seeing those costs because that was previous budget cycle. Now we're in this budget cycle. What happened in this budget cycle was South Main, I think four areas, I think, right? What I believe happened is, and correct
me if I'm wrong, but I believe we had we had approved for them to move forward with that for us to be able to allocate that and that was the additional. So, I mean, I pulled our original budget. It's 5,000, not 10. And if we're saying that somewhere we approved 10,
then we would have already adjusted it elsewhere. to your right. That was the quote. I mean, I'm fine right now. Moving on. If if you don't have it, just do the research. You could get back. Um, we're talking $5,000 and there's some money
being moved anyway. So, we'll just make sure we earmark that it might only be 25,000 versus 30. Yeah. And I I mean, generally speaking, the numbers seem to work out for what we did on North Main because we did less paws. I think North Main was 15,000. That was like six
areas. South Main was four areas, bigger circles. So, the numbers seem to to match pretty much what I would have expected them to be. However, I wasn't here when when it was approved because I was out of town. But um I I so I agree with you. We need to make an
adjustment to get that cleaned up. And um you know >> so should I have ended to make it 70,000 for storm water, 25 unallocated and 5,000 for the overrun.
Would that work? >> Yeah. I just how did you come up with 70? >> Well, we had we had discussed this back in November and then saying the number the dollar amount >> that was whatever we discarding to my notes our discussion in November put it
at 70,000. >> Okay. >> Oh, and then my second to your amendment to your first. So, so we do have a quote for 15,59850 for us to do the additional work for the
pots with the expansion and then also the pots from the most recent walk through. Correct. Al 13 pots. >> Who is that legend? Who is that from?
Not TWW. Didn't TWWQ do the work, >> but the original Lance I thought the downtown was TWWQ. We went with TWW. >> Not >> I'm sorry. >> That was the landscaping on the inner lake, not the pots. >> Nothing to do with the pots.
>> I think Roberts did the original. I think TWWQ did the original pavers and then Robins did the pots on the paper and TWWQ did the irrigation also. >> Yeah. Yeah. So TWW to do >> Yeah. So I think Robins is the right person to probably do the pots again this time.
>> And Robins is supposed to start this month on making the payments bigger on >> Robinson. So this category here that's already 4,000 over budget is the same category that we're going to do this additional work. So adding five to this
isn't going to solve the overall problem that we have more work to do. So in reality we need to add probably close to 20. So how many pots on main are you So you're you're extending the rings at six locations. Um I think six locations on location
that we looked at that had irrigation already there that were paid and then the one in front of the the police department were the small crepe murderers. I'm confused. >> And you said something about you wanted you'd like to see 13. So I went ahead
and just got an estimate for 13. So I would have it. You can break it down. It's 11.99 each. >> Okay. So this is 13 pot locations. But when it comes to tavers, is this increasing the ring size on the six locations? >> South. >> It is. Okay. Great.
>> Not this was already approved and >> or that's a separate item. Yeah, the last meeting they'll tell me to go ahead and get that done. >> Okay. So, that's under separate. So, >> is that already in this budget? >> So, it's not under the $15,000 quote.
>> Okay. So, we need to cover that somewhere in here too. So, >> for 13 spots. >> Yeah. Um, there was one place on, and we didn't we talked about it when we walked, I don't think we did, at the intersection of Maine and Inner Lake on
the northwest corner, there's a small triangle that's pretty much just dead and nothing in it right now. I think probably would be good to just put papers into that little area. >> You're talking about the parking lot there, but across from Cruz where the >> No, the the other west side. Go from
that parking lot west. There's a small little triangle right up against the road that's pretty much just dirt now. I'm not sure that's even irrigated. And I'm thinking we ought to probably just put papers and just call it a day. No irrigation. >> We're getting off track here. We're getting off track.
>> Yeah, that's right. >> Also, wouldn't that fall under line item 18? I'm not sure because that also includes lighting, >> but it does talk about conducting a downtown walkthrough on October 29th.
>> So, >> I think that's the original one for odds. So I guess the thing is we just need to know that we have a category to do the work he's already doing and fix you know the under number we have of 4,300 you know if we're going to
do the 15,000 but we're I think we're going to discuss the pots flower pots and approve putting the flower pots. So I almost wonder if we ought to wait to do this until after we do that. Unless you want to do this and then we could take money immediately later today and
move it >> Yeah. >> out of the 30, you know, into a category if we want. If you want to handle this in like two steps, >> the 70, the 30 and then we could take money from the 30 after we figure out how many pots, where we're putting the
pots and so on. >> Sound good? >> So move on. I I just I know there's a motion in a second, but I have a question is and I thought that's where you were going on the the northwest and east of Interlake
in Maine. We had originally discussed on phase one, but we were going to do that phase two, but I noticed there's it's landscaped now. So, it's like in front of the I I rob the bank sign. That whole area has some nice landscaping. So, who
did that and where do we see that in the budget here? >> I think that was Keep Lake Placid Beautiful, right Billy? You you guys took care of that? >> Well, that's my question. Who did that? How much was it? And I didn't know Lake Placid Beautiful. I would thank them
tremendously. Or where in the CRA budget is that money allocated? Let me just start with who did maybe that's to Harry. Who did the >> talking about? >> I don't No, this is would be on the west side of inter on the west side of Maine,
>> but on both the south and the north there's landscaping that's done. We had originally talked because it was me when you're stopped at the corner at the light you can see all four corners. We weren't certain if there was irrigation there and we said just wait. Let's get everything in in place and then we'll
come back and finish that as a phase two >> and it's finished and it looks nice. >> It was Robin's nursery that did it and y'all approved it. >> We approved that phase >> to do phase two. >> I don't recall that at all. So, in this case, TWWQ did all of the flowers and
the landscaping, but Robins did that corner. >> Correct. >> And you're saying that CRA approved that? >> Yes, you did. Where was that money in this spreadsheet? >> I mean, it looks nice and I'm glad it's done, but I don't remember. Um,
>> line 24. >> It was on a previous year budget. It's not on this one here. >> Are we talking the same location? >> Yes. where Edwards Jones and then across the way was the the old thrift store. Yes. >> So,
okay. You're saying we approved Robins to do that where TWWQ did the rest of the >> We didn't have to go out for bid. It was under 10,000. >> I I didn't hear you. >> We didn't have to go out for bid. It was under 10,000. Robins supplied all the plants for the project that TWWQ did on
Inner Lake prior to that and it was under 10,000. We just went ahead and let him >> How much was it? >> It was nine something. I don't remember the Let me see if I can find it. >> But whether it was done last year or this year, it's in here somewhere. >> So, we're
>> we just Okay. I think >> if you can just >> We have a motion in a second. >> I know. And those were my questions, Deborah. >> So, if you can just get back to me on when and where it is, I appreciate that. >> I have it right here. It was $9.90.
>> So, just under 10. Okay. >> $9,990. I'm just in the in the CRA budget where I just want to make sure that we don't have another budget amendment that we have to do as we're taking excess money and moving it.
I just need clarification on the motion. >> I'm sorry. >> Clarification on the motion. Is it still 70,000 storm water and 30,000 un unallocated? 25 unallocated and 5,000 for the overrun to cover or whatever the
odd number is to cover the >> 4,31465 for the um over cost on the flower pot item 19 and then the rest of that would go into unallocated and then the 74
and that was my um that was the amendment and I sec I did an amendment to my second as well for the same thing. >> Okay, >> got it. >> Okay, we have a motion in a second. Any
further discussion on the podium? Seeing none, we'll take it to the audience. Okay, bring it back. Pull the council, please. >> Council member Everart, >> yes. >> Council member Worley, >> yes. >> Council member Hayes, >> yes. Council member Charles,
>> yes. >> Board member Hartell, >> yes. >> Board member LeBlanc, >> yes. >> And Mayor Herbert, >> yes. And then I have a suggestion or a question on line item 18 for streetscaping and lighting. Um, I think
it would help if the streetscaping and lighting were split out. Uh, because the streetscaping is the pots I believe on Interlake, the extra ones. So, if we had split those line items, we can do that. Do you want to set a
budget for each one of those? >> Any suggestions? Alan said that if we could wait until you hear the pricing that it may help you make the decision and also whenever you're able to go through this thick packet. I think it will help gauge some of the the decisions that you'll need to be able to make for the March meeting.
>> Okay. >> It'll help us to be able to move some of those around. >> Yeah. Okay. We'll hold that for the next one then. Thanks. >> We do have the lighting is next so we can talk about that item. So, for the lighting, we have multiple options. Um, the most expensive of which
would be replacing all of the poles. We currently pay $2,750 per pole when ours are damaged and need to be replaced. uh any kind of different style and any add-ons such as outlets, flag pole
brackets, or plant holders would be additional. The cheapest ones that I found were upwards of $4,000, not including any of the add-ons. So, even if you only wanted to replace 11 poles on North Main
Street, you're looking at $44,000. If you wanted to continue depending on how much you want to allocate uh for every CRA budget year cycle um that would looked at to get past 164 polls
you're looking at 14 years to get them all done. Um so to do them all you're looking at well over half a million dollars not including whatever the cost is for the electricians to come pull them out and rewire them. And then that's assuming you get a street light
pole that matches the base that ours mount to the 18inch spacing cross. Uh if if you got anything else like a goose neck that might have a different style mounting, then you're looking at a complete reconstruction of all of the
basing and the electrical. Uh that would significantly climb even more. Um, depending on how much you want to spend on that, we could either do it in a couple two or three large phases or if you want
to go a different route and maybe just com replace the tops of them. Um, our options are slightly more limited again because we have a 3-in collar that the bells sit on top of and then have the set screws to hold them into. So, that
kind of rules out the goose necks because they have to like a 18 to 24 inch collar to slide down on just because of the weight and the windage. Um, so there are
um I don't know maybe maybe like 20 options that I've found just from like Brandon Industries. There might be more that I just haven't found yet companies that can do that. But everybody seems to be pushing to the style that has the LED connected to the circuit board. And
again, these are $646. I got a quote last year for one style. I don't think you guys cared for. It was a little bit too modern, but I just wanted an estimate, an idea. Um, so we we could go that route, but again, if that goes out, I haven't found
anybody that just sells replacement parts. It looks like you'd be re replacing the entire belt. So, anytime a light goes out, you're looking at another $600 charge um just to replace the light. So, we're
having a hard time kind of finding a style that would accept just a regular uh E26 bulb screw in. Um what we do have is the option to go
brighter. I know Miss Hayes had asked about that before. At the time I was looking at the wattage that ours were and ours were equivalent to like a two to 300 watt bulb. Uh at the time I did not realize the significant gap in
luminosity. Those poles were originally designed for 100 watt metal halli bulbs which typically produce 9 to 10,000 lumens uh when they're brand new. go slightly dimmer as years pass. That's why they
were spaced out roughly 75 ft apart because at at that brightness there was a little bit of an overlap between them. Now you're probably seeing a little bit more of a dark spot because we went with an equivalent wattage to that not lum luminosity.
So ours uh are about 5500. It's about half of what it they originally were and didn't didn't realize that I can go brighter. I've found we actually have the style that we use in our shop light. I could kind of show you uh one if
you're interested later, but um so the base of those is able to be flipped to the top or bottom. So it would basically have the the shape of a lantern, the upward flare. And I believe that would project a lot more of the light
downwards. My only concern is because of the style bulbs that when we got retrofitted to LED, those glass inserts that were inside of the other ones for the light refraction were
taken out because the LEDs would not fit in there. They wouldn't they wouldn't catch uh they they wouldn't screw down all the way. So, we don't have those refractors anymore. The only refraction you're going to get is from the texture
of the globe themselves. Uh, as a test, on Friday, I put one of ours in that we use inside of our shop. I had one on hand. It's a little bit dimmer of one, but it's 6 $54 just for
that one bulb. Um, I had a guy go out there. said it did look like a lot more was facing on the ground, but even that's only 6,500 lumens. So, to get a 10,000 lu light, which would be more equivalent to what it was designed for, they're $90 a piece for
these bulbs. Um, it's a little bit more expensive, but a lot more feasible. If we want to do a test somewhere, get a handful of these bulbs and see how much more it lights up the road. I believe it would work in areas like Deain Park, possibly
Inner Lake Boulevard. I don't think it's going to help you a whole lot in Main Street because of the the trees and those are more like 90 ft apart. So, Main Street, if you do something there, I think two years ago, we had looked at maybe doing a tree lighting project
where we had ground level lighting shining upwards. Uh, I think that kind of fell through because we had asked for a quote and then the Rob Browning I think retired at the time and it was never followed up on. Uh, if it's something you're interested in, we could try to get a new
quote for that. Um, but that's again that's not going to be cheap to run all new electric to two sides of every tree. Um, I think there's like 14 trees or so on on Main Street.
So, uh, if you want, I can buy maybe one or two or maybe even a dozen of these $90 bulbs and just do a test section to make sure it's not overly blinding to vehicle traffic. Can I can I ask you a
question? Um, is there is it you you know, we have these globes and the light goes up, it goes out. Um, do they have globes you could replace it with that have a cap on the top and a reflector that reflects the light down? So maybe using our existing setup with the right
light bulb, it would shine the light down. Or you haven't found that? >> So I haven't found that separately. Um, anytime it's got a fancy top, it's it's they want to sell you the whole pole, not just the belt. >> Because I've seen fancy globes like we have that have a black top on them. And
I was just wondering if those were a reflector to reflect the light down, but I'm not sure. >> Yeah. So, ours have the uh I believe an 8 inch diameter where they attach to the bell with the with the set screws. >> And I've seen the ones you're talking about, but I haven't seen them for sale
individually. >> These lights that you're showing us here, this this black one with the LED that shines down, you can attach this to the existing poles. >> Yes. >> Okay. And that's like $600 something dollars each. >> Yeah, I got a quote just for that one in
particular, just as an example. >> Yeah, >> but there are there's a few more designs, but again, that's the style that >> you can't just go out and replace a bulb. You're replacing the whole top. >> Yeah. If it were me, I would order personally I' I'd say order one of these
and order the other light bulbs that you were talking about and let's just march our way down somewhere and change the one top to that and then change the next light bulb and then we have our existing and we can go out and look at them. It just would need to be a place where it's
very consistent so that we can really compare them, you know, side by side. We don't want somebody's light on the front of their building to be adding to it and then we're not, you know, here it's it's a different lighting situation than there. But that would be my opinion. I
don't know what others are. >> The um the one that is the total replacement on the top and I kind of I guess the same question would be for all the lighting that whole unit does it how long is it guaranteed?
what how what kind of maybe we should look to what kind of the dollars and what kind of you know what kind of guarantee does it have for a lifelong because that seems to me be pretty easy if we just have to replace it but anyway
I do agree it would be nice to actually see it so before we commit >> I want to say the average was about maybe 10,000 hours uh 10 to 20,000 hours I'm not exact I did look it up at one time.
Um, but I also counted it up and for the price we're paying for the current bulbs, we could replace our bulb 30 times uh before the price of reaching uh one of these brand new. >> It does seem like the easiest option,
but maybe we could get a couple and see see the differences. >> Yeah. Yeah. And and like I say, there there was more styles than just this. Um, this just kind of closely matched something that we have like over at Raceway, I believe, has these exact
ones. >> So, I think we need ranging between 50 and 100,000 operating hours. I mean, to me, it's like, what's the problem we're trying to solve? We want to get brighter lighting. And then I
know there's folks that yeah, we want it to look better, but if we're talking $100,000 and we got so many other things that need to get done in this town, we need to go after the better lighting. And to me, I've always thought, I mean,
Main Street is a problem, but if Main Street can't be fixed, maybe it needs more light poles. I don't know. But I personally am not a proponent of spending $400, $600 on this to test it versus negotiate with the vendor to say,
"Give us a demo. Get out here. Here's our problem. Bring us a demo. We don't want we want to test it out and you could get a contract for sizable. If you can do something like that and get a couple demos that they set up so that we can see is that something we want, I'd
be okay because there's no money. if not I mean and I know bulbs are expensive so I I really do like the idea and I support you know finding an area Allen and I appreciate the research that you've done on this continuously for the
last six months since we've been talking about it um to see where would a good area to put whatever number you think four five put them there and that we could be able to see a difference and go from there I mean we've already got the polls right we've got a fixed fixture
there to just replace the poles with something because I don't think those poles are that old. I think Aren't they five, six years old or something like that? >> You're going to tell me 20, 30, right? >> Yeah. Yeah, they've been here since before I started. >> Okay. >> I I agree with you. It's probably very
likely that somebody would bring a light for us to test out. Did you talk to any lighting consultants? because I think I I gave like two cards for lighting consultants I met at the Florida Redevelopment Association convention and those guys, you know, would come in for
free, analyze our lighting situation, give us options and stuff like that. Have you talked to any consultants in that capacity or are you just looking on the internet yourself? >> I'm just researching myself. We did have, I believe, Ewald probes to look at it uh year years ago. Um, I think we
kind of burned that bridge because we went to them for ideas all the time and then I just implemented it myself and we never hired him. >> Yeah. I I think this is a situation where one of those consultants who come here for free and probably do just like what you're saying. Bring us a light
that we could test out or something. But, you know, these guys, they work in historic downtowns all over the place. And it's like we're trying to figure out what to do. Most of these guys already have figured all of it out and they know what works and what doesn't. And you know, they'll give you all the
calculations as to what's going to put the light on the ground the best, what's going to fit on certain poles. And and I agree, I don't think we should be replacing our poles. Now that you've painted them, they all look great and they'll last for a very long time. We just need to be looking at what we're doing on the top of these poles. So, um
I I think it might be time to just talk to a consultant and get their feedback on it. And um I think I gave a few cards for that and see if they'll do like you know Colleen says, "Bring a light, let us test it, prove to us, you know, it works." >> Yeah. >> Cards.
>> Okay. Yeah. Yeah. That's definitely something worth looking into. I didn't know that could be a free service. >> Because what we talked about before is one, we want brighter lights, but we also want to make sure it's not blinding cars and people. And so, you know, I don't know if four or five is the right
amount in the spot. I wouldn't I wouldn't be spacing them out, but cluster them in one area so we can really get, you know, as you're coming, you know, call it west or east on Inner Lake, you're going to be able to go around it and determine Oh, that's not good. I mean, how many in total in Deain
Park lights? >> 17. >> 17. >> Yeah. And these new lights here, these are down lights. They just shine down. So, I don't know that you'd see any direct light in your eyes on these particular ones. Um, my concern with
these is because they are downward facing, they are supposed the pole is supposed to be uh spaced out two to three times the height of the pole. So ours are too far apart as it is. So they're supposed to really be ideally 50 to 60 feet
apart. So this only being 15t tall and that being downward facing, you'll have you'll likely end up with shadows in between them. >> Yeah. Well, I think if we were to even put one up, you know, along Inner Lake on one of those, we'd see the difference between that and the other ones because
the other ones is, you know, lighting the trees and the rooftops and they do a very poor job of lighting down. So, even though these ones maybe ought to be closer, I don't know that they won't be better than what we have now, which isn't really shining down so much as
it's shining up. I just think it's worth a try as an experiment. see what works, you know, and then try your brighter light bulbs and, you know, do it on the same strip. Boom, boom, boom. Try a couple options. Walk it at night. See what it looks like.
>> The most important thing you want to do when you're doing all of this lighting stuff is make sure that you don't have a whole bunch of light in one area and very dark in the next one, then big light. You're much better to have a little lower lumens and have it consistent across the board than it is to have 10 or 12 up here and have five
down there. So, uh, I think it's real important that and when you're talking about Ellen about when they have, you know, it's three times the height of the pole and all like that, that's so that the cone of luminance doesn't doesn't like overshadow each other. It has to come over a little bit, but um, but not
a lot. I think what's a third or fourth of of the cone should should overlap. I don't remember now. It's been a while. But um I think it's difficult to determine what's going to happen with one with one like because then you're going to see that one spot and say, "Oh
yeah, this would be great." But it depends and you don't as as Colleen said, you don't want to blind people. And when you're walking along, you don't want to be blinded by that light so that you can't identify a predator or anything like that. So um it's it's good
to have light but consistent across the board is really what you're looking for. >> Yeah. And these consultants can give us drawings based on the light pole locations now and the drawings will tell us what the light is near the pole and as you get further away what it is and then next one coming up. So they they
analyze all of those things and probably do that stuff for free just to help you know sell us on their products. So I don't know. I'd be interested to see what they say. You can call them Are are we ready to uh move on to road paving or do you have any more questions
regarding lighting or prefer a different style instead of that? Um, any ideas on something less modern? >> I think
I think the design is fine. I think we're we're just trying to look for the efficiency. >> Yeah. And I I've seen these now a lot and um in historic downtowns and, you know, bigger cities and it just seems like it's all going this direction now.
Um because everybody's trying to get away from up lighting and get into down lighting and this seems to be the answer, you know. And then then you know the big question is what do you do when the light bulb burns out? But I think these light bulbs probably don't usually go out all at once and it's like you
know the LED diodes start maybe burning out. So maybe they start getting less light over time. I'm not sure. But it is important to know what the hours are and do you have to replace the entire head or can you re replace the light itself inside of it? I'm interested in what the
answer to that is. >> Yeah, I can I can check with a local electrical wholesaler and maybe it's maybe you just don't buy the parts from that company. Maybe I can get it at uh electrical place CWS or what whatever's up in Sebring there.
>> Yeah. So, I'm cool with you know this style light. Um, I just want more information, you know, if you can get some before we make some decisions. >> I guess how that will work if you're going to go ahead. I'd like to see it as soon as possible just because we've been
talking about this so long, but um maybe you could just email us and let us know where the locations are so we could individually go by and look at it so we'd be ready for the next meeting. I was considering just uh basically
using Devain Park as a test. Uh I mean if it is too bright it'll kind of blind you going at it, but at least you're going around a circle and not staring at them the rest of the way around. That might be better than >> Okay, thank you. >> Middle of the road. >> I'd probably rather see it on Inner Lake
because that's where the problem is. You know, Inner Lake and Maine, but someplace like that. But I don't know. I mean, I guess just somewhere that we can look at is better than >> Inner Lake is not the problem. Maine and Deain are the problem. Interlake is not the problem.
>> And especially if we're going to have exercise equipment on Deain, it's going to get some more activity, too. And I think early hours and even late when it, you know, to beat the heat. So, I think Deain Park, I'd like to see that.
>> Good with Deain then. That's fine. ready for streets. She wanted to make one. >> Councilwoman Hayes, I think we're we're trying to give you a bunch of information so that you'll have something to vote on at the next meeting. Uh so I requested uh proposals estimates
for uh five of our roads. Three I believe were kind of high priority. Um one or two moderate and just one low priority. Uh the estimates I came up with came up a little shy of what they actually ended
up being between six and $10,000 higher. Um I guess >> yeah. So what I would uh advise you do first is Waldo Aiff
Street. Um so they gave us a couple options. I would absolutely go with the slightly higher option which is only a maybe three $4,000 difference. I think there was an old cold joint
uh where it had been paved up to a point before the flare. Uh say if you're heading north on Waldo AF and mobile station would be on your right and you're facing Dow Hall. Um it's an extra $4,000 to go from before that concrete
divider starts to go from there up to Dow Hall. So we might as well go with that. Uh but having said that I believe it is 34 thou or $35,1440 and it looks like the pavement marking
would be an additional 2500. So, you're looking at about uh 37. Yes, about 37,600. >> Are these going to be in the order you would recommend, Alan? Because I look to you as knowing the condition of the roads and I'm sorry, I don't even know
where Waldo >> A is. So I would look to your recommendation on where we can put >> the the dollars for the biggest bang for our buck. >> Okay. So that was formerly uh Eucalyptus
app, the road that goes between uh Inner Lake and Dow Hall behind Dollar General. >> Behind the Dollar General. Okay. People cut straight across from Publix. >> Yes. >> Behind the ball fields are there. >> Uh PL um >> site. Okay. And it goes into Walgreens,
right? So it's Publix. It's also in the Kimley Horn packet. >> Yeah. Okay. >> They they they just included uh the drawings I provided them. >> So, is that your number one recommendation? >> Yes. It's >> the 345,000 and that includes the little
extension that you had recommended. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, we're talking about the road um behind the um Culver's that they're about to build. >> Yep. >> Is that right? Should be we be waiting till they're done building so that they're not driving over fresh asphalt
road. I wonder and is the CRA you asking CRA to pay the whole amount or are we paying part of the amount? Um I think there was some places where we said seemed like the district ended maybe in the mid you know it wasn't fully in the CRA district. I don't know if that's one of
>> Walders would be the entire mount the half and half would be Plaza Avenue behind the tower. I didn't understand. >> I I don't sorry I didn't understand. >> Waldo lift is the third to last page in
the Kimley Horn packet. >> It's it's CRA. >> So yeah, >> but you do raise a good point. at least have that discussion with the Culver people to see where's their construction work going to be done in the timing to
make sure that we don't pay we don't overlay and then they come and >> I think any any damage they do they would have to repair um I wouldn't recommend waiting for them to finish because then that'll push you into another year we might ask for this
to be done and EPI might be booked out for the next six months it may not happen. So, I mean, I can probably get a better timeline from EPI, uh, which might help us make that decision if we could put it out but still get it done by the end of this
year. >> So, do we have money set in our budget right now for asphalting roads? >> No. >> So, you're asking us to add money to our budget in a category? >> I'm sorry. There is money set aside in
CRA. There is not in the town budget, >> right? So, which line item are we looking at and how much money do we have in the CRA budget now to help with asphalting roads? I mean, I see one that says sidewalks,
streets, roads for $45,000. I apologize. There was not uh money specifically allocated to this this year. It was put back on the list uh as a potential project, but there was no money set aside for it.
>> So as >> what is line item 15 then? Wouldn't this be in that category? And I pulled my original budget sheet that has 55,000
for roads and this is saying 45,000. So I thought we had roads in there because we talked about that as a priority. >> So if we look at um item 15 Oh, I see what you're saying. I apologize. I was getting ready to see um downtown signage.
That would be correct. >> Line item 15 is sidewalks, streets, and roads. >> Yes, correct. 45,000. >> Waldo is one of the most used roads in the town. It's a cut through, so you don't have to go out on 27. You can just
go straight through Inner Lake right over to the shopping plaza. and it's extremely but busy and then with Culver's coming in it's going to even get more traffic on it. We did do the sidewalks there which was a big plus so people aren't walking in the streets
with their strollers so that was a big big help for our public but it is very I use it almost every day but everybody else does too just just so you know you it keeps you from going out into the traffic on 27.
So, it seems like there's, if you add all these up, about $185,000 in road work here. Um, so while I do agree the CRA, you know, um, you know, should and could pay for asphalting some roads in the CRA district, um, you know, I don't
want to spend all of the money, you know, all at one time on that. I mean, so maybe this year we pave a road, next year we pave a road or something like that. Um, I'm cool with that. But I'm wondering, are all these roads completely in the CRA district or not? All of them are.
>> All of them except Plaza. >> Plaza. >> Hillrest is not in the CRA. >> Hillrest Park is not. Hillrest Street is Magnolia has a big pothole and it's
starting to deteriorate to the point where we're going to have to spend the money. If it gets down into the bed of that one, we got to do something with that somewhat because you don't want it to get into the bed of it. Then we have to go spend twice as much money. >> I I think it would be helpful too. So
again, I'm pulling apparently it's an old budget sheet, but we have road paving and we allocated money for four years out, right? So this one was 55, 50, 50, and 50. My guess is the 55 became 45, but I bet you the 5050 is
still out there. So I think it's important that we identify where we have issues and then we prioritize year after year and stick to the plan unless something really is a greater priority.
And like we said earlier, get moving, right? We we talk and talk and talk. This is something Allen has come to town meetings. He's come to CRAAS. And if you're saying the 35,000, which is within the $45,000 budget right now, is his top priority,
I support that. And if we need to have a motion right now, you know, he's done the work in that. Um because if not, we're going to come back next month and talk about it again. And we're going to not change anything because it's in his budget. staff is
recommending who is the expert and has continued to recommend short of begging us. We need to get these roads repaired. >> That sounds like a motion to me. >> I said if I need to make a motion, I'll make the motion to authorize staff to
proceed with the $35,000 Waldo. Wherever Waldo is. No, I'm joking. >> It it would be >> Okay. Yeah. street to to go ahead. >> The the the paint striping adds another 2500. So, it's probably closer to 37
38,000. >> All right. I'll second that. >> That that one I believe uh needs it most. If you would like to look through the rest and maybe decide more at the next meeting, that's fine as well.
>> And and is the order you have it listed your priority order? >> I have on there priority level, high moderate and low at the bottom of my >> sheets. >> And then uh either we'll finish this motion and
then do a second motion that on the uh spreadsheet for outgoing years, he adds line items for the subsequent areas. >> Yeah, I said I'll do a second motion. Are are are you wanting to pull money ahead because typically we don't in this
year start making recommendations approvals for the outy years until that budget comes. >> Council board, I'm sorry. >> Please look at 15 really fast. >> So under sidewalk, streets and roads,
it's highlighted. And if you look to the GL account 103-541600, take and add up your 45, it's going to be the downtown signage. We've clumped it in there. I think we're going to have to take and pull out the streets by itself because then under the downtown
signage, if you drop down, then we have downtown flags and banners. It's also coming out of that same GL account at 15,000. And then you see the streetscape and lighting. So those three projects are coming out of that that item 15 for sidewalk, streets, and roads that total
the 45,000. >> But we have the you have the opportunity because we have other projects we haven't worked on. But that's where we need to prioritize or council. We need in the in this board, we need you to prioritize which ones are going to be first priority.
But those projects fall under the sidewalk, streets, and roads. And we probably need to pull it out again where Allan has his roads separated out from those individual projects. And I'm sorry, Councilwoman Charles, you were you were correct. There was at one
point, very early on, um I know when I first started working with the CR, there was like a hundred,000 that we had there for streets at some point, but I don't know that it was allocated just for streets. I think it was clumped together with some of these projects still under the same umbrella.
>> Actually, it's not what I'm looking at. I'm looking at the five-year capital improvement schedule where we approved line one and it has all of those are separate road paving 55,000 and then separate downtown
flags and banners 15,000 streets street saping 20,000. So the the report that I'm looking at which shows the different outy years. No, I'm looking at I carry this with me to try to determine. >> That's fine. I'm just trying to understand what you're looking at so
that we could all be on the same page. That's the only reason I was asking. >> I mean I I would be surprised if all of a sudden we took all of those which were important and condensed it down to just 45,000 when we know the cost of paving
is is that alone. Al also the line item 15 is 45,000 and you're saying that includes the one two three four things under there but then it adds to 65,000.
>> So it's not adding it's the numbers are not. >> And what about line item 29 down here? That's $15,000 for Taylor Park sidewalks. You have line item 26
down hall parking and sidewalk. >> That's another 60,000 there. >> Can Can I just add in your packets was the most updated CIP that was done at budget time and road paving was removed
and you had 50,000 50,000 and 50,000 for the following years. This was the most updated CIP that was done for the 2526 budget. And that's what column F is really
looking at on your other spreadsheet. Column F is what you adopted in 2526. So, so our road paving money is not 25 26. It's 26 27 8 and 9. Correct.
>> Okay. So why is that in here under year-to- date budget 2526 in these columns like column um column or should I say row 30
column F 15,000 that says year-to- date budget. So that's row 44 column F 30,000. And that says sidewalks and streets and some things and some things that
needed to be done. Survey for Serenity Village, I think, or something like that. Alan, is it your understanding that we took all of the road paving request funds out of this current year from CRA? I don't
>> know. It was taken out last year and that's why we weren't able to pave anything that last year and I definitely made sure that we were able to this year. >> Um >> I just don't remember. >> It's Yeah, I mean it's possible. You asked me to pick the five worst and come
back to you with numbers. Maybe that's why it's just not there. >> Yeah, I just I mean >> maybe I just don't recall that. And if so, why did we because of you know kind of the strong support that the roads are deteriorating and there's a lot of
potholes and chunks that are going to cause and have safety damage in that. How about if we take the money from um the doll hall parking and re and move it to
ALF? There's 60,000 in that in that line item. >> Can you give us an line item number? >> Okay. Um so line line item 26 is doll hall parking and sidewalk.
There's 60,000 in there. Move that over to Waldo Aliff 103541600. >> There's a separate line item for Waldo. C >> can I just clarify one thing? So, are you saying that line item 15 that says
45,000 does that does not have 45,000 in that category by itself? Because everything underneath has its own line item amount. So, it seems to me like there is 45,000 in that one line item that we could draw
from. I do agree with um council member Everheart. If we take that money and we move it over to 15103541600, that will give us the money we need. So, is that a motion in a second? Will you I think you have a motion.
>> Well, we already have motion in a second. You could just add that to your motion and then have Miss Ken amend his motion. We have a motion on the floor we have to vote on. But there's we have to find the money. So if you want to amend
that would work in if you want to amend your motion to just go ahead and do that >> before bouncing funds uh back and forth. Do you just want to wait until we get everything clarified and come back next month?
I I think this one's clear that we have money allocated for paving and sidewalks for the Dell Hall that I think we pretty much know that maybe that's not a priority.
Your projects are a priority. And so if since it sounds like the discussion is we agree that street is a priority and that the other is not, I'll amend my motion to authorize
uh staff to pursue the proper paving and strikeing on Waldo Avenue. And second, and in addition, um, to
transfer the budget line item from Dell Hall parking and sidewalk to road paving. Okay, I'll amend my second to match her amendment. And I guess I have a question. Is the
Dell Hall is 60,000? I mean, I'd like to amend it to say to move the 60,000 to road paving and then that may give him even a chance on another project there. But I think you said it's going to be just short of 40,000. It's like 35 something and
change and another 2500 for striping. Uh yeah, 35,000 I don't have that page up. 35,144. Um and then >> plus 255750. So that's kind of a question to us is do you want to just move the whole 40,000 I
mean the whole pot for the Dell Hall sidewalks and paving >> the rest? >> I didn't move at all. I wanted to get his project going, but that's where it's a question is should I just move should we just move it all >> to do anything else because
>> I would say just move it because we have the that's just one project we need to address that's critical. Okay. >> Then that would give us extra money to look at the other projects. >> So So I'll amend my motion to include moving that um from the Dell Hall paving
and sidewalks to the road paving. Do you amend the second? >> Yes, I amended the second. Yeah, I agree with that. >> So, if I understand this correctly, um GL account number 103541600
is now going to have $105,000 in that line item. 40 45 plus 60 All right. Thank you. However, what we said earlier, it'd be helpful to break it as
its own road paving versus the streets signage and that >> for tracking purposes. >> Yes. >> That's that's all I have for that. But if we do move that over, that would uh that would allow us to do two potentially three roads. That's in the
past that >> we we need to we have a motion and a second, right? >> Oh, sorry. >> So before we move on, we need to go out anything here out to the audience and vote. >> Okay, we got a motion in a second. Any further discussion?
Take it to the audience. All right, bring her back. Pull the council. >> Council member Charles, >> yes. >> Council member Board Member Leon, >> yes. >> Council member Hayes, >> yes. >> Council member Wley, >> yes. >> Council member Everart, >> yes. >> Board member Hartzel,
>> yes. >> And Mayor, >> here. Yes. We are all set with the CRA portion. Then um we would like to meet with each one of you. If you have time whenever you review the Kimley Horn, you um identify the priorities so that when we
come back in March, we can set the priorities and have a a game plan for us moving forward with how you would like to move the rest of the money and start seeing projects move forward. C >> can I ask you something? I thought we were going to talk about the pots on Inner Lake. uh five pots versus 11 pots
versus 13 pots. Do we need to give you an okay on going forward with that? I think we do. Yeah. All right. So, let me just say a little bit. So, we had a a meeting out there um
with Harry and Billy and um the chief. And uh so we sat down and went over a drawing that um Harry had from when we walked through I think back in October
and we identified where we wanted to uh put these pots. Um there was some question um you know Billy wanted to put them all on PA areas. Um I wanted to put them on pa other areas. So, um, so
bottom line, if we were to put them on just the PA areas, that would be five areas, right, Billy? Um, and to me that seems very underwhelming. So, to go down the entire of Inner Lake and only have them in the places we happen to have
pavers. So, um, going down the street, we had identified, uh, planter areas where we could put the pots in the planter. So most cases we didn't need to remove any landscaping to do it. We could stick it in between existing landscaping and put irrigation into it.
And that was a total of the five um plus six more which would have been 11. And then there was two more down by Walgreens um landscape areas in those no pavers there. And I really think we should have one in each side of the
street in those landscape areas also. Um because when people, you know, turn in, you know, come down inner lake, I want the to see the flowers. And I just think in a historic downtown, flowers get people into the downtown, out of their cars and things like that. So I think
flowers are very important in a historic downtown. And um so I think personally I think we should have 13 total um starting at right at the Walgreens entrance there and then down just past Billy's office there would be three and
so on and so forth. Um I don't know what your guys' thoughts. There is a drawing here very long drawing that shows the entire road and shows all the locations that we want to put them in. I don't know if you have pictures of those locations that you can show, but um anyways,
>> personally, I don't want to second guess you guys. You've done all the work, you know, so whatever you think is best is fine with me. Somebody already put flowers there by Walgreens. >> That that was part of the the project we did.
>> Yeah. In the ground project on that those plants flower red. >> Yeah. We don't want to take those out as you put them in. They're nice. One of my issues is putting pots in there and then those bushes grow up. You don't even see the pot. You'll just see the >> the flowers in the top. And >> these pots are $1.99.50 a piece.
>> All right. >> It's $15,593.50 for 13 pots loaded with flowers. But those bushes are designed to grow up and make one big bush. So, you're just going to cover the pot and see the flowers. That's the only disagreement I have with
the pots. These pots are like three foot tall. So these are the largest pots that we have on Maine. So the biggest pot and then the flowers would be above that. Now on Maine, we have vertical things in the middle and then we have flowers around it. The idea on Inner Lake is that it would only be flowers, nothing
vertical in the middle of it. Um but um you know I I I know in the past we had landscaping that that got very big. Um, personally, I don't think we should have landscaping going um, you know, three foot high. I think it should be kept
lower. Um, but of course over time these things want to grow and you got to maintain them. So to keep them lower, you got to cut people to help take care of it. Now we have more staff and bushes aren't supposed to be down here. They're supposed to grow up. And that's how those were designed. That's how I talked
with uh, Alex at TWWQ. He told me how he laid them out and how they were supposed to be once they matured. I think five pots downtown is going to be very underwhelming on Inner Lake. You know, I mean, Main Street has >> that before we did that whole project. >> 10 locations of three pots each and then we're going to go down Inner Lake and
drop one pot here, one pot there, and have a total of five pots. You know, I just think that the people on Inner Lake, the businesses there are going to think that we we, you know, it just like they got jipped. You know, I think they should start at Walgreens and they should work their way all the way down
to Inner Lake and Maine. And I think uh if we have a pot there, I think we just need to make sure that we don't let the hedges get taller than the pot. Um I think I I I think it's fine if the hedges get up close to the top of the pot. I don't think it should get higher than it. And and I also, and I said this
when we were talking about doing Inner Lake landscaping that I don't think the town staff probably ought to be the ones taking care of landscaping on Inner Lake. I think eventually we need to hire a company, put it out to bid and get a company to maintain that stuff once it starts growing tall enough that, you
know, we need some real maintenance on it. But that's just my thought. >> I don't want to spend $15,000 on pots that we and we put a planting in there and that's going to cover up the plot. The pot, why don't we put a plant in there that isn't going to grow like that? I mean, is that really that
difficult to put a plant in these pots that's just going to grow round like an impatience or something like that? That and it doesn't have to be a vine that goes all the way down to the ground. >> So, I had it estimated for flowers and stuff that do not grow high. >> That's what these are.
>> But you plan these for impatience or something like that, right? I mean, flowers that from the top of the pod are going to grow up, I would assume about like that, right? I don't know how to say a lot of these plants, but I spoke with Charles today and he on his estimate, the plants he
has in here are plants that are supposed to be good for year round and not grow tall like we have them out there on South >> Main. But I'm I'm hoping that these are flowering. >> They're basically flowers,
>> you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I mean flowers matter in downtown >> from a visibility point too. You don't want this whole concept to be higher than about 3 ft. And if your pot is already 3 ft, then you don't want another foot growing up of flowers
because now you have you can't see around it like short people like me, we're you know we're going to be hidden by the plot by the pot. >> Yeah. I mean, I would expect they grow up about a foot like impatients grow up about like this. But we were with >> Chief Snider. It's real easy. Three in one is four. Now you got four feet.
Well, everything I ever learned in in in environmental design is that this stuff doesn't go higher than 3 feet, not four feet. No higher than 3T and a tree canopy down no lower than six feet. So, you have a 3ft to six foot window. Well, now you're going to put a three-foot pot and a one foot plant. Now, you got four
feet. >> Well, we walked it with the chief and we specifically made sure that we weren't putting it in any place that was going to create a sight triangle issue. Um, >> I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about just basic personal safety as you walk down Inter Lake. I'm not talking
about what you see when you go around a corner. I'm talking about personal safety walking down Inter Lake. Am I going to feel safe? Am I going to feel safe at 5t tall hiding behind a 4ft planting as I walk down Interake? No, I'm not.
>> This is only like three foot in diameter. This is not huge, you know. Pop this big. Pop that round. see that. >> So, I I appreciate people walking and coming up with ideas, but typically the next step is to I
haven't seen a design a proposal or anything. So, is there I mean you you've got some landscape plans. Has that been shared? >> No, this is a new one. This is for more pot. But which I don't know which one and
where they're going to go. This is the >> you need to talk into the microphone. Yeah, this is that's where it's going to be awkward because typically it would be back in the package. So >> interlink mean starts there and then all the way down, you know, towards 27 in this direction. The red dots is where we
looked at putting the pots. >> This is new. >> No, we've already had this, >> Ken. This is new. >> I'm sorry. >> No, Ken. Um, this is new because then we had one and then you walked and said we need to put some pots. >> Yeah, we walked this back in October, I
believe, and these were added back then. But yeah, I I don't know. >> This this was not given to anybody, >> right? >> So, we pulled it back out when we did our walkth through and just reviewed it again. Well, we didn't do a walk through. did a meeting um a couple weeks
ago and we pulled this back out and relooked at it and counted the locations and talked about the locations and stuff like that. So, but I don't think this ever got handed to CRA individually to look at, you know, these locations. Yeah.
>> Right. I I don't recall how much are we talking then in total? We're talking the 1,100 for 13. Is that what >> 13 pots and saying it's 15,000 something dollars if we were to go with it. But again, you know, Billy, I'm sure you
want to talk about this. He would like to see five locations, he said. Um, and I'd like 13 locations. So, we have to decide if um if we're going to do this at all, if we are going to do it. Are we talking about five locations? Are we
talking about 13 locations? So, we have to make the decision. Um, town staff is is wanting us to decide on these things. >> I'd like to hear from Mr. Brentley what we're what we're doing here. >> Bill Brantley, president of Keep Lake
Fast and Beautiful. Um the underwhelming, you know, that's a great buzz word, but so is hodge podge. You know, the problem we're having as far as we planned a long time in advance for these islands. So what a lot of these plants are pots where he wants islands. So you have a round island, you have a
tree in the middle, you have a rim of plants there that grow higher, rim of plants that grow a little bit lower outside those. We we planned all this up and down in Lake. He wants to put a pot not in the middle, just kind of in the side, you know, kind of in the random place. I'm a symmetrical kind of person,
you know. I like the tree in the middle, the surroundings to put plants in planters that we've already designed for for the most I think the best look that we could have for the town. It's going to be a hodge podge as far as that goes. The pots on the pavers where we already
have irrigation and plan for it. I think those pots will stand out, the plants will stand out. I think it's a great location, but Keep Lake Placid Beautiful does not support um or only supports the five locations that we have picked out that are on pavers with current irrigation, not just randomly in
planters. >> So you're saying five pots on papers with irrigation that's already there. >> That that's what keep class and beautiful supports. Yes. Thank you. Is is there any recommendation or difference of opinion on the size of
the pots because you know I'm hearing now tall one short ones. >> We were really for if you're having one pot in one lo in the pavers the larger pot was fine as far as that goes. We did walk in October. You know all those locations will not cause line of sight issues. Um so it shouldn't really be a
problem for any of those those locations. Um the other ones I think were decent locations too. was just in the middle of already designed and laid out plans. It just it just didn't look right to me. >> And and the the people who walked was yourself, Harry, the chief, and Mr.
Leblanc. Were there more Charlotte? Did you No, >> the five of you with the walk. >> Yep. >> And is the pots you're recommending on the five the same size as the pots on Inner Lake? >> I didn't really They said three foot pots. They were going to try to get everything is kind of matching through uh Robins. I didn't really pick up the
plot. It's the large ones that are on South and North Main. >> Okay. >> But yeah, the same color everything plots. >> Yeah. I I personally didn't know we went from certain sections to 11. So, I mean, this
conversation's been helpful. I didn't see um that map. And I know when I originally when we talked about the inner lake, both main avenue, both sides, it was the concern. Is there anything we can do on Interlake? And there were these certain triangles and
I'm assuming that may be where these are certain huge triangles that a pot could just sit right in the middle. >> Triangular like brick pavers today. That's just an empty brick paver. >> Okay. How about to get things moving along, we do a compromise and do the
five pots on the pavers for now. See how it looks and revisit it. Second. What what about the the other areas that are just planted in flowers right now? Can we retain that? >> Just keep that the way it is. Just put
the five pots where there are papers for starters. >> Mhm. >> And then we'll come back whenever if we want to add more. >> Is that a motion? >> That's a motion. >> I'll second it. >> Yeah, it's a step in the right direction. We're getting pots out there.
>> Yep. >> And hopefully we can come back later. We know the locations. If we want to add more, we've already done the walk. We already got this, which I'll give back to town staff and they can hold on to in case we decide we want to come back later.
>> It would be nice to see the plan for the whole street after, you know, just do the five and then see the rest of the plan and then we could review it. Okay, we got a motion in a second. Other comments from the podium hearing? None. We'll take you to the
audience. All right. Seeing none, bring them back. Pull the council. >> Council member Ebahart. >> Yes. >> Council member Charles. >> Yes. >> Council member Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council member WH. >> Yes. >> Board member Hartzel. >> Yes. >> Board member Leblanc.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Hbert. >> Yes. All right. Anything else come before the CRA? >> Yeah. >> I just wanted to back up and ask um a question. I just quickly that Kim Lehorn that you put in front of us. I just
quickly glanced at it because I was the understanding that we were looking to hire somebody for project management of our projects because of and I want to make sure that the new attorney agrees doesn't need to be tonight but that our
CR charter does allow us to hire somebody to do project management and then those costs could be charged to the CRA. We were told that we could, but I'm kind of confused because this Kimley Horn contract is saying engineering
services and it's $216,000. So, is are we looking at Kimley Horn to do engineering services or just a project management? So, we you'll have to go through it because you'll see that we
again we just received it when we met with them. We asked them to go through each item that we have on the project list and to give us a breakdown for each task that was listed there because we did have an engineer that was on staff originally when this um list was created. So, they've broken it down.
That's the overall total cost for everything on this list and that's where we need this um board to be able to prioritize and tell us what you want. We're not saying you have to go with this. We just brought this forward because you instructed us to have someone else to be able to do the services since we are limited on town
staff. >> Do do we have a town engineer today? >> We do not have a town engineer. >> We never replaced. >> We did not. >> Okay. Okay. Yeah. So, we just need to look at this very carefully because I thought it was just to hire somebody to do project management
>> and this is saying engineering services on each of these. >> We do have a project manager though that is on staff. That's what I thought that through the budget we had a project manager. >> Yes, ma'am. We So, we have a project manager. We just need to prioritize this and then move it forward >> whether you use them or not.
>> I see in my notes from the November 7th 25 meeting that um we want to include a project manager with some leftover funds after freeing up the Hillrest property as they were not in the CRA. Include a project
manager with some leftover funds. Our CRA is not set up to hire a person. We really cannot revise the CRA because that's quite the process. But Charlotte will find out if we can use CRA funds to hire consultants. So I don't know if you ever got a chance
to follow up on that or not. >> I did and our expert is actually here. She's just right behind me. It was um Miss Jennifer Cotto Salisbury with the Central Florida Regional Planning. So we did confirm that. All right. Anything else come before the
CRA? If there's nothing meeting adjourned. >> Uh let's let's take about 10 minutes before we start the next meeting. I don't even know her. He'll be here in a minute. Maybe he left. >> He ran to the restroom.
being 7:19. I'll now call to order the regular meeting of the Lake Placid Town Council and the Government Center in the great town of Lake Placid. this February 16, 2026. I've already had an invocation and a
pledge. Uh, clerk, would you please call the role? >> Mayor Hullbrook >> here. >> Council member Hayes >> here. >> Council member Wley >> here. >> Council member Charles >> here. >> Council member >> here. Okay.
Before we get started, last week we hired a a new firm. And at this time, I would ask uh Mr. Cliff Rhodess if he would like to come up and introduce his staff. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh before I do, I
want to uh say something that I intended to say last Monday evening, and that is I've known Bert Harris III for 45 years. I've tried cases against him. We've worked together on cases. We may have done a couple of things that were
associated with this town. And I'm going to I'm going to warn everybody upfront that there is no way that that these individuals that are with me can come close to doing for this town what Bert Harris did through those years. I am so
appreciative of the friendship that I have, the the commod camaraderie I have with Mr. Harris, and he will be, I think, sorely missed by this town. I love this man and I and I just simply
think that uh uh he is he he served this town well and I just uh I just had to say that and I thank Bird for for all that he's done for this town. Again, as I said, I have business I've had business in this town, continue to have business in this town and want to do
what I can to support this town. But Bert Harris did a great job. With that, I'll introduce uh uh with us today is Cara Groves. Cara uh comes from Mount Dora. She came down this morning. She'll be staying at a hotel in Sebring overnight. We got other unrelated work
to take care of. Uh but she is here and she is prepared to assist with legal representation of the of the town of Lake Placid. And sitting next to the mayor to his left is Mike Durham. Mike
uh apparently you all know a lot of you know Michael. He grew up in Lake Placid. As I said the other evening, he's board certified. Is it city, county, city, and local? >> Close enough. >> Okay. >> Close enough.
>> Board certified. >> Grown up. >> For a number of years, maybe 10 or 12 years with the Florida Bar and that with that certification. Uh, speaking for myself, as I said last week, I'm 71 years old. I'm trying to slow down. I'm told I will not retire, but um so I I
hopefully will slow down, but I am there and here to give any backup support uh that these two need uh by way of assisting this town with this legal representation. We are pleased that you considered us. We are happy to to
perform the services that we can perform for this town and we will do the best we can and I thank you for your confidence in our firm. Any questions for me? Sensing none, I'm going to sit down >> before we get started. You got anything
you'd like to say? >> I think Cliff said it all, but thank you. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, we have to press the button here. See, that's the first thing I need to do is get the directions here. Um, I don't know how much I've actually grown up. I have to hold it. >> Don't hold it. Let go.
>> No, you don't need to hold it. >> Okay. Well, now that I got the button issue resolved, um, thank you everyone and I'm looking forward to helping uh the town council and helping out the town. I'm pretty familiar with the folks in the town and uh I think like Cliff I think does offer a good support system
and like Cliff, I've known uh Bird Harris for many of years and and he has really done the town folk and I think everybody would agree with that a great service. Um, so a lot of sweat and equity went into that and I don't know if we could could never fill the shoes, but we'll try to do the best to keep the
keep the edges off. Thank you much. All right, at this time I'll open it up for public comments on any items that are non-aggenda items. >> Good evening, Marlene Berger. 7 60 Sunset Point Drive. I'm a resident of the town and welcome, Michael. We
appreciate you having here. So, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, council members, town administrator, people in the chamber, and people listening from other locations. First, I want to acknowledge that at last week's meeting, I did not express myself as clearly as I
intended. My purpose was not to offend but to affirm the core principle of municipal government to serve the residents of this jurisdiction. Over the past several months, I have observed residents in this town and at times even
members of the dis being dismissed or prevented from fully participating in the decision-making process. When the concerns of citizens are sidelined while while outside groups or non-residents are given greater influence, public
trust is eroded and the spirit of representative government is compromised. For that reason, I respectfully request that the town administrator and council reaffirm the commitments to the following. One,
prioritize residents input in policy and spending decisions. Two, disclose outside influence or coordination. Three, refrain from bypassing the town council or town residents in major
actions and decisions. Last week, this body took a very positive step forward by selecting a new town attorney to serve the interest of the community. I applaud the mayor and especially council member Eberhart for helping bring
closure to a difficult and concerning process. The legitimacy of town government depends on accountability to the people who live here and fund it. With that principle in mind, I ask each
of you to commit to good governments governance so we may move forward in a way that truly serves the town while the voices of non-residents may be heard and welcomed when it comes to policy and spending decisions. The voices of town
residents must take priority. That concern must come, their concern must come first. I ask that my comments be entered into the record and I will give the town clerk a copy. Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. Jack Conley, 607 Sunset Point Boulevard. Since the last uh utilities meeting was uh cancelled, can we get an update on the status of the wastewater treatment plant? The last I had heard, I'm a
member of the board. The last I had heard it was supposed to be operational end of February or so. Is that still uh online for that? Do you know? >> I don't have that information tonight.
And Mr. Warner is out tonight, so I'll be happy to get that information and contact you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Do we know why the utility meeting was cancelled? It seems like there's a lot of cancellations of that um that group
there. The flu A has gone through the town very rapidly and so we've had a lot of staff who have been out with that. So that was part of the reason why it was cancelled. >> Bill Brantley. Um, I was hesitant to come up here last weekend or last week when we were here. Um, Pam Fentress came
up here. She was offended. I was offended for her as far as people saying that her opinion doesn't really matter or doesn't matter as much as town residents. I I just I just it blows my mind. I've been dedicating my life. I've been volunteering for 20 25 years with
Chamber of Commerce. I've been 15 years as Lake Keep Lake Classic beautiful president. I have a business in town. I pay taxes, but I live one mile out of town. To someone to tell me my opinion doesn't matter or does it matter as much as them because they live in Lake June
Point? I had three houses in Lake June Point. It's not that big of a deal. It's one of those things. How much do you do for the town? Do you come up here and just about the town or do you volunteer? Do you dedicate? Do you put blood, sweat, and tears on our streets to make it better? I think those
opinions should matter. Okay. Being no other comments, we'll move to the consent agenda A and B. >> I'll make a motion that we approve consent agenda A and B. >> I'll second.
>> Uh we got a motion to second. Any other comments from the podium? Um, I just have one small change and I probably send it in late to Eva, but if you go to page four under the uh drone grant, um, it says that council requested future grant
contracts be routed through town attorney and mayor for signature when binding. My my comment I think what was discussed is it goes to the town attorney and council for mayor's signature. So the whole discussion was to not um
bypass council on grants. So page four of the minutes where it says four is consent agenda. Then it says motion. Under the motion, the first bullet says $25,000 FDLE grant
for a police drone program. chief signed anou. I think it's a grant, not the word, but due to tight submission window, council requested future grantous slashcontracts be routed through the town attorney and
mayor for signature when binding. My recommended change, it's the town attorney and council for mayor signature. We have a motion on the floor. Is there a second? >> There was.
>> Okay. All right. Do we have a We have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? Take it to the audience. Seeing none, bring it back. Pull the council. >> Council member Worley. >> Yes. >> Council member Hayes.
>> Yes. >> Council member Charles. >> Yes. >> Yes. But I don't know. Did that amendment get >> Did that correction get >> make an amend? You didn't amend your motion. She did not amend her motion. So, so
you don't agree with making the change? Is that what you're saying, Mrs. Worley? >> I don't I didn't read what you read. I don't You wanted that added. >> I'm correcting where it says it should
come to the attorney and mayor. All grants should come to the council. The discussion item and and then I had brought it up. All I'm saying is the minutes are saying that grants should be routed through the town attorney and the mayor for signature when binding. My
comment is it should be the town attorney and council for mayor signature. >> And you're talking about page four. >> I am >> I don't see that. I'm sorry. >> Can you put up page four on the screen? >> I don't I don't agree with that.
>> Okay. Okay. I don't agree that everything needs to come before council. I think when we're doing grants, um, we're going to slow down that process too much by going to council for every grant that we have. We we are employing a grant writer if I
understand correctly in the future. U, the chief did the research and and found the grant, followed through with it. As as was mentioned, I agree with going to the town attorney and going to the mayor for signature and then notify council when that's done because if we waste all
that time coming to council, we meet once a month or twice a month and sometimes you you miss the windows on these grants. As was pointed out to us last week, but the chief said if he had waited for a council meeting, he'd have missed the the window and we wouldn't have gotten the grant. And on and the
whole grant process can be a separate item, but especially on this grant included in the grant, it does ask, do you have a resolution for this grant? So that's why certain grants have to come to council for a resolution. It's part
of the grant requirements, but um so all I was saying is that was what was discussed. >> And how do you know this from the grant? >> I read it. >> Oh, you got to read the grant. We didn't get to read the grant. How did you get to read the grant? >> Well, Charlotte sent the grant to all of us. If you didn't read it, Charlotte
followed up and sent the FDLE drone grant to all of us. I think I mean Charlotte, did it go to all of us or just me? >> Yeah, it went to everybody. >> I think I think that when it goes to the town attorney, then he would the town attorney would determine whether we
needed to do a resolution, not or whatever else we needed to do. So, I'm happy with this. If it goes to the town attorney and the mayor and then they there it's reviewed. I feel comfortable with that. >> You're comfortable it grant doesn't need to come to council.
>> I am also comfortable with that. >> So So then I'm of no vote on that on that agenda. Council member Everheart, >> I don't recall a discussion
with that wording one way or the other. So, I'll go yes. Okay. >> Yeah, I think we did, didn't we? >> The vote. We voted. >> Yes. >> Yeah, I thought we did. Yeah. >> All right. All right. Anything else on three?
All right, this time we'll go to presentations and we have with us Central Florida Regional Planning Council. All right. So, good evening. For the record, I'm Jennifer Cotto Salsbury with the Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Just wanted to thank you for
the opportunity this evening to give you a brief update on the downtown master plan that we've been working on and also wanted to thank uh the town council's engagement and the many folks from the public. Um we've actually had the great
opportunity to be working on this while the town is conducting the strategic plan. So it actually works out well. But I wanted to just kind of hit some highlights on the public input that we've received to date and then uh the
conceptual goals of the plan and talk about schedule. Uh so again the the goals of the master plan are really to provide that roadmap to the future of uh what we're looking at as priorities downtown. And a lot of
what we've heard from the community is we love our small town character. Uh we know that we're going to grow, but as we do, we want to provide and continue connectivity. We've already built in a lot of connectivity with sidewalks and
crosswalks, but really connecting to the larger area of the town and really facilitating a healthy community, but you know, also really encouraging um our current businesses to stay and expand
and also promote new businesses through economic development. Um just a snapshot of uh you know what we've heard. We still have the public survey out for the downtown master plan, but um a lot of folks uh visit downtown
for dining and also shopping and then special events. And what we've heard so far is as we've looked at what are opportunities for downtown. Um folks have said more businesses um but also more of a mixed
use uh more housing downtown. And then again back to that connectivity uh walking, biking, um sidewalks, uh and also infrastructure improvements. And then really the importance of the
history that we have and also um so much of what defines downtown I remember many years ago when I came here is the landscaping, the shade, the wayfinding that aesthetic. Uh so again just kind of reiterating a
little bit deeper of a dive. Um folks would also in the the general community like to see um more options for uh retail and grocery shopping for example, um restaurants and dining, coffee shops,
um youth and family services, um offices, and then continuing to grow arts and creative businesses and entertainment venues as well. Uh and all of this will be an appendix to the master plan. So you can always go
back and refer to that moment in time uh with what folks provided. Um also comments as far as as we talk about housing for the future and looking at that geography opportunities for mixeduse buildings with residential and
retailer offices. And then also as we look at the downtown in the greater area that continued connectivity that walkability. Uh so as we look at the objectives of the plan uh you know certainly reflecting what we've heard from the
community which includes um events uh infrastructure services and I think one of the big items um I know you all are the caladium capital of the world and that brings the world literally to Lake Placid especially uh during the summer
but that balance of tourism and everyday local life Uh so as we look ahead um the plan also will include an implementation plan of shortterm uh midterm and long-term
opportunities and improvements and uh we have had the great fortune to be a part of the strategic planning process and through that we've uh displayed a conceptual map of the downtown. As you all may remember our
first workshop, we had breakout groups and folks uh everybody had a little bit of a different area that they defined as downtown. But I'm going to go to the next slide because I know this is probably a little hard to read, but um what we're looking at, and you'll see
this continually through the remaining strategic planning workshops, but to the north um the most consistent area being defined as the northern limits at this time for downtown is just north of Lake View Street. Uh up there on the map, you
can see that right there. And then as we go uh le uh to the west really following uh Lake Rashard Drive um and then keep going to capture um Deain Park and then
as we head south we actually took Main Street south to West Phoenix. And the reason is we have a mix of uses there. Uh we do have single family residential but we also have nonresidential as well. And then really kind of capping that off
on US 27. And if you remember from the first workshop we had, we talked about gateways. Where do we welcome folks to downtown and also guide them to downtown? So, we have a a map series for that as
well. Um, but we still have this this map out to get more and more feedback. Um, and we'll also talk about transitional areas that are in the downtown. And that's where, you know, you don't have a lot of uh businesses yet, but um you may have homes, which
may be offices and homes, um or just that real downtown feel that still has that residential character. Uh so overall just some of the major concepts coming to light as we develop the plan is what we've heard from folks
is continuing to develop that character, that sense of place, uh wayfinding, streetscaping, landscaping and beautifification, economic development, connectivity. And as we talk about transportation,
um, of course that includes, uh, sidewalks and bikeways and crosswalks. Uh, and this are just some concepts. So throughout the plan, uh, you'll see images. is um we have some renderings of some areas downtown and what they'll
look like, but just these are other areas of course and a lot of this um the town has uh been developing over time. But you know with the landscaping, the the signage, the the kind of the banners
on posts, things like that really create that sense of place and the street lighting. Thank you for the conversation today for the CRA as well. And then these are some concepts and if you've come to the strategic planning
workshops we have these here as well. But um no matter where we are uh water water is a great asset. But also as we look at uh rainfall and drainage we could start to really look at storm
water as an amenity to not only address our drainage but really create a way to provide for water quality uh with landscaping as well. So this is just a concept that we'd like to uh carry forward into the plan. And then as we
talk about a design aesthetic, um a guide uh over time for what could be and what things could look like. And there's a lot more detail to the goals, but I did want to hit them high level tonight. Um and as the the draft
plan is ready, it'll also be available a link to our website from the towns and it'll have um an interactive portal for folks to provide comments on the goals as well. Um but the first goal is is really to continue to establish that
distinct identity and sense of place downtown and then also that cohesive high quality design and development. And that's really consistency as we look uh at opportunities um having that architectural aesthetic.
And then also strengthening the downtown uh is that vibrant community gathering place. And a lot of what we heard is we have that going on on North Maine, but bringing that and making it contagious onto Inner Lake.
And then also again um appreciating our existing businesses and then opportunities for growth and new businesses as well. Um again that walkability and connectivity and there's so many opportunities we have um as you
know we we have sidewalks but in some places they're really really tight but we might have more opportunity to expand those have them be more welcoming. And I think a lot of the things you're already implementing in the CRA plan. Uh and
then of course that environmental aspect back to the landscaping, the trees, uh and the wayfinding and it takes a community and what we heard in the strategic planning session. Time goes fast last week, the week
before. Um, it does take a community, but those partnerships that exist and I think will continue to grow also really help the downtown area, not only with the aesthetic, the businesses, but the services and that that sense of
community. Uh, and then also back to um looking at infrastructure and storm water. Um, so these are really some of the highlights of the goals that are coming forward in the plan and um, it really does take a community. I love to
show this picture. This is up in Mount Dora. Um, but all those tiles were placed by members of the community and just great appreciation for the meetings that we're holding and the folks that have come and attended and are really
willing to um, be a part of it. This is really the town's plan uh as it evolves and we appreciate the opportunity to be your scribes. Um we are looking at uh by really early March um having the draft
available online and again draft and um hopefully bringing it back to you all for consideration of approval later in March. I'm available for any questions. Thank you. I know it's not easy to take all of the
information and comments you've had from and hopefully we're going to continue Wednesday night we have another session. Could you talk about that a little bit? Sorry. >> Yeah, just >> you know I love to talk so yes
absolutely. um that will continue the series the strategic planning engagement of the community and it will um really be to hear from the residents um where would you like to see um the future of
the town? What are the opportunities, the challenges? And we're also going to be having a lot of what we've already heard and see if we are getting the story correct. um because I know a lot of folks have come to a lot of different listening sessions. So, we'll also be
providing what we've heard and they can say uh you're deaf in one ear or yes and let's build upon that. Um but really, you know, this is uh the folks who live here, this is your community. Um, so
that will be the the next listening session as we work towards the strategic plan and then I think the the next workshop after >> Wednesday. Yes. Wednesday at 5:30 here. And I think each one of them becomes more and more fun.
>> Really? >> Thank you. >> I know we have acoustics u which I appreciate y'all mentioning. So we're working to address that for the next one. I'm looking forward to this Wednesday because this is supposed to be Lake
Placid residents. It is my hope that we will get um participation from many corners of Lake Placid, not just one particular section, but that folks from downtown and folks from uh like uh the
other the other communities that we have in our in our town and even Lake Blue where I live where every other house is in the town and every other house is not. But, you know, um I' I'd like to see participation from all of our of our
town. Can you make a com I make a comment? I just wanted to point out that the county went through their um their comprehensive plan and they did an online survey and they had 384
responses. Right now with the town of Lake Placid's participation to Miss Barger's comment, we've had insurmountable um amount of support. We actually have 170 who have already responded and they were able to check to make sure that they're not duplicates.
So, it's actual 170 responses to our online survey. And I think that speaks to the community involvement and that we are trying to hear their voices and make sure they're being heard. So, thank you, Jennifer. All right. No public hearings tonight. So, we'll
move on to number six action agenda. A banking services sewer to septic loan. I want to start out by saying that this loan is not grant specific. It's not associated to any grant, but it is a
loan that is helping um float some of the invoices for the sort of septic loan. So, it kind of works together, but it's totally a separate. Um, so at the last meeting last month,
it was asked that we go out and get some more competitive interest rates. So, I went out and I found about seven of them and one was submitted this weekend. So, it's eight of them. And so, I submitted to you guys a package
showing all the interest rate. the one from C Coast National Bank, that is the current rate that the town is paying currently. And if the loan was been renewed, then they'll be paying the same interest rate, which is 6.75. Gulf Atlantic Bank, I reached out to
them 7.65. um federal um first fertile bank um they wanted more information but at this stage I didn't want them to go into too much work as far as trying to submit a interest rate and then the town don't
choose them then it's almost like they went through the work for nothing. um mid Florida um they said that they do not offer loans to municipalities. Um reach out to Cruz Bank that was the best interest rate out
of all of them. Um form credit of Florida which that one is actually co-ank and that is 6.10%. and they have a 20 year
fixed interest rate. I'm not sure what why is it 20 years. Um and South State Bank um they have an interest rate uh they gave me a range nothing specific but a range of mid 5%.
So but the recommendation is to go with cruise bank with this the lowest interest rate. Um what is the running balance? Is it always four million or does sometimes it dip down? >> So right so the whole four million is
already draw down. So it's kind of the town is sitting on the 4 million only paying the interest on the 4 million. >> We're paying interest on 4 million but the actual amount owed could be 3.5 3.6. >> Um well it's the 4 million plus the
interest. So, at this point time, we don't paid um so far $385,975 in interest up to this point. So, if we got another 18 months to to have this
loan, it's going to be another $385,000. >> Okay, let me try to rephrase this. instead of taking out a straight $4 million loan, we used to have a line of credit. So, if the amount owed was only,
let's say, I'll just pick a number, 3.5, because it would fluctuate as invoices come in, invoices get paid. So, if it'd be better to get one that's like a line of credit, we only pay on what we actually owe.
So I got um some information on that because some of the some of the banks even though you didn't draw down the money you the funds is still safe like you said um you draw down 30 three million right and then so you still have
1 million still sitting as a line that you can tap into but you'll still pay on that interest that not drawn down. You're paying interest on the four million >> on the one that you didn't draw down plus the three million that you draw down on. >> I'm sorry I didn't hear you.
>> So you got the three billion that you draw down on, right? And so you still have the bank have access to that 1 million that you didn't draw down on. When I say draw down, mean that you pay it out. It's in the town account, not the bank account, right? It's in the town bank account. So they
already done gave it to the town. Um but CO bank specifically said that if it's not draw well unused fees during draw period it's 25% fees. So if you don't draw down you're going to still pay 25%
interest on the fee that you didn't draw down on the money. So, I guess what I'm trying to get at is what I'm trying to get at is the South State Bank, even though it had a higher percentage rate, it sounds like we're only paying on the actual amount we owe,
not a fixed 4 million. >> Correct. Which is the 4 million, >> which is 4 million. But as for example a sewer plant comes to completion we will we'll be having less need to float invoices and we may only owe 3 million 2
million 1 million. Well see the town have the 4 million right. So once the the grant is finished and the project is completed then the town pay the money back it give it back to them return plus interest. >> Okay. I'm I'm still not getting it
through my head because it would seem to me I I kind of did the a break point that rather than paying on $4 million whether we need all of it or not if we got a loan which looks like C Co Coast has where we pay only on the actual
amount the balance that even if it was like a half a percent higher the break even point where my number is somewhere around 3 anything under 3.5 million the sea coast bank was better when I calculated the
daily interest so coast national bank have a daily amount of $6311 >> if it's 4 million >> correct which it is 4 million right >> but will there be times when we don't we
are not using the four four million there are times when we'll only need 3.5 3.6 six. >> So, the town is using the whole four million right now because right now the the invoices is out there. We don't pay the we don't pay
the money out. So, we're waiting for the state to reimburse us and by the time the state reimburse the town, it's time to submit more invoices. So, it's basically like uploading all the invoices. So, it's there's not a point where the money is the four billion is back at C Coast.
But will there be a time though when the project comes to completion? >> Correct. >> When when when we won't need to have as many invoices come in. >> Correct. >> And then we might only owe 2 million 1 million as it go as the project comes to
completion. >> So I think after the loan is after the grant is completed, we won't need the loan. We can just close it. Um, >> yeah. But in the interim, there's going to be an interim where we owe less and less because there
are fewer and fewer invoices coming in. >> So, we're going to still pay interest on the 4 million. >> That's okay. That's my That's what I'm trying to get at. Rather than paying interest on 4 million, whether we need the whole amount or not, we'd be better off to take the higher interest rate, a
half a percent or so higher at Sea Coast, and only pay on the actual amount that we're using because that that balance due is going to go down eventually. Correct. So we we have a daily interest rate of I
mean daily interest of $631 per day with COS and if we go with Cruise Bank it's going to be $5544 a day >> but that's assuming $4 million is the balance owed. >> Correct. And it will be because Cruz
will pay off SE coast with a lower interest rate which will be a savings. >> Colleen, help me out here. Am I doing this wrong that eventually the balance owed will be less than 4 million?
>> You're asking the right questions? I mean, because it's it's there's assumptions that need to be made, right? So, right now, this is a a loan we've taken out of 4 million. So, we've tapped out and it's just a cash flow. It's because D,
it's like a lot of grants. You have to pay the money, then you submit the documentation, and then you're at their mercy of when they will review and reimburse you, >> and now the reimbursement is coming between 90 and 120 days,
>> right? So, so there's a lot of moving pieces here. I mean, I earlier sent Rachel a number of questions and this was part of it and and she jumped through hoops and responded. So there's a lot of missing information to all of us that she was able to help
because the first question is okay how much is the loan today? How much are we tapped out? The response was4,71,000 is what we own. So if they said pay us, we'd have to pay 4,71,000 right now. So somehow they've overextended us on the
loan. And my questions also were on due dates because I think due dates where you're getting at are important on how much are we talking the town is going to incur because we can get the 40 million reimbursed. That's a whole another
question. But it's the interest that we can't claim and so the interest is what's completely out of pocket. The interest is what we completely have to pay, right? The taxpayers have to pay that. And so my curiosity was trying to
get to the due dates. The grant, and maybe you can help me out, the grant expires December of this year. >> Correct. >> And then somewhere I thought all then all invoices have to be paid earlier. I
thought that somewhere in the grant it said by June 30th of this year, all of your expenditures needed to be done. So there was some there was there's dates I think that are going to be important because where you're going Councilwoman Ibrahart is okay I would
imagine we're going to see 4 million more reimbursements coming in at a certain point and I don't know what that date is that you would see it trickle down and then further when would we expect and these are forecasts right that we're going to have to make with some assumptions when would we expect
the 4 million to be completely reimbured The challenge here is the interest isn't going to be reimbursed. So hopefully we've budgeted for the interest because we heard at last meeting it was 750,000 we've paid in interest. I think a lot of
us are calculating between now and the end of the year but I don't know if it's the end of the year because this is an 18month loan. So now is it a 12 month? Is it 18 months? So my head's kind of confused too with,
you know, a lot of key figures. So then you could accurately determine what is the cost for each of these. One of them's $2,500 origination fees. So one has fees associated with it. So you can't just look at the interest rate.
So, so I found my numbers that for example, if South State charges by the actual balance, and even though they're higher, if the actual balance got less than 3.6 million, then it's only it's $543 a day,
which matches the other bank. So, the break point is if we ever get below $3.6 million, we're better to go off with the bank at the higher half a percent or so higher rate. And eventually the daily interest will
go down and down and down. >> Well, when I seen the the schedule that was provided to me, it was the same amount every day for the interest rate. It did not go down. It was amount >> for South State. >> For South State, there's something in schedule.
>> Okay. What are you estimating how long we need this loan >> to about December? >> December of this year >> of this year. But it was put out there for options of 18 months that just to be
on the safe side just in case it um there's an invoices or something on the end of the year. Now, for the date as far as making sure we can get reimbursed for it, it has to be submitted by September because that's going to put us in the window of um getting too close to
December until the state may not pay within that 120 days, >> right? the the mark that September date >> and that's that's where this kind whole thing gets to be a little tricky and dates are important >> because if we don't have everything so
September is what what's the critical about September date >> so the the reimbursement coming back from the state is like 120 days so to make sure you get enough time in so that the pay request is submitted timely so you can get it back before December
31st verse 26. >> It It's very complicated and this is the problem. Um people are supposed to do things and they don't. So on grants um grant funding is what it is. And as
we've seen in the past, the grants don't flow all the time real smoothly. Just because you submit doesn't mean you get reimbursed right away. um it can be delays and that's why for to be on the safe side it's 18 months instead of 12
>> and each grant is different. So say for instance like on this one advanced pay where they say you can get advanced pay from the state it doesn't really mean the same thing with another grant because on this one it say advanced pay but then you have to give them a clear check where it done cleared the bank. So
to me that's not truly a advanced pay. That's a reimbursement. But then we have other grants like a riff. Then you submit this is how much I need for these two invoices and they give you the money before you pay it. So to me that's advanced pay. So they kind of different
depends on which grant that you're dealing with. >> Right. I understand that. But on this one is close out has to be by the end of the year. I'm talking the grant because once I think we understand the grant then it's which of the financing
institutions can help us to bridge the gap with the cash flow because this is just a cash flow grant. >> That's it. Correct. >> That's all it is. And and so and then of course the terms of the grant I mean the terms of the loan are going to be important based on I mean
we've got nine months to go to the end of the year. Okay. So 12:31 everything needs to be submitted to the state by September 30th. >> By September 30th under
today's environment where you say they take about 90 days to reimburse or is that in the grant? The grant says everything needs to be submitted by September 30th to them. >> Right. We need to make sure we have all
the money, all the um invoices reimbursement submitted by September 30th. That way it give them more enough time to have a turnaround because I done did a request for funds two months ago. I'm still waiting on the the um the reimbursement. So that's why September
is pretty much kind of like you're getting cutting close. >> So that's I mean there's a risk of not even getting reimbursed, let alone the interest we have to pay. Um, and I think that was the question earlier is where are we with,
you know, just the overall sewer plant? I mean, as far as I I would like to see, and I think we've asked this at the next meeting, um, basically a overview, a comprehensive overview of the the $40
million grant, which should include the status of the plant, how much remaining do we have, how much have we spent to date, how much do we anticipate to spend? I mean, are we going to be under 40 million? I think
the plant was 34 million 35. So it's like all of the comprehensive spending and any change orders that we've had um the reimbursement of the timing and then are there any risk to the grant schedule because this is this is a big concern
right of are we going to get reimbursed or not and there's critical dates that we have to hit. >> As of now we're meeting all the date all the deadlines. So, um there are some status reports that um I know that they
um utility director has that we can share and they kind of give you a status update what percentage they done with different parts of it. I see Brandon here. So, um but yeah, we can share some um status reports on it >> and and maybe Rachel, you could speak to
because in the grant is an exhibit E which talks about getting advanced payments and if you're a a small town ready, low um income, we should qualify. And I asked Rachel if we if we pursued
that because I was shocked to hear the time that they're taken. So, we pay the invoice. By the time Rachel gets all the paperwork to submit, they're running what, 90 days and even more to reimburse us.
And And can you speak to what you you said that you tried to submit per exhibit E advanced payments >> for the Yeah. Um for the advanc >> because we would qualify, >> right? And I did submit them. Like I say, with the advanced pay, it depends on what grant you're you're dealing
with. In this spec, I'm only talking right now the sewer plant that we're getting $4 million because the line of the cash flow 4 million is for the sewer plant. Correct. >> So for this advanced pay, you have to submit where you cleared checks. So you have to have proof that you paid the
invoice. So that's what they consider advanced pay is. But other grants they actually give you the money and then you pay the invoices and then you submit a report saying this is what we did with the fund that we received. So with this grant
sewer Deceit E says it can be >> right. Well I can forward an email to you where she said um it is that's what they consider advanced pay. >> I'm I that wasn't clear. >> She consider advanced pay as because you
have to submit a clear check. You have to um prove that the invoice was paid before they reimburse you >> for the advanced pay. >> For advanced pay >> and it could be quicker than 90 days. >> I have not seen anything close of sooner than 90 days. >> No, no. The advance the way I understood
exhibit E on the $40 million grant, there's a whole exhibit of what you can do to request advanced pay. >> That is advanced pay. And you're saying we can't do that? I'm >> No, we are doing advanced pay. We've
considered to be up on advanced pay, but it's still not coming advance. It's still 90 to 120 days. We put in all the paperwork for that on the initial grant. >> Yeah, I would be interested in that email. I mean, it's almost like again
how I read it. Is there anything more we can do with, you know, a resolution of the mayor writing a letter or something? I mean, we're incurring what? Half a million dollars in interest costs
because of their process. >> We can try to do something different later, but we need to decide this currently and go, we need to move forward. South State Bank gave us courtesy until March the 30th to have
something else in place. So, we still have to go with one of these options to have something in place before that date before we have to pay this loan off. So, so what is what is the balance today?
>> 4,71,556. >> Has it ever been below 4 million? >> No. >> Will it be before? Will it ever go below four million? >> Unless the town repay some of that loan back, then it would be less than four million. But four million is a premium.
>> Okay. But as as the project winds down and fewer invoices are coming in, it will drop. Right. >> I think you you're referring to the amount of the loan that we the amount of the grant remaining is what you're
asking. >> No, no. Well, the amount that we owe the bank will not be 4 million for I mean it will fluctuate depending on what invoices come in. Right. >> Correct. So as the project nears completion and fewer and fewer invoices
come in then it should start dropping down. So the 4 million is already we already draw down a whole four million. So the town got the 4 million from the bank. So we paying on the interest of the four million. So we're still in debt for the
four million. So as we pay the interest then that's different than the activity with the grant. So that's totally different. >> Okay. No, I'm when the project is all done, like the two days before, excuse me, let's say four months after
this operational and no more invoices are coming in and we're gradually paying, no more invoices are coming in, the amount that we owe the bank is going to be less than 4 million
>> because it got interest. It got daily interest on it. So, you got 4 million plus the daily interest. >> But that's what I'm trying to get at. Why not have like a line of credit that as the amount owed goes down, the cost of the interest goes down?
Why pay on four million when we don't need 4 million? >> Well, 4 million is is we already expensed the 4 million. So, the 4 million is out there in invoices waiting for to get reimbursed from FD. So the um the state got to reimburse the town for
the money so we can give it back to the bank. >> I give up. >> When do you expect the 4 million to be completely paid? >> So the um the grant is is due in December. So just soon as that
kind of uh close out then we can close out the loan. So, so to the question that Councilwoman Eertheart is making is I would think that there's a certain point that we're
going to turn in all the invoices. They're going to be paying us and the 4 million will be repaid slowly at a time. Hopefully the 4 million will be paid back at one time once the project is done because then when the state reimburse the town we'll have them we
have the whole 4 million because we got reimbursed. >> So >> are we using this 4 million for other things than just the septic to sewer grant? >> It's only for sew septic just for the grant. So, if if I get this right, we have the
$4 million here in the town's bank account, right? It's not being held at SE Coast and we're not drawing on it from C Coast. >> We have $4 million here >> and we owe S Coast $4 million at some point. Correct.
>> So, that amount that C Coast is charging us is not going to change. That is always based on the 4 million because we have it here. >> Correct. Okay, that's I think what what Mr. Ibrahart is not getting is the 4 million is here.
So is there a risk that you can't pay the invoices coming in meaning and again if the plant is going to be completed at one point it was the beginning of February then the end of February I'm trying to understand when that date
might be is it fair to say by the end of March this plant will be completed something close to that let's just make that assumption right now I would imagine shortly after March Come April, we're going to get some sizable invoices
coming in. >> Correct. >> Sizable. And do we even have cash in the bank to pay those vendors? And and my head's thinking of the $35 million to build the plant, right? We've had other small amounts that we've paid over the last
four years, but at one point we got a $35 million bill that's going to come in. And maybe it's been coming in in chunks, but I would imagine which is typically on large projects, once the project's complete, people are signing off, we've got some
large payments that got to go out the door. Do we even have enough money to make those payments? Forget the four million because it's tapped out. So by the time the state reimburse for the last request, there is funds to do
it to make the the payment to the uh to the vendors be >> because the payments right now are being made out of the sewer enterprise fund, right? And the last time we looked it was about $600,000 reserve balance in
the Well, no, it's a grant. We have account for just grant um projects. So, it's out of the grant project fund, >> but we don't have a chunk of money sitting in a grant project fund. That's where I get it. We're booking it, but we
have to make the cash flow out of a different account. You've already got 4 million. And that's why I think it would be important for us to even get a comprehensive update on the sewer project. How much have we spent so far?
are how much do we anticipate and the timing of that? Um because right now it's 4 million and to Councilwoman Hayes's comments is yeah we're paying interest on the 4 million. That's what's happening. And I'm
concerned are we we got money going out the door from some town account because the four million's tapped out but we yet we're paying interest to the bank for that four million. and and is there a different cash flow
risk or concern on these bills coming in because of the late payment from DP? >> So, we got to make sure that we keep everything and not coingle anything, right? So, right now the grant has been
taken care of the loan or the invoices that came through. So, it's pretty much like in and out. So, we get the grant funds in, by the time we get those in, it's out again. So then we get re reburs and it's out again. So they've been kind
of working where they kind of passing around the same time. So but it's always that we still sitting on that $4 million. So So what you're saying is the amount that we get reimbursed then we're able
to pay our suppliers for the next trunch. >> Correct. There haven't had to be a instance where we Yeah. And I and I and again I don't know is there going to be a larger trunch as we're getting closer to
completion of the project. That's where >> I don't know if anybody's forecasting are there any sizable bills that are still out there. I mean if we've already paid 35 million yeah then we're on the downhill slide. But if we've only put 20
and we've got another 20 coming the timing is going to be the concern. And they do give us advanced notice. So when we get an invoice coming in, so by the time it's due, it's going to be and the engineer sign off on it, it's going to be like six weeks. We'll know what that
amount is to prepare to pay that invoice. >> So do do we maybe you just asked answered it and I didn't quite hear it, but of the let's say $34 million that is costing us to build this plant, how much of that have we used so far?
I know we got 14 million left. Okay. So, we've used about $20 million. Okay. Thank you. I understand that Mr. Warner and um Miss Osbbor have been working very closely together and they have to I
mean to make it all work and make sure the invoices are covered. But it's not like they're not working together. Um, he and she I think meet often and make sure that the wheels aren't falling off. So, um I guess we could wait if you want
to kick it around some more until next month, but um we have an obligation and we're going to have to make a decision soon, preferably tonight because we still have to figure out where the other funding is
coming from and to get that funding in place. >> Yeah, because we won't be sitting on the deadline for March 30th. We're going to owe C Coast Bank before we can get the other the other loans in place if we don't act on it tonight. Correct. We we
have to we're on a timeline which means tonight we have to act on that because otherwise seals won't get paid. I I do agree and I just wanted to point out I know that um when we select a bank
it's what uh Golf Atlantic said um it would be possible let's see if the town is willing to enter into a full deposit relationship with their bank when we when we we make a a decision to use a
bank basically we're entering into an agreement with them we're going to do business with you and you're going to and And basically, you're going to be our people. You're going to be our bank. And that's why Rachel didn't go shopping around because historically once we make an agreement to use a bank, it's just
what Golf Atlantic said. They can do it if the town is willing to enter into a full deposit relationship with their bank. That's the key. So every time we select a bank, we're kind of entering into and I hadn't seen that agreement what we what we did with um Hartland or
SEO. We enter into an agreement with them that you're our bank. That's why uh Miss Osborne didn't go out and shop around because that's always been the understanding. We work with them. We trust them to give us the best rates they can. And so that's why Miss Osborne
didn't go shop around. And that's why we've been using the same bank for our services. And when we make that decision again, what bank we're going to use, that's the decision. We're kind of entering into a partnership with that bank that says we're going to work
together. You're going to give us the best rates you can. And Miss Osborne knows to go to that bank and she doesn't go shopping around. So that's been historically what we've done. And I did talk to Cruz Bank and all the other ones
as well because most of them wanted that banking relationship too. If that if we give you this loan, would you do banking with us? But um most of them said it's not a requirement, but it'd be nice to have. >> Okay. I I I see Councilwoman Worley's
point. Um, but I I think that the difference here is that when we entered into the agreement with H Heartland National Bank, it was with H Heartland National Bank and now we are kind of just on the coattails of that same agreement, but it's not H Heartland
anymore. It's sea coast and the rules are different and and the pl the playground is a little different. So, uh, I know how laborious it was for us to get H Heartland as our bank. Um, and so now we're thinking, well, if we go to a different bank for this loan, then
maybe at the end of this we want to change all of our money back over to that. I think we need to see how SECOS is going to come around. Um, are are we going to feel as comfortable with the relationship for all of our banking with SE Coast as we did with H Heartland or
at the end of this loan process, are we going to feel more comfortable with Cruz? And that's not something we need to decide tonight, but I do think it's something we need to keep in the back of our minds. So, >> did you say something about Cobank when you were just earlier?
>> Right. I do have a quote from them. >> It's not on our sheet though. >> Um, I got this Sunday >> late. >> Sunday. Yeah. >> So, what was co-ank was that 10 >> 6.10% 10% fixed interest rate 20 years.
>> Cobank is a 10% interest rate on a 4 million. >> 6.10. >> 6.10. >> Cobank 6.10. Okay. >> And all of them do have fees and closing costs on them, but Cobank does not. But if you don't draw down the funds, then
you get the 25% fee on that. So that was the only difference on that one versus the other one because co-bank is a co-op. >> Okay. Yeah. I know sometimes there's bank fees that can be waved and negotiated and things like that. um to
what degree I don't know but and then specifically there's some inconsistencies I think in the resolution that are going to need to be corrected because the resolution it it does you know it doesn't state the loan amount but the references is $5
million loan and the backup information while the motion references 4 million and and the resolution also doesn't state the interest rate the term the fees or the assignment um that D re reimbursements are
collateral. I think that's what I'm understanding, right? For this loan, you're putting our DP reimbursements as this collateral, although it's 16 million that you're collaterizing to get a $4 million loan. What's kind of the background? Why wouldn't we just
collateralize something less? So the resolution here, some part of national bank required a resolution, but the other banks, they don't really require it. But this is just one of the things I put in there from following up on the last loan. >> Oh, I think it's good practice. I think we should have a resolution, but it also
should lay out the terms. >> Well, and this um this appears to be a an email from Cruise Bank and it says loan amount of $5 million. They wanted us to go to 5 million. I think
>> that was that was just a option up to >> I think we need to keep it our keep our option at 4 million not five >> and the resolution can get updated once I know which which bank you're going with. So they put their terms in it.
So, >> so we need dates in the resolution. What is that that you said? >> Should be the interest, right? It should be how much are we interest >> how much are we approving? Because to you the point that's what I saw too,
>> the attachment was 5 million with Cruz. >> It's the four million. He was just giving us the options. So, it should have the interest rate, the term of the loan, any fees that we're going to pay, and then what's being collateralized.
Didn't like that. Oh, it's not in there. Sorry. >> I'm sorry. Mistake. So, is it possible that we could excuse one second? Is it possible that we could go ahead with a recommended motion
um and put in put in that motion that um with a caveat that the interest rate in terms of the loan would be put into the resolution and anything else that Councilwoman Charles sees as as important to be in that resolution.
So, I would make that motion to authorize the town finance director to initiate the process with Cruise Bank and to provide the necessary documentation for the four $4 million loan and to obtain the loan contract for
the mayor's and clerk's signature. The loan terms will be 18 months with an interest rate not to exceed the proposed 4.99% when possible. John Hullberg, Mayor, Deborah Warly, vice mayor, and Rachel Osborne, finance director, have the authority to draw
down the funds. Collateral will continue to be assignment of grant proceeds from the Department of Environmental Protection. contact Sec Coast National Bank for instructions on closing the current loan and not renewing
with the addition of interest rate, terms of the loan, and whatever else did you say you need in there? >> Collaterizing. So that's my motion. >> Second. Thank you. >> All right. We got a motion to second.
Any other comments? So I I really question in 18 months. Okay. Um and then without cranking the numbers out, would it I mean I don't like origination fees, right? There's a $2,500 origination fee and whoever knows what
else it costs is and and and I haven't done the math of 2500, but wouldn't it be a thought to continue with C Coast for like a short term? >> I I don't think they give us that option.
>> Oh, everybody's going to give an option. >> I don't think they gave us that option. >> Is CO's going to call the loan? So March 31st you have to repay four million. No negotiation. >> Yeah. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Seriously. >> Yeah. >> So the only thing >> or we renew
>> but but renew for >> 18 months. >> We can still say not 18 months. You can say 12 months. So it's whatever you guys want. But 18 months would give us that cushion to make sure that everything is closed out. And we can also close a loan
sooner than wait till the 18th. >> No prepayment. You don't >> for any of these. There's no prepayment fees for any of them. >> Any payment for early for early paying it off? >> No, you pay it off whenever you want to pay it off. >> I have a question on my own motion
though because I'm just reading here and it says propose 4.99% when possible. >> What do you mean when possible? >> I did not give him any information. So basically, he gave me the best interest rate. And so he's saying pretty much
that's going to be the number. He didn't guarantee me that was going to be the number. That's going to be the number is what he said. >> But what does when possible means? What what if it's not possible? And what makes it not possible? >> Well, let's strike that out. Let's take those two words out of there. Not to
exceed the proposed 4.99% period. Okay. Thank you. Do you agree with that second? Who did that to me? And it's going to be 18 or 12 months. >> I'm in my second and the 4.99 is in the proposed agreement that is on the next
page and back of the resolution and it does state 4.99%. >> Yes, I I understand that. I just wanted to make my motion consistent with what's on the next page. >> Absolutely. I agree. >> Thank you. >> Do I mean it's difficult for me to
approve something without even seeing loan documents. So, I'll just throw that out there. And just forformational is 555 dollars a day for 12 months is 202,000 in interest. So adding another h 100,000
to go to six months. I'm just not a proponent of that long when there's nine months till the end of the year and then you've got the three months extra. I just can't understand how we would need to go into like September of next year,
>> right? So, you can change it to 12 months. So, it's whatever months that we need, but I would just only put it to 18 months to make sure that we have enough time to um to close everything out and it can be paid off earlier than the 18 months. I'm
going to leave it at 18 months for that exactly that reason and I appreciate your point, Councilman Charles. I understand that. But um I also understand that two things. Number one, we can pay it off early without penalty. And number two, you know how we act with
glacial speed on this DAS. So I think we need the extra six months. We're conservative and Miss Osborne's been doing this a long time and has handled a lot of grants, economic development grants,
sewer grants, whatever we've thrown at her. And she's recommending 18 months. I will agree with Miss Osborne. >> And and then um Rachel, the current loan is 4,71,000.
So they allowed us to run it over I am thinking that what's going to do this is as of December 30th 25. So based on those daily interest rates, it's going to be added to that. >> Are we paying interest on interest?
>> Oh, just only 4 million. But you still have the interest on the 4 million on the daily. So between December to March, it's still going to be the first quarter, but they allow us to run it over.
I was surprised to hear that the balance of the $4 million loan is $4,71,000. This going to be a little higher once we close the loan with the interest because we still got the daily interest occurred from January 1st to whenever we paid
this off and then to our new attorney. Are you comfortable with supporting that we move forward? >> Let me get the button correct here. Um, just a couple of questions really. I'm
looking at a draft resolution and I don't know the process so forgive me. On page 13, that's just a draft resolution and you would that be something that mayor would sign or you basically take the motion and then reddraft this and then we have an
opportunity to review it again council does. >> Correct. Because we still have until the next council meeting in order to do this. But we'll be at the point where we already established a relationship with Cruz so that we it won't be a um a bind to not have a loan
to move into. >> Okay. >> So it will come back. >> One question was in item three, draft three of the resolution. It talks about the following can authorize advance on the line of credit but essentially it's been drawn down. >> Correct. >> So you don't even need paragraph three. >> Okay.
>> Right. just a question or an observation. Um that was essentially it that I had. I mean there's been a lot of discussion here in numbers and it is what it is. Okay.
>> All right. Any other comments? Hearing none from the podium. We'll take it the audience. Lisa Sherman, 400 Lake Mirror Drive, spouse of the former attorney for the town of Lake Plastid. There is a lot of confusion with this
loan and this line of credit. Um, I feel like that this information is not clear enough for you to make a decision as a council. You should be concerned to be voting on this based on what you have in
front of you. You need something that's a little more um clear about the terms of these. It doesn't make sense that you have drawn $4 million and that you're going to continually pay interest on $4 million to Councilwoman
Everheart's point. As money comes in, you shouldn't need all of that continually month after month because this is going to get paid down. So, this should be a line of credit. It should be able to be paid and then drawn back as you need it. You
should not be paying interest on $4 million every day. At some point, even if it's taken all the money that she gets reimbured from the grant to pay her new invoices, at some point the invoices will stop coming in, but there will
still be money paying from the grant. So, it should start paying down. It's not going to pay all at once. and then the interest will be on a lower balance is the point Councilwoman Everheart has tried to make at a couple of other meetings and then at this meeting and
it's a very valid point. Everybody needs to kind of grab on to it and say, "Okay, we need to look and see what that's going to be. If this plan is supposed to be finished in March, there is absolutely no reason this thing's going to go past December to get paid." She
said it takes 90 to 120 days to get reimbursement. That should not be a problem. I mean, the other thing with Cruz Bank, it says the 2500 loan origination plus custom customary documentation preparation costs and attorneys fees. We don't know
what those are. Every bank kind of has their own customary and who knows what the attorney's fees are. We know how much they charge. So, I I think you're not comparing apples and apples here. You need somebody to do a spreadsheet.
Maybe Rachel needs some assistance. I'm not saying she's not doing a great job, but this is clearly not going to be her field of expertise to deal with all these loans. I mean, she does a lot of stuff in the finances for the town. The loans are just going to be some minor portion of it. I I suggest you get
someone to assist with this that is more of an expert that can come back to this council and give them some very clear, concise comparisons and contrast for your various options. Thank you.
>> This is not a a line of credit. This is a loan. Initially, it was a line of credit with Heartland National Bank, but it's not a line of credit. It's a loan. >> That's my point. Why don't we go for a line of credit >> right >> and pay only on what is the balance
>> getting something new make it be a line of credit so that you can reduce your interest >> it it sounded from the reading at the South State Bank uh description it says um okay where does it say um
a draw down loan or delayed draw facility allows access to funds in stages as needed rather than as a lump sum. That sounds to me like a line of credit. So when I did the math, even though they
are a half a percent higher, once the balance got down to 3.6 million, that daily rate was comparable to um Cruise Bank. At this point in time, we don't need a line of credit. We need a loan because we got to pay off. We got to pay off the
$4 million in order to get into something else. We get a line of credit. Then we going to have to pay the loan back at some point. You're right. Then it will go down. >> But can can you get a line of credit for 4 million? Use the four million on day
one and then let the line of credit work its way down. So, did you want me to go back and get a interest rate for a line of credit? But I think at this point in time, we need to pay off this loan to move forward. Rachel, can can I help on Councilwoman
Ibrahart's question and and help me if I'm understanding it right? The reason it's not a line of credit is is because as she gets money in, she's just using that to make the next payments. So that's why it's a fixed loan that's sitting out there that
we needed a $4 million start to kind of pay the bills as they're coming in. So it could be a line of credit, but she's going to get the money in, pay it down, and draw it back out again. Is that true, Rachel? How I'm thinking? So, so in a sense is sure we can do a line of
credit, but we're just chasing ourselves because we haven't paid off the remaining $14 million bills that are going to be coming in. >> And and and to Mrs. Sherman who eloquently summarized where my frustration was is
yeah we've got these different if you will bids from these different banks but they're not apples to I mean I struggled looking at them because I didn't know what is our projected cash flow remaining of the sewer plant and
councilwoman Hayes got the it's 14 million and that's why I I really feel that next meeting we need to agree to have a comprehensive review of the overall sewer plant and the grant so that maybe we can do a better
projection. I mean, I don't even know what our cash flow projection is. And again, common sense, if the plants going to be done March, it sounds realistically by the end of May we're going to have all those invoices in to pay out for
reimbursement. I'm not certain we got balances in the bank to pay $14 million remaining. That's the question I was asking. Do we even have the current cash flow to make the payments of the remaining 14
million? That's something you're going to have to go back and look at cash flow. So to me, it's hard for me to make a decision till I know what is the overall, you know, status that we're going to do. And then you do look at the different options
because you're right, it was attorney fees, bank fees. We don't even know what those are. >> I I I I understand your point and I I get it. But at this point, I'm looking at a March 30th maturity date on this $4
million. And COS is going to expect their four $4 million and then we won't have that that that slush fund, if you will, that that to cover us from one invoice to another. We have been getting reimbursed. So, I have no reason to believe we wouldn't continue to get
reimbursed. And when we put an invoice in, we will, you know, get reimbured for it. But and and I know you want to look at it and I know you want to look at all the documents. That's what you do and you're very good at it. But we're on a timeline here and we we're looking at a
date of March 30th and we only have one more meeting till March 30th or maybe two. But you got to figure it's not going to just be a you know drop deadad thing with these other banks and say, "Oh yeah, here you go." It's going to take some time. So I think we're going to have to make our best decision
possible tonight or we're not going to make that deadline for March 30th. We do have responsibilities and as a town we've met our responsibilities and I really do think we need to move forward. We could debate this all night long. We could say what if this, what if
that, what if we do this. I think this is before us and we need to address it tonight. I really do. So please >> Okay. Gilbert Randall, 134 Plaza Avenue. Just a question. This is a $4 million loan
that's due March 30, but you have PDM interest. That's as of January 1st was 71,000 and it's still acrewing. So you're 71,000 plus in interest. You're how are you going to pay off 4,90,000
with a $4 million loan? you have budgeted somewhere for that somewhere between 70 and $90,000 of interest to close out your business with C Coast >> and that's why we need to move forward the loan tonight. >> Okay.
>> All right. We've got a motion in a second. Go ahead and pull the council. >> Council member Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council member Worley. >> Yes. Council member Charles. >> No. >> Council member Everheart.
>> No. I don't think it's a good deal. >> Mayor. >> Yes. And a resolution will be brought back with the terms and the interest rate and all that stuff included in it. I'm sorry. >> The resolution it would be brought back
with the term with the interest rate and everything included in >> and Mr. Mayor, would you be fine with having that the next meeting a comprehensive review? >> I don't have a problem. >> Okay. So, we can move forward and get that on the agenda.
>> I think we Yeah, we need that update. >> Thank you. you're talking everybody's got an idea where we're at. So, >> yeah. >> Where we are with the 40 million. Is that >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And and if if it's possible, >> I take putting more work on people, but the back of my head is we have so many
grants that we're applying for or have and I'm worrying about the cash flow for all of them because we have to float the money. Okay, where we at? >> Yeah, we're on 6B SRF grant. So, Councilwoman
Joy, I do understand what you saying with the grants because now I'm presenting another grant tonight. Um, but this one is truly a grant. This was nothing that the town has to fund anything to. There's no match or anything to it. So, this is funding that
comes directly to the town without any stipulations. However, it's not guaranteed. But in this part particular grant, it says the requirement is that you have to bring it before council have the mayor sign it before you can even
submit the application. So the only and Mary Gavin was here la uh last month and she had went over um the requirements of the grant and what what it does. Um even on this sheet it does kind of tell you what this for. It's for utilities. Um,
and the it says SRF, but it is a grant for 2,914,000. So, this is brought before council as for just authorizing the mayor to sign um the loan application and the resolution so she can move forward with
um acquiring a grant. I just might add that the um the grant will be used to acquire generators for Skatos, two bypass pumps, and four pump station rehabs. >> Yeah, I I understand this is just
approval to put in the application. Um, but looking down the road, if we get the money, and I realize it's 100% no matching, same as the 40 million was no matching, but the problem we're
having is when the invoices come in, we have to have the money to pay them before we get reimbursed. >> So, every time they each, like I said, each grant is different. So we will check to make sure that this is going to be a true advanced payment or not. So we
will check on that too. Okay. >> And bring that back to you. >> Also, I think it's tested everybody's strength to do a $40 million project. This town is only like 2400 people and
we've taken on a $40 million project. That's that's a lot for our staff to have put through. So, I just wanted to tell them thank you for what they've done. So, I'm going to make a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the resolution so the application can be
submitted for the SRF grant in the amount of 2,914,000. >> I'll second it. >> I've got a motion and second. Any other discussion from the podium? Yeah, I have just have a number of of questions and then some comments. Okay,
on the cover it says Hurricane Milton exposed significant vulnerabilities in the town of Lake Placid's water and wastewater utility system with widespread power outages. We knew that disabling wells, lift stations, treatment facilities,
resulting in sanitary sewer overflows. I didn't realize we had that. >> Excuse me. So with this grant, it's not you don't have to be >> I'm just reading the justification that I did not realize that Hurricane
Milton created sanitary sewer over sewer overflows >> across the state. Some municipalities got affected, but the >> this is saying those significant in the town of Lake Placid's water and
wastewater utility systems. I think it's worded to say it it expose is it exposed significant vulnerabilities that these all these things could happen is the the wording
in the beginning. So the preface is hurricane Milton exposed significant vulnerabilities in the town water systems with widespread um outages. I think all of these things could have happened and that that's what we're trying to get the grant for. so that we
don't face that. We have four more skaters which are the um lift station to satellite basically. Um so if there is a a problem with the lift station, it's immediately goes to the person on call. So we don't have any of those problems,
but we need four more of them evidently. So that's what that's about. Um and then on the loan application it lists an the primary contact is Amir
Zafir whose employer is Ardura and the additional contacts is a Doug Brown from Aura. So who is Adura? >> They work with Mary Gavin as boards. They kind of like our um grant consultant, but for Mary, she writes in
her salary with the grants. So >> her what? >> She writes in like compensation or her salary with the grant. So the town don't have to pay her anything. So this is her staff submitting on behalf of the town. >> So these two people are her staff. Are you saying? And that was going to be my
question is how much do they charge us because they're administering the grant here. Looks like >> it depends on if we get it or not. And so then look and see how much she put in there. I don't think we even have that
information yet. They have to make sure that it get awarded and how much of the ward can go for specific parts of the grant. So we don't have that information. >> So they're not charging us anything at this point. >> The town will get paid get charged directly. That's >> I'm sorry.
>> The town do not get charged directly. >> Okay. So this is the application and then at some point if we get approved they'll come back with the agreement and that would have the cost for them. >> Correct. >> Um
and and this might be minor or not but it it says list all revenues that are to be pledged for repayment of the loan. it's saying not applicable but later in um the resolution the description of the resolution says
establishing pledged revenues so those two kind are inconsistent with each other >> I think this is just like a generic application was if you have to have pledge or not but she using this one but it's it's not a pledge >> then and it might be the issue with the
resolution because the resolution is saying authorizing the loan application. That's good. Authorizing the loan agreement. I don't think that should even be in here yet. So, we should strike the word loan agreement
because that comes as a second step. And then it says establishing pledged revenues. So, it seems like that should be stricken because the grant says it's not applicable. This is just a um a generic one. Um when
she come back or when she submitted, she going to submit one and give the town a real application. This is just something for then you know what she going to submit. >> I'm confused. So this isn't the application we're approving. >> It's still some information that need to
be added to it. It haven't gotten approved or anything, but this is the start of the process, >> but I can't I mean, I'm I'm sorry. I can't approve something if this isn't the final what we're supposed to
approve. Is that what we're saying? >> This is the application. No, this is just allowing her to put in for the grant. That's all this is doing. It's just allowing her. They have to have this resolution. this particular grant has to have this resolution before she
can even apply for the grant and then once she applies for the grant if we get it then we can address everything that you're talking about and we would so I understand this is an application grants always come in two you apply for it and if you get it then you then they give
you all the terms that you have to agree to I get it but the resolution is saying we're approving both which is inaccurate so the resolution is saying that We're authorizing the loan application, authorizing the loan agreement. So there
is no loan agreement to authorize because we're not even at that step. But what I was asking is even in the application, so I think I hear that this is the application for this loan, but there's changes she's saying that
she's going to make to the application. So the application here you see it's going to be she going to put this in it's electronic form. This is just um showing you where she's going with this as for submitting application. >> Is it your understanding this
application if approved is going to be submitted as is or she's making more changes to the application? >> From what I was told this is what she's going to put in there. >> Okay. And that's where I was saying in the application it says you cannot
pledge where where is the resolution has that you can so it's just an inconsistency in the language authorizing establishing pledged revenues is in the resolution but in the
application ation it's checked not applicable just an inconsistency that needs to be corrected and I I and I guess it's to the town attorney on but one more question is
does this have any impact on the SRF that we're applying for the camp and conference center >> no >> Charlotte none I mean because we're already moving forward I know there was discussion you can't have two at the same time, any two SRF loans at the same
time. So, Camp and Conference Center, what we've approved moving forward is not in any way impacted by this. No, it's not. Okay. >> This is 100% grant. I'm not alone. But even though I have loan stuff on this application, it's really it's a grant
that you're applying for. >> So, this is not SRF. This is this is an SRF loan. >> They also offer grants. So they wave the the loan part of it. So basically it's the grant and the loan kind of wipe out. So the town don't have to pay anything
back. >> Understand? But it's saying it's an SRF, >> but you use the same application. >> Okay. So I and I guess Mr. Durham to you on
I don't um are there any other legal issues? I I guess because there's a lot of language here in an application. >> Yeah. Again, I think it's So, what I'm looking at in the agenda item is a resolution and that's just a draft
resolution. Is this intended to be cleaned up? So, what is the council actually voting on tonight? >> Just for the mayor to sign so that they can move forward with just submitting the applications. and they're just and the mayor and the council's voting on to
permit the mayor to sign on this application >> and you need a document only the application sign not the resolution >> I think that resolution and the >> resolution >> resolution it's on the resolution but
I'm thinking the application as well is what she told me is the application and the resolution >> in the resol in a resolution Okay. Um, there were some on page 28 there's some references to list of attachments
and I'm just asking questions. Um, >> there's a description of scope of planning and design activities. Are those real attachments? I didn't see them unless I missed them in the agenda. A description of scope of planning and
design activities. I'm just thinking that this is generic is what she told me. This is a generic. >> She's just helping you out filling it out to get this. >> No, she filled these out herself and then so she put the information on there to get the process started. But if it don't get approved, then she's not going
to move forward with it so that she don't put too much of time in it. >> Okay. Part of the review of of council generally is what we call legal sufficiency. And one part of it is are the documents clear enough to know what I'm signing? You know, I've signed a lot
of documents. I didn't know I signed those in the past with the resolution. I'm just noticing like now therefore resolved by the city commission. I think it's city council. I think there is some confusion in the issues of for a loan to finance the project versus is it a
grant. I think that needs to be tightened up. Um and certainly one consider Con concern is in section other than the misspelling. Um the utilities director is authorized to
represent the city in carrying out the city's responsibilities under the loan agreement. Does that just give enormous amount of authority to the utilities director? I don't know how they operate. I guess at the end of the day looking at this, if I was asked to approve this as
to form and legality what it's asking, I' I'd be concerned to do so because I'm not so sure the form is clear enough. Um it certainly wouldn't appear illegal, but um certainly want it tightened up. That would be my premise. I don't know
if we have time to do that or there can be a vote and get it back. If I could add a a little if if Bert Harris was here, I promise you that he would say that he he wholeheartedly supports Mary Gavin. And I only say that just because in my um working with him,
I've worked with Mary in the past. M Mary did attend the meeting last week so that she was able to present. She worked with CIRCAP, which is Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project. It's a 501c3 nonprofit organization that's dedicated to improving the quality of
life for low to moderate income individuals in rural communities. Um she is primarily was stationed in Virginia is up in Jacksonville and she drove all the way here to be present last week. Um the way that it works is administrative fees get built in and she only gets paid
if we are awarded the grant um or the mo the money. I don't know if Brandon wants to add any comments. I know that part of the reason why the utility director is listed in there is because he has responsibility with meeting the deliverables that are outlined here and so he would be responsible for um going
to where the location is making sure that everything all the boxes have been checked bringing back the documentation and then him and Brandon work closely together similarly to what we're doing with the advanced wastewater treatment plant where there are specific items that have to be um checked off. So, just
to add a little bit of context to that, she's um she went out on her own after she left Sirap because there was such a high demand in Florida with the um the 2030 phase out with septic to sewer and she has a a dedication to small rural communities to be able to help provide
these services at a fee that is reasonable for us. So, just to kind of give a little background on her and her experience. >> Yeah, my questions weren't with her her capability. it was on the resolution that there were things on the resolution that were inconsistent with the
application. So >> I think my can we tighten the resolution up a little bit? Is we have time to do that based upon if the council just votes to move forward? We can tighten it up. >> And do we have is there a time crunch on this one? This is due. >> It is. It is.
>> And what's the date that this is due? >> I think she has to submit this before the end of the month >> the February. >> Yes. Rachel, >> could could they approve the resolution with the with the caveat that the town attorney review and make any corrections
that are necessary? >> I just made comments. I don't know if the council acknowledged the comments that they'd want that language tightened up and more clarity. So, it works. >> Oh, I didn't know. >> Now you tell me.
>> Yeah. And then one other comment I had on the resolution um was it was the second whereas to designate an authorized representative provide assurances of compliance with the loan program requirements but I don't like the last and to enter into a
loan agreement. So I think that we're way premature on and as we did earlier should come to councel. May I make a suggestion that um Miss Hayes, you amend your motion to include
that um the town attorney review the document, the resolution before the signature? Yes, I'm good with that. Is my second good with that? >> Yes, I am. I'll mend my second as well.
>> So, we just making the changes on the resolution and then Get it to the attorney for approval. That's what we're doing with the changes. >> That's That's what the motion was. Yes. >> Deborah, I think you made the first. Deborah, >> council member, I think you made the
first and and council member Hayes made the second. >> I'm sorry about that. That I meant Sorry about that. I'm so used to going. Okay. I'm in my motion. It's include that the town attorney review the resolution
before submitt. >> All right, we got a motion to second. Any other comments? All right, hearing none, we'll take it to the audience. Just want to say a quick comment to what Colleen Charles you were asking about the um sewage overflowing. I think it
was Hurricane Irma. Um there was a lift station near my house and there's other houses uphill that flow to that through gravity and the power went out to that lift station and there's houses lower than that lift station. So the inpipe became an outpipe and sewage flooded
three town houses right near my house with sewage. And I mean we now have a generator on that particular one. But that's I think the problem with lift stations needing to have generators to back them up is you can actually overflow in flood houses and things like that. So it's happened before in the
town of Lake Placid. I don't know about Milton, but that was 2017 I think. >> Thank you. Bring it back. Pull the council. >> Council member Worley. >> Yes. >> Council member Hayes. >> Yes. >> Council member Charles. >> Yes. >> Council member Everheart.
>> Yes. Okay. Next is uh C 2026-04 resolution LMS. Chief, >> this is the local mitigation strategy plan. It has been successfully updated
to ensure continued compliance with federal requirements and maintain eligibility for FEMA hazard mitigation assistance programs as required every five years. Key issues addressed in this update include emerging hazards and climate
considerations, community growth and development changes, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and alignment with current FEMA guidance and regulatory requirements. What we're asking for is approval for this so that we can take it back to the
uh Highlands County Emergency Management which will then be submitted to the Division of Emergency Management with the state who will issue us a letter of compliance. >> I move to accept the local mitigation
strategy plan five-year plan. second. >> Uh I probably need to go ahead and read this and >> yes, mayor. And also I was referencing the C exhibit A and I understand there's
some exemptions under 119. I don't know if the council members have reviewed the actual plan, but that exemption seems to cover um shelters and evacuation and things of that nature. Not the entire plan, but nonetheless, I
guess council would have to review that. And have they reviewed that? >> County has asked us to keep the entire thing exempt. They do not release any of it. And they've asked us to do the same when they provided us a copy of it. We
do have a copy at the police department if any council member wishes to come down and review it. >> That that was going to be my question. And this is saying attached is exhibit A and there was nothing. So you're saying that it's confidential. It can't >> Yes. What they've done in Sebring and
Avon Park is they provided the letter um that is attached showing it is in compliance and they have used that as an acceptable instead of the actual um example.
>> Well, there's a letter. would be the uh division of emergency management that as soon as we all have the um as soon as this is formally adopted by all county all county jurisdictions that it'll go forward from the division of emergency
management. I had said it on the dis for everybody up there before the meeting. So it's up there in a packet lastage. >> It's the very last page. If you feel more comfortable, I'll add to my motion um that um I'm also move
that the mayor sign resolution 2026-04. Is that what we're doing? Um before he signs the resolution that um the town attorney should review the resolution. Do you need me to update my second with
that? Because I will. >> Yes, please. >> Yeah, I will update. That's fine. >> Could Could you restate that? I was looking for exhibit A. >> Okay. Okay. I was adding to my original
motion that the um resolution 2026-04 be reviewed by our town attorney before signed signature. For the record, let me read this resolution. Resolution 2026-04,
a resolution of the town of Lake Placid, Florida pertaining to the town of Lake Placid Local Mitigation Strategy semicolon providing for legislative findings and intent semicolon for providing for repeal of prior resolution
semicolon providing for adoption of the town of Lake Placid Local Mitigation Strategy semicolon providing for the implementation administrative action semicolon providing a savings clause semicolon providing for scrier's error
semicolon providing for conflict semicolon providing for severability semicolon and providing for an effective date period. All right, we have a motion in a second. Any other comments?
Take it to the audience. Seeing none, pull the council. >> Council member Worley, >> yes. >> Council member Hayes, >> yes. >> Council member Charles, >> I'm struggling with approving something that I haven't read the exhibit A, so I
got to say no. >> Council me Council Member Everheart. >> Yes. >> Okay. and I'll come see you. >> Uh on Friday, we got a uh a notice from Marty, how she pronounced your last
name. Mikl. She's the uh chief leg >> Milky. >> Milky. She's the chief legislative aid for Senator Aaron Gro. Uh both the the Florida State Senate and
the House and their proposed 2627 budget have allocated $400,000 to our Lake Placid Police Department. >> Awesome. >> Praise the Lord. >> So that's a that's that's very good news.
>> Okay. Uh >> so that makes that makes up what we were a little bit short on on the building and so we did get it. Miss Everheart, we got the money. We got the money. >> No, we asked for 800. We got half, right? >> No, we asked for five.
>> The the grants an $800,000 grants. This a different one. >> I don't know. Just be happy with >> No, I'm happy, but I'm just saying we asked for eight, we got half. So, that's good. Right, Charlotte? It was an $800,000 grant.
>> Always have some. >> Okay. No, I'm sorry. >> Just about everybody's gone. All right. Any other comments from the audience? >> You again. >> Ken Leblanc 120. Yes, your lane. Um, I just wanted to tell you about a conversation I had the other day with US
Sugar. So, um, I called Scott Ogle and I asked him why they don't seem to bring the sugar train to like plastid like they used to. And so, it was very insightful what he said. Um he said two years ago it got very toxic for them here. He said people would park on Main
Street to go onto the train and then business owners would come out and say they're going to get their cars towed before they get back. Um you know they said they they tried to get them to park, you know, where they wanted them to park, but those kinds of things happened. They said also the train museum um asked them for $150,000 to put
a new roof on their train uh museum. Um they said the town of Lake Placid um suggested that they should give a million and a half dollars towards a drainage project in town of Lake Placid and um they said they started adding up all the numbers and they said for them to do what they wanted to do in this
town was going to cost over $4 million for something that wasn't profitable. Um he said they're just now starting to, you know, uh break even, maybe get a little profitable. And he said, you know, he says, don't take me wrong. He says Lake Placid is the right place for
us to come. It's the perfect place. He said, "We dump people off and they just walk through town. They can see all these murals and go to shops and farmers markets and all these things." They said, "People want us to take them to Lake Placid, but he said it just, you know, didn't work for them." You know, when he brought this to um you know, the
president president's like, "All right, let's see. Let's look into going to Sebring." So, they talked to Sebring. And in the Lake Placi also said that they'd have to pay $1,000 for a water meter, put it on a fire hydrant, they'd have to pay for water to stick into their train every time they came. and um you know and they wanted to put a a
turntable in Lake Placid. So he said when he called the mayor of Lake of Sebring um he's like great yeah we'll accommodate any way we can. He says so they you know have a place I think they pull up next to Fireman Field people can park there um but if they bring people
to Sebring they got to bus them into the downtown u because they can't walk into downtown. Um and he said that um yeah he said that and they don't pay for water at all. and give them the water for free. So he said it was just went from an environment that was, you know, just
trying to take all the money they could and and not being cooperative and everything else to a place that is like giving them anything they want. And of course the Sebring CRA and I'm not sure if the CRA is helping or not, but they got a really great CRA that will do a lot of things um for people. So um um
and then I asked him, I said, "What about the turntable you were going to put in Lake Plast?" He said, "Yeah, we're looking at putting that in sea right now." So, um, you know, but he reiterated that, you know, Lake Placid is the right place for them to come. He agrees. And he said, "They've got a train coming, I think, this coming
weekend. Um, it's been sold out for six months." I think it's coming from Clueston. So, people get on at Cleon. They come to Lake Placid. They're going to dump in Lake Placid. Said it's been sold out for six months. 300 people. and he said there's no question, you know, that that um they could sell a lot of trains to come to Lake Placid, but they
just want an environment that is conducive, cooperative partners, you know, and uh so I don't know what you guys think about that if you guys I mean I think the door is still open to work with them if the town of Lake Placid wants to work with them um and you know,
be cooperative and stuff, but I don't know. Just wanted to put it out there and see what you all thought. >> I am surprised. I've never heard that of these demands before. >> Yeah. And I don't know. >> I was going to say that was before me. I
I do remember I mean my my bonus son and my grandkids. I was wondering why it stopped because we've we've rode the train several times, but it has been quite a few years. >> Yeah. My understanding was that they were looking at extending the train spur in Lake Placid, making it longer because
right now if the train pulls on to the spur, they stick out both ends. So, they were going to extend the train spur further and um so the train could be off of the train track and trains could pass it, but the train could stay there. I mean, it seemed like they wanted this to be like their go-to place. And it sounds
like they still would like this to be the go-to place, but we have to come to them, you know, with a different attitude. Um, it all starts by caring or wanting, you know, to have a relationship with them. And if the town council is interested in, you know,
working on that, I think it's possible. I don't think it's too late. I don't think they've um they're putting their spur their uh their turntable in now. The turntable takes the engine and spins it around so it could drive forward as it leaves and which would be a spectacle in and of itself over by the train
museum. I mean the um clown museum. That's where my understanding was it was going to go. So I don't think it's too late, but I think it's really close to being too late. So I would hope that the town council would find interest in trying to pursue a relationship with them and seeing if there's something we could do. I mean, I would think, you
know, it's a project that maybe if they're allowed, the CRA might even be able to help in some way, you know, with the the turntable or something. I don't know. But, uh, I just want to throw it out there and let you guys um, dwell on it and think if you want to pursue it.
>> Thank you. Because, like I said, I had I had no idea. I don't know if anybody else had any idea those demands were made. >> Yeah. And I I I don't think you guys have any idea that this has hap this has happened, you You know, I don't think you all had an idea. And I will say the business owners in downtown Lake Placid
say when they drop people off in downtown, they just spend money. They spend a lot of money. So, they really want to see the train come as often as it can into downtown and spend their money, which, you know, of course, turns into tax dollars and uh comes back to the town in that way. And it's helps the
businesses, you know, thrive. So, um yeah, I don't think you guys are aware of all of this stuff. That's why I wanted to make you aware. >> Can't talk to you individually. >> I've been here. I've been on this das for four years and I never had anything like that come to come before us. >> And I don't know where if that if the
roof of the historical society uh that did not come before. >> I think that came straight from the train museum talking to them directly. So they have a new roof now. So that's kind of fixed itself. Um, but the thing about the uh the town wanting them to
put money into a fund, I think he said that there was a meeting in town that he was at and that was the kind of thing that was asked, but I have no idea who was at that meeting or anything. >> I don't know when that was. >> It's >> that doesn't mean I I I just don't remember what. >> Yeah. No, I get it. And, you know, in in
my I mean, they've been the solution for our drainage problem for probably 80 years. you know, they're the French drain that everything goes to. And um so I don't think they're the source of the the water problem in our town. I think they've been, you know, the solution, but I don't think it's technically a correct solution, you know, and it still
needs to be addressed, right, in other ways. But yeah, but I think if we were interested in having somebody talk to them and we could be cooperative, I think they would be cooperative with us. I think it I don't think it's too late, but I don't think it's far off of being too late because once they make real commitment to Sebring, put their
turntable there and everything else, there's probably no coming back, right? Once they start spending their money in Sebring, they're not going to turn around, waste, have wasted money and come back. So, yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thanks again,
Joy. If we could on the next agenda um do another status update on the tower. The code violations are way past the 90 days. Um I think it was October was the 90day mark and then also the status of
the um Gladiololis property and Maine properties. The 90 days for the violations actually just recently came up and we were asked to hold off on them because it is in the process of being sold. So they didn't want the fines acrewing on it while it's
selling so they can get a seller in and I I they are talking about demolishing the building surrounding it once it's sold. So I'm waiting to see what they're going to do. >> Okay. Well, that's good to know, but maybe put it on the agenda anyway so that people if they get the packet or
they go online, they'll know that we're going to talk about it. >> Happy President's Day. Have a have a great uh travel blessing home. to welcome welcome Mike Durham to the Tus
I'll know for sure when you come back next time. >> Yes. >> Now just pass on to Harry and the crew for um defrosting all of the plants and everything. I know that that's a lot of work to do all the
coverages that they did for all of the new landscaping that we had. So, just pass that on to them. Our our appreciation for that. >> I had I had people call me and ask me when it's snow. I said got to look a little closer.
Now, they that our guys do a great job. I'm I'm proud of our staff and everything they do. So, >> can I make an announcement? She's not going to say anything, but um Rachel has officially met 24 years with the town of Lake Placid. >> That's right. I meant to bring that up.
24 years. >> You got anything? Okay. If there's no >> So for the sewer septic, Brandon is here. He could have kind of give you an update on some of the projects that happened with the sort of septic. He is a project manager.
>> So unless you want us to bring it back next month, but he's here. >> Sorry for the delay, Brandon, uh project manager for the town. Um just a quick update. We have a status meeting for the project tomorrow. We moved it from uh
once a month to twice a month now because of the lack of them uh performing and trying to get the job done. Uh and so uh they are I know Miss Charlotte was asking a question and I was on my phone trying to
get a percentage of how much we're actually done by the the engineer, but uh we ask that at every meeting, but just to give you a heads up that we do have a meeting tomorrow. I'll get those stats and uh hopefully by the end of March this plan will be up and running.
Everything on the town is they're not waiting on us. Uh and so the problem why they're lacking is just manpower out here on this this job. And so you'all have any questions? >> So the the contractor's manpower, is
that what you're saying? >> Yes, ma'am. the contractors having difficulty getting union workers to to travel this far and it's it's quite a quite a task and that the men that they're getting is just not quality and he's sending them out and trading and
it's it's really rough. So, but uh I I do know that Bert gave them a uh we give them an additional month and then uh for some reason they back we were like at
100 or eight days of being behind permit status and then all of a sudden it's like 36 38 days. And so that's after we give them a month. And so Bert said uh he put a uh I forgot what it's called,
but what is it? >> Yeah. So they got a they got another month or we're going to be charging them daily until they get it fixed or finished. >> And then you said hopefully by the end of March it'll be done. What what's
what's the risk in it being done? >> Right. Right now I was on I do site visits every day. Right now they're filling the carousels. So the north carousel is complete. Both carousels are complete. The problem is is one the the
south one is leaking in one of like a critical junk little area. And so they had contractors out there today crumb filling and injecting it to try to stop it. Once that takes place, it has so much time to seal and then they have to
fill it back up. Then we have to start measuring. It's a five-day measurement and so uh like we'd even have to come in on weekends to try to to to meet this. So we're doing everything we can and they are too but there's still a lot of moving parts. They're working seven or
six days a week uh Saturdays and they're they're running but uh they still got a quite a few things they got to do. They're they're they're behind it'll I don't know about March. So but I'm not the engineer. just follow
along with everything. But uh we will find out tomorrow. I will get with Miss Charlotte and tell her everything about the meeting. >> Thank you. And this is why it's important, right? We're we're the leadership up here that we get a report out of what's going on, where are we,
what the risk, the budget or not, meeting those deadline dates. Um and I think this will help you back with the contractors on council's asking for updates. Yes. So, I I stepped out just to to email both of them and let them
know like, hey, what's the percentage? And we didn't ask that the last two meetings because we already knew they were behind. And so, I asked and I'll I'll ask again tomorrow. And uh we're we're going to continue moving forward. Uh, I will say according to our emails,
uh, they're they're backststepping the contractor is, and the pressure is on them to get this job done. And, uh, when Bert give them that letter, uh, that meeting went totally different than it normally did.
And, uh, they just pretty much said we'll get it done when we get it done. And so, uh, that's that's where we're at. So that's when Bert asked for every other week. Let's get a progress meeting. And so tomorrow at 11 we'll be doing that, but I will get one Miss
Charlotte right after. >> Okay. >> Anything else? Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh it's my understanding tomorrow's the 17th. Uh Wednesday we're finally supposed to be starting moving dirt across the street. So we should start to
see the police station I think they >> Oh, I was told the 18th. >> They changed it today. Now it's the 19th. >> Now it's the 19th. Okay. Well, we're still within a couple days. So, we should start to see something happening
there pretty quick. All right. If there's no other business to come before town council, >> it's really just a quick comment. Lewis Canter, 1234 Driscoll. Um, I just actually, sorry I'm late. I just walked in driving back from Tallahassee. But I
just want to make a comment as I watch the council nickel and dime $2,500, $5,000 budget items, you know, constantly get gridlocked on that, that the council would make a um approve a motion to authorize staff to go after a $4 million loan. Um, that brings a lot
of fiscal responsibility to the town. Um, I think, you know, Gibby brought up some good questions. Councilman Charles and Eberhart brought up really good questions and comments uh that should have been discussed and I don't think that um this council, you know, I think
they were kind of negligent in approving that uh at this point with the limited information they had in front of them. Thank you. >> There's no other discussion. Meeting adjourned.