Yeah. You ready? You ready, girls? >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Is our attorney present? >> January 20th Town special workshop meeting will now come to order. If I could stand please for the pledge of
allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. just have a moment of silence.
>> Can have it for your dog, Todd. But since you got it back, we won't do that. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you. Can I have roll call, please? >> Council member Coleman, >> present. >> Council member El Rey,
>> here. >> Council member Mlendon, >> here. >> Vice Mayor Herszog, >> here. >> Mayor Kaine, >> present. Town Manager Ramalia >> here. >> Town attorney Curts >> here. >> Okay, Mr. Kurts, could I have a motion to approve the agenda, please, before
Mr. >> Motion to approve? >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Passes five to zero. Okay, Mr. Kurt, this is your item. >> Uh, I guess it is again. Um
this matter was uh deferred from our uh January 6th meeting. Um since then we have received uh correspondence from uh attorneys representing PBSO.
Um they indicated that they would be unlikely to um approve the mutual termination and release agreement. Um they stated in their correspondence that they believe that uh the town is in
breach of the contract for because of the non-payment. They also indicated that as of January 13th um all services under the contract would cease. Um and that would be we would be
treated as a a zone um which I interpret as being very similar to uh the council's desire to be treated as um other as unincorporated areas of the
the county are treated with respect to law enforcement services. Um, I have a a call scheduled uh for this Thursday
um with the attorneys representing the sheriff uh to discuss the direction that uh you give tonight. Um the we have for you um a resolution
uh that does approve the mutual release and termination agreement uh pursuant to what I believed was consensus uh direction at the last meeting. Um, we have revised the whereas clauses to
remove a couple of of paragraphs um so that nobody thinks anybody is asserting any sort of uh blame as to what's going on. Um there has been a couple of questions and I've put at your place uh
tonight a memorandum um addressing those questions. Uh the first question that uh we have heard is would PBSO be entitled to an award of attorneys fees if they prevailed in a a
lawsuit? Um, the general rule in Florida, and I think I've mentioned this before, but the general rule in Florida is that you can be entitled to um attorneys as the preva attorney's fees
as the prevailing party. Uh, if there is a contractual provision to that effect or there is a statute. Um the existing contract with the sheriff's office does not include a prevailing um party
attorney fee provision. So they would not be able to uh claim um attorneys fees if they did go and sue us under the contract. Now, whenever you are involved in litigation, there are
provisions of Florida statutes, specifically 57105, which assert that if somebody makes a frivolous claim or uh defense um and doesn't have any justification for it, um you can be
the subject of attorney's fees um for the presentation of that claim or defense. Um in addition uh if either of the parties in this case assuming that there was uh litigation availed
themselves of um the intergovernmental um uh the intergovernmental negotiation provisions of chapter 164. Um and there was a determination at some
point in time that uh somebody one of the parties was not um negotiating in good faith. Uh there is the possibility of attorney's fees under um section 164.1058
of the Florida statutes. Those involve things that um are in the the potential future. First you have to have litigation. Um and then in the way you handle that litigation um you would have to have
been determined um by the court to have acted in a um a manner that wasn't in good faith. Um so there is no specific provision that in these circumstances
that we presently face there would be uh the possibility of attorney's fees. Um the other question was well uh is there a penalty for late payment on any
amounts due? Um, and I think I've previously indicated and if you've read the the contract again in the backup materials, there is no provision for additional compensation to the sheriff's office for late payment. Um, and you
will note that in the letter that we got from the Gunster Law Firm, there was no there was a demand for payment, but there was just a demand for the monthly amount. there was no demand for any late fees or anything
like that. So I think the amount that we are talking about would be the the monthly amount. Um there has also been um an assertion in uh the Gunster letter
um and a question out there as to whether or not the town charter actually requires the town to maintain a police force. Um I once again have um given you the language of uh section 112 of the
charter which states that law enforcement services will be provided by contract with Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office or contracted with other inform other enforcement agencies until the town adopts an ordinance to
the contrary provided that the town shall not establish a police department without a referendum. So under the charter, you cannot establish your own police department uh without a referendum and until the
town adopted an ordinance to the contrary, they had to contract with either Palm Beach Sheriff's or an adjacent municipality um to provide uh police services. But as
this council is aware, um there was the passage of ordinance 2405 uh which was intended by the council at that time to address the possibility that there would not be a contract uh with the sheriff's office. And it was
written um by your uh then attorneys, the Tursivia Law Firm, uh to be an ordinance to the contrary or it is an ordinance that meets that um charter requirement. And so
um uh we are the town is by virtue of that ordinance um not necessarily uh obligated to have a police force or have a law enforcement services contract. Um, and the other question
that has uh come up was um if PBSO did sue the town for breach of contract, could they collect payment for the months they did not actually provide service? Um, in the January 13th letter,
uh, the attorneys for the sheriff's office make it clear that they are since that date not providing any additional services and in fact um, you know, are providing services at best in accordance
with the level of service provided to um, other areas of the county that are unincorporated. Um there is if there were to be litigation on this matter there is a question as to whether
or not that uh deprivation or cessation of service actually occurred earlier. Um there have been statements to um by senior officials um in the uh in
PBSO um and their general legal council um and also in statements to the press that uh they ceased providing those services sometime in December. Um so uh getting
back to the question if they don't provide service should they be entitled to uh payment for those services? um the town. If there was litigation, we would certainly assert as an affirmative
defense uh that the way the contract was drafted um the payment was for additional services and in the absence of additional services, no payments would be due. So
that's my update on the the matter. I'm happy to take any questions. um we gave you the the backup which was a compilation of what had been provided before. Um and so I think the question
to to you is what are the the next steps and the next steps um vary from uh continuing uh non-payment um sending them um an approved version
of the mutual termination agreement which if they did accept would be a general release of both parties and we could um move forward and you know uh perhaps um uh get a future agreement for
uh the services that are actually needed and desired by the the community. Um uh or um you know you could always uh acquies to the demand letter um and
resume uh the normal operations of the contract. So I leave it to you for direction. >> Valerie, do we have any public comment? >> I'll read it. Borrow it. >> Phyllis Manilia Lockahi Groves resident.
Every taxpayer in Lockahhatchee groves has been and will continue to contract sheriff's services through our Palm Beach County taxes. If that is not the case, remove that charge from my taxes
so we can I can give it to the town to hire somebody to serve and protect us. Thank you. Anybody else? >> Okay, you have your light on for a second. >> Yeah. Where's uh where's Todd's email?
Last page. I got multiple packets up here. So, I was like, >> it is um the public record that um council uh uh member McClendon got is on page 54 of
the package that was given to you last week. So, this was a public records request that you did, not an email somebody sent you, >> correct? I was under the impression was the communication that you got >> I had saw an email form and I went to the sheriff's office and did a public
records request to get it get it copy. >> So this was the press release that was sent out. >> I think I shared with council the press release from CBS 12 News um in the agenda package as
well. I think the most relevant part in this halfway down the last paragraph where it says that area will receive services consistent with unincorporated Palm Beach County which is what we've been asking for. >> What was the date of that? >> Oh, this is a 2007. So, October 1, 2007.
>> What is this? >> So, >> no, this was just sent >> Oh, well, it says right here on October 1, 2007. I you know I >> definitely went in the contract. This has went into a contractual relationship, right? >> Effective for the past 18 years. Yeah. Where did this come from?
>> This this came from this was a press release that was sent to the press. >> Oh, >> back in just in December, I believe it was. >> Yeah, it was in the beginning of December. >> Well, you know, we've maintained that they they've been saying that all along. I think, you know, no offense to the folks in the in the in the uh gallery,
but you know, every time I no matter which news outlet I listen to or I read, it talks about our inability to pay. And if anybody was paying attention back when we did our budget or they did their research and back when we're having budget discussions about this, we decided to put that money aside till we
made a further decision. So it's not that we have the inability to pay. I like to keep saying that we do have the ability to pay. It's the matter of fact that we don't agree that we should be paying for this premium service that we still are trying to figure out. I mean the one portion that says that we're paying, you
know, for the chance we might need a marine unit. What what do we need a marine unit for? So if that's a you know I think that we need that you know >> I I think I think the mixup was what we said was we were being fiscally responsible moving forward and trying to
use our tax dollars for projects we needed in town and that was that morphed somehow into that we have the inability to pay. >> Correct. So for the second or third time I just want to go on the record of saying again at this meeting that we never said we couldn't pay it. We were saying that albeit we enjoy the police
the sheriff's department services and we do you know we pay for that already this 680 almost 3/4 of a million dollars can be better spent in our town on infrastructure costs and things of that nature. It's not that, you know, that that's, you know, we pay, every taxpayer
in Palm Beach County pays a fee on their taxes, a percentage of taxes, and I don't have the number right in front of me. Shame on me. But every town, every me, every citizen of Palm Beach County that pays taxes, owns a piece of land, a portion of their taxes goes to pay for the sheriff. Okay? And we're not saying
the sheriff doesn't do a good job. That's not what we're saying. We're saying that in a town that is 12 square miles in area, and correct me if I'm getting a number wrong, approximately >> nine square miles. >> Nine square nine square miles. Nine square miles. My bad. Nine square miles
approximately 3,500 persons that, you know, this is a little egregious. I can take you to denser populated, smaller towns that have a higher crime rate than we do. Um, so I mean all that being said, I know I've said that before and I just want to say it again because you
know whether it be Facebook, no offense, the media, what have you, it's being portrayed as something else. Um, I I do I I've heard what Mr. Curts has to say and I do I I just I think it might be responsible of us to follow our
contract. We have we give this notice. it the contract stipulates that we're supposed to give six months notice. Am I correct? >> Right. >> There is a termination provision within the contract um that says by March 30 if you want to terminate the contract, you
should do so on or before March 31st so that it is effective for the following October. >> Right? >> And so in with respect to >> so nonalions we haven't we did not give that notice. >> We did not give that notice. Right? So I
I think it might be more responsible of us to and and we can you know I I really hate but I think we should maybe take a step back. We issue the letter that as of you know the end of this fiscal year we're done with the
contract so we're meeting our contractual obligation and we pay our back fee. That's that's my two cents. >> Okay. >> I mean >> anybody else have anything to say? Yeah, I want to, you know, add on to what Paul said about the finances here.
We have tens of millions of dollars of infrastructure that needs to be done and it hasn't happened because we don't want to jack up taxes and kill people with taxes. We've got to figure out where we need to spend our money and where it's more wisely spent and this premium service contract is not a priority when
we have major infrastructure issues here. Right. So, that that's where I stand with it. Um, right with Paul in that regard. Um, I'm kind of curious, Paul. They haven't provided the service for over two months. So, are you saying that they should get paid for that service for the last two months that
they didn't provide service? >> Again, I'm not a lawyer, right? Never never pretended to be one. Um, and you know, I I >> they admitted they didn't provide. >> They they stated they didn't provide it, right? So, I I guess you know, it would
be up to prove it in a court of law. if it went that far. They stated and somewhat but not in a press release. They just stated, right? There's is there really public record to that that they stated that we ceased in December? >> Well, the attorneys had
>> because now they're saying they just ceased it this month. >> They're verifying that it still ceased. >> They've had a conversation with Jeff that it ceased back in when was that in middle of December? I think the conversation the conversation that I can recall was uh December 18th or so might
be off by a day or >> so December 18th which is which is what we that's what we had approved to pay through correct >> conversation I had you had a conversation earlier >> December 1st >> that that's what we yeah that's what I'm saying when we when we did the budget that we agreed to pay that up up to that point right and then was a decision-m
process and so >> well if they if they terminate our services then no they shouldn't okay we so maybe we omit December and January. I as I understand >> asking for right now is December and January. That's what the 118,000 was.
>> But okay, I understand that's what they're asking for. So, I'm saying maybe maybe we omit that, but we just re, you know, issue the notice. This is the plan. We can have further discussions about this down the road and not every single meeting and and and look at this
at a holistic thing instead of, you know, I don't know. It's And I get that people are confused, upset. >> That's going to really confuse them if we start the service back up again. >> Well, I mean, >> that's really going to be confusing. We
didn't >> No, I I think I think I I don't think it's going to confuse anybody when you say due to our contract stipulating that we have a six-month clause in there. We needed to do this, but they didn't provide service for two months, so we're not doing this. I don't think I don't think there's anything confusing about that. I think where people are confused
and where we keep need to keep driving home and I don't know why if it comes from up here it's not being believed or what have you. Um, maybe it's the propaganda machine, I don't know. But, you know, we still get services to a town that hasn't increased in a
crime rate, etc. substantially since we entered into this agreement for this exorbitant amount of money. Right. So, I don't know. I just I I again, I'm not a contract lawyer, so Right. >> Can we let Lisa have attorney? >> Yeah. Sorry, Lisa. Sorry.
>> Lisa, >> I have more, but go ahead. Well, you light up. >> I did. >> Oh, okay. I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> So, Todd, now you're saying you want to take the money that we're going to save and spend it on infrastructure, but you proposed this as a refund to people. >> I'm saying potentially next year then we
can look at the budget differently next year. >> Oh, so next year we're not going to give them a refund, which was how you sold this is this would be an annual thing. >> We might lower the millage rate back to three or the roll back rate. Okay. >> That'll be a decision we'll make in that budget. >> Okay. So if the concern is that well
they didn't provide it for two months but we can provide a uh notice to terminate within the boundaries of the actual contract perhaps they provide us two additional months of service on the flip side after you know October and November for the next fiscal year you
know so you know that says we recognize that you didn't provide those services but realistically we've got four options with this money either pay the contract, we hold the money back and we hold on to it for the legal battle that's going to come that potentially from breach of
contract, your proposal of refunding money to people, or we put it aside for the matching funds that we're going to have to come up with a million and a half should we be so fortunate as to get our appropriations this year. So, there's a lot of pots that this money
could go into, but I believe legally we have that obligation. And when you look at the ordinance as your defense of saying we have this ordinance in place, it says providing that in the event there is no contract, there's a
contract, a legally binding contract. So this ordinance, Mr. Attorney, would apply in such a way that I don't call this a defense of of what choice has been made so far. My that's are only my points. Thank you.
>> Done. Marge. Yeah. Um when we had uh the um officers in charge of the uh patrolmen that uh patrolled our town and they did their monthly reports.
The monthly reports always said little or no issues with um the the residents within our town. So why the big swing up to 600,000?
Well, if you look back at the the timeline, that's when the commercial started opening up. So I I think that we need to start negotiating with them regarding
the commercial handling more of the expense than what they are doing now because the residents shouldn't have to pick up for what's going on in the commercial area. It it just doesn't make
any sense. So when we started down this path, we talked about trying to negotiate a different contract and there was two BPSO representatives that met with each of us. I don't know if Paul ever met. >> No. >> So nice guys that were here, very
professional. However, they weren't the ones that could make the decision, right? We never got with the person that could make the decision. So and in all fairness, each of us council members can't make the decision either. So when we sit down and we try to negotiate with the sheriff, there is no pos no
possibility for us to make a decision either. That's why it's important that we vote on this tonight. So we say this is where we stand. Whether it's a three to two or it's unanimous or whatever it is, this is where we stand as of today.
And until we do that, we're just as bad as they are in the way of negotiating. We're not giving them anything in concrete. When you go to buy a house, you put an offer in writing, right? You don't do verbal because verbal means nothing. And what we've done so far is verbal and what they've done is verbal so far. Let's put something in writing
to them. This mutual agreement of termination. Maybe he'll come back with a counter offer. Maybe he'll say, "Okay, meet us halfway. There's six months of the contract left for that year. I'll do three months and we'll cut three months." Whatever it might be. But until we vote on it and give him something,
it's all it's all talk, right? So, that's where I see it. Um, making the payment back for two months for a service they didn't provide is ludicrous. And and in fact, the contract isn't contrary to our charter because our charter says that no contracts in effect until the county attorney signs
it, which he hasn't. So, if we have authorized to make payment tonight or moving forward, it's in violation of our charter. And, you know, it's not an aspiring contract, right? This is a contract we have to hold wholeheartedly.
So I would hope none of us would vote to make a payment with a contract that's in violation of our charter. One of the options is there await further action if any from PBSO. This is ridiculous. We've been doing this for months. >> Yeah, we've been making payments on that contract for months, too.
>> I know. In violation of our charter. So I hope you wouldn't want to continue that. >> How many of other contracts have not been signed by the attorney? >> Mr. Tivia never signed the contract. >> No. >> No. The contract that we're under right now has not been signed by by was not signed by the attorney and payments went out and I would hope we wouldn't support
continuing that in violation of our charter. Um we can send this mutual agreement to terminate and if he signs it then back to Lisa's point about the ordinance that was in place then there would be no contract right and then it would be
satisfied >> because there would be no contract. there is a contract. >> But if but if we send a mutual agreement and he signs that, then there is no contract. You follow what I'm saying? >> Okay. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> But if there if if if
Torivia didn't sign the contract, but we paid the contract, right, that was that was approved by a previous council, right? >> So, and we continue to pay that. Isn't there like an assumption of of you're honoring that contract? So there
therefore it's binding. Jeff, I mean the stand on the fact that the attorney didn't sign it is is that really a five words less. >> I have explained to anybody that wanted to ask that question that that is not our best defense.
>> Okay. >> I'm not saying it's a legal defense, but I'm saying as a council, we're supposed to we're supposed to withhold the charter, right? We uphold the charter, right? And the charter says no contract with the town shall take effect until his or her approval is so endorsed thereon. Talking about the town.
>> So is it in violation of the charter because previous councils were paying that and approve they approved the contract to civia law didn't sign the contract but the payments got approved. Right. So is that
>> you see where I'm going? Is it violation of the >> is it a violation of the charter >> at one at what point I'm assuming? >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. At what points if you're going to put me on the spot? I don't think so because that that
uh contract was negotiated by uh that law firm. I believe there is a resolution associated with that contract and that resolution I think was um approved by the the council and I believe it was signed that resolution
was signed by um the uh the attorneys. Um I have said that I do not think that is a great argument or defense um as to the validity of the contract. >> Okay. Okay. So, I applaud you for trying
to uphold the charter. I get I get that. I That's why we're here, right? I I get that. I But as as our >> I'm saying it's a legal defense. I'm saying we're supposed to uphold the charter. >> Okay. >> It's our but it all boils down to you know if it's legal or not. So if if if the previous if what if Mr. Tori didn't
sign the charter or the excuse me did not sign the contract but we passed a resolution. We meaning the council that was sitting here pass a resolution approving the contract whether it be three to two or unanimous right
then it's a resolution thereby what I'm understanding from Jeff is it's de facto is everybody signed the contract because he signed the resolution as well correct because every resolution the attorney signs correct >> he signed the resolution but not the contract >> right so I think we're splitting hairs so back so so so I mean and I'm sure I'm
going to catch grief for not defending the charter now that you brought it up, but that's okay because I'm I'm thinking I'm just trying to understand. >> Can I can I just ask a question here real quick? >> Um do you mind if I ask a question? >> So, can I just get um some kind of a consensus? It's just take a step back
for a second. is everyone in agreement that regardless of what we do about this year's contract that we send a letter of termination imminently before the March 1st deadline for next year. Is everyone do I have do
we have a consensus on that >> there? >> Well, I was going to kind of make a motion, but >> Well, I just want to take a step back. It's part of my thought process. I'm just trying to get an idea. Does everybody have consensus for that moving forward? >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. You are >> I'm on the fence. >> You're on the fence?
>> Yeah, I'm I was I I was just going to make a motion to see outland because I I still think that we we are contractually obligated to do what we got to do. >> Well, I'm not talking about the current contract. I'm not talking about the resolution of that. I'm talking about >> that is the current contract. >> That is but that that's what we're doing and we're we're terminating the current
contract whether because the current contract doesn't expire in October. It expires next October. >> But there's a provision in there that every year you should >> I I understand that. But we this is the first step we got to take. So >> make a motion.
>> So my motion won't >> already commenting. Make a motion Paul. >> Yeah. So So my my motion was that I I move that we that we approve this. Excuse me. What is the term of this document again, Jeff?
>> Uh mutual termination. >> Mutual termination. think I couldn't come up with the mutual the mutual termin termination agreement with a caveat that you know we're going we will this will be exercised as of you know October unless they can come back and and negotiate a better
>> that that's not how the contract's written >> I understand that but we would have to enter into a new contract >> make a motion >> I make a motion to uh reinstate payments to the sheriff with the revisiting of termination of
the contract per the agreement with the March 31st deadline. >> Basically, we pay what we've said we'll pay, >> right? >> That's where we go when you said it a little better than that. Well, I I will amend my motion to
reinstate payment with the caveat that we negotiate the days that services were not provided per the contract to be provided on the back end of the fiscal year of 2026 and to plan to terminate the contract
per its uh what would be the uh stipulations within the contract of March 31st. That was the part I was asking about. Yes, >> it will be revisited in within the terms of the contract. >> Second,
>> is it March 31st or March 1st? They have to have notice. >> 31st. >> March 31st, I believe. >> That's what I've been told like 10 times. Um, >> but we would probably bring that formally back to you if uh uh for
ratification uh in February uh if you if that was your inclination or this memor this uh motion if passed would probably do it. >> All right. Thanks. >> I'm still con I'm still a little bit
unclear. You're not saying that as part of this action we're giving the notice to termination according to the terms of the contract. You're saying that we're just going to talk about it in a month >> with the caveat that we would, you know, reserve the right to terminate per the
stipulations of the contract >> doesn't need to be there unless we're making that decision. Right? Because >> clarifying for what we're discussing up here's purposes. So, >> I guess there's a motion to second >> and it's 605. >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. All
in favor? >> I >> oppose. >> Opposed? >> Opposed? >> Fails 302, >> right? I guess we'll see at the next meeting. >> Well, we we still have more. We still got to figure out something here. I make a motion to approve the M mutual release
a termination agreement and send to PBSO for their formal response. >> And you're going to continue to not make payment. >> Correct. >> There I mean we almost have a gentleman's agreement at this point. They're not providing service. We're not providing payment. This mutual agreement ratifies that.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Opposed passes three to two. Yeah, >> I would like to still try to do uh some negotiation with them to come up with another contract.
>> That's kind of where I was going on the on the back side, but you know, that's >> I've said, >> yeah, I think we need a little more. I mean, when you read this thing, it's like like I said, marine unit. >> We'll get >> we need search and rescue in in the water. It's going to come from fire
rescue. It's not going to come from >> PBSO. Yeah, we'll get the the document to you all for execution tomorrow and we'll forward it when it's completely executed, but we have direction. Thank you.
>> Okay, on to our next meeting. >> Are we moving or we doing it here? >> We go down there because it's a little bit >> just checking >> usually. I mean, >> yeah. No, I was just checking. >> You want to stay up here >> before I got up? I'm 51 now.
Things are crazy. That's your question. >> You're 51. Oh, you poor deer. >> 51 months in the world. Somebody >> was this before. >> Okay. Otherwise, I'd like
you. >> Oh, we have like we have a side seats now for the informal. So, this we have a side. >> Yeah, like boys in the middle of this. remember a couple members for the public out
there. Is there anything anybody wants to talk about? >> I have a public comment. >> Okay, go for it. >> Somebody's dropped off because it could stay. Well, if I could intervene real quick, I just wanted to give an update to the two that weren't Tallahassee with us. Um, what took place there. Anita did
a fantastic job as usual representing us. Um, Lisa and I were there for backup. It worked great. The three of us worked great together, I thought. Um, we met with a couple uh representatives and the governor's office. Those seem to
go okay. Um, we met with Department of Commerce and I was shocked as to how many people were there. There was seven people in the meeting, five of us, seven from their side. So, that's pretty impressive. It was like the whole building was meeting with us. >> Did you discuss rual designation?
>> Well, we did. And it's not really a rural designation because Mangonia Park has a rural designation. >> Oh, and they're way less rural than we are. >> It's really you're poor, is that >> it's a poor It's a poor designation. and small populace
>> rural and poor are synony >> so because so because 1% of the population here is not poor were not poor correct >> correct >> right so yeah that that definitely came up in the conversation because I'm like how is Mangonia Park they don't have probably one agricultural property in
Mangonia Park and I'm like yeah it's not rural >> not rural it's very misleading >> correct correct they really need to change the name of it but anyway so I mean they had seven heads of of department commerce there. And I mean, I I think we're going to probably get something out of it. Whether we're going
to get the tens of millions out of them, I doubt it, but I think we're going to get something. Um, our lobbyists up there opened doors with that that we would have never gotten without those lobbyists being there. Um, it was good. We had good feedback. >> Thank you. >> So, that's where it's at. It was cold.
Um, not as we got out of there just in time because I think it was 19 the next day >> and snowing. So, this this were the things that League of Cities uh gives us as resources. Um, so you can sign up for the what is it the Monday call-in or something? It's like a legislative
update every Monday morning. It's like a 30-minute call. >> So, yeah, we got them in Tallahassee. So, okay. Just wanted you guys to have that >> by email. Are you not on I get that by email. >> I do, but I like paper. >> So, I >> She's tactile. I
except when there's a hurricane. Yes. Then they just all over my property. So >> you're done. >> Okay. >> But yeah, thank you for any of you. They great up there. I was >> I appreciate >> very impressed. Very impressed. >> Thanks. Thanks for going guys. Sorry I couldn't go with you.
>> Yes, the speed speed dating. Let me tell you when you come around that corner between those buildings and the capital and that's 29 degree >> Yeah. temperature and that wind issue that Tuttles do that we were all like we're not in South Florida.
>> And to add to that, I think the the lobbyists did a great job getting us indoors and and in front of the right people and and making sure that our issues were brought forward and and make sure we it's obviously like all government things, it's very structured how it has to process. So, right, making
sure we don't miss any deadlines, getting things in order and stuff like that. So, >> yeah. >> So, they earn their pay. Is that what you're saying? >> They're earning their pay. Earn their >> pay for sure. Yeah. >> And the thing is, they made it very clear and we know this
from working with lobbyists in the past is it doesn't end with what they did for us up there. I mean, they're in there every week. They're >> you know, they're they're Yeah. It's as they called it. Yeah. The 60-day sprint. are constantly putting our um
case before these people um for the specific things that we want. So that we voted on that we wanted. So that's great. >> I'm certain if we tried to make an appointment, we wouldn't have gotten seven people from Department of Commerce, right? >> That would not have happened. You know, I mean, we went to the conference room and it's like, who are all these people
for? And it's like, oh, they're for us. >> You know, you might have been lucky to get three aids, right? >> It's another meeting. Like we go, oh, do you guys have this room? And they're like, no, we're here for you. were like, "Really? >> Where's everybody else? >> Better be on good be." >> Cool.
>> Well, I mean, it made me happy because last year that guy just I said, "I really felt like he was on our team and he really liked us and he really wanted to help us and then things kind of fell through with the royal designation or the four designation, whatever you want to call it. Um, but he's the one who arranged this group. Like he's he seems
really determined to help us. So, it's a it's a great it's a great feeling coming out of there. So looking forward to the future that he'll come through for us. >> Well, and I think too, sorry, >> they're they're certain our fireworks bill will get passed, by the way. So, >> I think it's the fourth time it's in front of him, isn't it? >> Right.
>> So, >> so what what about the I know there's been some hoopla about the legitimacy of this latest grant that we've received and it's it's ties to the commerce and our rule designation and there that's
not a thing, right? >> Those aren't tied together. We don't we don't >> designation has to do with matching funds >> but there is >> but right no you don't have to match for that grant because it was put in >> all the commerce grants last year were
put in before the date that we lost our role exit. So yes we still have I think seven more in the queue. Was it seven or nine? She corrected me. I can't remember. It's one of those numbers. We still have a number that are still in the queue, >> right? >> That for some of our big ticket items like
>> the big infrastructure items. Should we get any of those, those will be non matching. So that's good news. As is the what we've already gotten is non-matching. >> And we've still got to get some good pictures. I had kind of forgotten about that. >> I had too. We need to do that. >> Yeah.
>> Remember we talked about sending in pictures. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Failing culverts. >> Craig. Craig got his pictures, but it was like, well, it's not it's kind of like, well, it's clean. It says, I'm like, it's really like he suggested find the original shot or at least close out
here and then get one of them to stand next to because they've met these people in person so they can see like the size of the structure and and so this thing is actually 60 years old, right? And so not no modernization here. and you know explaining to them how we're you know a
gravity flow system and we're surrounded by modernized system that are pushing water into the C-51 and we wait we sit here and twiddle our thumbs and the people at the south end are >> stay t my kayak's upside down big picture that's well we told them that not only is there nobody left to work on
it because the one guy in Thousand Islands that used to come over here to work on it and we'd have to pay his like four hours travel back and forth on top of everything else he died apparently. So now, no, now is there no longer nobody to work on it, but all our parts have to be fabricated. They were like, "Well, how old is this?"
>> Before you were born, >> you need a guy with a with a forge and a fire and make things. >> It's gone anyhow. >> Paul, you want to read your thing? >> Yeah. So, um um what is Joe's last name? I always
Sicilian. I say it wrong over time, so I don't want to say it wrong. So, Jose Siliano stopped by before the meeting and she dropped this off and um it's it's in regards to the uh safe sight corners on the driveways,
you know, and and she was bringing she brought a couple good points to mine um or to um to bear and I didn't really didn't pay attention when I got the notice on my gate or the mailbox, whichever it was, but I guess there was some um courtesy notices that were placed along
B- Road uh this past week or this weekend. Um, and she had never seen this before, but you know, the the code itself in regard to those driveways is very vague. There's some there's some variables that could come into play and there's only like one
diagram or two diagram. So, she's asking that we um kind of come to a consensus to put a halt to this NOV situation for the the driveways and have ULDC take a look at the code as a whole when it comes to the driveway and make
sure there's some concrete stipulations in there and and more detailed. >> I think that's a good idea, >> you know, instead of issue some citations now and they go, "Oh, wait." And then people come back, what are you talking about? this this so I I can tell you you know safe sight corners outside
of here like if you have a fence that comes to a corner of a road even if it's a three rail fence which that was a a topic but um even three rail fences get you know obstruct vision it's a 35 foot clipped corner right >> no at the that's the intersection of
public roadways >> I'm saying outside of here >> oh outside >> outside of here sorry I missed that you know you have a resident you have you know residential property you know say 73rd and Banyan. 73rd comes up to Banyan, you're hitting the the the main
road there and that corner property can't bring their fence out to the corner of the property line. It's got to have a safe side corner, right? So, uh you know, I I think the the the ask is to have ULDC take a look at this code because it's it's kind of vague.
>> I think actually she used as an example because she was talking to me about this earlier. Um she used as an example somebody who got one of those NIVs this week and they ripped they dutifully went out there and ripped all their hedges and everything out right so their fence
is clear but then they printed Kucius. So I so I you know like people are trying to follow the rules and trying to remedy but they're remedying with something that like if it has to be 36 in they're going to going to be they're going to play hell to try to keep
>> Oh you mean the height? Yeah. at that height for you know in the long run. So it really I think what her point was that the guidelines need to be clear for what you can do to re rectify it. Um so what is it that we want to put on the agenda? We want to because we obviously can't vote here at this meeting. So we
want to ask >> stop the enforcement >> to stop >> one of the requests right and what are not all code enforcement. Let's be careful sight triangle. >> Sight triangle. Do we need a vote? Can't we just have a consensus to give direction? Yeah, that's >> Yeah, >> we don't need that. We're not voting on a resolution.
>> Bite triangle and have the uldc review >> the specific. >> So, >> you just jump right in. >> Jump in. >> Why are you removing the site? >> We're not removing anything. And And again, remember, hold on, hold on, hold
on, hold on, hold on one second. Hold on one second. I just want to I just want to be clear, okay? um just because we want to make rules clear so we can all talk at any time and it's not against what you're saying. So we're trying to you know correct
something that wasn't heard but you got to talk in the mic. So >> thank you. >> Yeah. >> So um I'm just wondering why you're removing this from code. >> This was requested by Joseana to be um reviewed >> and nobody's review removing it from
code. Correct. >> We're putting a halt on the current NOOVs because they're inconsistent and vague. >> Diagrams are incorrect. They're being >> until it goes to ULDC and we can clear it up and make it more clear. >> Then this is one of those busy work scenarios. I think that this is like
lowhanging fruit that we can make something kind of like BTRs and then >> it's not SB 180. >> Yeah. And it's not Yeah. It's it's it's like one of those things that we're trying to start enforcing the code a little more. But I think I think this one all be it public safety. So, we need
to hammer it down before we really start enforcing it. So, at this point, I don't think it's I don't think it's enforceable at this point anyway. Again, it's >> anything else you wanted to say, fellas. >> Okay, Virginia, did you >> just waiting for you to finish this topic and then we have something?
>> Oh, well, we're going to jump on to something else. >> I Yes, but we're moving on from site trials, I think. So, we have a consensus though that we're gonna suspend and >> a Thank you. >> So, I handed out this is um a print out
of what language is currently for our strategic plan on our website. We have to have this uh in house complete by March 1st. So, I thought we should um take a look at it tonight and uh at least have direction maybe at our
council meeting to give back to staff so that uh this is adopted. And you know, I've talked about trying to create um metrics that uh performance can be measured by um per my assignment
of communication. I met with the town clerk uh regarding Asana and um she had a couple of suggestions with Asauna. Um one of the things is getting people trained on it. It is a workflow
management software. I called it electronic sticky notes. >> So it will give you little reminders that you need to you know have something completed or shared with the team and the team all gets the same notifications >> to like everybody who's involved in. Oh, that's cool.
>> So, let's say, you know, Paul and Marge and Todd were assigned something and um they got together and said, you know, Marge, you're the go-to person for this, so we need that back by February 15th. >> It would remind you back and they'd get reminders, hey, where's Marge on on this
because we need to get back that back. So, in one of the complaints I think we've all heard um since we got on council and this program was brought on board by somebody who has used it successfully previously, which was Valerie, the town clerk. Um she
suggested that the town uh engage a training program. She had a number I I would not want to say the number incorrectly. I want to say $3,500 for three sessions uh to get um people to learn the program and then possibly
>> it's only good if people actually use it. >> Correct. Right. And if people don't know how to use it or they're using it at such a low level, it's still not efficient enough. You know, there as I said, you know, your little sticky note fell behind your desk, right? When you and it's stuck to the other back of your file and I didn't see that sticky note.
So Marge is never really gonna be held accountable because she didn't see the sticky note. So if they're not using the system properly and it isn't it isn't engaging them in a way that's effective, then we're spending money for a program that we're not really getting the benefit of. So I would ask council to
consider um funding the training program uh which is of course under the manager's uh spending threshold but I think >> we have that money in our training budget as well. >> Right. And I think from the from my report from communications, um, this would be something that they stressed
was really important because it is going to help, you know, tickle the person that says, "Hey, you need to come back with this." And keeping the workflow going so that you don't have to get up and walk to somebody else's office because they didn't answer their phone and, you know, leave them a note that falls in the trash can.
>> You want to put a $3,500 ceiling on it. Is that the number you remember to stick or do you want to leave it put like a $5,000? Why don't you ask Valerie to to bring that up for us and have her present it in case I got the wrong number? Um and uh >> but again to both y'all's points, it's
below the threshold and it's >> I was asked to bring communications forward. >> No, what I'm saying is is is is why are we having to approve the training? It's below the threshold and and it's what >> I think it's more to put it on our radar, right? Okay. And then I think at
the end of that training, I think every employee should be signing off that yes, I understand that I know how to use the program and and then when they're not using it, then there's something to follow up with of hey, >> what you know, why are you not using this deadline because you didn't use
that? Why did Sam >> We talked about accountability, right? Accountability communications is really at the crux of accountability. >> It sounded like we're looking for approval for $3,500 >> sauna training update. basically at the next meeting. >> Yeah. >> And something that's marketable for the
employee to move on to another town. >> The sauna skill set. I I would imagine any of those, you know, >> I mean, uh, >> most most trainings are though. >> I don't think there I don't think there's any certificate in it. And even even Valerie said, I'm I'm underutilizing. It's very powerful. It's
for multi-level corporations. concerned with the uh the past uh people that we've uh spent money on training and they blown the goop. >> Yeah. No, Marge, I think this is kind of lowlevel, you know, hey, this is email. This is how you >> kind of like using Excel. If you don't
know how to use Excel, we can take you to a class and we teach you how rudimentary ways to use. >> She said 3500 in the big scheme of training is a pretty in and it it's really >> I think it's really a basic level. >> Is it a just is it a group thing or is it like an individually self-paced? >> It was a group thing. It was a group
that comes in and presents and Okay. And >> you should know how to use the program by the time it's done. >> So, >> like you said, the basic elementary, it's kind of like Blackbod, the thing that we use for the finances. Blackbot is like this >> unbelievably super powerful thing, which is really great, which I used years and
years ago in institutional advancement in schools, big schools in Maryland. And I mean, I went to weeks of Blackbod training and probably mastered a tenth of the program in like literally weeks of training. So
I this is probably very similar to >> Yeah. Yeah. And and for her, remember Valerie, this is her program that she builds the agenda through. So you know, >> and she's doing the newsletter through it and everything else. >> No, that's through Civic Plus. >> Civic. >> So this all comes through that process.
And you know, we ask where's backup and you know, she's like, I'm still waiting from so and so for that. So hopefully this will help expedite those things and and we will all see things that we've set in place as you know, you need to have this. >> Well, I have to say thank you because this helps toward my succession piece.
So thank you. Good job. Thanks, Lisa. >> Do you have something to report out on that so we can go around? >> No, Valerie and I have to have to meet. It's my bad. We haven't said it. We've talked about it. >> Ideas. >> Yeah. Do you have anything to report on on your project? >> Yeah, >> I do have public comment. I
>> Okay, excuse me for one second. Um, so my project was the anniversary. >> Um, it went to the Wellington anniversary and I decided a couple of things. First of all, >> we probably don't have enough time to build an amphitheater, but it would be really cool if we did. And if we did, we
would not have generators. We'd have plug-in electricity because it's really loud with generators. So, I came up with away with a lot of good ideas, but there was a couple of things. Um they did a magazine um for it with Wellington magazine um and I preliminary made contact with both because they happen to
be my same so I see them all the time and have a relationship with so I've done a preliminary contact with them I thought that might be a good thing to explore some kind of a you know Lahi Groves not obviously not the full glossy Wellington magazine which probably costillions of dollars but something a little bit more you know like the Ellie
Hole book of uh Lahi Groves then and now um yeah something commemorative so I've kind of reached out to him preliminarily to do that. Um, and thought about and talked to Valerie. We've had a meeting about the costs of the Veterans Day and
Founders Day event that we had this last year. Um, so what I'm going to do is come to you all and ask you for a budget of $20,000. I don't think we'll spend it all, but that's what I'm going to come to you and ask. I'm going to try to build around that. So, I'm just letting you know that. If you think that's a
egregious and horrible amount to spend, you can let me know that. Um, >> well, in the past for the 10th anniversary, we did a mailer of a calendar to every house, >> right? We we're going to mail out a piece. We're going to do Yeah, we're talking about a lot of stuff. >> We did it twice,
>> right? But I we have two mailers in the in the works, but before all of that happens, I have to know how much money there is to spend. And then you kind of curtail that. So, what I I would propose, and I'm just giving you guys time to think about it, whether you think it's a horrible idea, whatever,
because I can't we can't talk about budgeting and money other than at a meeting. But, um, I think that that's a number that we could do it inside of that um inside of that number and have it be something really nice for the town. Try to combine it with like the Veterans Day and the
and have a Founders Day component, too, and try to have it kind of be all one big celebration. Um, so anyhow, that's where we're at with that. I have started working on it. Um, all right. You want to let Virginia give her public comment and then we'll dive
into the strategic plan. Lisa, is that is that what what your intention is? >> I have I have two public comments. Um, the first regards Okachobee Boulevard name change. I've talked to or actually they've talked to me saying they have not received any notification from the
town and one uh person I talked to said they weren't even aware of the issue. So my question is is notification being sent out to these land owners you said they had 30 days uh to object and if no notification is being sent out are you just
automatically changing the name and and claiming you didn't have an objection? I think we said three days notified. I think we said three days upon notification. >> Yeah, we're a notification I don't think has gone out yet, has it? >> Right. That's what I'm asking for clarification. It did say 30 days after
notification. That is the question that's being asked out there. >> Okay. And in the Elio Hope book, some people had asked where is the mention of Middle Road? And three or four times
Ellie Hope makes comment about it. So, >> but it's never been technically documented on a map as Middle Road from what I understand. She referred to it as Middle Road. When we moved down, >> yeah, >> but no maps showed it as Middle Road.
Just >> someone had posted maps. I have I don't know if they were taken down. People had referred to as Middle Road. When I moved out here in Okchobee, it was a dirt road. it was Okachobee Boulevard when we moved out here. Um the second comment I'm listening to you talk over the
previous meetings about the and I may be saying this correctly the Florida Commerce there was uh money or grant and it was geared towards commercial. I want to remind you and a lot of people in this community forget and I'm not sure what how Florida Commerce thinks about
this. As we all know agriculture has a commercial component which is different from the commercial component of what is on >> explain that to them viferously. Our commercial travels through the town. Our commercial is our blacksmiths and our
veterinarians and our feed suppliers and agric and >> yes so that feed us and do things for us. My question is for clarification with Florida Commerce because I know as
example you talk about we realize we need a lot of money but the we might be affordable under a grant from them because it'll benefit pushing the water back which supposedly I realize the canal water may not be the best to use but apparently it keeps our wells from
becoming brackish. So if you can put those where's in along Okachobee Boulevard that benefit the commercial agricultural operations, >> it's just it's all Yeah. No, it's all in there. And we stressed it repeatedly. At least they gave them lessons on on gra
on gravity. >> They gave lessons on gravity. Lessons on static electricity. He gave lessons on >> everybody knows about the we >> right >> everybody knows about our gra >> how they vanished in the
>> and there is knows about our travel in commerce >> and our seage from the north >> there is one third item which I'll go before you uh ulc on the it's basically referred to as sight lines generically out in the other communities and do we
call it line of sight here um obviously intersections for traffic sight lines are critical for municipality for health and safety. However, there are vary various degrees. So, when you're reviewing this view, and I'll come back
before you, what I'm finding is an inconsistency. Some communities have the sighteline for driveways. And I would suggest to you, it's >> exactly what Joe was saying. It's different for driveways. It's different for streetways. It's different.
bottom line throughout the the state, sightelines for major intersections throughout a community. That's a number one essential. Your sight lines for a driveway, you know, pre-existing properties if you want to make that that and and you're correct to stop it right
now because there are inconsistencies and maps are are crazy. But you may want to if you want to put in sight line, you know, sight lines for driveways. this should be for new construction going forward to have to have everybody who has a driveway. Um the cost can be
prohibitive. So that's all I want to say on that. >> And to to your point, Virginia, a lot of these times where these roads got widened historically, they had room to pull past their fence to see before, right? And now the roads right up against their fence or their hedge or their whatever, >> right? And then that's that's created a
site problem that didn't get stuck to there basically >> or they had a three-way stop and that got removed >> or that potentially >> I can tell you the town of Palm Beach does not have it because it's dangerous over there. I mean >> Amen. >> Yeah. Amen. >> Driving around the town of Palm Beach and
>> like 20 foot >> hanging on the street. Yeah, it is the I can tell you I think the sticky situation is going to be as Virginia said pre-existing fences, agricultural fences
>> or bonafideed agricultural properties, >> right? >> Cuz when they strip clear the property, they can put a fence wherever they want as long as it's on their property, >> right? >> So I think that >> which in my case would be two inches from the canal >> from the Yeah. Yeah. Well, you got a you
got an easement there for the road, right? >> There's no easement. >> No, there's no easement. >> No. >> So, no. Wow. Interesting. So, I I think that's going to be I think the design is going to be one thing, and we might find that we need to go to whomever and spend a couple bucks to get those designs
made, you know? I mean, that's that's >> Yeah, I think that's a good suggestion. So, >> we don't want I mean, no offense to ULDC, but they don't need to spend time like with uh rulers and protractors >> doing that all week.
I mean like like like ruler proctor making making details because I don't think that >> we could put something forward details wise that Oh, we got an engineer now, right? >> That's where she got the inconsistent thing. >> Yeah. So I think Yeah. So, >> okay, Phyllis, what do you got for us?
>> So, um I want to make an observation. Um, when I was sitting on council as a realtor, I pretty much had to disclose that every single time I talked about real estate property or anything. And I
wanted to disclose it. I wanted to be transparent. Most people in this town do know I'm a local real estate agent. However, I would appreciate it if you work for the county and you're going to vote on something for the county. And I'm saying
it to you right here. I'm not voting on anything. not on Facebook. Okay. >> I'm not voting for the county. What am I being away from you? If the county and you're going to vote on a county issue, I would just appreciate that you do. >> Phyis, all due respect for the county.
>> Phyllis, all due respect, >> my statement. >> Okay. Phyllis, all due respect, >> looking for a rebuttal. >> Okay. Well, this is an open forum, so I can rebut. All due respect. >> Thank you. All due respect. I've made it known that I work for the county. I also
>> What? What what were we talking about for the county? Talking about PBSO has nothing to do with my county job. So, >> wow. Okay. >> Just clarity. Okay. I had I had five different legal opinions. >> Do you work for the county? >> I work for the county.
>> I think everybody knows. >> Tracy, do I work for the county? Did I inspect your house? Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Inspected my barn, too. >> Yes. So, I mean, I have five different legal opinions from the county and from ethics in regard to me taking this position. >> Please don't get defensive. Let's
>> No, I just >> if I have to sing that Disney song, it's going to go badly. I'm just saying. >> Let it go. >> So, anyway, so >> and my neighbor >> I didn't inspect your house. >> I didn't inspect your house.
>> Yeah, you did. said you inspected the house I was purchasing >> while I wasn't helpful. >> Okay. >> No, >> whatever. >> Okay. All right. We need to recess, >> right? >> Or what are we recessing for? >> I don't know.
>> Okay. >> Go have a fight. >> All right. >> And we don't want anybody to leave us. >> We don't want anybody to be upset. >> I've seen it.
>> Oh. His daughter was younger then and he was forced. >> I'm sure >> he will. I'm sure they'll be on Facebook. Um, okay. So, what h how did you did you have an idea, Lisa, about
>> I think there's some fiscal year specific things that just need to be updated. That's pretty simple. Um I I read a couple other strategic plans from different cities if some some you can find online some you cannot. Ours ours is online. So that was helpful. Some are
built into their budgets and some of the language that they publish in their budgets which was an interesting way to to put it in there. So, what I would recommend is that again, we we look at some of how this is structured and and is that still still where we're going as
far as that it's consistent with, you know, what this council is looking to to provide. I noticed on here there's no nothing about code enforcement and I did have a fabulous meeting today with Mr. Buckley. Um, and
I hope he can I hope he can accomplish what he claims his skill set can, which would be fabulous. And and maybe that that could be part of this in a way that it helps educate people that the code enforcement
focus and direction that this council is is um promoting is that these things will >> it's not the I just want to state it the way that was said at another meeting which I think
>> you're going in and out. Sorry to making our community preserving our communities. >> Well, that's where I was value. Okay. All right. Okay. I hadn't gotten to the statement yet. >> Okay. Go. >> That this could in because this is kind
of >> this is kind of like a mission statement in lots of words. >> Yes. Um but creating a statement that um we're promoting it because what you just said, land values, land uses are
consistent and that previous uses that were not legal prior to the town becoming legal are still not legal, right? So, you know, these that kind of goes to the well, I'm grandfathered or I have vested rights claims. And um so I think possibly adding some verbiage in
this that promotes responsible code enforcement is probably the word I would most use. >> I also think this needs by wins. >> By. >> Yeah. By when is this going to be accomplished? By when? >> Okay. Like like a like a strategic goal.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. implementation first implementation which I think it's open-ended but I think >> well no but some of it is but you could put for some of the the sustainability I mean you could put the grants that were put in place this year as part of that
resilient you know what I mean like those are goals that actually those are goals that have actually been achieved this year and when we anticipate hearing about whether we're going to get them or not I mean we usually don't it's usually like a sixmonth window or something dreadful like that but still at least to have it there gives us something to keep
an eye on. And I think by are always really important because a lot of this stuff is open-ended and has remained open-ended for a very long time. Um, it's als you know some of this stuff is stuff that we've been talking I mean how long we've been talking about those not
those properties. >> I think we can add in here our 20th anniversary too. Like again that that's in there >> for this year. >> It is a fiscal year plan. So, um, >> add anniversary, add by when,
>> uh, add a code enforcement statement. >> That probably can be under public safety and maintenance. >> Yeah, I think it could be. >> Update, um, fiscal year data, right? Because there's numbers in here that are no longer no longer applicable
um, since our budget shrank >> a lot >> a lot. Um, so yeah, I just want to make sure, you know, Marge, you brought this up. I want to make sure that we get this under the umbrella. >> Yeah. >> And under the finish line there. So, >> but I think that's that's pretty simple.
I think overall most of them are relatively vague. It is like a a mission statement. It's sort of a >> Well, I mean, I think that a lot of the words can be taken out and that it can be replaced with bullet states and >> I like it. >> Goals. That would be a lot. I mean, I'm not saying take get rid of this.
>> Maybe use it as a structure. Yes, >> with a matrix or a chart that has those bullets, structure, goals. >> So, do we want to see that at our February meeting as a discussion item so we can give direction for that? >> Yeah, I think this is a >> I mean, I'll give I'll give this
direction and ask that we have some kind of a mock if possible a mock. Maybe sometimes it's possible, sometimes it's not. It's >> the existing one, right? >> It is. I printed it out today. >> Yeah. I like the road maintenance paving to reduce long-term costs.
Sorry, that's a little >> and world peace and >> lose weight this year that you know what is so is there a resolution >> so well thank you that check that off >> yeah I like violins I mean I'm you know and you don't always meet by lens but
they're good to have because at least it gives you an idea of what the framework this is a this is a a two-year goal this is a one-year goal this is you know >> this is a 20 year goal >> and bringing that up there was briefly I don't have the dates in front of me
sometime in the fall of 24 maybe to April of this past year we had a water control district website and it's gone vanished I think it was lockgro wcd.org org was
the domain name. It was great. It had >> because the girl left. >> I don't know. The special district um was required to have its own website. There's a few state law things that it had to do like it has to publish its budget and it has disappeared. So, I don't know if somebody just dropped the ball on it that maybe it cuz I I use
GoDaddy and sometimes my credit card didn't go through and I go back and like oops, my website's gone. So, uh getting it back up and running. Hopefully, it's just been overlooked and it's all still there and existing. So somebody doesn't have to recreate it >> follows up on where is it? >> Well, I'm going to put it in my notes as
I >> have whoever's hand probably maybe I don't know. >> Do you know when it disappeared? Do you have an idea? >> I went to the wayback machine. I want to say it was April sometime toward the end of April of 2025. But in the wayback machine you can It is the Wayback Machine, right?
>> Something like that.org or something like that. And it'll it gives you snapshots of when stuff still existed. So >> of April 2025 >> 25. Yeah. >> Yes. But I know that is a requirement for the special district as a dependent district. So >> yeah, >> that's a that was a good catch.
>> Yeah, I you know I check on it every once in a while. >> I think their stuff's on ours. I don't think it'll be a big deal, but I think since it's a requirement very cute website actually. It was it was quite well done. So >> it's kind of like the money we spent years ago on the 88 compliance stuff for the web page just in case,
>> right? >> Just to get that one person >> slip and fall. Slip and fall. So, >> your door's on it. >> Um, >> I had previously brought forward um the town adopting wildlife lighting standards. Um, and that's something that
I think as we're looking at our commercial through our study >> standards I thought in the um is it in rural Vista? >> There's lighting standards in Vista. >> Wildlife standards in rural.
>> Yes. We have certain properties that are not compliant with wildlife lighting. >> Rule Vista is a is is a >> it's aspirational. >> I wasn't going to use that word. >> It's it's a it's a suggestion. >> Recommendation. >> It's a recommendation. Yeah. >> No, >> no, not yet because 180.
>> How you said that? I wasn't going to say it. >> Don't get all excited. Paul's been pushing to try to get it done. >> Exactly. >> Right. That's like, can we get this stuff done and have it just sitting there waiting things? >> In the past, we've been told, "Oh, no. They got their approval. they can't be changed and I've you know researched
this and um asked previous legal and they said oh absolutely you can you can change what they have to >> right but they do have to have a timeline like they have to be given 24 months or 12 months or sign code >> just like yeah >> amortization or something like that so
that I think you know as we go forward with that and also the uh FEMA uh a FDA recommendations I think we should also be looking at and incorporating as we we have our new guy with our FDA stuff. So
>> eager to see what he comes back with. >> Yeah. Is he gonna is he going to be presenting for us? >> He you asked him to. >> He's not something for us. Great. >> He's not doing >> He's not doing that though. >> Yes, he is. >> I thought No, I thought he
>> Yeah, but he's doing he's doing all the all the FDA stuff. >> He does FDA's at one hourly rate. >> You're thinking about the other guy, code enforcement guy. >> No, no, I'm not talking about I'm not thinking about guy FDA. No, I'm not talking about that guy either. No, that's not what I'm talking about. >> I was under the impression that we had a
list of people that we approved, list of companies and they were and one of those was taking over for um >> Ingenuity. >> Ingenuity. Yeah. >> Yes. But >> but this guy this guy is going to be our in-house guy. >> Correct. Right. So he >> I don't think he's creating it. I think he's reviewing right now.
>> No. Yeah. He's not creating. Yeah. Yeah. you you hire a civil engineer 1020,000 >> and I again hopefully he comes back with with time you know what is it walk us through what it looks like if I'm I'm a property owner and I want to do XYZ right so
>> well that's up to your civil engineer though >> not necessarily >> the process >> right >> well you know >> I'm sorry >> you know you know when you know when you have the expertise Paul >> listen I'm not an expert assume So many
things. >> No, I know I'm an expert. I'm just saying it's kind of like >> that's like saying I just you just throw your leg over a horse, right? Isn't that how you ride them? Right. >> That's how you do it. >> So >> pee off. No problem. >> So any case, yeah, I look forward to
that. So it's all right. I'm done. >> So one thing that surprised me is Meg Weinberger knew nothing about Senate Bill 180. Everybody talks about oh they all know how bad it is and she was like writing it down right when we talked about it right I was like what
>> that's kind of that was pretty >> disappointing cities put that right behind property taxes >> SB 180 >> right I know >> it makes you wonder right >> well I I think it was sold when it was first when it was first brought around it was sold as this big save all because there were communities that were having
difficulty processing the the redevelopment after the storm right so it was sold as this save this save the system everybody help everybody and when in fact you know in certain yes it does help some but it helps a lot >> per 80% right
>> so I mean they talked about there's a bill that's supposed to reduce it what from 100 miles to 50 miles right >> 54 something like that it's a fixed fixed bill >> and we had discussed about property taxes where the belief is they're going to go to a homestead of between 100 and
150,000 right from the 50,000 So >> I think we were told there were lots of different >> there was but but he thought that was more likely to happen >> house value limits and right >> so >> so not they they've moved away from eliminating property taxes.
>> Do you want to bring up the property appraiser question >> which was the property appraiser question >> the question of you know the property appraisers tend to start to look at ad classifications um and they get really as they're looking for revenue reduction. So should this property tax
reduction result in that? Um we discussed with Mr. Book uh and um some of our representatives the concern that would the property appraiser then start to you know pair back and they always go for horses first and say you can't board, you can't train, you actually
have to make baby horses in order to qualify and that's what they do in Date and Broward County. So creating some kind of protections against that. I don't know how I don't know how they're doing it in Broward County because it was a case in Broward County, a big case where Broward County property appraiser lost. You do not have to reproduce
horses. You don't have to make a profit or any of that. I mean, it was a big case. So, I don't know how >> those years ago, wasn't it? >> It was because that's how it got that's how that's how >> boarding facilities got lumped in with the the ad classification before it was that way because you had to be a farm.
You had to be growing something. You had to be what that's kind of when you read it, that was the intent. we should be aware of it and you know if we start hearing from people my ad classification got taken away which we've already heard um I think we just have to you know make sure we're >> we're staying >> I mean they're supposed to be so department this the state sets up the
statute department of revenue sets up the rules that the property appraisers are supposed to go by and then of course so department of revenue interprets something the property appraiser interprets it a different way and then what do you >> and then you have to sue him like I did and spend a bunch of money for nothing
How how that gets fixed, I don't know. >> There are definitely counties out there that kind of fly by their >> right >> to see their pain, beat of their drone drum type of thing. So, it's >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Anita, do you want to take the lead on the the manure industrywide push that we
>> Another thing we brought up, I'd spoken to our local lobbyist as well as to our state lobbyist about this manure issue that we have, but you know, it really isn't just an issue that we have. It's a
regional issue. I mean, it's Wellington, it's the acreage, it's even for lack of a term, it's not just manure. It's also vegetative debris. So what we what we asked was that they we asked Meg, we asked Dan Gerwig, we asked
that they join us in trying to find some kind of a regional solution to the manure problem as opposed to it just being a local problem for us. Um, and we did point out that somehow we we tend to be the dumping ground. We tend to be the the receiver ground of a lot of this
manure and uh and that we just can't sustain that. So, um, anyhow, we we made the request and I know it's something that, um, is being worked on currently. So, >> but they had a receiving site out in the west and the drivers weren't driving to
it because it was too far, >> right? And it has to work for everybody, Marge. I mean, you can't blame the drivers that they can't that it's not coste effective for them to drive an hour and a half to go dump the poop off, right? Um, so what we're looking, like I
said, and we talked about S SWA as potentially being a solution or whatever or or some kind of some kind of a regional partnership that addresses the fact that this region produces an enormous amount of horsemen. We were actually trying to crunch some numbers.
Um, and they were they were big. >> How many tons? >> I mean, tons and tons of manure like on a on a daily basis. So it's it's just not just a locket grow issue. So anyhow, we're we're trying to explore and of course by bringing in other
municipalities and the county and everybody, it also becomes sharing the cost kind of an issue too. So >> well and and quite a bit of this manure, doesn't it have chemicals that >> correct >> the horses medication?
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yep. >> And urine. Urine is not really good for any >> Yeah. Isn't that the argument why it can't go in this in the in the landfill? It's because of medications, etc., etc. >> I mean, I didn't know it couldn't go in the landfill. >> I think it can. >> It does go in. So So you could you could
you could load your dump trailer up and drive off the lamp, the dump the >> It's just expensive. Drop it, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Well, they do. >> Yeah. >> It's just expensive. I think >> it garbage bags and take it down and put loaded on a trailer and take it down to the the >> the table by the fairgrounds. >> Uhhuh. Huh?
>> No, they bring it over to a road. We saw it. >> Let me see. It's a lock closure, right? >> Give me stipulate. You live on a road, please. >> Or plastic bag, you name it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You want to grab the >> Come on. Bring the grab that microphone
so we can hear. >> Margie, the property was the poster child of our example. So, >> so I had the privilege of driving down a a-ro because a friend lives directly next door to that. I feel for anybody that lives on a road. If you have not been down there, >> I was amazed.
>> I was appalled. >> It is 20 feet high in the air. >> I was saying entire property. >> You You can't appreciate it until you see it, right? You hear about it and you're like, "Ah, see it from the moon. >> It's going, oh, no, it's not." >> You should have seen our lobby's face
when I said, "Imagine." No, I said 14 ft. I don't know. That's what it looked to be like. I said, "Can you imagine five acres of 14 feet of Like, I'm not kidding you. Other than a little parking area in the middle." She goes, "Wait." And I go, "No, that's what there is."
>> How tall is an 18wheeler? Because they're taller than 18 wheelers, these piles, >> more than 20, probably 12. Yeah. >> It's It's ridiculous. If you haven't, go do it. Just It just gives you a very different respect for the people that live
>> close to the canals. I mean, what is it? It's >> 30 feet maybe. >> It's Yeah. It's on the property across, >> but there's ditches with coverts going right into it. >> Wells. >> It can't be within 25 ft of a >> Well, it's not. It's just there and it's bad. >> Yeah. >> And I don't know how I don't even know
where you live, but if you're close to that, but our friends have the property right next door that has barns. And I was like, whoa. >> I think the wind blows north most of the time. And I'm south of it store, too. And they they they can't open their windows anymore. They can't I
mean >> no and and they have horses and they have the cows and you know whatever things that come with who >> parasites >> parasites and everything else. So yeah. So if you haven't I I was I was greatly uh appalled by it.
>> It's no different than our trailer parking lots. It's the same scenario. >> But the thing is >> people come here and they do I >> don't say that if you >> I know but that's the same scenario. >> The manure was coming in. There were 10
loads that I sat and watched in an hour, >> I believe. >> In loads coming and going, coming and going. That's 10 times 2, 20. >> My my point is it's the same as our trailer parking lots. People know that they can come here, >> buy five, 10 acres or more, and they
just do whatever they want. They assess some fees, and they dump it, and they get out. >> You heard the You heard the news about KOA? No. >> Yeah, they're closed. >> April done. >> Really? >> Yep. He's closed. Oh, >> yeah. >> He's closing it. >> Wow. >> The new owner.
>> Interesting. >> But he's not putting houses up there, >> right? >> Um, >> somebody has said they already had approval for houses on 60. >> So, for all those who say unincorporate, let me just reiterate. The whole reason
we did this is so we can maintain what we have >> and not let stuff just get approved cuz I guarantee you what's happening >> in Calgary judge and what happened at the farm out where Ardent sits and what's happening now you say this has already been approved for x amount of houses and they'll triple it. I'm saying
it but what I'm saying is is the county you know >> listen we fought we fought a cell phone tower behind our property. We're one of like eight eight houses eight properties that fell in the in the fall range of the first one. We went down to the county commission, you know, we sat at
the meeting, a couple people spoke and we're all sitting there in a group and it got denied. So, we're like, we won. Unbeknownst to us, there's this thing called a stealth tower that is smaller and has a less of a fall radius, one property,
and a sad little violin song was played to the nice elderly lady that lived at that property and she fell for his song and dance. She signed the variance and it got put up >> because well but they got an acre conservation land. So my point is is we
we we've gone through this exercise for the past almost 20 years right for a purpose and for a reason. >> So although the road might be bumpy at times I I think we're and we have some contention going on every once in a while. I think, you know, as long as we
can continue to maintain and hold on to what we this little piece of ground, nine square acres that we have, >> miles >> miles, nine square miles, I say acres, you know, I think I think we're doing >> Hey, I voted against incorporation because I didn't want more government.
However, we're in better than we were. Even with all the problems we have, we're in better shape with our community than we would have been. No doubt about it. Well, I mean, how many times does somebody say government light, government light, right? She said to me, at least said to me,
supposed to be government light, but you know, and other people have said it, but it's like, yes, we don't want to be just, you know, every little nitp and picking thing like the height of your grass. That should I'm going to go on record say that should not be a code enforcement thing. But you know, we have to have structure and we have to have
rules and we have to pay the people that take care of this and right >> when I say government light though it's more of making sure that our limited resources are used in the most efficient and impactful way right >> to maintain what we're trying to
achieve. So and I get that there's >> and I think staying focused too is a >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It wasn't a dig. >> I was I agree with you. Um actually in looking at this the strategic plan um research that I was doing um
Wellington's I'll find the link and share it. Um they have like the pillars like the the thing we talked about getting the pillars underneath they have a very similar concept that these are the things that support the overarching mission
statement of Wellington and um and I think that will help you know keep the focus and not just not getting caught off. But I think what we've also learned is there's a certain mechanisms to government that have deadlines and they have to be met and the state requires
this and the county requires this >> changes this right. So there's >> so there's little things that are always going on in the background that have to be kept up with in addition to us trying to stay focused with our limited resources. Right. And um I think that we
rely on on staff to be able to make sure those boxes are constantly checked in the background no matter what what brings them to bear upon us. And then okay, now let's stay focused on this too, right? So there's a certain amount of government, right? There's a certain amount of government that works
in the in a back office somewhere that's doing that dirt. >> It's actually very heavy, right? It is. It's very intensive. >> It's very sloggy, boring. you know, they're back there with their little what is it? The little abacus and stuff like that. So, you know, I think
recognizing that was maybe a shortfall in our early government naive, shall we say. Um, so and regulation, as we know, for all the libertarians in the world, regulation chokes everything, >> right?
>> It it costs money to regulate. It costs money to to enforce the regulation. And it it cost you know ultimately you know regulation is is um a detriment but hopefully >> it also costs money to stand up and say we're not going to do this
>> right my question today in my meeting with Mr. Buckley was in your experience when things start to get cracked down do people start to comply he said yes and no right and I said well we are a unique you know community we used to call it love it and leave it alone and
now it's FFO right so we'll see right so >> I think you know we we talk about this too we talk about maintaining what we have and and keeping you know trying to keep a hold of what we have and that just points back to that recent grant we got the whole purpose purp of that was
to continue the study to solidify the corridor on Southern Boulevard the way it was it was aspired to be >> to buffer the neighborhoods and I think and that's the whole purpose behind that. It's not to say we're going to make it this big. >> Yeah. >> Right. It's to say this is
>> spread commercial throughout the whole thing is designate that those it goes here >> neighborhoods and which is going to take funds and engineering etc etc. And this is so we're not doing it out of our pocket. >> And I think you you made me think of something. So we were talking about the
resiliency um that study and vulnerability study that that we're working from. Um as we modernize and and attempt to modernize the canal system. One of the questions was you know do you need to get property for retaining water
which was part of that study. You know we'll get more um cubic what do they call it? cubic um gallons. No, more than that for water. >> For water. >> For the volume. >> For the volume. Right. So, should we
monos slope the canals instead of having the shallow ones at the north and and be able to have modern structures that can push, pull, and relocate water in a more effective way. We'll get more water storage into some of those canals that are very limited. So,
>> people can start rowing in them again. >> Inevitably. Well, yeah. But the culberts are too small now, so you can't get through it. >> Right. I used to be the >> water level will be >> I used to be able to go I used to be able to kayak all the way down to B road canal. I can't anymore because there's a horse bridge with tiny >> culverts. Yeah. >> Well, you can What is it? B b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
b b b b b b b b b b b b b bouldering. Yeah, you have to go butlering. >> Two. >> It's two 8 o'clock. Yeah. >> Did you have your coffee before the meeting? >> Yeah. Not. Did you have something you wanted to say? >> No. Well, you know, so the letter is supposed to go out for Middle Road and
I'm wondering if we should give recommendations as to the positives and negatives that should be in that letter and explain that um when the letter goes out. And something was interesting. I stopped at our local post office and asked them about if a name changed, how long would you continue to get your mail? Nobody can answer it. So I went
down I went down to Southern 441 and it went back and forth with this girl and she's like, "Well, if if the carrier's been there a long time and she knows Okobia, it could go for 20 years." And I'm like, but there's going to be some kind of set policy, right? You know, cuz and she's like, well, in two years a new person comes in from New York, they're not going to know it was Okachobee
Boulevard. >> They're going to write Middle Road. >> Well, no, they're going to put return to sender because he didn't know it was Okachobee. I'm like, there's got to be some kind of policy, you know? So, >> what are the pros and cons? >> Well, I mean, the pros and cons are one thing is that one of the pros is if you're I think we're all in agreement we
don't want to commercialize Okchobee Boulevard. So, one of the pros is how desirable is commercial property on Okobee Boulevard as opposed to Middle Road, right? Because if you're looking to sell property for commercial purposes, nobody wants something on Middle Road, but they might want
something on Okobee Boulevard, right? That would that sounds appealing. So, some of it's a psy a lot of it's a psychological thing, >> right? >> You know, and then when you see these lists from the county about potential four landing or six laning and that sort of thing, you it gets lost, right? Are they talking about Oki Boulevard in
Lockside Grows or are they talking about Royal Pump? If it says Middle Road, then we know it's Middle Road. I mean, there's a bunch of different pros to it. >> Right. Um, you know, >> and then you see Baxter stating that she's going to make Okchobee go out, >> right? Right. Well, that's that would
still be the extension, Okobee Boulevard extension, but at least our section would be Middle Road. >> I I get what you're saying. I I mean we're we're you know it it's >> Are these all the pros and cons? >> No. Oh yeah. You got more and I can hit them hit up.
>> I gota find my list. I put together. >> Okay. I'll start with a >> list. >> Devil's advocate. I'll just start with a con. I mean, you know, it's it's I look at bang for the buck. I mean, is this really going to solidify our position if if the if the mayor of the county p the
or the county pushes through with their plan and they bump it out to four lanes? Is this really gonna maintain? We're still going to control the line land on on either side, right? You know, I don't know that this is gonna changing the name to Middle Road and costing the land
owners on what whatever they may be on Okachobee thousands of dollars at minimum, right? >> Well, maybe. We don't know that because if I if the postal service says >> post service post service that aside,
>> I'm I'm I'm working. I'm getting there. Give me a sec. You know, we're talking, you know, I was talking to somebody this weekend. So, we're talking, you know, you have boxes of t-shirts, etc. sitting in your closet that you give out as promotional or for your people to wear, whatever. Those all say Oak Chevy
Boulevard on them, right? Those are now obsolete. Your website says Oakchi Boulevard. That is now obsolete. So, if you're not doing your own domain or whatever and you're paying for that, there's a fee supported with that. You have to change all your all your if
people still have stationary all your stationery. >> I think those get printed out pretty much as on an >> right nowadays pretty much. Yeah. But I mean you get where I'm going. Yeah. I mean, you know, this there is a cost that's in and some of these people are residents, not just, you know,
business land owners, right? Some of them aren't just nurseries, but I mean that that's definitely, you know, I think we'll see that come as a, you know, once we send the notice out, but yeah, absolutely. >> To, you know, then we can
>> question, what is it costing the town to change it? >> Nothing. >> Yeah, very little. I mean, had we adopted it the other night, that would have been the end of it because the attorney had wrote up the the resolution already. It was already done, right? >> Yeah. So, >> we're paying a salary already. >> So, what does it how does it work with
mortgages or when you're paying a property appraiser's office when you have an address? Now, you have to reprint if they use mapbooks. Um, it goes on Google. I mean, aren't there? >> We just we notify Google and the map and
all that and they they change it. But like how does it how does it work with mortgages on properties? And >> well, it comes back to like I said with the with the post office. I'm trying to find out what their policy is, right? Because if you still get mail in two years from now and it says OJ Boulevard, oh, you're still going to get it, right?
Because then that would make it where if it's a short time period, then that could be a problem. But if it's indefinitely, let's say their policy is in 10 years, if it still says Oak Boulevard, you're still going to get your mail. >> Yeah. Grander SK grander scope. You know, there's a ton of businesses on
Southern or State Road 80, whichever you prefer to call it, or 441 >> or Butterman Highway or Donald Trump. >> But that's that's where I'm going. So, in town, so you have all those individuals that, you know, that have businesses along Southern that were, you know, addressed for Southern, right,
>> that now they're Donald Trump Highway, whatever it's called, right? >> You know, do they continue to just put Southern Boulevard? >> I mean, you know what I'm saying? I mean, that's where I'm getting. I mean, it's it's notified. >> Well, that was the idea. That's that was the idea as So, I mean, I'll tell you, I talked to two land owners, two people that have lived on Oak Joey Boulevard
literally for 50 years, and they like the idea. >> So, I want to hear the rest of your >> I want to know the biggest pros. I think I think people in the community want to know, okay, what would be the reasoning to do it? >> Well, my personal reasoning is it's just a psychological factor to to put forward. I mean, this is one of the
arguments that I've had with Commissioner Baxter repeatedly is this is our main street. This cuts. Yes, granted it's a state road, but it goes right through the center of our town. It is the heart of our town. So, but you voted >> against it.
>> For me, it's the psychological factor of, you know, that this is our main street. It just brings that home. There are also some negatives that I have too. Some of which have been said here tonight. >> If it's our main street, why don't we
make it our main street? main street instead of middle road. >> Well, no, no, no, not the name, but make it the main street of the town. >> Well, that's part of the objective of not just land owner and you just call it a street going middle of the road to nowhere or now it's off the garden, but
>> it just kind of to middle earth middle earth middle >> of your road that goes through the it cuts north and south. >> It is the middle of our town, right? And and had it been called Jane Road before, I wouldn't have never brought it up. But it was called Middle Road before. It's
the middle of the town. It's like like we were talking about. It's to make it very clear that it's different than Okobee Boulevard east of here. There is something right. Well, right. Right now, not west, but it's to make it make it clear that there is something different about this section of Okchobee
Boulevard. This isn't Okachobee Boulevard. The people the lats definitely in between here and Ardan would definitely probably want that to be called middle road too because they're not too keen on having on losing their >> I mean I've heard a lot from the deer run and and all those people.
>> It's going to change their gate. It's going to change >> their stuff. So they're not too keen on it either. >> It it's about we have different tools in our toolboxes in our toolbox to try to control Loachi Boulevard. Whether it's how many how wide it is, we took care of that. The speed limit, we took care of
that. It's about using every single thing that we can to show that there's something different about that as opposed to Okchobee Boulevard in Royal Palm Beach and West Palm is to show that there's something different about this section. That's a big reason >> there. It is different. This is not
Okachobee Boulevard. It although it's been named Okobi Boulevard, it is drastically different. If we're let's say we get roundabouts, I mean that would be huge, right? It's to show that there's something different about this section of this road when it goes through locks edges. >> Yes, it would have been.
>> Is it easier to do roundabouts then? >> Well, that's another tool in our toolbox. >> The name is it easier to do roundabouts. >> I don't think it'll make it easier. >> I don't think it's Yeah, they're not going to all of a sudden >> I'm not in favor of roundabouts, though.
>> But yeah, it it's about doing everything in our power to try to preserve and protect it, whatever it might be. If you have other ideas how to preserve and protect it, let's run with it. >> I think one of our >> This is a small and I hate to keep beating on it, but I think we missed an opportunity a couple years ago and that was going to be our biggest
>> said about >> But I can't help but say it again. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Can't help it. >> I I think we're all there with you. Except for >> help, >> Tracy. I I I think once she realized she could get a horse trailer and an equipment trailer around roundabout,
it'd be all good. >> No, I can't say. No, cuz I do the one that was in Wellington and I hated the one that was uh that not the big one. >> The one that was down >> blank cow. >> Flying cow. >> No, no, no. >> Yeah, right on. The stribbling one is fine. It's one that's down on
>> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, it's the worst roundabout. >> Oh, yeah. Piercing right by that one farm. Yeah, that that one is kind of It's tight. It's It's very tight. Yeah, it's >> down there. Maybe that was the goal. >> It is. You have to go slow, right? >> Well, no, not even just that. That one is very tight in comparison. And it's
not It wasn't mountable at first. I think it's mountable now. >> Well, you see where people drive through. >> They just do it anyway. >> Yeah. >> They have to drive. They have to drive slow. >> There's no oncoming traffic. Yeah. The the big long polo trailers just go right over that mountable. And what they did is they built it up and they put I think
concrete around it or something. >> It was a decurb I believe at first shot. Yeah. On both sides. So it was kind of Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, I mean, so the the roundabout that's in the plaza right here with Wawa and all that stuff, I followed an 18-wheeler. Go around that one. This a small one. >> I have yet to be there. Yeah.
>> Oh, that one. Yeah. Yeah. Solar all over. >> Yeah. But it's mountable. It's intention. It's It's intentional that >> the intention is so you can get >> You just got to go slow, right? It's like going over a speed bump at that point. If you got an 18-wheeler and can't make >> and there and and anybody says that they can't, you know, it it does slow down
traffic because let me tell you, there's going down Hagen Ranch Road, right? I think it is. Yeah. between Lantana and whatever it those roundabouts work great. It slows everybody down. Everybody traverses it nicely. There's, you know, clear signage. So, >> they did it if they had it to where you
still couldn't go. I don't know. I've been in the ones in in Bermuda and they work so amazing where you have this line, this lane going this way and that's this lane. There's two lanes and this lane going around. So, you're always So, you have two lanes around it to where you're getting off, going
straight, >> which works. I saw somebody get nailed. I didn't see it happen, but I drove up after right at Stribbling where it comes around from, you know, goes up up to 441. That one there. >> Yeah. Cuz the guy tried to beat out this guy tried to beat out this guy and they end up
>> being hugging cousins, kissing cousins there, right on the on the on the meeting >> to go one way. Yeah. >> It's it's a difficult concept. And listen people, you know, >> beat it up. >> I got honked out. I was half out of our parking space the other day and I got honked out because the guy was coming from the I'm already half out. How how
do you now still have the rightway cuz I'm I'm in the lane of traffic. >> Do you know where Sail Trail is over here off of Sea Road? >> Yeah. >> If you I believe that's the one. If you look on the property appraisers office, it the address doesn't say Snail Trail. It's got you know 20 probably 18th or
something like that. It's a number, >> right? But it says Snail Trail and if you look on Google Maps it says Snail Trail. >> That's cuz when Google Maps went by, the sign says Snail Trail. >> You think that's why? >> I think that's exactly I'm I'm I bet money 90%. But you know, uh, when you
look at, um, when we went out with the gratitude baskets this year, we had a list and when we would go up to a house, no one answered the door. >> Now, now why? Because we were giving to
the u the senior uh members of the town over 80, a lot of them, >> they can't hear. They they well they can hear but >> a lot of them had passed and we didn't even know. >> Oh, really?
>> We didn't even know that they had passed. And I was telling Todd when I came in um couple of houses up the street from me, one of the neighbors had passed and was
alone in their house for three days. >> Wow. >> Three days. and the wife had passed like six months earlier. So >> hopefully knew that that one had passed. >> We're le we're losing a lot of our
senior citizens. I mean and some of them don't have people that look in after them. >> We talked in the LGLA though of having you know somebody that was doing you know what is it?
welfare calling and and stuff like that. And like I have a 76-year-old neighbor and I I call her daily. Um her health is pretty good, but >> well, it needs to be more organized. >> Well, we talked in the LGA about doing that and that that never happened there. So, I this would be one of those tasks I
don't think would necessarily fall in the limited town resources. years ago when they had the congregate living uh scheduled for where the hotel is going now. Um I was pushing for senior living,
not 130, you know, units, but you know, maybe maybe 25 that uh you know, our senior people. I mean, look at the Brownings. The Brownings are moving. you know, maybe
they would have stayed had they had something smaller, you know, that would accommodate uh >> they're moving to be closer to family. >> Yeah. >> Well, I know that, you know, >> I'm glad that they weren't. They >> Who knows how many others may have to
move because there's no facility in this town. And I'm one of them, you know, I'm one of them that >> properties are hard to take care of. >> I I probably will have to move. Well, I think the the intention of focusing on land values was
we we are hopefully all fortunate enough to live a long time and we're all going to eventually have to make the decision of moving and by keeping the quality of the the properties up and the land values up, at least it gives those people an opportunity to sell their
properties and have the funding necessary to make the move and get the support that they need. I I don't think it's up to the town to create an old folks home, right? And and an opportunity to stay in the community. >> Well, there have been a lot of people who have wanted to put like a senior
living facility and it just never followed through. >> There are smaller homes, you know, that people could downsize. They're limited in the town. But I think the best way we protect people's future, whether they stay in the town or not, is to make sure that their investment is worth the most
amount it could possibly be. So when they cash out, they are not limited by, you know, what little bit they could get from the sale of their home. >> Right. >> So, >> and if you do have a neighbor who is up there in age, >> don't be afraid to call in on them.
>> Absolutely. And um don't get a lot of cats. >> I mean, that's I I think the sense of community is has got to be >> fostered. Yeah. It it has to become a culture. >> Yeah. >> Um and >> people don't know their neighbors here,
but that's not that's not unique. >> That's not true. I knew all my neighbors. I talked to I mean all the in the entire block of North Road. We're all like really Guine and Mike and the Maritchexs and me and then
>> Well, think about that though. Just I mean >> see I mean like we're >> when everyone lives on a city block, it is hard to to socialize. But but think but think about that though. >> How many acres? >> 10. Yeah. 20 acres. >> Five. There's five in between. There's
five down there. Those are not small. >> But but think about think about it though. All those people that you mentioned. How long they How long have they lived here? >> Long time. >> That's why you know him because it's been >> Well, no that but that and the culture is changing. Listen, I used to know the culture. I've known the Brownie since I
was there's no you know secret. I've known him since I was like eight years old. Right. I've known, you know, my aunt lives on 147th, right? I mean, I've known know people that have come and gone from there. Um, you know, Mrs. Dro, who drove my school bus, I haven't looked in, but she I believe she still
lives down there. What's that? Uh, April, I think it was all the way in the C road, right? Um, she still lives here. Um, you know, so Marty Smith went live on a road. He he moved out a couple years ago. He moves lives in Oak. I mean, there's still folks around that have been here for a long time, but I
think, you know, um, yeah, I mean, you know, hate to bring it up because I'm sure it's going to go crazy on Facebook, but Lisa brought up the LGA and that's kind of what what our focus is anymore. It's not a political thing. I think people think that it's still like this political machine, you know, love it,
leave alone, whatever. It it's more of a community type of, you know, try to bring people together. is not it doesn't matter if you believe in pavement or you believe in dirt right it doesn't ma those things don't matter it's all about educa educating the public >> and and create trying to create that
sense of community um >> we're seeing theert fail too they're struggling right >> it's a lot of no offense but it's a lot of older folks you know they're involved in I think there's a couple younger folks in there but there's a lot of older folks that are >> they're revamping their bylaws and everything because they don't have
enough people for the board and anybody interested in cert um So, uh, >> well, >> was that Tracy? You want to be part of SER >> LA, too? I mean, uh, uh, thank goodness we had the, uh, the gathering at Boonies and it brought out some of the younger
people who joined for the first time. >> The LG, >> you can't do anything about it. >> When you don't know anything about it, you can't join anything. >> Your microphone's not on or you're not talking close enough. Well, I can't personally I'm sure there's somebody out there that can get you the signup sheet
and you can pay your dues. Just I think but if people knew about it when you don't know anything about it okay you just say cert join right >> a lot of people that are coming into our community >> right I mean they might not know there's a cert team >> exactly >> you know of ne of neighbors that are you
know you're absolutely right maybe they need to market themselves a little better >> culturally volunteerism is dying you know trying to trying to promote that and um fostering that kind of mindset it's not unique to blockchet groves and
um I think having >> well we tried doing a welcome wagon to anybody that came in but we weren't getting the feedback of who's arriving you know who's who's new on the block
that uh you know we should uh >> it's almost like you need to go once a month and check Zillow to see who bought a house or bought a property and then go give them a basket right >> it's had a negative connotation because new people come in and And you have town people trying to get people out.
>> Yeah, there's a there's a lot of, you know, >> well, I think the anniversary party. >> What does that mean? I don't even know what that means. >> Well, when we first got here, we were try we were told we weren't welcome here. We they didn't want us Wellington people in their town. >> Can you tell who it was?
>> Wow. No, you don't need to tell me who it was. >> So, it's a very welcoming thing when you come into a new town. We weren't Wellington people. We came from Palm City. And to be told that is it's really it made you not want to be a part of it for a really long time until I got to be
a part of it. >> So you got to know folks. >> Yeah. There's it's certainly had a lot of there's elements in that, right? We've we've got a some interesting history in our town. >> Probably should not be shared in general public. But um you know I I do think
that >> 20 years old seems like a long time but it's in the scheme of it being a town >> baby. >> It's a baby. >> It's a it's a baby. And as you pointed out Marge, a lot of our elderly, you know, historically long-term residents are either leaving or by
attrition, you know, it's taxes and death. Two things won't escape. So you know it's happening and uh without the impetus by the individuals to to engage. How do you engage people? This is not
unique to Luxachi Groves. You're seeing it in sports. You're seeing it in you know different organizations that have historically had lots of participation. Eyeball dance. You want to talk about an old bunch of people. >> I mean you got their walkers out there dancing. You're like hey uh you know I
want to dance with your walker. How do you out with a walker? >> Exactly. >> Well, I mean the Christmas party that LGLA put on at Boonies, a decent amount of people and younger people came out. >> Yeah. There's some new folks. New folks. >> And I'm going to joke about it, but it has a lot of truth to it because it was beer. >> Yeah. Right. >> Right. I mean, let's be serious.
>> It is a social lubricant. That's true. >> It's true. >> So maybe the LGA should be, you know, I don't know if we can have a keg there. Right. >> I I I think the church would look not like that, but they might. So that's so I mean >> and the sheriff at the end of the driveway, >> right? So I mean maybe there should be
look at doing it at a different place besides the church, you know, not necessarily boonies every time, but that type of environment where it is different, right? >> Yeah. Cool. Because it's it's hard here this workshop and that we're trying to have that relaxed atmosphere and an open door policy.
>> Yeah. We're not worried about comic cards and whatever. We just >> We did suggest some alcohol, but none of the beer yet. >> Can't have that town hall. What's what's what's in that bottle? Just cuz that's a water bottle. >> Yeah. I think, you know, I mean, listen, you go into some of these smaller
communities in in Wellington, you know, I do have friends, believe it or not, but, you know, and these little smaller streets and stuff, you know, some of those people live there for a while, but they, you know, it kind of breeds itself. Out here, we've always been, except for the few little roads that
have less than an acre properties, everybody's been on five plus acres, two and a half plus acres, right? So yeah, and to Tracy's point, I mean, it it's kind of like that little town in the middle of North Georgia that you go to and you you move you find this little
spot and you move there and until you start going to church and you know whatever those couple of key things, they're like, "Who are you?" You know, >> stranger. >> Yeah. Especially the influx of people that moved to North Georgia from Florida there. They're like, "Oh, you're from Florida." I I have to say, Paul, I think
one of the biggest drivers of of neighbors getting along is disasters. I mean, it really does drive unfortunately. Absolutely. I mean, I can't drive neighbors because they drove >> of course 911. >> Yes. >> 911, man. You like everybody was your
best friend. Everybody else talk about a culture of that that lasted what, six months? >> I don't not even >> I think three days in some cases. once a year. I think it as a climate and it would be lovely to to find the mood
that would get the sage smudging or whatever it was that would get that climate. >> You know, I wish we could figure out how to get more what more funding, whatever you want to call it, whatever that we could, you know, we could have more social events, right? We're planning this one because it's a big milestone,
right? But we have the Founders Day, Veterans Day thing and then >> I disagree. I dis I don't think it should be government that drives >> No, but you're I mean what I'm saying is little >> but we've lost the volunteerism. We've lost people's willingness to participate
in organizations that >> the what is it the um >> the Rotary Club and stuff like that that were historically places of gathering. The Moose Club, the Oaks Club, you know, where where people were used >> Yeah. And didn't we have one right up here? >> Oh, we had a moose. Yeah. It was
historically letting people fall in the canal, but that's a whole another story. >> Now, maybe maybe they wanted to swim. >> Actually, I was I'm on a I'm I'm on a Facebook page. It's all I grew up in Locks of Hatchee in the ' 60s, 70s, '8s, whatever. And there's like guy on there. >> Yeah, I got married at the Moose Lodge
D. I'm like, "Wow, back in the day, you know, there's a picture flying around me that like on one of them trifold lawn chairs with a tall boy passed out like I was like seven years old." modern barbecue >> and well I hate to say I'd say the the current day
>> substitute for that or like our farm tot places right being more of a farmers market kind you see a lot of people right if you get if you're close enough like to bike over there or you know or take your side by side over and you get to see your neighbors >> kind of what I was pointing is I mean Wellington you know of course we can't
afford to build an amphitheater right that's not a thing right I thought about I guess my point my point is is you know once a week during certain time of the year they have the food truck invasion thing and it brings people from all over, right? And people meet each other
and whatever and they mill around the >> Yeah. >> But is willing to loan out their travel uh stadium because we borrowed it for the presentation that we did at the Axe 2 church,
>> right? We had a big bonfire that Ron Gerald built and god >> we we brought in a puppeteer who did Florida history and >> unfortunately I think when it comes to >> we had the pastor make up a song uh
about Lockache Groves. We've got the words and everything. >> I had a song in Tallahassee the year I went. >> What was this here too? That's >> Did you rap this year? >> We're from Lockxahhatchee. Yeah. We're here in Tallahassee. Telling all the
peeps out the problems ain't cheap. >> There's other verses to that, but Mary McNicholas made me sing that. >> I guess my my point is, and I'm not saying government should drive it. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying these are the kind of things. And I don't know, maybe >> give up your day job. >> Do people is that a community building
thing? >> You know, the egg hunt on Pearson Road. I mean, you know, they drop the eggs from the helicopter. I mean, I'm not saying we got to do that stuff. What I'm saying is that those are the kind of things I think that would get people out. I mean, we had our parade, right? Did you see anybody along the road?
>> No. >> No. >> There's nobody along the road. >> No. >> Right. It's like, you know, I mean, even coming down Tangerine, of course, right in the middle of Hunt, so there was a >> there was a beer, but it was the middle of hunt season. It didn't matter. >> It was I know. I know. I got friends
that live on Tangerine. They were >> I know. >> I saw the bugs was going. We need We need an ice cream truck that has been refitted as a beer truck. It goes bing down the road behind it on your golf cart getting beer. >> Everybody pushing their their walker.
It's the beer truck. >> Yeah. >> Speaking of which, I went I went over there to is it bua? Is that >> Vista? Vista. >> Vista. You know, I went there last Friday night and I mean there's a lot of local people that go there, you know, so there's a community event right there
essentially, right? So I don't know if you've been there. Have you been there? >> I've been there. Been there a couple times. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There's beer. >> Yeah. >> I hear >> I don't drink beer, but Yeah, >> it is. And they use they use McCoy Honey. >> Yeah. >> Beer, but I would try it just to try it, I guess.
>> I mean, he's got a brewerism. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Follow the guides. I mean, >> sure he does. Okay. >> Instead of horseshoe, >> we're not going to talk about that. So, >> I know it's not on the table tonight. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> We could get uh Frank Shabbino to come over. He he also did a song about Lockachi Groves to uh to the to Oklahoma. >> Oh, wow. >> Oh, God. >> Please don't say that. >> No. I mean, listen, there was
>> He was digging Wellington in it and he was digging Royal. >> Oh, there you go. That sounds like my kind of >> I mean I mean we have places and they they've fizzled out, right? We had the bait and tackle box had you bait and tackle people from all over. People used to hang out there, drink coffee, get get
peppy and coffee, you know. Yeah. Now living here, right? Yeah. So, I mean, yeah, we had those kind of staple little hometown things that are, you know, with with with sprawl, urban sprawl, etc. And you know, we've lost a couple of them.
But I, you know, >> I think it takes an individual, a very dynamic individual or group of individuals though that that really make it a focus. And I'm I think those Yeah, I think those things wax and wayne in communities and unfortunately we're in a
waning phase, but I do think there there is more and more energy moving toward wanting that kind of community experience. And we've even had a couple folks that, you know, we haven't seen before come to meetings and make those statements. So,
>> you know, I think that the possibility exists, right? And so, we're in a turning phase and right, we just have to see it play out. So, >> I mean, the only group that's really trying to do something is the LGA. And you have people that attack the people that are trying to do something good for
the community and then we wonder why people don't want to donate their time. Well, because they're trying to donate their time to the LGA and then they get attacked and it's like why are they getting attacked? >> Why do you think three people sitting here are on the board? Because nobody else wants to be on the board. Nobody else wants to put the time in. >> Right. This goes back to Cert.
>> You know what I'm saying? So it's >> it's for being a bad guy for donating your time, right? And then >> and it's a non and it's a non-political organization. So it's >> and wonder why there's not more of that going on. And one of the most successful um meetings that we had was organized by
Dave and Sharon Browning and they brought in um people who talked about years ago in Lockache Groves. Well, if I may, because you know before I forget, if I may, maybe not not the space, but
you know, Thursday night is the candidate forum, but before that is our regular meeting and supervisor elections. Wendy, what's her last name? Please help. >> Thank you. I'm glad I asked for that. We'll be here to to speak about elections. Da da da. Right. And she's
she's coming to speak at the behest. of like 5:30. Um because uh Sharon Browning, since we're talking about Sharon, LGLA, um she spent many years working for the supervisor elections at our polling center. >> Yes, she did. >> I I missed getting my hug last time when
I voted because she wasn't there. >> Um yeah, it's kind of stunk, you know. Um so Wendy Wendy will be here um to to give a talk beforehand and tell you know talk about from what I understand she's a pretty good speaker and she goes you know and that's kind of what we do right
so um we've had events at the state college etc and we try to get we've had growers in there we've had uh property appraiser we've had when we're trying to do some other stuff >> some hurricane preparedness people with >> so yeah so come out come out at 5:30 and
>> stick And those of uh you who haven't paid your membership >> Yeah. And we do strive very hard not to I can tell you right now we make a a a very
very strong effort, the three of us to not discuss anything in any board meeting or regular meeting that would come up before this council. Um and if it does, we leave. So, we have no problem getting out of the room, >> right? >> Um, yeah, we run out of the room all the
time and y'all can talk to whoever you want about whatever, but we're not going to be part of it. So, we we do make a a very uh concerted effort. >> Yes. Exactly. So, figured since LGA came up, I would make it again. Good job.
>> Yeah. And uh I can't tell you how many attorneys uh verified that um there was no conflict of interest whenever I was seated, you know, years ago or recently. I said it's unfortunate, but we do live
in a culture where volunteerism is is I mean, I'm not sure whether it's because people are just running so fast trying to keep up with, you know, by the economy or whether it's just that we're raised differently and we're not raised with that sense of community. I'm not really sure >> why people don't get involved.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I'm not really sure what it is, but different it does seem to be the same 10 or 15 people that >> do everything. I mean, look at look at when we try to find people even to run for council. It's it's difficult. You know, we we have I'm thrilled about the number of people that have stepped up.
This time we have it's really unprecedented. It's usually a one one-on-one race and you know um it's nice to have >> people willing to put themselves out there. Um it'd be great to have more >> I think a big thing this is a very
unwelcoming community. How can we make it more welcoming? You see, I didn't have the same experience. That's why it's really weird. I mean, I'm not saying you're not telling the truth. It's just I didn't have that experience at all. I was just like my neighbors and I just like immediately
>> You're on F road. I'm on F road. It's on the south side. >> I think it's a there there's there's not a lot of >> um there's not a lot of acceptance of diversity of thought or experience. And I think that uh a lot of
times um people people when they they have an experience there there seems to be um uh for some reason people don't want to accept that that is the experience that you've had. They want to deny that you've had that experience.
And I think that that goes back to the politics still. And I I think that again once people get thin skinned, it's very easy to to keep the the hurt alive,
right? So, uh I think that there I've said how many times that we sound like people who need marriage counseling. >> So, you know, I think that's a lot of it. And I think that as as we try to move forward and we try to create
a path that that looks like um I think that I think it will sus out in the long run. I think that in the short run we all have to go through it. We all have to understand that some of it is a lot of it actually is out of our control. Um and I think that it's a little bit of a
cliche but people have to attempt to be kind, right? and not um accusatory. And um again, I think that when somebody has had an experience, I think acknowledging the experience goes a long
way. Whether there's anything you can do to change it, right? And I think there's still a little bit of um bitterness that that hangs around because there seems to be again a little bit of a a political threshold that that people just don't
want to set aside. So >> our whole country is so divided as a >> and that I don't remember that as a kid growing up even as a young adult. Now we have such a huge divide and you feel it no matter where you go. >> So >> a lot of it's fabricated though. I mean it >> 100%
>> there's a lot of history to to read that again great books the the fourth turning the fourth turning is now generations great research on how we got here what here looks like um every fourth turning has ended in a war revolutionary war the
Civil War II here's our fourth fourth turning what does it look like what does it look like on the flip side we can't control what goes on in Washington we can't even control what goes on in Tallahassee and down here in West Palm So, we can only control what we're doing here and how we react here. Um, so
again, some marriage counseling, >> owning what you've done. Um, acknowledging that the other person's feelings are real and um that experience is real, not not saying that, you know, because a certain thing doesn't come out
a certain way, it proves anything. Right. >> Right. So, >> I think to your point, it's it's absolutely like a marriage, right? >> 100%. >> Everybody who comes and speaks at that podium is passionate about something. They're not coming up here to say, "Hey,
good job, Lisa." Nobody's saying that, right? >> A couple, okay, for the majority shows, trust me, no one ever comes up and says, "What a great job I >> No, thanks for not giving me the blue ribbon, Lisa." >> The score I didn't think I should have had. But my point is is is everybody's
very passionate. I can tell you I stood there yelling at the five people there about paving these stupid roads and having a having a plan, etc. Right? I was very passion about Listen, I want to keep them dirt. I've lived here since I was two. Why do we need this? Right? But
at some point there has to be a meeting, right? At some point yet you have to Yeah. You have to understand that Lisa has a different opinion than me on a lot of things, right? We have, you know, that's what makes this place that we live in great, right?
>> Well, and you're a smaller property owner versus the larger property. >> Right. Exactly. I might >> is a massive different experience. >> I have I might have a different viewpoint, you know, or I might have been here, you know, I might have owned my property for 30 and Todd's only own his for 10, so he's paying higher taxes
than I am because I got more of a homestead. whatever the case may be. I think that's what everybody needs to keep in their mind because I can't tell you how many people come up and go, I can't believe that you did this. And I'm like, well, I believe in this town and I thought that I could help, right? They
go, no, I can't believe you did this because the the crap that people say and the and all the, you know, and all the I'm like, you know, well, listen, I this is I sign on and it's going to happen. Not everybody's going to agree with what I say. I'm not going to agree with everybody else's opinion.
You're absolutely right. But it's like, you know, the be kind, the be kind part is, yeah, you know, come out, speak your mind, you know, just agree to have a difference of opinion. But I can tell you that there are there are people out there in our community that don't want to speak out and and say their opinion
because they're afraid >> of getting chastised, get what whatever the case may be because they're afraid of that, you know, well, I can't have an opinion because, you know, Yeah. because 1% of the population, you know, 1% of the 10% is out there landbasing, right?
So, you know, and it should be an open forum for >> I think that falls on both sides of a political divide. Absolutely. You know, and I think that that again what words are said versus what perception is heard. Margie's generation was you don't talk about how much money you make,
>> right? >> Religion >> or politics. Right. >> Right. And I think that's pretty much all anybody talks >> to hear it when somebody stands at the podium and tells us we're all stupid. But >> I mean, you know, sorry.
>> Even even there's no other way to hear >> even even regular conversation, right? If if somebody comes in and they're coming off of of a bad experience and they come in here, they hear they hear like every fifth word and people are self-editing what they're hearing all
the time. And so again, we can only be in control of ourselves. >> People are self-editing. You're absolutely correct about that. >> And what they're reading. >> Yeah. >> I deal with that every day. >> Yeah. Absolutely. You're just like, "Wow, I read the same thing and I I didn't see those words." Right. >> I wrote what you read and then and I
gave you all this information, but yet you did not discern it from the the paragraph that I wrote. Yeah. >> So again, we can only monitor and and adjust ourselves, but that would be good. >> Yeah. Off subject from all. >> I'm glad you stuck around, Tracy.
>> Off subject from all that. So, I was out talking to people in Los Angeles and San Diego in two different households. Ask me about county water there. What is the temperature here with the five of us on county water? >> Get ready to pay. >> Okay. So, no, I'm I'm not being mean. I'm not being anything. I'm just telling
you from people I talked to north of here in the in you know where there's a water man that's closed and it was promised you know so say say down Los Angeles the majority of people want water and there's a water line say the water line's going down B- road number
one which I don't think there is one >> right say there's a water line going down B road >> and then the majority of the people on Los Angeles vote to have city water The other ones have to pay also. >> The other ones have to pay also. They get assessed as well.
>> So, right. So, I think there's a big >> and there's a hookup cost. >> I think a bigger issue to that though is when people buy, they come out here. We had a gentleman here that had bought at the corner of B Road with the stop sign. And the first thing he did was complain
about everything that's lock. And everyone in the room is like, "Well, then why did you buy here?" And historically, those of us that have lived in a rural section of of of uh Southside, Los Angeles, San Diego, one of those, um,
we all laugh when people come out here and they complain about the flies and they complain about the horse poop and they complain about the dusty dirt from the roads and you're just like, then >> the dirt road was here when you bought. >> I said it for years, >> right? Of course. >> How many times did you or somebody >> somebody saying you you want city water
when you bought out here? It's I get it. It's expected to maintain a well, >> right? There's nothing that And you got to give them this. So if they see it as an improvement, right? So somebody that wants their road page >> called gentrification. >> I understand. But they moved here to a dirt road, but they would like to see improvement, right? So they say it as an
improvement. Yes, they moved to a dirt road, but they wanted to paint their house. They got a new roof. They renovated their house and they want to improve the neighborhood. So they see pavement as an improvement. Right. Well, I most of the stories I heard and no offense to anybody if they're left in the audience or they're watching or
going to watch later, >> they're they're >> watching, >> you know, they were told by the person selling them the property that, oh, this is coming in 5 years, right? Sure. Sure. >> Right. This is going to happen. So, a lot of them had this expectation even though when they moved here, it was, you
know, it was a it was a bumpy dirt road. Washboard. I can tell you her where she lives was one of the worst roads in the whole district forever, right? To where you know somebody that used to be live with her used to pull a drag up and down the road just so they could get the
horse trailer out, right? So it you know, but talk to people that live off coal and 200, you know, until FPL moved out there, the county graded that road twice a year, maybe, >> right? Now they pay way lower taxes,
right? But the county literally paved or paid graded that road twice a year. Now there was a guy at the end had old tractor and a drag or box plate and he used to go up and down the road but it was not you know so yeah with some you
know this stuff comes around it's an improvement you know but you know this is a matter of doing it right but let's say we were talking about few months ago somebody said something about city water. Oh, well, can can Southern Lawn push city water, you know, back to the tangerine?
Well, you at what point are we, you know, saddling these people with this bill, right? Whatever. But the problem is is the hookup, right? The cost of hooking up plus the assessment for the pipe getting laid. >> I can tell you this. I would pay 50 grand to get it and I calculated out and it would be 250 to get it to my house,
>> right? I guess my point my Well, you're you're saying you would you would pay 50 grand. >> Well, I would, >> right? I can tell you there's many people out there that you would say that and they were like, "You're out of your mind. There's no way I could pay 50 grand. I can't even buy a new car, right? I got to buy a used car, new to me car." >> I know the bacteria that some of my
birds die from and that 50 grand would come back in 10 years. >> So So take that and put a reverse osmosis in, bro. >> I haven't. They're a pain in the ass. >> I know. >> Pain. I I guess. But >> your dad, >> but I guess to Lisa's point, when you moved out here, you knew where you were
moving. Sure. >> You knew what you were getting involved with, right? I mean, you could punch a deeper well. There's a ton of things you can do, right? So, I mean, >> but I mean, like like your like your street is 147th. Yeah. >> You know, the cost probably wouldn't be prohibitive for them, right? Because it's right there on North Road. >> Yeah, it's Canal.
>> No, it's not. >> They put that on. >> No, it's on. >> I'm sorry. >> They didn't do it quick enough. >> But that apparently the window closed. Yeah, it's extremely difficult even if you're right on North Road >> because that I mean that was like one of
the reasons that they were allowed >> well as usual it wasn't in the agreement that they would be allowed agreement. Listen, I'm sure I'm sure for a sum of money you could get water utilities to let you tap in. But again, to outlay, you know, from North Road, wherever it
may be, right? If it's on the south side of the canal down to the end of 147, there's what 12 houses on that road, 16, right? >> So, we're talking maybe let's call it the back of 10 acres, you know? So what
800 feet 1,000 feet it's got to run >> the the cost of that you know and then you know you have older people that live there on fixed income D and they're going to get assessed with that on their taxes. It's got you know it's a whole it's a whole thing >> outside of flushing toilets when the power goes off. I really don't see the
benefit of city water. It stinks. It smells like chlorine. The horses don't like it and so no. >> And then sometimes it goes bad and you Oh boil water alert. Can you imagine boiling water >> for a barn of horses? All he needs is a Jenny. I can I >> a genie? >> Yeah, a generator. All you need is a generator. Turn everything else off.
Turn the pump on. You're good to go. >> Generator runs everything. >> Yeah, there you go. Standby, you know. So, >> well, I don't have a fancy one yet. >> So, I do have to Before we close, I do have I I was sent a correction. The meeting Thursday will start at 6:00
p.m. Wendy will be here talking at 6 p.m., not 5:30. I don't want anybody to show up ahead of time. And then I get lamb basics or chastised for giving out the wrong number and they had to come early. So 6 p.m. All right. >> Anybody have anything to say or she'll be a jerk?
>> I continue to say I like this meeting. This is good. >> Okay. >> Meetings are jerk. >> Thanks guys. >> Thank you. If all your meetings were like this, you'd have more people have to be like business, you know, like >> nobody
know.