All Wow. Cool. >> For sure. >> I got tell you what, you know. So, we got >> Yeah, for sure. For sure. I just Well, Smith was telling me he's never been part of >> this process and I said, "Well, see how sausage
>> it happen." >> That's it. >> That's right. >> Welcome everybody and members of the public. We're glad to see you all too than we've had usually. Stanley brought his cousins. All right,
then. Thank you. Uh just a reminder today we uh last time uh decided that we might extend this meeting till 2:30 if necessary. Um so keeping that in mind, nevertheless, we have three great topics to discuss
today. Um, following consent and public comment, as you see, we will um have item one is language affirming the county's commitment to health care in the charter. Uh, item two, proposed
charter amendment on food insecurity. And number three, a ch a proposed amendment on racial disparities resulting from historic public policies. Um first though I'd like to hear a motion to advance our consent agenda
which includes um approval of the m minutes of the last meeting. Please >> submit a motion. >> Submit. >> Motion been made and maybe seconded. Seconded. All those are in favor of approving the minutes of the last
meeting. Um, we also have um some written comments that have been Pardon me. I should take a vote. I was just assuming everybody was good. Sorry about that. >> All in favor >> of approving the consent agenda in the
last minutes. Thank you. >> All in favor say I. Those opposed, no. >> I >> Okay. Oh, wow. Okay. And we have several people speaking. We have cards. If anybody else has cards that they would like to uh speak for
three minutes, please bring them up here. And uh Vince, did you want to do you want to speak at this point? Before we start, uh Vince wanted to just talk to us a little bit about uh future uh responsibilities. Uh this is our last
official meeting, but Vince, would you like to discuss it briefly? >> Sure. There we go. Uh good morning everyone. Uh as the chair mentioned, this is your last meeting. Uh so thank you in advance. Uh and although you
still have some uh work before you, you've got as the chair mentioned three substantive items. Uh so but I did want to just point out just very quickly um sort of some housekeeping things and just a reminder on next steps. Um at the
bottom of your agenda, you've got some dates there. Again, just to keep on your radar. Um after today's meeting uh you'll see there that March 10th board meeting uh the board will will receive a status
report um on your recommendations uh on March 10th. So right around the corner here at our next meeting um based on uh what the board uh decides uh to do. If they decide to advance uh your
recommendations uh further, then the committee will have um uh public hearings, three tenative public hearings uh over the summer. And you've got those dates there, public hearings where this body will convene again uh and to conduct those public uh hearings with
the public and receive uh feedback. Um and uh you in in August you'll see there that uh the board of county commissioners has a public hearing on the CRC's uh proposed amendments um and final
report. And then finally, of course, we've got the general election. I should note that if the board uh changes or amends any of the committees um proposed amendments or um uh then they'll become board of county commissioner proposed
amendments. Those have different voting thresholds and different public hearing requirements. And if that if that were to happen with say all of your recommendations, then uh William, you'd be off the hook for public hearings over the summer. But uh uh but if not uh then
again you'll have those. But we just wanted to bring those dates uh to your attention again. Uh and again, notwithstanding the fact that you still have plenty to chew on today, just wanted to sort of provide a a look ahead for you and happy to answer any questions that you might have. Thank
you, Madam Chair. >> U Thank you, Vince. And and just to be clear, uh whatever happens at the county commission meeting on March 10 might give us more clarity on whether those three public hearings go forward or they could consolidate them or they could do
different things with them. Is that correct? >> Yeah, Miss Favors. >> So, uh Vince, would it be your expectation that we are present at the March 10th meeting and will our chair be making the presentation on our behalf?
Yeah, I believe that's right that this body I think a forum of this body uh uh needs to be in attendance at the um at the for the public hearings. Um and uh and yes, we would we would do that. We would prepare a presentation for the public and um I think that's really it.
The important point is the um uh the dates just to keep in mind and of course based on what the board does as you mentioned we'll we'll make sure you all know about that and what your future obligations are. >> Thank you. So March 10, we should try to attend that. And did I hear the chart the chairman is supposed to do
something? No. Don't bring these things up, Miss. >> You're welcome. >> Let me make sure I heard you. Did you say a quorum of this majority of this committee needs to be at all three public hearings? >> So the March 10th meeting is the board's meeting. The committee does not have to
attend, but you're more than welcome to. However, if the public hearings are held this summer, a quorum would be required for those. >> Oh, >> so not at the county commission meeting. >> No, but at public hearings whenever they're scheduled for the summertime, >> right?
>> Is everybody pretty clear on that? You have your calendars marked. Uh we know this is a this is tremendous that everybody's been so great the whole time. It's your free time or not your free time, but it's your it's your personal time that you've participated in this and it means a lot. So, thanks
so much for your diligence. I love getting to know everybody. All right. Well, we're going to move on with uh public comment and we have several cards here. First up is Susan Robinson, please. And would you uh step to the mic, give your name and address for the
record, and you have three minutes. My name is Susan Robinson and I reside at 4656 Inir Drive here in Tallahassee and I'm here today representing the Capital Area Justice Ministry Hunger and Food Insecurity research team. On behalf
of the hundreds of members of our faith-based organization, I want to thank you for prioritizing the critical issue of food security. Based on extensive community input, our organization has chosen this as a primary focus for our research and
advocacy this year. Our vision is rooted in the World Health Organization's definition of food security, a community where all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy
and active lifestyle. Our mission has been to identify existing resources, uncover gaps in the system, and advocate for sustainable solutions. While we're impressed by our current community resources, and
appreciate the county's many existing initiatives, our research has revealed two primary hurdles. Awareness. Many residents are simply unaware of the services available to them. and two uh silos. There's a pressing need for
centralized coordination and collaboration among our various service providers. An office of food systems would bridge these gaps. It would provide a centralized information hub, ensure public involvement, coordinate food
systems across various government departments, and provide the annual reporting necessary for true accountability. Establishing this office would move us significantly closer to our shared goal. For these reasons, we strongly support
option two. Thank you for your time and your commitment to a food secure Lyon County. And I want to add one thing because I just heard at the beginning of the meeting that, you know, some of this process might disrupt the current um
initiatives that are happening. So maybe some clarification on that and explain why that might be and um is there a way to get around that interfering what's currently being done. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Robinson. Uh next up is
uh Melanie Williams. Melanie, your name and address and all that, you know. >> And you're speaking on items two and three. Yes, ma'am. >> Good morning. My name is Melanie Andrad Williams. My address 3349 Argonaut Drive
in District 3, and I'm here today as a longtime resident and also a member leader of Tallahassee Alert, which stands for the African-American Local Election Review Team. On agenda item two regarding food systems, I support option two because food access needs stable
accountability, not just temporary solutions. Right now, we lack a public scorecard. Residents cannot rely on predictable access. Emergency food response is too ad hoc and residents end up navigating confusion at the exact
moment that they need clarity. The issue does rise to the this issue, sorry, does rise to the level of charter protection and seeking to add it to the charter will do a few things. One, it preserves commission control and allows the board of county commissioners
to continue to address the details by ordinance and budget decisions every year. This charter change would not necessitate a specific dollar amount nor funding source. Two, it creates a coordination point so that partners aren't working in silos. This will allow
for all the moving parts that our staff and partners manage to be housed under one place and allow for greater cross coordination. And three, it requires a plan and annual reporting. Planning and public reporting means that we can measure progress and fix what isn't
working. Even if we disagree on the details, we should agree on one thing. Bring the language forward and let the voters decide. Please vote in favor of option two and then allow the board of county commissioners to work out the details through ordinance and annual budget decisions.
On agenda item three regarding restoration of communities from historic harms, I support the proposed charter amendment for recommendation to the board of county commissioners. And I support this because I believe that placing this in the charter is the right thing to do. I think that
the charter exists specifically to provide stability and continuity beyond election cycles. Leyon County's early economy relied heavily on forced labor. After emancipation, there was no structural repair or land transfer to offset that imbalance. The absence of
corrective policy has had multi-generational economic consequences that remain visible today. The Restoring Communities Amendment does not mandate spending, create quotas, or override state law. Instead, it authorizes the county to assess and consider documented
historic impacts. This amendment ensures that findings from audits can be integrated into capital improvement planning and long-term strategies, creating transparency and continuity. I want to remind you though that advancing this amendment today simply allows draft
language to be evaluated. No programs or funds are created by this vote. If harm was created structurally, then the authority to address it belongs in the charter. Please support advancing this amendment. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Melanie. Um, Judy Shipman. Good morning. My name is Judy Shipman. My address is 2145 Sand Dune Court, Tallahassee. And I have been a resident of Tallahassee for over 50 years. I am
here today representing the Capitol Area Justice Ministry hunger and food insecurity research team and also I have served for many years with the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church food pantry where my interest in this sit in this
subject comes from. Although there are many resources available in our community, we are concerned by the difficulty some citizens may have in location and accessing them. locating and accessing
them. Many citizens are not aware of the available services. The times are inconsistent and the transportation is often an issue. Centralized coordination and collaboration of these services is
needed. An office of food systems would provide a centralized source of information and could help the many nonprofit organizations who provide food work together more effectively. An annual report would provide
accountability and indicate ways in which the system can continue to be improved. And for those reasons, we support option two today. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, next up, uh, Serenity
Williams on items two and three. Good morning. Uh, my name is Serenity Williams. Um, native of Tallahassee, living in district 3 in the county um, in Lake Jackson. Um, so first I guess I will speak on
item two. Uh, I've seen food access challenges firsthand as a student and a child born into a senior family. Um, I have many aunts, uncles, retirees in my family that have also struggled with making ends meet um on their fixed
income. Um, and I hear a lot about efforts that we've put in, but unfortunately I don't see countywide results um that is able to be seen and evaluated in one place. Um, I think we can all agree that efforts and results should be easily and publicly
accessible. Um, and also access to food looks different depending on which side of town you live on. Um, where I live, we just got a little Dollar General market. I guess that's okay. But, um, it's still not a full grocery store in my opinion. But, um, with that, uh,
market, it is somewhere where I can easily assess assess some food. Um, but there are some places that do not have that access. Um the charter creates lasting accountability. Programs um and priorities change but the the charter endures.
Um I urge all of you to uh move option two that requires a plan and annual reporting. Um planning and public reporting means that we can measure progress and fix what's not working. I urge the committee again to support option two and advance the charter
amendment language um staff draft drafted. Um and for item three again um public policy decisions have long-term effects and our charter um this is about the RCA
amendment. Um, when these effects persist across generations, governance should respond in a long-term way. In Lyon County, segregation era public policies shaped where people lived and where public investment flowed. Um, we see that there are some neighborhoods
that have seemed to enjoy many investments while others have left have been left out. Today, these same areas reflect higher poverty, lower home ownership, and poor health outcomes. Any ordinance adopted under this framework
would still be required to comply with state and federal law and declining to examine historic impacts carries its own risk. Transparent assessment strengthens governance. Um again I urge all of you to um pass the restoring communities
amendment so we can restore the harms in our communities. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um, next up is Ebony Yarborough and you're on item number two, agenda item two. Good afternoon everyone. Uh, my name is
Ebony Faith Yarro. I live in the Brighton Place community uh, here in District 1 in Lyon County. I'm a parent. I'm an educator. I'm a person who works daily within our community to make good food available to the residents within our county. Um I grew up depending on
the federal nutrition programs like SNAP, school meals, summer food pro summer, yeah, the summer food program. Um you know, in order to um for our family to be nourished uh and those same federal programs, we're watching um you
know, our federal government withdraw those resources. um at a time when we have uh increasing need um within our community. I myself um have sort of started to um return to a certain level of food insecurity and and am starting
to struggle to consistently afford uh healthful food here in Lyon County as as many of our residents currently do. Um too often I hear even my students uh talk about how they strategize to have just enough food throughout the week. our young people that we are looking to
to give their all to focus and study and become some of the best and brightest hailing from Lyon County, Florida. Um, and again, that's not to mention the many, many other residents who struggle to access good food. Um, Lyon County does a wonderful job of serving its
residents and we appreciate all of what they currently do uh to work with other entities um and provide these services to improve access to good food in Lyon County. Um, we really need durable support and coordination to optimize the services
and efforts to ensure food food security for Leyon County residents. The type of durable dedication that would come from including uh the food security charter amendment in the county charter. Uh, please give us the voters an opportunity to vote on this with option two for this
amendment. Um, and we look forward to uh coordinating so that resources go uh to support uh bolster um and extend the current efforts that the county um is already doing to um try to improve food
access in our county. Thank you. >> Thanks, Miss Yur. Uh next up is uh Mary Mitchell. Maya Mitchell. me Aisha. Um, and after that is um Camille Lewis.
Just so you know what coming up next. Good morning everyone. I am Mary Maisha Mitchell, Tallahass, Florida, 10009 Ellton Court in the Griffin Heights community in Frenchtown. I can stand before you today to actually
tell you how glad I am to see this work happening in our community. Uh it's been a long time coming. You've done great work and I'd like to continue this idea of sustainability and keeping things moving. Why is this important? Um this problem has persisted in our community
for many years. I have a 20 year history in growing food in Tallahassee. longer than that. If you consider my younger days, you know, we grew food in Smoky Hollow where I come from and the Fishtown area with the uh TFN and the Agro Garden there, we've been able to
deal with young people um deal with aging out farmers and we'd like to continue to be able to do this work um so that it's sustained over time. I am really wanting to uh support this and hoping you will too. item uh two based
on um the local recommendations of the staff and what you say for number two. We want to make sure that this charter amendment is passed by you. Also, I just want to make sure that when we're talking about growing good, healthy
food, which is what TFN is talking about over the years, growing locally affordable, healthy, locally grown healthy food and good food for families. So combining the effort of the kinds of foods we have available in our community
with the resources and the collaborations we already have existing and now bringing to fold the people who do the work to grow some food locally. So we're hoping that uh that this would be an issue for you and uh a concern uh
for moving forward in our work here in Tallahassee. Thank you so much again for what you've done and I appreciate uh my opportunity to speak today. Thanks very much. Uh Camille Lewis
step also on the food insecurity amendment. Good morning everyone. My name is Dr. Camille Lewis, address 1639 Coreywood Circle. Um I come here representing several different roles. So, I currently serve as a director of extension. I'm a
local farmer here in Tallahassee. I sit on the board of the community co-op and I've been doing food advocacy work in Tallahassee for several years. I've worked with organizations, institutions, youth, farmers, um, families, you name it, I've worked with them. And what I
see as the big picture in Lyon County is that as several other speakers have said, we have a lot of great work already being done, but there is not a current place that folks can go to to see what's working, what's not working, what are the gaps that we need to fill, and the charter level response can make
um can fill this gap. Uh foods access looks very different depending on where you live in Tallahassee. There are some places in Tallahassee where there are a plethora of grocery stores, a short drive away, a short walk away. There are some places in Tallahassee where they are dependent on food pantries and
distribution sites to eat every day. I work with a lot of organizations on the south side of Tallahassee where these families are almost completely dependent on distribution and food-based school programs. Um, we need to change that. That is a problem. Um, also in my work,
I see a lot of missed opportunities for food recovery. Uh every week there is food, usable food that is sometimes discarded, sometimes underutilized because uh there is no distribution system, no coordinated countywide
distribution system to get this redistributed to the folks who need it. Every week there are families and children who go to sleep hungry despite these efforts that need a consistent and cohesive coordination. Um I've seen all these challenges in my work in extension. I've seen these challenges as
an educator, as a farmer, and a county level amendment and response matters. This will allow for the reporting that other speakers have talked about. This will rely for a annual plan that we can depend on and rely back on, and it'll
also allow for accountability. systems are going to change, leadership is going to change, priorities is going to change, but if we have something consistent um as a durable food act framework, then the work can continue to happen. Um my ask is very simple. Um it
is the same as several other residents in Lyon County that you've heard from and that is to move option two forward so that we can have reliable food access for all of Lyon County residents. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Lewis. uh Stanley Sims
and after that um Amanda and why can't I read your writing Amanda? Sorry. I'm at My name is Stanley Sims. I'm at 1320 Aenddale Way, God's Country, just off Buck Lake Road.
I'm very very first of all, let me say thank you to each and every one of you committee members who took your time out to do this. I'm in favor of all of this. Everybody take a breath,
but I am a little disappointed. Not to say that these things are not important. I think that they should be in the foundation of our charter. But I was kind of hoping we'll get to putting up some walls on this foundation. Walls like what? And and
when I say walls, I don't mean barrier. I mean structural wise that we that we would be able to talk about some operations and um duplication of service or collaboration of services and how
could we make the animal shelter work better or can we look at the way we weigh votes on the county commission you know um I just wanted to touch them if we couldn't grab them and hug them and hog
them hold I I would have liked to touch some of those issues. Um especially in these challenging days when funding is so questionable. I just think that we need
to be as proactive as possible. Um but this this is not a negative. It's just just something that I just think we really need to look at. Um, all of these things, like I said, are very, very important and should have been in the
foundation of our charter a long, long time ago. And I'm glad we're getting to it. But there are some other needs of operation costs and talking about votes and how we work with our permitting system. Um, what what are those kind of
improvements? So, thank you and uh appreciate y'all. >> Thanks as always. Um, Amanda, is it Hannes? Oh, good. Thank you. You have three minutes. Thanks so much. You should see my writing as a
journalist. Nobody can read it. So, good morning. My name is Dr. Manla Shabbaka Haynes. I am a resident of the historic Frenchtown neighborhood at 808 Good Bread Lane. Uh, I'm speaking to you today as a mother. Um, I'm a volunteer
in this community, work with the Tallahassee Food Network, work with me Melanin Mother's Meet. I'm also faculty at the Florida State University College of Medicine. Um, but as a native of the north side of Tallahassee, you know, I've seen what how communities can
struggle because of a lack of access to food. Um, where I live, you know, it's limited, as someone else said, to some Dollar Generals. There's some small grocerers, but the Publix is a little bit further away. Um, we do have an urban food
garden in my neighborhood, which allows for people to get access to fresh produce, um, education around growing food, um, and especially working with young people on food security and sustainability.
Um, but more needs to be done to coordinate uh, these similar types of efforts throughout the city. Um, as a physician, I understand the connection between food security and mental health. A lot of people struggle
with social determinance of health. And when uh food is an issue on that table, it's hard for them to overcome the other challenges in their lives. So, with a coordinated food effort, that can be one less thing for mothers and families to
have to worry about. Um my daughter is a part of these youth efforts and I really encourage her to uh spread the information and the education about food security and uh sustainability to other young people. That is who is going to continue these
efforts. So I support um option two and I'm encouraging you to support option food option two as well. um residents are not always able to access um the garden. So, you know, food access is not not always predictable. Um I also
support option two because we have to work together. This is a cross agency collaboration. This is a cross community collaboration. And without that example being set here at the charter level, you know, we our communities may not have a
good example to follow in terms of creating sustainable networks. So I urge you to um support option two so that we can move Tallahassee forward towards reliable food access. Thank you. >> Thanks so much, Dr. Haynes. Uh the last
speaker I have a card for is Jada Brown. speaking on CRA support. You have three minutes. Thank you. >> Good evening everybody. Good afternoon. My name is Jada Brown. I am here on behalf of the NAACP Tallahassee chapter
as well as supporting my good friends and family in in this room. So, I too am in support of all three of these. Um, ironic that I was given three minutes to speak. I talk a lot. If you know me, I don't know how I'm going to do that. So, um, as I was listening to everyone else speak, the only thing that I could think
of was the opportunities that I was afforded growing up, one of those being a weed and seed, um, program where we learned how to be sustainable, where we learned how to use the resources that we had. And so I'm so thankful to be here in the library where we can go and get
seeds, but what what good does it do us if we don't have anywhere to put them and to grow them and to harvest them? So I urge you all to to support that and bringing sustainable food for our future because no matter what position or community you live in, you have a
responsibility to those that come after us both today and tomorrow. The other thing that I wanted to um speak on is is supporting the restoration of communities. I have been all around the world today. By all around the world, I mean the north side of Tallahassee to
the south side of Tallahassee. Um and for those of you that know and that live here, which I'm sure you all do, you know that is a pretty long drive. Depending on which way you take, you can get on Bruno and the lights turn red or green or whatever depending on how fast you drive. And one thing that I could not help but notice was
where is the history being told? Why do we have to fight so hard, dig everywhere, and then present to a million people over and over again to get our history told. I did an
African-American read and ignite. I chose the last word because ignite represents a fire and a fire keeps going until somebody eventually puts it out. When a fire is big enough, it takes a whole lot of people to put it out. And I said that to say that there were so many
people in the community that children did not even know the careers and things that they could be because they were not exposed to it. Imagine living in your neighborhood your whole entire life and you don't even know that people that stand on the stage or at committee meetings, they wants to live there. Or
people that live in other states and legislatores are in important positions, they too want to live there. But because we don't restore those communities, hold on to that history, hold on to that hope and that faith as well as make it look like we're proud to live in Tallahassee. >> Miss Brown, you have 30 seconds, so I'm
helping you out. >> Thank you. I was about to preach, but I I would like to urge you all to to support all three of these. They are all very important to me and they were all a part of my childhood growing up in a different county and I would love my child to experience the same thing in Tallahassee.
>> Thanks very much. Are there any other speakers? All right, we're going to move on to general business. And our first um agenda item is uh considering uh language affirming uh the county's commitment to health care and putting that in our charter. And Shankton is
going to handle this uh presentation. >> Yes. Thank you, Madame Chair. Um good afternoon members. As requested by the committee, this item provides a proposed charter amendment revising the preamble of the charter with language that affirms the county's commitment to
healthcare access. I'll quickly touch on what we do on an everyday basis in this space and then explain the proposed change to the preamble. Uh so first, for more than 20 years, Lyon County has ensured that lowincome
residents have access to highquality health care services. We invest more than $7 million annually in healthc care for low-income residents. This includes funding our Careet program which provides residents with access to primary care, rental, I mean I'm sorry,
dental, mental health care, specialty care as well as pharmaceutical services through partners like Bond neighborhood medical um neighborhood medical center, Appalache Center, WeCare and Family Pharmacy. This is a program which the county
dedicates additional local tax revenues annually above and beyond what's mandated for contributions by us by the state for things like Florida Medicaid. We're among a very few counties in Florida that dedicate additional tax
revenue for health care not required by any state or federal law by millions $1.8 million annually. And despite economic downturns, including global pandemics, we've never reduced funding
to the Karenet program. In fact, in coordination with our partners, we've utilized the county's commitment, I'm sorry, we've utilized our investment in CARET to secure an additional $7.5 million in state and federal funding
just in the past three years. The board has reinforced and memorialized the county's commitment to health care through a variety of policies, including our vision statement, which reads, "A community that is safe, healthy, and vibrant.
And in our five-year strategic plan, our quality of life priority state that the county's responsibility is as follows. to be a provider of essential services which promote the well-being of our citizens and the liability of our community and our continuous effort to
make Lyon County a place where people are healthy, safe, and connected to their community. Again, health key component of everything that we do. At your last meeting, the committee approved a proposed charter amendment to
the preamble for the board consideration that expressed shared community values and reflects the esteemed humanity among residents of Lyon County. So aligned with that action, a proposed chart amendment was developed
that you see here on your screen on the screen and that's also in your um in your item that would further revise the preamble to include language that would reflect the committee's request of affirming the county's commitment to
healthcare access. As you can see here, the underlined language reflects the changes that were previously approved by the committee. And the language that is in bold and underlined would be included in the revisions to preamble to affirm the county's
commitment to healthcare access by incorporating the existing language from our vision statement that has already been adopted by the board. But in addition to capturing the exist existing language of the vision statement, the proposed charter amendment will also
include the word equitable. And that's to reflect our approach of utilizing empirical data and community engagement which we do all the time to achieve fair and impartial outcomes in the development and implementation of
our policies and programs and services that we provide to the residents here of Lyon County. So should the committee approve the additional language, it would be combined here as you see on the screen
with the esteemed humanity language for a single charter amendment. So as you can see here what's bolded and underlined um since they both seek to u modify the preamble. Um, as he previously stated, the county currently has the authority and actively
provides access to health care without the need of a charter change. And additionally, that there are no Florida counties that or charter counties that include, you know, healthc care um provisions in their charter. Therefore,
rather than a proposed charter amendment, an alter alternative option that is available to the committee is to adopt a policy recommendation as you see here on the screen that would continue encourage the board to um continue the county's long-standing commitment to ensure lowincome residents have access
to highquality healthc care services here in our community. This would be option number one, which we are recommending. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Right. Thank you, Shankton. Um, any questions or comments on item one? And
Dr. Robinson, um, Dr. Robinson, I think, uh, you first you introduced this earlier. >> Good morning or good afternoon. And I I thank the staff on on their hard work uh, considering
what this committee recommended um, you do. But unless my memory fails me, we voted to direct staff to draft a proposed charter amendment affirming
Lyon County values access to primary care as a leading determinant of economic vitality and community well-being. Option one speaks to a draft policy recommendation to the board of county
commissioners and option two speaks to changing the language in the preamble to include health care. In option two
actually says healthc care access where what is written does not specifically point out access. So neither of these options are exactly what the committee requested.
Um, the wording of the preamble is beautiful, but I personally I don't think it is strong enough to send the message that we're trying to send. Um, and I will stop with my comments
right there. I will, if I had to vote, I would reluctantly, with great reluctance, vote for number two. But it is to me is not sending the message that this committee um asked the staff to
consider. >> All right. Uh thank you, uh Barry Wilcox, think you're up next. >> Is it I mean, options one and two are not mutually exclusive, correct? There's no reason why we couldn't forward both those options. >> Well, one option is just a policy
recommendation. The other is actually a charter amendment that you'd be forwarding to the board to um >> Well, we could both go forward. >> Yeah, we could. Okay. >> Other questions? Uh Dr. Robertson. Yeah,
>> I agree like with Dr. Robinson's statement of >> Can you hear me? It's on. >> Okay, I can talk a little louder. >> You can. >> So, when we first talked about this, we were talking about indigent care, access to
primary care, it's very important. Um, and especially, you know, with assessing funding, etc. So, I do think it's important that, you know, I thought we were leaning towards option two with proposed charter amendment language to like really affirm
what we were trying to say about primary care and access and a commitment for continuing that. So, if we could go back and look at the language for the preamble for option two, um I would like to see it again
sure that it's capturing And so the language in option two, we had a lot of conversation um from the Lyon County team. So for a point of clarity, I have a question um for Chassity. So when we first talked
about like language for consideration, we were talking about some of the proposed amendments that were forthcoming at the state and federal level. And so again, I want to revisit that, find out if any there were implications for anything this language
would provide in terms of the county being able to access state and federal funds as it relates to healthcare, >> right? The county attorney. >> Thank you. So, um, are you specifically referring to the language that's on the screen now?
>> Yes. That that in and of itself would not be a challenge with regard to federal or state funding because it is a value statement and does not mandate the
use of any particular funds or uh require programs or any sorts of initiatives. Um it is value language. So, so I do not see that this would be a problem uh in terms of
federal or state funding. >> And correct me if I'm wrong, but our committee doesn't have to uh take any of these. We can have our own, you know, our own thoughts on it. We could amend some of the language in that if we want. So, that's it's still kind of wide open
for our group to decide, too. >> Madam Chair, can I ask Robersonson a question? I pardon >> concern for comment. >> Are you concerned with some of the language being used or are you concerned with words that might be within this
that make it that disqualify the >> disqualify the county from seeking certain grants or dollars? >> Yes. Like I'm originally concerned with us having the abil ability to maximize
all of the funding that we can for primary care. So I understand that some of the funding is coming from the county. Understand that funds are coming for FQC's with HERSA etc. And then as we're putting, you know, backup documents on things and saying what we value, I just wanted to make sure that
we didn't get into a situation to where we won at the local level, but we couldn't access the larger pots of money because a lot of healthcare money is coming from state federal level. And so I wanted to make sure that this would not stop, you know, us or preclude us
from applying for any state or federal funding. But at the same time with the drafting um of the language, I think we should take a look at the language because I don't know if this is really speaking to primary care.
Um cuz it's just saying like uh we are recognizing in every person a shared dignity not granted by government but inherent and deserving of consideration in our effort to create a community that is equitable, safe, healthy and vibrant,
right? But you know our initial conversation was saying you know that we value that every resident community member has access to primary care. like we're talking about like real care. So, I think the statement doesn't really
speak to health care. >> Um, you know, the county attorney wants to speak to this and >> we have a minute, right? So to be much more specific, um something that
committee member Robersonson uh is I think alluding to is uh a current executive order uh which in contains some language relating to federal contracting that requires certain
certification language in order to accept the grant funding. that talks about uh certifying that the awarded entity does not operate DEI programs that violate federal anti-discrimination
laws uh and a and a basically under threat of prosecution under the federal False Claims Act um but also um saying that they certify compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws uh and
prohibit DEI I programs that prefer individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, or religion. So, so again, this speaks to not having uh certifying that the awarded entity does
not have these DEI programs um and that they don't um the they don't have programs that um prefer individuals based on these protected classes. So again, uh going
back to this particular value statement, this this is not a mandate to operate a specific program um in violation of of this uh requirement. Um
on the state level, I I will tell you that and this is the status as of this morning. Uh there there is a a bill actually companion bills. Um the current version in the Senate is um committee
substitute or committee substitute or Senate bill 1134. It is on second reading which means it's passed through all of its committees. Um it is now uh eligible for debate on the Senate floor. It could be further
amended at that time. there's no guarantee um that this bill will pass and even if it does um that it would be signed into law or allowed to just become law uh by the governor. That's the last part of that legislative
process. Um but it does define diversity, equity, and inclusion uh very broadly. Uh in part it deals with employment but it talks about the promotion or
provision of preferential treatment or special benefits to a person or group based on that person's or group's race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. or the promotion or adoption of
training, programming, or activities designed or implemented with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation. So, that's part of how that term is defined
currently in the bill. And then in part what it does um is it prohibits a county in this context for our purposes. This is the part that matters. A county may not fund or
promote directly or indirectly or take any official action including but not limited to the adoption or enforcement of ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs or policies as it
relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Any such existing ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs or policies are void. And then it goes on to say, "A county may not expend any funds regardless of source to
establish, sustain, support, or staff a diversity, equity, and inclusion office or to employ, contract, or otherwise engage a person to serve as a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer." And it goes on to say other things. Um,
basically it there is a threat uh of a county official being uh determined to have committed malfeasants or misfeasants by violating this law. And
it also provides a cause of action uh against the county for anyone who believes that the county has if it passes violated this law. So to to be very granular and specific because I think this could potentially
apply not just to this agenda item but also to at least one other item on this committee's agenda today as the law currently stands. No. Um this would be
fine. Now, could it be interpreted to indirectly promote DEI? That is probably potentially up for interpretation. >> Yeah. And cuz we were responding to this
at the end of the day, like on record, health is for everybody. It doesn't matter where you live, where you grew up, whether you're rich or whether you're poor. Health is an issue for everybody. And what we want, you know, and what we talked about is language. We
don't want to get into language that's gonna potentially stop us from getting funding and could potentially hurt people. We want a statement that's going to affirm that in this county. We want to assure whether or not you have insurance or not, it's not based on
race. It's not based on gender. We want health care and access to primary care for everybody. And so if it is an issue of words, we would probably like as a committee to make sure that the words say exactly what we're intending that we
want to ensure access to primary care for residents of Lyon County. >> Okay. Um we have quite a few people who want to speak to this and if we could um if if the if there's a desire of the committee to change the language somewhat be thinking about that. But
otherwise, um, let's go on with I think Ryan Ray and then Miss Favorvers and Mr. Jones. >> Thank you, uh, Madam Chair. Um, I just like the way that we're agitating and getting through this issue. Um, I I've I've loved the public comment. I love
the motion. I loved the the process here. And I think when we think about the legacy of this body and what it meant when we came together, it's a novel, interesting challenge. It's something that is authentically on the minds of everyone in our community. I think we got snagged up for a while on
some sort of you know divisive digressions about uh you know attacking you know superseding each other's neighboring jurisdictions and things like that. But I think we see the level of importance on this issue in real time handling it together. I love the back and forth. I personally I don't know if
we're ready for emotion. I personally support the most thoroughgoing and the most binding version of this. Um, but I'm willing to see where the committee goes on this and um, I think it's such a great accept delay if want to hear more conversation.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Yeah, Miss Favors. >> Um, I think that my question may have been partially answered. I'm looking at Dr. Robersonson and Dr. Robinson. And I think that um
my question would be uh I agree with Dr. Robinson that the wording of this proposed preamble revision is beautiful, but I would like to hear from her as to what you feel needs to be added that um
was not included in this proposed revision. >> Right, Dr. Robinson? I think that's a question kind of >> well we would like to hear >> once again on January 8th we met to discuss this
and the minutes were shown Temple Robinson moved seconded by Daryl Jones to direct staff to draft a proposed charter amendment not not tweak the preamble a charter
amendment Affirming Lyon County values access to primary care as a leading determinant of economic vitality and community well-being. So that it clear, it's crisp, it shows
forever and ever that Leyon County values access to primary care. They had no wording in it about uninsured, underserved, just access to primary care as a leading determinant of economic vitality and
community well-being. Now, those exact words may not come back, but that was what we asked for as an proposed amendment. >> Not to interrupt, but to this is our last meeting, so things are not going to come back unless we decide to do that today.
>> Sure. Am I correct on that one? I mean, we need to chair, >> can I? Yeah. And it's just intended to help and and and Dr. Robinson's right. And part of what you're seeing, I think, is a little bit of the struggle
>> that we have in um sort of reflecting some of that the the more the value statements. Um a charter document is not a really not a value document. The place where the values live is in this preamble. Then you get very specific very quickly. This is what ordinances
prevail to the extent that they conflict. This is how the um the legislature is organized. Uh this is how the executive function works. So in terms of this highle sort of value language generally that lives in the
preamble and and this um language was intended to be um as inclusive as we could make it. um when we talk about and and not to drill down into a specific program area or a policy area and um
because when we think about all the things that the county does in the area of health, we build sidewalks, we build parks, we have emergency health care, we have uh primary healthcare, we do all the but it's hard to do that in a in a value statement. Um, and so this
preamble language is again is where you have that where that highlevel value language lives and really not anywhere else unless you're doing something specifically that's not being done today through the charter. So again, that's a
little bit of a limitation on our part. Again, our intent to sort of be uh broad and to reinforce all of the things that we do, including uh the very specific um programs that were illuminated here. Certainly, if um the committee wanted to
drill down to a specific thing uh like that in your in your val in your value um statement area, again, in your preamble, that's certainly something that we can do. It's generally not something that you see and it and so again it it may be just a little bit of
a limitation in terms of trying to make it fit in a charter but certainly we'll receive um whatever direction that that the committee might have for us. >> Uh can I take the liberty of asking a question? U committee member Wilcox asked earlier if we could adopt both the
preamble revision uh as a value statement and the policy recommendation which might speak more directly to what um some of us are thinking is needed. I don't know and that as I understand it you say we could do both. >> Yes.
>> As a possibility. Um committee member Daryl Jones please. Um and >> if we think about the arc of our conversation and when we started our work
uh we had the lofty notion of a bill of rights which is now no longer before us. Much like our own preamble and our own constitution, our own bill of rights as historical documents, we have seen where
those valued propositions are manifest. However, we cannot disavow what was the direct direction of the committee, I mean of this committee by vote to bring back uh language that spoke specifically
to primary healthc care and access. And I and so with that guidance, I think it would be responsible here now in the hands of Dr. Robinson's of motions author to then provide uh whatever final
direction would be born of this uh of what was our original intent and if our sentiments have changed and that would be manifest in a vote subsequent to any motion that she would make. I do think there is a certain level of wisdom born
in memorializing this most specifically as policy recommendation as well. One of the things that we recall we talked about at the very beginning there's a difference between that what we that we memorialize in the charter and that what we memorialize in policy here now we
find an opportunity to do both born of recommendations coming from this committee and so here now to particularly have um Dr. Robertson uh is a part of this committee who brings the
public health uh expertise to this committee and to this body and then the president and CEO of our local federally qualified health center and the author of this motion. So I'm looking forward what will come as recommendations from those two potential stakeholders and
influencers in terms of what would be our direction for what we will finally recommend and bring forward to the commission for consideration. >> All right. Thank you. Um, Dr. Henry Lewis and then Dr. Kesler. >> I think uh, Committee Member Jones just
summarize my feelings and my thoughts uh, precisely that uh, the recommendation before does not uh, uh, come back as the direction of the committee to staff in that regard. And
uh if this is indeed our last meeting at this meeting, we need to now come up with a recommendation and a a motion that will speak to the direction that was given at that January 8th
meeting in that regard. >> That's correct. If you want to make a motion to change the language, >> give me a minute. I'll >> let somebody else speak and I'll come back with some draft language. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Kesler. >> Dr. Kesler.
>> Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pretty disappointed in in in what's taken place here as far as the twist of what this committee came forward with and what we're now trying
to struggle to make something, you know, it's like a purse out of a SA's ear. I don't know. But I think at least the wording of accessible health care has to be in both
of these uh no matter what we do. I mean the primary impetus was for that and that that's it. >> I think yeah
>> now I I I will I will will reserve disappointment. May I also say that I have repeatedly, I'm sure y'all will say adnauseium, have made reference to the lofty nobility of language. And so what we see
here is words smmithing of what much of what we've talked about, right? We talked about the preamble and the bill of the preamble being holding forth lofty sentiments and not specificity, right? So I think that's what we see
here that it would be captured there. But if the author of the motion feels otherwise, I think that that is of consideration for us. But that has been much of what we've talked about, right? Cuz you think about it, when we started our laundry list, there was a there were
very specific guidelines or things that we wanted to see that have since been voted away, have have not been supported. we've uh approved them as recommendations going forward. But here now I go back to the original instructions provided by this
committee. So that's why I'm taking us back to but we've also talked about the lofty nobility of language and I think that and and this and we saw this as a value of the community. So as a value it took on a value statement language here.
Now the author of the motion says she wants that we all approved wants something more specific. So here now in her capable hands we will now find that we will find ourselves back to what her original intent was as the author of the motion is my recommendation. >> Well at this point I haven't heard any
specific language recommendations at all and we do have two more >> hot topics that have a lot of red flags on them as well. So, if I >> u I would be willing to hear a motion one way or the other if you have language. If you have some suggestions
for how we get out of this, approve it, disprove it. >> Go ahead. I don't have the language just yet. >> We want to wait to hear. Well, we if we want a language recommendation or if we want to, you know,
make I mean there are a lot of options, but we really do need to move on to this some way, one way or another. This is our last meeting. We have two more big topics to come up with between >> Madam Chair, this this packet came to us late yesterday
afternoon. >> I understand. >> Okay, very good. Um, we're all working from the >> I understand. >> Um, may I ask that, um, we be given time and bring table this to the end of
today's meeting and be given a moment so that we can think and then offer the motion. >> Do you want to if you make a motion to table it for the >> temporary table >> for an hour? You know, we >> Well, we just don't want to come up with something. I don't necessarily want to
say in one hour because we're going to be in the middle of probably two other topics. >> U Mr. Vice Chair, >> Madam Chair, excuse me. First of all, we got the information. It was late Tuesday, not yesterday. It was late Tuesday evening. >> It was >> what I would like to offer.
>> It's Tuesday night. Um, since we're talking about language, option one, just to revise, it says to approve the draft policy recommendation encouraging the continuation of Leyon County's long-standing commitment to ensuring public health care and thereby
supporting an equitable, safe, healthy, and vibrant community. So I would delete access for lowincome residents out of option one and just insert public ensuring public health care.
>> And you're saying that in the in the policy recommendation? >> Yes. Not as option one but as in committee direction to revise option one. There >> a second to that motion.
failing that. Thank you. Um, Dr. Robinson, your card is still up. You're making a motion to table for until the end of the meeting. You I'm >> Yes, we have >> I I mean,
>> is that a motion? >> I beg a pardon. >> Was that a motion? >> Can I ask a question before that motion? >> Yeah, please do. >> If it's tabled, do we need a supermajority to unt? Um, not sure. >> Believe by Robert's rules, you do. >> I agree.
>> If we're going by Robert's rules, I believe you do. >> We would need a supermajority to bring it back. >> To bring it back from the table >> because tableabling actually saying we're dismissing it. >> Y >> until you make a motion to bring it back up. That's correct. >> Yes. >> And then you would need a supermajority
to bring it back up. >> No. >> No. No. >> No. >> A majority is required. >> I beg your pardon. Is anyone or everyone qualified to make that >> to bring it back? >> Yeah.
>> So, so anybody can make the original motion to bring it back. Someone on I think it's someone on the side of the affirmative side has to bring the motion to then bring it back. >> That's what I'm asking. >> Correct. Okay. Yes. >> All right. So, do I hear a motion to table this
um to table this top this issue uh agenda item one to table a motion to table it? >> Super majority. >> No, you don't. >> And by tableling it means it's off the table. We're not discussing it anymore
unless later in the meeting somebody brings it up and says they'd like to return to this item. So otherwise it's gone for now. And I understand the sentiment of this board seems to want to get some language, but we do need some specific language, not just a discussion
of wouldn't it be nice if we had better language, some very specific >> motion to take. I second. >> Motion's been made and seconded to table the motion for the time being or to table the motion. All those in favor? >> Discussion. Madam Chair, I just before
we vote, I just wanted to say, Madam Chair, just to remind us it is it's 12:40. just a matter of of the time that we have left what we're about to do. We have two hours left and we have two other >> big issues to discuss and we're talking
about coming back to this and we only have two hours left in our meeting. So, I just wanted to put that out there before we do >> and that's a good point because we and we may not be able to get back to it. a reset. >> I mean, we may not just realistically.
>> Yes. >> Do we do we have to is can we do an amendment to say we're going to like finalize the language later? Does the language have to be finalized today? >> I'm not sure there's >> not anymore. >> There's no later. >> This our last meeting. Do
>> you have something in mind specifically that would clarify? I think now is honestly I think now is the time to do it. >> And and and we always have the option of if we run out of time, you always have the option of making a motion to send
them both to the to the commission and then let them go through what we're about to go through cuz I got a feeling they will. >> And that's right. Okay. At this time, we have a motion on the floor to table item agenda item one. All those in favor signify by saying I.
>> Those opposed, no. Motion carries. Item is agenda. Okay, we'll move on to agenda item number two and Shankton I believe is >> me again this one. >> Members, as requested by the committee, um this item provides a proposed
amendment to the county charter with bound language on uh food insecurity and food access. I'm going to again quickly touch on what we are we are already doing then shift to the proposed um amendment itself.
As we previously shared, um the county is dedicated to reducing food insecurity in the community as has been dist demonstrated through our long and continuing community partnerships, dedicated programming, and significant investment.
Over the last 5 years, we've invested more than 7.5 million dollars to support the delivery of nearly 55 million meals to lowincome households through efforts like annual funding of more than half a million dollars to partners like Second
Harvest, Elder Care, Good News Outreach to support food pantries, mobile food distributions, and children meal programs. We're providing grants to build community gardens in high poverty neighborhoods to promote healthy and nutritious foods and holding summer
break spot events at our libraries to distribute over 4,000 meals to ensure kids have access to food during the summer months when school is not in session. The proposed amendment as requested would require the county to establish an
office of food systems and establish a food systems plan. However, we have an existing department dedicated to reducing food insecurity. Our office of >> I'm sorry, >> we look at three on number three. You're
talking about three. >> Oh, that's two. >> Two. No, I'm sorry. >> You're talking about number >> food and security is number two. >> Item two. >> It looks like it says this item provides information on the county health care program when it says
>> there's two number tw Yeah, I'm getting clarity on where we are. >> Page 16 of 86. >> We're not on that. >> No, we're on item number two, which is food and food. That is >> we have 22 in our fashion. It's okay. We
got >> referring to an attachment >> page 23. >> 23. >> Yeah. Page >> page 33 of 86 is the item that we're talking about. >> 23, right? >> 23. >> 23. Yeah.
See, >> I'm with you. >> Thank you. >> No problem. Hey, I'm sorry. >> Okay. No, you're good. You're good. You're good. You're good. All right. So, we talking about HSCP. Now, our office of human services, community
partnerships. Um, that is an existing department that we have right now. The amendment is talking about creating another office of food systems. Well, in our office of human service and community partnerships or HSP, we're
imple implementing programs that are installing food lockers in South City and Griffin Heights in partnership with Second Harvest. investing in the 211 Big Ben Lift program to provide county residents free rides to grocery stores,
food pantries, and essential service uh services. And most recently, we entered into a partnership with Farm Share, and Carter's Corner to hold food distribution events in the parts of our
community where food access is is limited. and we just had an event just this past weekend or two weekends ago. So, additionally, following feedback from neighborhoods with the highest food insecurity rates where we held a series
of dinner meetings back in 2021 and it was at that meeting going back to even some of the stuff that we heard from the speakers, we heard, hey, the biggest issue is for them knowing where the resources are, what are the available resources and to respond to
that, we established the neighborhood engagement and community partnerships position at HSCP which is dedicated to engaging and connecting those neighborhoods with available resources in the community and not just food. We're talking about food, we're talking
about housing, we're talking about healthcare and at HSP it's HSP that staffed the trusted people committee. Another thing that came out of those meetings with those neighborhoods with the high poverty rates and it was it's the committee. This committee was
established not just by the county but the county the city the children service council as well as United Way and it consists of residents from Bond Frenchtown Griffin Heights Providence South City and Woodville to further connect those neighborhoods with
programs and hold events that promote food access and other quality of life measures. The other thing the amendment um does and has been talked about a little bit is it also requires the establishment of
a comm of a countywide food system plan with the goal of course as as they mentioned as far as trying to centralize the uh the um food food systems and food system plants. However, that would
actually get ahead of the work that is currently being being conducted by FAMU, uh, which is working to establish a food council that's pulling together local stakeholders, including the county, the city, Second Harvest, and other partners
to look at um ways that we can for greater collaboration and coordination of resources here in our community. and ultimately looking at an opportunity where it can uh that coordination could lead potentially of plans that would
capture data, identify needs, detail resources available to andor required for our neighborhoods and communities with high food and security rates and identify key partners and roles and responsibilities.
and they're meeting monthly and actually just met yesterday right here in the library. So recognizing this work, the board recently adopted a fiveyear in it five the county's five-year strategic plan the support of FAMU's efforts to
establish a food council. This is the best approach to developing and implementing a a countywide food system plan because the county charter right now, what you have right now with this food council that's working is the
fact that you've got buyin from stakeholders here in our community. a countywide system plan um in the county charter can't compel those independent bodies to participate
that it can't right now they are participating as part is this about this measure as part of this effort that's being led by FAMU which we are part of so due to the existing county department already addressing food insecurity and
the ongoing food council We're we don't recommend the proposed charter amendment. However, as requested by the committee, uh we did develop a proposed charter amendment as is part of your attachment one as well as proposed
ballot title and ballot language reflected here on the screen um that we developed. However, an alternative option available to committee is to adopt a policy recommendation as shown on table number two in your item encouraging the board
to continue the county's long-standing commitment to reducing food insecurity in the community. And that is option one and more than happy to answer any questions. >> All right. Uh, and just to drop back to clarify, agenda item three is on page
46. And sometimes if you see two agenda items, twos, it's from our last meeting, the December 18 meeting says agenda. So that's just part of your packet of information. It's it's confusing, but we're good. All right. Uh, and comments
at this point. Um, I think Mr. Haynes was up first. Madam, Madam Chair, I would just like to remind us, you know, with with the three items that we have left to discuss, is it possible that we limit our deliberations and discussions to 30 minutes each for each of these
items in order for us to finish in our time frame? So, we put a time limit so we can finish for each item. Is it possible to do that? >> I suppose it's possible to do that. Do we want to do that? Do we want to? I mean, but that mean I don't think if if
we go cuz cuz we spent an hour and about an hour and 15 minutes on the first item, >> right? >> And if we do that again, we're going to run out. I'm just offering, you know, >> u I don't hear a motion and I don't hear >> No, I didn't make a motion either, but I've just put that out there if that's
>> Well, I mean, I understand you're saying the urgency of let's getting on with this and trying to keep our discussion succinct is good. >> I'll be succinct. >> Okay. U Dr. Strugal. Yes. Bearing that in mind. >> Yes. Yes. So, in the interest of uh being brief, um I want to get straight
to it. Uh just to clarify a couple things about the motion on the table. I thought the county did an excellent job, staff, you did an excellent job putting this amendment language together in even the draft ballot language. Um I just want to clarify a couple things. We're looking to create a office of food systems that will be under the county
administrator's perview. Uh it would require a countywide food systems plan and an annual report. And this is important for coordination everyone. Again, you heard from our public commenters and you'll hear from more community members if you go out and ask. People don't know what's going on. We have duplication of services. We have
people working in silos and the county is in a unique position to help organize these efforts so that we have a streamline centralized effort. It doesn't require the county to have the power to compel other organizations to participate. They are already participating. That is true. But this
allows the county to take the lead in organizing those efforts. So I think this is a very important um activity and it belongs in the charter because we're talking about continuity and authority of the county to operate in this fashion. So I do have a motion that I would like to offer and it is to pass
option two as written and uh recommend the staff's proposed charter amendment to the board. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Um do we have discussion? Um,
Mr. Smith, >> what's the difference in the what does the office that's currently there do? >> Be a pardon. >> The off it says there's an existing department that currently does it. What does that do compared to what the new proposed new one is going to do? It
seems like a duplication of services and costs. it it would be doing um pretty much what we do right now working with our um we it's through HSP that we fund our human service partners and those who provide food. It's through that department that require annual reports or reports that they provide to let us
know how the food is providing. It's through the it's through that department that we provide events events are held and it's through that department that's working closely with um FAMU and other partners on the food council. So it's the the same thing
Okay. Um, Mr. Wilcox. Oh, I'm so I'm actually sorry. Are you good? Okay. Because I think Miss Tigerstone was next. Seems to me. >> Hi everyone. Can you hear me? Okay. So, I I'm I'm looking at and I'm totally not against this because I get calls and
especially from the chamber and need all the time. But the 7 I think it was 7.7 million. Um I know during co um those services were strengthened. Is that correct? >> Yes.
>> So are that budget and then that bud was that budget created with access money from co dollars? It was so is that dollar amount still available moving forward even though it was voted in by the commission? >> No. The this reflects the dollars that have been spent invested in our
community the past five years $7.5 million. So what is the true dollar amount that currently is going into the community now? Do we have that number? >> So what the county provides in partnership with through CHSP is we provide annually just on the providing those funds about half a million dollars
annually for um to second harvest and our partners in Good News Outreach and Elder Cares as well as dollars that we provide through um through our community garden program. And also what those dollars are typically provided to is they're utilized to leverage additional
resource here in our community as far as the way we we have the kids break spot that happens here at our at main library as well as our branch libraries to provide services in our community. >> So I guess my question would be even though we showed a dollar amount what has been done what has been invested
because it was strengthened with access dollars um in the community that also happened with small minority businesses. we had access dollars floating around, so we were able to fine-tune what we were doing. Um, moving forward with all the cuts that are coming down, will the
county still be able to sustain that 7.7 million that was put into the community um over the last 5 years? >> Well, well, those were dollars that were previously invested, but um again, we're we're monitoring to see what's happening with um propert.
But one of the things that we continue to do is we try to maximize our resource as much as possible to um provide to address and respond to the needs here in our community. Um we provide additional dollars um based on some of the feedback we got from those means we had in high
poverty neighborhoods that when when we set aside dollars and invested more dollars to fund the two-1 Big Ben lift program, that was something that was already there. But we saw there was an opportunity where we could put some additional county dollars to make that even pop more in investing and
addressing the need in our community and get people transportation so that way they can get to grocery stores, food pantries, and wherever else they need to get to to address um their human service needs. >> Okay. Thank you. I was just trying to make sure um that moving that moving
forward with the language and what we're putting is it a set dollar amount or are we going to have the flexibility to increase with the need that is needed in our community >> and the amendment actually speaks to the county commissioners would still determine appropriate funding. There's
no dollar amount in these uh agenda in this in this uh option two. >> Understood. >> Option for that matter. >> Clearing it up. >> Yeah. Um Miss Bond Edwards, you are next. >> Thank you. >> Just a quick what I hope was a quick
question. um in the and I know that there's a motion on the floor for uh option two, but I do have a question about um option one and that is I didn't see any language um and I didn't hear and it may be in
here somewhere about any kind of annual report or report to the community or anything like that about what the county is currently doing in the area of food insecurity. And that's what I heard a lot of that from um the speakers uh
during the um public comment section that there did not appear to be uh not that there weren't things going on but that there did not appear to be a reporting of so that people actually know and know to
>> communicate with your with your office. So, and so that's what that's what some of the conversation happening right now with FAMU and the food council is given the opportunity to do, right? Because there's so much more than just the county, but also the city, Second Harvest, all of our partners.
We've got farmers coming to these meetings now that specifically is able to so allow us to figure out what are the resources available and what is happening in the area of food and so that way we can identify what are some of the gaps that exist here in our
community in addressing food access. But that requires a collective um conversation and it also would require collective um process of actually developing an annual report, right? especially if we because it talks about
a countywide um food system with a countywide annual report. Again, the thing about the countywide piece is that if it's countywide, we're talking about all our partners here in our community. Well, the charter can't make them provide us information. I can't call and say, "Hey,
you know, city manager, you need to provide me this information." Because the charter says it. Um but what the opportunity is provided with the with the food council though that's that's being um developed right now is that it gives the opportunity where you do have that community buyin and through that
community buyin you have an opportunity in which they um all our partners are at the table and we're all and understand what our responsibility would be in and as part of actually also developing and creating an annual plan.
>> Thank you. Um, and I I'm not sure if >> I think go first. >> Okay. Dr. Robersonson. >> So, I heard the same comments about the annual plan. So, right now, is there an annual plan that's released related to food? >> No. Um a lot of a lot of people no matter
whether we went with option one or option two, could there be a proposal, no matter which way the vote go to include um a annual plan and report so that people could better understand like the resources around food?
>> Are you talking about through the food council or what? >> Well, so I got a question. So the food council that group that we're referencing it's just a it's FAMU's food council it doesn't belong like who has the governance structure over that body.
>> It's FAMU that that that came before us and asked us about this opportunity and um to that they were looking to see about the issue of silos here in our community. >> Okay. and the issue of being able to
better coordinate and collaborate on the resources and addressing the gaps that exist in the area of food and food insecurity and food access. And so they've been meeting now monthly at this point. They've been meeting monthly specifically to talk about how we can do
that how there can be better greater coordination and collaboration and what does that look like and develop a plan potentially that would look to see how do you better engage and and deliver food access to those parts of our
community where where food insecurity uh rates are the highest. So, they want to develop a plan, but I keep hearing people talk about a report so that we can memorialize and bring it together. Is there one person in the um HSCP office
that deals with food insecurities like the govern the current structure right now? Is there one person that deal with food insecurities or is it like one person responsible for multiple things? Like what does the structure look like right now in the office of HSCP?
So, in the fall, we provided a report to the board about food insecurity in the community, highlighted a lot of our efforts, but then talked about just general information of what food insecurity was. Um, as Shington previously mentioned, the agencies that are funded by Lyon County, which is a critical piece. They're funded,
therefore, they are required to then provide us something, that's three, that's Second Harvest, Elder Care Services, and Good News Outreach, funded through CHSP. They provide quarterly and annual reports. Um we are currently working on a human services report. Um
my team is working on that right now of all the data we did in FY2025 for every program across the board that we'll be providing to the board. And so that would then include those things. But again, those are those are programs and reports based on things that we're funding. As Shington said, it's very
hard to compel people outside of a funding relationship or a contracted relationship to give us anything. The other piece is that the county serves and provides these services um separate from maybe like the USDA funds that come down from the
federal government that are then implemented by state agencies. the state agencies they implement wick, snap, uh tfap, consu like all these different programs that serve different populations are outside of what
>> you mentioned earlier um summer break spot that is a program from USDA from department of agg and like with the afterchool meals program so for example this is like when we're talking about bringing access so just like you serve
summer meals with summer break spot that's funded out of USDA funds coming by way of a there's also a afterchool meals program that can function year round outside of summer for after school meals and snacks. So is there a person
that's coordinating with partners to say that here's another program that can work to address food insecurities like is there a person that's working with the stakeholders to maximize >> Yeah. So, um, actually, Kids Cafe is that program that you're talking about, after school snacks. Um, FDOH was here
at the library last week meeting with our social worker to do inspections so that we could become a spot for that. >> Yeah. For the after school, um, >> after school snacks. >> Yeah. So, if and other people in the community and lowincome communities can qualify. That program was under me at
DOH for a long time. And so what I'm saying is it like a person or a group of people that's helping. >> Yes, we have a neighborhood engagement position specifically that was created and that position was created after we met with the community. So we had um like I mentioned those dinner meetings
back in 2021 and there was biggest issue about the communities didn't know we did it we did it in 10 neighborhoods with the highest in uh food insecurity rates based on feeding America data second harvest data and what they the
overwhelming um thing that came out of that was that they didn't know where these resources were and they needed help connecting to those resources and so that's why we created that position but In addition to that position, >> huh, >> recruiting from >> Yeah. recruiting from DH, Marcus West.
But then after that in addition to that we also created this trusted people committee because in addition to the actual position and that that committee was done in in partnership with the city with children services council with United Way because it takes a village on
in this issue when we're talking about how do we ensure that these communities have connect are connected to the resources that are available and then and so and we made sure that in on that committee that what's who's um who's representative members of the community. And the reason they're called the
Trusted People Committee is because we recognize that as a county, as a city, just as government, that sometimes we can't get the information or engage like the people who live in those neighborhoods, like the pastor, like the
community neighborhood grandma, like those individuals. And so those individuals are who we work with to ensure that we're able to get information and and hold events that um are uh targeted to those neighborhoods. >> Thank you, Shankton. Um we have
committee member favors and then Mr. Daryl Jones. >> I'd just like to say that as it relates to the proposed charter amendment that is written here, I like what it says. My question however is and my concern I
guess also is when we talk about the establishment of the office of food systems we're talking about a separate non noncurrenly existing office and the question that I would have as it relates
to the cost of that kind of thing is whether or not the intent I'm asking the intent because I realize that the county commissioners would have to decide that this is indeed the way that they wish to go. But in terms of the intent of this committee,
would you are you interested in having the flexibility by the county administrator or the or the county ad county commission to combine what is currently existing or
reorganize in a way that does not have a significant fiscal um um result administratively because of course what we're trying to accomplish here is get more money to or
more resources to the people who need them as it relates to food insecure. >> So I'm asking you Dr. Strobo as the author of the >> No, you're >> Dr. Strobble. >> Yeah, you're absolutely right. And I think reorganization is the key word and it speaks to the question you asked
earlier. So we're not necessarily duplicating services. it it's something that the county commission and staff will now have a framework to operate within. And I keep using that word framework because I'm not it's not mandating anything except that they're going to have a new approach to how they deal with food security. And there's
going to be this annual report that is put before the community. So again, that speaks to a lot of the stuff that we're hearing explained to us is not mutually exclusive. Those things could still be done, but now it's going to be in the charter. is going to outlive our current administration and it's going to outlive our current commission if they um if we
have a change. It will be something that is embedded and protected. So that's why it's important that this goes into the charter and that's why the motion on the table is as it is. >> Uh Committee member Jones. >> Well, this takes me back to what I had
originally said regarding much of what Mrs. favors has described is there and I think it was Mr. Wilcox who talked about the combination of item proposal one and proposal two much of the discussion that
we that has ensued about annual reports and and the collaboration of already existing uh services as well as collaborations with already existing providers. I think that is memorialized in option one in terms of the policy
recommendations that would ultimately be held uh in association with this con with this uh agenda item. But then the specificity in terms of the charter language comes into and and and I wonder is the creation of an office better
placed in one rather than in charter language which was my original contention move uh when we first brought this up. I believe in the importance of food insecurity because again as a member of the Lyon County School Board whose entire district is made up of title one schools, food insecurity is a
major concern for us and a barrier to learning. I just want to make certain that we have appropriately affirmed our commitment and our value to making certain certain that the commission and the com and the Lyon County government provides the
appropriate mitigation for those for that for what we s see as a community value and that is food insecurity. >> Um are you okay Mr. Wilox? And I hope staff will correct me if I'm
wrong here, but it seems uh hearkening back to our first meetings where we covered what is and isn't a charter amendment and and what we've seen out of other local governments in the state of Florida. I don't recall an office being dictated via a charter amendment in any of those examples that were provided to
us. To me, it seems highly unusual. Uh although I understand why it's necessary. And so to what I believe was uh um Mr. Jones's point, I I I think I could support asking the board to create
an office of food services or food systems uh within the existing HSCP. Did I get that right? HSC. Um because it sounds like we've got a lot of moving pieces and this is not uncommon when it comes to things like affordable housing,
food insecurity, um a whole host of HSCP. Uh, having a center to organize all those things, produce annual reports and and and do all this other work um to help organize the effort I think is is immensely beneficial. But I don't think
it's something that we dictate in a charter amendment. And even sending it forward as a charter amendment doesn't guarantee that it's going to wind up on the ballot as a charter amendment because the board still has to take a look at these. So I would I would support a it wouldn't even be a policy but a recommendation to the board to
create an office. We have an office of we have a division of housing services. We have a division of veteran services under HSCP. Having a division of of food systems under there seems like a logical addition and I think would address most of what was discussed here today.
>> Are you making a motion to that effect? >> Can I make an alternative motion? >> Of course you you make a substitute motion. make a substitute motion to uh ask the board of county commissioners to create a division of food systems within the department of HFCP.
>> Second motion. >> Motion's been made and seconded to uh and so this is not a policy recommendation but a um >> I don't I don't know the >> I don't know what you're call >> the exact terminology. I don't know if you'd call it a policy recommendation or just
>> oh >> his policy recommendation differs from the policy recommendation provided. So it would be option three as a policy. >> It says to implement the establishment of an office of food systems which is one of the things you specified in your overall um
>> amendment. Yeah. >> Okay. Discussion. >> All right. Discussion on the substitute motion which is basically for option three. M madam chair I I just have a question. >> It is this something that we need to create a separate office. I mean can
this >> whatever we're asking can this work be done in the confines of the individuals that we currently have. Can we do get this work done? >> It's it's being done. >> Okay. The work is being done. So, I mean
my the reason why I asked my question, do we necessarily need to create an office if it's already being done or it can be done? Number one. Number two, Madame Chair, unless I have been here and attended all of these meetings, I I just I just read that proposed ballot
language, I mean, shall the Lyon County Charter be amended to require the county to establish an office of food w food systems to support food access and food systems and require the establishment of a countywide food systems plan? Uh, I
would vote no. I mean, I have no idea what that is. and it doesn't speak to me in layman's terms uh what we're asking voters to vote on. Um, but you know, I mean, I'd like to clarify of what that language is if we move forward in that
direction, but what we have currently written, and I know we're limited to 75 words, but what we're currently the wording, it's not very uh >> as I see the proposed ballot language is shall the Leyon County Charter be amended to establish an office of food
system, but right now we are on the substitute motion discussion of that. >> U Dr. Strugal, would you like to comment on that >> in terms of why I will not support the substitute motion and I understand the charter protection ideology that's here. Again, we have a food security crisis.
It's not something that just started. This is ongoing and it's something that will be continuing on beyond this meeting, beyond this commission, beyond this administration. It's not something we solve with a simple recommendation um to the board. This is something I would like to see and I suggest that we embed
in the charter because it stands for long-standing authority and it has a long-standing structure and framework to adequately address the problem. It for some of us it's just a political decision. I understand that. But I'm saying there are people in our community who are hungry and we talked about this
the first time this came up that hunger drives several of the other issues we are facing in this community. So this puts it as a priority. It's our community affirming and stepping forward and putting the action and structure in place to address the issue. And I think it's absolutely necessary and I would
ask that you all vote no on any substitute motion and support the support the original motion that was on the table. >> Thank you. Uh Sean Pitman, please speak up. >> Um obviously the the subject matter is an
important subject matter. Um, obviously it's an issue not just here but all over the place, right? I I I wish what we could establish here is something that really gave us the facts
that we could believe in because we've got the county saying that this is being done. We've got do the sponsor of the motion, original motion saying it's not being done. We've got the county saying that this is
this would be duplication of efforts. We've got the sponsor of the motion and the supporters of this saying that it's not a priority. I for my vote I need to know what's the truth
and I need to because in my mind listen because it's not because we haven't accomplished the goal doesn't mean it's not a priority. There are a lot of priorities that where the goal is not
yet accomplished. Right? But at the end of the day, if there's not a centralized program that is focusing directly on the issue, then even if it's a priority, that's a
problem. So, I don't I can't speak for everybody here, but but I don't know how you vote on something that we just don't know what we we I I don't know what's happening out there. And I and and I
think I need to know that because I I hear the explanation of what's happening. It all sounds great. It, you know, maybe it's not accomplishing the whole picture, but but I'm not sure the that the problem is the charters problem. I'm not sure it's the only way
to get it done. But I'm very sensitive to the maker of the motion that his he he he and others have ideas and believe that this going being uh put at the height of of our instruction
will make a difference. So I I'm just asking can can can some establishment of factual information whether it's extrinsic or not can we get some of that can we get that before we ask to vote
>> the >> on the substitute motion or the or the original motion? Well, I mean, I think the information we have before us now that we've had for, you know, several months since the motion was put forth several months ago
is realistically, y'all, this is what we have right now. We have a substitute motion that says, I mean, I think everybody understands the urgency of food insecurity. Everybody, I think I've learned today, there's so much of this depends on partnerships. even if the
county charter comes up with something, it it doesn't guarantee anybody wants to play ball with us, you know. So, that to me is of great concern. Uh it just says the county's all in all in, but it doesn't say that uh the food council is
going to be part of it anymore. I mean, we just don't know that. So I mean I think to some extent we can make a decision based on our our goodwill and our best guess of what we think and would like to see happen and whether the charter would do that or whether a policy recommendation would send our
most urgent message to the county commissioners. This has many steps to go. You know I mean that's I mean basically that's what you've got. you've got uh a best hope that something good would come
of either direction. So, um Linda Bond Edwards, you're up next. >> I you know, I'm kind of I think everybody's kind of in the same place. We want something that will work and that >> better or more. >> Yeah. Or that that at least everybody has more agreement
>> is working because I think there is some agreement that the county has been effective. I think everybody can agree on that, >> right? >> But going forward, what is the best way to continue that motion? Is it through a charter or is it through policy
language? And if we if if if the charter language passes, what does that do to the food council? That kind of thing. And so, I mean, does that mean that that that the wheel restarts? And so I you know I that's the question I have I
guess is what do we gain really and and again I I absolutely agree that it's an issue and that it is priority but do we gain what we think we're gaining if we pass a charter amendment? >> Exactly. You don't know what the other players are going to how they would
respond to that either. So that's a that's a big question. Um, do we have another SP? Uh, Daryl Jones has >> um >> and we're gonna finish this up in about 10 minutes. >> The substitute motion.
Can you restate that, please? >> Sure. Um, the motion would be uh option three. >> Option three. to create a division of food systems underneath the existing department of HSCP
um at the county >> and it says within 12 months. I mean this is what part of option three says >> option three is correction. >> Sorry my mistake. So, >> so this takes me back to originally what my concern was at the very beginning
when we started our conversation that which is appropriate for the charter and that what is appropriate for policy and I believe that to to to and I also said from the very beginning what we hope to be that that the charter does is protect
those things that matter to us such that they are they are not in any way influenced by fiscal constraints, political changes, management changes that those that the charter represents
those things that we hold sacrosan as a community. My only concern is that the creation of an office rises to a policy matter. Charter language states I would think would provide us with
context by which we protect those things. And that's my only concern. So that we would much like when we were talking about word smithing access to primary health care, right? We already know that the Lyon County Health Department through and also already existing committees like uh the the
primary health committee would all be protected because we have said that we want this to be a value for our community. food insecurity and mitigating and responding to it and addressing it regardless of uh current administrations or political changes
would still remain intact. The office of food security I believe is a policy issue found in option one but being able to be responsive to food insecurity and that we will not do anything adversely as a in our governance that does not
protect food insecurity or support food. I think that language is different. That's my only concern. >> His is a policy recommendation. Just to clarify >> to be clear. Yes. That's the creation of an office I'm proposing as a policy recommendation to the board.
>> I see. Are you speaking on this topic or >> um I was going to try to offer a substitute motion to the substitute motion. >> You can't do that right now. We have to vote on the substitute. Mr. Smith, you have a comment on this and I'm going to call for a vote on >> Yeah. I just had just a question for
Chassity or Vince or somebody from the county, Nikki. Uh what does the creation of the charter amendment do versus what is happening now? It depends on how specific the language of the charter recommendation would be. I hear a lot of language about
protection of different things. You're not getting that unless you are very specific about what you're protecting. Create an off if and if you're doing that in the charter, create an office to do this thing on an annual basis for the purpose. I mean, it's going to have to be pretty specific in the charter. And
then the extent to which you can protect that is a um is a whole other story uh too. And it's one that I would have to tag team with Chassity on. Everything's subject to budget. Everything's subject to policy changes. Everything And again,
I understand the the desire to memorialize it and that sort of thing. Um, but again, um, it it would depend on the specificity of the language and it would depend on it also has a lot to do with the flexibility of the the governing body of of the county
ultimately. So, is that a vote? It's generally why policy issues are are not generally enumerated in county charters. >> Thank you. All right. I'd like to call a
roll call vote on the substitute motion which is option three. >> Recite that again. >> We have the specific language. Would you like to recite specifically what you have said? It's creation. Can't say it's been the same every time.
Okay. To it's motion option three to forward to the board of county commissioners for consideration a a a the creation of a division of food systems underneath the human and
services and community partnerships department >> as a policy recommend recommendation. >> As a policy recommendation is there. All right. A roll call vote please. Joey Davis. Yes. >> Yes. Excuse me. >> Linda Bon Edwards. >> Yes. >> Anita Favorvers.
>> Yes. >> Max Hurley. >> Nay. >> Daryl Jones. >> Howard Kesler? >> Nay. >> Henry Lewis. >> Yes. >> Heidi Alway.
>> Yes. >> Sean Pitman. >> Brian Ray. >> No. Jamar Robersonson. >> No. >> Temple Robinson, >> no. >> William Smith, >> no.
>> Bruce Strobble, >> no. >> Jared Terry, >> yes. >> Katrina Tugerson, >> yes. >> Barry Wilcox, >> yes. >> Vice Chair Haynes, >> yes. >> Chair Lley, >> yes.
Motion passes 12 to 7. >> 12 to 7. Thank you all very much. Dr. Ro, um we could go ahead with your mo your comment. I was about to call it five minute break, but >> my my question is this this a proper
time I can ask that we revisit um agenda item number one. >> You have to make a motion. You want to recall? I'd like to make a motion that we accept the proposed ballot language with these changes. >> Shall the preamble of Lyon County home
rule charter be amended? >> Right. We have Yeah. Make >> I'd like to make a motion that we take Thank you. >> take it off the table and second. >> All in favor of bringing them bringing item one back to the back for discussion. All in favor say I. I
>> and oppose. No. Motion's back on the floor. >> Thank you. I'd like to um make a motion that we adopt the proposed language, ballot language um with this wording. Shall the preamble of Lyon County home room charter be amended to affirm that
the esteemed humanity and shared dignity of all residents is inherent and deserving of consideration in public affairs and affirm the county's effort to create a community that is safe. comma vibrant comma and provides access
to health care for all citizens while preserving the charter's existing framework for local self-governance and citizen improve empowerment. >> Second. >> That's your motion on Did I hear a second on this motion? Who was it?
>> We could go >> Dr. Kesler. >> M >> discussion. Mr. Haynes. Madame Chair, may I offer just for clarity and for the record, can we take that five minute break and allow staff to get that language so it can be
put up on the screen so we don't have any debate the next time of what the language was or what you read. Allow staff to get that and put that on the screen so we can all >> I think that's a really good idea and important to do because I don't believe any of us probably got word for word on that. Okay, let's take a five minute
break. It's 1:30. be back in at 1:35. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Say good vibrant Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Okay, everybody, if you take your seats, please. We're resumeuming on agenda item number one. >> And Dr. Robinson, uh, you have the floor. Are we ready? >> Yes, we are. Everybody, sit down,
please, as quickly as you can. >> Once again, I'll repeat the motion. Is that what you would like? >> I would like you to repeat the motion. Yes, I would. Um, I'd like to move that the uh committee accept the uh amended
proposed ballot language uh as stated on the uh screen. Shall the preamble of the Lyon County Home Rule Charter be amended to affirm that the esteemed humanity and shared dignity of all residents is inherent and deserving of consideration in public affairs and affirm the
county's effort to create a community that is safe, vibrant, and provides access to health care for all citizens while preserving the charters the charter's existing framework for local self-government and citizen empowerment.
And that is your motion. >> That is my motion. >> Seconded. >> And do I have a second from was it >> our Kesler? >> Dr. Kesler. All right. Discussion on the >> for most motion. >> One point of information. Should that be
a period instead of a question mark after empowerment? >> It's the question that's going to be on the back. >> Question. >> Okay. >> Shall the preamble >> do you like this? Yeah. Okay. >> Is that 75 words? >> So that's an interrogatory. >> All right. Thank you. We can add some more stuff. Let me get another one.
>> No, no, no. There words to spare. >> Do we have any We'll make a roll call vote on this. You've got the ballot language, and this would go on the ballot as a charter amendment. Call the roll, please.
>> Joey Davis, >> yay. >> Linda Bon Edwards, >> yes. >> Anita Favorvers, >> yes. >> Max Hurley, >> yes. Daryl Jones. >> Howard Kesler, >> yes. >> Henry Lewis, >> yes. >> Otwway, >> yes.
>> Sean Pitman, >> Ryan Ray, >> yes. >> Tomorrow, >> yes. >> Temple Robinson, >> yes. >> William Smith, >> yes. >> Bruce Strobble, >> yes. >> Jared Terry, >> yes. >> Katrina Tugerson, >> yes. >> Barry Wilcox,
>> yes. >> Vice Chair Haynes, >> yes. >> Chair Lindley, >> yes. >> Go ahead. The motion passes unanimously. >> All right, Dr. Robinson. Thank All right. Next up is agenda item number
three. And um who's doing the honors on? It's me again. >> Hi Sh. I got you. >> Item three. >> All right. As requested by the committee, this item provides a proposed charter amendment and corresponding ballot language to address persistent
disparities resulting from historic public policy decisions in the charter. And um again, same thing as I did before, I'm going to provide some just quick things that we're doing to address the areas of poverty and equity here in our community and then go into the
ballot language and provide some explanation there. So, in your previous items, committee members, we detailed the county's ongoing efforts to reduce poverty and inequity in the community utilizing empirical data like census
census data and docu and do um information and data as well as community engagement which is critical um in being able to address these issues. And because of that, that has resulted in investment of more than $30 million in human services, health care,
housing, econom economic development within the past 5 years. Additionally, the county has dedicated more than $300 million in infrastructure projects through Blueprint and high poverty neighborhoods that make up more than 60% of the projects planned and underway at
Blueprint. In addition to the um the programs addressing human services and and infrastructure needs, the county in partnership with the city has operated our MWSBE program to provide greater
procurement opportunities within the community for small businesses. The MWSBE is a narrowly defined race and gender-based program that operates on a legally defensible disparity study that
must demonstrate factual predicate evidence of significant disparity in procurement when it comes to race and gender. However, as I'll touch on in a few minutes, even as narrowly focused as
our MWS probe B program is, it's also in jeopardy due to ongoing actions occurring at the state and federal levels. So, the committee requested staff to prepare a proposed charter amendment and corresponding ballot language requiring the county to assess and address
persistent disparities resulting from historic policy decisions. So based on that the ballot language and proposed proposed a charter amendment were developed utilizing documents that are submitted by Dr. Strobble that identified historic public policy
decisions as policies that resulted in racial discrimination such as slavery and Jim Crow laws. The proposed charter amendment is outlined in the item and defines persistent disparities to target individuals and communities whose
ancestors were subject to historic policy decisions. And historic policy decisions are defined as what you see here right on the slide. And that includes forced labor systems prior to 1865 like slavery, post post emancipation systems
that coerced labor, um legally man mandated racial segregation, exclusionary housing, land use restrictions, and many other policies that many um I'll share that wasn't actually um enacted by the county, but
were enacted in the um in our country. The charter amendment would require the county conduct historic impact audits every 5 years to identify individuals and/or communities that experience disparities from historic public
policies and provide recommendations for programs, services, and investments to repair or mitigate those disparities. It requires the county to incorporate findings of the historic of the historical impact audits into annual
capital improvement plans and the comp plan and authorize the county commission to establish a fund to invest in programs and services exclusively for individuals and communities that experience persistent disparities and to provide
prior access I'm sorry to prioritize access to them for county owned properties. There are no county charges in Florida that include language that address disparities um from historic public policies.
As we detail in the item, due to the recent and ongoing actions at the federal and state level, a proposed charment like this could result in legal challenges against the county and jeopardize the county's federal and state funding.
First, it could potentially violate federal law, including the equal protection clause and a recent US Supreme Court decision that struck down government programs that used race as an eligibility factor. The proposed charment could also put the
county's federal and state fundings in jeopardy. In December, the county was awarded more than $16 million from US Department of Transportation for North Monroe Street. Several
federals have included language in grant contracts that require grant recipients to certify that they do not promote DEI or any race related programs. The county is currently coordinating with US DOT on the development of a contract for the
money that we receive for North Monroe and that agreement may require the county to provide a similar certification and a proposed amendment like this one before you would make that problematic to certify that.
And then at the state level, the Florida legislature is actively considering legislation that would prohibit policies and programs that deal with racial disenfranchisement and disparities. As the county attorney mentioned earlier, these bills are moving fast. One is now
on the floor and one is um on the Senate side and moving also quickly on the House side. The legislation includes punitive measures for adopting imple implementing such policies and programs as she mentioned earlier malfeasants as
as one issue but also that it would allow for the removal of an elected official if they adopt or implement such policies. These same federal and state actions could also impact the MWSB program. It's
for this reason several local governments in Florida already have revamped their MWB MWSBE programs to be less racial and gender focused to ensure that they don't violate any state or federal laws and don't and um don't lose
their grant funding. So it's it's for all those reasons um we don't recommend the proposed charter amendment but we have developed bound language as requested by the committee and provided on the screen and also is
table one in your item. However, as with the previous items, the committee has an alternative option to provide a policy recommendation to the board encouraging continued commitment to addressing poverty, which is up here and provided under table number two in
your item. And that's option number one, which we are recommending. And I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you, Shington. I'd like to make maker of the motion, committee members. >> Yes. >> Take the floor. Um, right away I recognize uh some of the critical points
that the county has made uh particularly around uh the risk that we take if we try to address historical racism. Um, and that's why after our last discussion, I got a good lesson from the county attorney and I recognize that we may need to shift on this. So, I did
prepare alternative language that removes any references to race but still gets to the heart of what we're trying to address. Madam, >> would you like to pass those out? >> Let's repeat this. Yes. >> Yeah. Could somebody assist uh Mr. Dr. Stroubel in just passing these so every
member has a copy of the language? You want to go ahead and talk to us about what it says? >> Yeah. So um yeah, what you'll see in the alternative language is that we we remove references to race um and historical racism and we speak specifically about policies that took
place and their unconstitutional nature of said policies. So that allows us safety in that area where we're no longer getting into DEI. We're no longer getting into trying to address racism against the federal um and state administration's wishes. So it allows us
to still address the problems that have been created uh and the historic or I guess you say the lingering impact of some of those historic policies without violating said statutes that were mentioned by the county. So I thought they were right to bring that up. So that would have me move option three
where the we would recommend the attach charter amendment and ballot language that is being provided to you as we speak. So, I'll give us uh before I guess I'll let us look at it before >> uh yeah, and I don't know if the county attorneys had time to see if red flags
are popping up in this language as well >> um so um anything that's been >> so you have made a motion for option three actually and I haven't is Is there a second on that motion? >> Second. >> You want to take a moment to second?
Okay. I just want to be sure this is properly in order before we dis discuss. Thank you. >> So I guess this is your substitute. >> Um yeah, it's alternative I would say because it's not a substitute motion. >> Option three. Option three is >> option three.
>> Modifications to the language. They're minimal modifications. The only thing is removing references to race. >> County Attorney's going to speak to this. If you all had a chance to read the document that was distributed,
I know Sean's over there with his uh lawyer eyes gone over it three times. >> You also have attorney Lab at the other end of the table. >> A lot of lawyers here, don't we? Actually, >> so so on its face, this takes out any
reference to, as Dr. Strugil states race or DEI. The potential issue comes into play is the county would implement this is if the fundamental
basis for any program policy anything that was proposed to address this historic wrong. If the basis for that was any protected class, whether it's
gender, race, national origin, you can go on and on, that is going to potentially impact federal funding that would be available for that because anytime anytime under the under the US
Constitution, anytime you base any sort of action on a protected class like race it is subject to strict scrutiny. Okay, which means there has to be
compelling reason and it has to be narrowly tailored. Now there's case law on uh remediation related to historic wrongs.
The case law on this is all over the place on whether it would pass strict scrutiny and it's always fact dependent how they apply the analysis. Recent case law for programs that were adopted at the federal level during the
Biden administration were challenged left and right. Um, I would say more of them were struck than were found to be legally defensible.
Um, but it's it is it's all over the place all over the country. So there is no certainty uh about what whether uh even under the US constitution equal protection for example any particular program that
would come out of this language would pass legal muster if it's based on any protected class and is being offered to address uh historic wrongs
for any protected class. Okay. Again, the federal funding, that's another potential issue and it would depend very much on the program and what the program was intended to do and specifically who the program would serve. Same with any
policy. Uh the language itself does not on its face uh run a foul of the pending legislation at the state level. But certainly again you go back to any
program policy anything else if the basis for that you can point back to as being anything that's considered DEI which which includes race that is not going to be legal. Um
I'm that's pretty much it. >> All right. Um there's some questions or comments on that. U Mr. Smith I think you were up next. at the floor. >> Where's the funding for this coming from? It talks about set up a
restoration fund to support these. >> Answer to the question is where do you have an answer to the question? >> Yeah. So, in my uh machinations of how this will work, it creates a fund and it allows the county to make those decisions. It's not something we determine here. Uh and that could be
from grant programs. If there were gifts made, if the county wanted to set appropriations, it would be at their discretion. Uh, as we don't have the perview to really get into funding mechanisms in this body. >> That's right, Dr. Kesler. >> Yep. So this for the county attorney uh
am I interpreting your words correctly to say that if this language and let's assume this language is is not directed to any protected class. But if it was found that a protective class benefited
from this, are you saying that that could be challenged? >> Yes. And and I'll I'll use an example and I'll even give more information than I did. We we reference in here that
depending on what the program or policy is and and who it would specifically benefit and not benefit, it could run a file of existing anti-discrimination laws that admittedly were not in place before but are in
place now. For example, if there was a housing program set up to benefit a particular protected class based on previous inequities,
uh then that could very well run a foul of the federal fair housing act and this state fair housing act. I mean, it's not even just a potentially US constitutional or state constitutional issue. It could run a foul of existing
federal and state laws related to anti-discrimination and intended to prevent discrimination based on a protected class. But >> could I follow up with one more thing? >> Yes, sirly. So just to be clear, so
again assuming this language to be neutral and if the county did establish let's say a housing uh development that in its declarations and and wording was not
referencing any class but may benefit a specific class that is being, you know, sort of excluded now. How would that work?
>> Yeah, certainly. So, so one of the things that this requires and I'm going to the um so if you look at the handout page two of the handout and
you look at the historic impact audit provision under 3A it says determine which individuals and/or communities meet the criteria.
Okay. So, uh and it's in section 1 double A 2 A. Um is that resulted in disin? >> Yeah. So, so if the outcome of this
analysis which is required as part of this process determines that those individuals andor communities represent a particular protected class such as a particular race and therefore any program or policy adopted would be
to the benefit of a particular protected class such as race. That's going to be a problem. because it's part of your rationale and justification for adopting any program or policy to begin with.
>> It depends on what the data shows >> potentially. >> So where Mr. Stubel come that raises the question, how can the county do any programs using empirical data if the program shows that we have a protected
class that's being impacted and we're trying to address that? Why couldn't we use that same rationale for this? >> Um because the data collected isn't to address any historical issues such as segregation. Segregation specifically
impacted a race as a particular class. What what the county currently does and why it is legally defensible is they just collect data and it's more socioeconomic based than geared toward a particular protected class. Now, that
can disproportionately benefit a someone in a protected class. It could benefit disproportion benefit people with disabilities, uh, race, gender, any of those things. But, but then you cannot tie the benefits or programs of a
particular resulting policy or program specifically to only a protected class. >> Fair. So, and just to come back to that, so again, I think the key would be for county as they make policy associated with this to make sure it's based on the
data and that it's based on the impacts of the policies, the historic policies and not the protected class. So, I think that's the direction we would have to move it in. >> Uh, Dr. Robertson. >> Yes. So, if I'm understanding Chassity
correctly, like this historic like it's already been defined previously with some of the historic stuff that these are protected classes is that that could cause problems based on the language historically. >> Yes. Listen,
you you can try to make the language as neutral and benign is a good word for it as you would like. But if the ultimate goal is to address things like legally
mandated, and I'm reading from the handout, legally mandated segregation in housing, education, healthcare, transportation, employment, or public services as an example of the goal here, then you are specifically
targeting your efforts toward a particular race. >> Can we see that language again that the county proposed that would get us around
um the historic language like the >> the original >> the original >> the original had race in it? So that was >> our race in it. >> Oops. So this is compromise. >> So the compromise okay
>> they propose this. >> Uh yes sir. >> I'm sorry. >> Can we do like we did a moment before and so did the staff if there's a particular recommendation that you're bringing forward of the changes that you've made that can then be put present
on here so us to vote on. Well, that is what the handout is. >> Okay, >> that's specifically the handout, >> Mr. >> Did you not get one? Oh, you didn't. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay, got it. Thank you, >> Vice Chair Haynes.
>> Madam Chair, thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to ask uh if the county attorney were asked by the board of county commissioners her recommendation on this proposed
ballot language would it pass muster or is it defensible in a court of law? What would what would her recommendation be to the board of county commissioners? Madam Chair, the language itself is fine, but what I am telling you is in
actual implementation, there are going to be se severe limitations on any programs or policies that the county could actually adopt to effectuate this based on the process
that's required and the various current and potential federal and state constitutional and statuto limitations.
>> Madam, >> could I could I ask a take a liberty of asking a question? If this gets into the charter and all the risk and the red flags that we now know exist, uh, time passes, 10 years down the road, this language is still in the charter, could
be acted on by another board with u less risk, I suppose. I mean, but it's just still >> no going change. >> Laws change. >> Agreed. I mean what what is currently permissible now
may not be permissible in the future. >> This could be toothless right now >> and the opposite can occur as well. What is not permissible now may be permissible in the future. >> Yeah. >> But the law is fluid. >> Right.
>> Madam sh my card up a long time ago. >> He did. >> Yeah. >> Commissioner Lewis here. >> Uh okay. >> Yeah. We sued the county 1985 for single member districts
and uh I'm a product of that suit because we sued on racial disparities in elections. I'm in total support of the intent of this proposal, but I see the detriment
as well. If we pass this item as it's proposed right now, somebody could say, and I think uh committee member Ryan asked the question a couple of minutes ago, should we dismantle our single member
districts? And I see this as a possibility of dismantling single member districts and a lot of other programs that have been put place because of that. So because of what I just said and other reasons, I don't think I can support the amended language
as well. >> Thank you, Vice Chair H. You're up next. >> Yes, Madam Chair. I I guess what I was getting to from the the county attorney, her professional, you know, recommendation to the board would be to support this issue or whatever. I mean,
you know, as the county attorney, that's what I'm asking for from her as this current language as it is right now. What would be her recommendation to the board of county commission? >> The handout or what was in the agenda material? >> The handout. >> Um,
I don't make policy, but I do identify legal risk and then the policy makers make their policy. Even as stated in the handout, this is high legal risk.
That that is what I would tell my board. >> Madam Chair, >> exactly what I'm telling this body. >> Madam Chair, may I make a substitute motion of option one? >> Substitute approve a draft recommendation. >> The draft policy recommendation encouraging the board to continue the
county's long-standing commitment, >> right, >> to reducing poverty and inequities in the community. >> So a substitute been motion has been made for option one. Do I hear a second? Failing that, we are back to the
original motion which is option three really committee direction. Um, Miss Edwards, Bond Edward, you had comment and then Mr. for the um for the county attorney if there is a request made absent this
language if there's a request made from one of the commissioners or from whomever or the county to determine how it's economic development dollars or any kind of dollars are spent to determine whether or not there is a disparit impact on some protected class and the
information comes back that there is a dispar impact on African-American businesses. Would the county be able to then dedicate specific dollars to address that issue even though it's not tied to any
historical disparities or anything like that? It's a current issue. So the board currently has that in the form of I can give you at least one example MWSB program. Okay. Um so that is based
on a third-party consultant who has engaged in that analysis, determined that there um was a disparity. Uh that this is necessary to address the
disparity. Um it hasn't been challenged. Um we'll see what happens with that. Uh these sorts of programs are challenges to these sorts of programs are being litigated in different parts of the country. Um so there's nothing directly
on point. I think the the key issue here is whether the focus is specifically on a protected class or not. I mean that because that's what
triggers strict scrutiny. um if it's not focused on a particular protected class, but the data shows that there's some disproportionate harm, uh it could be by geographical area, it could be by something that's not a
protected class. Can the county take action to address that issue because there is, for example, a lack of a grocery store in a particular geographical area? Yes.
But again, that's based on data about a general issue and inequity, although that's you got to be careful using that word these days. >> Um related to uh food access
uh that I think would be very defensible. So, it sounds like it has to start with a general issue that that somehow funnels down and and it may end up affecting a protected class, but it doesn't start there and go up.
>> Correct. >> Gotcha. >> Uh, Committee Member Ray. >> Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. I just uh I just want to say for the record that the state and federal legislation that causes us to quintor ourselves into
these pretzels is moral are morally obscene, intellectually repugnant and fundamentally wrong um and unjust. And so we may be bound by it, but I just thought it was important as colleagues to acknowledge that. >> Thank you. Committee member Jones, did
you have a comment? All righty. Anybody? Uh, yeah. Mr. Stal, >> so understanding again and following up with what committee member Ray just shared, um, I think we could look at potential legislation and there we may
see even more draconian and uh, aggressive language that limits and preempts what local governments, municipalities could do in the future. And that should I don't know that we could operate right now today and say we shouldn't ever pass any law again because the government may act in a
certain way. I just don't think that's a appropriate way to do things. We wrote this um I I use the county's language and I further sanitized it to remove all implications that this had anything to do with race and it was more so about correcting what's been done wrong to people historically. And that's what I
would like the focus to stay on. Um, I understand those concerns and that's why we made the I offered the compromise uh right away because I understand we don't want to get into that that fight right now, but uh that doesn't mean we can't ever do anything. We just have to be we we will move carefully. So, heeding the
warnings that we get from uh our county attorney. I think that that's where the county and staff moving forward from this will have to work carefully to implement uh the said policies that they create out of it. Uh that's again not our purview to determine policy. We're
only talking about the structure. So a lot of this discussion has been outside the purview of what's being suggested in the actual amendment. We're simply suggesting a structure that requires the audit creates a fund and looks at plans for remediation of said consequences of
those historic policies. So I think if we stay focused there, this is something that can work and we should support it. >> Uh I'm ready to call a roll call vote on this unless there's further discussion. understanding we're sending this to the county board to um who will love us.
>> Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Pman, sir, >> um I have a lot of thoughts about this, but let me let me not bury the lead. I'm happy to vote for that structure. Um I don't have a problem with that. I do um because I've served as general counsel
and lawyers to bodies that where the job is to limit their their legal exposure. I think I know what's going to happen when it leaves here. Um I think they're that the policy makers will have to listen to their lawyer and
if they're smart, they will. Um because the ramifications of multiple lawsuits um that come at a body can ultimately hurt some of the things that we're working for, right? Um so, um I I I I agree and
in the sense that if we are just looking at um what the maker of the motion is saying that, you know, that we want to make sure that the audits are in place and and there's a policy in place that there's some um processes to to review
these things, I I have no I have no issue with that. whether or not it needs to be charter or it could be some other an ordinance or something like that is a you know I think that's something to be considered as well but but we could we
could talk all day on this. The county commission are the one they will the commissioners will be the ones to make the decision and the lawyer has said what what she's going to say to them. She likely will say to them. Uh, and the devil's always in the details and and it
sounds like their implementation of such a a law would be the challenge here. Um, the lawyer may have to constantly say, you know, you're you're exposed here.
Um, but that's what they get elected to do is make those decisions. So, um I I'm I'm >> I've just come ready. We're we're a citizen board and we have a right to express our opinion as a board. Uh kind
of regardless of what the next steps are. So, like to call a call vote on this. >> Madam Chair, uh if I might, I I I agree with Mr. Pitman. That's why I asked for the opinion of the county attorney to, you know, to to know exactly what she was going to share before we as a
committee voted. But Madam Chair, I'd like to make a friendly amendment to the motion to insert the word the word of after it says authorize the establishment. It says the establishment a just insert the word of >> it. Okay. No problem with that.
>> No. >> Good. Um Mr. Jarrett, you had a question? >> Yeah. Comment >> quickly. Um, as I read this, those that did the analysis, I just wondered if you could summarize the pros, the b the benefits that came out of uh the
of option two. I I I have the neg I have the negative side of it and why you might prefer or recommend number one, but what were the positives that were pulled out of the analysis? You could just summarize them.
We conducted an analysis on the information that was provided and we >> was there anything good about the idea. >> That's what I'm asking. >> I I don't see it. That's what I'm saying. But I see the negatives. I'm trying to understand what was the
positive >> in an analysis. I'm asking if there was something you could say like, "Hey, this would be great if this did work so that I could compare." I'm just trying >> Well, the positive that we provide is is all the work that we're doing in our community right now to address poverty and in inequities in our community. I
>> I get that. I'm asking about if this were to go forward and we were to choose it, I can see that there are some concerns. We've talked about them for an hour. I'm wondering if there are some things that if did come true, they would outweigh the concerns. That's what I'm trying to figure out. But I don't see
anything listed that suggests that this was a I don't see any support that it's a I'm wondering if if any analysis there was something oh well this is a good idea and if >> yeah so that's an option one because option two as we mentioned before is that so there was a couple of things one
as we've reiterated in most of these policy issues is that policy issues is not something that you see included in charter amendments. That's an alternative. What I'm I'll ask it and if I can't get an answer, I'll stop in the interest of time. But what was proposed
I'm asking if what we voted on, we voted for this. >> Not if >> is there if we did, would there have been benefits that you would be able to articulate to the commission to say this
is why this is a good idea? that would require us to speculate what the programs would be that would emanate from this >> different from what we have in terms of what the outcome is on the negative side. >> Yeah. It would require us to have to speculate again when you talk about the
advantages of it. We would have we would have to speculate what the advantage of of future programs would be that that resulted from this >> and again that would require a lot of speculation from us. >> I understand. Thank you. >> All right. We are back to the
Oh, Barry. Sorry. Excuse me, Cariel. >> I'm sorry. I know you're trying to get to a vote on this. I I just have to say it it's unfortunate that we could likely pass the amended the unmended language in 1964, but we can't in 2026.
And I having said that, I do have great concerns for the unintended consequences of even the amended language being passed. And I I just >> I just had to get that on the record. >> Duly noted. All right, a roll call vote,
please, on um the new uh option. What's option three? You've got it before you. This is ballot language send sending to the board of county commissioners a recommendation that this go on the ballot in November. >> Linda Bon Edwards,
>> no. >> Anita Favors, >> no. >> Max Hurley, >> yes. Daryl Jones. >> Howard Kesler? >> Yes. >> Henry Lewis. >> Reluctant. >> Heidi Alway.
>> No. >> John Pitman. >> Yes. >> Ryan Ray. >> Enthusiastic. Yes. >> Tamarial Robersonson. >> No. Temple Robinson. >> William Smith,
>> no. >> Bruce Strobble, >> yes. >> Jared Terry, >> yes. >> Katrina Tugerson, >> yes. >> Barry Wilcox, >> no. >> Vice Chair Haynes, >> no. >> And Chair Lley,
>> yes. >> It's nine to nine. >> So, the motion fails. The motion fails. >> Oh, it fails. >> The time. All right, you all. We've done some great work here. >> May I, Madam Chair?
>> Yes, sir. >> The recommendation we took from Dr. Robinson which amended the preamble will those will the recommend the subsequent edit to the original preamble language that had already been ratified will it
come to us as separate items or go to the commission as separate items because we've already agreed on the first part which included the human dignity of all persons then we made an amendment to that for the second piece and so I so I
wanted to know would they be managed by the commission as two separate pieces. >> It would be together because that is how you voted to amend it is to reflect that esteemed humanity as well as the affordable housing. However, in the materials that we provide to the board,
we're going to provide all that historical context of what the committee work has been done and their intent uh to address both of those issues within the revised preamble language. So the amendments to the preamble, those changed edits will be dealt with as a uh
edit of the whole >> uh two separate ballot, right? Yes, there would be two separate ballot questions. >> Okay, it's two separate ballot questions together >> unless the board votes to >> put it together. But at present there will be a se there will be ballot language for the original that we voted on at our last meeting that was
subsequently passed and ratified and then the second part of that will be the part regarding uh access to primary healthcare. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, I'd just like to take a moment to say thank you to everybody who freely gave of your time, paid so much
attention to these very complicated issues and I think now you are all ambassadors into our community to, you know, understand more about what goes on into these decisions and so really appreciate all of your effort and serious attention. We we had a really
great discussion. Everybody was so respectful of some great ideas that came forward and um I really appreciated that. I've been asked to speak to the League of Women Voters in March to sort of give an overview of what we've done and um so I'm really proud to have been
uh your chair. Sorry for all the faux paws of Robert's rules of order. U and just thanks huge thanks to the staff. You guys have been great. Uh Nikki, Chassity, Shankton, even Vince has
really weighed in and I think he has another word before we adjourn on anything next coming up. Okay, so we know about the uh county commission meeting if we want to sit in on that. >> Uh it's probably starts at three. >> Oh, yes. Regular >> usually regular meetings start at three.
>> Three o'clock, >> right? Will we get a calendar invite? >> Uh yeah, Miss Bond, you had a comment. This is just a special announcement and thank you to our county attorney who was recently and there was an announcement from the county that was put out today
that she was awarded uh by the Tallahassy women lawyers the uh outstand well oh shut I wrote it down but it's Martha Barnett yes the Martha Barnett uh outstanding attorney award so congratulations >> and thank you for uh entertaining all of
our questions. >> Yeah, she's been t tremendous. Yes, sir. >> Uh certainly congratulate congratulations to our our county attorney. That's a if you don't know Martha Barnett, that is a huge huge >> honor to be um named have your name next
to her. She is a a champion. Uh but Madam Chair, I just want to thank you for your leadership um and your work. It you stepped up. Nobody I mean everybody else kind of turned around when but but uh thank you for stepping up and for leading us through this process. to
your st you and your staff. Um you guys are second to none. Thank you so much.