Good morning and welcome to our May 5th, 2026 Board of County Commission meetings. We are delighted that you've joined us this morning. Please join us for a moment of silence, followed by the pledge of allegiance, which is going to be led by Mike Saunders, who is a former
Marine and also parks administrator. >> Once a Marine, always a Marine. >> First, we'll have a moment of silence. and Mr. Saunders. >> 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. >> And Mr. Saunders, please tell us a bit about your Marine service. >> Yeah, so I served in the Marine Corps from 2008 to 2012 as a combat engineer
and I was stationed in uh Camp Pendleton, California. >> Excellent. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. We do not have any presets today. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? >> I'll move approval of the agenda. >> Is there a second?
>> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. Any objections? That motion passes unanimously. We'll now take up proclamations. The first proclamation is a proclamation declaring Florida Emancipation Day. Good morning, commissioners. On January 10th, 1861,
Florida adopted an ordinance of secession and was the third state to withdraw from the United States to preserve slavery and object to the 1860 election of President Abraham Lincoln. Martin County Black Heritage Initiatives, Inc.'s honors, Inc. honors the Emancipation Proclamation as the foundation for civil rights that
abolished slavery and all forms of servitude in the United States. The Florida legislature established May 20th as a day for statewide celebration specific to Florida's history, marking the day in 1865 when Union General Edward Makook read the Emancipation Proclamation allowed in Tallahassee,
officially ending slavery in Florida. And here to accept, we have Lloyd Jones, who is president of the Martin County Black Heritage Initiatives, Inc. along with Michael Circus. Good morning, commissioners and staff. And good morning, Martin County. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning. For the
record, my name is Lloyd Jones, uh president of the Martin County Black Heritage Initiatives Incorporation. Uh to to the commissioners and to Commissioner Herd, we are deeply grateful to the Florida
Legislature for officially recognizing Emancipation Day in Florida in 1997. May 20th, Emancipation Day has been celebrated in Florida since 1865, making a significant moment in our state's history and in the ongoing
journey towards freedom and equality. Commissioner Herd, our board members, we sincerely appreciate the Martin County Board of County Commissioners and staff for honoring our request to acknowledge this important occasion.
By presenting us with your official acknowledgement of the Emancipation Proclamation, you will help support the efforts of the Martin County Black Heritage Initiatives to bring together the Martin County Board of Commissioners, the city of Stewart Commissioners, and the village of Indiantown Council for a public
reenactment for the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. The special event will take place on Saturday, May 16th, 2026 at Gazebo Park and Martin Arts Gallery. President Abraham Lincoln, General Mcook
reenactors will be present for greetings and photographs. This program would also include provide educational information about the profound impact the emancipation proclamation and subsequent constitutional amendments have had on our laws, culture, and society.
This reenactment we're proudly is proudly supported by the Martin Arch Council, the daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War tent 12 and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 3. Because of this Historic Preservation
Month, we hope to encourage our community to visit the historic Not House Museum in Tallahassee to learn more about the important role the Kn House played on May 20th, 1865 when emancipation was announced in Florida. We encourage you to visit the Martin Art
Galleries and the Road to Victory Museum. Please, I ask you to accept our invitation to join the city of Stewart and the village of Indiantown as we come together to acknowledge our collective freedoms and honor those who sacrificed and served to help secure them. Thank
you. Oh, >> fantastic. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I have a ton of pictures to show you. My advantage. It's very This is historic preservation month in
Martin County and Mr. Jones was our preservationist of the year two years ago. Thank you. The next proclamation is a proclamation declaring Stamp Out Hunger Day in Martin County, Florida.
Every year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-p perishable food as part of the nation's largest 1-day food drive, distributing the donations to local food banks. And it's important to note that all food collected in our community stays in our community, providing a critical supply for House of Hope care
for House of Hope carriers efforts to help those in need. um in recognition of stampout hunger day on May 9th, the board recognizes all letter carriers and local pantry services for their hard work and commitment to their communities. And here to accept we have House of Hope Chief Executive Officer
Rob Reeri. >> Rob, >> awardwinning just won a big award and cash for his organization. Congratulations. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Good morning, commissioners. Uh on behalf of the letter carriers and house of hope, want to just say thank you for the
proclamation today. Uh Saturday is the big day for us, letter carriers food drive. Uh you heard some of the stats uh from for us here in Martin County. Uh this drive really helps to carry uh House of Hope and our clients through the summer months. Uh we spike in the
summertime. We see more people uh because of the seasonality in parts of our economy. um schools closed so no free and reduced lunches and breakfast for kids. So our numbers go up u June, July and August. So uh the drive is an
important piece for us to uh be stocked up and ready to handle the increase in need in our community. Uh and that need continues to grow. So this drive every year has a great impact on our capacity to serve. the community always responds
uh in significant fashion to help support uh our neighbors in need and we're certainly grateful for that. So, I want to say thank you in advance. Uh you should get a yellow bag in your mail this week. If you by any chance don't, you can put the food in any bag, put it
out by your by your box. Uh the the mail carriers will pick it up, bring it back to their uh stations, and then from there we collect it all and bring it over to House of Hope. So, again, has a huge impact. I want to thank the county for acknowledging it uh and thank our community for all their support all year
long and especially now at the at the D the letter carriers drive time. Thank you. One, two, three. >> Thanks, Rob. >> Our next proclamation is a proclamation declaring hurricane preparedness week in Martin County, Florida. The 2026
hurricane season begins on June 1st and as a coastal county, Martin County is extremely vulnerable to storm surge, tornadoes, flooding, and high winds. Whether hurricane forecasters have predicted an average, above average, or below average season, it takes only one storm to have a bad year. In recognition
of Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 3rd through the 9th, the board urges the cooperation of municipalities, businesses, homeowners, and condominium associations, hotel associations, and all media to help inform residents and visitors of appropriate aware awareness, preparedness, and safety measures
related to hurricane season. And here to accept, we have emergency management agency director Sally Wait. Morning commissioners. As we recognize hurricane preparedness week May 3rd through the 9th, it is important time for both the board of county commissioners and the residents in Martin County to focus on readiness
ahead of the next storm. The 2024 hurricane season underscored that early preparation is one of the most effective ways to protect lives and property. Martin County's emergency management team continues to strengthen response plans, build relationships, and ensure resources are in place to support the
community before, during, and after a storm. At the same time, preparedness is a shared responsibility. Every household and business is encouraged to take simple but critical steps, review evacuation routes, assemble emergency kits, and stay informed through official alerts. We also ask for the continued
support of our county leadership, and reinforcing these efforts by promoting preparedness initiatives and ensuring residents have access to the tools and information that they need. Investments in resilient infrastructure, public outreach, and emergency response capabilities remain essential to
safeguarding our community. By working together, we can foster a culture of preparedness, resilience, and rapid recovery, positioning Martin County as a leader in hurricane readiness. Taking action today will help reduce risk, and ensure we have we are stronger and better and prepared to whatever lies
ahead. Thank you. Sure. >> You like it? >> All right. Thank you. Thank you. And our last proclamation is a proclamation declaring historic preservation month in Martin County, Florida. Historic preservation is an
effective tool for revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride, and maintaining community character. Historic preservation plays an important role in our lives, helping to preserve the tangible as aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as a people. The Martin County Historic Preservation Board has planned events throughout the
month of May to increase awareness and public participation in historic preservation in order to save our local treasures. In recognition of Historic Preservation Month, the board calls upon the people of Martin County to join their fellow citizens across the United States in recognizing and participating in this special observance. And here is
Historic Preservation Board President Rob Steel to accept. >> Congratulations. Thanks. >> Wonderful. >> Good morning, commissioners. Uh so good to see you all today. >> It's it's nice that I follow uh hurricane preparedness because for the first time in a very long time I can
safely say that the house of refuge, our most most treasured asset in in Martin County is prepared for the next hurricane. uh it'll it'll withstand quite a bit in its new condition with the solid cement foundations that have been placed and and nobody here is more
thrilled than I am, but there are a lot of great fans and followers of the house that enjoy that as well. The historic preservation board started about 20 years ago with uh promoting events for historic preservation month with about six events. Uh this year everyone should
have one of these schedules with about 24 events and we've added five or six events to that schedule. So there's something to do virtually every day in the county to celebrate our unique heritage that is part of the patchwork quilt that creates the character of our
community. So thanks for everyone's time and attention to to keep things uh as they should be and preserve our historic heritage. The preservationists of the year will be recognized on the the 14th of May. Bruce and Barbara Osbbor who u
appear as Captain Su and his wife in the in the Su house and they have done so for many years. We'll be honoring them at that event and we hope you can join us then. Thank you so much for your continued support of historic preservation in Martin County. >> Thank you.
One, two, three. We are going to take uh agenda items out of order this morning. We're going to take up Okay. Well, we'll take public comment first. Uh the first request to speak
form I have is from John Telum >> and pardon >> me >> I was going to we have uh it's election season so when >> please please read that >> so uh as you come up to make your comments today it says we are now in election season politicking is
prohibited which is defined as advocating the election or defeat of a candidate for public office either partisan or nonpartisan This includes the words, dates, signs, props, and or wearing apparel that convey a message of support for a person or group of
persons. Thank you. >> Fair enough. >> Good morning. >> Morning. >> I um don't know where to start. We were given some dock permits about 5
years ago. In the middle of replacing my dock after we received three separate permits, it was taken away. While I was putting pilings in the water, a county truck pulled up and told me that if I didn't cease immediately that I was going to be fined and they were going to put a lean on my property. It's been 5
years to this date. I have not received any answers of why that was done and I'm going to leave it at that. >> Thank you. John Dial is next. Oh, I'm sorry. >> John Bartholomew.
>> John Dial is next, followed by Charles Bartholomew. >> I think he's on the same subject. Would you like to swap us around? I'm on boating safety. >> It doesn't matter. >> Doesn't matter. All right. >> Good morning, commissioners. My name is John Dial. I'm with At the Helm
Training. We're a boating safety company and I see you have on the agenda here to approve uh a national safe boating week and we surely hope you will do that because Martin County is doing really well in um the numbers of accidents. We
have 17,419 boats totally uh that are recreational, 18,168 that are um total vessels and reportable accidents. We only had four and we had
zero fatalities. So we are number nine in the uh in the uh state of Florida as if you want to compare it with Miami Dade which is number 28 and uh Monroe
which is number 62 and Monroe has almost the same numbers within 5,000 votes that we do between myself. company, which is a privately held company being at the helm training and the Chapman School of
Seabanship, which is a 501c3 nonprofit. We train over 3,000 people a year. Chapman's has a program for children in summer that they do over 360 kids a summer. So, I think we're seeing a real
progress. And I don't know if you know or not, but Florida is the only state and the first state to offer the enhanced boating safety card, which means you take the online course, which we've got, and we've gotten that with Chapman as well. We own have our own
white label each one of our school courses, and then you have the onwater part, which Geico Insurance is given a discount now if somebody takes that. So, Florida's leading the way. California's following, but as usual, Florida's
leading the way and Martin County's leading the way, which we were not near these lower numbers 3, four years ago. So, I commend you for making us a national safe boating week and I hope that we can continue to make
the numbers drop. >> Thank you. Charles Bartholomew is next, followed by Lisa Copeland. Morning. >> Morning. >> I'm Charlie. I've been in the marine business since 1968.
Um, back in the outrigger days. Um, I'm speak speaking in behalf of the previous speaker, John Telum. Um the de the D has uh constantly in its
history provided a privilege of any permit holder of a dock to rebuild the storm damaged dock. Uh Mr. tell him um is not been told why certain things have
been going on within the process of what he is attempting to do to rebuild his dock damaged by numerous storms. as friends John Burkhard and Stuart Hatteritz and Steve Moyahan and HMY went about the process to uh get things
moving and get their docks uh replaced, not altered, just replaced according to the window that D has on file. They enjoy the privilege of a general license as Mr. Telm enjoys the privilege of a
general license, which he uh which he basically got when he closed on the properties that were originally in given the general license otherwise known as a sailfish lodge in 1951 pre-MP
plan. But this is the highest license that the D offers the applicant. That is the license Mr. tell him has he was given three Martin County permits to go ahead and rebuild the dock.
Uh he closed on the dock in March of 2021. He began the process. He got the crane. He he removed the improper pilings, the the the poor wood as a first step to
replacing the dock. At that point in time, he was notified by somebody from um the building department that if he didn't cease and desist all construction on that dock that he would be fined and the lean
would be put on his house. Well, just for the history of it, there's been other misstatements coming from senior staff members such as, well, there's never been a permit issued on that property. I have pictures and
documentation from D. I have their full comments for the last four years. And they have greenlighted every exemption entitled to a general license for this applicant to rebuild his dock as specified in the survey and the window
that D has on file. That's what the applicant seeks. That's it. >> Thank you. >> He's not looking down the road. He's not looking down the CRA road. I appreciate what the county is doing in the north end. I >> Sir, your time is up. Thank you.
>> Yeah. Well, I I I think if if you let Mr. Mister tell him rebuild his dock, it'll be a less >> scope. >> Sir, your time is up. Thank you. >> And the neighbors, old and new, would be quite relieved. >> Sir, your time is up. Thank you,
>> Mr. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Donaldson. Miss Elder, would you please look into the matter of Mr. John? We we have um it's a uh zoning and legal issue and we'll continue to follow up
with their representation. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Lisa Copeland is next followed by Angela Harrison. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Morning. >> Um so I'm just following I'm Lisa
Copeland and I um am following up with John and Charlie. Charlie was speaking on my behalf. I am the owner of the property with John um for the dock issue. So um
originally the property was very appealing to me because I like the history. The home um has one of the only original cabins from the Selfish Lodge
back in the day. Okay. The uh dock is a separate parcel, but it is connected and we wanted to keep that history, not tear down the property. Just, you know, it's
very important to me. I was issued uh a permit, no problem. with the building department to repair the dock. Uh we started pulling there was a storm that came through. There was some pilings and
it was starting to fall in the water. So as soon as we removed all of the old things, I mean it's quite pricey, you know, but I got the material, the
pilings to put the new ones in. Um, they let me renew it three times. Um, I didn't have all of the material yet, so it was on the recommendation by someone
in the building department for me to wait and renew the permit once I had the material. Okay. So, I did that. As soon as I went in um to the building department, they actually renewed it,
took my money. Uh within minutes of me before I could even get out the door, um Rachel came out and said, "Oh, hold on." Uh we have to take that back. actually
voided my receipt and um said, "I'm so sorry, but you're not only going to not be able to rebuild your dock, but you'll never be able to rebuild your dock." So my question that
I cannot get answered is why was I issued the permit let me renew it three times and then when I finally have the material to get it rebuilt that
it was voided and taken away. >> You have a couple more seconds. >> Okay. So, I just I've never been given that answer. So, if it was never to be issued in the first place, why was it issued to me three times? And now I have
a pile of pilings and a halfbroken, you know, piece of a dock that um you know, I need to >> Now your time is up >> to feel to fix. Yes. And that's what we
want to do is make it beautiful, not halfway. >> Thank you. Angela Harrison is next. Fowl followed by Derek Owl. >> Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
>> This in reference to um the homeless population that we have. >> You have to speak into the mic. We Nobody can hear you then. >> Sorry. This is in reference to Good morning everyone. Thank you for this opportunity to speak. It's in reference to the um situation that we're having in Martin County for the homeless.
Uh Martin County has some of the highest homeless unsheltered rates in the country. We do not have any shelters for men and the couple that we do have are specific population or for battered women and single moms. Those places um are notorious for not
having availability. As a person that volunteers at Tent City Helpers and trying to provide a bare minimum of shelter in a basic tent, we have had many unhoused folks come to us saying they have been giving a warning
or actually trespassed and the officer told him they they cannot take any of their belongings or their tent. We need to provide basic shelter for the most vulnerability vulner vulnerability >> vulnerable. Thank you. in our c country
county. It is inhumane and callous to ignore the residents of our county. They have fallen into hard times. We serve families, seniors, and women that have found themselves left in the cold with no real help. People lucky enough to be
living in their cars do not even have a safe place to park. We have had a family park in a church parking lot, disturbed by police at 2:00 a.m. woken and flashlights in their faces, told to move. It seems the bare minimum would be to have a safe, secure place for people
living in their cars to park overnight. We know many people in Martin County are one accident, one sickness, one mental health event, one paycheck, not earned away from being unhoused. As a caring and comp compassionate community, we beg
you be the same and consider options in solving Martin County's homeless crisis. I volunteer on Mondays, every Mondays, and we serve 60 to 70 people. And as much as rewarding it is, it's
heartbreaking to see these people. I've been homeless as a child. When you don't have family, it's very, very hard. We're just looking to possibly make maybe the fairgrounds turn it into a campground for them. We just want to help. You
know, we're doing what we can and I enjoy what I do, but I know that we can do more for Martin County. I moved here from Miami and I in 2008 just to give my daughters a better house, a better home, a better upbringing because I didn't
have a good upbringing. and it would just I just love this county and I know that we can do so much more for these people. I really really appreciate having the opportunity to speak this morning. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And a apologize for my emotions.
>> Derek Powell is next. Following Mr. Powell is Victoria Blake. >> Good morning. Morning, commissioners. Finally getting comfortable coming up here. My name is Derek Powell. I'm on uh Cove Road.
>> Uh first and foremost, thank you, you know, for your efforts along with Mr. Jim Gorton. His efforts really helped out with that sidewalk to get it away from my driveway. Um I do appreciate that. My name is Derek Powell. I'm here again because the system that's supposed to protect residents like me isn't
working the way it should. What we're seeing right now is a pattern and it's a broken one. Projects are being approved without thoughtful consideration of real life impact on the neighbors who already live here. Then once the construction starts and the problems become obvious,
we're told, "Now we'll look at it." That's backwards. We shouldn't be scrambling to fix problems after approval. Those issues, safety, drainage, access, quality of life, should be addressed thoroughly before anything's ever approved. That's what due diligence is supposed to be. Right
now, it feels like the step is being skipped. At best, it's being rushed. And the proof is what's happening on Cove Road. Monday through Friday, we have over 200 students traveling the roads. Kids walking past construction zones with exposed rebar, uneven ground,
makeshift sidewalks made of rock and debris. That's not a safe path. That's a liability. And that's at I won't even say the name of it. And it's and it's not just inconvenient. It's dangerous. Once these developments are approved,
the balance of power shifts. It's no longer in your hands. Del developers have the upper hand and the residents are left trying to fight for basic fixes after the fact. At that point, accountability becomes unclear and and solutions become slow, if they happen at
all. And that's not how this should work. The process should protect the people first, not leaving them with reacting to the decisions that were already locked in. And I keep hearing now that I have the attention of the board. But respectively, that's not something I should have to earn after
the fact. I brought these concerns up before, prior to, with the approval of this development. So the real question is, why does it take a problem become real, visible, and dangerous before it gets your attention when it was clearly laid out in front of you? Because if attention only comes
after approval, then approval is isn't the end of the responsibility. It's where it should begin. And that's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you. Victoria Blake is next, followed by Judith Weard Weekend.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Good morning. >> Morning. >> I am also with um Tent City Helpers. Um just want to give you a little background though. I mean, these people that we see every Monday, we go to six different locations and a lot of them, you can tell, used to be executives.
They used to be prominent. They're veterans. I used to make over $200,000 a year, and I almost was homeless two years ago. So, this is like a real problem in Martin County. And the bill that um Governor Dantis passed a few years ago said is unauthorized for
people to camp in public areas. However, the second part of the bill states that it requires counties to establish specific standards and procedures relating to such property and authorizes to inspect property. So, there's nothing available for these homeless people.
There's nowhere to go. The police and dogs are hunting them down in the woods and under bridges and it's inhumane. It's horrible. Horrible. Martin County Fairgrounds sits there empty. I know somebody owns it. I know he doesn't want to use it, but it's just sitting there, a gated area where all the homeless
people could go and be safe and people could come and contribute to them. Tents and food like we do every Monday and LA and you know, House of Hope all that we do to help these we need an area for them to live in. Thank you for listening and I pray that you will take action to
help these wonderful human beings. We're all equal in God's eyes. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you. Miss uh we got Gand and Mr. Cook, would you like to speak on uh DPQJ1 or now?
>> I'd like to wait. >> Okay, then. >> Excellent. >> Justin Ducas. >> No, we'll wait till the actual application. >> Good morning. >> Hello, commissioners. >> Morning. It's nice to see you guys
again. >> All right, so my name is Justin Ducass. I am a Martin County resident um and a uh Martin County High School graduate. Uh so in the last episode, we um
established a House Bill 1365 plus no shelter or designated camping area equals pretty much criminalizing homelessness. And I believe that this is wrong on many levels, but that's um like
self-explanatory. Now, um, on me doing some more research on House Bill 1365, I came across a speech that Ronda Santis had at um,
Miami Beach in March 20th, 2024, in which he was talking about his intentions behind this bill. and he pretty much basically said that he didn't want Florida to become like San Francisco
where there's like tents on the sidewalk and there's skid row and all the type and all of of those types of things. So he was basically trying to centralize all of us in one place so that it's not
everywhere. Um so in this same speech he said that he had $30 million from the state level to give to the local governments meaning the counties to
establish a shelter or designated camping area. Um and since we have the funding available as per what he says um
and being that this is 583 consecutive nights including tonight that I would have have to risk my freedom in order to sleep. Um, and since the funding is there, I was
wondering um how much nights more will I have to commit a crime in order to um go to sleep? And uh I don't know how we can take some action on
this. Like I know that there were some suggestions and all of that, but I just want to know like um like can we put it on the agenda for this time, for next time, for
like for next time like can we talk about this in a formal setting or you know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Ducas. Linda Smith is next and Miss Smith is
the last request to speak form I have for uh public comment. >> Good morning. >> Linda Smith, Jupiter, Florida, representing Sierra Club members in Martin, St. Lucy, Okachchobee, and Palm Beach counties. Please consider revising
data centers into two categories. Small data centers can remain as light industrial but hyper or large data centers are truly heavy industrial due to heavy use of water power, creation of low frequency noise, light pollution,
and creation of additional heat. Data centers are coming. Data centers are here. I want to thank the residents that supported the voterapproved funding for Martin County Forever program and thank
this board for securing the over 1700 acre conservation easement at the barb ranch bringing the total protected area to over 15 115,000 acres. I support
today's CS CN ST9 approval of the first amendment to fund the agreement to remove the requirement that a portion of Hanley Creek parcel be used for commercial and allow this parcel to be used for conservation and recreation purposes.
Out of order, I also support uh DPT7. Restoring the natural flood plane of the Cypress Creek is a wonderful step and I support DPT5 resolution accepting another acre to be
reserved in perpetuity for conservation, environmental and storm water purposes and support DEP6 approval of the donation of 6.7 acres to be preserved in perpetuity for the conservation environmental and natural
naturalbased passive recreation purposes. All wonderful news. And if Miss Lewis C Yer is here, I would like to thank you >> right there. >> Thank you. Would anyone else like to
address us from the public? >> If not, commissioners, if it's okay with you, can we take up department five and six? >> Yes. Good morning. Carlos Agura, real property manager. Um, department item
number five is for the adoption and approval of a resolution for the donation of three parcels in North River Shores. This request is for three parcels that total approximately one acre located in North
River Shores along Southwest Spruce Drive. The property is being generously donated to the county by Mrs. Louise C. Geyser and will be used for environmental conservation and storm water purposes to aid in drainage for
the community. Pursuant to the Martin County donation policy, Real Property and Environmental Resources Division of Public Works have completed their evaluation and support the acceptance of this donation subject to the legal department having final
review of all closing documents. We ask that the board adopt a resolution approving and accepting the donation of these three parcels for Mrs. Jiser and authorize the chair to execute all closing documents. Mrs. Jiser is here
today to speak about this donation along with three additional projects that will be discussed in department number six by John mail. If there's any questions regarding this item, I'd be happy to answer. >> Questions for Miss Sigura?
Questions for Miss Yaiser? >> Would you would you like to join us? I think I think we were planning to go through six and then all of the pomp and circumstance that follows.
>> So should let's take up department six and then we'll approve the uh resolutions and take whatever action needs to be taken on five and six if it's okay with you all. >> Yes. Okay. Let's take up Mr. Mail. So, John Mail, environmental resource
administrator, first of all, I want to ask your pardon on the awkwardness of this agenda item um and give you a little explanation for what we did with with department 6. Um several people asked me in the last week, what is a preliminary approval? I don't know. I
made it up. And the county attorney's office said, "Yeah, I could do it." Um, basically, uh, Miss Wiser, Miss Yiser, uh, Deb Parker and Tyson Waters have been running around the county negotiating
contracts to save really special properties. And they've been working day and night at it. And our team internally has been trying to keep up. And we got to a place as we were preparing uh, department 5 where we realized we've got three more items coming up. and and just
to recycle and bring her back again and again. We thought it'd be more efficient to just try to do a preliminary approval for everything that she has under contract and intends to donate and so that we could do this all at once. So um we're hoping that that's agreeable to you. So if I could go over these
properties with you briefly u before um we hear from Miss Yaiser and um her team. I think we have maps in here, right? And I'm going to bring an item back um
on the next meeting in consent. So it'll >> with a resolution. >> Yes. >> So you're going to hear about um um the in department 5 the North River Shores uh property was three parcels that had a
um approval for 10 units per acre. Um it was kind of right at the confluence of several roads in that neighborhood and it's an area where uh public works had identified a need for some additional storm water um uh level of service and
uh pairing all that together and with Miss Eiser's philanthropy we were able to secure those properties to um to build in a small um uh detention pond and that'll probably look like some kind of wetland pond and create a public open
space for the the neighbors to enjoy. Um, that one is was department 5. That's the one that's actually prepared and ready to to be accepted today. There's three more that are coming. The first one that you see here is adjacent to the East Fork Creek storm water treatment
area that we recently completed on US1. Um, that property is uh turned out to be a very beautiful feature on the landscape. Um, it's high-profile because you drive right by it on US1, but there's really no way to access it or enjoy it. It's a really pleasant walk to
walk around it. Uh but there's no parking, there's no pulloff. Um there's no really safe ingress or egress to the area. Um the property just to the north um we were able to secure that um through Miss Yiser. Um kind of it was
really like a story of a phoenix rising from the ashes. Um it was it was a failed uh reasonzoning attempt that went under contract again with someone else who wanted to uh apply for higher density and uh they had they had really
not done a lot of research on on that process in Martin County and so they had a really short due diligence period. So when we reached out to them it was already a week under contract and it was you know too bad sorry that one's not going to work. Um, but as the the individual who was purchasing it got
into the mechanics of of reszoning here in Martin County, they went back to the to the uh seller and requested an extension to their due diligence. By that time, the seller knew we were interested and so they terminated that contract and Miss Yiser was able to put
it under an agreement. Our plan there is to um to to develop a a new park. Um, so there'll be an opportunity for people to pull off in there, uh, to have like maybe a small cheeky hut, um, a trail head and a trail system that, uh,
enjoins the STA adjacent to it. So, we're getting some economy of scale by by um, that acquisition. Um, that's that's a really exciting one. It's right on US1 and and we'll really be able to celebrate Miss Yiser's philanthropy there. Um,
last time we came to you, uh, Miss Yaiser was donating this parcel right here on the north side of the entrance to Hope Sound Scrub. Today, um, we're asking you to accept a donation of these
parcels on the south side. >> Accepted. >> Oh, sorry. >> And all of these parcels, um, that are additionally adjacent to the Hope Soundscribe Preserve. They've got some great habitat, uh, a bunch of of of, um,
scrub and, um, TN habitat, and and it will just secure, uh, in addition to already beautiful and super special piece of conservation land. All told, Mrs. Yiser uh, contributed almost $10 million in conservation land out of her
own pocket. >> Wow. Wow. Wow. remarkable. >> So, we would ask the board for the opportunity to Miss Yaiser to come speak and uh additionally uh Miss Deb Parker also would like to make a comment.
Please. What an incalculable benefit to Martin County and Miss Yaiser. Thank you so much. >> Well, thank you, John. You messed up my whole talk. >> That's what I do best. >> But thank you for g So, you're going to
hear some of this again. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today. When I was here in April and asked and was asked to say a few words, I had nothing prepared to read and therefore felt pretty flatfooted for
this meeting. Chat GPT helped me to write a very elegant, formal, proper speech which I have set aside for the most part to say what I really want to say. And this is what I really want to
say. This is so cool for me. I am so excited about being able to donate this land. What is so funny is that if I only had one dime for every time I heard someone say, "I don't know. We've never
done that before." I would have amassed a small fortune by now. I have heard this from you guys sitting up there. I have heard this from John May. I've heard this from a realtor, a banker or two, and two or three attorneys. And all
of us would have been right. We had not done this before. There was no pathway established for this kind of gift. No precedent, no process, no proof that it could even be done. Well, so much for
that because now it has. When the next person steps up and donates land to the county for preservation, hopefully tomorrow, the county will know what to do, how to process the gift and how to proceed forward putting everything into
place. Chad GPT has made one excellent point that the that I really love that the gift of land is different from any other gift. It cannot be replicated. It cannot be manufactured. It cannot be replaced
and once it is lost to development or perhaps overdevelopment. It is gone forever. When land is protected, it becomes something powerful. A refuge, a classroom, a legacy, a home for living creatures,
trees and plants, many of which are disappearing rapidly as their natural habitats vanish. Okay, back to my own words. I am absolutely delighted that I have the honor of being the first person to do this. I got to be the county's guinea
pig as most of the time, as John said, we seem to be making it all up as we went along. Um, but now, as I said before, Martin County knows exactly what to do. So, I invite
other people with resources to please step forward and do the same thing. Together, we can really make a big difference. I think the best way to do this is go to the county first and find out what lands are available
for sale that they've had their eye on but can't quite get their hands on for one reason or another. Sometimes a private buyer makes all the difference. how gratifying it is to know that the county would like to do some fabulous
things with these properties. I've been hearing about trails, a little extra parking for the public, a pavilion, picnic table, doggy bag dispensers with trash can, a pond to ease flooding and
provide beauty. Um, sidewalks, benches, and trees, just to name some. and in some instances just leaving the land alone to flourish naturally. I have been told to please be patient as these things take time but like many of
us patience is not my best quality. However, I promise to do my best. I want to thank Deborah Parker the real who is here the real estate broker who steered me in the right direction and made so many things happen. real estate
broker Michael Douly who kept us moving in the right direction but is out of town today. Commissioner Stacy Heatherington our first liaison with the council and John May who as far as I can see does just about everything.
I also want to thank Commissioner Blake Caps as well as Commissioner Sarah Herd and Eileene Vargas for giving me their encouragement support. And I don't know if this person is here today, but I really want to thank naturalist Jeff
Wittmann, whose enthusiasm and support are palpable. You are here. >> He's going to speak. >> I'm so glad. Thank you all so very much. I really I really appreciate this opportunity. Thank you. >> Thank you.
From this day forward, whenever we receive a donation, we're going to call it the Yiser effect or the Yer program. >> Yeah. >> Good morning, commissioners, and thank you for having us.
>> Is that better? Okay. Um, my name is Deborah Parker. I'm the broker owner of Realy One Group Engage here in Martin County and have been here for 26 years. It's an honor to be with you today. I am truly grateful to witness and to have played a small role
a ve in a very generous and thoughtful act that reflects the best of the community. About a year ago, my friend and neighbor Whezy as we call her, her real name is Louise, um shared stories about her
family's long-standing commitment to giving, donating in places like Michigan, Ohio, and Naples for preservation. They weren't just stories. They were a reflection of values. values rooted in stewardship, foresight, and deep respect for places we call home. Uh
Weezy has had the same appreciation for Martin County. She cares deeply about protecting it from overdevelopment, pre preserving, and ma and what makes it so special. With that in mind, she asked me to help her identify land that could help be donated uh that would truly make
a difference for future generations and for Martin County. I I admit it was a new process for me. I hadn't done that before. Uh but I wanted to understand where to begin. So I attended a Save Martin County event in downtown Stewart
last summer. It was eyeopening and inspiring. As it often happens in this community, a meaningful connection followed. I ran into Stacy Heatherton who pointed me in the right direction and introducing me to John Mail. That moment set everything in motion. And now
here we are one year later. We're at the finish line. I'm shaking. I am like so excited. Um it has truly been a team effort. As we all know, it takes a village. I want to extend my sincere thanks to John Tyson, Carla from the county and Sebastian and for their
guidance and support throughout this process. I am also grateful to my fellow real estate professionals Michael Douly, Michael Baker, and Tom A lot in for their collaboration in assembling these remarkable parcels for donation. But most importantly, I want to recognize
Whezzy, not only for her generosity, but for her friendship, her vision, her commitment to preserving the character and beauty of this county. Her philanthropic spirit has made this moment possible. We're all fortunate to live in Martin County and today thanks to Weezy
uh and to this commission for your time and consideration. I believe our county stands to become uh better even stronger. I respectfully ask that you approve this donation. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Have to read one more that was from me.
Uh Michael Douly. Michael Douly, as you all know, is the the owner broker of Illustrated Properties and has been instrumental in helping. But unfortunately, Michael wanted to be here, but he's in Greece. So, he asked me to read this in his behalf. On a
April 5th, I stood before you to speak in favor of a motion to accept 1.28 acres of land from Miss uh Louise Yiser to increase the size of Hobound Scrub Preserve. Now, we have the opportunity to accept two more parcels from Mrs.
izer that will add to the preserve in total with the addition of these two parcels and increase the land by 15%. It is extremely rare that the people of Martin County have had such a generous gift offered to them. I have seen many
parcels of land offered to the county over the years. Each time the offer was given uh with a quid proquo land for schools, parks, etc. all given exchange for a certain development that was being presented for approval. I cannot remember one time in my 40 plus years of
service to the county that a person donated land without wanting something in return. It could be said that Miss Wiser wants something to she wants the land to remain in its natural state into perpetuity. I think we can all acknowledge that this is an asked we can
agree to. Miss Yiser is a kind, gentle soul who would not think of asking for anything, but I can. I asked if any improvement on these parcels such as pavilions, shaded seating areas, or any other improvement that would enhance the experience for the people who visit Hope
Sound Scrub Preserve occur, the commission would consider naming that improvement, acknowledging Mrs. Yaiser's generous contribution to us all. Thank you, Louise. Thank you for setting an example what true uh altruistic giving is about. Thank you for choosing Martin
County. And most selfishly, thank you for picking our little Heaven on Earth Hope Sound Scrub Preserve as a benefactor of your most generous gift. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Camps. >> I want to begin by also thanking a
number of people involved in what is uh occurring here today. Uh environmental resource administrator John Mail. Thank you. and real property manager Carla Sigura.
Thank you. And other members in the public works staff. Um realtors Deb Parker and Mike Douly and my fellow commissioners who played a role in this, Commissioner Heatherington and the rest.
Um, and then thank you Jeff Whittman for being such a an enthusiast for the Hobound Scrub Preserve environmental advocate. Uh, we appreciate you and uh your
prompting uh to make some of this happen. Um, dear Louise Yaiser, it is hard to put in words the feeling of appreciation we have in our hearts for your amazing
generosity to your fellow Martin County residents. You seem to possess a strong awareness that we are all on this earth not to live for selfish gain but rather to make
a lasting difference with our decisions and actions. God has blessed all of us with gifts. Some have time, some have talent, and
some have treasure. All of these are important, but in the course of human events, we often look back at unusual people who make an indelible impression on a
community that reverberates for generations. Miss Yiser, you are one of those people. From the bottom of our hearts, we offer our sincerest thanks to you for
purchasing and donating 13 parcels of land, for the expansion of the Hobound Scrub Preserve, for the purchase and donation of the beautiful scrub land just north of East Fork Creek on US1 in Hobound,
and also for the purchase and donation of the parcels in North River Shores. As we drink in the beauty of open spaces and the reminders of old Florida, while walking trails or just riding by
natural lands, we will remember you for your big heart and open hands. Your example will remind us that we too are here to make a difference. God bless
you and God bless your family. And I would make a motion that we accept department five and department six. >> Second. >> Commissioner Vargas.
>> Yes. Um, Miss Parker, as a fellow real estate broker, this is out of the ordinary. You know that. And I applaud you from the bottom of my heart. You're a hardworking lady. Uh, you're a successful lady. And usually people when
they think of real estate brokers, it's going to be sold and developed. But you took a different tack and I appreciate you giving the confidence to Weezy and of course your fellow brokers that are not here today. Thank you so very much
for having more foresight. This is unusual. But I do want to make a couple of mentions. Um Miss Aurora, you're you're professional very much very much. Um John Male, I don't know what else to say. I think it's all been said. you are a very very easy person to deal with.
You're very knowledgeable and when you don't know something, you find out. So, I really appreciate your humility. And of course, in the back there, there's Mr. Jeff Whitman, uh, who just loves loves loves the outdoors, and I appreciate you taking me on personal
journeys, uh, of Hope Sound. Um, so easy. How are you? You look great today. You are over generous. You are kindly.
You are great-hearted. Not good, but great-hearted. And thank you for sharing your bounty with Martin County. You have set the bar very high for others to follow in your footsteps
by donating these extravagant gifts of the beautiful Florida nature. And we're expecting more wonderful gifts. Thank you so much for putting the challenge out there and we can applaud you again. Thank you so very much.
Commissioner Heatherington. >> Well, Miss Yiser, like you at the last meeting, I didn't prepare any notes today, but next time you come in, because I know you're going to come in again for future donations, I will read my chat GPT speech to you. But what I do
want to say is wow, it much of it's been said today and thank you because your generous heart has not only benefited Martin County today, I think it's going to inspire so many generations that will
and people that will step up like you have in this process and I think we will call it the process. And um from the bottom of our heart, thank you so much. You're a woman of action. You're my kind of woman. You're really a feisty woman
of action. I see the patience. Um how you how you demonstrated that you don't want to wait and you got this done quicker than I think any other land acquisition process that I've seen. So, and I want to thank Deb Parker and John
Male and Tyson and Carla for really working through this process and making it happen. So, we appreciate you so much and we hopefully we'll see you back again in a few few short months. And Jeff Whitman, would you like to
speak to us? >> Good morning. >> Good morning, everybody. Jeff Whitman, Hope Sound. Um, I am so happy. I haven't been this happy since we saved the ham property, the out parcels a month ago, but I'm
pretty happy. Um, Jeff Whitman Hope Sound. Um, when this property first came before the commission, I guess it was exactly a year ago, um, it was for a land use change and a zoning
change to allow for yet another huge storage facility. I'm talking about the the East Fork Creek property. Um could have been up to 100,000 square feet. Uh just terrible. Um I suggested that the county just buy the property because
unlike the five acres in Palm City, this 6.7 acres was all environmentally sensitive land. The back half is wetlands, the front half is coastal scrub habitat, which is considered rare and endangered.
the commission made the right decision and the denied the developer the changes. Um, Commissioner Caps called me the next day and said that he went out with John Mail to look at the property
and said it was incredibly beautiful and that he would like to see it preserved. Thank you. Um, what makes this property so unique is that it's contiguous to the Eastport Creek Preserve. That's a 21
acre preserve with a 20 acre lake, but there's no way the people of Martin County could access it. You cannot park on the street or the adjacent church. This hidden gem, most people don't know where it is, is almost became a 100,000
square foot storage facility, is now preserved in perpetuity thanks to John Mail, the county commission, especially Commissioner Caps, and especially Miss Miss Yiser. Um, I would like I would like it to be
named the Miss Yiser Preserve. I don't know. Um, >> it has a certain ring. >> It does. It does. It does. We are so grateful to the additional land added to the Ham property, aka the Hope Sound Scrub Preserve.
Thank you and God bless you. Um, I got a few more seconds here. I just wanted to talk about this other parcels on Hillside Circle. Um, I know that property very well. It was it was at one time part of the Ham property. What makes that unique is that the north
parcel where Blake Blake and I found like three gopher tortoises there. Uh that was where the old Hope Sound School used to be, the wooden schoolhouse before the Apollo school. And I've been told that that school has been moved to the where the Bible college is. So I
haven't been able to find it, but it's somewhere in the Bible college prior and that goes back to like 1915. May I have a few more seconds, please? >> You do. >> 15 left. Yeah. Okay. Um, >> you're very generous. >> The other the other parcels around um,
Hillside Circle, that was all part of the Ham property and somehow it got yanked out unfortunately and now it's reunited back with the Ham property, the Hope Sound Square Preserve. Um, one more
thing. Um, up in North western North Carolina, Wesville, where I'm from, um, we hold, uh, stone walls are sacred. And there's a stone wall on Hillside Circle that goes back to 115 years old and it's
still there. And I was so afraid that a developer would come in and bulldoze it, but it's still there and it's beautiful and so it's cool. So, like I said, there's so many gopher tortoises there, scrub jays there, indigo snakes there,
fourpelled pawpa. Geez. We're so grateful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Campy. >> I'll keep mine very simple. Thank you very much. God bless you. We appreciate
you so much. >> And Mr. Donaldson >> at the conclusion I think it'd be appropriate to get a picture with the commissioners in the well with Miss Weisy if that's okay with everybody. >> Thank you. >> And and also Miss Yaiser, I I want to
assure you I know that your goal here is preservation and uh you also are are concerned about that you don't have enough patience to endure this whole thing. I assure you that before we make any improvements to any of these parcels, we will first of all get your
approval. Uh we won't put anything on these sites that doesn't meet with your expectations. >> Great. >> Commissioner Cats, >> one more comment about uh Jeff Woodman. I mentioned at our last meeting that he
really began the pursuit for us finding a solution to keep the uh the first parcel at Hopes Scrub Preserve that was donated in the last meeting from development and it was about to become town homes and he suggested that to me
quite some time ago and we started thinking about it and so I want to re rerecognize for that. But also, I wanted to mention, it's always interesting to think about where ideas begin. And uh
shortly after Eastport Creek decisions were made, um he suggested at that time that uh we find a way to put that land into conservation. And I began to talk start
talking to John Mail uh often about it. And so those were were early discussions about the future of that parcel as well that were inspired by Jeff Whitman. So, thank you very much. >> I love this sampler.
>> Let's let's vote first. Uh, Miss Elder, do we need to do separate motions for >> You can combine them since there's no changes to the recommended action or separate motions, whichever you prefer would be fine. >> So, we can do staff recommendations on
both departments. So, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Yes. We're going to get you. They're all going to join you.
Thank you so much. Congratulations on being selfish. >> All right. >> Let's have everybody take one step to your left. >> There you go. One step to your left, guys. There you go.
>> Okay. Oh, you can take it. >> There you go. >> All right. >> Right into the lens. One, two, three. >> We'll take a couple. One, two, three. And last one.
>> One, two, three. >> Thank you so much. >> It will be so gratifying to see the improvements that we're going to make on this. >> Oh, thank you. >> Which are you most excited about? Yours. John,
>> you guys in the middle >> one with the staff. Come with go this way. >> Yeah. Keep Jeff. One with the staff first. Jeff. Jeff. >> The one with just the staff and then you >> perfect. >> Yeah.
>> All right, everybody. One step to your right, please. One step to your right. >> Perfect. One step toward me. Just one step. >> Carla, go in a little bit. >> All right. >> No, you look great. >> That's perfect. All right. standing on your donation. You're very tall.
>> One, two, three. >> Sebastian, don't be afraid to smile. There you go. >> One more. One, two, three. >> What a good looking group. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Another person. I'm so glad you're here.
I have to thank Jeff because you're so excited. >> Thank you. I'm so excited. It's like the the hand of God was at work. I want to see >> you're taking my job. >> Well, you know, This is not the day you
>> want to say. Never mind that. >> Yours was Did you write that? >> Yeah. Yeah. See nowadays when something's really well done they is that I've never used her comments about my brain
and I wouldn't stop anymore. I do not know why. I'm sick of it. I would love to. >> All right. As soon as we get things under control, you're willing to take up for it. It was before I know it. I know the
business took years, but it worked out. >> No, but that's like literally she like strong you right out of the way. >> If I didn't go to the Martin County thing, I wouldn't >> I zoomed. I showed the list. I said, "Look at Sarah's face." >> That's not my vocabulary.
need anything. >> That's correct. >> We'll do consent and commissioner comments and then we'll take a break. >> It is. So, I just came back from Tokyo, right? Tokyo for >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought we were done.
>> You all are done. >> I'm sorry. I 10 million bucks another >> we will take up uh commissioner comments. Commissioner Vargas, >> you know, um I I said what I had to say
just momentarily ago. Um but uh human services uh we've had two meetings now where people have talked about homelessness. Would that be the department to be able to pick this up? Pardon me. >> The two people that spoke earlier this morning about homelessness, we have a a
department for that. Human services. >> Yes. >> Social services. >> What what can be done? I mean, can somebody address that? >> We have a department that's addresses those very things. >> All right. So, are they going to contact them or how how does this work?
>> Well, they do their jobs every day. >> Yeah. Mr. Stokus. >> Uh Mr. just focus on that. >> Madam Chair, I already spoke with Miss Michelle Miller, director of human services. She was talking to the gentleman uh who spoke uh when he left the building or not left the building,
but left the D, excuse me, before he left the building. >> And then there are also the ladies that spoke too. She brought up the posters here too. Yes, we've been we've we've in talked with uh 10 city helpers and been working with other nonforprofit communities as it relates to the Florida state statutes and overnight uh
overnight camping as it relates to counties and what the counties can and cannot do. Just to reiterate, it is a complicated subject for us to deal with and the state has making made it very difficult
to address it in in simple terms. And so um uh it's it's not simply a matter of of roping off an area and saying this is okay. It comes with an enormous burden in the law on what you have to do to do
that. So it's it is complicated. also our zoning and how it fits in and still gives the opportunities of neighbors to sue you over how you do it. So, um uh it I appreciate the the dynamic and the concern of that those that represent
those folks, but it's um it's it's very difficult for local governments to take it on to the degree that the some of our public would like. >> Yeah, I understand the responsibility that goes with that. Commissioner Caps.
>> On April 22nd, I along with staff attended the Town of Jupiter Island Commission meeting to discuss the new bathroom, canopy, and fire rescue buildings needed at Hobound Beach.
These buildings would be placed east of the current construction setback line uh which basically runs through the parking lot and to the west of those current buildings. So we need a variance
from this uh current construction setback line. and one of the commissioners raised the issue of whether the county intended to extend a sewer line to the site.
Though we budgeted for this expense, SMRU thought that it would not be prudent to extend the line. So, we decided to switch to a septic tank system instead.
Uh the commissioners voted at this meeting to continue their decision until their next meeting and asked us to bring back a revised plan for a sewer line to the site. And I think it would be good if our
county administrator could say at this next meeting that our board has granted him the authority to include a sewer line to the project if the town deems this necessary.
Um, so I will make that motion that we give uh, County Administrator Don Donaldson that authority if if that sewer line is deemed to be necessary by the town. >> Any further discussion? There's a motion
and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. >> Anything else? >> I'm good. Uh on April 27th, we had a ribbon cutting at Bob Graham Beach uh to celebrate the near completion of the
Army Corps of Engineers shoreline protection project there. It's a beach reourishment project on uh covering four miles. This is the seventh time uh this particular uh beach reourishment project has been done. The first one was 30 years ago and and Don Donaldson was our
coastal engineer at the time and and that was one of his first assignments. So this was project was fully funded by the core of engineers at a cost of $15 million. Uh it's been eight years since the last project occurred at this location. One of the most inspiring
consequences of healthy beaches and we take an awful lot of pride in our unspoiled healthy beaches and our four-story height limit uh on those beaches. So, one of the most inspiring consequences of healthy beaches is healthy habitat for nesting sea turtles.
Martin County beaches had 22,566 sea turtle nests last year. So, as I contemplated the importance of our healthy beaches, I considered some of the other critical components that combined to create our revered Martin County difference. One of these is our
love of fishing and boating. We need a navigable inlet in order to do both and the Army Corps is our essential partner in keeping the inlet safe and shelf-free. Another Barton County difference is water quality. The Indian River Lagoon
is the most biodiverse estuary in North America. Its shallow depths, mixing of fresh and salty waters, shores lined with mangroves, its warm temperatures, and abundant seaggrass beds combined to create a perfect nursery for the more
than 4,400 species of plants and animals that live in the Indian River Lagoon. The lagoon's health is dangerously impaired from over a century of damaging discharges. The Army Corps has spent hundreds of millions of dollars
constructing projects in Martin County that will help restore the lagoon's health and they will spend many more hundreds of millions of dollars completing more projects. We are forever grateful to the Army Corps of Engineer
for being our partners. Because of them, we are able to maintain and restore the assets that define the Martin County difference. and we could not do that without the core's help each and every year. >> Commissioner Campy.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I've had a lot of residents over the last, I guess, several months been reaching out for different reasons about things that are taking place in the waters just off of Pendarvis Park in Palm City. A lot of it has to do with
the fact that as we created mooring fields first in Jensen Beach, then in the Manity Pocket, and then the city of Stewart has theirs, this sort of band of folks that live um in their in their ve
in their vessels have moved around and um I don't believe that all of them are causing grief where they go, but a lot of them are. That's That's my soundtrack. A lot of them are. And uh whether it's
even though we have obviously just celebrated a >> I'd rather listen to that. >> Oh, me too. >> I want to have that as my >> Absolutely. >> It's my theme music. Thank you so much. $10.
Um, some folks, even though we have our MS poop that would free uh would pump out people's boats for free, sadly, people are still not using it. They are litter is washing up on all of the homes there and in the park. Folks are digging
through the mangroves to gain access to the uplands, uh, the neighbors and folks that are trying to utilize that park. It's turned into a real problem. Uh, our sheriff's deputies have been at the park side. Um, uh, our marine patrols, obviously,
similar to Jensen and Manity, have a difficult time enforcing certain rules. The folks that are, um, anchoring their um, know their know their uh, rights and uh, are perfectly willing to uh,
exercise them uh, to the detriment of the locals. So, I would make a recommendation that we have staff look into a potential mooring field there. Um, not so much that it is necessary that we have a mooring field there, but
I know that the legal uh parameters and you know the area that can be patrolled uh is is based on where the moing fields are. I think that as you head now past the city of Stewart one by the base of
the Roosevelt Bridge and you start heading out of the that zone, it pushes into the Palm City area and the south fork of the St. Lucy uh by the Palm City Bridge uh and then north of the Palm City Bridge, but I think it'll just continue to push south in between the
bridges. There's a lot of derelict boats there that we've been responsible for taking care of, but sadly some of the boats that you would think are derelictked are not. their liverboards and it's turned into a big enough problem now that I don't think it's going to solve itself uh or the people were just transiently moving through
that area. It's become a little more permanent. So, I would ask that staff begin the process of looking to what's going to be necessary for creating an additional mooring field there. I know that Pendarvis Park is a year-to-year lease with the South
Florida Water Management District. So, legal will probably have to get involved to see what South Florida Water Management District um feels about it. But we can no longer allow our residents to be stuck dealing with this and our natural environment to be destroyed.
Thanks. >> I think that's a great idea. >> Everybody else? >> Yes. >> Good. >> Yeah, Mr. Heatherington, >> I'll be brief, but I'll just bridge on to um Commissioner Herd's comments on the Indian River Lagoon. And I know that
one of your goals, I believe, this year was some of the muck um dredging. And I think um that we we need to continue to prioritize that because um with all of the great assets and all the all the
funding that we've put together, that's going to be a crucial part of um the health of the Indian River Lagoon. And I know that certain sites for the muck displacement and um even I think there's new technology that seems to be able to
uh process and compress that kind of material. So um I just want to reiterate my support for that um priority of the dredging of the Indian River Lagoon. And then on a another note on the historic preservation month, this all of these
events that there's there's practically one and one a week or a couple times a week and I think it's important to acknowledge and remember we just celebrated our uh centennial last year. for Martin County. There's so many events and I know there's a lot of newer
residents to Martin County, but please get active, engaged, and check our website for these events and really learn about the Martin County history and many of the people that help make Martin County special because Martin County difference is its environment and
it's Martin County difference is the people in Martin County. And also we uh attended a ribbon cutting for the restoration of Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge this weekend. That is our oldest building in Martin County and it is 150 years old. So if you haven't
visited the uh House of Refuge, it's been closed for renovations for quite some time. It's reopening or it will be reopening very soon and please visit. >> Mr. Donaldson, >> I'm all good. Thank you. >> Miss Elder, >> we had a new attorney start in our office yesterday, so we're excited to have him. So I wanted to introduce him.
His name is Joe Baron. Um, and we are thrilled to have him. So, today's his second day, so he's just >> Would you like to come forward and introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your previous practices? >> Make an oral argument. >> Sorry, Joey.
>> Uh, good morning. My name's Joseph Baron. Um, my family relocated to Port St. Lucy after I graduated high school. Um, after high school, I then went to the Virginia Military Institute. Um, I served in the Army. I was an infantry officer. um Ranger Tab, the Airborne qualified. Um I ended up getting an
ankle injury and I used that as a segue to go into law. I went to a Washington Lee Law School uh after that. Um then I went to the University of Florida and got a tax LLM and um now I'm here. >> Terrific. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Gator.
>> Let's take a 10-minute break, please. We are taking up public hearing number one, which is a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending uh general ordinances Martin County code to require veterinarians to report microchips and eliminate
submission of disaster plans. Mr. Stokus. >> Good. Uh, good morning, Madam Chair. George Stokus, uh, assistant kind of chair. Before you is an ordinance. Uh, as you may know, all of our veterinarians here in Martin County are required to, uh, provide our tax collector certificates of vaccination
for animals, primarily cats and dogs, that they provide uh, these vaccinations to. The proposed ordinance before you also requires now requires microchips and the microchip numbers and the the tags that go along with them to also be submitted to the tax collector to create
a database. This is being done in an issue to try and return lost animals or potentially stolen animals back to their rightful owners in a very timely fashion. Uh this proposed ordinance also does strike some requirements uh that owners of five or more cats or dogs
provide a disaster plan. There has been no no one has actually ever done that in the past and our tax collector would like to see that removed for efficiency. Um, this ordinance was also heard by the ACCOB and they voted in favor of this. And before I address any questions or comments, I wanted to just thank Miss
Petrick for doing all the hard work on this and allowing me to be able to summarize this in probably about 120 seconds. So, I'm more than happy to address any comments, concerns, or questions. >> Questions for staff? >> Okay. So if if you lose your animal then
isn't it normally scanned and you're notified? What what's the difference on Right now it you're it's scanned but the we those microchip data you would have to access different databases. We're in the process of centralizing all that information for our animal service officers to be able to access. Uh and
this is really the first step to making sure you have good accurate data that goes into that database. >> Okay. So, this is just for Martin County or is this nationwide a plan? >> Well, well, the ordinance deals with Martin County only. However, databases, I think the database we are looking at
would be a nationwide database through a third party provider. That'll be coming probably before you at a later date when we get to the appropriate time for that contract. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah, because that's important. I It's like your child. So, I I totally get that. Okay. >> Any further questions? This is a public
hearing. Would anyone from the public like to address us on public hearing number one? Seeing none, back to the board. Is there a motion to uh accept staff's recommendation? >> I make a motion. >> I second it.
>> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you, Andrew. >> Before we moved on to public hearing >> said Thank you. We heard your voice. >> I did say something. Before we move on to public hearing number two, is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second to adopt the consent agenda. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Public hearing number two is a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance on
amending environmental controls article 7 nuisance abatement general ordinances regarding notification of property owners of news nuisances via notices to abate. >> Good morning commissioners >> papowrowski. >> Good morning uh Sebasti um county
attorney's office. Commissioners, uh, a little bit of history. Um, back in, uh, 23, we amended the proceeding section. This is 67.201 to broaden and, uh, further define nuisances in our county. Um, section
67202 uh, A, which we are here before you today, references that preceding section 2011. uh and we would ask that uh this amendment be passed so it can be consistent with uh the language in the
proceeding section 2011. It's sort of a administrative ministerial task just to uh clean up the code even further. >> Questions for Mr. Proprski? >> Commissioner Caps. >> Um in the agenda item summary there is
talk of four nuisance categories there. They are weeds, undergrowth, trash, >> and brushing trees. Commissioner, >> brushing trees, and uh you know, I talked to our county
attorney about how some people think, and perhaps even in some counties, and I'm not advocating for this yet, I'm just it's just an idea. Uh some people think that um an additional nuisance
could be the presence of exotic vegetation on property. Um, and it would be worth looking into like to see what other cities and counties do if any of them do such a thing. Um, um, you know,
I know that it would be very problematic and potentially really expensive for a lot of private land owners to have to clear the exotics off their property. Um, but I would be interested to know if there are any other counties or cities that
do such a thing and perhaps there could be ways to limit it so that you know you don't get some huge liability or uh exposure. perhaps just along the roadway part,
something the part that of a private property that is visible uh from the roadway or or the front yard or whatever something that made it reasonable, but it's it's worth looking into. And I'm not I'm not convinced yet that we should
do it, but but have you ever heard of that being a nuisance category? I have not, but I'll be happy to look into that for >> It'd be interesting to to look at it because we are we are getting completely covered up uh with exotics in our county. Our county does a good job at
keeping them back off the roadways. Uh you know, and that's really the only place that we are authorized to clear them. Uh we we can't get on private property to do it, but um but on private property, it's a huge problem. Uh, and
if you if you take the time to get educated about what exotic plants are, uh, it will begin to bother you. Uh, because you will see them everywhere. Anyway, maybe we could look into that. >> Yes, Commissioner.
>> This is a public hearing. Would anyone from the public like to address us? Seeing none, go back. >> If you're adding things to the nuisance category, please add ebikes and scooters. I'll look into that as well. Commissioner motion to accept staff's recommendation.
>> Second. >> There's a motion in a second. All those in favor? I >> opposed. That motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Do you think we should have a board item on ebikes and e scooters? >> Yes. >> I think a great idea. >> Yeah, I think so, too.
>> I know the sheriff is uh starting to crack down on that, but we need to bring this to the forefront. >> Yes. Yes. >> Talk about nuisances and and destroying stuff. >> It's but it's dangerous to you're driving nearly take them out. >> We'll take up uh public hearing number three which is a public hearing
regarding permission to apply for the Federal Transit Administration FY22 section 5307 urbanized formula program funding grant. Mr. Beer or maybe Mr. Fox, maybe both.
Ash is in the bathroom and he will be here momentarily. >> Okay, we'll take up uh Thanks for that update. Mr. >> Menbach is here. We'll take up public hearing number four instead. >> Going to be scurrying. >> That's a public hearing to consider uh
Gen 251 certified recovery residences. Ordinance amending chapter 21 part 2 article 28 reasonable accommodation procedures general ordinances Martin County Code Missenbach. >> Hello again for the record my name is
Amy Offenbach planner with the Martin County Growth Management Department. GEN25-01 is a proposed text amendment for certified recovery residences. The applicant here is the board of county commissioners and this is a
legislative hearing and proof of pro public comment sorry proof of legal notice has been turned into the clerk. This request is to amend the reasonable accommodation procedures found in the
general ordinances of Martin County code to comply with Florida state statutes. A reasonable accommodation is an exception to any county rules, policies, or procedures for persons with disabilities to use and enjoy property.
Martin County provides reasonable accommodation procedures for all kinds of different requests, including but not limited to keeping emotional support animals or housing more than five unrelated
persons in a single household. State has mandated that each governing body establish specific procedures for reasonable accommodations involving a certified recovery residence. Certified recovery residences are simply
houses where persons in recovery live. There are no services provided at the property. And so the proposed text amendments will update the current uh reasonable accommodation procedures and differentiate between separate
procedures for specifically for certified recovery residences versus all other requests. The reasonable accommodation request form, which is currently in the code, will be removed and eventually two separate applications will be posted on
the county website and also made available at the growth management department. and a separate section will be added for uh procedures involving a certified recovery residence with specific time
frames specific to that type of property. And so the Florida Association of Recovery Residences provides the certification for these types of properties and they follow national standards and this again is required by state
statutes and so staff recommends approval of GEN25-01. This concludes the presentation. Questions for Miss Offenbach? This is a public hearing. Would anyone from the public like to address us?
Seeing none, back to the board. >> I'll move staff's recommendation for approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you. We will now take up >> Thank you.
Item number uh public hearing number three which is a public hearing regarding permission to apply for the Federal Transit Administration FY22 section 5307 urbanized formula program funding grant. Mr. Beecher.
>> Good morning commissioners. Ash Beecher, transit administrator for the record. Uh so today we have a public hearing um for the transit system. Martin Countyy's public transit system. Marty is partially funded by a Federal Transit
Administration or FTA grant that must be applied for each year. The grant application requires Martin County Board of County Commissioners to conduct a hear a public hearing that encourages public participation and opportunities for the community to comment on the
program of projects for the filing of the fiscal year 2022 section 5307 grant application. Um so the program of projects includes operating
assistance, capital assistance, um and safety and security enhancements. A grant match is required and the fiscical year 22 state public transportation block grant um as well as um funds from the county general fund is
included in the public works transit division operating budget and will be used as match. So, we use a grant to match for the the the other grant. And the recommendation is that the um is to move that the board authorize the county
administrator or designate to execute and file the FY22 section 5307 urbanized area formula program funds application on behalf of the Martin County Board of County Commissioners with the Federal Transit Administration for federal assistance as authorized by USC 49,
Chapter 53, Title 23 and other uh federal statutes authorizing a project administered by the Federal Transit Administration. Thank you. >> Questions for Mr. Beecher. >> Commissioner Caps.
just uh thinking about something that was said about the Marty system in prior meetings and what I remembered was that it's re in real rough numbers the the program is about a $4 million program
and about 2 million comes from the federal government about 1 million comes from the state and about 1 million comes from the county. >> Is that is that roughly true? >> Yep. Right. Right. I thought that that's always something that's good to keep in
mind. Um, you know, a lot of people have some misconceptions about it. They think that, you know, the countyy's paying for nearly all of it or something and and our portion of it is actually pretty small. Correct. >> This is a public hearing. Would anyone
from the public like to address us? Seeing none, back to the board. Is there a motion to approve staff's recommendation on public hearing number three? >> Move approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed.
>> That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. We will >> now take up uh DPQJ number one, which is a quasi judicial uh public hearing. A request for approval of a final site
plan for Heritage Ridge planned unit development parcel C4 lot 2B for the storage place Hob Sound project. Uh this is quasi judicial. Commissioner Vargas any exparte disclosures? >> I have any they've been filed. >> Commissioner Caps,
>> if I have any, they have been filed. >> If I have any, they've been filed. Commissioner Campy, >> if I have any, they've been filed. >> And Commissioner Heatherington, >> if any, they've been filed. >> Excellent. Uh Mr. Mr. Sinnot, have you turned over all of your relevant materials to the clerk? >> Yes, I'm turning a copy of my work
history and the agenda item to be filed as exhibit one. >> Okay. I don't see an applicant here. >> Right in the door. >> If you will be providing sworn testimony in this agenda item, please stand up, raise your right hand, and be sworn in.
No one. Okay. Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> I do. >> Please proceed. Mr. Sonat, >> thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning, commissioners. I'm John Senate, principal planner with growth
management. This is a request by Mccardi and Associates Land Planning and Design on behalf of 8280 Constitution for final site plan approval to construct a three-story 64,260 ft residential storage facility and
associated infrastructure within parcel C4, lot 2B of the Heritage Ridge planned unit development. The 1.5 acre undeveloped site is located on Southeast Constitution Boulevard, approximately 440 ft northeast of the intersection of
Southeast Federal Highway and Southeast Constitution Boulevard and Hope Sound. Included is a request for a certificate of public facilities reservation. Here you can see the outline of the Heritage Ridge PUD in red. It encompasses just over 300 acres in Hob
Sound located between US1 and Dixie Highway. And uh in yellow at the bottom you can see the proposed development site is uh in the southern portion of the PUD. The subject site consists of
approximately 1.5 acres. It is adjacent to Southeast Constitution Boulevard. It's currently undeveloped. To the north across southeast Constitution Boulevard is undeveloped land followed by the Hobound Tennis Center. To the east is a drainage canal
followed by residences. To the south is that same drainage canal followed by the Broward Motorsports facility. And to the west of the subject site is the Dollar General. the property and the surrounding areas
to the east, west, south, and north are within the Heritage Ridge PUD. To the north and south in red, you can see the general commercial zoning district along US1. The future land use designation of the
subject site and the adjacent areas to the west and east is low density. across constitution. In the purple you can see the general commercial and to the south you can also see the general commercial. The heritage ridge uh development
regional impact and pud zoning agreement were approved in October 1978 for residential units, recreational areas, golf course and open space, public service areas, as well as commercial areas. The 1978 PUD agreement
establishes that parcel C4 shall be developed as if zoned B1 business district. The Heritage Ridge PUD was most recently modified via the 9inth amendment in September 1989. The ninth amendment establishes that parcel C4 shall be
developed as of zone general commercial according to the Martin County zoning regulations as amended from time to time. The proposed development is within the allowable commercial square footage according to the 9th PUD amendment. The proposed development of parcel C4
lot 2B consists of a three-story 64,260 ft residential storage facility, also known as storage place, Hope Sound, and associated infrastructure. Ingress egress will be provided via an existing easement through the Dollar General property to the west. There is no new
access proposed off of Southeast Constitution. A parking rate adjustment is requested pursuant to section 4.625 Martin County Land Development Regulations. Nine parking spaces are proposed.
This is the proposed site plan for parcel C4, lot 2B. You can see the building is situated in the southern portion of the site set back from Southeast Constitution Boulevard. To the north of the building is the existing access easement through the
Dollar General property. There's a retention area between the parking area and Southeast Constitution Boulevard that will be planted. The applicant is requesting alternative compliance from article 4 division 20 specifically the primary facade
transparency fenistration criteria as well as the dumpster location. Staff recommend approval. The board of county commissioners is the final decision maker for this application. Here you can see the proposed architectural elevations.
The top elevation is the front that would be facing Southeast Constitution Boulevard. Pursuant to Martin County LDR table 10.5 F9, review of this application is not required by the local planning agency. Development review staff have found the
8280 constitution application to comply with all applicable regulations and the comprehensive growth management plan as detailed in the staff report. Staff recommendation is to move that the board receive and file the agenda item and its attachments including the staff report as exhibit one and move that the
board adopt the resolution approving the final site plan for the Heritage Ridge parcel C4 lot 2B project also known as storageplaced Hob Sound. That concludes my presentation. >> Questions for Mr. Senate?
Uh Mr. the uh future land use is low density residential. >> That is correct. >> Why wasn't that ever altered? >> I'm not sure. The low density future land use appears to have been assigned
in 1982. Um the PUD dates back to 1978. Um you know, establishing the the commercial zoning, if you will, for that parcel, >> but it has been amended. Certainly the
PUD has been amended and since post comprehensive plan. So why isn't the land use why wasn't the land use amended? >> I'm not sure why the land use was not amended as part of the previous >> why is it proper to put general commercial on a lowdensity land use
parcel. >> That is what the PUD states dating back to 1978 and again in 1989 with the ninth amendment. The ninth amendment indicated that parcel C4 shall be developed as if zoned general commercial.
>> Okay. And what kind of density transition is being uh proposed between this project and the low density residences that are adjacent. Um we
would not apply a density transition since this is not a residential use. Um, if you can go to page 215 of the agenda item,
tell me about the um the property that's in between the proposed devel development and the residential developments. Is that a slooh? >> That is a drainage canal right ofway. >> John, if you could go.
>> Is that is that considered a a wetland? >> No, the the canal is not a wetland. >> Are there wetlands in there? >> No, not on the property. >> Turn on real property interest. >> Mhm.
>> Commissioner Vargas. Yeah, I I was uh I think you asked a number of questions here uh about this property. I mean, certainly, of course, we have some people here that want to make comments also that live in the area. Are are you referring to some inconsistencies with
the zoning and the comp plan over time? >> I'm I'm cons I'm concerned about about consistencies. Yes. >> Sure. Okay. It's exactly what I was concerned about, too. Would the applicant like to make a
presentation? >> I would. Thank you. >> Good morning. Uh Mike McCarti for the record with McCardian Associates Lamp Pling and Design. Appreciate your time this morning. Uh the application before you is the
Heritage Ridge PUB parcel C4 lot 2B PUD final site plan application also known as Storage Place of Hope Sound. Uh ownership entity is 8280 Constitution LLC. Uh before you we are requesting
approval of the 64,260 ft three-story storage facility. Um with that a request for parking rate adjustment to reduce the parking um utilizing the Institute of Transportation Engineers IT manual
uh showing parking demand is much lower. It land use code 152 states the peak parking demand is approximately 0.1 spaces per thousand square feet as industry standard. Based on the industry
standards and numerous pro projects previously approved by the county precedent has been established in acknowledgment that county parking rate is not consistent with the indust industry standards. Um this is an infill development project intended to serve
the local neighborhood and surrounding residents. This is a residential storage facility. Therefore, no vehicle or commercial or industrial storage or business uses will take place at at a residential storage facility.
A little history background and thank you staff for for your background in that testimony. Um, Heritage Ridge is a RPU that was approved um as a DRRI back in 1978 and 79. uh permitted uses
consisted of residential, recreational areas, commercial and public service. Um in seven in September of ' 89, the ninth amendment to the RPU was approved whereby parcel C4 shall be developed as
if zoned general commercial. Okay. Residential storage facilities are a byite use permitted in the general commercial zoning. Therefore buy right today before you
existing conditions uh site contains exotic vegetation and some native tree species. Um we did provide the necessary uh tree surveys, environmental assessments and uh it was concluded that
no habitat exists on the site. They're they're non-native uh exotic vegetation and and trees and we have preserved many of those trees within our landscape plan and design. This was all confirmed by Martin County environmental staff who
also conducted a site visit. Most of the surrounding properties have been developed as staff indicated in his presentation. You've got Dollar General. Um you have the Broward Powersports. You've got the Heritage Ridge community to the north and east and then obviously
Constitution Boulevard borders this property on the north. Um, efforts were made to preserve the native trees around the perimeter of the site to buffer the surrounding properties and take into consideration the residential uses to the east.
here before you is our site plan. You can see this is a one and a half acre site um situated right next to the Dollar General. We have a shared access point off of Constitution Boulevard. Um,
as staff indicated, there's this uh ditch, if you will, or canal that has, you know, is on a radius along the northern and southern side, norththeast, southern side of the site and wraps um
took a little bit of adjustment to design a building, but we we did a great job designing a building with undulations uh meeting the commercial design standards. It made the architectural very interesting. We um have buffering around that edge of the
site that uh is up against or closest to Heritage Ridge residents along with the storm water uh system as well. You'll see here in this landscape plan, we packed this site with landscaping. Um we
located the building as far away from Heritage Ridge as possible. Um, again, you can see a very intricate and detailed planting design and scheme that meanders along the boundary. Uh, it's well vegetated. It's going to look
fantastic. This is a street view I want to provide. This is if you're standing on Constitution Boulevard looking south down the canal. So looking at this picture, this canal you can see with the
mode top of bank to the right of that top of bank your right as you look at it would be the storage facility site and you can see this uh FPNL box here this is on the corner of the site this oak tree right here this is to be preserved
to the left on the screen um is the heritage ridge you can see this native buffer and possibly believe in exotics as well that is on the heritage ridge site. So they are screened and then you can see on the far left of the screen how far the
residences are back. So there's ample buffer amp ample landscaping trees greenery etc. Here again the architectural elevations these meet and comply with the county
commercial design standards and the PUD. Here is a excerpt from the staff report. Uh this excerpt shows all of the different reviewing departments within the county and all of the individuals. And
you can see on the right hand side of that shot, we are in compliance across the board with all reviewing departments internally to the county, not only with the LDRs, but the comp plan and the Heritage Ridge PUB and DRRI
public benefit though we're not required to have a public benefit because this is an existing PUD and we are not before you today to request any modific ification to that PUD or an amendment thereof. This is a byite request.
However, we're still providing a public benefit. On the screen before you, you'll see a drainage easement that we are providing and dedicating to the county as a condition of approval. There is drainage pipe structures uh
that cross over the property and are of which the outfall to the drainage system into the canal. Um we are willing and the applicant has agreed to dedicate those easements needed to benefit the county as a condition of the approval.
Um approval justification. The proposed development is a byright use. The approval of this project will increase tax revenue to Martin County. Align with the original intent of the Heritage Ridge RPUD.
Provides for improved water quality and treatment. Provides for exotic vegetation removal. This is an infill development which should be promoted to utilize existing infrastructure such as roads, water,
sewer, and other public services to prevent urban sprawl. The small compact infill development promotes vertical integration within a small building footprint. The proposed development meets the intent to provide for
commercial uses to support the local neighborhood and surrounding area as envisioned in the 1979 Heritage Ridge approval. Justification. The application has been deemed in
compliance with Martin County land development regulations and the comprehensive growth management plan and the Heritage Ridge DRI PUD. Staff confirms compliance. Stack staff recommends approval.
And that's the conclusion of our presentation. Any questions? >> Any questions? Commissioner Caps. >> Uh, Commissioner Herd brought up an issue. Um, and I believe what summarizes the issue that she was concerned about
is on page 174. About 2/ird of the way down, there's a paragraph that says, "Although the current maps show a land use designation of low density,
the land use policies applicable to this partial should be construed to be those for the general commercial land use as set for as set forth in the original PUD agreement executed prior to
the adoption of the comprehensive plan. Does that summarize your your issue that you brought up? I mean, >> right. So, what I would like to ask the county attorney is do you have any concerns about this? I mean, like, do we
need to uh continue this item until you have more time to research this or >> So, I'm going to be honest. I did not look at the PUD agreements back to the original POD. There might be an entitlement in there. Um, I'm not sure if Sebastian Fox has looked at that
issue since he's on this. No. So, if the >> I mean, we may as well get it right. I mean, like if if we need to continue this to the next meeting or the next one and to give you time to to research that and clear that up, we could do that.
>> I do not have a solid answer. So, if the board wants me to provide one before they approve this, then I would need time to research it so I can look at the history. It was a DRRi. I don't know if there was entitlement in the DRRI. Um, and this goes back to the 70s. So, um, I don't have the answer to that.
>> And, uh, Madam Chair, the, and I'm looking at the 1989 9th amendment, the PUD agreement, um, which states in one of the exhibits that all terms and conditions of the Heritage Ridge PUD agreement as originally approved on October 31, 1978,
uh, which are not specifically amended or revised by this 8th amendment, shall remain in full force in effect. Um so without uh having done significant research, my understanding is that this uh contract entered into between the board and uh the developer has modified
uh several times um you know essentially does create a buy right situation. Um and despite the apparent um inconsistency between the future land use and the zoning uh this PUD agreement would control.
But would you be more comfortable with more time to research or do you feel like that's already that's a firm legal opinion in your judgment? >> I'm going to defer to Miss Older on that if we need to look at it further. >> So for firm legal re opinion, I would need to research this issue because I
haven't looked at the PUD agreements or the DRI to see if there was an entitlement prior to the ninth amendment. So >> I think that's not a smart move to do that. If I may, as the applicant's representative, um, Dollar General was approved just a couple years ago on this
very same tract, uh, fronting US Highway 1. No future land use map amendment was required. Um the the reason why there's an inconsistency between the future land use map is because this PEUD and DRRI
predated the comp plan and the creation of the future land use map. It's quite simple. I think that's what the attorney's stating and and >> I just didn't look at the original to see if there's an entitlement prior to the comp plan. So that's all I'm saying.
I'm not saying there's not. I'm just saying I didn't look at the original documents. So I couldn't definitively say that. But it appears that's what the case would be. >> Correct. Thank you, >> Madam Chair, if I may. John Senate growth management. For the record, this is from the 1978 PUD agreement, exhibit
F, paragraph 9, as recorded in O 467, page 1939. Parcel C4 shall be developed as if zone B1, business district, as according to the Martin County, Florida zoning regulations, article 34. And to give you a little more background,
the eth amendment was approved in 19 >> 87 >> 1987 that updated that paragraph in exhibit F to read parcel C4 shall be developed as if zone general commercial as according to the Martin County, Florida zoning
regulations. Mhm. >> Well, I want our counter county attorney to be comfortable with with the process, and I don't think there's any great harm in pushing forward a little bit until the legal department is satisfied uh
that they have fully researched the matter. >> Are you making a motion? >> You still feel that would be a good thing? Uh, County Attorney Elder, >> I'm looking at B1 right now, but if Yeah, I could try if you want to take a
break. I could do it right now or we could um continue it to next time if the commission would prefer that. >> Why don't we give you the opportunity to >> I feel sorry for for attorneys who have to practice law in front of television cameras on the on the fly. So, uh, I I
make a motion we continue it until, uh, such time as the county attorney has had time to thoroughly research the matter and whenever she's comfortable putting it back on the agenda. >> I make a second. >> If I may, can we can we set a specific
date and time? >> Yeah, I want to do it today or >> we can do the next meeting. I would be ready to do that. >> Next meeting is fine. >> So, we need to say the date, the time, location. Um, so it would be at the next county commission meeting which is May
20 May 19th at commission chambers at 9:00 or soon after there may be heard. >> Okay, I would make that motion. >> A second. Also, uh, Mr. Interesting. Is there a difference between the height
restrictions on low density residential and general commercial because we have those existing here also >> right now the height >> because the Dollar General is one story.
>> That is correct. Right now the the height complies with the general commercial zoning district height which is a maximum of 40 ft. The building is coming in at 39 ft. Does it comply with the low density land use? >> I would have to look at the
>> Okay. Uh, this is a public hearing. Would Judith Wand like to speak to us? >> I think it's Wean. >> Yes, >> I got it. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. Thank you so much. I am
Judith Wagand, president of Heritage Ridge South Property Owners Association. We are a community, a senior community of 51 homes. All of them are onestory
homes. We are part of a much larger community and some of you have heard of Heritage Ridge North that has all the condos and the town houses and independent
um living accommodations last Tuesday. And I apologize because I was unable to attend this. Mr. McCarti and the owner, the new owner of this
property um was present at our clubhouse of which there were about 45 residents opposing voicing opposition to this building. And you're going to say, okay,
this has been going on for two years. Why was this suddenly happening now? I can give you a shed a little light. Ever since we learned of this application, our community requested
information. We met John, I met John Senute and a couple of our other members of the community met him also. And after a year, we actually sat down and actually discussed our concerns. He
also allowed us to provide them with our questions and concerns about the development of this building. This building behind Dollar General, a
threestory building is suddenly out of it doesn't fit in a community when you have one-story buildings all around you. And this three-story building is stuffed into 1.5 acres. And you're going to say,
"Okay, that should be enough for a three-story building of 64,000 square feet." Not when you have a big ditch. We think of it as a creek because it's running water. There's a lot of wet land
on that property. Environmental is not considering it wetland. The folks who actually walk up and down that road can see how wet the property is all the time though. So
there will have to be a lot of fill going into this property. At last Tuesday's meeting, oh man, I'm off there. People were definitely opposed to
this just because it's going to increase the number of cars on Constitution. And you're going to say, why are we concerned? Constitution is a county road. However, Constitution is up. I
know Constitution is also what we take care of. >> We have to pick up all the litter. Your time is up. Thank you. >> I sent all of you my presentation to the
commission email. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Lawrence Cook, would you like to address this? >> So, thank you all for listening to us today. You know, I just like to say I moved to Martin County. I own two residences in in the Heritage Ridge
Cambridge uh association. And one thing I find very different about Florida in in I should say Hope Sound in general is the lack of development and I think it's why we all love to live here. You know, um this is so out of place and I think
you know laws are made for good reasons. Um time a lot of time has elapsed since 1978 and somebody dropped the ball here. The threetory thing is really insult to injury. just a one-story uh storage facility in our community. This is not
how storage facilities are situated. You go to remote areas and parking lot situations and so on and that's where you see commercial self- storage things and I mean how many do we need? I understand that there's an application or perhaps
uh perhaps it's already um been approved just a half a mile away on the Dixie and Osprey. Now, that would be a lot more fitting of a situation. Dixie and Osprey, it's kind of like removed. There's no houses right there. Dixie is
what the Dixie is. Everybody knows this is in our community. Does not belong. Wetlands certainly. I've seen I used to walk my dogs through there. It is a creek. I've seen every creature you could imagine from coyotes
that not all of us like, but you know, I'm out at 3:00 in the morning and they're there and so are turtles and frogs and birds of every description. And it is not just a ditch. It is a wetland. And it also is connects up with the other wetlands in our community and
into the golf course. It's all and the retention pond that they put in to the adjacent area. This is so unfitting. My last appeal would say that if there's nothing this commission can do because of laws to prevent this from happening, I would make an appeal to you, the
owner, because there was a generous woman here before who has put up millions of dollars to preserve land. So, anything you say about this not being a sensitive area is BS. And if it's just money you're interested in, I
would love this commission to somehow collaborate with us and the owner to get him compensated for his designer, for his plans, for all of his time, and perhaps a million dollars on top of that because I'm a good negotiator. So, and
then take your money elsewhere cuz it doesn't belong here. Okay, there you go. Perfect timing. And I these are letters that my my wife wrote. Can I was instruct that you know if you
could give a copy to each of the commissioners I would appreciate this. We started this process two years ago when we first saw a sign go up on that beautiful piece of land there and and Dollar General was vehemently opposed but we couldn't stop.
>> Couldn't stop Dollar General. We'd like to not add insult to your time's up. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Would anyone else like to address us? There is a motion and a second on the floor. Is it clear what the intent of the motion is and when the continuence
will be? >> Are we clear? >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. >> Thank you, commissioners. Thanks. Now we'll take up I think our last let's see
Miss Merly what is your agenda item? Do you know? >> Department one. Department one. Department one is Office of Management and Budget items which require board approval. Good morning, Commissioner. Stephanie Merley, the director of Office of Management Budget, here to present the
OM item today. Our first item is a permission to apply for the FY2023 Federal Transit Administration section 5339 bus and bus facilities formula grant program funds. Um, our public works department is
requesting application of $146,920 to assist in the purchase of a replacement light duty cutaway fixed route buses. There is no cash match required for this item. Item number two is a permission to apply for the fiscal year 2026 safe streets
and roads for all um supplemental planning grant for the southeast bridge road corridor study and road safety audit. Our public works is requesting application of $280,000 um for a supplemental planning activities that will result in a report
that enhances, informs, and complements the existing action plan specific to Southeast Bridge Corridor and improves safety for vehicles, bicycle, pedestrian users and wildlife. There is a match of 20,000 20% um in the amount of 70,000
which is budgeted in the FY27 roads capital improvement plan. Item number three um is a permission to apply for the Florida 911 state grant for call handling solution upgrade. Um the Martin County Sheriff's Office E911
Division is requesting $3,644,729 um for a proposed project that will replace aging on-site infrastructure with a resilient, scalable, and secure cloud-based solution that enhances service reliability for our E911. And
there is no match required on that one. Item number four kind of goes along with that one. It's a permission to apply for the Florida 911 state grant for additional ESI net circuits for the same call handling solution upgrade. Um the
E911 division is requesting $261,175 for for these um public safety answering point infrastructure equipment and there's no cash match required on that one. Item number five is a permission to apply for the Bureau of Justice
Assistance Adult Treatment Court Program Grant. Our human services division is requesting $1 million to provide expanded supports and services to individual in the Martin County mental health court program. These funds are used to provide expanded support services such as housing,
transportation, and treatment to the vulnerable population. Um there is no cash match required but there is in kind match that is provided by our salaries and office space. And the last item is just adjustments to
the fiscal year 2026 budget. Um our public works traffic engineering division is requesting funding from um our urban road impact fee reserves. Um after collection of these um impact fees, we have identified some projects for traffic signal and intersection
improvements. Um for Southeast Lerno Road resurfacing project, um we are requesting $978,000 to fund these various projects. And the last item is a request to allocate the unanticipated contribution
from the Auto Ranch Hope Sound Major Final Site Plan. Martin County is in receipt of $53,120 from the Auto Ranch Hopetown major final site plan um to provide um funding in lie of constructing a sidewalk along Southeast Bridge Road and OMB is
requesting the adoption of a budget resolution to allocate that contribution. Questions for Miss Merley? >> Move approval. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Miss Merley.
We'll now move on to department two, contracts that meet the threshold for board approval of a million dollars or greater. Miss Brotherton. Hello. All right. Let's see. Good morning. Christy Brotherton, your chief procurement
officer. I have four items for your consideration today. Okay. The first one is a contract award for the Martin County Airport Witherfield Hold Bay Extension and staff is requesting that the board award the contract to the lowest
responsive and responsible bidder which is CW Roberts Contracting in the amount of 1,37,082 and move that the board authorize the county administrator or designate to execute all documents related to this request.
Uh, next up we have a continuing services agreement. This is for invasive and nuisance vegetation management. This contract has a maximum not to exceed value of $5,500,000 with a maximum not to exceed term of 5 years.
and staff is recommending that the board award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, which is Kerner LLC, and move that the board authorize the county administrator or designate to execute all documents related to this request.
Next, we have another continuing services agreement. This is for environmental consulting, and this contract has a maximum not to exceed value of $5 million with a maximum not to exceed term of 5 years. and staff is recommending that the board
award the contract to the three highest scoring firms listed in alphabetical order which are Ecological Associates Florida Consulting and Tetrate Tech and move that the board authorize the county administrator or designate to execute
all documents related to this request. And last but not least, we have a contract amendment. This is for the on-road transit and support services which is our Marty bus system operation. Uh the purpose of this amendment as as I mentioned when we awarded this contract
we will be coming before you on an annual basis to increase the contracts not to exceed value. Um this is to take into consideration uh the annual grant funding allocations. So, um, the amount of the increase is $3,771,563
and staff is recommending that the board approve amendment number two to Martin County Transit to increase the total contract cumulative not to exceed amount to 5,797,982 and move that the board authorize the county administrator or designate to execute any and all documents related to
this request. And that concludes this item. >> Questions for Miss Brotherton? Brotherton. >> I'll move approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes
unanimously. Thank you. Next up, we have a department three, which is a national travel and tourism week presentation on explore natural Martin County. Good morning, Miss O'ke.
Good morning, commissioners. Nerissa O'ke, tourism director for the record, and I am here with Emily Dark, who is our eco restoration and ecoourism senior project manager. National Travel and Tourism Week has
been celebrated since 1983 to really hone in on the importance of travel and tourism industry. Tourism is a huge driver not only within the United States with a $3 trillion economic output supporting 15 million jobs and representing 2.4 of America's
GDP, but it's also a huge industry here in Martin County. spending is uh last time uh 2005 because we we get the information from the department of revenue uh was 729.5 million in spending from visitors and
when we talk about visitors we talk about people who are traveling outside of Florida coming into the area visit Florida gives us this information so if we look at spending in Martin County ours would be higher because we have a lot of instate visitation tourism
supports a little over 8,000 jobs and we generate 69.3 million in state and local taxes. And we when we look at the state and local taxes and we divide that by the number of households, we get a benefit of $815 per household because of the tourism benefit of outofstate
visitors. We really wanted to hone into the importance of outdoor recreation, which is huge. Outdoor recreation in Florida is 3.6% of Florida's GDP. 5.2 2 million jobs are supported in the US and it contributes more than 50 billion
annually to Florida's tourism economic economy, excuse me. So when we look at tourism and the programs that we're developing, we know that there's a huge opportunity here and we wanted to uh make sure that we were doing everything we can to capitalize on this. So putting it together, the tourism information
that was provided about the benefit and then the environmental benefit we have here in Martin County, we wanted to really create a program that connects people with the outdoor that it is sustainable and that when we are inviting people to our environmentally
sensitive lands that we're doing it properly. We wanted to showcase the unique Martin County experiences and support the local economy that connects the ecoourism businesses and events. And we really want to show this. Donna,
do I minimize here? Okay. What this really looks like? So maybe Welcome to Martin County, Florida. A little slice of paradise, where nature's wonders come to life and adventures
await around every corner. Here, visitors can explore more than 22 m of uncrowded beaches and over 100,000 acres of parks and conservation land. From lakes and rivers to sprawling
campgrounds and nature preserves, there's no shortage of spectacular sites to discover. >> Oh yeah. Where is it? >> Needless to say, this is a special place that deserves to be protected for generations to come. Which is why we have developed explored
natural Martin. Our ecoourism program offers a gateway to unforgettable journeys throughout Martin County. Proudly developed in partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, our award-winning program was designed
in a way to promote responsible recreation and foster environmental stewardship in our own backyard. Built with the seven principles of leave no trace at heart, this program provides a diverse range of unique ecoours that demonstrate what makes Martin County
such an ecologically distinct destination. Uncover stunning outdoor areas and lesserk known hidden gems while also learning how we can all better protect our paradise. We believe that mother nature belongs to
everyone. available to visitors and residents alike. Simply register ahead of time at exploral martin.com to secure your spot. Whether you're seeking the tranquility of a guided nature walk, the thrill of a
paddle excursion, or an educational birding expedition, our program offers something for outdoor enthusiasts of every age. So, what are you waiting for? Join us in celebrating the beauty of our natural lands, the serenity of our
waters, and the spirit of conservation that defines Martin County. You're sure to make memories that'll last far longer than tanlines. Learn more at exploral martin.com. >> That's excellent.
>> Eight weeks of staff time to get those videos. It was a lot of retakes, a lot of time spent in the woods for sure. >> Actually, yes, it was bought the staff. If you could see, we have the parks department, uh public works department, the tourism department, uh the libraries. So, uh
>> administration. So, we use a lot of uh local talent. Uh that keeps the cost down as well as uh we all work together on these programs. So, we wanted to showcase them. >> So, this program has done extremely well. Uh I said 32 awards for tourism
innovation. That's 33 actually. We just got this one uh yesterday. And this one is for uh leadership in ethical and environmental responsibility. So we're extremely extremely proud of this. We've been awarded the destination stewardship award by the US travel association,
eco-friendly sustainable destination by travel weekly, the international stevia awards for sustainable services of the year, the government uh government executive and marketing university gainer award for innovation as well as visit Florida flaggler on sustainable
tourism. Um, and we have also received the Association of Marketing and Communications Professional Excellence in Corporate and Social Responsibility. We knew it was vital if we're inviting people into our environmental lands that we're doing it correctly. So, what are people saying when they go
on these tours? They're talking about, "Thank you for showing us what this is about. Thank you to Martin County for taking the lead on this because this is a county-led program and we thought this was really important." um going into it that we're leading with
leave no trace. These are comments from visitors and residents and that we're making sure that we're doing a difference. So, explore Natural Martin before I hand all of the nitty-gritty over to our fabulous Emily Dark. It's a countywide program focused on environmental education, exploration,
and stewardship. This program is free for visitors and residents. Uh unless we're working with a local outfitter, and then if they have a charge, we would be partnering with them on that. it would just be led by us. Uh registration is required in advance, but these programs take place year round, which we
thought was very important. One thing we learned from tourism is we can promote the fact that we have over 115,000 acres of parks and conservation land, but going to a park on my own on your own or as myself is is nice. It's enjoyable. I do a nice hike. But if I have a subject
matter expert that's leading that hike, I fall in love with the area. It becomes part of what I want to protect. and it's very important that we're doing that. So, I'm going to turn this over for the nitty-gritty to uh Emily who's going to talk about some of the programs and examples and some upcoming exciting things. Okay. Thank you, Nerissa, and
good morning. So, here are some program examples. Uh we do everything from birding series, birding programs. We just finished up our seasonal birding series. So, we did a different ecosystem every month for five months. That was fun. And we had a different ornithologist for each month. So, um
that was fun. Sea turtle ecology walks, looking at tracks and night hikes, mangroved walks, spring equinox. These are just some examples, but there's so many. Okay, so what does that look like? What do we actually do? So, as Nurissa mentioned, we do programming. So, that
is guided nature walks. So, consistent programming on natural areas. We do the county preserves. We partner with the state parks. And we make sure to vary the locations times. I know we do some Saturday mornings. Um so just different nature walks, outreach and volunteering
programs. For example, um the firefest at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. We'll have a table and talk to the public there. Um youth education, we partnered with parks to do uh summer camp activities. That was great. We also partnered with the aquatic preserves on that one. Resource management, you know,
trail maintenance, signs, kiosks, which I'll get into a little bit further down the presentation. stewardship programming, directing people towards opportunities in the county for volunteering and stewardship. And then of course our own incorporating stewardship into our programming with Leave No Trace. Um and then innovative
programming um Bark Ranger, if anyone has heard of that, um that is a fun one that's originated in the national parks, but that is a great way to address um responsible pet recreation. So BARK is actually an acronym. bag your waist, always on leash, respect wildlife, know
where you can go. And when you read about it online, you kind of your pet or you makes the pledge to follow the rules of bark. And we educate why that's important in our ecosystems. Um, but then if your pet pledges to be a bark ranger, they get a bandana, which is
really cute, and a little tag, and they're all custom made for Martin County. Um, so again, it's a positive way to kind of share that information, uh, how to help take care of nature while enjoying it with your dog. So that's just one example of a a fun
program. So participation, we do send out a survey. So um, we get some great information after our programs and 98% of those folks that do the survey are really satisfied with our programs. Um, we've had over 200 individual participants. We've done over 170
programs and since this was made, we we've had more. Um, and we love collaboration. We work with over 25 different partners and here are some just examples there. I mentioned Florida Fish and Wildlife, uh, the Hopetown Nature Center, All Trails. Um, those are just some examples. The Ottabon
Wildflower Foundation. So really trying to make this program robust with a lot of um collaborators and partners and some examples of collaborative programming. The city nature challenge. We just wrapped that up this past weekend. Um and as the video and Nerissa
mentioned, leave no trace u the gold standard program. Our explore natural martin program is a gold standard program which means that we use leave no trace. We educate about it. I'm a leave no trace trainer. um you know, you fit these different uh criteria and we do.
>> We're also tourism partner of the year with Leave No Trace. Um and which is really exciting here in Martin County. Leave no trace started a gold standard program for hotels and we have the first hotel on the east coast not east coast of Florida but on the east coast of the United States that has been designated
as a leave no trace hotel gold standard partnered and that's the comfort in and that's for the innovation that they're doing um the education they're doing with their visitors when they check in and being responsible um so that was very exciting we announced that last week I think yes and we have two other
hotels in the queue to become a gold standard hotel programs partners >> and that is a really great collaboration because like Nurissa said the hotels are committed to not only talking about sustainability at their property but how guests can practice sustainability and recreation or responsible recreation
outside of the hotel. Um also being aware of you know keeping in contact with us and being aware of what's going on where the um you know we we're giving them information and they're taking it and using it. Um so that's a really great program. And then today I'm just going to focus briefly on the Florida
Trails uh trail town program um because of some new signage that folks might be seeing around town. So just a little background so we understand um the larger picture. The Florida Office of Greenways and Trails is housed within the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection um and they lead the planning, development, and promotion of a statewide non-motorized trail network. So this office of greenways and trails supports regional trails like the east coast greenway and it does this through collaborative land acquisition, state designation for protection and
leveraging funding for multi-use infrastructure aiming to connect communities along these trails. So the state partners with local governments, nonprofits like the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation and the East Coast Greenway Alliance, county governments and uh to build and maintain these
routes. So the office of greenway and trails also promotes to um and supports trail systems through a program called Florida trail towns program. So what is a Florida trail town? It's a community located along or in proximity to one or
more longd distanceance non-motorized recreational trail and that's the key is you know the proximity to a longdistance recreational trail. It trail town is a safe place where visitors and residents can walk, jog, bike, paddle, etc. and find the services they need um from easy
access from to the trail and in town. So a trail town is a locally vibrant community that provides services and unique heritage of the nearby community to trail users. Um it is a community that values and promotes trails both regionally and locally.
And just some examples of benefits of being a Florida trail town. Uh it's an opportunity to showcase and support local businesses and your local economy. It helps prioritize trail connectivity and multimmodal access. And then also of course inclusion in statewide marketing and trail promotion efforts like with uh
visit Florida. And as you notice on that map, there's not a star yet on the east coast, southeast coast. So um currently we at the office of tourism and marketing we are working collaboratively to get city of Stewart and Port Serno designated as
trail town separately and the reason for that we we have the long distance regional trail the east coast greenway running um through both of them. So we are working with Martin County MO Parks and recreation public works CRA city of Stewart and of course the office of
greenways and trails and the east coast greenway alliance. So, the East Coast Greenway Alliance actually came down and visited and their director came out with us and we walked the whole uh sections of the route. We drove the whole route. We talked about where signs would go and that was with Mo and so it's been very
collaborative and we were very um happy to have the director of the East Coast Greenway down here because the city of Jupiter was getting their sections designated so they had a party. So, we'll be next soon. So, um, again, very collaborative and we are very close to submitting our materials for city of
Stewart and then right behind that is Port Serno. Just working on finishing up some wayfinding signs. So, just so you can see, the East Coast Greenway here is a developing 3,000mi long trail that connects cities from Maine to Key West. Um, it links walking and biking routes along the east coast.
And where it is complete, it is based. It is mostly off-road multi-use paths offering safe continuous quarter for recreation, transportation, and long-distance travel. Not necessarily always completely off-road, but that is the idea. So, you can see the whole east coast there and then zoomed into
Florida. So, the areas that are green are completed and fit the designation. Um, and then the parts that are not would be parts that don't necessarily meet the criteria, but they are still part of the route. So, zooming in here to Martin County, you can see the East Coast Greenway does
go directly through downtown Stewart and Port Serno. Um, and both communities also have paddle trail sites as well. So, that is that's what makes them great trail towns. Um, much of the greenway is on protected off-road trails, but some portions are still connector sections.
Um, so they may be on road, it may be sidewalk, um, bike lane, so it's still technically onroad, and that's okay. It's still um East Coast Greenway linking the parts that are technically, you know, over 10 ft, maybe off-road. Um but these existing or these connector sections um which you would see in red
on the right there, um you know, they're still they're considered interim solutions, not necessarily meeting the greenways preferred standards. Um but communities work to get those um to meet those standards and that's the the sunrail program. So they often overlap. So, where we're kind of developing
Suntrail um multi-use trails ends up becoming East Coast Greenway. So, they do overlap. Um so, yes, we in Martin County are working on those different sections there and they're in different stages of development, but you can see the green there. Um that those are officially
designated East Coast Greenway sections. So that is why when you see these signs out because we have been um marking the route here and there with these east coast greenway signs um that is why you see those and again um that has been very collaborative um and thanks to you
know public works and Dennis and the sign uh department helped us go out there and look at the places and they put the signs in um and again with no so it's it's been great um and just to add we have also designed some custom wayfinding signage to put strategically in places where so for example coming
off the Blueway Paddle Trail at Manatee Park where someone could say, you know, okay, town is this way, restaurants this way, things like that. Um, and then we are working with an Eagle Scout on a kiosk for um our most beautiful off-road section of East Coast Greenway by Gomez Preserve. And that'll be a kiosk um with
a East Coast Greenway and Trails sign with lots of information because lots of people use that section. So, and also eventually when we're designated as trail towns, we'll have some signs that talk about that, which is really special. So, looking ahead, like I mentioned,
we're almost ready to send in um just finish some last touches here to get designated for Stewart and Port Solerno um and continue our collaborative efforts. Um this is not just for the trail designation, but it's a great effort to work together for trail connectivity um and development in
Martin County. So, thank you very much. We thought it was a good time to bring this up since these signs have been put up and you may be starting to see those, the tourism office paid for the ones that needed to be covered as part of this ecoourism program. Um, and in case there were any questions as to how and why and what's going behind those, it's
been a very collaborative effort. Um, and I can't thank uh thank our ecoourism team enough who have w who have walked the sites numerous times. So that's National Travel and Tourism Week and just some information on Explore Natural Martin for you during this week. >> Excellent.
questions, comments. Commissioner Caps, >> I would just like to encourage our residents to take the time to explore our local natural uh gyms. Um,
you know, you can have the spirit of travel that is international or throughout the US or throughout the state, but you can take that same spirit of travel into your local world and make
it a goal to walk on every single trail in Martin County and to explore and to see every single piece of the real estate. we have here in our own county.
It's it's really fun actually and it's inexpensive entertainment also. I remember one time u a couple of friends who live locally who used to live in Colorado and they said of Colorado that the really cool thing about living there
is that there's so much entertainment that doesn't cost any money. and and the light bulb went on to me. Um, and and I think that same thing applies here locally. If if you get into the spirit
of it, it's it's really quite fun to do. So, and then when you're doing it, think about what it means to leave no trace behind. >> Any further comments? Thank you very much.
>> Great job. Yep. Our next agenda item is department four, which is approval of a sovereignty submerged lands fee waved renewal with trustees of the internal improvement trust fund for the boardwalk and docks located at Indian Riverside Park in
Jensen Beach. Hi, Carla Zigura, real property manager. >> Did you get somebody to donate it or not? >> No. Well, the estate is um this request is for the renewal of the sovereign submerged land lease at
Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach. It's a nine slip docking facility used for temporary morning mooring of recreational vehicles for visitors that attend the park. Um nothing within the sovereign submerged land lease has
changed except for the renewal period. The new term runs from September 26, 2025 through September 26, 2030. There are no fees associated with this lease as it is a temporary visitor moing. And
I also wanted to note it was brought to my attention. One of the other things that didn't change within the item is they didn't change the signature page. So we'll have to swap that out for the correct one. Um, we request that the board approve the
sovereign submerged land lease fee waved renewal and authorize the chair to execute any and all documents associated with this transaction. If there's any questions, we'd be happy to answer questions for Miss Sigura. I do. So, where are the nine doc slips?
Who can use them? How are they regulated? How long can people stay? M. >> So, it's just for like a day visit, like if you come to visit the park. Um, it's on the dock that's directly behind the pavilion, the big the twotory pavilion
there, and it just goes straight out into the water. And there's nine spots for people to put their boats if they want to visit the park. >> It's behind the Langford Pavilion, nine slips.
>> So, can you uh show uh page 307, please? Okay. Where are the slips? Who can use them? How long can they stay in the slips? Can they spend the night? Can they spend two nights? Who regulates it?
So, the spots are at the end where it comes out and along the um front side because there's a walkway for people to get off their boats and to get onto the dock. Um they cannot park overnight. It is just for a day visit. Um there's no
time limit for the daytime, but they have to be gone by night. >> Um >> our parks department regulates it in terms of ma managing the site. Um but uh there's a ramp. Um they they've had
floating docks there in the past, but now it's I think fixed peers that they have where you can um tie up um at right there at close to the L at the end. It's that that um you can see that silvery strip there. It's the nine slips are there.
>> Okay. So staff recommendation is that we approve the sovereignty submerged land fee waved lease renewal between TIFF and Martin County. Correct. >> Is there a motion to approve staff's
recommendation? >> So moved. Second. >> There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. And the last agenda item is department
seven, which is an approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks for the Cypress Creek Flood Plane project and adoption of a resolution approving and accepting easements from the Division of State Lands.
Mr. Mail, >> good afternoon. John May, environmental resource administrator. Um, so this item is uh to memorialize an agreement with the uh Florida Park Service as the structure that's going to um be implemented for this flood plane
restoration project is on state park properties. So it requires us to have a um a a construction access easement and an ongoing perpetual maintenance easement. Um, so we're our request is for your approval to move forward with
executing that easement. >> John, you want to move the image to uh you can show where the easement is located. There you go. So, so the the best way to explain it geographically is if you were going
north on 95 from Jupiter um just a just past Cypress Creek, you can kind of look off to the right and it'd be generally in that area. It's a very difficult area to access and to work in, but it's a Mike Houston project. So, we're figuring it out.
>> Mr. caps >> in the spirit of ecoourism. I I would love to see this if if it's possible uh just to know what it is to do. I've been there if there's a if there's an opportunity
>> since it's in my district. >> Of course. >> Mr. Fox, is this your light? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. >> Uh just to clarify on the easements being requested, uh the actual easement documents are still in the process of being prepared with the state. We have uh sketches of where the easement areas will be. So, the purpose of this
resolution will be uh for for you to acknowledge and accept the easements once they're finalized. >> Okay. >> Is there a motion to execute theou between Martin County and uh Department of Division of Recreation and
Parks? Move approval. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. Any objections? That motion passes unanimously. We have, I believe, reached the end of our agenda,
unless anyone finds anything that I've skipped. Uh, Commissioner comments, any final remarks? Commissioner Heatherington? >> I'm all set today. Thank you. >> How about you, Commissioner Campy? All >> I am. Commissioner Caps. >> Al I'm also
>> and Commissioner Vargas. >> Okay. So, uh there was u some questioning last time about the expenses at the sea turtle cafe and I asked Mr. Abate to be here actually. Uh there was
there was a study done, a survey I might say, and the top facilities amenities most important to households here in Martin County were the multi-use walking, hiking, biking trails, accessibility to parks, beaches,
playgrounds, beach parks, beach access, beach cafes, and services number five. Everything else that was high priority, everything else was below. So, uh, Mr. Abate and I spoke about a, uh, beach cafe investment justification. Seaside
Cafe was built during COVID 2020. Sea Turtle Beach, well, estimate 2027. It'll be ready for us to be there enjoying the breezes and the pancakes. Um, Seaside Cafe, $8355
per square foot. That is a smaller venue, 2453 square ft. Sea Turtle Cafe. We are now what, seven years later and we understand all of the pricing has gone up postcoid.
Uh aside from that 1,2713 per square foot. However, that is a 4,614 square foot structure. So it's gone up 27 45% material cost increase. 45% 50%.
And uh we expected this given the fact that we had to go up so much and these are uh the vendors that we are speaking with. We're scheduled to go out to bids towards the end of this year. Uh we had
inflation adjusted cost. Also the sea turtle cafe comes in below the adjusted benchmark of $138 per square foot. A bargain considering today's pricing. So we had to adjust
inflation to make it a parity equal. Uh that's 11.65 for the seaside cafe versus 1163 per square foot for our sea turtle cafe.
So I have a whole breakdown here. If any of our commissioners are interested in going through this be very happy to deliver it to your office. Uh wanted to show you that this is very thoughtful. This is not something that we are just doing on the fly and we are sharpening
our pencils over here. However, the public wants this here in Martin County. Any questions from anybody else? Good. If you need uh the complete study, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
>> Is is the bid being done differently on this project, Mr. Abate? They're probably all somewhat different, right? >> Uh, good morning, Kevin Abate, parks and recreation director. The bid, it's design, bid, build for the cafe, same as
it was for the um for the s sea turtle beach cafe is the same as um seaside cafe. So, we are designing it in house with our civil engineers and our design team. Um we have when everything now in our CIPC you know is a programming
planning document are based on the current estimates in today's industry >> but we haven't released a bid yet. >> Not yet. >> So we don't know what the price is going to be. >> The the goal is we'll be fully funded in October. Um my expectation is that we'll have the bid package uh available late
in the fall and um hopefully out the bid by the end of the year. >> Okay. Commissioner Campy. >> Is it fully designed? I'm sorry I didn't put my mic. >> Go ahead. Yeah. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> Is it is it fully designed 100% design?
>> We are um we are at 60% design drawings. Um the architect um which is N2 architect with Nikki Norton. Uh on her side on the building side is close to 90% for her end. So we've we've already designed the kitchen, the hood, um
mechanicals being reviewed by different departments. So, we our goal is to take it through the um permitting uh this summer and then uh we understand that the environmental permitting through D for the dune crossovers will take some time and get that part out of
the way. That way we can get um the D permit done subsequently later and then bid out the entire package. So, but it is a complicated project on on the on the dune. So, it's takes its time, but we've got pretty good estimates for this CIP that we presented last week for everybody. Thank you,
>> Mr. Campy. >> Thank you. I'd just like to take a moment to say that uh I've had the opportunity recently to visit the sand dune. >> Uh whenever we have visitors come from out of town, we always make it a point to go there. The staff is absolutely fantastic, super friendly. It's always
busy there. There's always a line of people to order to get their food, but the line moves so quickly. The food quality is great. The portions are great. the pricing considering you're eating on the beach are even lower than they I think they would be in town. Uh
the place is spotless. Uh the bar I know there's a lot of people that tell me that they just go and hang out there because they just like the whole vibe. And I mean I think with your leadership and your team that was one of the best decisions we ever made and I'm sure the
one at Jensen Beach Beach will be equally as great. uh and all the folks in northern part of the county will get to enjoy it. For me to go over three bridges to have breakfast is a big deal. Uh but it's absolutely fantastic. And kudos to the staff. I mean, I see you're
not even getting a lot of turnover. There's a lot of the same familiar faces are there. It's just perfect. I mean, I I don't have any notes for it. It just worked out absolutely great. >> I will personally invite you to have breakfast with me when this is I will I will buy your breakfast. Okay. You don't
have to, but I'd love to come and have breakfast with you and probably our county attorney. >> Sure. Talk about county and everybody else. >> He will be our sunscreen. >> So, yeah, just very well done. >> And while we're at while we're throwing,
uh, accolades, the Charlie Leighton Park, uh, I know that it sort of was slow for a bit, but it seems to be in warp speed. U, I guess there's enough happening now with some of the highlights that people have really started to notice. A lot of it was previous it was more like uh under the
ground utility kind of stuff that nobody noticed but now it's really starting to pop and I think that will be a awesome um new piece of the parks and recck crown new gem. So thanks for everything your team is doing.
>> Thank you're welcome. >> Mr. Donaldson, >> I will say again that they have been great to work with. I have been in meetings. I've gone out to the architect's office. I've met with some others that are working on this. Kevin is very easy to work with and they are extremely professional and believe me, I
have a giant pencil that is sharpened on this. So, I'm excited when we go out to bid. Thank you very much, >> Mr. Donaldson. just highlighting the fact that our recent contract for public works, which includes roads, storm water, um creating all the
infrastructure needed to not only support the building, came in at $535 a square foot. So, that was significantly why we supported that contracting method. Thank you. >> One last thing while we're brainstorming, I'm assuming all of my colleagues had
gotten some push back. There's been some social media and some other uh information that was put out into the community about the public private partnership. >> Yes, >> I know that I had the opportunity to hear from many different departments of our staff prior to making that decision
on why it it was a solid decision uh in my opinion. I was I mentioned it to once to Mr. Donaldelsson. Uh, I don't like when there's like misinformation or the community has confusion or concern about a decision, even if it's after the fact.
If our staff could put like a little one page or a white paper together that could just explain some of the highlights. Um, normally there's some some concern the days following a decision, but I don't know about the rest of you, but for my globe, it is
still percolating around. And I'd like to have, you know, it's hard to explain all of the different details verbatim the way that it was explained to me. I do understand that most people um grow up thinking, hey, you get multiple bids and you pick one uh like we do for other
things, but there was a a specific rationale for this decision that when it was explained to me by our staff made sense. And I'd like if we could have a version of that that we could put out there because I think if our residents
and taxpayers realize why we did what we did and how we did it, I think they would feel more assured. >> I agree. I've already asked for that same thing. >> I've received the phone calls. >> Mr. Abate,
>> I just wanted to to wrap up. Um Mr. Dinsson and I talked about um coming back to the board. It'll be the first meeting in June with a kind of a performance report on our revenue facilities. So, I'll be happy to put that together for you just to show you uh how things are performing. And while
we're talking on the issue uh issues of cafes, the Seaside Cafe uh in its current fund balance is at 1.44 million and its current net is over 400,000. So that facility by itself in the last four years is approaching a $2 million budget
reservation which is you know really helpful when we're we're going to for example replace the thatch after 3 years and um some equipment um and it's uh doing performing quite well. So I'll give you an update on on the ones that either I've inherited or I've been part
of in my 15 years that just to let you know how we're doing. >> Thank you. Very well. >> Any further comments, questions? >> Mr. Donaldson, >> I just wanted to thank our clerk of court for hosting a investature that I
participated in with my daughter uh over the weekend and so they did a really nice job of uh hosting and chief judge uh uh did a excellent job uh Tony Schwab. Thank you. >> I don't think most people understand what you're saying. >> It's okay.
>> Um Mr. Donaldson has the honor of having his daughter who was a local attorney was sworn in as a new our Martin County or district 19's newest judge which is a remarkable honor. Uh and she is
considered pretty young for such a uh storied position. Congratulations to the whole family. Thank you. in the investature I attended also and it was just the perfect balance of somnity and humor and we also learned so much about
our new judge in a mere hour. It was a wonderful ceremony >> about >> and our and and our county administrator Don Donaldson the father uh did a great job holding up. I don't know how you did it. Uh I think I would have broke down.
I can't imagine how proud you must be. >> Thank you. >> He's an engineer. That's how engineers roll, >> right? >> No emotion. >> It It was a lovely event and um I could see that you had your notes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Uh but you you performed
beautifully and it was it was really very funny, but again it showed her human side and I really really enjoyed it. So >> yeah. Thanks, >> Miss Elder. >> I'm all set. Thank you. >> We are adjourned.