>> WILL EVERYONE BE SEATED PLEASE. IT IS 6:00. I AM CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER. FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS, I CAN'T -- TURN IT OVER TO MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED, ATTACHED AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL R-3 TO THE DWELLINGS II PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR 33.52 ACRES LOCATED AT 5100 BLOUNTSTOWN HIGHWAY. -- IN THE PROPOSED PUD, A PROPOSED 130 UNIT TINY HOME DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER. WITH AN APPROXIMATE 200 UNIT PROPOSAL MULTI-DEVELOPMENT ON THE NORTHERN PROPORTION WITH A MAXIMUM OF 335 DWELLING UNITS . STAFF IS HERE TO WHO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THE ANALYSIS IS BEFORE YOU AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU CONDUCT THE FIRST AND ONLY PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT THE ORDINANCE , THEREBY AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AS SUCH. AND TO DO SO BASED ON FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSION OF LAW OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION. AND ANY EVIDENCE SUBMITTED AT THE HEARING . WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO PIVOT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT. >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. MADAME COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> JUST A REMINDER TO THE BOARD AS REQUIRED BY TRADITION PROCEEDING, -- NONE WERE AFFORDED TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR DISCLOSURE. IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMUNICATIONS WITH ANYONE IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING THAT YOU NEEDED TO DISCLOSE BEFORE THE HEARING , NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SO. >> THANK YOU. >> MADAM CHAIR, WE ALSO HAVE A SPEAKER CARD IN, BUT ONLY FOR QUESTIONS. THE CONSULTANT ON THE PRODUCT IS AVAILABLE. >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. >> MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE WITH OPTION ONE. >> THANK YOU . ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPT THING OPTION ONE LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING, AYE. . AYE.. ANY OPPOSITION? HEARING NONE, THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY ADMINISTERED A. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ITEM 25 SEEKS TO CHOOSE THE BOARD TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO BAND AND A PLATTED, UNIMPROVED RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED IN THE WOODVILLE PLAT. THE OLDER PLATS OFTEN INCLUDE RIGHT-OF-WAY'S THAT WERE NEVER BUILT AND ARE NEEDED -- NOT NEEDED AND CURRENTLY SERVE NO PUBLIC PURPOSE FOR THE STATUTE REQUIRES A PUBLIC HEARING AND THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION -- BEFORE THEY ABANDON A PORTION OF A PLATTED STREET. COMMISSIONERS, AS NOTED THROUGH RESEARCH, WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT NO CURRENT ORSER FORESEEABLE NEED FOR THIS APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF ACRE EXISTS. IT IS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE COUNTY, THERE ARE NO STREET OR UTILITY NEEDS IDENTIFY. THEREFORE, WE ARE RECOMMENDING OPTION ONE. WE HAVE NO ACRES ON THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS? >> SO MOVED. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING, THANK 15 THAT WILL AYE.. THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY ADMINISTERED A. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ITEM NUMBER 26. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM IS TO CONDUCT THE FIRST AND ONLY PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROHIBITING UNAUTHORIZED SOLICITATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. IT WOULD PROHIBIT UNAUTHORIZED PANHANDLING ON PRIVATE PROPERTIES , WHICH IS BEEN A PERSISTENT CONCERN OF LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD NOT APPLY TO SOLICITATION ON PUBLIC PROPERTIES. OR PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY, ONLY PRIVATE PROPERTY. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD BE APPLIED COUNTYWIDE, SINCE THE CITY DOES NOT CERTAIN -- CURRENTLY HAVE AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT . IT INTENDS TO WORK WITH STAFF TO PROMOTE AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ORDINANCE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES -- COMMISSIONERS, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING OPTION ONE TO CONDUCT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE. I SHOULD NOTE THE ITEM APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD , AND THE BOARD PROPOSE TO SCHEDULE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. ALSO, YOU HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKER CARDS ON THIS ITEM. MADAM CHAIR, I WILL DEFER TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. >> MADAM CHAIR, IT IS STANDARD PRACTICE TO NORMALLY HAVE THE SPEAKERS COME FIRST. >> I AM GETTING READY TO DO THAT. >> MY POINT IS, I SPOKE TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ABOUT AN IDEA I HAVE THAT MIGHT ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMMENTS WE WOULD HAVE DURING SPEAKERS. IT IS YOUR DISCRETION, OF COURSE, BUT IF I COULD MAKE A MOTION ABOUT SOMETHING RIGHT NOW, OUR SPEAKERS MAY WANT TO MOST -- COMMON -- COMMENT ON THE NEW MOTION , AS OPPOSED TO HAVING THEM TALK ABOUT WHAT THE CURRENT DRAFT ORDINANCE SAYS RIGHT NOW. IN OTHER WORDS, IF I MAKE A MOTION TO MAKE A CHANGE TO THE EXISTING DRAFT ORDINANCE, I THINK THE SPEAKERS WOULD WANT TO COMMENT ON THE CHANGE. >> I UNDERSTAND. I DID NOT HEAR THE PART ABOUT YOU MAKING A MOTION. I WILL USE MY DISCRETION. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT. I THINK A LOT OF US HAVE SPOKEN WITH OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY HERE. WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF BUSINESSES IN MY DISTRICT, I'M SURE IN YOURS AS WELL, THEY HAVE COME TO US ASKING FOR SOME RESOLUTION. WE HAVE STORIES OF EMPLOYEES BEING ATTACKED IN THE PARKING LOT. EMPLOYEES FEELING UNSAFE GOING FROM THE CAR, TO THE OFFICE EARLY IN THE MORNING. ARE GOING BACK TO THEIR CAR ONCE THE BUSINESS HOUR IS CLOSED. THE AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATION IS AFFECTING PEOPLE'S BUSINESSES. AND THE EMPLOYEES, AND CUSTOMERS ARE NOT FEELING SAFE. THIS PROPOSAL COMES OUT OF THAT NEED. I BELIEVE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE CAN ASK MONEY OR ASK FOR OTHER ITEMS ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY. THIS ORDINANCE HELPS THEM EXERCISE THAT RIGHT. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN ISSUE WE NEED TO ADDRESS. THE DRAFT ORDINANCE, AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, IS MY OPINION , IS TOO BROAD. AS STATED IN THE AGENDA ITEM ON PAGE 747, THE TERM SOLICIT MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO REQUEST FOR PETITION SIGNATURES, SUPPORT OF ANY KIND, MONEY, DONATIONS OF ANY KIND, OR SOME OTHER ACTION ITEM OF MATERIAL OR VALUE. IT PLACES ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO REGISTER VOTERS AND COLLECT SIGNATURES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. THESE, I BELIEVE, ARE ACTIVITIES IMPORTANT FOR DEMOCRACY. WHAT I INTEND TO DO WITH MY MOTION IS, CARVE THOSE ACTIVITIES OUT OF THE ORDINANCE. WHAT MY MOTION IS, MADAM CHAIR, IS TO ADOPT A DRAFT ORDINANCE WITH ONE IMPORTANT EXCEPTION. TO TAKE UP THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES AS IT IS CURRENTLY DEFINED UNDER THE TERM OF SOLICIT. TAKING OUT THREE ITEMS. SIGNATURE GATHERING, VOTER REGISTRATION AND THE ADEQUACY OF POLITICAL ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. I BELIEVE THIS MOTION WILL ADDRESS 95% OF WHAT THE BUSINESS NEED IS OUT THERE, BASED ON MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHILE STILL MAKING SURE THAT WE DO NOT HINDER THE ABILITY OF PEOPLE IN LEON COUNTY TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO REGISTER VOTERS , COLLECT SIGNATURES, PETITIONS OR ADVOCATING FOR POLITICAL ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER CABAN. COMMISSIONER MINOR, WILL YOU LOOK AT THE ORDINANCE BEGINNING ON PAGE SEVEN. SO I UNDERSTAND IT? 750? POINT OUT WHAT SECTION YOU ARE PROPOSING TO DELETE AND WHAT PAGE , SO WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. >> ONE SECOND. I WILL LEAVE IT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO WORDSMITH THIS. ON PAGE 751, UNDER SUBSECTION NUMBER TWO, THE PARAGRAPH , WITH THE DEFINITION OF SOLICIT AS IT PERTAINS TO THIS ORDINANCE. WHAT MY MOTION ASKS , IS FOR THIS BODY TO CONSIDER PASSING THE ORDINANCE AS DRAFTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF IN THIS PARAGRAPH, SUBSECTION TWO -- REMOVING ACTIVITIES OF PETITION SIGNATURES, VOTER REGISTRATION -- EXPLICITLY MAKING SURE THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT PERTAIN TO SIGNATURE GATHERING, VOTER REGISTRATION OR ADVOCACY FOR POLITICAL ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. >> COMMISSIONER MINOR. I AM ON 751, YOU'RE ON THE TOP IT SAYS SOLICIT, IS THAT WHERE YOU ARE? THE DEFINITION OF SOLICIT? >> YES, THE CORE OF MY ISSUE WITH THE ORDINANCE AS DRAFTED IS, WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT NOW WERE IN HAS A VERY BROAD DEFINITION OF THE TERM SOLICIT. IT PERTAINS TO THE CORE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS AGGRESSIVE SOLICITING FOR MONEY. OR OTHER ITEMS. BUT THE CONCERN THAT I'VE GOT IS THE CURRENT TERM , SOLICIT, INCLUDE SOME OF THE DEMOCRATIC ACTIVITIES PEOPLE LIKE TO EXERCISE IN MAKING THIS COUNTRY RUN. >> YOU EXPLAINED IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU YOUR EXCLUSION IS CLEAR WITH US. YOU ARE SAYING EXCLUDE PETITIONS, SIGNATURES , IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? >> I CAN WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WENT -- WORDSMITH IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS TERM DOES NOT INCORPORATE SIGNATURE GATHERING, REGISTERING OF VOTERS OR ADVOCACY OF POLITICAL ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. >> YOU ARE RECOMMENDING SOME EXCLUSIONARY LANGUAGE, -- >> ALL I'M SAYING IS, IN THIS PARAGRAPH, IT SHOULD CARVEOUT THOSE ACTIVITIES. I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAD A COMMENT. THANK YOU. >> BEFORE I GO TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, DO I HAVE A SECOND ON THAT MOTION? THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AS AMENDED, THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU SEE AN ITEM WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DEFINITION OF SOLICIT. THE THIRD LINE DOWN, WHERE SAYS REQUEST FOR: -- PETITION SIGNATURE WILL BE STRICKEN. AT THE END, TO MAKE IT EXPLICITLY CLEAR, I WOULD PROPOSE ADDING A SENTENCE THAT SAYS, SOLICIT DOES NOT INCLUDE SIGNATURE GATHERING, VOTER REGISTRATION OR THE ADVOCACY OF PUBLIC ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. >> AWESOME. OKAY. DO YOU WANT TO AMEND THE MOTION ? >> YES, MA'AM. JUST TO CLARIFY, IT CAPTURES EXACTLY WHAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID. WHAT HER TALK ABOUT THE EDIT, THAT REPRESENTS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION TO CHANGE THAT PARAGRAPH ON PAGE 751 PER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S SUGGESTION. >> THANK YOU. DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER WELCH. >> THANK YOU, THIS IS FOR MADAM ATTORNEY. CAN WE DICTATE WHAT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS -- IT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. THEY CAN SAY, I DON'T WANT YOU GATHERING PETITIONS, OR REGISTERING VOTERS ON MY PROPERTY. MADAM ATTORNEY, CAN WE DO THAT? >> TO MAKE VERY CLEAR, IF SOMEONE CURRENTLY HAS A SIGN UNDER CURRENT LAW THAT SAYS, NO TRESPASSING OR NO SOLICITATION , THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO DO THAT BY VIRTUE OF THIS EXCLUSION FROM THIS ORDINANCE. THOSE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE EXCLUDED , PETITION -- SIGNATURE GATHERING, VULVAR -- VOTER REGISTRATION -- THEIR CURRENT LOT LIKE TRESPASS LAWS THAT CURRENTLY APPLY TO ANY ACTIVITIES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY THAT ARE NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER. . >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER MADDOX? >> FIRST OF ALL, MADAM ATTORNEY, MAY THE LAST THREE ITEMS REFLECT ME VOTING IN FAVOR. THANK YOU. THAT'S FOR PUBLIC HEARING 24 AND 25. AND 26. YOU SAID IF THEY HAVE NO TRESPASSING, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE TODAY AND THE NO TRESPASSING ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE? MADAM CHAIR? >> TRESPASS OF THE CRIME. UNDER CURRENT LAW. WHAT THIS DOES IS, IT MAKES IT ILLEGAL UNDER OUR CODE. THAT IS A NONCRIMINAL INFRACTION. IT WOULD NOT EVEN, UNDER THIS COLD FOR THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE PROHIBIT HERE, BE A CRIME. IT WOULD JUST BE A NONCRIMINAL INFRACTION. AND IT GOES WITH THE DEFAULT PENALTIES ONE DASH NINE OF OUR CODE. BUT IT IS NOT A CRIME. THAT IS ONE OF THE DISTINCTIONS. >> THAT IS THE BIGGEST DISTINCTION I NEED. LET'S SAY SOMEONE IS ARRESTED , OR GIVEN A FINE AND THEY DO NOT PAY THE FINE, AT WHAT POINT DOES IT BECOME CRIMINAL? IF IT EVER BECOMES CRIMINAL AFTER SOMEONE HAS BEEN -- SOMEONE HAS USED THIS FOR SOMEONE ON THE PROPERTY? >> NONCRIMINAL INFRACTIONS UNDER OUR CODE ARE PROSECUTED IN THE MANNER OF A MISDEMEANOR. IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE MISDEMEANORS, BUT THEY ARE PROSECUTED IN THAT MANNER. IF SOMEONE IS CITED OR EVEN ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING THIS COLD, IT WOULD GO THROUGH THE NORMAL PROSECUTION PROCESS. IT IS DEPENDENT ON PROSECUTORIAL ASSESSMENT. IS LAW ENFORCEMENT WANT TO CITE OR RUSH SOMEONE FOR VIOLATION TO BEGIN WITH. IF THEY DO THAT, IT TRIGGERS THE JUDICIAL PROCESS. IT WOULD GO TO THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. ARE THEY GOING TO DIVERT, NOT CHARGE, FULLY CHARGE? IT IS ALL OF THOSE THINGS. IT WOULD END UP IN THE PROCESS. IF THERE ENDS UP BEING A FINE, WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE LEVIED BY A JUDGE FOR A VIOLATION, THAT WOULD BE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FIND THAT IS IMPOSED BY THE COURT. AND WHAT HAPPENS FOR NONPAYMENT. >> MADAM CHAIR? >> LET ME SAY THIS. MADAM COUNTY ATTORNEY, THAT IS JUST WASTE ON WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW? AM I CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM. >> THAT IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN EVEN RIGHT NOW. >> IN THIS CASE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, THERE MIGHT BE A BUSINESS OWNER THAT IS NOT WANTED ON THE POSSIBLY THAT THE PROPERTY. IF WE ACCEPT THIS, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO USE THIS ORDINANCE, BUT THEY COULD USE TRESPASSING? >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> SO IF THE USE TRESPASSING, IT BECOMES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE? >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> BUT IN THIS CASE, IF THEY WERE ABLE TO USE THIS IT WOULD NOT BE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE? >> THAT IS CORRECT. THERE IS ONE OTHER VERY IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BETWEEN THIS AND A CRIME. FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENFORCE A VIOLATION OF OUR CODE, THEY HAVE TO PERSONALLY OBSERVE THE BEHAVIOR. UNLIKE A CRIME WHERE YOU CAN USE PHOTOS, EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY, VIDEOS, OR THINGS LIKE THAT, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS TO PERSONALLY OBSERVE THE VIOLATION TO TRIGGER A VIOLATION OF OUR CODE. THAT IS NOT TRUE FOR CRIME. IT IS TRUE FOR A VIOLATION OF OUR CODE. >> IF IT WAS DEEMED TO BE TRESPASSING, THEN THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO WITNESS IT. IS SOMEONE CALLED AND SAID, THIS PERSON TRESPASSING, IN THAT CASE, IT IS NOT HAVE TO BE WITNESS ? >> THEY CAN USE VIDEO, PHOTOS EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY, STATEMENTS, WHATEVER. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M EXPLAINING CORRECTLY. WE DON'T NECESSARILY -- WE HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE THAT ADDRESSES THIS WITH TRESPASSING. IN THE CASE OF TRESPASSING, THIS WAS CONSIDERED -- BE CONSIDERED A CRIME. WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE TODAY IS GIVING ANOTHER LAYER FOR BUSINESS OWNERS TO USE THAT WOULD NOT BE A CRIME. WE ARE TAKING UP THE PIECES THAT ARE GERMANE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS FROM THIS ORDINANCE, BUT THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT A PERSON ON SITE TO DO WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING , THAT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS, BUT IT DOES APPLY TO TRESPASSING . SO THEY CAN USE TRESPASSING IN THAT CASE, AND IT WILL BE DEEMED A CRIME, NOT WHAT WE HAVE HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. MADAM CHAIR, I APPRECIATE THE EXHALATION THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GAVE ME. I THINK I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT EVEN IN THIS CASE -- IF SOMEONE WAS TRIED WITH THIS ORDINANCE AND SOME WAS CALLED BY THIS ORDINANCE, WHAT THEY ARE COMMITTING A CRIME ? WHAT HAPPENED? DO THEY GO TO THE SYSTEM? ARE THEY PROSECUTED? WHAT COMES NEXT? IT MAKES THE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THIS IS NOT A CRIME BY OUR CODE. WOULD MAKE THE UNCOMFORTABLE , AND THERE'S FRANKLY NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. AND I AGREE WITH PULLING THINGS OUT THAT ARE GERMANE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. IF THERE IS A BUSINESS OWNER, AS WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED IT, THOSE PETITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE LATELY IN REFERENCE TO MARIJUANA. IF THERE THE BUSINESS OWNER THAT IS GETTING COMPLAINTS AND DISTURBANCES VIA. THEY COULD AT THAT POINT CLAIM TRESPASSING -- IN THAT CASE, OUR WITNESS SAYS, I THOUGHT, I EXPLAINED IT. IT BECOMES A CRIME. IT PUTS ME AT A CATCH-22. AND SAYING, DO I WANT TO GIVE -- IN EITHER CASE, IF THE BUSINESS OWNER HAS NOT GIVEN DISCRETION TO DO IT, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL AUTHORITIES TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. DO I WANT TO GIVE THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO CALL AND IT NOT BE TRESPASSING? MAYBE I'M THINKING A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH. OR DO I WANT TO TAKE THIS OFF THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ORDINANCE AND MAKE THEM GO STRAIGHT TO TRESPASSING. I DON'T THINK IT WILL STOP A BUSINESS OWNER FROM CALLING IF THERE REALLY IRRITATED BY SOMEONE OR THEY'RE GETTING A LOT OF BUSINESS BEING AFFECTED BY TO SAY, HEY, THIS PERSON IS TRESPASSING ON MY PROPERTY. THEY DO NOT CARE. THEY JUST WANT THEM OFF. I ALMOST THINK THAT SOME MAY PROVIDE MERCY. I SAY ALL OF THAT, BUT I'M ALSO GOING TO SOME PORT ORDINANCE -- I MEAN THE CHANGES THAT COMMISSIONER MINOR HAS MADE. I JUST WANT US TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE TAKING OFF THE TABLE, THE OPTION WE ARE TAKING OFF THE TABLE FOR THOSE BUSINESSES. THE ONES THAT MIGHT NOT WANT TO SAY, I WANT THIS PERSON THAT IS TRESPASSING -- THEY MIGHT JUST SAY, I WANT TO USE THIS ORDINANCE. AND GET THIS PERSON OFF MY PROPERTY. AND THEN THE EXTRA LAYER, AND I APPRECIATE YOU MAKING THE DISTINCTION. IF I CALL AND USE THE ORDINANCE, THEN OFFICER CAN COME, THEY CAN ASK ME TO LEAVE IF I'M NOT ACTIVELY DOING WHAT I WAS DOING BEFORE, BUT THEY CANNOT CHARGE ME WITH ANYTHING. BUT IF THEY ARE ON SITE IN THEY ACTUALLY SEE IT THEN THEY CAN ACTUALLY CHARGE ME WITH IT. TO ME IN A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN US JUST SAYING, OKAY WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AND NOT THIS. EITHER WAY GOES, IT REALLY GIVES AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION WITHOUT CHARGING A CRIME. IT HELPS THOSE IN A WAY THAT MAYBE THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS WANT TO GET THEM OFF THE PROPERTY, BUT NOT BE CHARGED WITH A CRIME. I WILL SUPPORT IT, I DO THINK WE HAVE TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT WHAT WE ARE TAKING OFF THE TABLE WHEN WE ARE TAKING OFF THE PIECE, IT GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TO NOT BE A CRIME. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER MADDIX. THANK YOU, MADAM COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR THE EXPLANATION. ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO -- AND THEN WE WILL GO TO TO OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS. WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT EVEN WITH THIS ORDINANCE AND THE AMENDMENTS , THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE THEMSELVES. THEY HAVE TO HAVE SIGNED POSTED PROMINENTLY SO THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN BE UNNOTICED. -- IF YOU COME TO A BUSINESS THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE SIGN POST DID PROMINENTLY, ARGUABLY, YOUR BEHAVIOR WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A CRIMINAL ACTIVITY PURSUANT TO WHAT IS ENFORCED TODAY. HAVING SAID THAT , AND HAVING LISTENED TO THE AMENDMENT . I WAS CERTAINLY SUPPORTED. MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, I THINK IS APPROPRIATE -- IF ANY OF OUR SPEAKERS WOULD STILL WANT TO SPEAK TO THE COMMISSION, THEY'RE WELCOME TO DO SO. BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS COMMISSIONER MINOR, PUTTING THAT EMPHASIS AT THE END, WITH THE EXCLUSIONS OF THOSE ACTIVITIES , NOT APPLY TO THE ORDINANCE. THAT MAY SATISFY SOME CONCERNS OF INDIVIDUAL THAT HAVE COME TO SPEAK BEFORE US TODAY. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THE FIRST SPEAKER IS ROB CLARK TO BE FOLLOWED BY DARWIN GAMBLE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ROB CLARK, 123 CALHOUN STREET. I'M ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE TALLAHASSEE CHAMBER. THE FIRST THING I WANT TO MENTION VERY BRIEFLY, IS TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO THE STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY ON THIS ORDINANCE. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD INPUT. I THINK YOU WILL HEAR FROM YOU TONIGHTDOUBLETALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCES AND THEIR BUSINESSES WITH THIS ISSUE. I RECOGNIZE THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE THAT REQUIRES SOME DIFFICULT CHOICES. AND I SEE A LOT OF THE CRITICISM OF THIS ORDINANCE OVER THE LAST 48 HOURS. I WILL TELL YOU, ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DO NOT SEE IN THOSE EMAILS. YOU DON'T HEAR SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS. THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, A HEALTH AND SAFETY PROBLEMS IN OUR BUSINESSES. WE DID A SURVEY IN MAY, 2023, ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE COMMISSION HAD A WORKSHOP ON HOMELESSNESS. AND WE WERE SHOCKED SIGNIFICANTLY BY THE LEVEL OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. WITH REGARD TO THE ORDINANCE THAT HAS BEEN DRAFTED, I WANT TO REMIND THE COMMISSION IT DOES APPLY TO PRIVATE PROPERTY. I AM GOING TO SAY THAT WITH AS MUCH EMPHASIS IS APPROPRIATE. THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER WHO HAS THE RIGHT, IF YOU WILL, TO CONTROL HIS PROPERTY. AND, MADAM CHAIR, YOU ARE CORRECT. THIS ORDINANCE WOULD NOT EVEN BECOME APPLICABLE UNTIL THAT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER POSTED A SIGN, CLEARLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY -- THAT HE OR SHE DOES NOT WANT PEOPLE ON THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY. JUST LIKE WE ALL WOULD SAFEGUARD THAT RIGHT FOR US IN OUR FAMILY. AND OUR BUSINESSES. WHEN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST, THAT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER HAS A RIGHT TO EXCLUDE UNDER THE LAW. IF THOSE STEPS ARE TAKEN, IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT SOMEONE CANNOT TELL COME AND SOLICIT. BUT THEY HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM THAT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER, WHO HAS MADE IT CLEAR THEY DO NOT WANT ANYONE DOING THAT. I HAVE SEEN REFERENCES TO -- AS IF WERE NOT TO BE ABLE TO BUY COOKIES AT PUBLIC THAT THE ORDINANCE IS PASSED. LET ME ASSURE YOU, MADAM CHAIR IF I MAY FINISH MY THOUGHT, I'VE CONTACTED THE JACKSONVILLE COUNCIL OF THE GIRL SCOUTS. THE GIRL SCOUTS HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO SOLICIT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY BY COORDINATING WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER AND ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT. AND ENTERING INTO PROTOCOL FOR HOW THEY DO IT. I AM CONFIDENCE THAT IF THE GIRL SCOUTS CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLICIT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY , THE OPPONENTS OF THIS ORDINANCE CAN AS WELL. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU. >> DARWIN GAMBLE TO BE FOLLOWED BY ED MURRAY. >> 1248 HALIFAX COURT. I AM ONE OF THE OPPONENTS. I SUPPOSE I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR COMMISSIONER MINOR'S AMENDMENT. LET ME SEE IF I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CHANGES THINGS. LET'S LOOK AT WHAT I DO. I AM A VOLUNTEER FOR THE VOTING RIGHTS PROJECT. HE GOES DOOR-TO-DOOR AND CANVASES NEIGHBORHOODS. WE ASK PEOPLE TO DO CERTAIN THINGS. WE ASKED THEM TO REGISTER TO VOTE, WE ASKED THEM TO KEEP THEIR REGISTRATION UP TO DATE WITH THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE. WE ASKED THEM TO RIP -- REQUEST BALANCE. WE ASKED THEM TO VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION BECAUSE IN FLORIDA IF YOU MISSED TOO MANY ELECTIONS IN A ROW, -- ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE ACTIONS. UNDER THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, THOSE THINGS THAT FALL UNDER THE DEFINITION OF SOLICITING. SO IF YOU'RE ORDINANCE PASSES, IF I GO TO AT APARTMENT COMPLEX AND HAS NO SOLICITATION SIGN AND I START KNOCKING ON DOORS AND ASKING PEOPLE FOR REGISTERED VOTE, I RUN THE RISK OF GETTING CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR UNLESS I HAVE EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION TO PROPOSED ORDINANCE. WHAT CAN HAPPEN RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE ORDINANCE, I CAN DO THE SAME THING, EXCEPT IF SOMEONE COMES ALONG AND SAYS I AM THE PROPERTY MANAGER, PLEASE LEAVE. I HAVE TO LEAVE OR I RISK GETTING CHARGED WITH TRESPASSING. THAT IS THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT NOW. SO I PROPOSE THE CARVEOUT WOULD HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME. BUT IF THE INTENT IS TO JUST HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME AND LEAVE OUR VULNERABLE, HOMELESS POPULATION STILL SUBJECT TO ARREST, I AM STILL NOT IN FAVOR OF IT. BESIDES THAT, LET'S LOOK AT THE BOTTOM LINE. SIX COMMISSIONERS -- VOTED TO INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE WITH THAT ADMISSION -- SWEEPING LANGUAGE WITH ADDITIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. I HAVE TO ASK MYSELF, WHY DID YOU DO THAT IN THE FIRST RACE. AND WHY ARE YOU NOT NOW EMBARRASSED BY IT, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MAY BE BACKTRACKING. THINK ABOUT THAT. THREE OF YOU ARE GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR. IF THAT THING PASSED WITH THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IN IT, YOU COULD GET INTO TROUBLE. YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REACH CERTAIN VOTERS, YOU OR YOUR CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS COULD EVEN RISK ARREST. THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MOMENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. GAMBLE. >> ED MURRAY TO BE FOLLOWED BY NATHAN PUGH. >> HEY, GUYS. 1018 THOMASVILLE ROAD. I AM A FOUNDER AND PARTNER IN -- WE MANAGE AROUND 5 MILLION SQUARE FEET, TO 2.5 MILLION ARE SHOPPING CENTERS AND THE OTHERS ARE OFTEN BUILDING. WE HAVE 450 TENANTS THAT WE MANAGE FOR MAYBE 500. WE ARE ON THE GROUND EVERY DAY AND WE GET CALLS EVERY DAY ABOUT PANHANDLING. PANHANDLING IS AN ISSUE. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A GOOD STEP FORWARD. THERE ARE COUPLE OF BUSINESSES, I CAN GO THROUGH EXAMPLES. YOU HAVE HEARD THEM. LET'S SAY THE CO-OP ON PARKWAY, I AM NOT SURE WHICH DISTRICT THAT IS. WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALKS AND IN THE STORES PANHANDLING TO CUSTOMERS AS THEY WALK IN, CUSTOMERS QUIT GOING TO THE STORE. YOU YOU'RE NOT TO GO THERE -- YOU WILL START GOING. THE NORTH MONROE INITIATIVE, THIS HAS TO HAPPEN. THEIR ISSUES THERE EVERY DAY. WE REPRESENT THE OWNERS OF CAPITAL PLAZA, WHERE ONE STORE THAT USED TO BE OPEN, HOT BIRDIES, THEY REGULARLY WOULD HAVE SOMEONE GO AND WHEN THE STORE OPENED, A PANHANDLER WOULD SIT ON THE TABLE AND ASK PEOPLE FOR MONEY WHEN THEY ARE COMING IN. AND AGGRESSIVELY DO THAT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET THE STAFF TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE THAT PERSON. WHICH WE DO NOT RECOMMEND, WE TELL OUR PROPERTY MANAGERS DID NOT REMOVE EVERYBODY, JUST CALL THE LAW. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ORDINANCE, IT IS NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN MY OPINION, BUT IT IS A GOOD STEP FORWARD. BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. I ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO VOTE FOR THIS AND SUPPORT THIS. THANK YOU. >> NATHAN PUGH TO BE FOLLOWED BY MATT FORTIN. >> GOOD EVENING, 631 WEST EIGHTH AVENUE. I AM ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF SOCIAL -- SUNSHINE PANTRIES, WE CREATE FOOD ACCESS AND DISTRIBUTION. WE DELIVERED TO ABOUT 25 HOUSEHOLDS, AND HAVE ABOUT 18 MICRO PANTRIES IN BUS STOPS INCENTIVE -- SOME OF TALLAHASSEE'S MOST FOOD INSECURE AREAS. -- WE HAVE ASSISTED IN HELPING PEOPLE FIND JOBS, NAVIGATE THE FOOD STAMP SYSTEM, FIND SHELTER AND NO ONE. AS A PARTNER IN THE ORGANIZATION, WE GET PHONE CALLS EVERY WEEK FROM PEOPLE LOOKING FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE AND OFTEN MEET NEW NEIGHBORS WHILE STOCKING OUR PANTRIES AROUND TOWN. ALL OF THAT TO SAY, WE GET SOLICITED A LOT. NONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE MADE ANY PROGRESS IN THE PLIGHT AFTER BEING ARRESTED, THOUGH. THEY LOSE WORK, MISS APPOINTED DESK APPOINTMENT TESCO AND LOSE ANY PROGRESS THEY HAVE MADE. THE CURRENT SITUATION AS I STATED -- -- TO ISSUE TRESPASS WARNING AND TO ARREST ANY INDIVIDUALS WERE NOT PERMITTED TO BE ON THE PROPERTY. PROJECT PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE SHARED THAT THE PROCESS IS CUMBERSOME AND DOES NOT SERVE THE INTENDED PURPOSE OF DETERRING SOLICITATION ACTIVITIES. IT APPEARS TODAY, NONE OF WHAT IS PROPOSED IS ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING. THE COMPLAINT, HOWEVER FROM BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS IS JUST HOW LONG IT TAKES THE CURRENT PROCESS TO GET SOMEONE IN PRISON, EVEN THOUGH THE CURRENT PROCESS OF IMPRISONMENT OF SOLICITORS HAS NOT YET DETERRED THEM. THERE ARE NO OFFERINGS OF RESOURCES, ONLY QUICKER IMPRISONMENT FOR BEING UNDESIRABLE. IF WE WANT INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE DIFFERENT DECISIONS, WE HAVE TO OFFER DIFFERENT OPTIONS. THIS GOES FOR THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS AS WELL. THEY SHOULD HAVE MORE AVAILABLE OPTIONS TO HOW THEY CAN MEDIATE PANHANDLERS ON THE PROPERTY. THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT HELP EITHER STAKEHOLDER RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THERE ARE RETAIL BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND EVEN THE TEAMMATE RESIDENCY CENTER -- TRANSPORTATION IS A FOUNDATIONAL NEED FOR THE IMPOVERISHED, WE ARE PURCHASING BUS PASSES AND FREELY DISTRIBUTE THEM TO PEOPLE THAT NEED MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET TO THE EXISTING RESOURCES. FUNDAMENTAL BASICS LIKE FOOD, TRANSPORTATION AND SHELTER, LIKE THE CURTIS CENTER, ARE SOME OF THE REASON THIS COMMUNITY WAS ABLE TO HELP A HOMELESS VETERAN NAVIGATE THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND MOVE THEM INTO HIS OWN APARTMENT. THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE POOREST OF THE POOR IS A FRAGMENT AND PATCHWORK, IT IS FRUSTRATING BUT IT DOES WORK. THEY WILL WORK A LOT BETTER THAN JAIL. CURRENTLY RESOURCES LIKE THE SHOULD BE PRIOR TORIES, EXPANDED AND MADE READILY AVAILABLE. WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER. I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A QUOTE. "YOU SAY YOU CARE ABOUT THE POOR, TELL ME THEN, WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?" >> THANK YOU. >> MATT THARP TO BE FOLLOWED BY MADELEINE BOWMAN. >> 3628 PONTIFF ROAD. I ALSO OWN AN AWESOME DENTAL OFFICE BUILDING -- AND MY WIFE WORKS AT THE CENTER OF TALLAHASSEE. THERE IS CERTAINLY A NEED FOR THIS ORDINANCE. I APPRECIATE THE STAFF HARD WORK ON IT. AND THANK YOU, STAFF OR RECOMMENDING THIS MOVE FORWARD. I JUST HOPE YOU GUYS WILL VOTE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> MADELEINE BOWMAN, TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE HONORABLE JESSICA -- >> HELLO, I LIVE AT 622 WEST 10th AVENUE. I AM A REGISTERED VOTER IN DISTRICT 1. TODAY I URGE YOU TO OPPOSE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 26 , A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD UNDERMINE OUR COMMUNITY'S ABILITY TO PETITION , ASKED FOR DONATIONS OR JUST SIMPLY ASK FOR HELP. THIS IS A DANGEROUS , ANTI-DEMOCRACY ORDINANCE THAT WILL FURTHER CRIMINALIZE HOMELESS. AND SHOW POLITICAL SPEECH. DOING NOTHING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MEN -- LEON COUNTY COMMUNITY MEMBERS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS WILL PUT MORE STRESS ON OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. AN ALREADY OVERBURDENED SYSTEM THAT LACKS THE PROPER RESOURCES TO HELP WITH THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS. INSTEAD OF TURNING OUR BACKS ON OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE NAME OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION, CIVIL DISCOURSE AND HELPING THE MOST DESPERATE AND VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE VOTE NO ON THIS PROPOSAL. >> THANK YOU. >> -- >> THANK YOU, I AM A PUBLIC DEFENDER IN THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. I CAN TELL YOU, WE SEE MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE THE EFFECTS OF CRIMINALIZING POVERTY EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE STAND IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ORDINANCE. I DO WANT TO CLARIFY, RESPECTFULLY, WHILE THIS IS A USEFUL CODE IN ORDINANCE, IT WILL HAVE A CRIMINAL PENALTY ATTACHED TO IT. LET IT CLEAR THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ARRESTED AND THIS WILL BE PROSECUTED IN OUR COURT SYSTEM. WE DO HAVE A OVERBURDENED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ALREADY. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT EVERY TIME SOMEONE IS ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING, WE USE EVERY RESOURCE WE CAN WITHIN OUR OFFICE TO TRY AND CONNECT THEM WITH HOUSING AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES AND THEY SIMPLY ARE NOT THERE. SO TO LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU, COMMISSION, TO TRULY LOOK AT OTHER ALTERNATIVES LIKE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, LONG-TERM HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING , SO PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO GO OUTSIDE OF LIVING IN THE STREET. THE OTHER ISSUE THAT WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING IS SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE OF SO MANY OF OUR CLIENTS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. IF AND WHEN THEY ARE ARRESTED, THERE PLACED IN JAIL, THEY WAIT WEEKS, IF NOT MONTHS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS. THEY ARE OFTENTIMES FOUND INCOMPETENT TO PROCEED. AND THEN AGAIN ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GO FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. WE DO HAVE GREAT CONCERNS AT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO CRIMINALIZE POVERTY AND CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS. ALSO, REMEMBER THAT TRESPASS WARNINGS AND TRESPASS LAWS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE. IT IS A FIRST-DEGREE MISDEMEANOR. IF SOMEONE'S ON A PRIVATE PROPERTY OR RESIDENCE AND THE OWNER SAYS, I DO NOT WANT THIS PERSON HERE, THE ISSUE TRESPASS WARNING . IF THEY COME BACK, THAT IS A FIRST-DEGREE MISDEMEANOR. SO THEY CAN BE PROSECUTED, AND SPENT UP TO ONE YEAR IN JAIL FOR THAT TRUST LAST. THESE PENALTIES AND LAWS ARE ALREADY HERE. I CAN ASSURE YOU, IF YOU LOOK AT ANY FOR THE PARENTS REPORT, YOU CAN SEE THERE BEING IN FORCE. YOU CAN LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ARRESTED EVERYTHING ALL DAY. FROM OUR EXPERIENCE, I WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS ORDINANCE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO HELP US WORK TOGETHER TO FIND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, HELP US FIND THEM CONNECTIONS TO EMPLOYMENT, CONNECTIONS TO GETTING BACK ON THEIR FEET AND A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE WHILE THEY NAVIGATE THE FINANCIAL SITUATION THEY ARE IN. THE OTHER THING TO ADDRESS TO COMMISSIONER MADDOX'S POINT . EVEN WITH THE MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION, WITH A FINE, THAT HAS COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES. IF THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE FINE, THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE GET SUSPENDED, ANY OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO WORK OR SCHOOL, IT IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SUSPENDED DRIVERS LICENSE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU , I'M HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU OUTSIDE OF THE MEETING. TO COME TO COURT AND SEE WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING WITH THE PROSECUTION OF THESE CRIMES AND TO HELP US CONNECT PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES OUTSIDE OF CONTINUING TO ARREST THEM. >> THANK YOU. >> BARRY MUNRO TO BE FOLLOWED BY CASSIDY MAGUIRE. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS BARRY. I'M AT 1248 HALIFAX BOULEVARD. I HAVE CONCERNS BECAUSE I, LET MY HUSBAND WHO SPOKE BEFORE YOU, I GO OUT EVERY WEEKEND CORBIS -- CANVASSING AND EDUCATING VOTERS ABOUT THIS VERY ESSENTIAL RIGHT THAT THEY HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY. IT DISTURBS ME THAT IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME, IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, OR I AM FEELING DIZZY, OR THEIR -- HOW WOULD FIRST RESPONDERS BE ABLE TO ASK A LANDOWNER FOR ASSISTANCE? UNDER YOUR VERY BROAD LANGUAGE, IT WOULD APPEAR TO COVER THAT TYPE OF ACTIVITY, AND LEFT THERE WAS AN EXPRESS CARVEOUT. I WAS ORIGINALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I GO OUT AND I CAN THIS IN FRAGILE COMMUNITIES. I DON'T MEAN THE COMMUNITIES THAT LOOK ALL NICE AND THEY ARE VISITED AND COVETED NEIGHBORHOODS. I AM TALKING ABOUT THE FRAGILE, MOBILE HOME PARKS, TRAILER PARKS, MODULATOR HOUSING . PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN SUBSTANDARD HOUSING. AND THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE IN GETTING TRANSITION TO HOUSING. -- THE PEOPLE WE ENCOUNTER ARE EITHER UNABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OR IN TRANSITION TO A HOUSING. SO I THINK WITH OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER JUST SAID, I ENCOUNTER PEOPLE LIKE THAT. I JUST RAN ACROSS A YOUNG MAN WHO WAS PICKED UP IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE HE ASKED FOR HELP. BECAUSE HE WAS FEELING SUICIDAL. HE HAD A BENCH WARRANT OUT FOR A NOTICE TO APPEAR FOR PETTY THEFT. DO YOU KNOW THAT UNDER OUR LAWS, PETTY THEFT CAN BECOME A FELONY? WITH ENHANCED PENALTIES? I FEEL VERY UNCERTAIN ABOUT THIS MOVE YOU'RE MAKING TO CRIMINALIZE THIS ACTIVITY. I TRULY TAKE PART IN WHAT -- SAID. WITH THE GROUPS I AM IN, WE TRY TO COORDINATE WITH COMMERCIAL LAND OWNERS, AND WE ACTUALLY CONTACT THEM AND THEY TELL US, NO, WE DO NOT WANT YOU ON OUR PREMISES. AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CANVAS OR DO ANYTHING ON THE PREMISES. THERE ARE SEVERAL BUSINESSES IN TOWN THAT HAVE A LEASE WITH THESE BIG COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS. AND THEY ARE UNCLEAR ON WHAT POLICY THERE IS TO HAVE WITH MAKING AGREEMENTS WITH LANDOWNERS. I AM JUST SHARING WITH YOU, IT IS NOT A SIMPLE PROCESS , BECAUSE THE LANDOWNERS HAVE CONTROL. I KNOW THAT I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE IF I SAW A HOUSE IT HAD NO SOLICITATION . I WOULD MOVE ON AND GO TO THE NEXT PLACE. IF IT HAD BAD DOGS, I WOULD MOVE ON AND GO TO THE NEXT PLACE. BUT I DON'T FIND HOW YOU MAKE THIS ENVIRONMENT ANY SAFER WHEN WE ARE LIVING IN A SOCIETY WHERE WE HAVE SO MUCH GUN VIOLENCE. BEING AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN, IT REALLY MAKES ME DISTURBED AT HOW I MAY BE ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS TYPE OF ORDINANCE, WHERE SOMEONE FEELS EMPOWERED THAT THEY HAVE MORE RIGHT THAN THEY HAVE. IF YOU ASKED ME TO GET OFF YOUR LAND, I WILL GET OFF. I REALIZED THAT WOULD SUBJECT ME TO TRESPASSING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU. >> KATHY McGUIRE TO BE FOLLOWED BY BOB McCLURE. >> I AM KATHY McGUIRE. I LIVE AT 1101 PINE STREET. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER MINOR FOR HIS RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT. OF THIS ORDINANCE, BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE RIGHT TO GO OUT AND DO CANVASSING. AS FAR AS I READ IN THE ANALYSIS, CANVASSING AND POLITICAL ACTIVITY WAS NOT ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SOLVED. SO I AGREE, IT DOES NOT BELONG IN. I AM GLAD IT WILL BE PROTECTED AS FREE SPEECH. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSITION THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSION HAS TAKEN ON FREE SPEECH, BY ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BE OUT HERE ON THE COURTHOUSE YARD WITH THEIR OTHER PLACES WE CANNOT GO IN TOWN ANYMORE WHEN WE WANT TO EXPRESS OURSELVES POLITICALLY. THANK YOU. AS FAR AS THE EFFECT OF THIS ORDINANCE ON THE HOMELESS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME ABOUT THIS, WHAT THE STAFF ANALYSIS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THIS PANHANDLING ACTIVITIES ARE TRANSIENTS. AND IF THEY ARE TRANSIENTS, THEN IT SEEMS LIKE THEY DESERVE A WARNING BECAUSE THIS ORDINANCE SEEMS TO CRIMINALIZE EVERY DAY BEHAVIOR. AND IT WILL ADD FURTHER STRESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AS ALREADY DISCUSSED. I THINK IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION. IT CAN BE INTIMIDATING TO ENCOUNTER PANHANDLERS. BUT THEY ARE PEOPLE LIKE US. IN MY EXPERIENCE, IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE, YOU JUST SAY, NO, I AM SORRY. MOVE ON. I GUESS I APPRECIATE THE CHANGE TO TAKE PETITION, SOLICITATION OUT. BUT I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS ORDINANCE. >> THANK YOU, MISS McGUIRE. >> -- >> THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHAT WITH YOU ON THIS REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE. MANY OF YOU TODAY I HAVE MET WITH INDIVIDUALLY TO TALK ABOUT THIS. FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. IT STRIKES ME THAT MANY OF THE ACRES WE HAVE HEARD FROM SO FAR HAVE FOCUSED ON THREE DIFFERENT ISSUES. ONE IS THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS REAL, AND ONE THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY NEED TO ADDRESS. ONE IS THE ISSUE OF CANVASSING AND VOTER REGISTRATION, WHICH IS ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, WHICH IT APPEARS THAT COMMISSIONER MINOR HAS ADDRESSED. THE THIRD ISSUE IS THE PROTECTION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THE ABILITY FOR BUSINESS OWNERS TO CONDUCT BUSINESS AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT ALLOW THEM TO MOVE FORWARD. WE ARE IN 100 NORTH DUVAL STREET, JUST DOWN THE ROAD. WE HAVE BEEN THERE 12 YEARS. APART FROM THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, APART FROM THE ISSUE OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND CANVASSING, THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATION. I CAN TELL YOU FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE WE ARE, AT 100 NORTH DUVAL, WHICH IS CATTY CORNER TO TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH, WE HAVE SUFFERED FROM DEFECATION. THE ACT BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN AT NIGHT AND DURING THE DAY, WE HAVE HAD TO PUT IN ROUGHLY $40,000 OF FENCING, LIGHTING, ALARM SYSTEMS AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS TO PROTECT OUR PROPERTY. WE HAD A YOUNG MOTHER WHO WORK FOR US AND HAD A YOUNG CHILD. SHE WAS COMING OUT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WHERE SHE HAD PARKED. SHE WAS ATTACKED WITH HER BABY. RIGHT THERE, AS SHE WAS WALKING ACROSS THE TRINITY METHODIST. NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE I REALIZE THIS IS NOT PRIVATE PROPERTY, WE HAVE BEEN ACCOSTED , AS WE HAVE WALKED TO OUR CARS. I AM A FATHER OF TWO DAUGHTERS, 27 AND 24. AND I HAVE YOUNG FEMALE EMPLOYEES THAT WORK WITH US. I LOOK AT THEM OFTENTIMES AS DAUGHTERS. I WOULD NOT LET MY CHILDREN WALK OUT OUR FRONT DOOR ON 100 NORTH DUVAL ON THOSE DAYS WHEN IT GETS DARK AT 5:00 TO GO TO THEIR CAR. FREQUENTLY ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS, WE CLOSE AT NOON, AS MANY AS YOU KNOW. ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS DOWNTOWN IS A GHOST TOWN. WITH WHOM YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES THERE AFTER 12:00 ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, WE ASKED THEM TO TASK -- TEXT WHEN THEY ARE IN THE CAR COMMODORES HAVE BEEN LOCKED AND THEY ARE ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. THIS IS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR US. THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS AND VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE ISSUE OF VOTER REGISTRATION. WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE. FRANKLY, WE WISH YOU WOULD GO FURTHER. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT FIRST START. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> -- I APOLOGIZE IF I MISPRONOUNCED THE NAMES. >> MY NAME IS SAMUEL TOLER. I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF TALK OVER WHAT THE SOLUTION TO THE HOMELESS CRISIS IS. THIS IS TREATED LIKE SOME UNSOLVABLE RIDDLE. THE SOLUTION TO THE HOMELESS CRISIS IS NOT THE POLICE. IT IS HOMES. IT IS FOOD. IT IS HEALTHCARE. IT IS THROUGH LEGAL ALIENATION OF PEOPLE'S BASIC NEEDS THAT THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE YOU TODAY ARISE. NOT THROUGH THE HOMELESS PEOPLE THEMSELVES. ITEM 26 IS A LARGE DEPTH IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. IT ALIENATES RESIDENTS , ROBBING THEM OF CONFIDENCE TO JUST TAKE THE TIME IN PUBLIC. AND I KNOW THERE IS A DISTINGUISHING -- DISTINGUISH MINUTE MAID FOR PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE. BUT A LOT OF THESE BUSINESSES ARE NOT EXPERIENCED AS PUBLIC ENTITIES -- AS PRIVATE ENTITIES. BUT ARE CATEGORIZED AS SUCH. THIS EXPANDS TO A LARGE AMOUNT OF THE LAND AND RIGHT OF LEON COUNTY. IT AUTHORIZES THE POLICE TO ASSUME GUILT UNLESS THE PERSON HAS WRITTEN PERMISSION WITH A VERY SPECIFICS OF INFORMATION. WITH $500 PENALTIES, WHICH ARE DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO COVER, THESE POLICIES CREATE A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE. ONE THAT IS VAGUE ENOUGH TO BE USED HOWEVER AN OFFICER WISHES. HOW CLOSE DOES AN INDIVIDUAL HAVE TO BE TO SEE A NO SOLICITATION SIGN? THIS IS LEFT UP TO INTERPRETATION SOMEHOW. THE ORDINANCE ENCOURAGES SIGNS TO DETER OR PREVENT SOLICITATION. WHICH HAVE THE CLAIMED UTILITY OF MITIGATING LAW-ENFORCEMENT USAGE. BUT WHAT ITEM 26 HAS FAILED TO REALIZE, IS THAT IT IS THE THREAT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THEY GIVE THE SIGN IT'S AUTHORITY. A POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH A TERRIBLE LOCAL TRACK RECORD AND ABUSE OF POWER BEING ENCOURAGED TO BE PUT IN SITUATIONS THAT RISK FURTHER ESCALATION. AS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, YOU KNOW HOW MUCH A SIGN CAN MEAN AND TO HUMANITY. THE SIGN I SEE THIS ORDINANCE PUSHING TELL THE COMMUNITY TO FEAR TO COMMUNE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> -- TO BE FOLLOWED BY ROBERT LEE. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TABITHA BRIAN. I WILL BE GIVING MY ADDRESS. IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT SOME PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM WANT TO EQUIVOCATE PANHANDLERS TO PEOPLE WHO COMMIT VIOLENT. THE PEOPLE WHO THREATEN THEIR CHILDREN . THIS IS NOT A FAIR EQUIVOCATION. THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT PROPOSE ANYTHING THAT COULD ACTUALLY REDUCE CRIME AND SEE A SAFER COMMUNITY. I THINK IT IS A SHAME THAT ANYONE IN THIS ROOM BELIEVES THAT COULD BE THE CASE. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT UNAUTHORIZED SOLICITATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IS A DEHUMANIZING AND ANTI-HOMELESHOUSE WAS NEIGHBORS. PANHANDLING, OR IN OTHER WORDS, ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE TO RECEIVE THE MOST BASIC NECESSITIES FOR LIFE IS CAUSED, IN PART, BY A LACK OF ADEQUATE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING. LOW WAGES, LACK OF HEALTH CARE AND RISING RENT. AND THESE, AMONGST OTHER CAUSES ARE HIS -- SYSTEMIC. IF YOU WANT LESS PEOPLE FORCE INTO A LIFE THAT THE MAN THEY ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE FROM OTHERS, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE FORCES THAT PUT PEOPLE IN THESE POSITIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT IS A SHAME TO FURTHER CRIMINALIZE ACTS OF SURVIVAL FIRE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. TO TREAT PEOPLE, MOTHERS, FATHERS, CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AS UNSIGHTLY. TO ENFORCE THE REMOVAL AND ARREST AND FIND THEM $500 IN THE PUNISHMENT MEMBERS OF OUR HOUSE THAT SCHOOLHOUSE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE TREMENDOUS TROUBLE FACING. AND THIS ORDINANCE BELIEVES IT IS RIGHT AND JUST TO INFLICT THIS UPON THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY? IT IS SHAMEFUL. SINCE THE END OF LAST YEAR, I SPENT EVERY AVAILABLE WEEKEND SHARING FOOD WITH UNHOUSED PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE I HAVE MET HAVE HAD SO MUCH VALUE, STILL , INTELLECT AND CREATIVITY TO OFFER THIS WORLD. AND YET THEY MUST FOCUS THEIR LIFE ON SURVIVAL INSTEAD OF BEING ALLOWED TO THRIVE AND LIVE A LIFE WHERE THE NEXT MEAL IS NOT A CONST IT, BURNING QUESTION. THIS ORDINANCE WILL ONLY MAKE THEIR LIVES MORE DIFFICULT AND FURTHER DISRUPT ANY SEMBLANCE OF UPWARD SOCIAL MOBILITY. -- THE LANGUAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE IS DISGUSTING AND DEHUMANIZING. TO CALL PEOPLE UNSIGHTLY IS A LOW AND HORRID DISPLAY OF AN UNCARING ATTITUDE AFFORDED ONLY BY THOSE PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO OWN PROPERTY. WE MUST OPPOSE THIS BILL. >> THANK YOU. >> ROBERT LEE TO BE FOLLOWED BY DREW MacLEOD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ROBERT LEE. I'M A RESIDENT OF LEON COUNTY, I WILL NOT BE GIVING FURTHER DETAILS ON MY ADDRESS. BEFORE I GET INTO MY PREPARED STATEMENT. I WANT TO MENTION, A FEW PEOPLE MENTION HAVING BUSINESSES ARE BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE -- OF TALLAHASSEE. MY TWO CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL IN THE CENTER TALLAHASSEE, LET ME TELL YOU, WE ARE FINE. WE DO NOT NEED THIS ORDINANCE. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. I AM A VOLUNTEER WITH THE FOOD NOT BOMBS . EVERY SUNDAY WE SPENT A FEW HOURS PROVIDING FOOD, HYGIENE SUPPLIES AND COMMUNITY OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS. I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO COME TO OUR MEAL SHARES LOOKING FOR SUPPORT IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE DO THEY DO NOT LOOK LOOK DOWN UPON. I STAND FIRMLY IN OPPOSITION OF THIS DEHUMANIZING AND IMMORAL ORDINANCE. I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ALL OF YOU, BUT I PERSONALLY A SHAME THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION. THE EFFECT OF THIS ORDINANCE WOULD BE HARMFUL AND INHUMANE, CONTRIBUTING TO THE CYCLE OF POVERTY, OPPRESSION AND VIOLENCE, WITH PREVENT OUR HOUSE WAS NEIGHBORS FROM FINDING A WAY OUT OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. INSTEAD OF TAKING AWAY ONE OF THE ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE AND WASTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN POLICE ENFORCEMENT, OUR TAXPAYING MONEY WOULD BE BETTER SPENT ON PROGRAMS TO FIND HOUSING AND JOBS. 2017 STUDY FROM THE NATIONAL HOMELESS LAW CENTER FOUND CITIES BEEN MORE MONEY BRUTALIZING AND INCARCERATING OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS THAN IT WOULD COST JUST HOW THEM. THIS REVEALED A MORAL CRISIS IN OUR SOCIETY. THAT POOR PEOPLE DO NOT MATTER. THAT THEY DESERVE TO BE PUNISHED, NO MATTER THE COST. IT'S EASIER TO TELL US OF THE PEOPLE IN POVERTY ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PROBLEMS. RATHER THAN TAKE A SOBER LOOK AT THE CORRUPT SYSTEM THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS LIKE THIS. BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO SLEEP AT NIGHT AND OUR SAFE AND AIR-CONDITIONED HOUSE BEING, COMFORTABLE IN OUR BED, WHILE OUR NEIGHBORS ARE SLEEPING IN THE COLD ON THE STREET. EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND STARTING. RIGHT OUTSIDE LUXURY APARTMENTS AND GAUDY HOTELS. INSTEAD OF TREATING EVERY PROBLEM WITH THE NAIL TO BE SOLVED WITH THE BLUNT HAMMER OR POLICE COERCION, WE SHOULD BE ASKING OURSELVS, WHY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ASKING FOR MONEY OUT SIDE IN THE FIRST PLACE? WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES AND SYSTEMS PUT THEM IN THE SITUATION? THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE SOLVED WITH A HAMMER, ONLY CARE, COMPASSION AND LOVE CAN SOLVE THE SO-CALLED HOMELESS CRISIS. NOT PUNISHMENT. NOT MORE VIOLENCE. THIS ORDINANCE IS A SHAMELESS ATTACK ON OUR SOCIETY'S MOST HONORABLE. NO MATTER HOW MUCH PR SUGARCOATING AND POLITICAL RHETORIC IS SOAKED IN, ANYONE WHO VOTES FOR THIS BILL WOLF -- SHOULD SPEND AN EVENING SLEEPING ON THE PAVEMENT, WALKING THE MILE OF IN THE SHOES OF A PEOPLE PERSECUTING . AND THEN TRY TO GET A JOB, HOUSE, OR DECENT MEAL EVERY DAY WHEN THIS IS YOUR LIFE, WITH NO HELP FOR FINANCIAL AID. THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WILL STAND FOR A. UNHOUSED CITIZENS OF OUR SOCIETY IS ONE OF YOUR CAN THE 22. IT IS TIME TO GROW UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS TIME TO DO YOUR JOB OF ACTUALLY REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE. >> THANK YOU. >> DREW MacLEOD, TO BE FOLLOWED BY OUR FINAL SPEAKER, SPENCER BRASS. >> THANK YOU, FOR HEARING US OUT TODAY. I OWN TWO BUSINESSES AT 115 EAST PARK AVENUE AND ANOTHER IN DOWNTOWN AND ANOTHER IN MIDTOWN. WE ARE CONSTANTLY INUNDATED WITH AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING. LISTEN, NOT EVERYBODY THAT IS A PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS OWNER HAS SOME KIND OF I DON'T KOW, DESIRE , TO NOT HELP THE HOMELESS. IN FACT, WHEN MR. PUGH SAID SOMETHING ABOUT -- I KNOW THAT. JEFF, NIKKI, JESSE, A MAN THAT LIVES IN THE BACK OF OUR BUSINESS WITH VERY AGGRESSIVE. I SAT DOWN, MYSELF, IN THE FRONT OF MY RESTAURANT, TOOK MY SHOES AND SOCKS OFF AND DELIVER THEM TO A MAN IN NEED. LET ME BE CLEAR, WHEN IT GETS AGGRESSIVE, AND INDIVIDUALS START WALKING INTO YOUR BUSINESS WERE A COUPLE IS CELEBRATING THE FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND THEY START PANHANDLING ARE COMING TO EACH TABLE AND CREATING CHAOS, IT IS A LITTLE UNNERVING FOR EVERYONE. TO THE POINT THAT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAD IN TERMS OF LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS OPPOSED TO THAT. BUT WHAT CAN WE DO NOW? WE ARE STRUGGLING NOW TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. QUITE HONESTLY, WHETHER YOU DON'T LIKE THE POLICE OR NOT, IT HAS NOW BECOME THEIR POSSIBILITY. WE ARE SELF-GOVERNING THESE ISSUES. BY THE TIME YOU GET A POLICE OFFICER SHERIFF THERE, THEY ARE GONE AND THIS TOO LATE. THEY WILL JUST COME BACK AND HARASS YOU AT ANOTHER TIME. THAT IS JUST THE FACT. WE ARE EXPOSED , AND BOB SAID THIS AS WELL, PUBLIC IRRIGATION, INDECENT EXPOSURE, DEFECATION, PEEING IN MY PLANTERS, CAUSING ISSUES IN THE -- I KNOW DOES NOT ADDRESS ANYTHING IN PUBLIC PROPERTY. WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COME AND STRONACH THEIR BELONGINGS IN THE PARK. PARKS AND RECREATION SAID WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IS THAT WE WANT FOR THIS COMMUNITY? THIS IS TALLAHASSEE. I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 40 YEARS, I LOVE THIS TOWN. BUT TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING DOWNTOWN, -MT IS DIFFICULT TO COMMIT THE TIME THAT IT TAKES FOR US TO BUILD BUSINESSES AND EMPLOY PEOPLE. TO THE LAST POINT, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, LAST WEEK WE HAD A YOUNG MAN WALKED INTO SLIDERS AND WALK UP TO A GUEST , REQUESTING A CUP OF COFFEE. HIS RESPONSE WAS, NO, I WANT MONEY. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, I HAVE OFFERED PLENTY OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO GIVE THEM A JOB AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO TAKE IT. ONE THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN MENTIONED AT ALL HIS MENTAL HEALTH. WE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU. >> OUR FINAL SPEAKER IS SPENCER BRASS. >> MR. BRASS, ARE YOU THERE? >> MR. BRASS, ARE YOU THERE? MR. BRASS , ARE YOU THERE? >> YES, I AM HERE. >> I HEAR YOU FAINTLY, IS THERE ANYWAY YOU CAN INCREASE YOUR VOLUME? >> HOW ABOUT NOW? CAN YOU HEAR ME? OKAY. SPENCER BRASS, 2020 WEST PENSACOLA STREET. I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE COMMENTS WE HAVE HEARD TONIGHT. I HAVE TO SAY, I THINK OUR -- SHOPPING PLAZA WILL TAKE THE TROPHY FOR DEALING WITH THE SOLICITATION CRISIS THAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY. A COUPLE OF THINGS, DREW DID A GREAT JOB MENTIONING IT. I HAVE STOOD IN OUR PARKING LOT MANY TIMES AND I HAVE SEEN THE INDIVIDUALS COME WITH BOXES OF FOOD AND HAVE GIVEN IT TO PEOPLE. AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE TAKEN THOSE BOXES OF FOOD AND THROWING THEM ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT , THROWING THEM AT PEOPLE AND WALKED AWAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO CLEAN UP. I HAVE SEEN INDIVIDUALS COME INTO OUR PARKING LOT, APPROACH THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OR LOOK LIKE THEY ARE IN NEED, GIVE THE MONEY AND THEY WALK ACROSS PENSACOLA STREET TO HALFTIME LIQUORS AND BUY THEMSELVES A BOTTLE. IF THESE PEOPLE DO NOT GET WHAT THEY WANT, I HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND SCREAMING, YELLING, AND ATTACKING PATRONS OF THE WEST END SQUARE SHOPPING PLAZA , BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GETTING WHAT THEY WANT IN THAT MOMENT. THESE FOLKS ARE NOT USING THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME, THEY ARE NOT USING THE RESOURCES THAT ARE KINDLY BEING GIVEN TO THEM TO PURCHASE FOOD , TO PURCHASE DRINKS. THEY ARE USING THESE RESOURCES TO PURCHASE DRUGS AND TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL. WE CANNOT HAVE ENOUGH PROTECTION FOR OUR PRIVATE PROPERTIES. WE DO HAVE TRESPASSING LAWS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BUT THE TRUTH IS, WE NEED MORE. EVERY DAY LIABILITY INSURANCE IS MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE. EVERYDAY BUSINESS OWNERS ARE STRAPPED WITH THE BURDEN OF HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUMS. YOU COMMISSIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HARBORING A SAFE COMMUNITY , BUT YOU'RE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR HARBORING AN APPROPRIATE AREA FOR BUSINESSES TO GROW AND THRIVE. THIS ORDINANCE IS A STEP IN THAT POSITIVE DIRECTION AND WE URGE YOU TO PASS IS ORDINANCE . THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. COUNTY ADMIN STRATA. >> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS. >> COMMISSIONERS -- COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE IS IN THE QUEUE. >> THIS IS A BIG DEAL. I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS KEPT -- TO CLARIFY. WE LAY OUT REQUIREMENTS OF ASSIGNMENT MUST BE PROMINENTLY NOTED THAT WILL SAY, NO SOLICITING AND IT REFERENCES THE ORDINANCE. MY CONCERN IS, ARE WE NOT GOING TO LAY OUT HOW LARGE THE SIGN HAS TO BE AND HOW MANY SIGNS HAVE TO BE EVERY 500 FEET, THOUSAND EIGHT? >> MADAM ATTORNEY, CAN YOU ADDRESS THIS? >> I CAN ADDRESS IT. WE HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE AS ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS NOW, YOU CAN ADOPT ANY ORDINANCE YOU WANT . BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ENFORCING IT, THAT GOES INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT. WHEN WE WORK WITH THEM IN DEVELOPING THE CRITERIA YOU SEE IN THE DRAFT ORDINANCE, IN TERMS OF THE SIZE OF THE SIGN OR LOCATIONS OF THE SIGN, THAT IS GOING TO BE DATED BY THE BOUNDARIES AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE PROPERTY. IF YOU HAVE A STOREFRONT OUT HERE ON MONROE STREET, YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO NEED ONE SIGN. IF SOMEONE IS APPROACHING THAT DOOR , IT IS UP TO THE PROPERTY OWNER TO MAKE SURE IT IS AN APPROPRIATE SIZE TO FIT THEIR PROPERTY. IT IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A ONE ACRE PARCEL WHERE THERE IS INGRESS AND EGRESS. IT IS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. THAT IS LEFT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER TO DECIDE THOSE THINGS BASED ON THOSE SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS. IN TERMS OF ENFORCEMENT. IT VERY WELL MAY DEPEND ON WHETHER THAT SIGN IS VISIBLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT EVALUATION OF WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN A VIOLATION. AGAIN, THAT IS CASE-BY-CASE. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SO SHOULD THIS PASS, ANYONE SOLICITING SOMETHING OF VALUE , WHETHER IT BE A PANHANDLER, GIRL SCOUTS, DANCE TROOPS , ANYTHING ELSE, THEY WILL NEED TO GET THIS WRITTEN SLIP. AND IF WE ARE IN A SHOPPING MALL, THERE IS A OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER AND THEN A SERIES OF BUSINESSES. WHO DECIDES AND HAS THE AUTHORITY TO GET PERMISSION TO SOMEONE TO SOLICIT? IN STRIPMALL? THE OWNER? PROPERTY MANAGER OR AN INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS OR STORE? >> ARE YOU ADDRESSING THAT, MADAM ATTORNEY? >> THESE ARE ALL QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED BY WHOEVER MADAM CHAIR BELIEVES IS THE BEST. >> AGAIN, IT IS GOING TO DEPEND WHO HAS CONTROL OVER THAT PROPERTY. IF IT IS A PARTICULAR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY WHO HAS CONTROL OVER THE PARKING LOT, IT IS GOING TO BE UP TO THAT MANAGER TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PERSON IS ENTITLED TO SOLICIT THEIR EITHER WITH PERMISSION OR NOT AT ALL. AND FOR WHAT PURPOSES. AS LONG AS THE ORDINANCE APPLIES. IF IT IS A STOREFRONT . IT IS GOING TO BE WHOEVER HAS CONTROL OF THAT STORE. IT IS GOING TO DEPEND AND BE CASE-BY-CASE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM ATTORNEY. >> THANK YOU. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ENFORCEMENT, DO WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL, OR HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT WE EVENLY ENFORCE IT? IS THERE A WAY WE CAN TRACK OR REPORT BACK EVERY YEAR HOW MANY BOY SCOUT AND GIRL SCOUT THIS WAS ENFORCED AGAINST, OR HOW MANY PANHANDLERS? OR HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE ASKING FOR GAS MONEY? WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO MAKE SURE -- TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT PICKING AND CHOOSING? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ENFORCEMENT IS UP TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION. IF YOU WANT STATISTICS, JUST LIKE FOR ANYTHING ELSE, YOU REQUEST STATISTICS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT ANY NUMBER OF ISSUES. >> THANK YOU. >> LET'S SEE, DO WE HAVE ANY DATA, EMPIRICAL DATA ABOUT HOW MUCH WE EXPECT ORDINANCE LIKE THIS WILL REDUCE PANHANDLING AND WHAT COST WOULD BE OF A NEW ORDINANCE IN ENFORCING -- >> I'M SORRY, DID YOU ASK ABOUT THE COST? >> DO WE HAVE ANY DATA THAT WE HAVE ANALYZED TO ESTIMATE HOW EFFECTIVE THIS ORDINANCE -- AN AMOUNT OF HOW MUCH REDUCED PANHANDLING WE COULD EXPECT BY PUTTING THIS ORDINANCE INTO EFFECT? >> NO. THE CHAMBER HAS DONE RESEARCH AND INDICATED GENERALLY THAT IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION WHERE THEY HAVE AN ORDINANCE LIKE THIS, THEY SAW AN APPRECIABLE DECLINE. BUT THAT IS STRICTLY ANECDOTAL AND NOT SOME THING THAT I OR ANYONE ELSE TO MY KNOWLEDGE ON THE STAFF HAS RESEARCHED OR VERIFIED. >> AND THEN WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES. ARE THERE ALREADY LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED ? IS THIS ADDING A NEW LAW THAT WOULD APPLY TO THE -- OR PLANTAR ISSUE OR THINGS LIKE THAT? >> TO CLARIFY, ONE, THIS IS NOT CRIMINALIZING ANYTHING. LET'S BE CLEAR. IF SOMEONE IS CHARGED WITH IT, THEY ARE PROSECUTED IN THE MANNER OF A MISDEMEANOR. THIS IS NOT CRIMINALIZING ANYTHING. THIS DOES NOT ADDRESS -- THIS ONLY ADDRESSES THOSE SORTS OF ACTIVITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF SOMEONE BEING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND ENGAGING IN THOSE ACTIVITIES TO THE EXTENT THERE ARE ALSO SOLICITING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE DEFINITION IN THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE. ONE OTHER THING, IF I MAY. THERE IS NO FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO EXERCISE FREE SPEECH ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I NEED TO ALSO MAKE SURE FOR THE RECORD THAT IS MADE VERY CLEAR. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME STATEMENTS TO THE CONTRARY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MADAM ATTORNEY. COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU. THE THAT SO THOSE ARE HELPFUL. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS. SOMETHING I WANT TO POINT OUT. FOR THE SAKE OF NOT REPEATING WHAT A LOT OF THE GREAT POINT PEOPLE HAVE MADE. IT SEEMS WE ARE DOING SOMETHING , WHEN I LOOK AT COST VERSUS BENEFIT, I SEE ALL COST THE NO BENEFIT THAT. I AM THINKING PRACTICALLY HERE. WE HAVE THEORETICALLY ADDRESSED THE CANVASSING AND -- LET'S THINK ABOUT WHERE WE BELIEVE THIS CAME FROM. LAST YEAR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY APPROACHED TO TALK ABOUT A PANHANDLING ORDINANCE. TALKING ABOUT MEDIANS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. DID NOT LIE BECAUSE WE RAN INTO LEGAL ISSUES THAT CANNOT DO IT. SO WE GET TO THIS REQUEST. WHICH WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON TOGETHER. NOW, EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO PRIVATE PROPERTY. MY CONCERN IS, WE ARE ADDING AN ORDINANCE WHERE, IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, CURRENTLY, IF I'M SO LUCKY AS TO BE THE SHIFT SUPERVISOR AT TVs , I CAN CALL AND SAY, HELLO, SOMEONE IS PANHANDLING OR HARASS BEING PEOPLE AND THAT CAN TRIGGER SOMEONE TO COME OUT AND DEAL WITH IT . AND THE CHANGE HERE IS, IF I HAVE A CVS AND I PUT THE SIGNS UP, THEN I DO NOT HAVE TO DO ANY OF THAT. AND EVEN IF I DID NOT GIVE WRITTEN PERMISSION TO SUMMATIVE SOLICIT, THEN AN OFFICER COULD ENFORCE THAT WITHOUT ANY ACTION FOR ME MY CONCERN IS, WE ARE ADDING A LOT OF RISK AND A LOT OF IMPACT TO A LOT OF THAT ACTUALLY, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT REALLY ONLY CHANGES TO THIS PHONE CALL HAVE TO BE MADE VERSUS CAN SOMEONE JUST ACT ON THEIR OWN -- THE OTHER THING IS, I WANT TO THINK THIS THROUGH. THE PEOPLE ARE SOLICITING , TYPICALLY THEY DO BECAUSE THEY NEED. IF THEY CANNOT DO IT IN THE PARKING LOT, WHERE DO THEY GO? THEY DON'T DISAPPEAR INTO THIN AIR. UNLESS WE FIND HOUSING. THEY WILL BE PUSHED TO OUR PUBLIC SPACES, WHICH IS WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN THE MOST COMPLAINTS TO START WITH, STARTING YEARS AGO. PEOPLE PANHANDLING NEXT THE STREET, PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES. KEEP IN MIND IS EITHER PRIVATE SPACES OR PUBLIC SPACES. IF WE MAKE IT EASIER TO PUSH PEOPLE OFF OF PRIVATE BASIS, IN A WAY THAT IS NOT EVEN REQUIRE SOMEONE IN CHARGE IN THAT MOMENT TO SAY, I WANT THEM REMOVED. WE MAY RAISE JUST PUSHING THEM INTO MORE EXPOSURE. I WANT TO ADVISE ON PRINCIPLE I DO NOT LIKE IT. I ALSO DO NOT THINK IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE OR GET WHAT YOU WANT. I'M KIND OF WARNING YOU I DON'T THINK IT WILL GET WHAT YOU WANT. THE OTHER THING IS, MY CONCERN IS IT ALSO CREATE AMBIGUITY AND CONFUSION. I ALWAYS WANT TO AVOID THAT. WE HEARD ENFORCEMENT , AS WITH EVERYTHING IS UP TO THE DISCRETION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. -- I THINK IT WOULD BE REASONABLE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT OUR PURVIEW, WE SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HOW THINGS WOULD BE ENFORCED. WHILE I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO GIRL SCOUTS, AND I DO OCCASIONALLY ENJOY GIRL SCOUT COOKIES, AND LET'S NOT FORGET BOY SCOUT SELLING PART ONE. I HAVE A FEELING WE ARE NOT GOING TO FIND ANY ARRESTED BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL SCOUTS WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION. BUT WE WILL CERTAINLY SEE PEOPLE WHO END UP IN THE COURT SYSTEM, EVEN WITHOUT CRIMINAL CHARGES WHO HAVE TO GO IN FRONT OF A JUDGE, IN ALREADY OVERBURDENED COURT SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH HIS NONCRIMINAL VIOLATION. AND SO, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO IT, LET'S DO IT. AND LET'S WORK THAT OUT. THE OTHER THING IS, IT CREATES CONFUSION WITH, WE SAY IF YOU PUT UP A NO SOLICITING SIGN , WELL, WE SPECIFICALLY PUT IN HERE THAT HAS TO SAY PER ORDINANCE -- THIS IS GOING TO GOING TO THE NEWS. BUSINESS AND THAT INDIVIDUAL WILL HEAR IT AND THEY WILL PROBABLY NOT CATCH THAT PART. ARE THEY JUST WANT TO GO TO THE SCIENCE STORE AND GET A SIGN THAT SAYS, NO SOLICITING. AND THEY THINK IT IS ENFORCEABLE? AND NOW WE CREATE CONFUSION AND CONFLICT FOR THE COURT SYSTEM? NO ONE HAS TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION. I AM CURIOUS -- MY ISSUE IS, IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE GETTING TO SOMETHING -- WE COULD NOT GET PANHANDLING PANNED OUT RIGHT SO WE, WE BRING IT BACK TO LET'S MAKE IT IF WE BRING UP A SIGN, I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO CALL AND FEEL BAD THAT I'M CALLING ON A HOMELESS PERSON. I ABSOLUTELY THINK WE SHOULD ADDRESS ALL OF THESE NUISANCES. NO ONE SHOULD BE ATTACKED OR AGGRESSIVELY SOLICITED. ORDER PLANTAR DAMAGE CRITICALLY. BUT WE HAVE THINGS THAT CAN ADDRESS THAT. THIS DOES NOT ADDRESS THAT. IN FACT, IF IT HAS TO BE VIEWED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT ANYWAY, PERHAPS ADDRESSING IT IS PUTTING SOME -- PARKING A DEPUTY IN THESE AREAS AND THAT IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN CREATING ORDINANCES AND THEN AN OFFICER COULD OBSERVE THESE THINGS AND ACTUATHING IS, THE OTHER REASON I OPPOSE THIS IS PERSONAL. YOU CAN TELL ME IT WON'T BE ENFORCED -- BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT MAKING ORDINANCE BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN MY FAMILY'S CAR BREAKS DOWN AND WE ARE WAITING AROUND AND ASKING FOR A JUMP. THAT IS A THING OF VALUE. YOU CAN SAY, THAT IS RIDICULOUS. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT, IF IT IS IN THE LAW, SOMEONE MAY BRING UP A RIDICULOUS CHARGE. THEN, WHAT ABOUT WHEN MY FAMILY HAD A GAS TANK RIGHT NOW AND WE HAD NOT GOT TO THE PAYDAY LENDER. AND I'M JUST ASKING FOR MONEY FOR A CAN OF GAS. THIS APPLIES TO YOU IF THERE IS A NO SOLICITATION SIGNED. WHILE USA, CERTAINLY WE WOULD NOT ENFORCE IT, IF WE DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD NOT ENFORCE IT, WE SHOULD NOT PASS IT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE. ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS ? COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. >> MADAM CHAIR, I WANTED TO ASK TO HONOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER A QUESTION. -- MY QUESTION -- AS MEMBERS ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL, I SERVE AS CHAIR OF PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL. QUESTION, WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NIGHT COST OF AN ARRESTEE BEING HELD IN THE LEON COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY? >> APPROXIMATELY $100 A NIGHT. >> WHAT IS OUR AVERAGE NIGHT PER YEAR, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHEEL -- WE ARE HOLDING? >> ARE YOU ASKING HOW MAY PEOPLE ARE IN JAIL? >> FOR 365, WHAT IS AVERAGE? >> ABOUT 920 RIGHT NOW . THAT OBVIOUSLY CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. >> I KNOW YOU KNOW THESE THINGS, WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS IN WHICH AN ARRESTEE REMAINS IN LEON COUNTY FACILITIES? >> IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE CHARGE. >> WOULD YOU ALL THINK I WAS ERRONEOUS IF I SAID 300 AS AN AVERAGE? >> I THINK YOUR AVERAGES ABOUT 260 . FOR YOUR AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY. >> OKAY. WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE OF THE 900 OR SO FOLKS THAT WE HAVE ON AVERAGE, WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF MISDEMEANORS THAT ARE SMALLER OFFENSES, SUCH AS TRESPASSING? >> IT IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE, YOUR HONOR., COMMISSIONER. SORRY. IT IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE. THE VAST MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS HELD IN THE DETENTION FACILITY ARE FOR FELONY OFFENSE. >> SO IN TERMS OF WHAT THIS WOULD DO , CAN YOU PROCEED WITH THIS WILL DO TO PARENTS -- >> IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE IT. THE ISSUE TO IS, EVEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE ARRESTED, THE CONTINUOUS ARREST COMPOUNDS THE ISSUES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THEN, IF THEY ARE RELEASED AND DON'T HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO, THEY WILL RETURN TO THE SAME AREA AND DO THE SAME THING THEY WERE DOING BEFORE. WHICH IS WHY WE TRY SO HIGHLY TO CONNECT THEM WITH RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY -- TO KEEP THEM OUT OF INCARCERATION. >> OKAY. AS YOU ALL TASKED ME TO SERVE -- IS OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. EACH NIGHT, IF WE AVERAGE 960 FOLKS, AND THAT IS AN AVERAGE. SOMETIMES IT'S CLOSE TO 1200. THAT IS $96,000 PER NIGHT TO OPERATE IN HOUSE THE 900 FOLKS. WE THE CITIZEN -- CITIZENS , IF WIEST DATE AT 960, THEY PUT THAT AT 85 MILLION AND $40,000. WE ARE LOOKING AT 35 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE COLLECTIVE OF 960 PEOPLE. I HAVE NOT CHASTISED THE PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL, BUT I HAVE CHIDED US TO STRIKE A PUBLIC DECLARATION OR NUMBER OF AT LEAST 850, REFLECTING OUR. CODE -- AREA CODE AS A REFLECTIVE. THE STATE MANDATES US TO PAY FOR THE FEE TO HOUSE EVERYBODY . I HAVE EMPATHY TO THE PEOPLE ON PENSACOLA STREET , BUT BALANCING -- I ALSO HAVE EMPATHY FOR THE ALMOST 100,000 -- EACH DETAINEE , ALL EXCEPT 260, FOR SOME REASON I WAS THINKING IT MIGHT BE 300 DAYS. MADAM CHAIR, I DON'T CARRY ALL THESE NUMBERS WELL ANYMORE. BUT WE SAY 260 IS AN AVERAGE STAY FOR PEOPLE. 260. TIMES $100 A NIGHT, BUT $26,000. SO FOR EVERY PERSON WE ARE WILLING TO ARREST, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $26,000 THE COST YOU, YOU, YOU. AND THE COST AND BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE HOT CORE DOLLAR VALUE TO ME, I HAVE ARRIVED AT THAT POINT THAT I'M COMFORTABLE. I JUST DO NOT WANT TO BREAK THE BANK . MISS YEARLY, SHE IS SAID TO US, SHE IS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OF THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. SHE HAS SAID THERE ARE LAWS ON THE BOOK. AND THE PENALTIES AND LAWS ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS. SHE SUGGESTS THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. AND IT AFFECTS THE POPULATION . SHE IS INDICATED THAT THIS TENDS TOWARD CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS. AND REVEREND JOHNSON, I THOUGHT ABOUT JESUS, THE CHRIST. AND HE WILL PROBABLY BE ARRESTED FOR BEING HOMELESS. PROBABLY WOULD'VE BEEN THOUGHT TO BE MENTALLY ILL AS WELL. NO DOUBT HE HIMSELF SUGGESTED THAT FOXES HAD -- AND HE HAD NO PLACE TO LAY HIS HEAD. HE DECLARED HE HAD NO ADDRESS, HE COULD NOT HAVE EVEN VOTED WITH NO ADDRESS AND FOR THE. THESE ARE FACTORS THAT FROM A DIFFERENT ROLE YOU ASSIGNED ME TO LOOK AT. AND I TRIED VERY HARD TO KEEP THAT -- TO PUT THIS ON THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW, I AM JUST GOING TO BE CONSERVATIVE AND SUGGEST THAT IF THIS EVEN PICKED UP -- 30 PEOPLE, I WILL NOT DO MY MATH IN PUBLIC IN FRONT OF YOU. BUT WHATEVER 20 MORE PEOPLE EQUAL, ADD THAT UP. AND THEN MULTIPLY IT BY 260. HOW MUCH IS THAT? SOMEBODY FAMOUS CAN DO THE MATH? WHAT IS THAT? THAT IS WHAT THAT WOULD EQUAL. THAT IS A BIG NUMBER. THAT IS A GREAT BIG NUMBER. I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT WE, THE TAXPAYERS ENDING OUR MONEY ON THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS EVERYBODY THE SAME. I SUPPORT PROPERTY RIGHTS, PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. I AM VERY EMPATHETIC . BUT AS A COMMISSIONER, OUR BUDGET HEARING BEGINS I BELIEVE IN APRIL. AND WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO PUT ON THE BOOKS AND WHAT IT WILL DO AND RESOLVE, WE ARE ABOUT TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS THAT IS GOING TO EXPLODE THE JAIL. YOU'RE ASKING ME TO DO MY BEST TO HOLD DOWN RECIDIVISM, AND HOLD DOWN THE NUMBERS . AS LONG AS I AM THE CHAIRPERSON , THAT YOU ALLOW FOR ME TO SERVE. AND THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INFORMATION COME BACK. WE DO NOT HAVE A PERSPECTIVE ON THE PROJECTED NUMBERS ON WHAT THIS WILL DO TO THE JAIL. WE DON'T HAVE PERSPECTIVES ON THE INCREASE , LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS NOT GIVEN US A STATEMENT. I RESPECT THAT. BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT IN OUR NOTES. EVEN OUR LEGISLATION . THIS -- FOR THE RUNAWAY COST, POTENTIALLY. THIS THAT WE ARE TASKED TO MAINTAIN. THIS ADDITIONAL BURDEN. I AM NOT SURE WE CAN AFFORD YOU. AND WITH NO LAW ENFORCEMENT STATEMENT -- SAYING WE WILL PICK UP 10, 20, 30 PEOPLE. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS, WHAT IS ADEQUATE NOTICE TO PLACE NO TRESPASSING? WE HAVE NOT DEFINED IF IT NEEDS TO BE GONE THE DARK. DOESN'T NEED TO BE THIS BIG? SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE CANNOT SEE FAR AWAY. THEY CANNOT READ, SOME OF THEM. THEY ARE DYSLEXIC, IT DOES NOT MEAN A THING. THOSE ISSUES -- IT IS NOT DEFINED. >> WE OPEN A WIDE LANE TO CRIMINALIZE WITHOUT DEFINING EXCEPT FOR THE LAW AND THE PROPERTY OWNER TO SAY . HOW DID SOLICIT WITH A SHEET OF PAPER THAT YOU SAY WHEN YOU GIVE SOMEBODY PERMISSION TO DO SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO WRITE ON A SHEET OF PAPER LIKE WRITING A NOTE TO THE PRINCIPAL. IT HAS TO BE DECLARED. IT IS NOT DEFINED IN TERMS OF THE COST AND THE INJURIOUS NATURE AND THE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FOR WHAT IT WOULD DO TO PEOPLE'S LIVES. I THINK DUE PROCESS REQUIRES GREATER, AND THIS IS NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME, IF WE CAN GET IT TIGHTER AND RIGHT, POSSIBLY I CAN GET ON BOARD WITH OUT A PROJECTED ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, I SEE A LOT MORE POOR PEOPLE ADDING TO $35 MILLION AND $40,000 WE SPENT YEARLY. WE WOULD JUST BE SPENDING MORE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED. I CANNOT SUPPORT IT TONIGHT. BRING IT BACK, TIGHTEN IT UP AND LET'S SEE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW-UP ON COMMISSIONER PROCTOR 'S ANALYSIS WITH THE NUMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. WE GAVE AN AVERAGE OF -- I GUESS A RISK AND A NUMBER OF DAYS AN INDIVIDUAL IS INCARCERATED IN THE LOCAL JAIL. I DON'T THINK IT WAS A DELINEATION BETWEEN THE CHARGES WHETHER IT IS FELONIES, MISDEMEANORS, TRESPASSING. IF I CAN ASK YOU, PUBLIC DEFENDER, YEARLY, DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF A PERCENTAGE OF THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU ALL COME ADJUST ON AVERAGE, THAT YOU REPRESENT WHO HAVE TRESPASSING CHARGES? >> I CAN GET IT FOR YOU, CERTAINLY. I DON'T HAVE IT OFF OF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. AS I MENTIONED, I THINK ALL OF US LOOK AT THE BOOKING REPORTS EVERY DAY AND YOU CAN SEE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM IN OUR COMMUNITY. >> FREQUENT WITH TRESPASSING? >> ABSOLUTELY. WITH PRETRIAL RELEASE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHAT WE HAVE WE TRY TO CONNECT OUR CLIENTS WITH THE RESOURCES. IS MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE A LONG-TERM PLAN. >> AND HE MAY HAVE AN IDEA. I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC NUMBERS, BUT I AM TRYING TO ADDRESS THOSE THAT ARE ATTRIBUTED TO TRANSIENTS AS OPPOSED TO THE HOMELESS POPULATION. >> I CAN FIND THAT OUT. OBVIOUSLY SOME OF THAT FALLS WITHIN PRIVILEGED INFORMATION. SELECT JUST THE NUMBERS. >> I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN MAKE THIS DISTINCTION, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT FINDING HOUSING, SAFE HOUSING FOR OUR CLIENTS LONG-TERM IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT WE FACE. >> AND AS FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION, NOT NECESSARILY TRANSIENT. >> IT IS FOR BOTH AND IT IS ALSO AN ISSUE IF PEOPLE HAVE PRIOR CONDITIONS. WE TALK ABOUT THIS ALL OF THE TIME. IT IS ANOTHER BARRIER TO FINDING HOUSING. WORKING WITHIN THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE LOCALLY AND TRYING TO PARTNER WITH HOUSING ALTERNATIVES IS SOMETHING WE FOCUS ON ALL OF THE TIME. I THINK TO SAY IT IS AN ABSOLUTE PART OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE REPRESENT AND OUR CASELOADS, IT IS PREVALENT. >> THANK YOU MADAME PUBLIC DEFENDER. COMMISSIONER MADDOX? >> MADAM CHAIR, I ADDRESS THE ATTORNEY? WHO WOULD MAKE THE DELINEATION BETWEEN IF SOMEBODY CALLED, BETWEEN WHETHER IT IS A TRESPASS OR WHETHER THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE UNDER THIS ORDINANCE? >> PLEASE. >> CERTAINLY, IF THE PROPERTY OWNER SAYS THEY WANT TO PROSECUTE FOR TRESPASS, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT AGAIN, AT THE END OF THE DAY IN TERMS OF PROSECUTION, IT MAY LEFT UP TO THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. RATHER TO PROSECUTE FOR A CRIME OR NOT. AGAIN, THERE IS PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION. ENFORCEMENT AS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION IS BY THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BECAUSE, AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT A CRIME, IT IS PROSECUTED IN THE MANNER OF A MISDEMEANOR. WE COULD HIRE SOMEBODY IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PROSECUTE THESE. THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE INVOLVED AT ALL. THE DEFENDERS OFFICE WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED BECAUSE IT IS NOT A CRIME. THAT IS OUR OPTION. WE CAN EITHER PAY THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PROSECUTE THEM FOR US OR WE CAN BRING IT IN-HOUSE AND WE CAN PROSECUTE THEM OURSELVES. THOSE ARE THE OPTIONS. >> MADAM CHAIR. MADAM ATTORNEY. NEVERMIND. MADAM CHAIR, DO YOU MIND IF I ADDRESS OUR SHERIFF'S DEPUTY? A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS OF ENFORCEMENT. MAY I? >> PLEASE. >> I BELIEVE HE MAY BE PROTECTED. IF SOMEBODY CALLS YOU TONIGHT. IT COULD BE EITHER TRESPASSING OR IT COULD BE THIS ORDINANCE. HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE IT? >> IF IT IS TRESPASSING AND THE OWNER WANTS THEM REMOVED OR TRESPASSED, WE WILL GIVE THEM A WARNING. IF THEY COME BACK THEY WILL BE ARRESTED. >> OKAY. >> IF IT IS A FIRST INSTANCE OF THEIR TRESPASS OR EVOLVE OUT OF THE ORDINANCE YOUR FIRST RESORT WOULD NOT BE TO TAKE THEM TO THE JAIL IT WOULD BE TO GIVE THEM A WARNING THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEN AT THAT POINT IT WOULD BE AN ARREST? >> THAT IS RIGHT. >> I WOULD IMAGINE YOU WOULD HANDLE THIS ORDINANCE THE SAME WAY. >> YES. >> OKAY.'S IT WOULD BE A REPEAT OFFENSE BY THE PERSON WHO IS DOING THE TRESPASSING? >> YES. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> I ASKED THE QUESTION BECAUSE A LOT OF WHAT I AM THINKING ABOUT IS, WHAT IS THE PROCESS? AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY. IF SOMEBODY IS ASKED -- I'M IMAGINING THAT WITH SOME OF THESE FOLKS IN THE ROOM, THESE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS, AND EVEN IF IT IS YOUR HOUSE, IF YOU ASK SOMEBODY TO LEAVE YOUR PROPERTY AND THEY SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT, THEN WHAT DO YOU RESORT TO? YOU CALL THE POLICE. IF YOU CALL THE POLICE, THE POLICE ARE GOING TO ASK YOU IF YOU WANT THEM TRESPASSED. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE THEM TO JAIL. THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM A WARNING WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO THE SAME THING IN ORDER TO BE ARRESTED, OR IN ORDER TO BE FIND UNDER THE PENALTY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. I HEARD A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND HOW INHUMANE THIS WOULD BE IF WE WERE TO PUT THIS IN PLACE. WHEN I THINK ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY VERSUS PUBLIC PROPERTY, AND I THINK ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THOSE THAT HAVE PRIVATE PROPERTY. THEY DO HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO ON THEIR PROPERTY. AND IF THEY SAY YOU CANNOT, AND YOU CONTINUE TO DO IT, WHY WOULDN'T THEY CALL THE POLICE? AND THEN IF THE POLICE COME AND GIVE YOU A WARNING, WHICH THE SHERIFF JUST SAID THAT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM A WARNING FIRST. THEY GIVE YOU A WARNING, YOU LEAVE AND THEN YOU COME BACK AND DO THE SAME EXACT THING THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS ASKED YOU NOT TO DO. SECOND COMEDY CHEF IT -- SHERIFF'S DEPUTY COMES TO NOT ARREST YOU BUT GIVE YOU A WARNING. IT THEN YOU COME BACK. THAT MEANS YOU HAVE DISREGARD FOR EITHER THE TRESPASS OR THE ORDINANCE IN PLACE , AND YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO ANYWAYS. ONE MORE QUESTION, MR. DEPUTY. EXCUSE ME. MADAM CHAIR, IF IT IS AN ISSUE WHERE THE PERSON WHO IS TRESPASSING HAS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THAT? THEY HAVE A WARNING, THEY COULD HAVE COME BACK AND YOU CAN TELL OFF GUARD THIS IS SOMEBODY THAT HAS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. >> THAT COULD LEAD TO THE BAKER ACT. THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION THERE. >> THERE IS DISCUSSION THERE. OKAY. THANK YOU SIR. EVEN IF THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE OF THE SHARES HELD -- THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY SEES THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO GO THAN TAKING THEM TO JAIL. I UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES OF IT. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT WHAT COMMISSIONER MINOR HAS SAID BECAUSE I COULD SEE IF THE FIRST TIME SOMEBODY DOES THIS AND POLICE ARE CALLED THE TRESPASSING ORDINANCE THIS ORDINANCE THEN AT THAT POINT THERE TAKEN STRAIGHT TO JAIL AND THEY ARE NOT GIVEN ANY KIND OF CHANCE TO SAY , I HEARD IT, I AM SORRY, I WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN. BUT YOU ARE NOT GIVING THEM ONE TIME. YOU ARE GIVING THEM TWO CHANCES. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT SOME OF THE FOLKS HERE ARE NOT THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO IF I HAVE ASKED YOU TO STOP, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO JUST IMMEDIATELY CALL THE POLICE. SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE GOING TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS. DO NOT HARASS MY CUSTOMERS. DON'T DO THIS ON MY PROPERTY. AND WHEN IT GETS TO A POINT, I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO. I HAVE TO CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. OF ASK YOU TO. I'VE SIGN UP AND YOU CONTINUE. TO ME THERE IS A LOT OF CHANCES IN BETWEEN THE SIGN AND GOING TO JAIL, AND THE PERSON WHO IS VIOLATING EITHER TRESPASSING OR THE ORDINANCE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY TO COMPLY WITH WHAT IS BEING ASKED FOR. FOR THAT REASON, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IT. WHAT I WAS WONDERING ABOUT A LITTLE BIT IS, BECAUSE WHAT I DON'T -- WHAT I WAS WONDERING ABOUT IS THE AMOUNT OF PENALTY. DEFINE AND THE JAIL TIME AMOUNT. FOR THE OWNERS WHO WERE HERE THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS. I WOULD IMAGINE THIS WOULD NOT JUST APPLY TO BUSINESSES, BUT HOME IS. YOU WANT THE PEOPLE OFF OF YOUR PROPERTY. YOU DON'T NECESSARILY CARE HOW MUCH THE FINE IS, YOU WANT TO HAVE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, IF THIS HAPPENS, IT IS ENOUGH HERE THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE RECORDS OF THE FINE. I COULD GET WITH LOWERING THE FINE AND LOWERING THE JAIL TIME, BUT AS FAR AS WITH THE FEE, I LIKE THE ORDINANCE BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE DOESN'T MAKE IT A CRIMINAL IF I -- OFFENSE. IF I COULD COME I WOULD HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, IT IS NOT CRIMINAL, BUT IT DOES HAVE A PLACE TO DEAL WITH THIS BESIDES GOING TO TRESPASSING WHICH BECOMES A STATE ATTORNEY DEAL. I LIKE THAT PIECE OF IT. I GET A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT THE FINE BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR LICENSE. IT DOES MAKE LIFE HARDER. I COULD GET WITH MAYBE LOWERING THAT A LITTLE BIT NOT SO MUCH THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT DETERRED BY THE CONSEQUENCE OF DOING IT. AS IT IS, I CAN SUPPORT IT. IF YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH THE FINE OR THE JAIL TIME. BUT I WILL SAY THIS. THE LAST TIME I WILL SAY IT. THERE ARE TOO MANY STEPS IN BETWEEN I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T WANT TO ON MY PROPERTY AND YOU GOING TO JAIL FOR ME NOT TO SUPPORT THIS. YOU HAVE TO BLATANTLY COME BACK AFTER BEING GIVEN A WARNING AND BEING TOLD BY THE PROPERTY OWNER THAT THEY DON'T WANT YOU THERE IN ORDER FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY TO COME BACK AND DEAL WITH YOU. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IT BUT THEY FINE, I WOULD BE OKAY WITH LOWERING THAT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. MADAM ATTORNEY, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. IN THE ORDINANCE IT SAYS FINES UP TO $500. WHO HAS THAT DISCRETION TO DETERMINE ANYWHERE BETWEEN ZERO TO $500? SELECT THE JUDGE, IF IT ACTUALLY GOES ALL THE WAY TO ADJUDICATION IN THE CASE. OTHERWISE, IT IS SETTLED ALONG THE WAY. IF THEY AGREE TO A FINE, AND IT MAY BE SOMETHING THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE HANDLES OR WHOEVER IS HANDLING THE CASE. ULTIMATELY, IT CAN BE DECIDED BY A JUDGE. THAT IS WHY THERE IS NO SET SCHEDULE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. BECAUSE IT IS DISCRETION. >> IT WOULD NOT EXCEED , AS FAR AS THIS ORDINANCE, IT COULD NOT EXCEED $500. IT SAYS UP TO $500. AT LEAST WE HAVE A LIMIT. >> FOR THE FINE. AND THAT MIRRORS THE PENALTIES THAT ARE STATUTORILY AUTHORIZED FOR VIOLATIONS OF ORDINANCES. IT TRACKS WHAT IS IN THE STATUTE IN CHAPTER 125. >> THANK YOU MADAM COUNTY ATTORNEY. COMMISSIONER WELCH . >> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE BEEN REALLY QUIET TONIGHT AND ON THIS ITEM, I THINK WE HAVE TO BE PRAGMATIC. WE HAVE TO BE REASONABLE. I THINK WE CAN GET LOST IN THE WEEDS ON ALL OF THESE THINGS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH. I WOULD JUST REMIND YOU, TWO YEARS AGO WE HAD A MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVE ORDINANCE BEFORE US THAT APPLIED TO PUBLIC SPACES. THAT APPLIED TO DEFECATION, CAMPING, AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND WE HAD VERY SIMILAR CONVERSATIONS. THAT DID NOT GO ANYWHERE TWO YEARS AGO. AND I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP THIS IN THE CONTEXT OF THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY. THIS IS PEOPLE'S PRIVATE PROPERTY WE HAVE EMAILS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY. EMAILS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER OF CONGRESS TOOK EMAILS FROM BUSINESS OWNERS. AND WE HAVE EMAILS FROM THE PUBLIC AT LARGE WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO THESE TYPES OF THINGS. I THINK COMMISSIONER MINOR'S CURRENT MOTION ON THE TABLE IS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR SOME OF THE CONCERNS I WANT TO REMIND US WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A PROPERTY. IF WE ARE GOING TO BE PRAGMATIC WE'VE GOT TO APPRECIATE THE CEO OF OUR DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY SENT US A GOOD EMAIL TODAY EXPLAINING IN DETAIL HOW SHE AND THE BUSINESSES DOWNTOW HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE REPEATEDLY AND THAT IT IS UNSAFE. THESE ARE ANECDOTAL IN THE SENSE THAT THEY ARE STORIES BUT EVERYTHING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS VERY ANECDOTAL. WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO SOMETHING, TO GIVE SOME MEASURE OF REGRESS TO OUR BUSINESS OWNERS ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS. SPENDING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. WE HAVE GONE SO FAR AS TO PUT SIGNS IN THE MEDIANS. TO TRY TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO DONATE ELSEWHERE. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING. NOT JUST ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, BUT PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PUBLIC ROADWAYS. THESE ARE REAL PROBLEMS AND WE ARE JUST KIND OF DANCING AROUND SOLUTIONS. AND I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE ACQUIESCED. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY. THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE PASSED A BLANKET BAN ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SOLICITATION LAST YEAR. JURISDICTIONS ALL OVER THE STATE ARE DOING THIS AND WE TALK IN HERE ALL THE TIME ABOUT STATE PREEMPTION AND THESE THINGS. THE STATE HAS A MUCH MORE ONEROUS BILL WORKING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE NOW THAT WOULD DEAL WITH ALL OF THESE SAME ISSUES THAT WE HAVE CONTINUALLY DANCED AROUND. NOW WE ARE GOING TO GET A BILL FROM THE STATE, PROBABLY. A LOT, POTENTIALLY, THAT COULD BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THAN THIS. I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO KIND OF STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE, WHICH IS, WE ARE TRYING TO ALLOW OUR BUSINESSES TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY. TO FUNCTION WITHOUT FEAR OF HARASSMENT, INTERFERENCE , LET ALONE ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY. I THINK THE POINT THAT COMMISSIONER O KEEFE MADE ARE GOOD POINTS ABOUT POTENTIALLY PUSHING ALL OF THIS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. I THINK THAT IS REALISTIC. BUT IT IS A SMALL STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF GIVING SOME. LIFTING THE BURDEN A LITTLE BIT FOR OUR PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS, AGAIN I SAY, IF THE GIRL SCOUTS ARE SELLING COOKIES OUTSIDE OF PUBLIX, THEY HAVE GOTTEN PERMISSION TO DO THAT. IF I AM SOLICITING PETITIONS AND I SOLICIT PETITIONS, THOUSANDS OF THEM, IF I DO IT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, I HAVE THE PERMISSION OF THE PROPERTY OWNER TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT ME THERE, I WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE THERE. THIS EXPEDITES THE PROCESS AND WOULD ALSO ACT AS A DETERRENT, HOPEFULLY, TO FOLKS WHO ARE CONTINUALLY INVADING THE PRIVACY OF PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS. THEY ARE TRYING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN A DOWNTOWN THAT WE CONTINUALLY INVEST IN AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE TO BE A MORE VIBRANT PLACE AND WE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS, CONTINUALLY. THIS IS NOT NEW. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR THREE YEARS NOW. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM. I THINK THE CARVE OUT OR WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL IT FOR PETITIONING IS FINE. BUT I KNEW THAT IF WE DID THAT, WE WERE STILL GOING TO GET HAMMERED. IT IS ALMOST LIKE, AT WHAT POINT DO WE SAY, NOT EVEN PRIVATE PROPERTY. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY MITIGATION OF WHAT HAPPENED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY AND THEIR BUSINESS AND THEIR INTEREST. I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO SUPPORT THIS. OBVIOUSLY, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S WORDS ARE VERY WEIGHTY. A LOT. AND I APPRECIATE THAT AND I THINK THAT HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT CONSTERNATION. I DON'T THINK OUR GOAL IS TO CLOG UP THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. I TRUST OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS CRAFTED AN ORDINANCE THAT IS REASONABLE, FAIR, AND PRAGMATIC. BUT I FELT THAT WAY ABOUT THE ONE WE HAD TWO YEARS AGO ALSO. I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO SOMETHING. WE HAVE TALKED UP HERE ABOUT BEING HARD AND DEALING WITH THE ISSUE HEAD-ON AND THESE THINGS AND THEN WE DON'T. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A SMALL THING TO HELP OUR PROPERTY OWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CABAN. >> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. I SAT HERE JUST LISTENING AND DEBATING IF I WANTED TO WEIGH-IN ON THE TOPIC. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE HO HAS DISSIPATED I. THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION. I KNOW THIS IS A VERY DELICATE MATTER. SOMETHING THAT IS BOTHERING ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DIALOGUE, BOTH WITH SPEAKERS AND SOME OF THE CONVERSATION WE HAVE HAD AS A BOARD IS WE ARE ACTING LIKE WE ARE NOT TRYING OUR BEST AND SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORKING WITH HOMELESSNESS. IT IS A CONVERSATION THAT I THINK HAS BEEN DISCUSSED. ONE OF THE MOST SINCE I HAVE BEEN A COMMISSIONER. HOMELESSNESS. WE HAVE HAD A WORKSHOP ON IT. JUST RECENTLY WE DISCUSSED GETTING HALF $1 MILLION MORE TO THIS. I BELIEVE IT IS ONE OF OUR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES THAT WOULD JUST DISCUSSED AT OUR RETREAT. AND I ASK YOU GUYS, WHERE DO WE COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO SPEND ON HOMELESSNESS? PROPERTY VALUES. PROPERTY OWNERS. WHERE DO WE GET THE MONEY FOR BLUEPRINT? BUSINESSES. THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WHILE WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO WORK ON HOMELESSNESS, THAT WE ARE PROTECTING THE BASELINE OF OUR REVENUES THAT GIVE US THE ABILITY TO FUND THOSE POGROMS. AND I SIT HERE, EMPATHETIC BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM IN MY DISTRICT. 811 BUENA VISTA DRIVE. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OF AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLERS COMING TO MY DOOR AFTER 10:00 P.M.. I THINK ABOUT, IF I WASN'T THERE, HOW THAT WOULD HAVE GONE OR COULD HAVE GONE WITH MY PARTNER. HER BEING THERE BY HERSELF. I IMPLORE MY COLLEAGUES AND SPEAKERS TO GO SIT AT BAGEL, BAGEL AT PENSACOLA STREET IN THE MORNING. ALL HAVE OFFICE HOURS THERE. HAVE A COPY THERE. I GO THERE FREQUENTLY. AND I THINK ABOUT THE STRUGGLES THAT BUSINESS OWNERS AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY. PEOPLE WHO WANT TO RAISE A FAMILY IN OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK ABOUT THE STRUGGLE THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO DO THAT, TO PAY THEIR BILLS OR TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THINK ABOUT HOW PROPERTY VALUES ON PENSACOLA STREET, JACKSON BLUFF, ROBERTS AVENUE. NEIGHBORHOODS IN MY DISTRICT AND FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR GENERATIONS. 30 OR 20 YEARS, ARE EFFECTED BY AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A DELICATE MATTER AND I KNOW THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS THAT COME BEFORE THE BOARD WHERE THERE IS NO REAL WINNER AND NO REAL LOSER. BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND, WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING WITH HOMELESSNESS WITHOUT REVENUE FROM PROPERTY VALUES. THAT IS WHAT I -- WHY I AM GOING TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION AND I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO AS WELL. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER CABAN. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR -- COMMISSIONER MINOR. >> I THINK I WILL BE THE ONE WRAPPING THIS UP. WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO ON SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY AND ASK PEOPLE FOR MONEY OR OTHER ITEMS WITHOUT THAT PROPERTY OWNERS PERMISSION. WE JUST DON'T. AND WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES IS GIVES PROPERTY OWNERS, BUSINESSES, A TOOL TO ENFORCE THAT RIGHT. THAT IS IT. WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOMELESSNESS TONIGHT. I THINK THAT SOMEBODY SAID THIS EARLIER, BUT I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. HOMELESSNESS AND AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING AND SOLICITATION ARE NOT THE SAME. SOMEBODY FOR HOMELESS BUTTER -- SOME ARE HOMELESS AND LISTENING AND SOME ARE SOLICITING THAT ARE HOMELESS. BUT SOME THAT ARE SOLICITING ARE NOT HOMELESS. WHAT WE ALL NEED TO DO, AND WE ARE DOING THIS AS BEST AS WE CAN WITH THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE, ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF HOMELESSNESS. HELPING PEOPLE GET INTO SAFE HOUSING. IF YOU HAVE HEARD OTHER PREVIOUS MEETINGS TALK ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW IT IS TRUE. WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO BUT WE HAVE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE CITY SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS AND HELPING PEOPLE THAT HAVE A NEED FOR HELP. THEY HAVE HEAD TRAUMA IN THEIR LIFE AND DO NOT TRUST PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THIS -- US TO PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES FOR THEM SO WE CAN GET THEM INTO SAFE HOUSING. IT IS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE STREET. WE HAVE HAD MY P -- PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT GET STABBED AND DIE BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE ON THE STREET. I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING. WE NEED TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR FOLKS ON THE STREET THAT ARE STRUGGLING. WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING TO RUN A BUSINESS AND TRYING NOT JUST TO HELP THEMSELVES, BUSINESS MANAGERS AND OWNERS BUT THE EMPLOYERS THAT WORK FOR THE BUSINESSES. OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, HAVE WALKED UP AND DOWN NORTH MUNRO STREET AND I HAVE KNOCKED ON THE DOORS OF A MORE THAN 200 BUSINESSES, ASKING THEM WHAT THEIR ISSUES ARE. FAR AND AWAY, THE THREE THINGS I HEAR MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE OUR CRIME, HOMELESSNESS, AND SOLICITATION. SOLICITATION IS ONE THING THAT I HEAR. ONE OF THE TOP THREE. FROM EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS THAT I TALK TO. SOME OF THEM TELL ME THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY THINKING ABOUT MAYBE NOT STAYING HERE AT THIS LOCATION ANY LONGER. WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT CLOSING. BECAUSE IT TAKES SO MUCH TIME FOR THAT BUSINESS OWNER, EMPLOYEES OR TO DO WITH SOLICITATION ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY WHEN THEY DO NOT WANT IT. WE DON'T WANT TO BUSINESSES TO LEAVE NORTH MONROE. WE DON'T WANT BUSINESSES TO LEAVE PENSACOLA, OR SOUTH MONROE, OR DOWNTOWN. WHEN IT GETS HARDER FOR US IS ONE SOME OF THE BUSINESSES DECIDE IT IS JUST TOO MUCH. I GOT TOO CLOSE OR GO TO ANOTHER TOWN OR HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER LOCATION. THAT IS WHAT AS COMMISSIONER CABAN SAID, AND STARTS TO EFFECT OUR ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS IN TERMS OF FUNDING. I'M GOING TO VOTE YES FOR THIS. I REALLY STRONGLY URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE YES FOR THIS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF BUSINESSES AROUND TOWN. NOT JUST THE ONES ON NORTH MONROE, AND THEY NEED THIS. THERE ASKING US FOR HELP. IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE MANAGERS OR THE OWNERS. IT IS ABOUT THE EMPLOYEES THAT WORK THERE AND THE CUSTOMERS THAT GO TO THAT ESTABLISHMENT. THIS IS ABOUT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT A PERFECT POLICY , BUT WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING. WE HAVE TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR THE FOLKS ON THE STREET AND WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESSES TO THRIVE. RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT DOING THAT AND WE HAVE TO TAKE A STAND. THIS WILL NOT SOLVE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS BUT IT WILL TAKE A SOLID STEP THERE. I URGE EVERYONE TO SUPPORT THE MOTION. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MINOR. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. >> MADAM CHAIR, I SAID EARLIER TONIGHT ON ITEM 18 THAT PROBABLY MORE THAN HALF AFRICAN AMERICANS -- I WENT BACK TO MAKE SURE IN MY NOTES. I SAID THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS, I DID NOT SAY IT AS I WROTE IT OVER THE WEEKEND. THEY WERE ABOUT HALF CRAZY FROM THE WEATHERING BEAT DOWN OF OUR GOVERNMENTS THAT HAVE EATEN US DOWN TO A PULP. THE RESIDUAL IMPACTS OF PEOPLE MARCHING ON THE STREET. ALL OF THE BEHAVIOR THAT YOU SEE. THE RESIDUAL IMPACTS OF FOLKS WHO OF POVERTY AND HAVE BEEN CAST DOWN. AND YET OUR VANTAGE POINT OF HISTORY AND HOW PEOPLE ARRIVE AT WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY ARE, AND HOW THEY ARE DOES NOT ALWAYS BEGIN WITH THE GENERATION IN WHICH THEY LIVE. I GET THAT. I KNOW THAT PEOPLE CANNOT DEFECATE AND DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ON ANYONE'S PROPERTY. THAT IS NOT RIGHT. BUT IT WAS SAID WE HAVE ENOUGH ON THE BOOKS. AND AS I HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER MADDOX , HE ACTUALLY GAVE THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE BOTH -- THIS IS NOT BEING SOFT ON CRIME, IT IS ALSO BEING HUMANE ON THOSE WHO ARE MORE VULNERABLE, AND HOW EASY IT IS TO TAG THEM AS CRIMINALS ONE PERHAPS THEY ARE MORE MENTALLY ILL AND HAVE BEEN BEATEN DOWN TO A PULP, IF NOT THEMSELVES DIRECTLY, THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY DERIVE. THE PLEA OFFER, ONCE WE PUT PEOPLE IN JAIL AND WE GET TO THE 260 DAYS, ONE OF MY HESITATIONS IS THAT, MISS YEARLY DID NOT GET TO THAT I WOULD'VE THE REVERBERATING FACTORS, THAT WOULD GO OUT. IS THAT THE PLEA OFFER -- AND I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO COME BACK, MS. YEARLY, BUT THE PLEA OFFICER -- OFFER IS MAYBE SOMETIMES EXCESSIVE, UNREASONABLE, AND WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS A STUDY OF THE PLEA OFFER AND THE FAILURE THAT WE CAN RESCUE PEOPLE BEFORE THEY SPENT A AND A HALF MONTH IN JAIL. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EVERY ARRESTEE IS, ON AVERAGE, WITH THE WAY THINGS GO, WILL SPEND A AND A HALF MONTHS BEGGING FOR WHATEVER. IF YOU THINK THAT BEGGING IS WORTH EIGHT MONTHS OF SITTING IN JAIL, THAT IS THE AVERAGE. WE HAVE THE NUMBERS BROKEN DOWN ON WHAT CATEGORIES AND HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN SITTING OUT THERE FOR A TRIAL. FOR JUSTICE. FOR AN OFFER. THAT PART YOU DO NOT SEE. YOU DON'T SEE THAT INFORMATION. AND THAT IS OKAY. $500 . WHAT IS THE MISDEMEANOR AMOUNT IN OUR STATE. $500 OR LESS IS A MISDEMEANOR? IS THAT ONLY PUTTING $500 AS A FINE AMOUNT, THEN CATEGORICALLY THIS CAN ONLY BE INTERPRETED AS A MISDEMEANOR, AND SHOULD NEVER BE, PER SE A FELONY OR IT WOULD WE WOULD BE PUTTING $751 OR $800. THIS IS A MISDEMEANOR THE NUMBER OF WHAT IT CODIFIES IN THE MISDEMEANOR CATEGORY AS A FINE. I HOPE THAT WE DO NOT ABUSE THIS TO MAKE IT A FELONY. WHAT IS THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE DOING ARE WE PUTTING THE ONLY ORDINANCE ON THE BOOK. ARE THE FIRST TOP OR THE LAST STOP? DOES THIS MIRROR THE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, AND I'M CURIOUS IF WE ARE OUT ON A LIMB BY OURSELVES? HOW DOES THIS INTERFACE WITH THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE'S EXISTING PANHANDLING ORDINANCE, MADAM ATTORNEY. >> THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE AN ORDINANCE THAT ADDRESSES OR PROHIBITS SOLICITATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. THEREFORE, THERE IS NO CITY ORDINANCE THAT IS ON POINT AND UNDER OUR CODE UNLESS THEY ADOPT ONE IN CONFLICT THAT WOULD SUPERSEDE HOURS, THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE COUNTYWIDE. >> OKAY. WHAT IS THE CITY SCARE OF? WHY AREN'T THEY ACTING. IF THE CITY POLICE ARE MAKING THE MAJORITY OF THE ARREST, 80% OF THEM, MORE LIKELY WILL OCCUR FROM TPD BUT THE CITY DOES NOT EVEN HAVE AN ORDINANCE TO GO BY. WHY ARE WE ACTING IN A JURISDICTION. THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DESMET COMMERCE PICK ALL OF THESE PEOPLE IN THE CITY. WHAT ARE THEY RUSHING TO DO WITH THE CITY COMMISSION WILL NOT STAND UP FOR ACTIVITIES GOING ON IN THE CITY JURISDICTION. I AM CONCERNED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU THAT WEIGHED IN. AND OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL BEING HERE AND THE CITIZENS HAVE COME INTO A IN ON THE ISSUE. AS YOU ALL RECALL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AS COMMISSIONER WELCH MENTIONED, WE DID HAVE AN ORDINANCE SIMILAR . IT DID NOT PASS. WE DID NOT SUPPORT IT BECAUSE IT DID COME A LITTLE CLOSE TO PERHAPS, MAY BE CRIMINALIZING THE HOMELESS. I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND STAFF FOR BRINGING THIS BACK AND I THINK A FAR BETTER ORDINANCE THAN WHAT WE LOOKED AT LAST YEAR. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A YEAR BEFORE BECAUSE NONE OF US WANT TO CRIMINALIZE BEING HOMELESS. I SEE THE ISSUE BEFORE US AND IT IS VERY SERIOUS. IT IS A CRISIS, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. HAVE HEARD REPORTS ABOUT THE INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY. WE HAVE HEARD REPORTS THAT MUCH OF WHAT IS HAPPENING MAY BE CRIMINAL RELATED ACTIVITY THAT IS OCCURRING FROM THE TRANSIENT POPULATION. AND WE ARE ATTRIBUTING THAT TO THE HOMELESS. IN MANY INSTANCES THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT COME IN TALLAHASSEE FOR A WHILE AND MOVE ON. NEVERTHELESS, I SEE THIS AS A CRISIS. I THINK THAT WE DO HAVE TO ADDRESS IT. A LOT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING ADVERSELY IS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. I HAVE A BUSINESS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. MY BUSINESS HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SOME OF THIS ACTIVITY OVER THE YEARS WERE I HAVE HAD TO CALL THE POLICE TO COME OUT FOR VARIOUS REASONS. MY BUSINESS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA HAS BEEN VICTIMIZED WITH DEBRIS, LOITERING, DEFECATION MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. MORE THAN THAT. I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FRUSTRATION THAT THE BUSINESSES HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. HAVING SAID THAT, HAVING EXPERIENCED THAT, STILL EXPERIENCING MANY OF THOSE BEHAVIORS, I AM STILL NOT IN FAVOR OF ANYTHING CLOSE TO CRIMINALIZING THE HOMELESS. AND I THINK THIS PARTICULAR ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US WAYS THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF ALL OF THE CITIZENS. THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS, WHICH I AM ONE OF THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. AND ALSO, THE RIGHTS OF OUR HOMELESS, OR TRANSIENT POPULATION. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR MENTIONED DUE PROCESS AND NOTICED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS. HOW WILL THEY KNOW THAT THIS ORDINANCE HAVE PASSED? HOW WILL THEY KNOW THE EFFECTIVE DATE AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IT. I BELIEVE DURING THE DISCOURSE WE TALKED ABOUT, PERHAPS, THE FIRST INSTANCE IS A WARNING AND THEN IF THERE IS A SECOND INSTANCE ON THE SAME PROPERTY THAT HAS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED A SIGN THAT SAYS NO SOLICITATION, THEN ON THE SECOND INSTANCE, IT GOES A STEP FURTHER. I DON'T SEE THAT, MADAM ATTORNEY, IN THE ORDINANCE. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD NEED TO ADOPT? OR WOULD THAT JUST BE DISCRETIONARY IF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS CALLED? >> YOU ARE ASKING WHETHER THERE COULD OR SHOULD BE A WARNING AND THEN, IT IS PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION AND THE REASON IS TALKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO KEEP TRACK OF WHO HAS BEEN ISSUED A WARNING AND WHO HASN'T. >> THEY WILL KEEP TRACK? >> IT IS HARD TO BECAUSE YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE PATROLLING ON DIFFERENT DAYS OR DIFFERENT HOURS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE. TRYING TO KEEP TRACK OF THAT BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH IS WHY THEY JUST HAVE A STANDARD PRACTICE OF WARNING BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION AND THEY DO THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF TRESPASS CURRENTLY. >> AS A FOLLOW-UP, IF INDICE ORDINANCE, IF WE WERE TO ADOPT THAT SPECIFIC LANGUAGE, IT IS ALMOST NON-ENFORCEABLE BECAUSE IT IS NOT SOMETHING THEY WOULD KEEP TRACK OF, FOR THE MOST PART. >> IT IS DIFFICULT IN APPLICATION AND ENFORCEMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DO THAT. >> BUT IF THEIR MODE OF OPERATION IS GENERALLY THE FIRST ARREST YOU ARE GIVEN A MORNING AND THE SECOND ARREST, AND I GUESS IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE PROPERTY OWNER THAT CALLED AND SAID, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OR THE THIRD TIME THIS PERSON HAS DONE XYZ, THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD PRETTY MUCH RELY ON THAT REPRESENTATION ABOUT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER? >> YES. AGAIN, KEEP IN MIND, FOR THEM TO VIOLATE THIS ORDINANCE, THEY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS TO PERSONALLY OBSERVE THE BEHAVIOR. THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE THE BEHAVIOR OCCURRING FOR IT TO EVEN TRIGGER A VIOLATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE. >> RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR REPEATING THAT BECAUSE THAT GAVE ME A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONSOLATION. WHEN YOU MENTIONED THAT EARLIER TONIGHT, THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO ACTUALLY OBSERVE THE BEHAVIOR. BUT I THINK THAT IT WOULD STILL PROVIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PROTECTION FOR OUR PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS. WHAT I AM HOPING IS, THIS WOULD BE A DETERRENT. IF PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS POST PROMINENTLY, THIS SIGN THAT SAYS NO TRESPASSING ENTER NO SOLICITATION, THAT IS YOUR NOTICE THAT YOU ARE NOT WELCOME ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE ANALYSIS IS THAT THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE PUBLIC PROPERTY AT ALL. I BELIEVE THE COURT ATTORNEY HAS TOLD US THAT THE COURT HAS INDICATED THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. BUT WE DO NOT HAVE THOSE SAME RIGHTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I FEEL, COMMISSIONERS, THAT WE HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF ALL OF US AS CITIZENS. ARE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS. OUR HOMELESS POPULATION. OUR TRANSIENT POPULATION. BECAUSE THIS AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW, MORE THAN EVER, COULD BE TRAGIC. IT COULD CERTAINLY BE TRAGIC WITH ALL OF THE GUN VIOLENCE THAT WE HAVE REALIZED HERE AN OUR COMMUNITY. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE EXPENDED, MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR OUR HOST SHARE AND HOST DEPUTIES TO ENGAGE THE HOMELESS POPULATION THAT ARE HAVING MENTAL PROBLEMS. MENTAL ILLNESS. IT I THINK THEY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB. THEY GIVE US A REPORT PERIODICALLY. I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF SAYS WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE THOSE INDIVIDUALS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, OR IN THE PUBLIC, WE RESORT TO PERHAPS, THE BAKER ACT. BUT WE HAVE OUR WHOLE SHARE -- SHERIFFS OUT TO THERETO AS A BACKUP. IT FOR THE MOST PART THEY HAVE TRIED TO IDENTIFY HOMELESS PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE SUFFERING THROUGH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE TO SAFEGUARD PROPERTY OWNERS AND TO SAFEGUARD THOSE INDIVIDUALS, OUR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, OUR TRANSIENT INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE THEY ARE GIVEN NOTICE WITH A SIGN. THEY ARE GIVEN NOTICE WITH A FIRST OFFENSE. AND HOPEFULLY, THE SHERIFF WILL ADVISE THEM THAT IF THIS OCCURS AGAIN, AND OF COURSE, ON THE SAME PROPERTY, THEN THERE WILL BE MORE STRINGENT ACTION TAKEN AGAINST YOU. BECAUSE OF THOSE STEPS THAT ARE IN PLACE, I WILL SUPPORT COMMISSIONER MINOR'S AMENDED MOTION THAT TAKES OUT THE OTHER AREAS WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO RESTRICT. IF WE ARE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, SUCH AS THE MALLS, STRIP MALLS, GROCERY STORES, WHAT HAVE YOU, AS YOU SAY, SELLING GIRL SCOUT COOKIES WE GENERALLY GET PERMISSION TO BE THERE. HERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING ADVERSE EFFECTS FROM DEMORALIZING ACTIONS ON THAT PROPERTY. I THINK THIS SUFFICIENTLY WEIGHS THE RIGHTS OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNERS WITH ANY RIGHTS THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WOULD HAVE TO COME OR NOT COME ON THE PROPERTY. IF I DO NOT HAVE A SIGN UP THAT SAYS NO SOLICITATION, THEY CAN COME ON MY PROPERTY. BUT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO, AS A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER, TO GET THE SIGN AND POST IT PROMINENTLY ON THE PROPERTY TO PUT THEM ON NOTICE. AND TO ME, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR, THAT IS DUE PROCESS. I HAVE THAT SIGN THEIR. >> MADAM CHAIR, CAN WE PUT NO BEGGING. HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW WHAT SOLICITATION MEANS? >> I THINK IT IS UP TO THE PROPERTY OWNER. WE WOULD HAVE TO SAY NO SOLICITATION. IF WE WANT TO SAY NO BEGGING, WE COULD DO THAT AS WELL. >> MORE PEOPLE KNOW THAT WORD THAN SOLICITATION. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS UNTIL I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. HAVING SAID THAT HERE WE HAVE A MOTION. >> ONE POINT. >> BRIEFLY. >> IS IT KNOWN TO OUR STAFF, WHEN A PERSON IS ARRESTED, DO THEY LOSE THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE BENEFITS. IF YOU GET AN ARREST RECORD, ARE YOU NULLIFIED FROM RECEIVING A HOMELESS SHELTER, RECEIVING FOOD BANK? IS THERE ANY LOST -- BECAUSE POVERTY BRINGS CERTAIN LIGHT. BUT WHERE IF YOU GET A POLICE RECORD, DO YOU ALSO LOSE YOUR HUMAN SERVICES HELP? >> KNOW, COMMISSIONER, THEY DO NOT. THE ONLY THING THAT IS USUALLY BARRED IS ISSUES REGARDING SEXUAL PREDATORS. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR THAT CARVED OUT AN EXCEPTION TO PARAGRAPH 2 IN THE ORDINANCE AND A HAS BEEN SECOND DO WE HAVE TO REPEAT THE EXCEPTION? COMMISSIONER MINOR. >> SUBSECTION 2 ON PAGE 751 WOULD BE CHANGED TO REMOVE PETITION GATHERING FROM THE SENTENCES CURRENTLY THERE AND AT THE END OF THE PARAGRAPH IT WOULD HAVE A SENTENCE TO THE EFFECT OF THE TERM SOLICIT DOES NOT PERTAIN TO GATHERING, VOTER REGISTRATION OR ADVOCACY ON POLITICAL ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. THAT IS THE MOTION. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MINOR. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? NO. >> COMMISSIONER O KEEFE AND COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IS THERE ANYTHING FURTHER? >> AT THAT CONCLUDES YOUR BUSINESS, MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. --------- >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. AND WELCOME TO OUR LEON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING FOR FEBRUARY 20th, 2024. IT IS GREAT TO SEE ALL OF YOU THAT ARE HERE. GREAT TO SEE MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS. AT THE TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON COMMISSIONER PROCTOR TO INTRODUCE OUR INDICATOR AND ALSO INTRODUCED , WILL LEAD US INTO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. COMMISSIONERS. WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY. THIS FINAL TUESDAY IN THE MONTH. IF THE STAFF CAN GET SOME OF THIS% OUT OF MY MICROPHONE, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER JONES, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU. I AM VERY PLEASED THAT THE ASSOCIATE MINISTER OF BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, REVEREND DON TOLLIVER IS HERE TO LEAD US IN OUR INVOCATION. CAN YOU PLEASE,, WE ASK THAT ALL OF US STAND DURING THE INVOCATION. >> LET US PRAY. GOD OF OUR WEARY YEARS. GOD OF OUR SILENT TEARS. THOU WHO HAS BEEN WITH US THUS FAR ALONG THE WAY. THOU BY THAT MIGHT HAVE LET US INTO THE LIGHT, KEEP US FOREVER IN THE PAST WE PRAY. DEAR GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS MEETING TODAY. WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU. WE THANK YOU FOR THE BUSINESS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE. LEFT OUR MINDS, OUR HEARTS AND SOULS TODAY. WE ASK TO KEEP EVERYTHING THE IMPERSONAL IN YOUR WELL. MOST OF ALL, WE ASK YOU CONTINUE TO BE WITH US AS WE TRAVEL TO AND FRO. I ASKED THAT YOU HELP US TO CONTINUE CONDUCT BUSINESS -- BUSINESS AND IT -- ORDER. AND ALSO KEEPING THE CONSIDERATION OF THE PEOPLE LEON COUNTY. >> PLEAD I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE FOLLOW TO THE FLAG ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >>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. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU, BUT COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. WE CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK REVEREND TOLLIVER. FOR THE APPLE OF -- BEAUTIFUL INVOCATION. [ INAUDIBLE ] THANK YOU. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THAT BRINGS US TO OUR AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON CONSENT ? OH, LET'S SEE. OKAY, I AM SORRY. I SKIPPED AHEAD. NEST WE WILL ASK COMMISSIONER MINOR IF HE WILL COME FORTH WITH THE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING DJ DEMP FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I MUST ADMIT, AT FIRST I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST 27 YEARS. LAST MONTH I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING THREE OR FOUR OF THE EVENT AT DUMP WEEK -- DENT WEEK. I TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO THE BASKETBALL GAME. I SAW FIRSTHAND THE VALUE YOU PROVIDE TO THIS COMMUNITY. YOU ARE A LEON COUNTY TREASURE. IT IS AN HONOR TO DO THIS PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WHEREAS IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE AND GRATITUDE WE COME TOGETHER TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF DJ DEMP TO THE COMMUNITY OF LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA. AND WHEREAS DJ DEMP HAS CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, PHILANTHROPY AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT. MAKING A LASTING AND POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE RESIDENCE. WHEREAS, THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AND ANCHOR RECOVERY PARTICIPATION TO OPEN THEM HOUSE, THE DAY TEMP THAT SO DJ DEMP HAS -- TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL STRUGGLING WITH DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION. AND WHEREAS HE PARTICIPATE IN THE EMPOWERMENT OF YOUTH THROUGH MENTORSHIP , ADVOCACY AND -- AND THE MISSION TO GIVE CHILDREN A SAFE SPACE TO LEARN AND GROW. AND WHEREAS DJ DEMP BULLYING PREVENTION PROGRAM ADDRESSES SOCIAL ISSUES IN COMBAT THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS THROUGH PROBLEM SOLVING AND SELF-DEFENSE. AND WHEREAS DJ DEMP'S PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY, PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THOSE IN NEED AND EXEMPLIFYING THE TRUTH HERE OF GENEROSITY . AND WHEREAS AS A PROMINENT FIGURE IN THE LOCAL CULTURAL SCENE, DJ DEMP HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN PROMOTING AND PRESERVING THE DIVERSE CULTURAL HAT NATIONAL HERITAGE THAT ENRICHES OUR COMMUNITY. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA HEREBY PRONOUNCE EVERY 20th, 2024 AS DJ DEMP DAY IN HONOR OF HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS AND DEDICATION TO THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY. SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. PLEASURE. >> WOW, THIS IS SUCH AN HONOR. I APPRECIATE IT. I THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO THE EVENTS. I SAW YOU SHOW UP TO A FEW OF MY EVENTS. AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS WHO STOOD BEHIND ME IN MAKING SURE THAT YOU WERE WITH ME WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS. I JUST WANT TO SAY, EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE TO RECEIVE THIS AND TO BE HONORED, I AM GOING TO CONTINUE DOING IT. AS I HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST YEARS THAT I LIVED IN TALLAHASSEE. I WILL CONTINUE DOING IT. AND ELEVATING WHAT I AM DOING. IF ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED ME TO DO, TO HELP YOU OUT IN REACHING THE COMMUNITY, JUST REACH OUT AND I GOT YOU. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MINOR. AND DJ DEMP. >> I WANT TO STEP DOWN AND JOIN. BUT I WANT TO ASK STANLEY SIMMS IF DJ DEMP IS HIS COUSIN, HEATING -- HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. HE USUALLY LETS US KNOW WHO HIS COUSINS ARE. I WANTED TO SAY TO DJ DEMP, WORD ON THE STREET IS, WE WANT YOU TO HEAD UP A SUPER BOWL PARTY NEXT YEAR. I DJ DEMP SUPER BOWL PARTY. I'M JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE. >> MADAM CHAIR? >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. COMMISSIONER MADDOX. >> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK DJ DEMP FOR WHAT HE DOES IN OUR COMMUNITY. IT'S MUCH BIGGER THAN JUST THAT WEEK,. IS EXTRAORDINARY. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK AND GIVE CREDIT TO COMMISSIONER MINOR AND DJ DEMP FOR TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT EXACTLY WE PUT OURSELVES ON THE LINE FOR, AND FOR HIM TO COME FORWARD TODAY AND ASKED FOR THE PROCLAMATION AND PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION, AND THE WORDS IN THE PROCLAMATION BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TYPE OF MAN THAT COMMISSIONER MINOR IS. I IS RESPECT THE TIME YOU TOOK IN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHO THAT MAN IS AND REALLY CHERISH WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THEREFORE, ON YOUR SIDE OF IT, DEB, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THE COMMISSIONER THIS EXPERIENCE, AND TO NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL . SO HE COULD KNOW EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE, YOU DID THAT WITH OPEN ARMS. AND YOU ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET SO HE COULD UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT AND EFFECT YOU HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITY. IN MY OPINION THAT IS HUMBLENESS THAT EVERY MAN NEEDS. BIGGER THAN ANY ACCOMPLISHMENT WE HAVE SEEN THUS FAR, I THINK THE WAY WE WERE ABLE TO PUT TWO PEOPLE TOGETHER WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES TO COME TO RESPECT ONE ANOTHER ONE GIVING THE EXPERIENCE, COME TO RESPECT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, IT SPEAKS A LOT ABOUT THE POLITICAL PROCESS. AND ABOUT YOU TWO AS MEN. THIS IS WHAT I LOVE FOR LEON COUNTY TO BE ABOUT AND BE LIKE, WHETHER YOU ARE FROM THE NORTH SIDE, EASTSIDE, WEST OR SOUTH. THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AS WE DID IN THIS SITUATION TO REALLY RESPECT, LOVE AND CHERISH ONE ANOTHER AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MADDOX. ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS? >> MADAM CHAIR, STANLEY SIMMS IS BACK IN THE CHAMBER. MR. SIMS, WE DID NOT NOTE THIS WITH YOUR COUSIN OR NOT. IF DJ DEMP IS YOUR COUSIN. OKAY. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. I ALSO WANT TO ECHO THE SENTIMENT OF COMMISSIONER MINOR AND THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS , DJ DEMP, ON THE POSITIVE IMPACT YOU HAVE HAD ON OUR CHILDREN IN THIS COMMUNITY. NOT JUST THIS YEAR, BUT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. WE APPRECIATE DEMP WEEK AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR COMMITMENTS TO MAKE SURE OUR YOUTH HAVE POSITIVE ROLE MODEL . YOU HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THAT RESOLUTION IS VERY WELL DESERVED. CONTINUE TO DO GOOD WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING FROM US, YOU KNOW HOW TO CONTACT US. THANK YOU. >> MADAM CHAIR, I WANT TO SAY THAT IT DJ DEMP'S MOTHER TO HIS IMMEDIATE LEFT. AND WHATNOT. >> YOUR MOTHER IS HERE? OKAY , MOTHER. LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR RAISING SUCH AN AMAZING SON. WE APPRECIATE YOU. OKAY, BACK TO OUR AGENDA, COMMISSIONERS. MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, DO WE HAVE DIGGERS ON CONSENT AND NON-AGENDAED ITEMS ? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. COMMISSIONERS, GOOD AFTERNOON. WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER ON CONSENT AND NON-AGENDAED ITEMS. MICHAEL -- . >> MY NAME IS MICHAEL McBRIDE, -- ON MARCH 28th, 2010, MY SON WAS HAVING AN ARGUMENT WITH HIS FIANCEE . AT OUR HOUSEHOLD, WE WERE ON SPRING BREAK. WHEN SHE DROVE AWAY, MY SON LOADED UP HIS GUN TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE, HE CAME BACK IN HIS HOUSE. IN ENSUING INTERACTION, CONNOR SHOT AND. A WEEK LATER SHE DIED. AND PARENTS DID NOT WANT TO FOLLOW THE DATA SQUALL, THEY DID NOT WANT RETRIBUTION, THEY WANTED ANSWERS. THE PURPOSELY INTRODUCED RESTORATIVE PROCESS -- JUSTICE IN THE PROCESS. SIMPLY PIT -- PUT, THIS IS ANOTHER WAY OF DOING THINGS. THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU, OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS, TO UNDERSTAND. YET UNDERSTAND THE HARM THAT WAS DONE, WHO WAS HARMED AND HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO REPAIR THE HARM. THE EXISTING LEGAL SYSTEM DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDER SUCH COMMUNITY CENTRIC PERSPECTIVES. I AM NOT HERE TODAY TO EDUCATE YOU ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE OR EXPOUND ON ITS BENEFITS. I'M HERE TO IDENTIFY THAT WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS FOR YOU TO MAKE A DIFF. A CONTRACT HAS RECENTLY BEEN SET BETWEEN THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE AND CONNECTION FIRST FOR A PROGRAM THAT LEVERAGES A MEMORANDUM BETWEEN OUR STATE ATTORNEY, OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER , OUR SHARE OF AND OUR CHIEF OF POLICE. BUT NOW COMES THE HARD PART -- HOT DESK ALL THE DOING. THIRD IS GREAT COUNT THAT THE COMPETENCE FOR THE BENEFITS. WITH THERE WOULD BE MORE BENEFIT IF YOU, THE COMMISSIONERS, COULD STEP UP AND ADVOCATE FOR THE PROGRAM AND LEARN HOW IT WORKS, LEARN WHO IS INVOLVED AND HOW IT CAN HELP THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM WORKS BY PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES , LOCAL RESOURCES ARE REQUIRED TO INCREASE CONNECTION AND OVERCOME BARRIERS TO SUPPORT SUCH OPPORTUNITIES. A COMMITMENT FROM YOU TO HELP EDUCATE AND BRING ON BOARD THOSE RESOURCES FROM ACCOUNTS THAT GO ACROSS THE COUNTY WOULD BE A VALUABLE. WHEN LEADER SHOWS SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM, THE COMMUNITY IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BUY END. WITH SUCH INFORMED SUPPORT FROM THE TOP, A DIFFERENT CAN BE MADE. WHILE MANUALLY THAT SO MANY WOULD CALL THIS A SOFT INTERVENTION PROGRAM, MICE AND WOULD CALL IT AN ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM ESTABLISHING A NORM FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE COMMUNITY CHANGING THOUGHT. PLEASE LEAD IN THE SUPPORT F THAT THOUGHT. WE CAN BE THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE BY PROMOTING EFFORTS TO TEACH PEOPLE THAT DO HARM, RATHER THAN ISOLATING THEM, HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, RATHER THAN BLAMING THEM, CHANGING PEOPLE RATHER THAN INCARCERATING THEM. WITH THIS COMMISSIONS ACTIVE SUPPORT IN SUPPORTING PROGRAMS SUCH AS THIS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM, CATALYST CAN BE AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU, MR. Mc WRIGHT. MR. McBRIDE. >> THANK YOU, I WANT TO THANK MICHAEL FOR SPEAKING TO RESTORATIVE JUSTICE. HE AND HIS WIFE JULIE ARE ADVOCATES FOR THIS PROGRAM. OBVIOUSLY, HAVING LIVED IT AND EXPERIENCED IT. MICHAEL, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, I ENCOURAGE YOU SEND IT TO US AN EMAIL. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP TONIGHT. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE? >> THANK YOU, FOR SPEAKING UP FOR THAT. YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM MY OFFICE TO FIND MORE ABOUT THIS. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. >> THANK YOU, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING AS WELL. I AM SORT OF FAMILIAR WITH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE . I AM INTERESTED IN IT . WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE. MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AS REFLECTIVE IN THE AGENDA, ITEMS SIX AND 11 HAVE BEEN POLLED. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CONSENT THE AGENDA WITH EXCLUSION OF ITEMS SIX AND ITEM 11. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND? THANK YOU, ABBY MOVED TO SECOND TO CONSENT THE AGENDA EXCLUDING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS SIX AND 11. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO MOTION ON THE FLOOR SAY, AYE. >> AYE.. >> ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU. >> ITEM #6 SEEKS FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $218,400 TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE FIRST RESPONDER HIGH-PERFORMANCE RESUSCITATION WORKFORCE TRAINING TO OUR EMS STAFF. WITH THAT, WE ARE RECOMMENDING OPTIONS ONE AND TWO , HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COMMISSIONER PROCTOR ARE. >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR? >> COMMISSIONERS, I'M CURIOUS TO ASK WHAT A HIGH-PERFORMANCE RESUSCITATION IS? >> THANK YOU, I WILL ANSWER. I WOULD ASK CHIEF ABRAMS TO COME UP AND SPEAK TO SOME LEVEL OF SPECIFICS. THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THAT WOULD PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT IN THE AMOUNT SHOWN IN THE ITEM TO PROVIDE RESUSCITATION, HIGH-PERFORMANCE, WHICH I THINK HAS TO DO WITH THE NEUROLOGY COMPONENT OF DEALING WITH RESUSCITATION . AGAIN, CHIEF ABRAMS CAN DO A BETTER JOB THAN I IN EXPLAINING. >> COMMISSIONERS, AS YOU KNOW, AS OUTLINED IN THE AGENDA, THE BOARD HAS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE MEDICAL OUTCOMES AND SURVIVAL RATES . WE DO THAT THROUGH A NUMBER OF WAYS CURRENTLY. THIS IS THE NEXT LAYER OF THAT. IN VIEWING HOW OUR RESUSCITATION HEALTH A PERSON RETURN BACK TO HOME IN THE STATE THEY WERE IN PRIOR. IT IS A LOT OF SCIENCE THAT SHOWS CHANGING HOW WE DO THE RESUSCITATION INITIALLY WILL HELP TO DO THAT. THIS PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GIVES US THE TRAINING ON ALL THE PIECES AND PARTS NECESSARY TO DEPLOY THAT TO THE COMMUNITY. >> SO THE WORD RESUSCITATE , WHAT IS THE MEANING? >> THIS IS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE HEART HAD STOPPED THAT NEED CPR. THIS IS TO RESUSCITATE THEM BACK TO HAVING THE HEARTBEAT AND BEING DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL. >> OKAY, I JUST KNOW SOMEONE -- JESUS CALLED UP LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD. IT SAID HIGH-PERFORMANCE. IF YOU KEEP LIVING IN YOUR HEARTBEAT, BUT ALL OF THAT WAS HIGH. I WAS NOT CLEAR ON WHAT HIGH-PERFORMANCE VERSUS RESUSCITATION WAS. ON THE TO 18, WE HAVE ADVANCED MONEY FOR THE STATE. IT SEEMS THAT THE STATE IS GIVING US 218 AND WE ARE HOLDING IT. AND WE PICK FROM THERE AND APPROVE DESK APPROVED LIST OF VENDORS. IS THAT GOOD OR BAD? >> -- THEY WILL REIMBURSE THE COUNTY FOR THE COST. >> COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO BRING UP, MADAM CHAIR, SINCE I SAW THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HERE , WE HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE. I WANTED TO ASK OUR COUNTIES ADMINISTRATOR IF THERE IS ANY UPDATE WITH RESPECT TO THE -- THAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH TO LEAVE THE BUILDING ON ORANGE AVENUE. THE EVICTION. THE DEPARTMENT IS CHERRY PICKING WHAT WE DO AND WHAT IS DONE IN THIS COMMUNITY. EVICTING SOME, AND ESTABLISHING RESUSCITATION SERVICES AND OTHERS. WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. -- IN ESSENCE, WHAT COMMISSIONER PROCTOR IS REFERRING TO IS, OUR LONG-STANDING AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE AT THE ORANGE AVENUE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THROUGH THE AGREEMENT WITH NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH SERVICES, AS YOU MAY KNOW, ABOUT ONE MILE DOWN THE ROAD, NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH HAS RENOVATED A NEW BUILDING. THEY ARE PREPARING TO MOVE INTO THE NEW BUILDING AND PROVIDE THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF THEIR SERVICES THERE. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR, I KNOW HE WILL NOT MINE -- MIND IF I REVEAL HE HAD SOME CONCERNS AND ASKED THAT WE DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THE CONTINUATION OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN THAT AREA, -- HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK BETWEEN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND A COMMUNITY EDUCATION OF WHERE THE SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED. IN THE PROCESS, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH HAVE EXTENDED WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY THE DATE TO DISCONTINUE THE SERVICES. THAT WAS JUNE 31st, IT WILL NOW BE DECEMBER, AFTER THEY HAVE ALL AGREED TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR THE SERVICES. AGAIN, HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY ADMINISTERED A. ANY FOLLOW-UP, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR? >> COMMISSIONERS, WE ARE CHARGED AS THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE THE HELP , SAFETY AND WELFARE OF LEON COUNTY CITIZENS. THE STATE OF FLORIDA, EVICTING NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH FROM ORANGE AVENUE , A SITE WHERE FOR MAYBE 20 YEARS IT HAS BEEN A MEDICAL HOME FOR SO MANY PEOPLE IN THAT QUARTER OF THE COMMUNITY. THIS CREATES A MEDICAL SERVICE DESERT IN COMMISSIONER CABAN HAS OFTEN SPOKE TO THE ABSENCE OF MEDICAL FACILITIES OVER ON HIGHWAY 20. WE CLOSE THIS ON ORANGE AVENUE. AND FULTON STREET. WE ARE TURNING THE LIGHTS OUT ON HEALTHCARE. IN THAT AREA. THIS IS A GRAVE CONCERN. IT IS MY HOPE THAT WE, OUR STAFF, CAN CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE ANTENNA OF NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH AND ITS FOOTPRINT THAT ALREADY EXISTS TO REMAIN. IN THAT TIME, AND THE DUST THE TIME WILL BRING WILL NOT COVER THE FOOTPRINTS, WE NEED THAT. I'M CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT USED TO BE THE ROAD , SPRINGHILL ROAD. IT HAS BUILDINGS THERE THAT ARE EMPTY. AND OTHER VACANT PROPERTIES WHICH MIGHT SERVE, IF WE ARE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING, MADAM CHAIR. I KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE LEFT DESK TOOT -- DESTITUTE AND HOMELESS. IF NOT HOMELESS, THEY WILL BE MEDICAL HOMELESS. THAT IS NOT GOOD IN THESE TIMES. IF YOU ARE UNINSURED, YOU COULD GO TO NEIGHBORHOOD. BUT IF NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT THERE, AND YOU ARE UNINSURED, THAT FOSTERS BAD DAYS AHEAD. IF OUR BOARD WOULD ALLOW THIS INTEREST OF MINE, I HAVE HEARD IT ARTICULATED BY THE DISTRICT TO COMMISSIONERS. THAT AREA LACKS MEDICAL CARE. I AM HOPING WE CAN ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING A PROPERTY WHERE THEY CAN MAINTAIN OPERATIONS. THAT IS A RECOMMENDATION, I WILL MOVE THAT IS OPTION ONE. THAT WE ADOPT THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION, AND WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION WE CONTINUE TO ASSIST AS WE CAN , TO FIND OPTIONS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN THAT COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. AND COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION IN REFERENCE TO NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH. I KNOW THEY ARE RENOVATING A NEW BUILDING ON SOUTH MONROE. IS THAT THE PLAN TO AND WHEN THEY CLOSE? >> YES, BUT I MENTIONED, THEY ARE DOING IT IN A COORDINATED MANNER. THE BOARD MAY RECALL, THE BOARD HAS AN INVESTMENT OF ABOUT $500,000 IN THE NEW NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH FACILITY. AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING , AND MR. LANDY HAS BEEN PROVIDING A LEAD TO THAT FOR THE SMOOTH TRANSITION OF SERVICES. >> THANK YOU, ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU, THE MOTION WAS FOR OPTION ONE? IS THAT CORRECT? I THINK IN THE DOCUMENTATION OUR STAFF WERE RECOMMENDING OPTION ONE AND TWO ON PAGE 93. I WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE -- OPTION NUMBER TWO MAKES SENSE TO ME AS WELL. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR, DID WE PURPOSELY LEAVE OPTION TO OUT? >> THE RECOMMENDATION SAYS OPTION ONE. OH, I AM SORRY. >> OPTION ONE AND TWO. ON PAGE 93. >> I THINK ON THE FIRST PRESENTATION IT PRESENTS OPTIONS ONE AND TWO. AND THEN WE GET THE BACK -- BACKGROUND ANALYSIS AND THEN THERE'S OPTIONS ONE THROUGH FIVE, AND THEN THE RECOMMENDATION IS OPTION ONE. >> I SEE THAT ON PAGE 95. WHAT ON PAGE 93, IT LOOKS LIKE OPTION TWO IS A NECESSARY PART. >> I CAN PROVIDE CLARIFICATION. IT IS A MISTAKE. IT SHOULD BE OPTIONS ONE AND TWO. NUMBER TWO FACILITATE THE ACCOUNTING. >> IT SAYS ONE, BUT IF YOU CAN AMEND YOUR MOTION, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR? >> ONE AND TWO. I MOTION. >> WE MOVED TO SECOND TO ADOPT OPTIONS ONE AND TWO? ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. SEPARATE FROM THIS MOTION, I WILL PLAN TO SEE FOR US. AT THE NEXT TIME WE UPDATE OUR ECONOMIC VITALITY STRATEGIC GOALS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP US IN MIND IS, WE HAVE A DESPERATE NEED FOR MEDICAL PROVIDERS OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL CARE. -- AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSURANCE BUT CANNOT FIND ENOUGH LOCAL PROVIDERS. WE TALK ABOUT STRATEGICAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I DON'T SEE WHY WE CANNOT ESPECIALLY FOCUS ON RECRUITING AND EXPANDING BUSINESSES THAT PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE, THEY GIVE US THE JOBS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT WE LOOK FOR AND GIVE A DOUBLE WHAMMY OF FILLING UP COMMUNITIES. I AM JUST PLANTING THAT SEED. >> THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ON THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR FOR OPTIONS ONE AND TWO, SAY AYE.. ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU, IVO AYE.. COUNTY ADMINISTERED A? >> -- THIS IS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WELCOME TO LEON COUNTY SIGNS INSTALLATIONS ON ROADS MAINTAINED BY FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE RESPECTIVE AGREEMENTS TO BE EXECUTED. WE HAVE THE ANALYSIS BEFORE YOU. WE ARE RECOMMENDATION -- OPTIONS ONE AND TWO. THIS WAS PULLED BY COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE? >> THANK YOU, AT THE TIME I PULLED THIS, THE COST SEEMED UNREASONABLE. JUST BEFORE THE MEETING, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PROVIDED SOME DETAILED INFORMATION THAT MADE IT MORE UNDERSTANDABLE TO ME. I MOVED STAFF RECOMMENDATION OPTIONS ONE AND TWO. >> THANK YOU , COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. >> THANK YOU, -- I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS PRICEY. WHAT I AM UNCLEAR OF IS, THE MONEY WILL BE PLUCKED FROM THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. AS A MEMBER OF THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, I WAS UNAWARE THAT WE WERE MAKING THIS EXPENDITURE. I'M JUST PONDERING HOW DID WE COME TO THIS TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL CAN WE HAVE NOT SEEN IT AS A BOARD. >> IT IS NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL FOR THIS TYPE OF EXPENSE TO BE PAID FOR THROUGH THIS ACCOUNT. I WOULD REMIND THE BOARD THAT THE BOARD IS ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCOUNT AND THE TDC IS NOT. SO IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO MAKE THIS AVAILABLE. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, AND AVAILABLE FOR THESE EXPENDITURES. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. >> ASIDE FROM THE LITTLE BIT THAT WE WERE UNAWARE, I WAS UNAWARE. THERE OUR -- ARE TIMES WHEN OUR BANK AT TDC GETS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF UNBEKNOWNST TO US. THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS TO ME. I SAY, THIS TO ME IS A COST THAT FDO T OR SOMEONE LIKE THAT SHOULD PAY. THE STATE OF FLORIDA SHOULD PAY FOR THE SIGNS. BECAUSE WE ARE THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THE STATE CAPITAL. AND WE ARE PAYING FOR AN UNANNOUNCED THAT THIS IS THE STATE'S CAPITAL WHEN THE STATE OUGHT TO BE PAYING FOR THEIR OWN ANNOUNCEMENT. SO I DO NOT GET IT, WHY WE HAVE THE TOTE THIS WAR FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE HAVE BEEN THE STATE CAPITAL SINCE 1845 OR SOMETHING. AND WE CANNOT EVEN GET THEM TO PAY FOR SIGNS. WE TALK ABOUT PAYMENT IN LIEU OF, WHAT BENEFITS, WHAT PARTNERSHIP, WHAT COLLABORATION, WHAT DOES THE STATE DUE TO ONUS? AND HERE WE ARE SHINING A LIGHT ON THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WHO WE ARE. WHEN THE STATE OF FLORIDA SHOULD GLADLY PT THE SIGNS OUT AND REALLY CRUEL ABOUT THE OUT TENDING UNITY WE ARE. WE ARE NOT SECOND FIDDLE TO NOBODIES COUNTY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE LIST OF WHAT KIND OF GREAT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING WE HAVE. MEDICAL SCHOOLS, OUR PHARMACY SCHOOL, OUR BANDS, OUR FOOTBALL. WHY DOESN'T THE STATE DO SOMETHING? I THINK THIS RIGHT HERE SHOULD'VE BEEN THE BURDEN AND THE TASK AND OWNERSHIP, THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE LIFTING AND PUTTING THE SHINE ON THE LINE AS TO WHO WE ARE. THIS SHOULD BE A STATE COST. I'M GOING TO SORTED BECAUSE -- SUPPORTED BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE DO. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS? HEARING NONE, ALL OF THOSE -- I'M SORRY. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR, DID YOU DO A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION? IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO MOTION ON THE FLOOR SAY, AYE. OKAY. COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WELCH. TO ACCEPT OPTIONS ONE AND TWO AS PROPOSED. I STAND. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE.. IVO AYE.. ANY OPPOSITION CAUGHT -- MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ITEM NUMBER 17 , AS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD IS A STATUS REPORT THAT PRESENTS AN UP DATE ON OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO EXPAND BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY TO UNSERVED AREAS IN RURAL LEON COUNTY. THERE ARE DETAILS ON THREE STRAIGHT GRANTS AWARDED TO COMCAST. -- TO SUPPORT THE $50 MILLION PROJECT TO EXPAND BROADBAND IN AREAS ACROSS THE COUNTY. IN A FEW MOMENTS, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO KEITH BOWERS, WHO WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE INVESTMENT TO EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICE IN OUR COMMUNITY. COMMISSIONERS, YOU MAY RECALL THAT BROADBAND EXPANSION IS ALSO A STATE NATIONAL PRIORITY. LOCALLY, -- COORDINATES AND SERVES AS A LOCAL LEAD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE'S DEPARTMENT OF BROADBAND. OE V WORKS TO EXPAND BROADBAND BY CONNECTING INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS TO STATE AND FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRANT AWARDS. THE STATUS REPORT INCLUDES AN UPDATE AS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD ON FEDERAL EFFORTS AS WELL TO GROW THE RADIO SPECTRUM ACCESS TECHNOLOGY THAT ENABLED THE BROADBAND. WITH THAT AS AN INTRODUCTION, I WANT TO HAND IT OFF TO KEEP BOWERS FOR AN UP DATE. >> THANK YOU, MR. ADMINISTRATOR FORGETTING OAB THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE AN UP DATE ON THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICES THROUGHOUT LEON COUNTY. WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT THE COMCAST WAS RECENTLY AWARDED $.5 MILLION TO EXPAND BROADBAND IN UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS IN LEON COUNTY. AS YOU MAY RECALL, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DIRECT OE V TO LEAVE THE COUNTIES BROADBAND EXPANSION INITIATIVE IN 2021. SINCE THAT TIME, OAB HAS FORMED AND LED THE LOCAL TECHNOLOGY PLANNING TEAM. THIS TEAM HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING THE LEON COUNTY BROADBAND STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN MARCH OF 2022. IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMITTED TO THE STATE IN JUNE OF 2022 AND APPROVED BY THE STATE THAT SAME MONTH. THE LT PT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2021. IT IS COMPRISED OF A CROSS-SECTION OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, WHO HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE EXPANSIONS OF BROADBAND SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THIS EFFORT. IT INCLUDES HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS AND ALL THREE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. THE BENEFITS OF BROADBAND ARE FAR-REACHING. FAST, RELIABLE INTERNET RELIABILITY ENHANCES COMMUNICATION, FOSTERS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FACILITATES TELEMEDICINE AND ALLOWS FOR QUICK DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION DURING EMERGENCIES. THE FCC HAS CATEGORIZED THE SERVICE RECEIVED INTO FOUR DISTINCT CATEGORIES. SERVED, UNSERVED, UNDERSERVED AND NO SERVICE. ONE OF THE FIRST RULES OF THE LTPT WAS TO DELINEATE THE AREAS IN LEON COUNTY CATEGORIZED AS UNSERVED. BY AND LARGE, THESE UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS ARE OUTSIDE OF THE -- AND ARE INCORPORATED RURAL AREAS OF LEON COUNTY. ON THIS MAP, THE SURGEON UNSERVED AREAS ARE DELINEATED BY A MAGENTA BORDER. WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COUNTY, LTPT AND OE V COLLABORATE WITH THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR ALL FEDERAL GRANTS WITH THE GOAL OF ENSURING ALL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN LEON COUNTY HAVE ACCESS TO RELIABLE, HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS. OUR EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN THE AWARDING OF TWO OF THREE GRANT. OUR PARTNER INTEREST -- INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE APPLIED FOR. THE GRANTS WE HAVE RECEIVED THUS FAR WORTH THROUGH THE BROADBAND OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM, WHICH WAS NOTED THAT COMCAST RECEIVE OVER $6 MILLION. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INVESTMENT IN COMCAST, WITH THE EXPANSION, IT EXCEEDS $15 MILLION. ALSO, ANOTHER INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER , CONNECT SON, RECEIVED $2.3 MILLION THROUGH THE RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND IN 2020. THEY HAVE A PLAN COVER OVER 1300 HOUSEHOLDS WITH INTERNET ACCESS . HERE IS THE MAP THAT DEPICTS THE AREAS THAT WILL BE SERVED BY COMCAST NOTED IN GREEN. COMCAST WAS ALERTED $236,000 TO EXTEND BROADBAND SERVICES IN THE. -- AREAS SOUTH OF -- IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE BROADBAND OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM, ANNOUNCED TWO WEEKS AGO, COMCAST RECEIVED $2.3 MILLION TO EXTEND INTERNET SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 1400 RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS. THE SECOND AREA THEY PLAN TO SERVICE, THEY WERE AWARDED $3 MILLION TO EXTEND INTERNET SERVICES TO SERVICE APPROXIMATELY 1700 RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES IN MULTIPLE AREAS THROUGHOUT LEON COUNTY. -- IS AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER THAT GENERALLY SERVICES THAT WILL CONNECT WITH -- TO PROVIDE FIBER INTERNET ACCESS. THEY WERE AWARDED $2.3 MILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDS IN THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IN AN AUCTION. THE PLAN TO SERVICE 1341 HOMES IN LEON COUNTY BY 2020 THREE -- 2023. THERE ESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS WITH RURAL CO-OPS AND THEY HAVE CONDUCTED AN ANALYSIS OF THE AREA THAT THE GRANT WILL COVER AND HAVE PLAN TO MEET WITH -- CO-OPS THAT ARE PRESENT IN THOSE AREAS TO SEE IF THERE ANY PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. HERE IS A MAP OF THE AREAS THAT -- HAVE INCLUDED IN THEIR APPLICATION TO COVER LEON COUNTY, IN BLUE. INFORMATION, THE STATE HAS AWARDED COMCAST $6.5 MILLION TO SUPPORT BROADBAND EXPANSION PROJECTS TO LEON COUNTY. AGAIN, THE TOTAL INVESTMENT BY COMCAST EXCEEDS $15 MILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AS EARLY AS JUNE, 2024. EXPANDING BROADBAND SERVICES TO OVER 3000 HOUSEHOLD ACROSS LEON COUNTY. CONEXON WAS AWARDED $2.3 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS IN AN AUCTION TO SERVE 1341 HOMES IN LEON COUNTY BY 2030. WHAT IS NEXT? ALTHOUGH WE ARE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION AND HIGHLIGHT THE AWARDS THAT WERE RECEIVED BY CONEXON AND COMCAST . WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. THE LTPT WILL REMAIN ENGAGED IN THE PURSUIT OF GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. THE BROADBAND EQUITY ACT SAYS A DIPLOMA PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO ROLLOUT AND FALL OF THIS YEAR. ANOTHER EXCITING INITIATIVE ON THE HORIZON , AS COMMISSIONER PROCTOR POINTED OUT, IT IS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO GROW RADIO SPECTRUM ACCESS. THE NATIONAL RADIO SPECTRUM STRATEGY WAS ANNOUNCED IN NOVEMBER OF 2023 BY THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION. YOU WILL FIND MORE IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THIS ITEM IN YOUR AGENDA THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU. THE RADIO SPECTRUM CONSISTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FREQUENCIES THAT TRANSMIT DATA WIRELESSLY. CURRENT USERS OF THE SPECTRUM INCLUDE RADIO BROADCASTING, TELEVISION BROADCAST, MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, SATELLITE, WI-FI AND BLUETOOTH. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FCC HAS PLANS TO CONDUCT A TWO-YEAR STUDY, AND IS WORKING ON DEVELOPING AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. OEV AND LTPT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THIS INITIATIVE. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT ARE IN THE ROOM WITH US TODAY. MR. CARL FROM CONEXON. AND STEPHANIE BOWED IN FROM COMCAST CABLE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LTPT WHO ARE HERE TODAY. AND ALSO, OUR STATE PARTNERS, FLORIDA COMMERCE. WITH THAT, I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, MR. BOWERS FOR THAT IN-DEPTH RECITATION. WE MAY WANT TO CALL UP SOME OF THOSE REPRESENTATIVES IN A MINUTE. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. IF YOU SIT TIGHT, WE MIGHT CALL YOU BACK. I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR. COUNTY ADMINISTERED A. >> THANK YOU, THE SPEAKERS ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR PROVIDERS. FIRST UP, STEPHANIE BOWERS -- STEPHANIE BOWED IN . >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, COUNTY ADMINISTERED ALONG AS WELL AS COMMITTEE MEMBERS. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OEV JUST TO GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE FROM THE COMCAST AND -- WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IS COMING AHEAD FOR THE COUNTY WHEN IT COMES TO BROADBAND. AS A COMPANY, WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HARDSHIPS. PROMOTING BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT PROJECTS AND WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NECESSARY TO DEPLOY BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOCATIONS THAT HAVE VARIED GEOGRAPHY OR DENSE POPULATIONS. UNSUCCESSFUL PROJECTS WE HAVE COMPLETED OVER THE PAST TWO -YE BROADBAND IN AREAS OF LOCAL ACCOUNTING, CLAY COUNTY AND MONTICELLO, LAKE BUTLER AND WALDO. OUR NETWORK IS VERY RELIABLE AND SCALABLE, WELL BEYOND FOR SIEBEL NEEDS. IS ALSO CAPABLE OF MULTI- GIGABYTES SPEEDS. HERE IN FLORIDA, WE EMPLOY OVER -- EMPLOYEES. OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE INVESTED $3.8 BILLION INTO THE STATE. WE MAINTAIN A LARGE ENGINEERED AND TECHNICAL EMPLOYEE BASE. AS WELL AS CALL CENTER AND SUPPORT EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE RESOURCES TO RESTORE SERVICES QUICKLY AND VARIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THOSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NATURAL DISASTERS. 2011, WE HAVE LAUNCHED THE NATION'S LARGEST BROAD AND ADOPTION PROGRAM, CONNECTING -- TO INTERNET SERVICES THROUGH OUR INTERNET ESSENTIALS PROGRAM. THAT IS AROUND 1.68 MILLION RESIDENTS IN THE STATE OF ORDER. COMCAST HAS BEEN A STRONG PARTICIPANT OF OEV SINCE THE BEGINNING FOR THEIR LOCAL TECHNOLOGY PLANNING TEAM. AND DURING THOSE MEETINGS, WE HAVE HEARD WHEN THEY STRESSED THE AREAS THAT ARE EITHER UNSERVED OR UNDERSERVED ACROSS THE COUNTY. FOR EXAMPLE, FOR TRADING., WOODVILLE . THE FEEDBACK HELPED ASSIST US WHEN IT CAME TO APPLYING FOR GRANTS FOR THE STATE. AS MENTIONED, UNFORTUNATELY TWO OF THE FIVE GRANT THAT WE APPLIED FOR WERE NOT AWARDED TO US. FOR THE AREAS THAT WERE AWARDED, THAT WILL REACH OVER 3000 RESIDENTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. THE APPLICATION THAT WE SUBMITTED, WE HAD TO PROVIDE DATES. MOST OF THE DATES WE PROVIDED WERE PROBABLY A TWO-YEAR SPAN, STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION TO WHEN WE FINISHED CONSTRUCTIONS AND RESIDENTS WERE STARTING TO BE INSTALLED. WE CONTINUE TO INVEST MONEY IN THIS INITIATIVE, JUST BASED ON RESEARCH. WE'VE SEEN WE ARE HAVING TO INVEST EVEN MORE DOLLARS AND WHAT WE STATED TO THE STATE, BECAUSE MANY OF THE AREAS ARE NO LONGER CAPABLE OF HOLDING. LINES. WE ARE NOW TRYING TO GO UNDERGROUND FOR THAT. WE ALSO PLAN ON DOING A MAJOR INVESTMENT WITH MARKETING AND WE WILL HAVE AN APP THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS SO THEY CAN SEE WHEN THE SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THEIR MARKETS ONCE CONSTRUCTION STARTS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> I WAS GOING TO CUT STEPHANIE OFF, BUT SHE SAID IT WOULD KEEP ROLLING ANYWAY SINCE WE WERE ON COMCAST. NEXT UP, CARL MEYER OFFERED . >> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. MY NAME IS CARL, I AM REPRESENTING CONEXON, ONE OF THE OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE MAIN REASON I WANTED TO COME HERE AND SPEAK TO ALL OF YOU IS, CONEXON IS NOT NECESSARILY A HOUSEHOLD NAME. MAYBE LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU COULD PUT A FACE THE NAME. AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE A COMPANY THAT IS CENTERED AROUND RURAL BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT. COMPANIES -- HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR AROUND 10 YEARS, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT APPROACH OF HOW WE BUILD BROADBAND. OUR BUSINESS MODEL TYPICALLY REVOLVE AROUND A PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL ENTITY, WHICH IS THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE. AND WHILE TRADITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WILL BUILD IN AREAS THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL FOR THEM, AND THEN TYPICALLY STOP WHEN THE DENSITY OF AN. MAC -- AREA GETS TOO LOW, OUR APPROACH IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. WHEN WE PARTNER WITH A ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, IT IS A NO MAN LEFT BEHIND PHILOSOPHY. WE BUILD TO EVERY MEMBER, EVERY RESIDENTS, FIBER, SEEMS BE, SAME PRICING TO EVERYBODY. IT IS A VERY UNIQUE MODEL, BUT A MODEL THAT IS CATCHING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE ARE WORKING CURRENTLY WITH ABOUT 80 ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE HAVE REACHED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS WITH FIVE CO-OPS AND WE HAVE RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUNDS, WHICH WAS MENTIONED, THAT SPANS ACROSS THE ENTIRE PANHANDLE. SO OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO BUILD RURAL BROADBAND ACROSS THE ENTIRE NORTHERN PANHANDLE, SERVING EVERY ELECTRO COOPERATIVE MEMBER IN THAT FOOTPRINT. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH ESCAMBIA RIVER, AT THE VERY TIP OF THE PANHANDLE, AND WE HAVE AGREEMENTS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE BIG BEND TO TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC, SUWANEE VALLEY AND CENTRAL. WE EVEN HAVE A PROJECT GOING ON IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA, WHICH IS -- COOPERATIVE. OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE AN ENTIRE NETWORK ACROSS THE ENTIRE NORTHERN PART OF THE PANHANDLE, SATISFYING ALL OF OUR ART OFF OBLIGATION WHILE ALSO PROVIDING VERY AFFORDABLE , HIGH-SPEED , FIBER BROADBAND TO EVERY RESIDENT WHO IS IN ELECTRIC CO-OP FOOTPRINT. IS A VERY UNIQUE MODEL. THE OTHER THING I WILL MENTION IS, THIS IS ALSO AFFORDABLE BROADBAND. THE PACKAGES WE OFFER A KIND OF LIKE NO-NONSENSE. 4995, SYMMETRICAL, 100 MEGABIT. 7995, SYMMETRICAL GIGABIT. 9995, TWO GIGABIT ELECTRICAL. NOT ONLY IS THIS BROADBAND THAT IS HIGHLY RELIABLE, HIGH-SPEED , IT IS THE SAME PRICE ACROSS OUR ENTIRE NETWORK. NO-NONSENSE. ANY QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU . THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT AS WELL. I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE NO MORE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF FOR OPTIONS . OPTION ONE. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION. WE WILL HAVE COMMISSIONER WELCH. >> THANK YOU, I WILL MOVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION. >> THANK YOU, IS THERE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER MINOR. THANK YOU. DISCUSSION. COMMISSIONER WELCH. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF AT OEV, KEITH AND THE PLANNING TEAM. THE NEWS LAST WEEK OF COMCAST 'S AWARD WAS WELCOMED , CERTAINLY, 1383 OF THOSE HOMES ARE IN DISTRICT 4. THE VAST MAJORITY ARE IN THE MICCOSUKEE.. KYLE AND I HAD AN OPEN HOUSE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, WE HAD SOME OEV STAFF AND A HUGE CROWD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE WERE VERY HUNGRY FOR SOME RELIABLE AND GOOD INTERNET ACCESS. THIS IS A BIG AREA OF NEED. I WANT TO JUST THANK OUR STAFF, AND THINK THE FOLKS AT COMCAST FOR RECOGNIZING THAT NEED. AND THE SAME WITH THE FOLKS AT CONEXON. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS ON THE ELECTRIC IN RURAL CO-OPS. -- CERTAINLY LOOKING FORWARD TO CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING ON THE MOST RECENT GRANT AWARDED THE SUMMER, POTENTIALLY. THAT IS GREAT NEWS FOR THE FOLKS IN MICCOSUKEE, AND FOR THE FOLKS IN THE RURAL AREAS . I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY FOR THE ROLE YOU PLAYED IN GETTING THAT DONE. >> THANK YOU COMMONER -- COMMISSIONER WELCH. >> AS COMMISSIONER WELCH MENTIONED, I HAVE CONSTITUENTS IN DISTRICT 3 THAT ARE VERY ANXIOUS FOR BROADBAND SERVICE. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT PROVIDING SERVICE TO PEOPLE AROUND LAKE JACKSON. I KNOW COMCAST IS WORKING HARD ON THAT. I HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO MR. -- THIS IS ENCOURAGING NEWS. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE ON OUR STAFF AND THAT LOCAL PLANNING TEAM ON THEIR WORK ON THIS. I AM VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE RESULT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MINOR. ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS? COMMISSIONER MINOR X. -- COMMISSIONER MADDIX . >> I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THOSE RESIDENTS IN THE MICCOSUKEE.. FOR A LONG TIME, THOSE FOLKS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR RELIABLE INTERNET. AND BROADBAND. SO I AM PROUD THAT COMCAST AND -- WAS ABLE TO GET THAT DONE. I KNOW THEY ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT. WE THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE OF THESE TYPES OF THINGS HAPPENING. MY PRIORITY IS ALWAYS NOT JUST MICCOSUKEE, BUT FORT GREENE -- AND COMMISSIONER CABAN DISTRICT. I THINK THOSE COMMUNITIES, ALONG WITH -- WE NEED TO FOCUS ON MAKING SURE THEY HAVE GOOD, RELIABLE INTERNET. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US MOVE THE BALL FORWARD . >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MADDIX. COMMISSIONER CABAN? >> THANK YOU, FIRST OFF, I WANT TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO OEV, KEITH BOWERS AND THE ENTIRE STAFF. I KNOW THEY PUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK INTO THIS. MANAGING THE STATE DEPARTMENTS, AND THIS IS NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THE WORK IN OEV, THANK YOU TO YOUR WHOLE DEPARTMENT. I WANT TO PUT THIS ON THE RECORD. I THINK THIS IS PHENOMENAL. I THINK THIS IS GREAT. I KNOW IN MY DISTRICT, THIS IS A HUGE NEED, ESPECIALLY BY MY CONSTITUENTS. BUT I ALSO HAVE SOME CONCERNS . I WANT TO PUT THEM OUT THERE SO WE ALL KNOW WE ARE DEALING WITH A LITTLE BIT. OVER THE LAST WEEK, I HAVE EDUCATED MICE HEALTH ON THIS ENTIRE PROCESS. SO THE WAY IT WORKS, WHEN THE PROVIDERS GET MONEY FROM THE STATE VIA GRANTS, IT BLOCKS A TERRITORY FROM ANOTHER PROVIDER GETTING A GRANT FOR THAT SAME TERRITORY. IN A WAY, THEY ARE KIND OF BLOCKING MONEY COMING INTO OUR DISTRICTS AND COUNTY BECAUSE THERE IS ALREADY A GRANT PENDING. RECENTLY, AND LET ME DISCLOSE, I DO NOT HAVE A DOG IN THIS FIGHT. MY GOAL IS TO GET BROADBAND TO MY CONSTITUENTS. I DON'T CARE IF IT METRONET, COMCAST, CONEXON. I JUST WANT THE ROUTE THAT IS GOING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO MY CONSTITUENT THE FASTEST AND MAKE IT MOST RELIABLE. WHAT IS HAPPENED IS, COMCAST APPLY FOR A GRANT RECENTLY IN MY DISTRICT. IT WAS DENIED. THAT IS WHAT WE ALL SAW ON THE NEWS A WEEK AGO. THE REASON THEY WERE DENIED IS BECAUSE A FEW YEARS BACK, CONEXON WAS AWARDED A FEDERAL GRANT , WHICH KEITH TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. THAT EFFECTIVELY HAD BLOCKED COMCAST FROM GETTING A GRANT IN MY DISTRICT. ALSO, AND SOME OF OUR DISTRICTS AS WELL, WE LOOK AT THE MAP, CONEXON HAS CONTRACTS HERE. MY CONCERN IS, AS IS THE FAIRLY NEW COMPANY, THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY SERVICING ANYONE IN LEON COUNTY. AND I HAVE CONCERN THE TIME WILL GO BY AND THEY HAVE TO PARTNER WITH A CO-OP , TALQUIN ELECTRIC. I SPOKE WITH THEM. I'VE HAD PERMISSION FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER TO DISCLOSE IS CURRENTLY NO DEAL ON THE TABLE. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH EACH OTHER. MY CONCERN AT THAT TIME WILL GO BY, WE HAVE A PROGRAM COMING UP THAT OTHER PROVIDERS COULD APPLY FOR. AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET SERVICE FOR MY DISTRICT FOR PART OF LEON COUNTY. MY FEAR I THINK IS LEGITIMATE, BUT IF THEY DO NOT EXECUTE ON THESE GRANT, NOT ONLY WILL TIME GO BY, BUT I WAS CONSTITUENTS IN MY DISTRICT AND OTHER DISTRICTS WILL NOT HAVE SERVICE -- BUT ALSO, WE ARE MISSING OUT ON MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT IS ABOUT TO COME TO THE STATE THIS YEAR. ONCE AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE A DOG IN THIS FIGHT . I WANT FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE BASIC NECESSITIES THAT THE FOLKS IN TOWN HAVE, THAT IS BROADBAND. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION, BUT I ALSO FEEL THAT I SHOULD ADDRESS MY CONCERN WITH THIS BOARD . I'M HOPING TO SEND FEEDBACK . THE MAP I HAVE, THERE ARE GRANTS IN ALL DISTRICTS THAT CONNECT -- THAT CONEXON HAS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE GIVEN A FAIR FIGHT IN THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BROADBAND. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CABAN. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR? >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. WHAT IS THE CURRENT LIFE EXPECTANCY OF BROADBAND? BEFORE THE NEXT GREAT THING COMES ALONG IN THE WI-FI FAMILY? STEPHANIE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTATION OF BROADBAND AND WHAT IS THE NEXT TECHNOLOGY THAT IS WAITING IN THE BATTER'S CAGE? >> CAN YOU COME BACK TO THE PODIUM? >> I WILL PREFACE THIS WITH, I AM IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND NOT TECHNICAL TEAM. WITH COMCAST, WE HAVE A TEAM THAT IS WORKING 24 SEVEN TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT NEXT THING, IF IT IS 10 G OR WHATEVER COMES AFTER THAT. IS BROADBAND GOING AWAY? I DO NOT FORESEE IT. WE ARE ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE CURVE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WE SERVE HAVE THE BEST AND MOST RELIABLE SERVICE THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THEIR NEEDS. >> IF BROADBAND IS GOING TO BE HERE FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS BEFORE THE NEW THING IS WAITING, I DO NOT WANT TO FIGHT SOMETHING THAT IS ANTIQUATED BEFORE WE CAN INSTALL IT. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING POPPING UP NEW. I THINK THIS IS ON THE LATTER STAGES OF GOING OUT OF STYLE THE OR THE NEXT GREAT THING COMES ALONG . TO COMMISSIONER CABAN'S POINT, CONEXON HAS PREEMPTED COMCAST BY VIRTUE OF THEM HAVING A FEDERAL AWARD AND THEY IN TURN ARE AUTHORIZED TO WORK WITH CO-OP . DID HE STATE THAT RIGHT? DID I UNDERSTAND THAT CORRECTLY? THAT YOU ARE EFFECTIVELY BARRED FROM AREAS THAT ARE SHADED IN PINK? IS THAT ACCURATE >> THAT IS AN ACCURATE TREATMENT, THAT IS BASED ON ANY GRANT FUNDING. THEY DO NOT WANT ISPs TO OVERLAP ON AN AREA THAT IS ALREADY COVERED. >> SO SINCE COMCAST IS ALREADY HERE, A LOT OF CABLE AND A LOT OF CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS LAID. AND WE ARE WORKING WITH A CO-OP THAT HAS NOT LAID ANYTHING, IS NOT IN THAT AREA, THAT IS NOT THE SPECIALTY. WE ARE REALLY GOING TO STAY BEHIND AND NOT CATCH UP WITH CONEXON, OR SOME COMPANY WORKING WITH CO-OP THAT IS NOT CONTEMPORARY. WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET ANYWHERE ON BROADBAND. MAYBE OUR EFFORTS SHOULD BE TO THE NEXT BIG THING. IS CONEXON HERE? CAN I ASK A QUESTION ? SIR, WHAT IS YOUR GAME PLAN WITH TALQUIN WITH TALQUIN HAS NOTHING GOING ON? WHAT IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE GAME PLAN? >> SURE. LET ME JUST MAKE SURE THE -- THIS IS CLARIFIED. WE DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH TALQUIN, IT IS IN THE COMMUNITY'S BEST INTEREST TO, WE DO NOT HAVE TO. WE CAN INSTALL BROADBAND JUST THE SAME AS COMCAST DOES TODAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS CLEAR. WE PROVIDE THE LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY. THAT OPPORTUNITY IS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS BROADBAND PROJECT. THEY CAN DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE OR NOT. IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO PARTICIPATE, WE WILL DEPLOY IN THE SAME MANNER THAT TRADITIONAL ISPs DEPLOY. SO THIS IS REALLY MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE TRADITIONAL ISPs WILL BUILD ONLY WHERE THEY GET GRANT FUNDING. THAT IS NOT OUR STRATEGY. OUR STRATEGY IS A UBIQUITOUS APPOINTMENT THAT WILL DEPLOYMENT ACROSS A LARGE AREA THAT REACHES EVERYONE. IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPE OF STRATEGY. THAT REQUIRES A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COOPERATIVE. IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COOPERATIVE, WE WILL BUILD AND HONOR OUR -- COMMITMENT, THE SAME AS IF ANY OTHER ISP RECEIVED FUNDING. >> WOULD THAT COST IF YOU HAD TO TAKE THE LATTER APPROACH? AND MULTIPLY THE $49 A MONTH? AND IF YOU HAVE THE LAY NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILD ALL OF THAT, THE PRICE FOR THE CONSUMER IS GOING TO --'S >> STAYS THE SAME. >> HOW IS THAT? >> THERE IS NO EMBEDDED BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THE ELECTRIC UTILITY TODAY. SO THE COST , YOU ARE RUNNING A NEW FIBER CABLE, WHETHER IT IS A PARTNERSHIP OR NOT. >> HOW MUCH TIME WOULD YOU PARTNERSHIP THE EXISTING COOPERATIVE SAVE YOU AND MAKE FASTER THE LIFE AND DELIVERY? >> IT IS SIGNIFICANT. IN THE SPEED OF DEPLOYMENT. >> I HEARD THE COMMISSIONER OF DISTRICT TO, COMMISSIONER CABAN, INDICATE THERE HAS BEEN NO CONVERSATION. >> THERE HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION. >> WHAT DID YOU SAY, COMMISSIONER CABAN? NO AGREEMENT ON THE TABLE. HOW CAN WE EXPEDITE OR HELP YOU ALL TO ACHIEVE AN AGREEMENT? >> WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE TYPICAL PROCESS THAT WE DO WITH OTHER CLIENTS OF OURS. AND THAT IS TO PUT FORTH A STUDY THEY GIVE THE COOPERATIVE A FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT. WE ARE AT THE STAGE RIGHT NOW WERE WE HAVE THAT PRESENTATION READY AND WE ARE CURRENTLY SCHEDULED WITH THE EXECUTIVE TEAM AT TALQUIN. >> I THINK COMMISSIONER CABAN HAS A QUESTION. I WILL ASK ASHTON AFTER HIS QUESTION. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. OUT OF ALL THE COOPERATIVES YOU GUYS DO BUSINESS WITH, HOW MANY OF THEM -- I WILL REPHRASE. OUT OF ALL OF THE COUNTIES THAT YOU DO BUSINESS WITH, HOW MANY OF THEM HAVE YOU NOT COME TO A DEAL WITH WHAT YOU HAD TO LAY THE FOUNDATION YOURSELF? >> WE HAVE ONLY HAD THAT -- ONE COOPERATIVE NOT PARTICIPATE TODAY IN A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. WERE WE ARE NOW DEPLOYING IN THE COOPERATIVE FOOTPRINT ON OUR OWN. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ISP WOULD. WITH THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COOPERATIVE IS SIGNIFICANT. SO WE HAVE ONLY HAD ONE OUT OF 80 PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WHERE THE CO-OP HAS CHOSEN NOT TO PARTICIPATE. >> DO WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO WHERE IF YOU DO NOT DO A DEAL WITH THE COOPERATIVE YOU GUYS WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION AND DO THE WORK YOURSELF? >> YES, WE HAVE A COMMITMENT THAT WE HAVE DONNA. >> NO MATTER WHAT, YOU ARE COMMITTED TO -- IN THE DISTRICT? >> CORRECT. >> MATH FOLLOW-UP? MAY I FOLLOW-UP? YOU ARE PRIVATE COMPANY , CORRECT? YOU HAVE GOVERNMENTAL PREEMPTIVE -- SOMETHING LIKE THE RAILROAD THAT YOU CAN LAY THAT WITHOUT A PERMIT, OR NOTWITHSTANDING . YOU HAVE PIPELINES COMING THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY. IN THE PIPELINE LAID COMPANY SEEM TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF IMMUNITY. THE CITY'S VOICE DOES NOT MATTER. THEY GET A FEDERAL -- I MIGHT BE ASKING A GENERAL COUNSEL QUESTION. BUT WITHOUT GOVERNMENT STATUS, YET OBVIOUSLY YOU WORK WITH SOMETHING THAT CAN ACT AS A PUBLIC AGILITY IS WHAT I'M SAYING. WHAT IS YOUR POWER IN THAT REGARD? DO YOU HAVE SOME IN PREMATURE -- LIKE THE RAILROAD OF PUBLIC AGILITY? >> NO , WE ARE NOT A UTILITY, WE ARE BROADBAND SERVICE PROVIDER, JUST THE SAME AS OTHER ISPs ARE. WE FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESSES THAT EVERYONE ELSE WOULD, WE GO THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS, YOU GET ATTACHMENT AGREEMENT FROM THE LOCAL UTILITY, THERE IS NO UNIQUE STATUS THAT WE HAVE. >> OKAY. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS DIRECTED TO YOU. LOOKING AT THE PAPER OF ECONOMIC VITALITY. LOOKING AT AROUND TWO . IS KEITH STILL HERE? I'M SORRY. KEITH, I DO NOT KNOW WHICH ATTACHMENT. THERE ARE A WHOLE BUNCH WHERE THE ATTACHMENT NUMBER WAS. BUT IS PAGE 368 OF 757. I DID NOT READ ALL OF IT. BUT I FOUND THAT THESE MAPS. AND SOME OF THESE MAPS, A PICTURE IS WORTH 1000 WORDS. WHAT I SEE IN THESE MAPS IS COMMISSIONER WELCH IS DISTRICT IS ON AUTOMATIC PILOT AND THEY HAVE THE BIG LOOPED CIRCLES. AND DISTRICT 4 IS DISPROPORTIONATELY RECEIVING ATTENTION , AND APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE IN THEIR INTEREST AND AWARDS BEING GRANTED. AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS DISPARITY THAT YOUR OFFICE HAS SHARED WITH THE. I LOOK AT PAGE 369, OF 757. ATTACHMENT NUMBER SIX. I GUESS THAT IS THE NORTHWEST. THERE IS A GREAT WEEK CIRCLE. THAT GREAT CIRCLE IS GREATER, IT IS CONCENTRATED . WHAT WE HAVE IN THE SOUTH SIDE IS SEVEN LITTLE CIRCLES. AND THE LARGEST CIRCLE SOUTH OF -- OVER AND COMMISSIONER CABAN 'S DISTRICT, ON PAGE 368, THERE IS A GREAT BIG CIRCLE. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ALL ARE FAVORING TO ME. JUST LOOKING AT CIRCLES. AND ON THE EAST SIDE, ON ATTACHMENT FOUR, PAGE 367, THERE IS A BABY CIRCLE RIGHT HERE FOR I GUESS SOME SIGNIFICANT AND SPECIAL PEOPLE. PLEASE HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND -- I MISSED PAGE 370, WHICH IS THE NORTH. WE ARE MERIDIAN, THOMASVILLE, ALL OF THAT AREA. WHY IS THERE A FAVORITISM AND FORMER GREEN LINE SPACED OUT FOR THESE AREAS . STEPHANIE IS HOLDING HER HANDS UP. >> I JUST WANT TO SPEAK QUICKLY. THE MAP THAT KEITH PROVIDED EARLIER, -- DUE TO PROPRIETARY REASONS, WE CANNOT PROVIDE A DETAILED MAP OF OUR PLANS. WHAT WE DID PROVIDE , WHICH IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO ACCESS WAS A MAP THAT SHOWED THE AWARDED AREAS. WE ARE ABLE TO MEET WITH LTPT INDIVIDUALLY, OR EVEN MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION INDIVIDUALLY TO SHOW YOU WHERE OUR SERVICE. IS THEREFORE YOU CAN SEE A SIGNIFICANT AS FAR AS WHY SOME AREAS HAVE BIG CIRCLE AND SOME DO NOT. THAT REFLECTS A CERTAIN AREAS THAT WERE SERVED -- UNSERVED OR UNDERSERVED. YOU MAY HAVE MENTIONED THE SOUTH SIDE, THE SOUTH SIDE IS PRETTY MUCH SERVED I COMCAST. THERE WERE AREAS IN THE WOODVILLE FOOTPRINT THAT WERE NOT, BUT WE WERE AWARDED THOSE AREAS IN THE SECOND GRANT THAT WE APPLY FOR. >> OKAY, DISTRICT 2, THE GREEN LINES ON DISTRICT TO IS OVER THE NATIONAL FOREST. THE GRAY. LIKE I SAID, THIS WORLD WITH THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHO IS DOWN THERE. THIS IS NOT ON YOUR LETTERHEAD. THIS IS ON ECONOMIC VITALITY. THAT IS WHY THEY GIVE US THIS INFORMATION. YOU HAVE NOTHING REFLECTED THROUGH CONTACT. WITH WHAT WE ARE BEING SHOWN, WE CLEARLY CAN SEE A FOCUS ON COMMISSIONER WELCH'S DISTRICT. AND I AM CONCERNED. HELP ME TO FEEL BETTER. MS. STEPHANIE IS SAYING I NEED TO SCHEDULE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS -- BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT. AND WE DO NOT SEE PARITY. >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR, OEV DOES NOT MAKE THE DECISION AS TO THE FUNDING. THAT IS MADE BY FLORIDA COMMERCE THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS THAT THE ISPs PROVIDE FOR. THEY DESIGNATE THE AREAS THEY INTEND TO SERVE. BASED ON THE AREAS THAT ARE UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED, OEV FACILITATE THE CONVERSATION AND FACILITATES FEEDBACK THROUGH LTPT AND ENGAGES WITH THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PROVIDES AS MUCH ASSISTANCE AS WE CAN. THOSE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. EVEN WITH THE FUNDING THAT IS ANTICIPATED TO ROLLOUT, THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE ADMINISTERED FLORIDA COMMERCE. IT COME FROM THE FED AND IT GOES TO THE STATE. FLORIDA COMMERCE HAS ESTABLISHED AN APPLICATION PROCESS. AND OEV HAS NO ENGAGEMENT OR INVOLVEMENT AS TO WHERE THESE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS DECIDE TO FOCUS. >> NOT TO PROLONG, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD -- ASKED THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IF HE COULD FACILITATE ALLOWED ME TO ACCEPT THE OFFER OF INVITATION BY MS. STEPHANIE BOUTIN SO WE CAN MEET WITH THEM. I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH YOU WITH THE COMCAST TEAM AND MR. BOUTIN . >> I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE WE DO NOT REALLY NEED A MOTION. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? WHY HAVE YOU THERE, LOOKING AT URINALYSIS, IT INDICATED THAT WORK IN THESE UNDERSERVED AREAS WOULD BE EXPECTED TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER. IT SAID JUNE, 2024. THAT IS PRETTY MUCH IN THE MICCOSUKEE AREAS . >> YES, THAT IS CORRECT. >> OKAY. AND YOU DO NOT HAVE A PROJECTED DATE BEYOND THAT? >> NOT FROM COMCAST IGNORED -- NOR CONEXON. STEPHANIE MAY HAVE SOME MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE. >> I THINK YOU. I JUST WANT YOU -- TO COMMEND YOU AND YOUR STAFF AS WELL AS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF FOR WORKING ON THIS. I THOUGHT THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS AND ISSUES . BUT I THINK IT IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR MANY OF OUR CITIZENS AND CONSTITUENT. WE HAVE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHAIR 'S MICCOSUKEE, AND LITERALLY BEG US FOR ASSISTANCE. I KNOW IT HAS AFFECTED THEIR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, AND THEIR CHILDREN'S ABILITY TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND WHAT HAVE YOU. THEY HAVE COME RIGHT HERE AND APPEAL TO US TO DO WHAT WE CAN. I APPRECIATE YOU ALL HAVING WORKED ON THIS AND BROUGHT THIS REPORT TO US. THERE WILL BE SOME VERY HAPPY CONSTITUENTS . I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN. OF COURSE, THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS. I KNOW THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR -- >> OUR GOAL IS TO AGAIN, ENSURE THAT EVERY CITIZEN IN IN LEON COUNTY HAS ACCESS TO RELIABLE HOUSE DEED BROADBAND COLLECT -- CONNECTIVITY. >> THANK YOU. >> LAST COMMENT. I THINK OUR RURAL SCHOOL SHOULD BE A PRIORITY. I COULD NOT TELL FROM THE CIRCLE IF WOODVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL . STEPHANIE, IF IT GOES THAT FAR SOUTH . THAT WOULD BE AMONG MY INTEREST. I THINK IN OUR COMMUNITY, I HOPE ALL OF THIS COMMISSION AGREES THAT EVERYONE OF OUR OUTLINED SCHOOL -- WOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR OUR SCHOOLCHILDREN. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. OKAY. HEARING NO OTHER COMMENTS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ACCEPT BEING THE REPORT AND THE RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF , LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE.. AND I VOTE, AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? >> ITEM NUMBER 18 WAS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD ON JANUARY 22nd AT THE BOARD RETREAT. IT'S TOO ACKNOWLEDGE AND APOLOGIZE FOR THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND RACISM IN LEON COUNTY. WITH THAT, MADAM CHAIR, BEFORE I HEADED OFF TO YOU. WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS AND ONE ON ZOOM THAT I WILL GO TO FIRST. OR A VIRTUAL SPEAKER, RATHER. WASILLA HAWKINS. PRISCILLA HAWKINS. >> MISS HAWKINS, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? OKAY. I APOLOGIZE FOR MY VOICE. I AM NOT THERE TODAY BECAUSE I'VE HAD THE VIRUS THAT IS BEEN GOING AROUND. I CANNOT COME AND INFECT ANYBODY. >> WE HEAR YOU REAL CLEAR, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR HAS NOT MADE HIS STATEMENT YET. BUT I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR EVEN CONSIDERING TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. AND FOR HIS TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN DOWNTOWN TALLAHASSEE HAS DONE AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM, BLACK HISTORY ALLIANCE, TO HELP THIS EFFORT GO EVEN FARTHER THAN JUST FIRST PRESBYTERIAN, OR JUST TALLAHASSEE. TO GO BE ON, JUST NOW. TO GO BEYOND BLACK HISTORY MONTH. TO GO BEYOND THE CITY, THIS STATE, THIS TIME. WHAT IS COMING IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND APOLOGY FOR SLAVERY, WHICH WE APPRECIATE. BUT AS I MENTIONED TO COMMISSIONER PROCTOR EARLIER WHEN WE SPOKE THIS PROGRAM THAT THE SEARCH AND BLACK HISTORY ALLIANCE IS FAR MORE REACHING THAN JUST AN APOLOGY. IT IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT, AND APOLOGY TO REPENT AND ALSO TO REPAIR . SO THERE ARE THOSE FOUR STEPS, AND I AM HOPING THAT EVEN THOUGH NOW IT IS JUST UP THE DISCUSSION, THAT PART OF WHAT THIS COMMISSION WILL AGREE TO DO IS TO PUT TOGETHER A TASK FORCE , WITH SOME DOLLARS BEHIND IT, THAT WILL ALSO STUDY HOW TO MAKE ALL OF THESE THINGS A REALITY, NOT JUST THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT , BUT THE REPENTING AND REPAIR AS WELL. SLAVERY , IT IS NOT LIKE YOU BOUGHT SOMEONE AS YOU WALKED DOWN THE STREET. YOU BUMP THE MENU SAID, I AM SORRY. THAT IS YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT, YOUR APOLOGY. NO HARM DONE. IT DID NOT LEAVE A LASTING EFFECT. SLAVERY DOES. AND IT HAS. SO THERE ARE FAR-REACHING THINGS. WHAT WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR AND PLEADING FOR, AND WHAT MILLIONS OF BLACK AMERICANS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR FOR DECADES, IS SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST AN OFF CUFF APOLOGY. I KNOW THAT IS WHAT COMMISSIONER PROCTOR HAS IN MIND. AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT THE ENTIRE COMMISSION WILL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME WORK THT HAS BEEN DONE IN OTHER PLACES THAT WE ARE WORKING ON. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EACH OF YOU THURSDAY, EVERY 29th AT NOON -- FEBRUARY 29th FOR A FREE LUNCH AND. WE ARE HAVING THE PRESBYTERIAN USA'S DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER OF THE REPAIR OF HISTORIC HARM AS OUR SPEAKER. HE WILL COME IN AND TELL YOU ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN AND THE REST OF THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSOCIATION CHURCHES ARE GOING THROUGH. AND EXACTLY WHAT WE INTEND TO IMPLEMENT HERE IN TALLAHASSEE AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. AGAIN, THAT IS THURSDAY AT NOON. FEBRUARY 29th. THE LUNCHEON IS FREE, WE CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 100 PEOPLE. FOR THE LUNCH, WE CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 405th THE PEOPLE IN THE SANCTUARY, WHERE WE WILL HAVE THE SERVICE. I INVITE YOU ALL PLEASE. MY FINAL WORD IS YOU PLEASE TAKE THIS FARTHER THAN JUST AN APOLOGY . >> MISS HAWKINS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. WE APPRECIATED. MR. COUNTY ADMINISTERED? >> FINAL SPEAKER ON THIS MATTER. STANLEY SIMMS. >> THEY SAY APOLOGY IS A NOUN. REGRETFUL OF AN OFFENSIVE ACT OR FAILURE. MY GRANDMOTHER HAD ABOUT AN EIGHTH GRADE EDUCATION BUT A PHD IN LIFE. AND THE OTHER DAY I RAN INTO DR. JANET SHERMAN. MY HEALTH TEACHER . AND I RAN UP TO HER AND EMBRACED HER AND I SAID I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE TRIED TO GIVE ME. AND I SEEMED LIKE I DID NOT UNDERSTAND HOW TO RECEIVE. AND SHE TURNED AROUND AND SHE EMBRACED ME. AND APOLOGIZED. BLACK HISTORY WAS DIFFERENT. AND THIS YOUNG LADY HERE WILL TELL YOU. YOU COULD NOT COME INTO OUR CLASSES , MADAM ATTORNEY IN THIRD GRADE AND TALK ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING, AND ROSA PARKS. BECAUSE MS. MILES DID NOT PLAY THAT. SO AROUND FIFTH GRADE , I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BLACK HISTORY. ONE OF MY CLASSMATES. OUR CLASS WAS SMALL. AND THEY SAID SOMETHING OFFENSIVE ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE. AND I REMEMBER THE TEACHER SHUT IT DOWN QUICKLY. AND SAID BLACK HISTORY IS NOT A BLACK THING. SHE SAID THE WORD QUAKERS . I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS. BECAUSE SHE MADE US GO ACROSS THE STREET. SHE SAID WHITE PEOPLE , BLACK HISTORY IS WHITE HISTORY TOO. BECAUSE WE CANNOT HAVE GOTTEN THIS FAR WITHOUT WHITE FOLKS. AND THEY WERE OFFENDED, AS WELL. THEY WERE HUNG LIKE BLACKS. PERSECUTED LIKE BLACKS. BUT MY FINAL 30 SECONDS. IF YOU JUST GIVE ME A FEW. IT IS NOT OVER. IN QUINCY, IN 1971 FIVE MEN WERE MURDERING A DEPUTY. BY THE LAST NAME OF DONARELLO. WITH AN ALL WHITE JOURNAL AND HE WAS REPRESENTED BY THE NUMBER ONE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER THAT HAS GONE ON. BUT HIS SON STILL REPRESENTS TODAY. DINO KITCHEN A WHITE MAN, A QUAKER. CONTRIBUTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF BLACK PEOPLE. SO I ACCEPT YOUR APOLOGY. WITH GLADNESS. BUT I WANT TO ACCEPT IT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING. THAT IT IS NOT AN APOLOGY TO JUST BLACK PEOPLE. WE DID NOT GET TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY BY OURSELVES. YOU HELPED ME AND I THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. SIMS. >> CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS. >> THANK YOU. >> MR. COUNTY AND I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> I MOVE OPTION ONE. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER PROCTOR? >> IN 1860 POPULATION OF LEON COUNTY TO MY UNDERSTANDING. FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE CONCLUSION OF THE CIVIL WAR. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE COMMITMENTS OF THE CIVIL WAR. OUR POPULATION WAS 73% SLAVES OCCUPYING THE COUNTY. FOR EVERY FOUR PEOPLE IN LEON COUNTY, THREE OUT OF FOUR WERE SLAVES IN 1860. I WANTED TO THANK YOU THE COUNTY COMMISSION. FOR THIS GET THE STEP. AND IT IS NO WONDER THAT MOST AFRICAN-AMERICANS WERE MADE HALF CRAZY. FROM THE GENERATIONAL TO THE INTERGENERATIONAL SUPPRESSION, OPPRESSION. REPRESSION. AND PRESSURE UPON THE LIVES CONTINUOUSLY. OF EACH GENERATION. I WENT OUT TO THE GRAVEYARD ON SUNDAY. TO GIVE AN INTERVIEW . AND I DROVE ALL ACROSS THE GREENWOOD CEMETERY WHERE MY GRANDPARENTS ARE AND GREAT-GRANDPARENTS ARE. SO MANY OF THE PEOPLE OF NAMES OF FAMILIES . THEY WILL NOT KNOW THE WORDS OF COUNTY COMMISSION WERE COMMENTS OF APOLOGY. OR THE LIMITATIONS PLACED UPON THEIR LIVES. BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I PLACE MYSELF IN CONNECTION WITH THAT PAST. BUT THIS IS SYMBOLIC TO THOSE PEOPLE LAYING IN THE GRAVEYARD. AND IT IS MEANINGFUL TO THE PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES . AND IT IS A SIGNIFICANT IN THE BICENTENNIAL YEAR FOR OUR COUNTY. A STATEMENT TO THE FUTURE. FOR THOSE THAT HAVE YET TO ARRIVE. WE ARE SAYING HERE TODAY. IS THAT WE ARE THROWING DOWN THE GAUNTLET. FOR FRESH AND A NEW BEGINNING. THAT WE RECOGNIZE WHAT OUR COUNTY HAS BEEN. AND EVEN CONJUNCTIVELY WITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. WHICH I SALUTE, CELEBRATE THE MORAL CLARITY. THE MORAL SEASONED VOICE OF THEIR APOLOGY STATEMENT. AND TO SAY THEY WORSHIP IN A BUILDING BUILT BY SLAVES. BUT IT WAS WHAT IT WAS. AND I AM APPRECIATIVE THAT YOU THOUGHT IT NOT ROBBERY. TO PLACE THESE SIGNIFICANT WORDS ON A SHEET OF PAPER. TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. TAKING MY OLD STANDBY FILE. AND MAKE SURE THAT I READ THAT. ONE OF MY FAVORITE BEST READINGS. AND I COULD HAVE TWEAKED THE BIBLE. IN AN ERRANT WORD OF GOD. BUT I'M WILLING TO LET THIS GO AS PRINTED WITHOUT MODIFICATION. AND I AM DESPERATELY RESISTING FURTHER COMMENT. BUT TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A GALLANT EFFORT AND THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT RESOLUTION I HAVE EXPERIENCED. I AM NOT GOING TO TELL NOBODY OUT LOUD THAT I REALLY DID CRY READING THIS. IT IS KIND OF HARD TO DO. IT REALLY BROUGHT TEARS. AND ALL OF THESE SLAVES INSIDE OF ME. WHO'S DNA I HAVE INHERITED. ALL OF THESE SLAVES THAT RUN ACROSS MY BACK. AND UP AND DOWN MY BACKBONE. I DO NOT KNOW THEM. BUT IT MADE ME CRY. AND THEY FELT THE WEIGHT OF THESE WORDS. THAT IS ENOUGH RIGHT THERE, FOR ME. BECAUSE I AM GRATEFUL. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT TO THOUSANDS OF DEAD AND LIVING PEOPLE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO COMMENT. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. THIS IS COURAGEOUS. HUMANE. AND A GOOD STEP FORWARD. AND IT BRINGS US INTO THE SPIRIT OF CELEBRATION OF OUR BICENTENNIAL. PUTTING THE LADIES WORDS DOWN FIRST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS? COMMISSIONER MADDOX. >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR FOR HIS WORDS. AND HIS WILLINGNESS . OFTEN TIMES WE THINK OR DO NOT WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH, AS PEOPLE. TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY. BUT THE MOMENTS THAT WE HAVE. WALKING THROUGH SOME OF THE HARDEST TIMES IN LIFE. WE FIND THAT THOSE TIMES REALLY MAKE US AS WE ARE AS PEOPLE . TO LOOK BACK ON THOSE TIMES. NOT JUST APOLOGIZE FOR MOMENTS THAT COULD HAVE HURT ONE ANOTHER. BUT ALSO MEAN IT DEEPLY. FROM WITHIN OUR SOULS AND HEARTS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. YOU CANNOT ERASE HISTORY. BUT WHAT YOU ARE ABLE TO DO IS KNOW THAT YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING. IT MAY HAVE NOT BEEN RIGHT TOWARDS ANOTHER. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND APOLOGIZE AND YOU CAN'T MEAN IT. AND THOSE THAT HAVE ENDURED IT. ALMOST OFTEN TIMES ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND. TIMES CHANGE AND PEOPLE CAN TOO. ACCEPT A BIOLOGY IN A WAY THAT IS GIVEN GRACE. NOT JUST THE GRACE THAT A HUMAN BEING CAN BE GIVEN. EVEN IF NOT AS GRATEFUL AT TIMES. SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR FOR ASKING FOR THIS. BUT I ALSO ASK FOR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE IT WITH GRACE AND UNDERSTANDING. WE, AS HUMANS ALWAYS DO NOT DO THE RIGHT THINGS. BUT WE STRIVE TO GROW AS PEOPLE. TO RESPECT ONE ANOTHER, LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MADDOX. >> COMMISSIONER MINOR? >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP AS AN AGENDA ITEM. I HAVE A 70 REACH OUT TO ME AND WHY THIS WAS NECESSARY. AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. THE PAIN THAT YOUR ANCESTORS ENDURED. AND OVER THE YEARS I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS OF MINE. THAT ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN. I WILL NEVER FULLY UNDERSTAND. WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN. BUT WE ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSE THAT TERRIBLE CHAPTER OF OUR HISTORY. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT IT. CLOSE AND START THE HEALING PROCESS. MANY OF US HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR MANY YEARS . THIS IS ANOTHER SOLID STEP. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP THIS RESOLUTION. A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK AT EACH OTHER AS ONE COMMUNITY. THAT IS 200 YEARS OLD. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT IT TOOK 200 YEARS TO GET TO THIS RESOLUTION. BUT I AM HERE TO SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU . ANY OTHERS? COMMISSIONER O KEEFE? >> THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR FOR BRINGING THIS UP. I AM BOTH SADDENED THAT WE HAVE A HISTORY THAT WE NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR AND ACKNOWLEDGE . BUT FORTUNATE THAT I CAN BE PART OF THE BODY THAT REPRESENTS THIS GOVERNMENT. WHEN WE DO SO. NONE MAY HAVE BEEN LIVE WHILE THIS HISTORY TRANSPIRED . BUT WE COVER THIS COUNTY AND GOVERNMENT. AND IT IS ACTUALLY THE RIGHT THING FOR US TO DO AS REPRESENTATIVES. TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND APOLOGIZE. AT OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE? COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. >> AND I FAILED TO ASK FOR CONSIDERATION. NOT ONLY THE APOLOGY BUT THE ASPECT OF SLAVERY IN LEON COUNTY. IT IS VERY, VERY PUBLIC. AND WELL PUBLICLY NOTED. IN THIS APOLOGY. THAT WE ASSIMILATE THIS APOLOGY QUIETLY. IN PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT IN THE NEWSPAPER. AND WE PUT IT ON OUR CHANNEL 16. ON OUR CABLE NETWORK. THAT WE SEND A COPY TO THE ETON ARCHIVES AT FAMU. AND THE GREAT STATE LIBRARY. BUT WE ALSO LET THE ENTIRE WORLD KNOW. THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THIS POSITIVE STEP. AND IF THE COMMISSIONERS ARE OPEN TO THAT. THAT WE DO NOT PUT THIS UNDER THE RUG. THEN WE GO TO FRONT STREET AND PUT THIS ON FRONT STREET. SO I WANTED TO ADD AN ADDENDUM WHY THIS IS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT. >> THANK YOU. IS THAT AN AMENDMENT TO YOUR MOTION TO ACCEPT OPTION ONE. WITH THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? >> YES. >> OKAY. AND IT WAS SECONDED FROM COMMISSIONER MADDOX. DO YOU ACCEPT THAT AMENDMENT? ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I JUST WANT TO WEIGH IN VERY BRIEFLY. ALSO THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR FOR RAISING THIS . AND I THINK IT IS SO APPROPRIATE. WITH THE AMOUNT OF CELEBRATION FOR THE BICENTENNIAL. I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, AS WELL. FOR BEING SENSITIVE TO THIS ISSUE. IT IS AN ISSUE OF SENSITIVITY THAT WE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THEY DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS RESOLUTION. AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. BUT EVERYBODY HAD A HAND IN IT. THIS HISTORICAL. I TELL YOU WHEN I READ IT. I AM NOT FROM LEON COUNTY. BUT I CAN TELL YOU. AND VERY COUNTY IN MISSISSIPPI HAS BEEN THE POOREST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. THIS COULD BE ALSO HAVING THE SAME FACTUAL INFORMATION IN VERY COUNTY. AS FAR AS THE ENSLAVEMENT OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE. SO, WHEN I READ THIS. I WAS VERY EMOTIONAL. I FELT LIKE MY ANCESTORS WERE SPEAKING FROM THEIR GRAVES. HOWEVER, I THINK THAT WE HAVE GROWN A LOT. CLEARLY, WE HAVE. WHEN WE HAVE DIVERSITY. AND IN SPITE OF THAT DIVERSITY WE ALL RECOGNIZE WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST. AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECOGNITION , OF PREVIOUS WRONGS SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. AS A COMMUNITY, UNITED. REGARDLESS OF RACE . SO THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR THIS HISTORICAL ANALYSIS. IT IS JUST VERY EMOTIONAL. VERY MOVING. AND I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO BE PLACED UNDER THE RUG. BUT IT SPEAKS A LOT, IN MY OPINION OF LEON COUNTY. THE CHARACTER OF LEON COUNTY. THE GREAT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THIS COUNTY. THAT WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD PROGRESSIVELY. WORKING TOGETHER AND RECOGNIZING. THAT EVERYBODY'S HISTORY IS IMPORTANT. IT HAS BEEN IMPORTANT AND PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE. IN BUILDING OUR CITY AND COMMUNITY TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY. SO I WILL NOT GO ON AND ON BUT I COULD. BUT A BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENT. IN MY OPINION IS SO THANK YOU, ALL. OKAY ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.. ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU . >> WE DID NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE. >> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND WE ALSO HAD A SCHOOL MEMBER BOARD MEMBER HERE, JONES. HE HAD TO LEAVE. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS VERY HISTORIC. A VERY HISTORIC COMMISSION MEETING. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. COUNTY COMMISSION? >> THANK YOU. ITEM 19. SEEKS APPROVAL FOR A BID FOR THE MAGNOLIA DRIVE TRAIL. PHASE TWO. TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER. AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS PROJECT . AND IT IS ENTIRELY FUNDED BY BLUEPRINT. IN THE CITY THROUGH SEPARATE GPAS. WE ARE THE MANAGER OF THE PROJECT. HE FACILITATED THE BIDDING PROCESS. IT WAS COMPETITIVE BID. THEY MADE ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO THE LOWEST RESPONSE. WHAT IS BEFORE YOU. AND THE ITEM RECOMMENDS OPTIONS ONE, TWO. WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THIS. >> THANK YOU MR. COUNTY COMMISSION. COMMISSIONERS, LET ME ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION. >> SO MOVED. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE. >> I AM ACKNOWLEDGED AND EXCITED ABOUT THIS. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. BUT PRACTICALLY AN IMPORTANT PROJECT THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM - SEAT FORWARD. FOR DISTRICT 1 AND TWO. AND THIS ON THIS TRAIL. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? >> SO EXCITED . I REALLY AM. NOTHING BUT A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR PREDECESSOR. PROBABLY EQUALLY AS PLEASED. SO WHEN WE DO A RIBBON-CUTTING . HOPEFULLY COMMISSIONER MADDOX WILL MEET HALFWAY. HE WILL START FROM THE ORIGINAL STARTING POINT OF ADAM STREET. AND RUN DOWN THE HILL AND RUN UP THAT BIG HILL. AND HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO RUN UP BUT I'M GOING TO RUN DOWN. TO MEET HIM. SHAKE HANDS IN THE MIDDLE. FOR A GREAT CEREMONY. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. ANY OTHERS? AND I AM JUST PLEASED WITH THE ANALYSIS THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THE FACT THAT THIS WAS NOT JUST THE LOWEST BIDDER. BUT THEY ALSO MET ALL OF THE LOWEST REQUIREMENTS. AND EVEN BEYOND RECOMMENDED. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK. IN SELECTING THIS PARTICULAR ENTITY. OKAY ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.. ANY OPPOSITION? ? THANK YOU. MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. >> THANK YOU. I NORMALLY PRESENT ONE ITEM AT A TIME. BUT I WANTED TO SAY AS AN OVERVIEW FOR THE NEXT THREE ITEMS BEFORE YOU. 20, 21, 22. THEY HAVE AN OVERRIDING THEME. THE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS THE COUNTY HAS MADE THROUGH OUR SEWER PROGRAM. TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. THE COLLABORATION THAT HAS OCCURRED. WITH OUR PARTNERS, THE CITY, THE STATE TO EXPAND THE SEWER ON THE SOUTH SIDE. IN OUR SUCCESS IN SECURING CONSIDERABLE GRANT FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. TO PROTECT THE SPRINGS. I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO SAY THIS TO THE BOARD. BUT FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD. GIVEN ALL THE PRIORITY AND THE EMPHASIS THAT THE BOARD HAS PUT ON THESE PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS. AGAIN, THIS IS ALL INDEED VERY GOOD NEWS. THIS IS THE EXCITING PART. WHEN WE SEE THIS COME TO FRUITION. WHILE THE NEXT TWO ITEMS WILL DETAIL THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NEW STATE GRANT AWARDS TO CONVERT SEPTIC TANKS TO SEWERS. AND ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDS FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF SEWER CONSTRUCTION. THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU. ITEM NUMBER 20. THIS PROVIDES A BROAD STATUS REPORT ON THE EXTENSION OF CENTRALIZED SEWER. TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS WITHIN THE URBAN SERVICES AREA. COMMISSIONERS, CITING SPECIFICALLY, THIS INFORMATION IS WHAT YOU REQUESTED IN NOVEMBER. REGARDING THE $20 MILLION CITY PROJECT TO EXPAND SOCIAL SEWER IN THE SOUTHERN TRIANGLE. BETWEEN CRAWFORD ROAD AND WOODVILLE HIGHWAY NORTH OF THE CIRCLE. AND I AM PLEASED TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR PLANNING DIRECTOR. TO PROVIDE SOME IMPORTANT DETAILS AND AN OVERVIEW REPORT. ON ALL OF THAT WHICH IS OCCURRING TO STIMULATE THESE MAJOR PROJECTS. WITH THAT, LET ME HAND IT OVER TO YOU. >> THANK YOU. IN THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A BRIEF UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE. THE SEWER EXTENSION. THIS WILL PROVIDE SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON OUR PROGRESS. THE COORDINATION THAT WE ARE DOING WITH MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND THE PROGRAMMING. INCLUDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES AND OUR REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO PURSUE THIS. AS WE ARE APPROACHING OUR BICENTENNIAL YEAR. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE. OUR FIRST SEWER ELEMENT WAS THE CENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEM IN 1890. AND A PUBLIC UTILITY WITH WATER AND SEWER THAT IS RUN BY THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE. THAT STARTED IN 1920. AND WE COORDINATE LEON COUNTY TO IMPLEMENT SEWERS WITH INSIDE THE URBAN SERVICES AREA. PRACTICALLY IN THOSE AREAS THAT HAVE SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES. IDENTIFIED IN OUR PRIMARY SPRINGS PROTECTION OUTCOME. SO THE FRAMEWORK FOR SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION IS GUIDED BY OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THIS IDENTIFIES A LOCATION THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR SANITARY SEWER SERVICE. PACKED INSIDE OUR USA SERVICES AREA AS WELL AS LOCATIONS IN OUR DESIGNATED RURAL COMMUNITIES. AND THE URBAN FRENCH CATEGORIES. ALSO GUIDED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE WATER AND SEWER AGREEMENT BETWEEN LEON COUNTY AND THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE. THAT LED TO THE MASTER SEWER PLAN OF THE CITY THAT MAINTAINS AND OPERATES. AND SUBMITS TO THE COUNTY FOR APPROVAL EVERY FIVE YEARS. SO IMPLEMENTATION OF SANITARY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE IS COMPLETED IN THREE WAYS. ONE IS THROUGH THE MEANS OF THE MASTER SEWER PLAN. IT LOOKS AT EASE ABILITY OF EXTENDING SERVICE. THOSE PROJECTS CAN INCORPORATE INTO THE CITY'S FIVE-YEAR CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM. THE OTHER IS THROUGH THE ROBUST SUBJECT THAT LEON COUNTY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT LEADS. YOUR LEADERSHIP IS LOOKING TO HAVE OVER 700 CONVERGENCE, THUS FAR. THROUGH THE PURSUIT OF GRANT FUNDING. FOR PROTECTION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. ALO THROUGH PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT. THE WATER IN SUITOR - SEWER ACCESS MUST CONNECT TO THAT SERVICE. SO SEWER EXPANSION PROJECTS THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ARE THE SOUTHERN TRIANGLE WATER AND SEWER EXPANSION. INITIATED IN 2022. $20 MILLION INVESTMENT IS BEING DONE BY THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE . IT IS THE CONCEPTUAL AND DESIGN PHASE. LEON COUNTY SEWER PROGRAM IS MULTIPLE PROJECTS WITH MULTIPLE PHASES. THE TOTAL INVESTMENT OF $63 MILLION. THE CURRENT PROJECTS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL BRING A CONVERSION OF OVER 1500 PROJECTS AND IT IS PRIMARILY WITH PROJECTS LOCATED IN THE PRIMARY SPRINGS PROTECTION ZONE. SUPPORTED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. AND UPDATE ON THE SOUTHERN TRIANGLE PROJECT. CURRENTLY THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PHASE. ESTIMATE TO BE $20 MILLION. WITH THE MOST RECENT UPDATE AT THE JANUARY MEETING FITTED IN PROVE $12 MILLION IN STATE GRANT TO SUPPORT THAT PROJECT. IN THE TIMELINE WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT FIVE YEARS OUT FOR COMPLETING CONSTRUCTION WITH CONCEPTUAL DESIGN COMPLETED THIS YEAR. EASEMENTS GRADED THIS YEAR, AS WELL. AT THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT ALL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE TRIANGLE WILL HAVE SEWER, AND WATER CONNECTION OPTIONS. AN ADDITIONAL $200 - 200 PROPERTIES. SO FOR THE SUBJECT TO SEWER PROJECTS THAT LEON COUNTY IS LEADING IN WE HAVE THE WOODSIDE HEIGHTS, THE BELAIR NEIGHBORHOODS. THESE ARE NEARING COMPLETION PHASE ONE. IT IS ALREADY COMPLETE. IT WILL HAVE 3 TO 20 PROPERTIES WITH ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITARY SERVICE. THIS IS PART OF THE CUMULATIVE $63 MILLION INVESTMENT TO DATE. ALSO NORTHEAST DIRECTLY ADJACENT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. IT POTENTIALLY BRINGS 3 TO 20 PROPERTIES ONTO THE WATER AND SEWER WERE - WATER PROJECT. THIS IS A FOUR PHASE PROJECT. WE ARE IN PHASE ONE THAT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN NOW AND OCTOBER. AS WELL AS PHASE TWO THAT IS ACQUIRING THE RIGHT OF WAY EASEMENT. I WILL RUN UNTIL OCTOBER 24. AND THIS IS QUITE A LARGE PROJECT WE ARE HALFWAY THROUGH FUNDING THIS IS OVER $100 MILLION INVESTMENT IN TOTAL. THAT IS WHY THESE AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE STATE GRANTS. THAT LEON COUNTY WAS ABLE TO UPDATE AND INCREASE THE FUNDING AND REQUEST INFORMATION TO PURSUE ADDITIONAL GRANTS. HERE ARE SOME UPDATES OF ITEMS 21, AND 22. AMENDING AN EXISTING FTP GRANT TO RAISE IT TO $70 MILLION WHICH IS FOR THE NORTHEAST SEWER SYSTEMS PROJECT. WITH MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE LEON COUNTY WATER QUALITY SALES TAX REVENUE. ITEM 2022 ON YOUR AGENDA WAS A REQUEST. TO ALLOW US TO PURSUE FLORIDA WATER AND MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS FOR A TOTAL OF $12 MILLION. 10 MILLION OF WHICH WILL GO TO THE SEWER SYSTEMS PROJECT THAT IS UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW. $2 MILLION FOR REPAIR PROJECT AND ABATEMENT. SO ALL THIS WORK HAS IN PROGRESS WITH ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. THAT SUBSTANTIAL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY. THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ALSO AN ECONOMIC BENEFIT. WITH THE CONNECTED PROTRACT. THIS WILL BENEFIT PROPERTY OWNERS THAT CONVERT THEIR SEPTIC ONTO THE SEWER SYSTEM. SO THERE ARE $63 MILLION INVESTED TO DATE. IN THE SEPTIC TO SEWER PROJECT. IT WILL EXTEND SERVICE TO 1529 INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES IN LEON COUNTY. YOUR STAFF IS PURSUING GRANTS AGGRESSIVELY. LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO LEVERAGE THE EP GRANTS. IN THE FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT GRANT. AND IF YOU APPROVE THE REQUESTED GRANT TONIGHT? THAT WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $19 MILLION . THAT WE COULD RECEIVE TO SUPPORT THAT. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY WHAT THE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE WITH THESE PROJECTS. AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH FOR THAT. FOR THAT PRESENTATION. WE SHOULD TAKE THE ITEMS ONE BY ONE. AND ESTABLISH A REPORT ON THE AGENDA. IN THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS OPTIONAL. >> IV PROCEDURAL QUESTION. - I HAVE A PROCEDURAL QUESTION FOR THE ATTORNEY. DO WE HAVE TO TAKE THESE ONE BY ONE? WITH 21, 22, 23 ? >> IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR ALL THREE. YOU COULD DO THAT. THERE IS NOTHING THAT REQUIRES YOU TO TAKE THEM INDIVIDUALLY IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO. >> THANK YOU. LET ME REVISE. >> AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR EACH ITEM. >> THERE ARE NONE . AND MADAME CHAIR IF I COULD. WITH WHAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID YOU CAN DO THAT WITH YOUR FUTURE ITEM. JUST MOVE THE ENTIRE BULK. [ LAUGHTER ] >> LET US TAKE EACH ITEM ONE BY ONE. ITEM 20. THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION. I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION. IS THERE A SECOND? COMMENTS? >> MADAME CHAIR. >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR . >> WE HAVE THE MOST OUTSTANDING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. GOING FROM ZERO TO $69 MILLION. ADDING OVER $20 MILLION TONIGHT. THAT IS GOING TO PUT US IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $80 MILLION. I AM TRULY , OOLIE, GRATEFUL FOR THE PERSISTENCE THAT THEY HAVE DONE. PIPES IN THE GROUND AND SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DO NOT SEE. IN YOUR LEGACY OF THE SEWER PIPE. NOBODY WOULD EVER TAKE NOTE. I AM NOT ASHAMED TO SAY THAT MY NAME HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EFFORT. AND I REMINDED SOME YEARS AGO. WE WERE OUT DEDICATING THE PARK IN WOODINVILLE. GARY WALKED UP TO ME MATTER-OF-FACTLY. DURING THE DEDICATION. AND HE SAID DO NOT WORRY, DO NOT WORRY BILL PROCTOR. YOUR NAME IS GOING TO BE ON A PUBLIC PROJECT SOMEDAY. IN FACT, YOUR NAME IS GOING TO GO ON A SEWER TREATMENT PLANT. THAT IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO PUT YOUR NAME. SO I HOPE THAT GARY DID ASSURE ME. THAT MY NAME WOULD BE PLACED ON A SEWER. ON A SEWER TREATMENT PLANT. FOR POSTERITY. I ASKED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE PLACED ON A SEWER TREATMENT POSTERITY PROJECT. I'M VERY HAPPY. THE EFFORT FOR OUR STAFF. THAT THE COMMISSION RECOGNIZES AND THE EQUALIZING CHANCE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. ONCE WE GOT THESE PIPES, IT CHANGES. WHAT IS IN THE GROUND. AND IT GIVES WHAT IS ON TOP OF THE GROUND, GREATER EXPENSE. AND WHAT CAN OCCUR. THANK YOU. >> TREAT - THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. >> OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WERE TALKING ABOUT AN UNRELATED ISSUE. THE SUBJECT ABOUT THE COUNTY BEING EXTREME . EXTREMELY GOOD ABOUT LEVERAGING OUR DOLLARS. AND BRINGING GRANT DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL OR LOCAL. TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS. LEON COUNTY IS INCREDIBLY GOOD AT THAT. JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY OUR COUNTY ADMINISTERED IS THE BEST IN THE STATE. >> BEST IN THE WORLD! >> THAT IS RIGHT. THE COUNTY STAFF ARE ALSO THERE, AS WELL. PROPPING HIM UP MAKE SURE THEY GET THAT AWARD. FROM THE TOP ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY. NOT JUST ON THIS IN TERMS OF DRAWING DOWN THESE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. TO MAKE REAL PROGRESS ON THE SOUTH SIDE SEWER. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR SEWER TREATMENT PLANT. BUT A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER THINGS, TOO. IT IS IN THERE. BUT ON ALL TYPES OF OTHER THINGS. THIS IS A REALLY WELL OILED MACHINE. IN TERMS OF DRAWING DOWN DOLLARS. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CABAN? >> THANK YOU. I THINK COMMISSIONER MINOR, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. WHEN I AM IN WOODINVILLE GETTING MY HAIR CUT. MANY PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT. THEY ASK WHEN IS THE SEWAGE GOING TO BE DONE? SO I KNOW THAT THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE IN DISTRICT 2. FOR THE PEOPLE LIVE OUT. REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN WOODINVILLE. SO THANK YOU TO STAFF IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR LOOKING AND FINDING MORE MONEY. I BELIEVE WE ARE ON TIME. WE ARE ON TIME. THEY ARE MOVING. I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. TO DELIVER TO OUR CONSTITUENTS. WE GO OUT THERE AND DELIVER. THANK YOU. A REVELATION. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> THE COMMISSIONERS, LET ME JUST SAY TO WRAP THIS UP. A LOT OF NICE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE SAID. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS FOLLOWS THE PRIORITY OF THE BOARD. THAT HAS PLACED ON THIS. THERE HAVE BEEN TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAXIMIZE DOLLARS WITH RESPECT TO THIS. WE HAVE DONE THAT. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR WE TALKED ABOUT 700 CONVERSIONS. AND MANY MORE ON THE ALTERNATIVE. FROM THE SEWER PROGRAM THAT ARE COMING. AND I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT COMMISSIONER PROCTOR WE HAVE DONE EXACTLY IN OUR 200 HISTORY OF LEON COUNTY. WE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME AND PRIORITIZED IT FOR A LONG TIME. THERE WAS NOT MATCHING DOLLARS TO DO IT FOR A VERY LONG TIME. WE STARTED TO GIVE KUDOS TO OUR STAFF. SUBJECT TO SEWER CONVERSION. THAT IS NOT A TOPIC THAT ANYBODY TALKS ABOUT . BUT THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT. IN TERMS OF TEARING UP NEIGHBORHOODS. TEARING UP ROADS. IT IS HARD AND DIRTY WORK. SOMETIMES YOU'RE GOING RIGHT INTO ROCK. IT REQUIRES YOU TO DO A LOT. FOR THAT REASON, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTIVELY DOING IT. WE ARE, IN FACT THE STATES BEST PARTNER. NOBODY HAS THERE PROTECTION OF THE SPRING DOLLARS LIKE WE DO. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR STAFF. IT TAKES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND MANAGEMENT TO DO THIS. ALONG THE WAY AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT. SO WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. AS YOU CAN SEE. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE MADE. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER MADDOX? >> THIS IS ABOUT ELEVATORS. THE ELEVATORS ARE DOWN. ANYBODY THAT NEEDS TO BE ESCORTED OUT BY THE ESCORT OF THE DEPUTY. BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ELEVATORS ARE DOWN. >> THANK YOU. >> THE SHERIFF DEPUTY IS GOING TO WALK US DOWN ONE BY ONE? >> I WILL ELECT TO HELP THEM. BECAUSE I'M GOING TO RUN UP . >> THAT WILL GIVE YOU GOOD PRACTICE TO RUN UP THAT HILL AND MEET ME AT THE TOP. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MADDOX. WE RECOGNIZE THE ELEVATOR IS OUT. SO WHEN WE TAKE A BREAK , WE WILL GOVERN OURSELVES ACCORDINGLY. AND AGAIN, THE STAFF. YOU HAVE KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK. AS YOU ALWAYS DO. WE JUST APPRECIATE ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DONE ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TO OUR NEIGHBORS ON THE SOUTH SIDE. IT IS ABOUT ELEVATING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. FROM SEPTIC TO SEWER PROJECT. AND IT IS BEEN GOING ON IN THE SOUTH. AND MOST OF US HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND WITNESS THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE. LIKE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SAID. IT IS NOT EASY OR CLEAN WORK. LITERALLY, GET DOWN IN THE DITCHES IN THE TRENCHES. AND ACTUALLY WE HAVE WITNESSED THAT. BUT IT IS ABOUT ELEVATING NOT ONLY THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR CITIZENS. BUT IT WILL ALSO IMPACT. ON THE QUALITY OF WATER . OF COURSE LEADING DOWN TO THE SPRINGS AND OTHER AREAS. CLEARLY THIS WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. AND WITH OUR CITIZENS. HAVING SAID THAT, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO. AND WE LOOK FORWARD FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS UPON THE COMPLETION. HOPEFULLY WE WILL ALL BE ABLE TO SEE THIS , IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR ON THE MOTION? LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE. ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU, SO VERY MUCH. MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. >> THANK YOU. ITEM 21 AND I GUESS THESE COULD GO QUICKER. WE ARE RELATIVE TO TIME. BUILDING A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT AND CONTINUE ON THIS MOMENTUM. THIS SEEKS APPROVAL TO AMEND THE EXISTING SPRINGS RESTORATION. THE GRANT AGREEMENTS WITH THE COUNTY AND THE FTP. TO REALIZE AN ADDITIONAL $7.8 MILLION IN NEW STATE FUNDING. TO PRIORITIZE THE COUNTY SEWER PROJECT. AND THE GRANT WILL BE ALLOWING THE COUNTY TO AWARD THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS PROJECT. AND AN ITEM WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD DURING THE BUDGET WORKSHOP. BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. RECOMMENDING OPTIONS ONE, TWO, THREE. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY COMMISSION DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE? AYE.. ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> AGAIN, THIS ITEM THAT IS BEFORE YOU IS ITEM 22. AGAIN TO CONTINUE THE THEME. A SIX-YEAR APPROVAL TO HAVE A SUPPLY FOR ADDITIONAL GRANTS. TO SUBMIT TWO GRANT APPLICATIONS . TOTALING $12 MILLION. IN THE GRANT REQUESTS. AND AGAIN, THIS INCLUDES $10 MILLION FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF THE WOODINVILLE PROJECT. AND $12 MILLION FOR THE EMBANKMENT REPAIR PROJECT. AGAIN, A HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. WE ARE OFFERING OPTIONS ONE AND TWO WITH NO SPEAKERS. >> THANK YOU MR. COUNTY COMMISSIONER. I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION? ANY DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER PROCTOR? >> WHICH DISTRICT? I DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT WE WERE IN THAT DISTRICT FOR FUNDING OF $12 MILLION. >> MADAM CHAIR? >> YES. WE GET THESE DOLLARS SPENT. AND AGAIN, THAT IS THE BASIS FOR THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH FTP. THE LEGISLATURE HAS PRIORITIZED SPRING PROTECTION CAN WE BE THAT WE HAVE BEEN AND AN AREA THAT HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT REQUIREMENT. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? HEARING NONE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF ONE AND TWO. LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING TRAINING TEAM ANY OPPOSITION? HEARING NONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. >> ITEM 23. SEEKS THE FULL BOARD'S CONSIDERATION OF THE APARTMENT TO THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. FOR THE GROWTH OF THE JOINT CITY BICYCLING WORKGROUP. AS REPRESENTED IN THE OPTIONS ONE AND TWO. IS THERE A SECOND? >> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. AYE. THE. THANK YOU, SO MUCH. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? >> THERE IS NONE , MADAM CHAIR. >> THAT CONCLUDES YOUR GENERAL BUSINESS. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING AT THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED AT 6 P.M. AND JUST ONE ELEVATOR. >> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO. IF WE CAN GO INTO COMMENTS. AND DISCUSSION ITEMS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. LET US CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE NOTHING FOR THE BOARD. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS A QUICK ONE. NIKKI PAID ONE - NIKKI PAYTON. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS AS WE BEEN COVERING IN OUR WEEKLY CAPITOL UPDATE REPORTS. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING IT WILL HAVE MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS. THESE INCLUDE THE FRS CHANGES, NEW VOTING REQUIREMENTS FOR MILLAGE RATES. EVEN PROPOSED TERM LIMITS. BUT I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE OF BILLS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST. GIVEN THE IMPACT AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT TO THE COUNTY. THE FIRST IS HOSPITAL 7015 PROPOSES AN ADDITIONAL $25,000 HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR ALL AD VALOREM TAXES. THIS PROPOSAL WHICH HAVE TO ULTIMATELY BE APPROVED BY VOTERS. THIS WOULD INCREASE THE EXISTING EXEMPTION ON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY VALUES BETWEEN $50,000 AND $75,000. IN OTHER WORDS, VALUES FROM $50,000 WOULD BE ACCEPTED. IF APPROVED, AN ADDITIONAL $1.2 BILLION OF PROPERTY VALUE WOULD BE COMING ACROSS THE COUNTY. THIS WOULD RESULT IN AN $11 MILLION REDUCTION IN REVENUE. AT THIS POINT, THE BILL HAS STALLED IN COMMITTEE AND IS YET TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE FULL HOUSE. A SIMILAR MEASURE HAS ALSO BEEN PROPOSED. HOUSE BILL 7017. WHICH SEEKS TO REQUIRE AN ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION TO THE EXEC VALUE OF HOMES AND VALUES. THIS PROPOSAL WOULD APPLY TO ALL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTEDO VALUES OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES. IN THIS ADJUSTMENT WILL BE BASED ON CHANGES ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE COUNTY'S PROPERTY TAX IN 2026. HOUSE BILL 7017 HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE HOUSE. IT IS SAID TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SENATE THIS WEEK. LASTLY, ANOTHER MEASURE THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING IS THE PROPOSED COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR PENSION PLAN MEMBERS. THAT IS BEEN ONLY TO APPLY TO MEMBERS THAT ARE ENROLLED IN THE PENSION PROGRAM AS OF 2011. THIS IS AN IMPACT OF $9.6 MILLION FOR LEON COUNTY THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. WITH AN ANTICIPATED GROWTH OF $3 MILLION IN IMPACT. AT THIS POINT, THE MEASURE HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE HOUSE BUT WAS REJECTED BY THE SENATE SO IT WILL ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE BETWEEN BOTH CHAMBERS. EACH OF THESE BILLS ARE PRIORITIES GIVEN A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT EACH WOULD HAVE ON THE COUNTIES. SO THEY'RE WORKING HARD TO OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION. AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR STATE LOBBYIST AND MONITOR THESE AND MANY OTHER BILLS WHILE ENGAGING WITH OUR LOCAL DELEGATION AND OTHER LEGISLATORS. AND WE WILL CAN DO TO KEEP YOU UPDATED. BUT OF COURSE, I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> THANK YOU. AND COMMISSIONERS, AGAIN. THE BOARD HAS CERTAINLY EXPRESSED CONCERNS FOR GOOD REASON. AS YOU REVERT THROUGHOUT . BUT IT IS REALLY TOO SOON TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. SOME OF THESE BILLS THAT SHE TALKED ABOUT HAVE A HIGHER PRIORITY AMONG LEADERSHIP. AND THE LEGISLATION, THEN OTHERS. WE WILL CAN YOU TO KEEP YOU POSTED. OF COURSE , WE WILL BE STARTING UP THE BUDGET PROCESS IN EARNEST. WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME AGAIN TO PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH BUDGETING STRATEGIES. THE BEST POSITION FOR THE COUNTY, NO MATTER THE OUTCOME OF THE SESSION IS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. COUNTY COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER MADDOX? >> A PROCLAMATION HONORING THE DELTA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED. FOR THE 50th ANNIVERSARY TO BE REPRESENTED ON FSU. AND YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO PRESENT THAT. AND I KNOW THAT SHE THINKS ESPECIALL EXCITED ABOUT IT. BUT MADAM CHAIR, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO PRESENT THAT PROCLAMATION. IN ATTENDANCE. >> I WILL CHECK MY CALENDAR, THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION? IS THERE A SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.. >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYBODY IN FEBRUARY. ESPECIALLY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THEY HAVE BEEN THE BEST IN THE WORLD. AS WELL AS THE DEAN OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR TURNED TO 25 YEARS OLD AGAIN. AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR ALL OF THE WELL WISHES TODAY. AND TO THOSE OF THE PROBABLY TWO LONGEST SERVING PROFESSIONALS WITHIN THE COUNTY. WITH RESPECT TO THE BOARD. ALSO TO THE LEON COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH . BACK THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MADDOX FOR MENTIONING THOSE BIRTHDAYS. SO HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAYS. COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE? >> I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF OUR GREAT STAFF. AND I THINK THEY JUST STEPPED OUT OF THE ROOM AND. I HAVE HEARD A LOT FROM OUR RESIDENCES THAT ARE TRYING TO UTILIZE THE $7500 GRANT. WHO ARE INSTALLING NITROGEN REDUCING SEPTIC. THEY ARE GETTING PROBLEMS WITH A COST-EFFECTIVE MODEL. WITH A RECENT CALL TO LET US KNOW THAT WITH HER HELP IN THE SEPTIC INSTALLER. I IMAGINE THEY DID A LOT OF THEIR OWN RESEARCH. THEY FOUND A MODEL THAT THEY SUCCESSFULLY GOT THEIR GRANT. WHERE THEY PUT IN NITROGEN REDUCING SEPTIC TANK. AND IN THEIR SITUATION, INSTEAD OF $6000. THEY PAID $2500 OUT-OF-POCKET. THEY GOT THE $75 GRANT. THEY GOT A NITROGEN REDUCING GRANT PERSONNEL THE VENDOR KNOWS ABOUT IT WILL SEE MORE COMING THROUGH. BUT HE WANTS TO GIVE CREDIT TO ANNE. THAT IS ALL. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK. >> COMMISSIONER MADDOX? >> WE ALL APPROVED THE CORRIDOR . AND I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO PERUSE IT? BUT IT IS TERRIFIC. OUR LEON COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT DID A GREAT JOB ON IT. IT INCORPORATES THE SURVEY RESULTS THAT WE GOT. WHEN WE SURVEYED THE COMMUNITY. IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR. AS WELL AS CAPTURING SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE WAY. IN THE PROJECTS TO COME. I WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY HERE. FOR APPROVING THAT FINAL REPORT. THERE ARE 10 ACTION ITEMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THEY KEEP THE BALL MOVING FORWARD. WE STILL A LOT MORE WORK TO DO . BUT WE ARE OFF TO A GREAT START. BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF THE PLANNING STAFF IN THAT REPORT. AND ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK ON THAT. THANK YOU, THAT IS ALL I HAVE. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO MENTION. I READ THE REPORT, AS WELL. WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DID IN PUTTING THAT TOGETHER. I LOOKED AT ALL OF THE ACTION ITEMS, AS WELL. AND WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY WITH THE NORTH CORRIDOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER CABAN? >> I DO NOT HAVE ANY BUSINESS TO DISCUSS . I WANT TO INVITE EVERYBODY OUT. MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN COMMISSIONER PROCTOR ON SATURDAY MARCH 16 FOR FOUNDERS DAY. OUR OFFICE WILL HAVE A BOOTH WITH SOME UPDATES. ANYTIME WE CAN WE CAN TALK ABOUT WOODVILLE AND MORE ATTRACTION TO WOODVILLE. WE WILL DO IT. MARCH 16th AT NOON. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER CABAN. >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR ? >> ON MAY 15th WE HAVE A WORKSHOP. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND ON THAT DATE. THAT WE SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP REVIEW CALLED THE SOUTHERN STRATEGY AREA. AND TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW. AS PART OF WHAT WE DO . I DESIGNATED BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE LOOK AT THAT. KEEPING OUR SPOTLIGHT ON THAT STRATEGY. COMBINED WITH A LOOK AT THE BANKING COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT . AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANY REDLINING ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE WE'VE DONE A CRA REVIEW. AND IN KEEPING THE MARKETPLACE , AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE ARE POSITIVE DOLLARS IN THE BANKING . THOSE ARE COMING BACK. PROPORTIONATE TO THE DOLLARS ARE COMING IN. I WOULD LIKE TO APPROPRIATE THAT TO LOOK AT THOSE ITEMS. >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR, MAY 28th? FOR BOTH OF THOSE? COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? >> THANK YOU. OF COURSE, WHATEVER THE DIRECTION THE BOARD WILL CERTAINLY PURSUE THAT. BUT I WANTED TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU. NUMBER SEVEN . THE BOARD APPROVED THE SCHEDULING OF THE PURCHASING WORKSHOP. BASED ON YOUR PREVIOUS DIRECTION. FOR MAY 28th AT 1:00 P.M. >> MAY 28th. >> YES. SO WE HAVE THAT TIMESLOT . AND WE HAVE NO COMMISSION MEETING ON THAT DATE. SO WE COULD ACCOMMODATE. IF THE BOARD WANTED TO MANAGE . THAT ITEM AS WELL AS THE ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER PROCTOR BROUGHT UP AS FAR AS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHERN STRATEGY. WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. AND LET REMIND YOU ANOTHER PIECE OF COMMISSIONER PROCTOR TALKED ABOUT. WHERE PREVIOUS DIRECTION TO BRING BACK AN ITEM ON THE CRA POLICY. THAT WE ARE HAVING IN THE WORKS, RIGHT NOW. BUT IF THE BOARD WISHES TO? TO ADD ANOTHER WORKSHOP. WE CAN CERTAINLY DO IT. IN THE MORNING OR THE AFTERNOON. >> MAY 28th. >> CAN WE RESTATE THE MOTION? >> YES. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR IS ASKING FOR A WORKSHOP. MAY 28th. ON THE SOUTHERN STRATEGY REVIEW. AS WELL AS THE CRA. AND IT IS IN THE WORKS ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. FOR THAT DATE. IS THERE A MOTION? IS THERE A SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION? THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. AYE. >> THANK YOU. MADAM CHAIR, I WANTED TO ASK THE MEMBERS . FOR A LITTLE MORE MUSCLE FOR CRAWFORDSVILLE ROAD 319. IT IS AMAZING. I WENT DOWN THE OTHER DAY. TWO WOODVILLE - TO SEE THE PHENOMENAL WORK THAT IT HAS OCCURRED. AND OUR COMMITMENT. THAT WE WOULD MEET THEM AT THE COUNTY LINE. I AM JUST HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR WORD. SECONDLY. AND OUR MEMBERS AND COLLEAGUES. WE SHOULD NOT GET MANHANDLED DOWN AT THAT BOARD OR RUBBERSTAMPING. OR TELLING EVERYBODY WHAT TO DO. PEOPLE TO STAND UP. I AM NOT TRYING TO STEP IN YOUR DISTRICT. BUT I WENT DOWN THERE AND IT WAS EVEN SCARY YESTERDAY. CARS CREEP UP. IN ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT DRIVEWAYS. WITH MULTIPLE UNITS. AND IT IS LIKE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH DRIVING. YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAR IS GOING TO CHASE OUT AND JUMP. YOU CANNOT SWERVE BECAUSE THERE ARE DITCHES. THAT ROAD RUNS PARALLEL TO TENNESSEE STREET NORTH. AND PENSACOLA RUNS PARALLEL WITH THE TENNESSEE STREET SOUTH. TENNESSEE STREET AND THE SOUTH PARALLEL IN PARTNER WITH PENSACOLA. ALL THE WAY DOWN. IF YOU GO TO THE PARALLEL ROAD NORTH TO TENNESSEE STREET. YOU COME FROM CAPITOL CIRCLE AND YOU JUST HAVE TO PRAY HARD THAT YOU COULD GET DOWN AND CLEAR IT. I DO NOT KNOW IF SOCIOLOGY IS DRIVING THAT TRAIN. OR SCIENTIFIC DATA. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US TAKE A TRAFFIC COUNT SURVEY. WE NEED DATA. NO OFFENSE TO COMMISSIONER WELCH. WHEN WE HAVE A 20 2034 BLUEPRINT. WE MOVE THAT 2034 PROJECT DOWN TO A 2021 PROJECT. WE PULL UP EARLY. WITH 13, 14 YEARS ADVANCEMENT FOR THOSE ROADS. HOW CAN GO OUT TO 14 MILES FROM WHERE WE SIT? YET, FIVE MILES FROM WHERE WE SIT. WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING. WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL DOOMSDAY. THERE ARE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE. ON THE SIDE OF THAT ROAD. SO I JOIN IN. I CANNOT BELIEVE WE ARE GOING WAY UP THERE. AND WE CANNOT SEE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. SO I URGENTLY BACKING. TWO LEFT THAT UP. - TO LIFT THAT UP. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE, COMMISSIONER MADDOX? THAT IS NOT A MOTION THAT IS JUST A RECOMMENDATION. >> IT IS AN ASK. >> THANK YOU. ANYTHING FURTHER? >> NO. >> COMMISSIONER WELCH? >> COMMISSIONER WELCH. >> THANK YOU. I WOULD ASK FOR A PROCLAMATION FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH TO BE PRESENTED AT OUR MEETING IN MARCH. THANK YOU. >> DID WE VOTE? >> THAT WAS NOT A MOTION THAT WAS A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE CR TO LOOK AT 319. GOING SOUTH. >> MY APOLOGIES. >> THAT IS OKAY. IT WAS NOT A MOTION. IT WAS A RECOMMENDATION. THAT IS WHY I IDENTIFIED TO THE MEMBERS WERE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE. AND MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING A 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSORTIUM. RECOGNIZING LEON COUNTY FOR THE SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS. IF YOU WILL STAND? AND THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. THIS IS TALLAHASSEE , LEON COUNTY GOVERNMENT. IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION FOR YOUR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TALLAHASSEE CONSORTIUM. THE 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. FEBRUARY 8, 2024. THANK YOU. A PROMINENT PLACE. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. IF THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER? WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING . >> DID I SKIP YOU? >> I HAVE NO BUSINESS TO DISCUSS. BUT I WANTED TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS . I WILL BE VERY BRIEF. >> I WILL USE MY DISCRETION. >> FIRST AND FOREMOST I WANT TO SAY THAT. DECEMBER, 2022 THAT WE MOVED UP FARM STREET. IT WAS ROUGHLY 8 YEARS ON ITS PLAN. SO WE'VE BEEN SLATED . I DO WANT TO SAY BY NEXT WEEK. IN BLUEPRINT. WE ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING A $124 MILLION PROJECT AT THE AIRPORT GATEWAY. AND IF WE KEEP IT WITHIN BUDGET. AND IF WE USE SPRING HILL ROAD. THE FIRST APPROVED ROUTE THAT VOTERS APPROVED ON. WE WILL HAVE $40 MILLION THAT WE CAN SPEND AMONG OTHER PROJECTS. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT DISCUSSION. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER CABAN THAT GIVES US SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. WE ARE PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR 6:00 P.M. WILL ADJOURN UNTIL 6:00 P.M.