Sorry everybody. I couldn't be there today. But I'm on a work trip and can't be there physically. So I apologize for that. That being said, I'd like to, if I could, entertain a motion to have someone else chair the meeting to make
it more vision. >> I move that we let Jamie War be chair of the meeting, please. >> I'll second. >> Have a motion by Commissioner and a second by Commissioner. >> All right. Thank you. Would you uh call
the role? >> Public comments, sir. >> Oh, sorry. Is there any public commentary? >> All right. Thank you. Please call the role. >> Commissioner Berno, >> yes. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner War. >> Yes.
>> Mayor Pro Tim Peoples. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh we'll start off uh the meeting uh with the invocation and pledge uh by Frank Stevens, please. Lord, my prayer for our city is unity despite our differences. Help us to
embrace our diversity and work together in harmony. Heal the divisions within our city. Bring reconciliation where there is conflict and bring understanding where there is misunderstanding and build bridges of respect. Father, foster a strong community with
spirit within our city. Give us courage to support one another and to work together for the common good of Linhaven. May we be united in our efforts to create a better place for all. Pray for our city employees as they labor daily for the residents of this
city. give them strength. Bless them with um understanding and compassion. Father, I pray protection over our first responders. Keep our firefighters and our police safe and healthy. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
>> Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
All right, for public commentary, uh, first person I have is Naylor Naylor Bearclaw. Good evening yet again. My name is Naylor Baracclaw and I'm just going to comment on something real quick. Uh, Miss Tender, you it was said that you
were calling out and spoke about corruption and somebody happened to say we want some faces and put some names on there. Well, the news recently put out a lot of names recently and if you notice today couple people decided to take a leave of absence from the TDC. One person has resigned the person as the
treasurer. So, you know, Bernie Toss recently sat there and said what he's going to do in Panama City Beach. And there's people like myself who are calling out the things that are going on, well, especially at the school district. And uh I was actually met with another gentleman uh who's a veteran who
happened to be on the same wavelength that I am with the corruption and the violation of constitutional rights that we the people have. So, you called it out and then somebody else, well, the news has put it out there today or or in the last week. The other thing I'm going to state is that I came here the last
time and I spoke about the constitutional rights that people have. Well, doing my research at the school board, I found a flowchart that deals with how they handle business. And so, it says on the left side the uh school board and then on the right side it says
the superintendent. Then it flows up and it says we the people who are in charge. So, I just like to put that out there one more time. So, I'm glad uh Jesse decided to resign over here because uh quite frankly, he was just a waste of space. And uh I don't like his comments
that he made, especially to the people that are uh some of them that are right here in the uh public here. And the other comments he made about other people, you know, he feels like he's being attacked. Well, I believe he attacked some people. You know, there's a certain gentleman in the audience
right now. I've been following what he's been going through and I got a lot of great respect for that man. Bernie Thompson. Well, he's an officer. He's from the Air Force. He was an officer, so he's a gentleman. That's what you get to deal with. I, on the other hand, don't happen to share that same great experience. I'm from the enlisted side
of the military and I happen to be below E4. So, I'm part of that E4 mafia of you want it done, we will get it done by any means necessary. So, that's the kind of life that I'm about to provide to this entire county and this entire jurisdiction of the 14th. So,
Miss Tinder, I want you to know I've been working on an email for you with all kinds of stuff with Flock and all the other things that I told you, including the police officers that did a great job, which by the way, I went to the child support office today and they had no issues with me video recording them at all. They were, "Oh, we'll take
care of you right away and knew me by my first and last name." So, that was great. So, I just want to tell you all, please remember, we the people are the ones that are in charge. You're the government employees. We are the government. And please make sure you pay attention to detail for all these folks that are here. I would love to stay for
the rest of this meeting, but I just wanted to put that comment out there. I've got to do some grocery shopping and some few other personal errands that I have to do because the wife is like, "You're not spending all night at the meeting tonight. I need my I need my groceries to make dinner." Thank you.
Thank you. Next, we have Jerry Parker. Good evening, Commission. Jerry Parker, Replace. I want to discuss one thing in particular. I was going to go into detail with this, but I'm not. I'm going to sort of shorten it. Um, when I
watched Nelson's resignation speech, what I saw is how he named Bernie Thompson, myself, Jody Moore, Zack Dewweller, and even Ryan Scra. I was shocked.
But what I saw was lies, innuendo, and false information. And I'm going to sort of leave it at that. The other thing um that I want to
discuss also is the charter committee. In the charter committee, I don't think that the city manager needs to be sitting at the charter committee table. He can sit in the audience. Um but the lawyer really is the one that gives the information to the charter committee.
The other thing that I'm um wanting to discuss is the appointment of Dr. Dave Lowry. I am in favor of him becoming mayor of the city of Winhaven. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Next we have William Platt. My name is William Platton. I'm a Linhaven resident. I want to thank the commissioners for having done a difficult job over the last year. I know that personally and professionally y'all have suffered and we do appreciate work and the time and effort you have
put into maintaining order in this city. 11 months ago, I came to the commission meeting for the first time to ask the former city manager and mayor be disciplined for violating Lhaven city directives prohibiting racial discrimination in city events.
Since that time, both former mayor and manager have been removed from office. Before they left, they further divided Lhaven on racial issues. Instead of asking for them to be disciplined, I should have demanded their resignations and asked the commission commissioners to do their
duty to enforce this demand. I failed there. Former city manager and mayor spent my tax dollars to promote black history month, which is racial discrimination in favor of blacks. The manager and mayor also put up posters exclusively of black people, including
arrogantly pictures of themselves with my tax dollars. This attempt to elevate themselves only resulted in diminishing the importance of their black role models. I believe however they wanted to see themselves on a poster besides Martin Luther King.
Though I wonder if they understand the implications of such a display. David Gar won the Pulitzer Prize for his work on the biography of Martin Luther King. Pulitzer Prize is fairly important. He spent years researching
King's life. Grow states, "A profound and painful historical reckoning and reconsideration inescapably awaits King." What Gar meant is, "I can no longer support the lie."
King cheated on his wife with dozens of women. He cheated his way through college. He was no Christian as he did not believe in the basic tenants of Christianity. He was an ardent socialist, if not a communist. This is the man black leaders want their
children to emulate. They can worship whoever they desire. My tax dollars should not be taken from me to promote racial division or to support celebrations of a man who cheated his way through life. Research all of this. The monopoly on the narrative no longer exists. I'm
calling on the commissioners to quit taking my money to honor the dishonorable and to promote racial division in Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh next we have Johnny Bashers. >> Johnny Bashers. I'm going to read a
letter I sent to the commissioners this morning. Greetings commissioners. The correspondence this correspondence is regarding the selection and appointment of a person to complete the vacancy left by Mayor Nelson's resignation. This is obviously an important decision and one that deserves extended discussions. My
thoughts are that one of the sitting commissioners should be appointed to the mayor position as they've already been duly elected by the voters of Lin Haven. Following that, someone can be appointed to fill the vacant commission seat to complete that commissioner's term. The
most logical choice to fill the mayor's seat until it comes up for election would be to appoint the current mayor pro Tim Sam Peoples to the mayor's position. Commissioner's people's term is up for election at the next ele city election as is the mayor's seat. Should
you decide to appoint someone that is not currently on the commission, then I feel you should open the opportunity for others to come forward and apply for the position. Set a special meeting to appoint a mayor, possibly the 20th of January. This would allow you to interview any prospective applicants,
including myself. The the recall petition was signed by a small fraction of the voters and does not necessarily represent the electorate at large. 85% of the voters of Linhaven did not participate in the recall process. Of the signatures collected and turned in
for review, only a bit more than a thousand of those signed that signed the petition voted in the previous municipal election. I'm submitting Oops, I'm sorry. I'm submitting myself for consideration for appointment to the mayor's seat or any commission seat that
may be vacated in this process. I have a long history with Linhaven. I'm well known to each of you. I will be fair, honest, and open official that will represent the entirety, all the citizens of Linhaven. Should you opt to delay appointment until the 20th or later, I
would appreciate the opportunity to meet with each of you and discuss my qualifications and thoughts at length. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next we have Elvin Peters. Good evening, Alvin Peters, 25 East 8
Street, Panama City, Florida. Um, you'll recall I I promised I'd come from time to time to update you, and uh I'm here again. Uh, as perhaps you realize, uh, you were served today. Uh and so the lawsuit that we filed on behalf of Vicky
Gainor uh has been served upon you and we'll look forward to your response. Um the lawsuit uh is an invitation to court and in courtrooms uh we uh use the adversary process to assess the truth
and we have rules of evidence that uh we follow uh and we have outlined in this 8count lawsuit the grounds for which uh we claim that you broke the law and you discriminated against Miss Gainor. Count
one is the Equal Pay Act. You'll recall we talked about how you consistently underpaid her uh to comparable males. Count two is the hostile work environment on the basis of gender by the city of Linhaven.
Count three is the hostile work environment on the basis of race by the city of Linhaven. Count four is directed at you, Commissioner Tinder, and it concerns hostile work environment related to race. So that you are individually sued
for racial discrimination. Hostile work environment on the basis of gender is count five, Mr. Warick, and that's where you are particularly sued. Count six is hostile work environment and adverse actions due to party
affiliation by you, Mr. Warick. Uh, and that includes uh our investigation to show that when you were running for office uh you uh pledged to the Republican Party of Bay County uh that you would dismiss Miss Gainor because of
her registration as a Democrat, which we maintained as a violation of the city charter and a violation of your oath. Count seven is adverse actions due to gender by the city of Linhaven and count eight is adverse actions taken by the
city against Miss Gainor on the basis of race. So that's the lawsuit. Um you know it's a new year. Wish you a happy new year. But here we are addressing the problems uh and the discrimination that
occurred last year with regard to Miss Gainer. And I guess uh it's appropriate to wish you a happy Martin Luther King Day. Thank you.
Thank you. Next we have James Finch. James Fence, 410 East Second Street. I've been here 75 years. My family's been here over a hundred years. Lyn Haven's not racist and never has been racist. But this last week, I watched
last Friday, I watched as uh Mayor Nelson resigned from here. And when I took over the recall committee, I said I would chair the recall committee, but I don't want only do it with truth. I felt like uh maybe Mayor Nelson would do the
same thing, but evidently he didn't. He called out Commissioner Warick, Commissioner Tinder, you know, the recalls, bad actors and all that. But I want to tell you something. Mr. Warick, Mr. M. Tender has not ever been in the recall deal with us
or whatever. You know, they didn't participate in it. They weren't part of it. They did sign the petitions because they didn't want to sit there with with the mayor that we had, but they never pushed anything on anybody. And Mayor
Nelson resigned and he said in his resignation that, you know, he was uh he had won a won a a victory. They was going to uh continue the recall to next Wednesday, which they
did. They had a meeting just for uh uh a management case management meeting. It lasted 15 minutes. It was a Zoom call. And the rest of the story is
what happened to Mr. uh Nelson was he didn't pay his lawyer. So they called me and wanted to drop the case if I wouldn't go after the attorney fees against him. And I said, 'Well, if you want to ret
and with prejudice. I said, 'Well, how about resigning, you know, and all. He said, 'Well, I don't want to resign. Said, I want the vote to go on. I said, okay. My lawyer said, James, what do you want to do? I said, well, he wants to drop everything. And I said, I don't want to sue him and hurt him for his
money or whatever. I said, let it let the vote go on. Within three or four hours, he decided to resign himself. And then he said all these bad bad actors I ne I didn't know him. I never talked to him unless it was right here at this p in in the deal. Nobody threatened him or
you know whatever that worked with me. Anything. I appreciate him resigning. He did the city the best thing he ever done was to resign. There was about 5,000 people voted sign that petition to get him gone. And he his he had his deal on
there. Don't sign this. I've not done anything wrong. It was on every petition, but they signed every one of them. This is not a racist town. Vicky Kainer quadrupled her salary in three years. She's got a suit now with a city.
I'm suing her and the city. Y'all paying Vickiy's uh lawyers. Hey, >> thank you. Next, we have Jody Moore. Good evening. Um, you know, I wasn't going to say this, but um I will say this since Mr. Peters um came up here
and said uh what he said. I'm looking forward to following that lawsuit, but it's just lies. Um Mr. Peters hasn't been here for the past four and a half years like I've been. He doesn't really know what's happened. If anybody created a hostile work environment, it was Vicki. It she was not a victim of the
hostile work environment. She was the perpetrator. But anyway, that'll be found out. Um, also want to just say, you know, I've been given a lot of thought since um Nelson's resignation. Um, I know people are tired. You know, they're tired of the controversy. I'm
tired, too, but there's still work to be done. Um, Jesse Nelson resigned and he's gone. Uh Vicky Gainor and Ricky Ramy are no longer employed by Lin Haven and I personally think the city is heading in the right direction, but policy needs to be looked at to ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated. There need to
be good personnel decisions. There's still work to be done. There are multiple lawsuits still pending against the city that will need to be resolved and Mr. Peters just talked about one of them. I do want to um right now address a comment that was made at the last meeting. Someone asked Judy, "Where's
the proof of corruption?" And I'd say, "You need to read Margot Anderson's book, Storm of Corruption." Um, maybe it was missed that $5 million was stolen. I mean, that's an established fact. I'd also say that it's corrupt when thousands of dollars of IT equipment
gets taken to the director's house and kept there and then some of it was returned. Hopefully, most of it or all of it was returned. I'd say it's corrupt when evidence is kept unsecured in a foreclosed home and anybody could look at it if they walked in there and it it
was uh sensitive information. And let's not forget there was $30,000 in a backpack. Where did that go? Um Ricky Ramy gave it to Sheriff Ford and nobody's ever seen it since then. So don't ask me where evidence of corruption is or where the where the corruption is. I think we, you know, if
you look for it, I think you'll find it. Um, don't ignore real corruption and incompetence. And I want good things to happen in Linhaven. I truly do. But they won't happen if you don't look to the past and fix what was broken. So that's
why you need to examine these things, not to sit here and keep stirring up the controversy, but you got to fix what was broken. And things have been broken. Um, I think you can keep on going in the right direction tonight by putting the right person in the mayor's seat. Um, there is one man who put his name in to
run for mayor and who qualified in the recall recall election and that was Dr. Dave Lowry. So, those are my thoughts on that situation tonight. But if you want to consider other people, I think that that would be entirely fair. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Next, we have Sarah Marlor. >> Hey, Commission. Sarah Marlor, New York Avenue, live in L Haven. I've lived in Linhaven for 36 almost 37 years, and I will say I have never been so disappointed in the city of Linhaven as I am right now. I've gotten up and
spoken before. My husband has run for city commission before. He was defeated by Commissioner Tinder, which was a complete disgrace, but it is what it is. The people voted. Here we are. Tonight should never be happening.
If y'all want to vote in Dr. Dave Lowry, fine. Sam Peeles isn't here. That's not a fair vote. Also, if he's the only one that qualified as a candidate, let me tell you something. He's the only one that qualified in a
recall race. Nobody that loved Jesse Nelson was going to go up against Jesse Nelson. And I personally love Jesse Nelson. And I also love and adore Vicky Gainor to the hilt. Her attorney got up here and spoke
nothing but the truth. And right now, the mayor that is set to be before us tonight is sitting behind me laughing, making everything possible he can, a mockery of things. That's not what a mayor does. He's also gotten on social
media and making a mockery of people in the community. It's not what a mayor and position does. Nobody's perfect. I'm not claiming that Jesse was perfect and I'm not claiming that Vicki was perfect by any means. But you, Miss Tinder, when you vacated
your seat to run, >> please address the comments to the chair, please. Thank you. >> When Miss Tinder resigned to run for mayor, guess what? Y'all gave her Y'all gave the opportunity for the commission to
take interviews, to take resumes, and y'all did due process and voted on them. Why aren't you doing the same thing for the mayor? Why is it such a rush? Honestly, I'm at the point now, does the
governor need to step in on our little city? because there is the definition of corruption happening in our city to the nth degree and I it's hard for me to it's a that's a very hard pill for me to swallow because I have lived here for so
long I was born and raised here I went to Lin Haven Mo Mosley I went to college came right back and I still live in Linhaven and what is happening in our city is disgraceful what y'all did to Mayor Nelson and Miss
Vicki was horrific. Do the right thing tonight by the citizens of Linhaven. Don't rush into a mayor position. Listen to the people before you make a terrible mistake. >> Thank you. Uh next we have David
Switzer. David Switzer, 323 Alexander Drive. I've been accused of being too scripted, so I'm speaking from the heart tonight. I wanted to talk about a couple of dates. October 14th and December 9th. If we, and those are both city commission
meetings. October 14th was when we realized when it was brought to everybody that this contract came through with the Bay County Sheriff's Office that should not have been entered into that meeting
brought this forward as just a humrum another check off check mark on the box without any research other that I'm aware of other than having the acting chief come up here and explain what that
um that um software program is that it software if you remember and I'm going to dumb this way down. He basically said that this is a um my secretary brings me forms and I get my quill pen out and I dip it in iron gall ink and I hand write
all these forms and man that hurts my hands when that happens. So, we need something efficient. And this is very efficient. And I'm not saying that he told I'm not saying that he didn't tell the truth, but I'm telling you that the real truth is
interconnection. What that contract does is links Linhaven with every other police department at the sheriff's station through Fus. Now, Bayrock is a whole different thing and I don't have a lot
of time to get into that, but just know that that's what that is. That is what the software program is. It is for efficiency, but it also links every camera, 160 cameras that are government controlled
to Bayrock. Next, December 9th. I have a big problem with December 9th. December 9th is when it was passed that four to one. Thank you, Mrs. Tinder. Thank you for voting no that we're going to
continue this contract. I have a feeling that none of the commissioners knew anything about Flock. Zero. The questions that were asked on December 9th by the commissioners,
one commissioner thought the Supreme Court had already ruled on this, which is not true. Our our acting chief said, "Oh, it's like settled law." Which it is not. This is going through the courts. This is something right now that's happening that everybody needs to study
up on and understand what it is. I need you guys to crack the books. Don't vote on something that you have no idea what it is and then retroactively ask a flat guy to come here and sell the product.
Do it yourselves. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> We have any other public commentary? Ryan Gray. >> Good evening. Um, a while back in July,
I requested 14 procurement records from the city on 13 records that were over 35,000, which was the city manager's um procurement threshold. One record was below. I included that for full transparency to see what the difference
in the records were. of those 13 records over the um procurement threshold that did not require the commission authority. I received back records for all 13 plus the um the uh one below. And
of those 13 records that were above, I found zero evidence of commission approval. That's 13 records over threshold that did not get city commission approval. One might ask why. Well, there was a uh a
thing called owner direct p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p purchases that were happening in order to offset construction costs. Um the construction firm in this place, I think it was um was it Co Pepper and Co Pepper who did the city hall would ask Linhaven to
purchase goods for them tax-free. Great. We save on sales tax in order so that with that way they didn't have to pay sales tax, which is fine. I'm all for that if it's in the policy. It's not in the procurement policy and Chris can confirm for you today. It is still not in the procurement policy. It is
something that he's working on. We've talked about this. The reason I bring this up is because um there's numerous uh people tonight spoke about the former city manager not doing anything wrong. There's 13 examples that you can all
freely look into to determine if the former city manager broke city policy at all. I believe that the former city manager did 13 times just on the city hall. Was that intentional? Maybe, maybe not. Um, the facts are the facts and
when it comes to procurement, what is written and what is documented is fact. And then beyond that, I also want to add in that um I want to ask if any of you received any names prior to this meeting of anybody other than Mr. Lowry who's
interested in becoming uh the next mayor of our city. Um, and if you whether you did or did not, I would also encourage any member of the public to get up right after me and make it be known that you'd like to be considered because the apathy
in this community is at an all-time high. And I haven't lived here for the 35 years that I've been alive. I've lived here for 5 and a half. It's a choice to live here for me. It wasn't a birthright. I chose to live in Linhaven. I've chosen to be involved in Linhaven. I've been accused of things that have
been mentioned tonight. Um, I've continually shared my opinion on the professional duties that my elected this legislative body what they do. If if I'm saying that you're doing something wrong, that that is my opinion and it has no reflection on you as a person.
>> Thank you. Uh, Mr. Zack Deweiler. Good evening, Commissioner. Zach Dwaller. Um, well, I originally came here today to to speak about the email that I I sent you all and we've been going back and forth about about the Greece pro uh that's being built at the corner of 390 in
Harvard. Um, don't need to get into details tonight. Certainly, we can work that out as adults behind the scenes. But one thing that I I do want to get into is the fact that as we're going forward
as a city, we've talked a lot about what it's going to take to recover and one of those things is structure. I listened to a couple of interviews from a couple different people. One of them was Dr. Lowry that he did on Monday and he
talked about in the military how structure saves you from chaos. There's policy, there's procedure. As an NCO, as another NCO, you guys know that in order to function, you have to have
laws and ordinances and codes in which you abide by. The DO for Greaspro came forward, I believe it was November, early December of 2023. The plans were voted on with changes by
the commission. New plans were created. They were submitted to the state DOT. They were submitted to the county. They were never resubmitted to the city until I called the planning manager, Amanda Richards, at the time, and said, "Hey,
there's about to be work going on, and the city doesn't have updated plans. What's going on?" All of a sudden, there was a rush to get those plans in front of the commission. Vicky Gainner herself said, "Don't you worry." She was asked by Commissioner Peoples specifically,
"Don't you worry. There is going to be a vote on this. It is coming back in front of you. Don't you worry." Amanda Richards said the same thing. Don't you worry. Then at a pre-commission meeting, not even the commission meeting, but a pre-commission meeting, all of a sudden it was, "Well, the mayor
asked,"Well, what's the mayor at the time said, "What's the problem with them?" Oh, well, they're just never going to be happy. Well, I don't think we need to take this in front of the commission. It's already a done deal. They put the changes in it. Well, no, they didn't because the building moved, the storm water pond moved, the entire engineering of the project moved, but it
was never brought back in front of the commission. Now that's substantive change and the lawyer can tell you about sub substantive change because that is a legal term that states when there is something so significant that changes it needs re-review. There is nothing in the
ordinances that would allow for a city manager to supersede the authority of this commission and that is going to be a theme that is going to come up a lot here in the future. There's going to be a lot looked into and we are looking. But I'm gonna say
this. Follow your ordinances. That is all I can say. >> Thank you, Mr. Hines. >> George, 603 Rhdown Avenue. I didn't intend to speak, but I have to because certain people said certain things that just not true as far as I'm concerned.
Someone said the city of Lin Haven is not racist. That may be true, but there are some racist people in the city of Lin Haven. I was told by elderly Caucasian guy to stop using the word racist and she used the word white supremacist and we have those in this building right now.
Now I did 21 and a half years in the military. I'm a senior non-commission officer and I went in in 71 got out in 93. 32 years ago I retired and I came back to Bay County. I've been in the meeting since that that time. I didn't come in until I wanted to get elected. I've been here for 30 something years coming to these meetings.
There is a problem in this city. It may not be racial, but it's not equality because everyone is scared of a world of diversity. I don't know why you use it in your house every day. You don't use the same equipment every day the same way. You diversify the way you use stuff, including your car or your
bicycle. You don't ride the same way every day. So, that's the problem I have with the meeting right now. It's your job. I told you many time before, you elected officials, it's your job to make a decision what you want to do. You can listen to everybody in here. You can listen to everybody at your church, but it's your job to make the decision.
Don't be afraid to make a decision. Make one and live with it. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, >> sir. In that brown shirt, 1208 Massachusetts Avenue. Couple of small things.
As an academy graduate, a ships captain, a military officer, it is indeed important to have rules, guidelines, procedures. I would encourage you guys to set up what's known as an error trap to try not to repeat some of the things we did. We had Trojan horses brought
here in the form of a Mr. White early on that was a start of the downward slide. So, whatever procedure was put in place that received him in your midst, I would look at that procedure, make sure we're not duplicating that. make sure if they knock on the door, oh, if I got somebody for you, probably want to look real hard
at that, see if it serves us well. Number two, I had a question about storm water fees and I asked a question of the council got an answer. I said, "How much to comes in every time the letter comes to my desk that we want $254 more dollars for storm water?" I was told $1.8 million.
That's right or not, but I was told one I guessed 1.4. I guess a little lower. Are we keeping track of that money? Does it indeed go to storm water? That's a bunch of money. bunch of money. Are we earmarking it? Now, I want to say something positive. Never seen such a group of dedicated city employees that we have. There's a young lady that
drives one of the refuge trucks. She needs a gold star. Not only does she do her job, she gets out and she cleans up after she gets out of the truck. Imagine that and cleans up. You don't mind going out and offering them a cold Coke or a cup of coffee or a Christmas card at
Christmas. That's what I want to get back to. That kind of land haven. Set your air traps up. Don't repeat your mistakes. The only way you can chart a course forward is erase the chart from yesterday and move forward. Lawsuits, every business that I've been in that
got beat up, that's where attorneys feed. Anytime there's consternation, attorneys begin to feed. So, you'll have to wade through that. But I have every confidence you can get through. Good luck in 26. I hope we have a lot less tension for you. >> Thank you.
Anyone else, sir? Good evening, commissioners. I'm Robert Moore, uh, 2403 Country Club Drive. I did not come here planning to speak. In fact, I didn't plan to come to the to the meeting till I saw in the 5:00 news that there was a possibility that you
would appoint a mayor tonight. I'd like to remind you that in a democracy, we select our representatives. you you don't select each other. Uh we had a mayor, like him or not, who was elected twice in 21, I they believe in a special
election, and then 23. I would like the chance to vote for my next mayor. I think we've been given a very reasonable um proposal tonight is one of you serve out the term and then appoint a city
commissioner and then let's proceed from that point. But just want to leave you with the fact that in a democracy we select our representatives. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Uh sorry, the one in the back. Yes,
ma'am. I'm Susan Anderson. We're talking about democracy. We're talking about potential mayor. We're talking about a man that stood up when he qualified to be mayor. Nobody's surprised that that we're in this
situation. Where were the people that wanted to be mayor when they had an opportunity to stand up and qualify? We're not surprised about being in this situation. If you wanted to be mayor, where were you? Why didn't you Why didn't you stand up and qualify? It's
not a surprise. Where were you? Were you apathetic at the time? Did you not know that we were possibly needing a mayor? I'm not surprised. I didn't stand up and say I wanted to be
mayor. I'm not going to stand up now and say, "Please, please vote me mayor." Dr. Lowry stood up during an unpopular time and said, "I'm willing. I'm able. I don't know him other than
what I've read. He seems very wellqualified. He's able to lead. He wanted to. There's nobody running against him. If we went to the polls, it was either recall and Dr. Lowry became our mayor.
We would have had a vote, we would have had him as our leader. He stands very well qualified to be a leader. I don't understand why all of a sudden we feel like we need a whole bunch of people to
have an opportunity to say, "Hey, I want to run now." Where were you when you had an opportunity to stand up and say, "I'll be a leader. I'm I'm ready. Lynhaven, I want to." When we had the
mess that we had, you wanted to blindly follow Mayor Nelson. I'm sorry that we got into that mess. But you don't get another opportunity now to say, "Okay, well maybe now that Mayor Nelson
resigned, give me a chance." Well, I don't necessarily want to stand up behind you when you weren't ready to stand up when you had an opportunity to qualify and say, "I want this job in this mess that we're in." Dr. Lowry
stood up and said, "Okay, I'm ready to lead. Perhaps we ought to give him his chance." Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. Uh, anyone else? Yes, ma'am. Miss Garmin.
Candy Garmin. I also didn't think about speaking tonight when I came here, but when the lady said it was a disgrace that Judy was voted in, that that burned me a new one. I I'm telling you why why
is it a disgrace when somebody's voted in by the people in this community that they want to be uh represented so much that that those residents those community members voted Judy in. So that's not a disgrace. The
disgrace is what's happened here for the past 8 years. That's the disgrace. um on the recall of Mayor Nelson. The reason he was recalled is because
the ve the residents voted to recall him. There was 2500 votes to recall him. In the original of the previous election, there was only 1,700 votes. So, I mean, 2500 votes, that means we
want we want him out. Um, another thing is I had a big poster made to bring here, but since he resigned, I decided not to. It was a poster I had made of his
paperwork that he presented that he sent in to the tax to the tax office where he had given $3,000 to his church that he stood up here to my face and said, "No, I didn't do that. It's on the tax tax
laws, the tax laws." So, I mean, I've always heard if somebody will lie, they'll steal. If they'll steal, they'll kill you. So, I don't trust somebody that lies to me. The last thing that u I was going to say is I've always heard that a person that
yells racist the loudest is usually the racist. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? All right, that's it for public commentary. We'll go to item four. Um,
are there any addition, deletions, modifications to the agenda? >> Um, sir, I have a um a request to add to the agenda um our um possible appointment of of of of the vacated
mayor's position. >> It's it's already on there and item. Then I have another request to to um to um have discussion about our um the city manager's position.
>> Sure. >> Okay. >> We'll um we'll put that as item 24. Just discussion. City manager. >> I think we should have a discussion because the the the deadline passed and and I I think we need to hopefully get
our feelings out and maybe set set something for the next agenda. But >> okay. Um so we need a vote. That's is that your motion? >> Uh that that would be my motion. Yes. >> Do I have a second? >> Second.
>> All right. I got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Any discussion from the public? All right. Call the role, please. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner Warick, >> yes. Mayor Pro 10 peoples.
>> Sam. >> Yes. >> All right. Motion passes. That'll be item number 24. Any other addition, deletions, or modifications? That it. All right. Next, we'll have the report. Um, do I start with Peebles or myself?
>> Your call, sir. >> All right. We'll start we'll start with Mayor Prom Peebles. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Sorry to everyone that I couldn't be there this week. I'm on a work trip, not by choice. Wish I could be there with you all, but appreciate everyone that came
tonight, made their voice heard about what they wanted to happen. Thank you to the staff for holding things down and thank you for to the police and fire and everybody else to keep the city running. Uh, not much of a report. Um, so I'll I'll pass it on.
Thank you. All right, Commissioner uh Pero. >> Thank you, sir. Um I don't have much to report either. Um I do know that um Mr. Oakley spoke about a lady who um who who does a great job picking up debris and
whatnot. I' I've been complimented about her by citizens as well. Um, I know that she's in she worked um actually over near near where you live, Sarah, because my buddy Gus told me that and and his
wife an told me how great she was. >> She's only been with us about 60 days, I believe. >> Is that the one? Numerous compliments on her. >> Yeah, there's there's and she seems to be she's a very caring person that gets out and does stuff. So, definitely want
to pass along kudos there. Um, and I saw today, um, I I have the, um, I have the privilege of having one of our lift stations right outside my my kitchen door at Beo Brady's. And there
was two guys working really hard on on uh, installing the Scattera, I believe, or I think that's what they were doing. So, >> Skada. >> Skada. Scattera. Well, I I walked up to him. I said, "What are y'all doing? you putting up that scatter stuff? And they
said, "Yep." And they they were they were going at it pretty hard. So, um, also, if you were around town yesterday over by Circle K, uh, and, uh, I believe, uh, it was 12th Street and 10th Street,
y'all had a very organized uh, coned off situation and y'all were going to town on a project over there. So, uh, whatever that was was was timed out really well and orchestrated and I
don't think there was any idle hands at all. I mean, they were I was I was watching several different times throughout the day and they were hitting it pretty good. So, yeah, you it was almost like you had a crane on the job or something, you know, you have people working hard, you know, and a lot of
times that's uh that that's not seen in in in in everyday progress. So, I I really uh I really got to give it to our people or the the people we contract and what what's been going on. So, with that, I'll just I'll just say thank you
to all our employees and all our first responders. And that's my report. >> All right, >> Commissioner Tinder. >> Well, I think 2026 is going to be our best year yet, and I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to and
it's probably the most asked question of me is when does the new police chief start and am I correct February 9th? >> Yes ma'am. >> certificate and he'll be ready to go to work on the 12th. >> No no February the week of February 9th
that's when he starts his training for the Florida crossover. >> Okay. And how long does that take? >> It's a 4-day course and then he'll have to take the test for the certification. >> Oh, he won't have a problem getting that. Anyway, uh I'm looking forward to that and I think that's going to uh set
us off in a new direction and I I really don't have a report. We've got great employees here. Everybody does their job and uh and they do it well and I just think all the new additions that are going to happen this year are going to
make a huge difference. Thank you. >> All right. Um I don't have a whole lot either. Um, the one thing I have is I sat down with our grants writer and uh, she was able to give me an update of all the grants that we're working on. Grants
that um, they plan on coming in as far as the process and how to do those. Of course, if anybody's done grants, you probably know it's a very simple, easy process right now. You got to deal with multiple different agencies and everyone's got a different process. you
got to know what right words to say and and our grant writer uh does an excellent excellent job. So, I would uh uh and she enlightened me on um a lot of different things and I learned quite a bit. So, I would encourage the rest of the commission to please sit down and
talk with her. Um it'll be worth your while. So, I would encourage everyone to do that. Um I know there was a couple things that came up during public commentary. I'm not going to answer them right now. I'll answer them when it gets to item 11 um for
discussion and possible approval of appointing the mayor as far as what names have we heard and uh someone uh mentioned about you know electing um the mayor and that and I'll I'll explain how that's supposed to work according to our or we'll mayor or I'm sorry city
attorney or whoever will explain how that process works for our charter and uh that's oh I got a couple proclamations here to read Um first one's for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Uh the proclamation reads uh whereas the
civil rights movement of the 1960s has profoundly impacted the course of American history and continues to shape the direction and debate of our society. And whereas one of the great leaders of the 20th century movement is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. whose dream is no less
inspirational and important today than when he first expressed I have a dream more than 50 years ago. And whereas with the gains of the civil rights movement over the years, there are many goals achieved that are to be celebrated as we continue our commitment to uphold those
righteous ideals. And whereas as we look forward to the future with optimism, inspired by Dr. King's legacy and informed by his wisdom and vision, let us rededicate ourselves to keeping his dream alive and be reminded that we are united as one community where all men
are created equal. And whereas in the land of the free, we can join hands and sing, free at last, free at last, great God Almighty, we are free at last. Now therefore, on behalf of the city commission and the people of the city of Linhaven,
um by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby officially proclaim and recognize January 19th, 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Um second proclamation is uh for black history month and the re and it states
whereas since 1976 every US president has officially designated the month of February as national black history month to honor and affirm the importance of black history throughout our American experience. And whereas the United States joins other countries around the
world in devoting a month to recognize black history including Canada and the United Kingdom. And whereas the observance of Black History Month began in 1926 when Harvard train historian Carter G. Woodson and Minister Jesse Morland sponsored the first national
negro history week which was celebrated the second week in February and later in the 1960s as part of the civil rights movement. The observance involved evolved into Black History Month. And whereas much of the city of Linhaven's honor, strength, and success can be
attributed to the diversity of cultures and traditions that are celebrated by the residents of this great city. And whereas African-Americans have played significant roles and made lasting contributions to our city's history and the history of Florida's economic, cultural, spiritual, and political
development while working tirelessly to contribute to every aspect of American society, including business, education, politics, science, and the arts. And whereas Black History Month is a time for all Americans to remember the contributions and legacy of those who
helped build our nation, fought against prejudice to secure lives of dignity and opportunity for all of our citizens, advance that advance the cause of civil rights for all Americans, and strengthen our families and communities. Now therefore, as a city commission, do
hereby encourage all residents in the city of Linhaven, Florida, to join me in honoring the many contributions made by African-Americans to our city, state, and nation, and to participate in the many educational and inspirational events as we celebrate and proclaim the month of February as Black History
Month. All right, so next up, we have the interim city manager report. >> Yes, sir. Uh, the gym will be closed January 17th for the volleyball jamboree. Currently, our adult volleyball and basketball registration is open. The demo of the Kane Griffin
playground, which I brought up last commission meeting, is complete. The new playground installation is inspect expected within the next two to three weeks. The finance review committee will be meeting January 20th at 8 a.m. here in the chambers. And then, thank you for bringing up uh the grant writer, River
Jordan. She's been doing a great job. Uh, Commissioner Pero, she's actually working with Dr. program on a new estuary program grant. So, she has a lot of grants that she's working on. We have some that are that are pending. They were delayed from the government shutdown and hopefully we will hear back from them soon to bring back to you all.
Then any questions on the checklist from Miss Roman. >> There were a couple of questions um during public commentary. I want to assure you that all of the storm water funds are accounted for in a separate
accounting system based just on storm water. In fiscal 26, I'm projecting that we will bring in $2.6 million from the nonadorum assessment that will be used towards the storm. Every nickel of it
goes towards storm water. The storm water expense budget is over $8 million. So all of that money is dedicated to storm water projects. The other question uh was regarding MLK Day. There is about
$6,800 in the budget for that event. Are there any other questions that I can answer? >> No. All right. Thank you. Uh city attorney >> Pat stole my thunder. I was going to
request direction on the city manager uh search at your next meeting uh to report that the applications are have been received. You'll be getting them next week and staff could use some direction, but you'll just test that. I have no other report. >> Okay. Thank you. Next uh item uh number
nine is our consent agenda and the only thing on there is approval of minutes dated 12:30 25 special meeting minutes. Do we have a motion for that? >> Motion to approve. Second. I got a motion, a second. Any public commentary?
All right, if you could call the role, please. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner Perno, >> yes. >> Commissioner Warick, >> yes. >> Mayor Pro Tim Peeles, >> yes. >> All right, for old business number 10, uh, discussion possible approval resolution 2026-01-504
ratifying the proposed time, date, change to the CRA's findings of necessity document. So, oh, you read >> a resolution of the city of Linhaven, Florida, approving the extension of the Community Redevelopment Agency in accordance with se with section 163.3755
subsection 1, Florida statutes from September 30th, 2039 to November 30th, 2043, providing for conflict, providing for severability, providing an effective date. >> So, at your December 9th meeting, you approved a resolution extending your CRA
plan. There is another statute that provides specifically uh for a finding of continued existence of an agency of the community redevelopment agency beyond September 30th, 2039. So this is the followup to your last resolution. The last one extended the plan. This
finds for continued existence of the agency until November 30th, 2043, which will sync with the termination of your plan. >> Any questions? All right, we have a motion to approve. Uh
>> a motion to approve. >> Second. >> All right, we got a motion and second. Any public commentary? None. All right, if you could call the roll, please. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner Ward, >> yes. >> Mayor Proen Peoples,
>> yes. >> All right. Number number 11 is discussion and possible approval appointing someone to fill the recently vacant mayoral seat in term city manager. >> Yes, sir. As you all know, uh Mayor Nelson resigned Friday, effective 7 p.m.
Per our charter, the commission has now 30 days to fill that seat. If they do not, the governor can step in and fill that seat. Whoever is appointed to fill it will be in office until April of 2027 at the next regularly scheduled election. Okay. So, I just want to say something real
quick. Someone had brought up um I think they were like, "Hey, we should elect a next mayor, but we can't according to our charter." Our charter specifically states, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the commission will appoint mayor. >> I have it right here, sir, if you'd like me to read it. >> So, the the recall statute provides that
if the recalled person resigns prior to the election, the remaining members of that governing body shall fill the seat. your charter syncs with that and also provides for when there was a vacancy on the commission, the remaining commissioners fill the seat. So, you've got two sources of law that all say the
same thing. >> Okay, any questions on that? Um, the other thing that came up was uh names for mayor. Um, I think we probably all got the same email, but I received
one email from Mr. Johnny Bashers and then I received an email from a resident um um encouraging um appointing uh George Hines and that was the only things that I received.
So to answer that question that came up there in public commentary so it's up for discussion. Can >> I say something? >> Yes sir. All
right. Thank you. So, you know, I've put a lot of thought into this and it's a very unique situation because my first thought was, hey, you know, we need to give this some time because, you know,
like last time we appointed someone, um, I don't know, I was not on the commission. Um, I was in the audience and there appeared to be a lot of confusion among people in the uh audience of what happened and how it happened. And so my initial thought was,
you know, maybe we should give this a little more time to talk about it, to educate the public, to let people put their names in. This isn't an anti Dave Lowry or anti- anybody. It was just a, you know, let's give it some time to educate the public. Um, but there's also
the argument to be made that, you know, there was a recall election going on. So, there was quite a bit of public interest in this situation. So, people knew what was going on. So, I see both sides of the argument. And so, I really just want
to have a healthy discussion tonight to kind of figure out what we want to do as a commission tonight. I'm thankful for the people that came out and spoke. I'm thankful for the emails. I can confirm with what Commissioner War said, that's the exact same amount of uh interest or
or names that came to me. I've not had any more. Uh I see the argument on both sides of waiting of going ahead and getting it done, whatever. I just want to have a healthy discussion and just want to put my thoughts out there that um it is important that you know we
don't want to rush anything, but at the same time there's an argument to be made that it's not being rushed. So, I just want to hear what everyone has to say. >> Well, I think the first question we need to answer is, is there anybody on the commission that wants to be mayor?
>> That's a no for commissioner Tinder. >> Ooh. Ooh. No. Thank you. >> Commissioner Pero is a a no. No. No. Commissioner Peebles. Pro Mayor Pro Peebles. >> Can you ask the question one more time? Um, I was just saying that I think the first question we need to answer is does
anybody on the commission want to be mayor? >> Oh, no. I'm not interested. >> I'm not interested either. So, >> that's answers the first question. So, go ahead. Uh, I just I mean if we're going to start, I just want to start by
saying, you know, um, Mayor Nelson, where we are, thank you for what you've done to serve. I mean, we all took the we all took the step to to put ourselves out there to run for the office that we
that we that we hold. Um, he did that. He did that not only once, but twice. and uh you know and and for anybody to serve serve in the capacity of what we're doing, I take my hat off to him. Um so I wanted to thank him for his
service. Um, now we in the recall process with the um I I think the lady in the back who spoke was very very eloquent and and probably could recap it better
than me, but I I believe that um uh there was there was there was the mayor in the recall process and there was a question about the mayor as the ballot would read and then there there there was only one qualified candidate
and and and this man puts himself out there to want to be our mayor. Uh he's put out his resume, his personal resume, his military resume, his his, you know,
um he's documented his life and and he's been an open book for for anybody to talk to him. I know I've had people ask me about him and I said, "Hey, do you want do you want to meet him?" You know, cuz I would have arranged for him to meet somebody and I don't even know the
man that well, but I know just from the short conversations I had, he he would get out and meet anybody and and and and talk to them. Now, um I my I just wanted to I'm going to go ahead and
play my card and say, you know, we we we have a candidate, you know, and our job is to do we want to limp along and only have four seats for the next year and two two months or do we want to fill the seat and have a full commission five
votes at every meeting? you know, and in order to do that, I think we need to take the person who wanted to wanted to serve and be our mayor and make him make him the mayor and and then uh uh arrange a time hopefully
uh for an induction, possibly a special meeting uh before the next meeting. So then he could be he could be um he could be um approved and put in and you know sworn in and then he could hit the ground as the mayor and have a little
bit of time before the next agenda so he can so >> hold on. >> Uh that's okay, man. We're we're still talking. You'll get your chance when we make a motion. Um but uh but anyway, that's that's my
feelings. Um, and I feel I feel like given the chance, if each one of us were put to the task, I I mean, we all have different opinions, but I feel like each one of you, Sam, you included, know you're not you're on the phone, but any
one of us would would step up and do what we had to do. So, I admire all of you for for that and what we're what we're about to decide. So, I'll leave it at that. Well, I I know that uh Dr. Lowry uh will
meet anybody and he'll tell you anything you want to know about him. Um I find him to be um a very honest individual, very open, and
he's full of integrity. There just isn't anything I can't say that's positive that's not positive about him. And um I think he could take Lynhaven long ways. And if he should choose to run again in 13 months, you
know, when that seat will be up, then so be it. We'd probably be very lucky. That's all I have to say. >> So you want to hear what I have to say, huh? >> Well, I guess. Yeah. >> You're on, Boba. So, this is the way I'm looking at it is
um the only names that I've heard is Mr. Basher and and Mr. Hines, who I both respect um who've been actively involved in the community. Uh I appreciate their civic engage engagement um and and respect their willingness to serve. Um
and I know one of the things that Mr. Basher brought up is he wanted to sit down and talk with us about his qualifications and that but I know you know both of those individuals ironically have have ran in
um past elections. Um I know Mr. Hines ran in 2021 when we were both running and then when we we both ran in 2025 when Mr. the shares was running and so we participated in multiple public forums and discussions and I think we
got to know each other pretty well uh through that. So I'm I'm pretty familiar with the experience and qualifications and um uh the standing on the issues and that. So, um, that's the way I feel about it and I can make my determination
based on on what I've heard through those. >> And I and the biggest thing I feel right now that our city needs is transparency. We have to have it. We have to have it. We need our employees, we need our
residents to trust what we say is what we mean. And we're not just flapping our jaws. And I believe uh David Lowry will do that because if he says it, he means it. And um
if I could make a motion right now, I'd make a motion. Well, I'm making a motion we appoint David Lowry as our next mayor. >> Okay, we have a motion. >> I'll second that motion. >> And a second to appoint Dr. Dave Lowry um as may our next mayor. Is there any
more further discussion? Sure. I got something. Just wanted to say that um thank you to all three names that that uh put their name in the hat or was mentioned. Um it's an incredibly
terrible or tough position to have to you know make because the mayoral position is such an important position and I like it said earlier I truly respect anyone that puts their name in the hat. I mean, it takes a lot of courage and it takes a lot of takes a
lot of um, you know, guts to do it. And I appreciate every single one of you. Um, and I will say that I think that all three of them display traits of transparency and and great things that they could bring to the city. Uh that's all I just wanted to add because you
know I spoke first so I didn't really get to or I didn't I just asked what you guys had in mind so I just wanted to add what was on my mind as well. >> Okay. Thank you. Um the only thing I wanted to add was um no matter who gets appointed
um something I've been thinking about since this has come up is um when we install officers in Lin Haven I I I'd like to change the way we do that. And I don't know if you ever seen how Panama City does it, but Panama City has what they call an inauguration day. And so
our next election will be 2027. Um, and we'll have you'll have at least three seats up for election. And instead of installing the officers at a commission meeting, have a separate day where we just install those officers and make it a big event because it is a big
deal no matter who gets in there. And that way all their supporters, friends, and family can come in and support them. And uh you know, when they get done installing, it's it's a good networking opportunities to socialize and talk with each other in that. Um and I don't know how we go forth with that. If we got a
something we got to vote on later, but I'd like to do that with this. No, no, regardless of who gets appointed that that day is nothing but installing um the appointed mayor. I think I think the way we're going about it, we'll we'll we'll have to do that because I don't
think I don't think we want to appoint the man, you know, and then and then at the next meeting, have him installed and then be mayor. We need to we need to make make the if we're going to make the appointment, then we need to set up a
time when we can do the a separate special meeting where we do the installation. >> Yeah. And that's just the installment, nothing else. >> That's it. Yeah. Mr. work if I may. >> Yes, sir. >> So, if if you all make an appointment tonight, we can schedule a special meeting for next Tuesday to do a swearing in ceremony
>> for that and then whoever that person is will be the mayor prior to the next meeting >> as long as it works for whoever that person is, of course. >> Yes, sir. We'll coordinate schedules. >> Okay, sounds good. >> Appointment. >> All right. Uh, so we got a motion, a second. Do we have any public
commentary? Yes, sir. Good evening, commission. Good evening, residents. You guys know me. I'm Dave Lowry. Um, we've had a rough few months. Appreciate seeing all of y'all tonight. And just
wanted to tell you for the record to our fellow commission or to fellow commissioners, to the city manager, my fellow Linhaven citizens, I am willing and ready to step up to the challenge at hand.
point blank. I would have much rather done this at the ballot box. Couple of folks talked about elections. We had an election scheduled Friday afternoon when the former mayor resigned. He had 337
Linhaven residents who had already had their absentee ballots recorded by the Bay County Supervisor of Elections, Nina War. It was on her website. I have a screenshot of it I'll gladly share with anyone.
Mayor Nelson resigned 80 hours give or take before the early voting started. Ample folks were more than ready to go vote. We were not given an opportunity to do so because per state law with the
recall that shuts down as soon as the recalled target or recalled individual steps aside. We now have until next April uh April of 2027
to get this city moving forward. I've shared my degrees, my financial history, my military records, my resume. I have truly tried to be an open book and I will continue to do so. I'm an eighth generation Florida panhandle.
I say what I mean. I mean what I say. I talk straight. Tell the truth all the time. You don't have to remember what you told people. It's a fact. We got a lot of challenges. But the individuals that gave us the strife and the black cloud, if you will,
organizationally and many of the challenges that we face today are gone. We have an opportunity to hit the reset, move forward in a collaborative way where everyone is respected like golden rule. Pledge to you all tonight, I will
do exactly that. And we will move forward as a community. There is a lot that can be done with transparency, accountability, sound financial management, and say what we mean and mean what we say leadership.
That's what I pledge to every one of you. front of you tonight. >> We can really move this city forward and get rid of this tail spin we've been in for the last year plus. I pledge to each and every one of you tonight as I look
you in the eyes, I promise you to give 110%. I will do my very best to help you get us back on track. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Mr. Bashers. >> Yeah, y'all received my email earlier
today and Judy Tinder did respond and say that we will appoint a new mayor tonight for the next 16 months. Look at the live interview with Veronica live and Dr. Lowry that was recorded yesterday. So, my wife Michelle and I did just that. We watched that that
interview and Dr. Lowry presents a great case. He's ultra qualified. There's no doubt about that. I've been here in the city a long time. I'm pretty well qualified also. But as what I want to say, and this pains me to do this, but I am going to go there. So, we watched
that interview, and in that interview, Dr. Lowry said he was speaking with with Commissioner Warick about becoming the mayor of Linhaven. And I'm going to read this as a this is a transcription of what he said, and I just want to put it
out there. So there was a discussion going on between Dr. Lowry and Jamie Warick and he said he had was talking to Jamie and Jaime called him and talked to him about the possibility of becoming the mayor of Glenn Haven. So he said
about a week later Jaime called me back and through all of this discussion and this is where the transgression starts. This is Dr. Lowry talking. Tell you what, you talk to th Bishop who is the chairman of the Bay County Republican Party, and you talk to Judy Tinder, who I also knew and thought a lot of. If
they both think this is something feasible, let's sit down and talk about it. And so he called back about two hours later and said, "Though is a go." And Judy said she would love to. Now, you want to talk about transparency. This is talking about something that
could come before the commission as a vote between two sitting commissioners that was not in the sunshine. And I have an issue with that. This is a concern for me. Um, and that's another reason I think you need to take a little more time and and go through this and make sure you're following the rules. I don't
know how you cannot recuse yourself from from voting on this position based on that discussion, but that's neither here or there. I think I'm qualified. I'm sure Dr. Lowry's qualified. And if you do approve him, I'll do everything to work with him to make sure that Linhaven
moves forward. But I just am concerned about how we arrive at this point. The last thing I'll say, the reason I did not put my name in the hat to start with, I did not agree with the recall. And for me to put my name in the hat to run for mayor would give the impression that I did in fact agree with the recall
and would pull votes from possible people that would want to re retain Jesse Nelson. So there's reasons that people did not come forward during the recall. A recall is not the same as a general election. You don't have the same parameters. You don't have the same things involved. That's why my name was
not put forward first. It wasn't because I wasn't willing and able to do it. But I made a a conscious choice not to do so and lead lend any cred any credence to the recall commission because I felt like a lot of what they
had to say was untrue. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, ma'am. >> I want to say this. You want to talk about transparency? All three commissioners, y'all have already violated Sunshine Law. Miss Tinder said that she did not
support the recall in any way. She did. She had the ballots in her restaurant. That was all over social media. You worked with this man to get him to come in. you as a member of the country club and I'm a member of the country club
brought him around and introduced him to people and passed around his resume. Y'all were already part of the recall. So that should not have been and y'all both as sitting commissioners, Commissioner War and Commissioner Tinder publicly displayed in the hall out there
that y'all were part of the recall. How do y'all get a vote in this when you're already saying that you're part of the recall and you're against Jesse at all? Period. You've already made your decision on who you want to be mayor. My husband would have put his
name in for the mayor, but we love we call him Uncle Jesse because he's a family member to us. We would have my husband would have gladly along with Mr. Basher put his name in for the mayor, but he didn't do it because we don't agree with the recall. And again, just like Johnny Basher just said, that would
have been we agreed with the recall. He didn't do it. This is disgraceful. And if you want to talk about transparency and he wants to say all these things, all of y'all are being
supported and appointed by and promoted by the definition of the bully himself, the chair of the recall committee. So, do we need to see everybody's financials? Do we need to see if Dave Lowry was paid for? What do we need to
do? Do we need to see it? Where'd he come from? There's there's a reason that he came out of nowhere and that he's y'all's pick and he's the recall committee's pick as the paid for person. There's a
lot to be said there. It's disgraceful. let a legitimate election happen just like when Miss Tinder vacated her seat. An election got to happen. Let the same thing happen for the for the mayor. If
it didn't, guess what? We have all gotten in bed with the devil. And guess what? We're never going to be able to pay the devil back. You know what that means? We're eventually going to be absolved into the county because we'll end up going bankrupt. and we'll get everything that we've
asked for. And y'all wanted to talk about how uh Uncle Jesse didn't make everybody quiet in the public back here. Where are you? Thank you. >> Thank you. Yes, sir.
>> I'm that bully that did the recall, you know. Um, it's kind of like the rest of the stories. Paul Harvey says, Jesse didn't pay his lawyer bills. He told everybody how great he was in that speech and then he resigned. So, lady, y'all lost. And I
can tell you this. I talked to to Dave Lowry. I didn't talk to him about being running for mayor. I talked about him about being city manager. I said, "Dave, you qualified to be city manager." I said, "You've got everything it takes to
help this city." I said, "You going to do the mayor for $1,800 a month? You get $15,000 a month or whatever to be city manager." He said, "James, I'm not interested in being city manager. I have a job. I will do the mayor deal. I can do the mayor deal and do my other
obligations." He said, "The reason I'm not going to do it because I told people I was going to do this and that's what I'm going to do." And I respect that. Dave Dave will be an asset to this city. You got 15 months to if he don't do a
good job, I'll vote against him, you know. And I mean, it's just way it is cuz I mean I tell Dave just like it is. And and the deal is we're here and it's hard for y'all to make a decision on anything. Y'all sat there and almost I was listening to Pat for 10 minutes. I said, "Pat, make a dail motion. If
that's what you want, make a motion. Let's get on with doing this thing and get the city moving in the right way. This is the only chance we've had to get it going the right way. All these people's gone. I am not mad with Jesse Nelson. Period. I don't have any reason
to after this gets straightened out to ever even speak Jesse Nelson's name again. I have nothing against him. Don't know his family. I've sure not threatened his family or done any of that. There's not any bad actors. The recall committee is by the law.
That's the only way you can do a recall. Everybody says recall is not a dirty a dirty word. It's a way to get something done if you can't get it any other way. That's the way it's structured. And that's it. I mean, we Jesse said we lost the first round. We didn't lose the
first round. They dated the dates wrong. 67 instead of 76. So I lost 28 days in the count. So that's why we lost on that. It wasn't. We had 1,600 votes the first time and I said, "Well, hell, we'll just do it again. We're not going
to argue about it." We got 1,600 the next time, 3,200. And then we got 26 or 700 the second third time. We did it three times. Jesse put on that recall that he didn't do anything wrong. He wasn't guilty of anything. It's on the
recall. And he asked the people not to vote for it. Do not sign this. But they did. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. >> Jerry Parker rep place. First of all, you Dave did never He can talk to
anybody he wants to. He's not been appointed by anybody at this point. He can talk to any one of you. He could talk to Jesse. He could talk to me. He can talk to anybody. So, let's just make that clarified. Also the recall committee, I was not part of that
committee. I was a volunteer. I was not a person on the committee. People have accused me of being a part of that committee. However, I was not. Yes. Did I go and help sign with the help getting the signature signed? Absolutely.
So when the recall was actually done the second time, there was 2500 signatures. 2500. Do you know how many were in this previous vote that was done with Jesse Nelson? 1,700,
guys. That's 800 and more of just people coming out and saying, "I'm done. I'm done with what's going on here." Do you know how many times I've been told that I was a racist by Jesse Nelson? Do you
know how many times? Y'all might want to watch some video of when we were talking about the Linhaven corruption. A lot of people do not realize what went on and how it went on.
I was at Tallahassee every single hearing, every single trial. A lot of people don't realize the lies that were told on that stand by Vicky Gainor, by the sheriff.
and by this chief of police. There were lies. I saw it. I was there. You guys, y'all need to get your stuff together. Dave Lowry is your guy. Get it done.
Thank you, uh, Mr. Langford. And then I'll come to you, Miss Moore. Cory Langford, 112 Louisiana. Um, man, there was some misinformation said up here. Uh, I remember we were sitting
over there across the street before this building got built um after after you stepped down run for mayor, Miss Tender. And um I believe Miss Miss Judy Vandergri was appointed by the commission at that point to fill that vacancy. So, just to just to clarify
that for anybody who wasn't there, I was there. Um, you know, there's been a lot of discussion tonight talking about, well, had I known this was going to happen, I would have thrown my name in or, you know, uh, if this would if if this would happened and then I would
have done that. Well, here here's the problem. All right. Your problem shouldn't be with the commission. It should be with Jesse Nelson. Okay, that individual was the only individual who had the ability to give
us as residents a voice at the ballot box and he took that away from us. Regardless of what side you want to sit on of this, okay? So, we can sit up here all day and talk about, well, the people all get to make the choice, the people
this and the people that, I agree with you 100%. All right? But that decision was removed from us on Friday at 700 p.m. That also changed the rules. Okay. In poker, I'm not a gambling guy, but
I've watched it on TV when they play the Texas Holdem and then, you know, you look at your cards and then you bet, you know, and then they lay out some cards and then you decide if you want to bet some more. All right. before they flip over that last card, they don't they don't show you cards and let you bring
some of your bet back. No, that's not how it works. The rules didn't change. Okay? But in this instance, they did. All right? And Mr. Nelson changed those rules. Mr. Nelson took that that voice away from us, the voters. All right? I'm
going to I'm going to I'm going to get off of that and talk about Mr. Lowry and how much I support Mr. Lowry uh running uh when he did, he stepped up like some of these other individuals have said during a rough time in the city of Linhaven. I mean, I'm sure it wasn't
easy to be the individual to say, "Hey, if you guys want to remove the the current mayor, I'll do the job. I'll finish out his term for him." The way I look at this is we got a two-year interview with Mr. Lowry. He choose to run again, great. We'll know what we
have during the next election. If he doesn't, that's fine, too. there'll be another election. All right. But I fully support him. I've talked with him several times. Um he's a straight shooter and and he knows I am as well. Uh but I fully support uh Dr. Lowry to
be the mayor of Len Haven. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Moore. It's been a lot said um but I did want to speak in case there's any question. Um first I want to address something that was said earlier. Um we aren't a democracy actually. I mean we're a
democratic society but we're a republic and we have our elected officials up here. We have a charter. The charter says how this is supposed to go. An appointment can happen in 30 days. And if it doesn't happen in 30 days, then the governor gets to say something. He
didn't when Margot Anderson um left office and there was a for you were here. There were, you know, four people that sat there for a couple years. Um she left. But um good luck calling the mayor, the uh governor because I've been trying to get him to come look at, you know, what's been happening in Bay
County for four plus years and haven't seen him. Um but that being said, like I said, I think you all need to follow the charter. I think that's what you're going to do. Um, when it comes to some of the other names that have come up tonight, um, you know, honestly, all all
of them, even u, Mr. Marlor, they ran for office and they did not win. So, I think the people have spoken when it comes to to them. They want to run for office. I think, you know, in a couple years, go ahead and run again. Um, when it comes to Mr. shears. Quite frankly, I
don't know how he thinks he's going to work with this commission when he stands behind Vicky Gainor um as she accuses the city of discrimination and racism. How you going to work with with two people who just got served today? You know, how are you going to be an effective leader if you wanted to become mayor? So, I don't know how you do that.
You already disqualified yourself in that situation. Um I just, you know, this affects me. Um, I don't live in the city limits of Glen Haven as I've been stated and everybody knows, but this affects me whenever I drive into the city. You
know, I come to these meetings. I care what happens in the city. I care what happens in Bay County. Someone talked about how long they've lived in Linhaven. I'm 57 years old. I was born at Bay Medical Center. And I've seen a lot of things happen in this county over the 57 years of being here. And I want
good things to happen here. I want good things to happen in Linhaven. I want them to happen in Bay County. And you know, honestly, you need a good leader. You need a strong leader. And I think Dr. Dave is a proven leader and he's willing to step up to the plate. And so, I think we need to honor
that. And I hope, like I said, I I think I know how people feel. I don't know how Sam's going to going to vote, but I hope you all vote unanimously for for Dr. Dave Lowry. >> Thank you. Uh, Mr. Gray. A few things first. Chris, thanks for
turning the AC up. It's hot as heck back there. Um, Commissioner War, I would really appreciate if you would enforce the rules of decorum for the noise in the clapping. It's already hard enough to hear back there with ringing in this ear. Um, that's one thing that I
directly talked about the former mayor not doing in this meeting hall is enforcing the rules that the commission set in place. Whoever's chairing the meeting, that is like your primary job. So, please for the rest of the night, if people get out of order and clap, that's
against the rules, smack that gavl. It's a rare opportunity for you to be able to do so. Um, in regards to the rest of this, uh, what was described as sunshine violations tonight, Amy, I asked that if if the chair would allow, if you please correct me on this, but I believe what was described as sunshine violations
tonight are not because a member of the community can talk to one commissioner and then go to another commissioner and say whatever they want because those two commissioners are not directly speaking. It would be classified legally as hearsay. Is that correct?
So there you are correct in that a member of the community can speak to any any official. Um it can it has been held to be a sunshine law violation if that member of the community serves as a liaison to communicate a message from one elected official to another elected official on the same board. I don't know
that I've heard the facts here tonight to establish whether or not that has happened. Um but it could. >> Okay. I don't believe that anybody on the commission, present or past, was trying to do that. They were trying to send somebody as a liazison. I think what we have is we have unpaid advocates
and and lobbyists that try to get what they want for their community done in their community. We pay people to go to Tallahassee and do that for us. Um, so if you want something in your community, we are a apathetic community. Get off
your butt and and fight for it. Um, I do a lot of that. And what I'll say is if if Mr. Lowry is appointed tonight, and I at this point I suspect that he will be, we have until the next election to see if everything matches up to what we've
said. And if it doesn't, I'll be the first to say I'll hold him as accountable, if not more accountable than any of the rest of you. Uh, because I have problems with the past mayor. And it's probably widely known I have problems with the past mayor before that too. Um,
and so with that, I want to just say I appreciate Mr. Lowry stepping up, spending four hours with me, talking about everything. I wasn't I wasn't sure about him at first. I spent four hours with him. He showed me a lot. We talked. We had a lot to disagree on, but it was
all very professional. And I think in the long term that we can work through the differences and find a happy medium because what really matters in Linhaven is that the residents want the best quality of life for the lowest cost possible. And for that I support Dave Lowry for mayor.
>> Thank you. If I could say one thing before we proceed. Um it it doesn't sound it probably doesn't sound as loud up here as it does back there, but Mr. Scay is right. Um, according to the the decorum rules, there's supposed to be no clapping, booing, hissing, you know, uh,
disturbing what's going on, talking back and forth and things like that. So, I would ask that your your cooperation with that, and he is correct. Uh, we're not supposed to do that. So, thank you. Yes, ma'am. >> Michelle Bashers, 81 Louisiana Avenue.
Um, I listened to the um, David Lowry interview with um, Veronica and the question that I have is he said, "Tell you what, talk to th
Bishop and talk to Judy Tinder." And Commissioner Warick called him back and said, "Th says yes." And Judy Tinder says, "Yes, I want to know if you talked directly to to Judy Tinder."
Who talked to Judy Tinder? And how did >> I answer that? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> That's my question. That's my question. And and from that statement, it appears to be a violation of the sunshine law that the decision was made with the
approval of th Bishop Judy Tinder and yourself that you would support him to run for mayor. Thank you. >> I would love to answer. Um first let me say and I'm going to go the long way around here.
In 2017, when Margot was the mayor, I would text her with a question and occasionally she would answer me back and say, "We can't be talking about that because we could
possibly vote on it or whatever." Margot kept me real straight, real quick on what you could and couldn't talk to another commissioner about. She also made it very clear to me that as long as the person was not elected and they did
not hold a seat, I was free to talk to whoever I want. And I did I have talked to David Lowry on um one occasion I believe. Um and that was because he was at the cafe meeting with somebody else.
It was very brief. I also listened to Veronica's uh live. Oh, I guess that was yesterday or whatever. Um I've never pulled any bones about not supporting Dave. I I like him. I think he stands for good.
And uh the truth is the truth, but I don't believe I've ever broke Sunshine Law. Him and I have never discussed Dave. I've not discussed it with any commissioner. Well, that was the statement he made was that Jamie called
him back and said th said yes and Judy Tender said yes. So if I'm taking what he said, not what you've either one of you have said. I'm not accusing you of sunshine violation, but if that was the case, then I have a
problem with it. So >> yeah, >> um I would like an explanation because I >> and if that did happen, you should be upset, but I'm here to tell you it didn't happen like that. So I'll I'll be I know it's been talked about a little bit here, so I'll just come right out
and say it. Um I and you can ask the recall committee and that I had no contact with the recall committee as far as the recall. I did nothing with the recall. >> I'm not talking about >> No, it was brought up before, so I want to clear the air, right? And I'm going to answer your question. Um, so when it
got to phase two of the recall and it looks like it it looked like it going to be successful, I I had concerns and I'm like, um, who's going to be our next mayor? And I started looking around and I started looking around and I started looking around and I remember I met I first time I met Mr. Lowry is the first
time I ran for office. I was in his neighborhood. He was walking his dogs and we had a we had a good conversation that time and uh I talked to him a couple times after that. Um, I talked to him uh when I was running the second time. Uh, he came out, talked to both of us when we were out there in early
voting, when we were over in the little field over here by the parking lot. And, uh, so that sparked my interest and I went to Dr. Dave Lowry and I talked to him for a while and I thought about it and I went back to him and I asked him, "Would
you be interested in uh, possibly running for mayor?" And he said yes. And that was it. And and the other thing we talked about where we did the whole thing out in the hallway here, I did go to it. And the only reason I was there, I was there to support Dave Lowry. I I
didn't go there for the recall. I only reason I was >> parent no BS leader. We talked about that for a while. A week later, he called me back and said, "Would you consider this?" I It looks like the recall is going to happen and we need a good alternative. Would you consider? I
did. We talked about it for quite a while and I said, "Well, need to talk to Judy Tinder. I need to talk to th Bishop and if we're all on board, we'll do it." Because I support and respect both of them and have for years. Have voted for
them in the past. I supported them. I have gone to them as my commissioners and talked to them. Um though Bishop was very encouraging. It was that. So, if I have misspoke in some way to ascertain that Commissioner War was violating
Sunshine Law, that was not my intent. So, I did go speak to Miss Tender after that at her cafe. Mr. War was not involved. So, this is some last minute kind of
boine sktology, I suppose, but it is what it is. Um, and that's all I've got to say about it. If if you commissioners have any questions about it, I'll be glad to try to answer. >> Thank you. Uh, I can I can surmise you're so you you had the support of one
individual, you had the support of another. You're in a radio interview and you said you had the support of both those people. >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And th Bishop uh is the chair of the Republican party. I >> think that that faces the question head
on. You know what I mean? Yes, sir. So, >> oh, I I don't have anything further to say as far as that goes. Um, but I have to say that I try to stay away from Facebook. People have big nerves when they're on Facebook that they'd never
say to your face. But the other day, I had to chuckle. It was the funniest of all. It was written in there that I was giving away free food if you came to my cafe and signed a petition. There has
never been a bigger lie than that ever. Now, I can't even I mean that that to me is hilarious. And as a commissioner, as a public servant, I think we all have to
we've got to be um aware that people's opinions and where they're sitting at the time, what they're thinking, you know, they're going full hog into what they want and things like that. I don't
think I'd like to think they don't mean to boldface lie except I've never given away food for somebody to sign a piece of paper. Um but I I think uh it's a tough job and I think you're up for it
because you have to have um the intelligence to let it sift through and keep doing what we're what we've been elected to do. Politics is a a science of people. You got to have a thick skin and you've got
to like people. If you don't, you're in the wrong business. >> Yeah. >> And I I did first meet you. I met you at the country club, but I didn't bring you there. The bully brought you there. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It was >> those guys beat me up after I played
golf every time I played you. And for the record on that there uh that particular individual I will say this um two individuals accused me of not voting 2021. I voted in every single election for the last four years including when I
was on the opposite side of the world serving in uniform harm's way. One individual Johnny Basher actually owned it and apologized publicly and I shake your hand. Hold on, please.
>> The the other individual. >> Thank you. >> I presented the information directly to her. She never acknowledged. In fact, she came up here tonight and attacked me publicly and then left. >> So, take it for what it's worth. And I corrected her and provided the same information. You're not going to please
all people, but I can guarantee you I will do my very best to be transparent, honest, straight shooting, and do right by all of you and the citizens of Lin Haven collectively, this organization and our community. >> Didn't some of that stuff uh have something to do with what you were doing
in the military that you couldn't, you know, you couldn't have those records out there or >> Yes, sir. uh my particular um I was a cyber space operations officer and cyber space cyber ninjas if you will are one
of the exempted categories for uh data mass privacy. So that and national guardsmen are also allowed to to be exempt from that as first responders. There were multiple categories that applied to me at the end of my >> All right. Thank you. Appreciate it.
Yes, sir. Oh yeah. Um, thanks for letting me talk again. I just wanted to say I did um poll I I pulled the super voter list from the supervisor of elections. It did not include Dr. Lowry's information. Then I emailed them a second time and
asked them was there any way that someone could not appear on that list that voted? And they they replied no. They knew of no way other than moving out of the county or removing their voter ID for them not to show up on the super voters list if they had voted.
Subsequent to that, I I did say that online because that's the information I gathered and it was reconfirmed once information was provided by Dr. Lowry that he had indeed voted. That's what I did. I posted a public apology to him because it was misinformation on my part
and I do not like misinformation at all. Now, the conversation between you and and Dr. Lowry, if y'all say it transpired like you say it said, that satisfies me. I'm okay with that. I have no issues. I was concerned if it had occurred like that, it was a problem for
me. But if it didn't, I'm okay with that. That's that's good. Let's move forward with it. The only thing that I ask at this point is when y'all do vote to approve Dr. Lowry as our next mayor. Please let the decorum of the city chamber change and let people applaud
for him. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Colonel Chris Alexa, United States Air Force retired. I just want to highlight something that you've all seen in Dave's performance reports that he shared that
you may not understand. You're not dealing with the bottom of the barrel here. On his performance reports where it says number one of 20 commanders or number one of 200 majors
or whatever it says, I don't remember exactly. Point is those things don't happen by chance and they do get challenged all the way to the headquarters level of the United States Air Force. So when a squadron commander, a mission support
group commander, a wing commander, and a general officer signs a report that says, "This is my number one guy." I get challenged all the way to the Air Force Promotion Board Secretariat and then to the headquarters Air Force.
Those numbers are real. He is the cream of the crop. Not going to get an opportunity like this again. So I would encourage you with every fiber of my being as a retired professional military officer,
having been a commander at multiple levels myself, been in charge of the second largest air force base in the world. um as a mission support group level not a wing commander.
He is the real deal and I 100% support him filling this seat. And like been said before very wisely, if you don't like what you get in 13 months, you can vote him out. My guess is we're going to be voting for him again. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Yes, sir. Sir Brian Gray, 113 Florida Avenue. I'd like to second some opinions that I've heard. Dr. Low is a great candidate. We got a unique opportunity for him to serve the citizens of Unhaven. And fact of the
matter is he's the only one to step up to the plate and qualify and express interest when no one else would. Thank you. All right. Anyone else? No one else. All right. Uh, if you could call a roll, please.
>> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner War, >> yes. >> Mayor Proen Peoples, >> yes. >> All right, motion passes. Um, Mr. Lightfoot needs to take a a bathroom
break, so we'll take a fivem minute break. to order at what time is it? >> 7:32. All right, we're on item number 12, discussion and possible approval of the interim policy. Waiting to engage
waiting to engage assistant city manager Jennifer. >> Yeah, I is the mic on? Yep. Okay, >> yep, I can hear you. Um, we're asking for discussion and approval of an interim policy which will allow the city manager to um approve
certain specialized employees with specialized um qualifications to be able to um address emergencies that happen during the night and on the weekends. currently under an interim policy passed in 22.
Um this was restricted to only directors uh who had to be here 24/7 and available 247. Um that move was to try to control overtime costs which it did but it also took away the actual qualified
individuals to be able to respond to those emergencies. What we're asking the commission to allow is an inter interim policy which will allow us to compensate the qualified employees with a stipen, a
weekly stipen. Um kind I call it an inconvenience payment or stipen for having to stay restricted in the area of the county and be able to respond. It's one person per week, not loads of
people. and they are uh selected for specialized qualifications. >> Yeah, it's like an on call, right? >> Technically, it's not on call. That's a legal term. It's our way of still allowing um having the employee
compensated for being controlled in some area um and being able to respond. Once they are called in, they go on the clock, but they have to be available to respond to that call. On call is very specific by law that we have to like our
firefighters are on call. They're being housed in a in a city location and being able to respond. That's why this is called waiting to engage. It's a legal labor term and it's $11 >> a day.
>> A day. Yeah. Yes. To have to stay around and respond. You know, we we used to do a on call like when I when I had a restaurant at the mall when I ran Ruby Tuesday and we had to because if it rained, you had to have on you had to
have two or three extra people to come in and work cuz a rainy a rainy Monday in Panama City in springtime was a big big sales for the mall. So, but every time you did that, you had to pay those people for calling in. Mhm.
>> You had to give them hours on the clock at that at minimum wage to >> anybody who's called into service is on the clock and they are paid. This is requiring one specialized person to be able to make those calls, either fix the emergency or be able to call a crew in.
They have to be the ready person to make >> they don't get like a minimum pay just to be that on call status. >> Again, on call status is a different definition and it doesn't always have to be a director. This is to give them a break. >> This is the employees that are actually
doing the work. >> Yes. >> I make a motion we pass. >> Second. >> All right. We got a motion, a second. Any further discussion? >> Any comments from the public? Yes, sir. Mr. Langford. >> I would ask that the policy reflect non
salaried employees, please. Thank you. >> Okay. Anything else >> you say? >> Non-s salary. >> This is for the non-salared employees. >> Good. >> What about >> Oh,
>> do we need to add that in there? >> The non- salaried employees. >> I I think I understand what he's saying. He doesn't want this. So salary employees wouldn't get this >> exempt. He's he's referring to non-exempt employees. >> So So a salary employer wouldn't get this then,
>> right? That's a director. We director or some of our other positions that are exempt do not get the stipen. >> Okay. Do we need to clarify that in there or anything? >> They're not the ones responding to sewer backups and water leaks and animal control. Okay. >> I mean, it's not it's written out in the
policy of who who it is. >> Okay. All right. I've call the role. >> Commissioner Tinder. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Pero. >> Yes. >> Commissioner War. >> Yes. >> Mayor Promples. >> Yes. >> All right. Item 13. discussion of possible approval or removing planning
board members, Mr. Parin and Mr. Murphy, due to three plus unexcused absences in terms city management. >> Yes, sir. Those two planning board members have failed to show up for the la over three additional or over the last three meetings. We do have planning board members u that are in waiting
basically that want to apply. We need you all to remove these two so that we can advertise for the the requirement and bring back before you new planning board members. Yeah. So, I I know we talked about this, so just make sure everyone understands it's not we we've tried contacting them multiple times. No
response. >> No response. Not responding to the agendas, not responding to phone calls or emails, and not showing up to meetings. >> Okay. >> Make a motion we pass. >> I'd like second the motion to remove. >> All right. Any further discussion?
Anything from the public? >> All right. Call the role, please. >> Commissioner Tinder. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Perno, >> yes. Commissioner Ward. >> Yes. >> Mayor Pro Tim Peoples. >> Yes. >> All right. Item 14, discussion of possible approval of drafting a new ordinance amending the comprehensive
plan to reinstate the policy elements recommended by Florida Commerce. Who's going to be speaking on that? Oh, >> Miss Angela Harrison. Harrison. >> Miss Harris. Harrison. Thank you. >> All right. Good afternoon. Uh, yes. This is just a um administrative type thing
that we had adopted the comp plan then the city has came back and my understanding is it's probably a statewide issue uh regarding the hurricane uh Debbie, hurricane Helen and hurricane Milton. So, while these hurricanes did not directly impact the city, the state is requiring the city to
correct conflicts with um House Bill 180. And the only way to do so is to put infrastructure element 11, policy 62, and capital improvements element policy 12, infrastructure element policy 17, and coastal management element policy
32. Back to what they were before, and read the amendments. Is that a resolution? >> No, sir. >> Okay. All right. Any discussion? >> No. So, we got to put them back and then
redo the process that we thought we had. Remember? >> Yes. >> Well, um motion motion to put them back and start over. >> I second it. >> All right. We got a motion, a second. Any further discussion?
Any discussion for the public? All right. Call the RO, please. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner Wart, >> yes. >> Mayor Proin Peoples, >> yes. >> All right. Item 15, discussion of possible approval of resolution
2026-01-506 to support the FDOT grant of application to fund a sidewalk project in Linhaven. A resolution by the city of Linhaven, Florida to support construction of a sidewalk on Carolina Avenue with transportation alternatives set aside
program funding and providing for an effective date. >> Mr. Yankee, how you doing this evening? >> I'm doing good. Thank you. Uh this is an application. Um we are resubmitting this to DOT for the transportation alternative uh grant. Um you may recall
we had a discussion about this sidewalk construction last year. Um our project was not the top uh selection the top choice um for for this grant. We made some adjustments based on the comments that we received from DOT and are
resubmitting our application um for this new upcoming application or grant cycle. Right. >> Any other questions? >> Nope. If I make a motion, we approve. >> Second. >> All right, we got a motion and second. Any further discussion from the
commission? >> Any discussion from the public? >> All right, call the role, please. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner War. >> Yes. >> Mayor Pro Tim Peoples. >> I see. >> Yes. >> All right. Item 16, discussion of
possible approval, resolution 2026-01-507 to reschedule the regular commission meeting scheduled for January 27th, 5:30 p.m. to January 29th, 5:30 p.m. A resolution of the city of Linhaven, Florida, related to meeting times,
rescheduling the commission's 2nd January meeting to January 29th, 2026, and providing an immediately effective date. >> My question is why? This is the days that the Florida League of Cities week is going on in Tallahassee at the capital. We have a conflict with our
meeting. Uh we will be in Tallahassee the 26th through through the 28th. So we will move this meeting to the 29th to keep it the regularly scheduled week. >> So we're just talking about this year >> just this week the 29th. Yes, ma'am. >> I make a motion we accept. >> Yes. Second.
>> So um do we know who all is going yet? have received feedback from from you, Commissioner Warick, Commissioner Peebles, Commissioner Pero, and I'm assuming that our new mayor appointee, Lowry, will go. >> Okay. So, I have a question
>> and myself. >> Okay. I have a question because this came up one time. We went to Tallahass. We all went up there, took a picture of them. You probably remember this. They took a picture and we got accused of breaking the Sunshine Law violation. So, make a long story short, I called
around. I said I wanted to be investigated because if I broke the sunshine law, I want to be told I broke the sunshine law so everybody knows. I called around attorney general's office, state attorneys, Florida ethics commission. After getting the runaround, I finally got a call from Larry Basher himself and he explained me the process
if somebody report a Sunshine Law violation. Uh, he did tell me that people go to Tallahassee all the time to advocate for their city for grants and things like that. This is this is not a Sunshine Law violation, but just so everyone's aware, um, and and I know we
talked about it earlier tonight about Sunshine Law violations. If if you want to report a Sunshine Law violation, the process is you need to go to Linhaven Police Department. Fill out a report. That report goes to the state attorneys the for state attorney's office for our district. They will determine if an
investigation uh needs to occur. If they do determine investigation continues to occur, they'll do an investigation and they'll determine if it needs to be prosecuted or not. So I guess my question is, city attorney, does this violate sunshine law if we go back up to Tallahassee to talk to our representatives and go to
>> participating in legislative days does not by itself uh create a sunshine law violation? No. >> Okay. Just want to make sure put that all out there so all the residents know about this and we're clear and transparent about it. Anything
else? >> Still make a motion. >> All right, we got a motion to second. Um, any public commentary? >> No. All right, call the RO. >> Commissioner Tender, >> yes. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner War, >> yes. >> Mayor Pro Tim Peoples,
>> yes. >> All right. Number 17, discussion of possible approval resolution 2026-01-509 awarding the Tennessee Avenue Sidewalk Construction Contract IFB25.26. 26-02 to BCL civil contractors in the
amount of $623,13769. If you could read the resolution, please. >> A resolution of the city of Linhaven, Florida, approving an agreement with BCL civil contractors relating to the to the Tennessee Avenue sidewalk project and the total amount of 623,13769. >> All right, sir. How you doing?
>> Doing well. How are you, sir? >> Good. Uh before I begin, I just wanted to kind of highlight that this agenda item and the next three agenda items are approved on the fiscal year 26 budget. Um the projects being Tennessee Avenue, the Bell Circle, Water Main Connection Loop, and Bradford Circle. Uh for this
particular one, uh it was posted on the 3rd and closed on the 11th of December. Six bids were received and uh the lowest bid was BCL Contractors. As you've seen, uh, this project's FDOT funded and FDOT has concurred with, uh, all the findings
from the bid opening. >> I got >> any questions? Commissioner War, I'd like to add, we talked about contingency money uh, when we talked about the new procurement policy. Because this is a DOT grant funded project, there will not be contingency awarded in this. If there is a change order, we will get it
approved first through the funding source and then bring it back before the commission. >> Right. >> I make a motion we approve. Second. >> All right, we got a motion, a second. Any further discussion from the commission? >> Uh,
just want to say we got Tennessee sidewalk going. We got potential for Carolina sidewalk and we got a little strip of land on 14th Street where they connect where we don't wouldn't have a sidewalk to connect the Tennessee
sidewalk to to the Carolina sidewalk. Do you follow where I'm going? and uh talk to Ben. There's possibility for potential CRA project here. But if we get both these things going, don't you think we want to on on the on the on the
connector road cuz everything, you know, goes from 14th Street, don't you think we should run a little bit of sidewalk from Tennessee to Carolina? >> We can get a cost estimate and talk about it at the midyear budget conference. >> Okay. I would just I would just think that that that you know that puts it all
together. It ties it ties those two sidewalks, you know, perfectly. So, >> this is a big one with Tennessee cuz it's a lot of traffic. So, this is going to help a lot. >> So, any other discussion? All right. Anything from the public? >> All right. If you could call the role,
please. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner War, >> yes. >> Mayor Prom Peoples, >> yes. >> All right. Item 18, discussion of possible approval resolution 2026-01-508
boarding the Tennessee AB construction CI services bid RFQ25.26-01 to Panhandle Engineering is the most qualified bidder and authorize the city manager negotiate contract details. Could you read resolution, please? A resolution of the city of Linhaven, Florida, approving an agreement with
Panhandle Engineering relating to construction, engineering, and inspection services for the Tennessee Avenue sidewalk project and the construction total amount of $623,13769. Just clarity there, the $623,000 is the construction award. Panhandle's price is
not in in here once awarded tonight. If awarded, we will negotiate the contract with them. Any uh discussion? >> Did Panhandle collect the bids? >> No ma'am. This was Deubberry designed this project. We have to have a third
party CI multiple companies put in for the CI or the RFQ score pan handle is the highest from the scoring team. I will make the motion that we that we um that we go with um we negotiate with Panhandle for the CI.
>> All right, we got a motion. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right, got a motion in a second. Any further discussion from the commission? Any discussion from the public? All right. Call the RO, please. >> Commissioner Pero,
>> yes. >> Commissioner Peebles, >> yes. >> Commissioner War, >> yes. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> no. >> All right. Item 19, discussion and possible approval resolution 2026-01-510
awarding contract IFB25.26-07 26-07 for Bell Circle Water Main Connection Loop Improvements to Mainline Construction LLC in the amount of $54,893.15. A resolution of the city of Linhaven, Florida, approving an agreement with
Mainline Construction LLC relating to the Bell Circle Water Main Connection Loop Project in an amount not to exceed $59,893.15. And Commissioner, this project does have a $5,000 contingency. The low bid low bid was 548.93. We are approving a
conting contingency of $5,000. >> So, does everyone understand what the contingency means? >> You know what the contingency means? >> They automatically approve it if they need it. >> If there's a change >> change order, >> there's a change over over $5,000 and it
has to come back to the commission. >> Okay. >> So, >> I make a motion we approve. >> Second. >> All right. We got a motion and a second. Any further discussion from the commission? Any discussion for the public? >> Just wanted to >> Oh, sorry. Go ahead.
>> Sorry. Just wanted to say Yeah. Just want to say thanks for having that contingency. >> Yes, sir. Okay. >> Any discussion from the public? I call the role, please. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner Ward,
>> yes. >> Mayor Pro Tim Peoples, >> yes. >> All right. Motion passes. Item 20, discussion of possible approval resolution 2026-01-511, warden contract IFB25.26-08
for Bradford Circle Water System Improvements to 850 Construction Services LLC in the amount of 277,82347. If you could read resolution, please. a resolution of the city of Linhaven, Florida, approving an agreement with 850 Construction Services LLC relating to
the Bradford Circle Water System Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $297,82347. And again, this project has a contingency of $20,000 built in into that 297. >> Any discussion? >> Motion to approve.
>> Second. >> I got a motion and a second. Any further discussion from the commission? Any discussion from the public? All right. Call the role, please. >> Commissioner Pero, >> yes. >> Commissioner Tinder, >> yes. >> Commissioner War, >> yes.
>> Mayor Pro Tim Peoples, >> yes. >> All right. Motion passes. Item 21, discussion of possible approval resolution 2026-01-512 to renew the 5-year mutual aid agreement with Tindle Air Force Base. If you could read the resolution, please. A resolution of the city of Linhaven,
Florida, approving a mutual aid agreement with the Secretary of the Air Force relating to the provision of fire and emergency services and hazardous materials incident response in the city and at Tindle Air Force Base >> Chief Commission. This is just a renewal from
an existing agreement that we're renewing for 5 years to a aid them if they need any assistance at the Air Force base if we could get called upon. >> All right. Make a motion to appear. >> Got a motion. >> I'll second. >> A second. Any discussion from the
commission? >> Thank you, Chief. >> Welcome. >> Any discussion for the public? >> All right. Call the RO, please. >> Commissioner Tinder? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Pero? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Warick? >> Yes. >> Mayor Pro Tim Peoples?
>> Yes. >> All right. Motion passes. Item 22, discussion on public discussion of public records policy. Commissioner Tinder, >> I don't I believe this has been straightened out. Um
public uh it was sent to me and the policy does read that commission commissioners can ask for a public request at no cost if it involves their job and what we're doing.
Didn't you send that to me >> or Yes. So that is that is how it is. So I'm okay with that. >> So there's really nothing to discuss. >> At first they turned me down and wanted me to pay $23.
So I'm giving away all that free food >> at work. I I can't pay that >> anyway. So there really isn't anything discussed. The policy is already >> Okay. I I would recommend and we can wait until um we have a new mayor sworn
in, but I do recommend we revisit this policy. There are some things that staff would would like to change. It was put in on 1996 or 1998. So would like in the next couple of months to revisit this policy. Uh we can bring you all a revised one for your approval and go from there.
>> Barely even had computers back then. Do we have to wait a couple months or is it something we can >> Miss Myers are shaking her head. She'll get right on it. Just figure. >> So, we're good. >> I don't I don't think our new mayor
would want to wait a couple months. I think he wants to jump in. >> All right. Okay. On to the next item. >> I have something to add real quick. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Sorry, I didn't want to interrupt. >> No, go ahead. >> Want to interrupt Commission. Um, I've
actually took this opportunity to look around at some other cities and some other officials to see how they do it to try to get their ideas. And one thing that really stuck out to me that I kind of like is that in Panama City Beach, they have it in their policy that the
first hour is free. So if it's something that takes less than an hour, then there won't be a charge. And that's not just to the commission, that's everybody. But anything beyond that, that's when we start charging. And I kind of like that because if it's something as simple as, you know, pulling a record that takes
someone 30 minutes to do, I realize that there's man hours involved, but just 30 minutes. I mean, I I like the idea of the first the first hour being free. So, I just wanted to add that. Maybe that's something we can add to something whenever uh the attorney brings the
policy in front of us. >> Okay. I do think that um uh public requests have become a money-making deal and that's occurred. >> I don't know. I I >> So, I promise you there is no profit
that that the city is receiving off of it. However, it does take a lot of time of staff pulled away from there. We do need to keep in mind our instruction here lately has been to kind of down downsize and not continue to add staff. So the staff members the their main job
is not to go collect records. So it pulls people off of their daily duties to go do we do need to collect some of those funds uh for that time. >> Can I speak to the 60 minutes real quick? >> So the public records law says that an extensive request is any any request
that requires more than 15 minutes to locate, gather, redact, review, prepare, and make available for inspection. Um, in the city of Panama City Beach, they did determine that an hour um was going to be their benchmark for what an extensive request would be. You can pick
any number between 50 and 60 or even something higher if you'd like, but um 15 is as low as you could go. >> Yeah, I'd like to get input from the staff before making any decision. So, >> I'd like to ask a question. Not sure who
to ask it to. So, feel free to jump in. I was told and I don't know if it's true. So I'm asking is it true? Do we still have records, paper records in boxes stored somewhere >> that if we asked something about those,
we would have to go dig those? >> Yes, ma'am. So we have paper records in a couple different places. We actually reached out to a a company that did digitizes those records. It was about $300,000 to to get them all done. had another company reach out that's going
to give us a quote. Um 300 grand is not something that we can just add to the budget to digitize those documents. So it will be a long drawn out process, but there are a lot of paper records still out there. >> So they have to literally go dig through the boxes. >> Yes, ma'am. >> If it was if it was something that's
that's in that Yes, ma'am. >> Wouldn't we be smarter just to hire another person? >> Well, they could get it done in a year. I think the bigger thing is how do we go into the digital era with this? >> Yes. >> Now, >> I have a couple different ways we might
be able to tackle that, but I'd like to get input from the staff before I start saying some things. So, but yeah, I I I think we definitely need to get digital errors so it make it easier for the staff and uh cuz I know and this is not a problem just in Linhaven but across
the nation um even with like not just municipalities but uh judicial courts and that they get backlogged because they get so many public records requests and some of them are no kidding legitimate. I'm not saying that. But then there's there's
other ones that just want to slow the process down and that and uh yeah. >> Well, if they had to pay over an hour, they'd well, you'd have no idea how long it would take you. >> And that's part of the problem if a reason that you need to collect. We may
give an estimate of two hours for something. They pay the 2-hour invoice and it wound up taking six hours to go find it. >> Wow. That's why I think going to the digital era will hopefully make it easier on the staff if we can from this point forward. I don't know about the stuff in the past. That's going to be a lot of money.
>> Aren't those records all from hurricane? >> There's old building plans, permits, um some old financial records, various things. >> Okay. >> All right. Any other discussion? >> I will say this. Oh yeah, I was just going to say maybe it's something you
know that we further to look at like maybe the first hour was free. One thing maybe I hadn't considered is Panama City Beach has a clerk whereas we have a city manager clerk. So might be something we want to wait until we have if the public
decides they want a clerk by voting for one that could be something we could discuss at that point. Uh maybe we need to wait until the public decides that they want to click before we start giving away free manh hours. Um it was just something I wanted to bring to everyone's attention as well.
>> You said city clerk. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thanks. >> If the if the public decides in votes on the ballot that they want a city clerk, maybe that could be one of their functions. Um because right now we have
a city clerk slash city manager and that is a lot of responsibility to then add okay because in a lot of other cities the city clerk is man some of the city city clerk is managing those records and so um maybe that's why they're able to
give discounts on because you know we take in our ethics training every single year that it's well within the city's right to charge search for public records if it takes excessive amount of time and um when you don't have a dedicated clerk it kind of makes it
difficult. So um maybe I should extend the one hour thing until the public decides on the on the clerk. >> Okay, all good points. Appreciate it. Any other discussion? All right. Item 23, discussion of employee
grievance committee. >> Okay. I don't know how I feel about this. I'd really rather put it back till the next meeting. And I'll tell you why. I'm waiting for a couple calls back. Um
and of course in city managers told me a nightmare story about um grievance committee. I have contacted a handful of employees and um they probably wouldn't even be
comfortable using it. So, um, I really want to look into I've got a couple calls into different cities asking how they do it. And it just seems like a can of worms to me. They have a couple of directors. They
have um a couple of employees from different departments that sit in on an employee grievance. And um, but I can't help it to think the employees going to think, well, if I complain, I'm gone.
So, I I would like to wait and uh table it and see uh what kind of responses I get that I'm waiting for. >> Like to go ahead and add it to the next agenda or just wait till you hear feedback and then we and then decide. >> Um
wait for feedback. >> Okay. Just let me know and we'll add it. >> No other discussion. >> That's it to >> All right. Um, and the last item 24, discussion of city manager position. Commissioner Pero. >> Um, I know we're going to get um I I
didn't know we we're putting a we're going to get the remaining or the newest greatest city manager applications. >> Gerard's intention is to give you received 52, some were duplicates. Um, so I think there are 49 total
applications and his goal is to have them all copied and ready for y'all to review by the 22nd. So that's middle of next week. >> Right. I just hope that next agenda uh that we have the item on there and we can make a definitive decision to where
whether we're going to whittle it down to finalist or whether we're going to remove Chris's title and give him a contract. Um, my feelings are we we we we got a new mayor in place.
We got a new police chief. We got a we got we we're embarking on, you know, a a a whole new horizon for the city. So, why don't why don't we set set the wheels in motion as soon as we
can? So, I really would encourage that we that we that we can make the agenda and and uh uh um make it on the next agenda so our new mayor is included then that I'm I might be a little a little ahead of ahead of it to
to bring it up for discussion now. But but uh you know I I feel like uh we need to we need to bring those cards to the table for the next for the next meeting. So, um I feel uh I I've got my feelings
and and I you know um and I'm not asking everybody to play it out right here right now, but um >> I need to see the applications and the >> res right. I get it. >> And I we had one look at them already. You know what I mean? And this is going
to be a a redundance of the ones we've already had plus the other ones. This is in addition to what we've already gotten, right? >> This is 49 new applications. >> 49 new ones. >> So, we're getting 49 more.
>> Yes. >> Okay, that's right. Okay. Yeah, you're right. Know what you're saying now. So, yeah. Is that it or do you have >> That's it. That that was just my feelings. I didn't know if anybody else had anything to say. Um I'm
>> No, I had I had already sat down and talked to D and that's he told me the same thing. 52 applications and >> Yeah. Yeah. He he had mentioned it to me, but I thought they were some of the same ones from before. So >> I don't remember him saying that, but I
not 100% sure. Commissioner, >> there are some duplications and the uh team will do a review to help give you all u the spreadsheet again of from this um application process who meets your minimum qualifications.
Um therefore it may be while you'll get all the applications there may be a guide to help you focus in on those that are determined to meet minimum qualifications. Okay. Um, >> thank you.
Anything else? >> As long as it then and this will be on the next agenda, right? >> Okay. Go ahead, Commissioner Peeles or Mayor Pro 10 Peeles. >> Uh, since it is the last agenda item, I just want to say thank you, Commissioner
Ward, for chairing the meeting while I was away. >> Anytime. Hopefully I I made you proud. So, just confirming everyone is available for next Tuesday. If we schedule a special meeting for the swearing in of Mayor Gary, we will do it
at the five normal 5:30 p.m. Um, it would be uh the 20th. 5:30 p.m. Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah, we want to make, like I said, I I want to try to make it as big event as possible. Um, not just because of this,
but like in the future when Yes, it needs to be a big deal. I I in my opinion. I don't know if you guys feel the same way. >> This is a day after Martin Luther King Day, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Next Tuesday evening, 5:30 p.m. in the
chambers. Okay. >> All right.