--------- Good morning and welcome to our May 20th, 2025 board of county commission meeting. Thank you all for joining us. Uh we will have a instead of an invocation we will have a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance and the pledge of allegiance
will be uh led by Sean Lissoi. Excellent. Please join us for a moment of silence. Thank you. Mr. Lissawi, would you like to lead us from here? And after the pledge, would you please tell us about your career? Yes,
ma'am. 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. Morning.
Good morning. Good morning. My name is Sean Lusu. I'm a bureau chief of uh in operations for fire rescue. I had the privilege and honor of uh serving in the United States Army uh just out of high school. I enlisted in the u delayed entry program. So 6 months after
graduation, I was sent off to Fort Benning where I went to infantry school and airborne school. Uh after completing my education, I had uh took a a spot in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg and did my time there. So I was an 11 Bravo
infantryman as well as a hotel uh which they no longer have that class, but I had the opportunity to be a a tow missile uh a shoot the tow missile which was off a turret of a Humvee as well as a tripod. And so it was a great time and I'd had the privilege of it and loved
it. did help me with discipline and and who I am today. So, thank you. Terrific. Thank [Applause]
you. We have a number of presets today. At 9:05, we'll have public comment. At 9:30, we're going to have a presentation on the one room schoolhouse in New Monrovia facilities use agreement. At 1:30, we're going to have a road transfer agreement with the Florida
Department of Transportation. At 5:05 or at the conclusion of our meeting, we'll have public comment. Again, there are several uh additional items today. Uh proclamation adopting and presenting a proclamation declaring emergency medical
services week in Martin County. Uh consent 12 is adopt proclamations commending Bennett Scott and Davis Scott upon the achievements of Eagle Scout. Consent 13 is approval of an interlocal agreement between Martin County and the village of Indiantown for the use of
timer powers park. Department five is discussion of recruitment for the county attorney position update uh commissioners in deference to Don Donaldson who is at the uh town of Jupiter Island Commission meeting this morning presenting our plans for the uh
beach building. he would like to participate in this u uh agenda item. So, I'm going to hold that back until he arrives. Uh department six is to consider a facilities use agreement with Martin County Black Heritage Initiatives
for the use of the one room schoolhouse in New Monrovia. Is there a motion to approve light? Madam Chair, I will move approval of the agenda with the additional items. Proclaim Proclamation number two, consent 1213, departmental number five
and six. Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? Opposed? That motion passes unanimously. Um, do we have to make a motion to adopt the proclamation or did we just do that? You
just did it. Okay. All right. So, we will go on to public comment. the first. Uh, don't you do the proclamations first? We can certainly do the proclamations first. I mean, we normally do, but you can you're the boss. The first
proclamation is a proclamation declaring Memorial Day in Martin County. Good morning, commissioners. Since our nation's earliest days, America has been blessed with an unbroken chain of patriots who have served our country with honor and distinction. From Concord to Kandahar, generations of brave
warriors have fought for freedom across sand and snow, over mud and mountains, into lonely deserts, and through crowded streets. The board recognizes May 26th, 2025 is Memorial Day and calls upon all citizens to take the time to remember those who served and sacrificed to be sure this nation remains the bastion of
freedom we have all been privileged to enjoy. And here to accept once again, we have Sean Lissoway, who is a US Army veteran, and Mike Drost, who is a US Marine veteran. Congratulations. Thank [Applause]
you. Would you like to say a few words? Okay. Depending on how the words go, we decide if you get the picture. Well, uh holidays are special and Memorial Day uh coming this weekend is a
great opportunity for us to slow down and reflect for those that had uh made the ultimate sacrifice. The men and women women that have served this great country to give us the freedom and the security that we have now today. So, at this uh time, I just like to thank you families and veterans for all that
you've done. So, thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Oh, I know. Hi, thanks, man. I know Navy guys up there, but what are you going to do?
Our next proclamation is a proclamation recognizing Family Abduction Awareness Day in Martin County. The month of May serves as a pivotal time to combat family abductions, reunite missing children with their families, and recognize those dedicated to protecting society's most
vulnerable. A family abduction occurs when a child is taken, wrongfully retained, or concealed by a parent or other family member, denying another individual their right to custody or visitation, even in cases with unclear or absent court orders. Such abductions are often driven by the perpetrators
frustration with the left behind parent, the legal system, or personal circumstances. In recognition of May 25th, 2025 as family abduction awareness day, the board encourages all citizens to join in the efforts to prevent future family abductions across the Treasure Coast. And is Kelly Lightborn here? Did
she make it in? Yes. Would you like to say a few words? Um, sure. Not really, but I will. Please state your name, sir. My name is Sean Lenau, and uh I'm going to be accepting this on behalf of my wife, but uh she's
been working very hard with uh different statutes. I I can't uh tell you exactly what the numbers are, but we've dealt with a child abduction from uh another family member in our family that took our son. And uh she's, you know, working
steadfast helping bring awareness to to the state and to the people to help uh making sure that uh people are held accountable for their actions and that it's not uh that, you know, it's against the law. It's not even though it's a
family member. I mean, they should be held accountable and uh charged for the crime. So, thank you. Sure. Mhm. Our next proclamation is a proclamation recognizing public works week in Martin
County, Florida. And here to accept that is Gordon. Public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustain sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life, and well-being of
the people of Martin County. This year marks the 65th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. And the board recognizes May 18th through 24th as Public Works Week and commends the public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees and the substantial contributions they make to
protecting our health, safety, and advancing quality of life for all. Here to accept Jim Gordon. Thank you, commissioners, for this proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week and for honor honoring our employees who work so diligently behind the scenes to serve our community. This
year's theme, people, purpose, presence, perfectly captures what drives public works professionals. It speaks to the individuals who dedicate themselves to service, the mission that guides their daily efforts, and the vital presence they maintain in every corner of our community. In Martin County, our public
works staff is truly exceptional. Not only do we oversee the typical responsibilities like infrastructure maintenance, real property, storm water surveying, roadway planning and construction and permitting, we also have the unique and critical role of maintaining our natural lands and
protecting our water quality. That stewardship is especially important in a county like our ours where the environment is deeply tied to our identity, our economy, and our quality of life. We are proud of the work we do in serving Martin County. On behalf of
our entire department, thank you for prioritizing infrastructure maintenance and for recognizing the critical work that public works professionals do. Have them stand up. There they are, everybody. my Coast Guard crew, too. Yeah,
we're going to put the life jackets on today. Yes, I'm taking my suit jacket off for that. Our next proclamation is a proclamation declaring National Safe Boating Week in Martin County,
Florida. Flotilla 59 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary based in Martin County Sans Park participates in the annual National Safe Boating Week campaign to promote boating safety and encourages the boating public to wear life jackets when enjoying the region's waterways. The board commends the auxiliary for their efforts in
furthering the goals of the National Safe Boating Week campaign. observed May 17 through the 23rd this year and their year-round efforts to promote safe boating. And please, following um comments and photos, they would like to take a photo of everyone in the well possibly wearing a life
jacket. And here to accept, yes, we have Robert Hess, Flutella 59 commander, and the rest of his crew. Crew, they have life jackets for us. I hope they have your size of my size. How are you? Fine.
Please do. I am Dr. Robert Hes. I'm the commander of the Flotilla 59. Honorable commissioners, on behalf of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 59, I want to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for your proclamation
recognizing National Safe Boating Week in Martin County. Your support highlights the critical importance of promoting boating safety, especially in our boating community where boating season lasts all year round in our local waterways. The recognition from the
Morton County Commission not only honors the efforts of our volunteers, but helps raise public awareness about life jacket usage, vessel preparedness, and the value of boater education. All key factors in reducing accidents and saving
lives. These practices are reflected in this year's short but meaningful theme about life jacket. Wear it. And I might add, wear it, wear them before you hit the water. We're proud to serve this community through vessel safety checks,
public education courses, community engagement, and operational support. And your proclamation reinforces our shared mission to ensure everyone who takes to the water returns home safely. And please remember that we provide a boating safety course every third
Saturday of the month that's free for any youths 12 to 21, plus a parent with the same day free boating safety card as well. Thank you again for your leadership and commitment to the safety of Martin County residents and visitors
alike. Seer Paradis always ready and this year's theme, wear it. Thank you. Here it comes. All right, everybody. Sir. Oh, boy.
Yes, you. Everybody, please join us. All of you. I coordinate a bunch of life jacket. Oh, it's nice. It's great. Yes. You got the phone call. There we go. I'm intimidating.
Don't put it over here. All right. I tried. Okay. Do we have more? Oh, we need more life jackets up here, don't we? Come on in. [Laughter]
This is a first. He'll be in the center. I have more question. Oh, there we go. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Don't stop. You can be a pusher then.
Thank you everybody. Well, that just And our next proclamation is a proclamation declaring emergency medical services week in Martin County, Florida. Oh. Oh, you need to do it now. I make a motion to accept to adopt that proclamation. Second. There's a motion
and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Emergency medical services teams consist of emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, emergency physicians, emergency nurses, lifeguards, educators, first responders,
administrators, telecommunicators, law enforcement, and others. and they undergo thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving skills. The week of May 18th through 24th, 2025 is emergency medical services week in Martin County with the theme, we
care for everyone. The board commends the men and women of Martin County Fire Rescue for their continuing service to the citizens of Martin County. And here to accept, we have Chief Kevin Moore with Martin County Fire Rescue. [Applause] Thank you all for having us. EMS week is
dedicated to honoring not only the EMS professionals but also raising public awareness about the things that we do and the vital role we play within the community. If you want to take pictures, you can come up here. Yeah, you're on the team.
Thank you. So, this week marks the 51st year of EMS week's inception, and we are thankful and honored to accept this proclamation today. Just to give you some insight, Martin County Fire Rescue runs about 20,000 calls annually throughout the year, mixed between fire
as well as EMS calls, meaning that our crews are trained, cross-trained to be able to handle any emergency situation within the community. This is important because as the development of Martin County Fire Rescue grows, so does the
call volume and so does the stress levels that are placed upon our EMS professionals. So, we try to encourage our individuals to be confident, not only and um not only just confident, but also have the physical wherewithal and the mental fortitude to be able to push
through stressful situations so they are able to better serve the citizens of Martin County as best as possible. And we just want to thank you all for um the appreciation that you've given us um the unwavering support from the county commissioners to the local businesses as
well as the residents of Martin County to entrust in us to provide you the best level of service possible that this county deserves. So thank you very much and I appreciate this opportunity. Thank you. [Applause]
Okay, let's see. Now we'll go to public comment. If you would like to address us, please get a fill out a request to speak form and get it to the baiff who will get it to us. The first request to speak form I have is from Chris Hamilton
followed by uh Michael Circus. Oh no, Mr. Circus, you want to talk at uh the 9:30 preset? Okay. Next is Tom Pine. Is Chris Hamilton here? Yeah.
First on the actual Okay. Sorry. Sorry. Got it. Got it. Tom Pine. Good morning, commissioners. My name is Tom Pine. I've been a resident of Martin County for over 50 years. Today in the consent agenda, this county commission
will approve 15,364,47569 cents that was spent between April 20th and May 4th of 2025 without identifying the payes or the purpose of the payments. The definition of the consent agenda, a tool used to streamline meeting procedures by
collecting r routine non-controversial items into a group whereby all are passed in a single motion and vote. The key word here is routine non-controversial. That's what's missing in our county commission meetings.
Routine, non-controversial. like the millions and millions of cost overruns at our county golf course, all hidden in the consent agenda. Our last county commission meeting was like a dream when senior staff and county commissioners spoke about hurricane
preparedness and FEMA. Staff showed VA the various ways money is raised on the local basis if necessary. talked about long reimbursements, how long reimbursements can take and the cast cost of some of
our past storms. The reason I said the meeting was like a dream. March 14th, 2025, 20 42 people die in eight states because of tornado outbreak. FEMA denies all claims.
The governor in a of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabe Sanders, files an appeal. It was approved May 13, 2025. I could not verify any other states getting FEMA's assistance for the March 14th, 2025
tornadoes. The New York Times, May 9th, 2025. President Trump calls for the elimination of FEMA. Homeland sec secretary security secretary Christy Newman calls for the elimination of FEMA. Acting FEMA director Cameron
Hamilton fired a day after he told members of Congress that FEMA was a vitalable vital to communities and their greatest need of t needs and time and should not be eliminated. I see more and more questions on social
media about when the fire rescue station is coming to Western Martin County. As I recall, there are three st fire stations slated to be built in western Martin County. Does the county have any money for these fire stations? Is there a
timeline at all? Thank you for your time. Have a great day. Thank you. Loretta Bradley, would you like to speak a public comment or would you like to speak at a preset? Preset, please. Okay. The one at 9:30.
Yeah. Got it. And I assume that that uh Pastor Miller, Lloyd Jones, and Alfred Miller all want to speak. Okay. Well, then we will go to the preset at at uh 9:30, which is the one room schoolhouse in New Monrovia facilities use
agreement. Good morning, Madam Chair. George Stoke, assistant Kai administrator. This was an item that I I got the pleasure to work on. Uh not to belabor the point, but before you today is an agreement between Martin County and the Black Heritage Initiative. Uh the use is to convey the use of the one room schoolhouse in New
Monrovia. Uh this is a new use uh excuse me, this is a new agreement. Uh the duration is one year with automatic one-year renewals and there are uh clauses for termination as are in the attachment. Uh the benefits to Martinis is the expanded public use and cultural enrichment for the facility which there
is quite a bit of cultural enrichment and history that goes along with this facility. Uh the costs to Martin County are really uh just staff time for coordination and so uh other costs are already incurred. As you may remember this was um this actually this building goes all the goes all the way back to
the 30s. However, the county uh purchased this building via August of 1998. Um it was on school district uh grounds. Uh and not to belver, I'm sure some of our speakers will probably mention more about this. Um however, I do want to just take the time as staff
to thank uh our Martin County legal uh staff, Martin County BHI, uh Mr. Lloyd Jones, specifically the Martin County School District and the Parks and Recreation District because this agreement, I want to say because of the complexity of all the different players took us about two years to complete. Uh,
and with that, I'd like to invite Mr. Jones, if you're okay with that, Madam Chair, to uh begin speaking from the Black Heritage Initiative. Mr. Jones, if you want to come on up. Good morning. Welcome. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning to everyone. Truly, this is a a great day to be here.
As uh Mr. Stokers pointed out earlier, it's been a it's been a it's been a good journey and uh and of course I I I'm I'm I'm sure that that with the with your with your support, we we have a great payoff for the community. you know,
uh uh I just want to say I I thank each of you for giving Morning County by Heritage Initiative the opportunity to share our proposal to use the Salernus Color Schoolhouse as a museum and cultural center. I felt on Saturday morning the
spirit and the charge I felt on Saturday morning that all of us share the same interest in preserving the schoolhouse and educating our children about Morning County's rich history. With your assistance, as we harm as your
assistance, we hope one day soon to celebrate the schoolhouse as a member of the national registry. We have formed a small group of volunteers from across the county and from different backgrounds based upon a quote that a rise and tie lifts all
boats. With that said, we believe when people work together intelligently, work together professionally and plan together cooperatively, a transformation can take place. It is with this thought that we believe we can achieve more when we work
together with you, visioning, creating, sharing, and sustaining the schoolhouse. George Prince, one of the most one of the master master of creative thinking of our time, says that for creativity to
take place, we need to be optimistic, assume valuable implications, protect vulnerable beginnings, give early support, share the risk, deal as an equal, temporarily suspend disbelief,
share the burden of proof, focus on what is going forth as an idea and assume it can be done. It is in this spirit that we ask you to support Martin County Black Heritage Initiatives proposal to use the schoolhouse as a resource to
illuminate our local history and to create our communities diverse cultures. I want to end by thanking you for considering granting Martin County by heritage initiatives this opportunity. Thank you. Thank you.
Have any questions? Any questions for Mr. Jones? I do. Mr. Jones, uh, most everybody in Martin County knows who you are, sir. But there might be just a few who don't. So, tell us a little bit about your career and
where you were born and raised. Sure, I'd be glad to. I was uh I'm a native Martin County. I was born here in Stewart in 1954. Uh, that's not saying I'm 71 years old right now. I grew up in Hope Sound in the Gomez
subdivision. Uh I grew up there. Uh uh and I also uh attended Martin County High School where I graduated in 1972. Uh from there I went on I spent 30 30 37 years at the Martin County Sheriff's Office where I retired the
rank of captain. Uh and from there I uh I got involved I wanted to give back to my community. I was retired and I I I wanted to give back to my community. So I I got involved in the history book bit me and I got involved with with the restoration of the G miss pineal
cemetery with some of the folks in this room here uh and uh we began to hope uh restore the G miss pineal cemetery which is still an ongoing project. Uh, you know, when I walked through that cemetery a few times, I I looked at the the dates and times of the people who
were who were interred there and and their times of death and birth went back to the time we to a to a time right after the Civil War. And I said to myself, "Oh my god, I'm I'm walking through a a museum, you know." And uh with that I I spont and uh I went
forward and uh I met some people in Tallahassee who were involved in in uh in museums and in restoring museums and placing museums in communities. I thought it was so important that Martin County have a place too that we can showcase uh everybody's history and be
included in that in on their map instead of the Florida Heritage Trail. So that's who I am. That's what I've been doing. And I love my community. It's my home. I tell people all the time I uh sleep in Port St. produced, but I live here in Port Martin County still. It's my home and I'm glad to be here and and I'm
honored that uh that you allow me to speak to you today and we wouldn't be here were not for Jones dedication. Our community loves you. Thank you. Our next speaker is a student from the Port Solo Colored School.
That's Loretta Bradley. Miss Bradley. We should have brought the bell. We need to ring the bell that school is in session. [Laughter] Bradley, a second generation Martin
County resident, retired letter carrier, and proud alumni of the one room schoolhouse that we knew only as school. During a time when so much history is being rewritten, otherwise interpreted
or sadly erased. I am grateful to the Martin County Black Heritage Initiative, Martin County School District, and you, our representative, to not only preserve our history, but also provide the
opportunity for today's generations to learn from our history, not from generation removed, but firsthand shared story from those who sat in the classrooms. I'm honored to know that my
grandchildren, two of which are schoolaged children, will have the opportunity to learn about my educational history. Aside from what I shared with them now with their peers, I'm overjoyed that my
oldest granddaughter and educator in Martin County will have an opportunity to have her students receive the reality through her grandmother's age classmates that we are
not far removed but we are moving forward. I am hopeful that as the branches of the community become diverse, the roots that anchor the blossoms to come are appreciated and not
forgotten. I am fully hopeful and supportive of the facility use agreement presented. Thank you. Thank you. Alfred Miller is
next, followed by Pastor Uma Miller. Good morning. Good morning. Uh, my name is Alfred Miller and I grew up in the Hopetown Banner Lake area. Um, I'm here this morning to support the initiative
uh with the uh Mr. Jones's group uh so that we can use the porcelain color school for a lot of various venues. Um I attended Bthun Cookman College in Daytona Beach. Uh I was basically a history major with a minor in uh
sociology. I uh completed 37 years of employment with as an employer of the state of Florida in criminal justice. But history has always been uh important to me. I'm aware that uh I do sit on a committee uh under Mr. Stokus here with
the centennial book that we're going to be bringing for the benefit of the entire uh county. Uh I did work on a project that uh had the Baron Lake Club to be placed on the local register. And I'd just like to say that there is an
extreme amount of history uh here in Martin County that really needs to be told. and and that's from the pineapple fields of Jensen Beach uh to a a beautiful wonderful island that we all refer to now uh Jupiter Island and the
uh the work that the early day uh African-Americans had to do to bring it to what it is today. Uh again, I thank you. Um have a good day. Thank you. Pastor Miller is
next, followed by Michael Circus. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. I am Bishop Yuma Miller, senior pastor of the Port Salerno Church of God, third generation Martin County
resident. My father and his siblings were students of the one room schoolhouse. And I am honored to be a recipient, direct recipient of the disciplines taught and experienced and
the impressions passed down that made me want to be better, do better, respectfully represent my family and my community and be a part of this continuity of the school's influence and
not the reservoir where it stops. I am grateful to this board of commissioners, more particular to Commissioner Herd for partnering uh for for Martin County School District uh for the restoration of the building
that is a living example that our community's history is worth saving. I am especially appreciative to the Martin County Black Heritage Initiative for their dedicated service as representatives of the inclusion of our heritage as an important part of Martin
Countyy's history. The Port Salona Church of God fully supported the one room schoolhouse. The students were our church members. We were one community, one family. Now under my leadership, we fully support the one room schoolhouse. Many of the school
descendants are our current members and we are still one community and one family. I and my congregation wholeheartedly believe this facility's use agreement will be a positive inclusion to our community. Thank you
all so much. Thank you. [Applause] Michael Circus is next followed by Joet Laurian Rice. Good morning. Good morning. Mike Circus from Palm City. I wanted to come today to encourage you guys to go forward with this agreement with the Black Heritage
Initiatives. Uh I'm sure a lot of you guys know following the the reconstruction of the schoolhouse in in 2013, the schoolhouse has been a fairly underutilized county asset. Uh if you guys go through the 28 provisions of this agreement, you'll see that there's a lot of restrictions which makes it very difficult to find an organization
that is, you know, willing, capable, and and more importantly able to to go forward with utilizing this structure in a dignified manner, something that's productive to the county. Um I know a lot of people are going to talk about history in a few minutes, but I just want to say from a pragmatic perspective that this is an underutilized asset that
you guys are now going to be able to benefit off of with essentially no cost or no no issue to the county. On top of that, the black heritage initiatives over the last four years between the Moses project Lloyd just talked about also through digital history building bridges. They are registered with both
Martin County as well as University of Florida Samuel Proctor. Uh this is a very legitimate organization that over four years has put blood, sweat and tears into bringing the 34 schoolhouse onto both the state registar and eventually the national registar. I mean it's it's not often you guys are
presented with a win-win but partnering with the BHI is a slam dunk. Be foolish not to do this. Thank you. [Applause] Following uh Miss Rice is Julie Priest. Good morning, commissioners. So good to
see you. Um happy to be here during preservation month. Historic preservation protects the places that matter in our history because they tell the stories of our past. This little schoolhouse has many stories to tell and holds timeless lessons for us all. It is
a vital part of Martin Countyy's history, especially its African-American history. It was the first built during the era of segregation. It was the first school built in Martin County to educate African-American students. It was here from 1943 to 1960 that Robert Murray,
its first teacher, and Mrs. Costello Williams, its predominant teacher, educated future teachers, principles, sheriff's office people, schoolboard members, um, and more. So, I'm happy to be here today to not on behalf of the board because we didn't
know this was coming up. So, because we don't meet in May during historic preservation month, we couldn't vote on this. But I'm here speaking from my perspective of having researched um the history of the schoolhouse for the past 12 years, I guess it is. Um, when I
first got on the board in 2006, students, former students of the schoolhouse would come before us and ask us to save the save the storm ravage school that had been hit by hurricanes. It had mold. It had a lot of problems. I would go to county administration, ask, "Can't we save this school?" And they
say, "Well, no." You know, they they've recommended that it be condemned and torn down. And it was horrifying. And then I think some of the students went to meet with Commissioner Herd and um Commissioner Herd got involved and in in any event the schoolhouse was saved and
with Harold Marky and general services help they did a beautiful restoration. I know many of you saw it this Saturday when we had the Florida marker celebration. So these students wouldn't quit. They just kept coming and coming to the meetings and they wore us all
down. But we're glad they did because without it we would no longer have this what is a landmark which is probably it's one of the last it's probably the only remaining school h one room schoolhouse on the treasure coast. So we couldn't get it on the national register
because it had been moved but we found there's another option we can apply under where for cultural purposes we may be able to do this. So um in 2013 our board did put it on the Martin County Historic Register. So, it is on that and
um it got the state of Florida Historic Marker mainly because the uh Black Heritages Initiatives, Inc. came to our meeting and asked us, can we apply for this? And so, our board approved it and we said, "Sure." I mean, this is great.
Somebody else wants to do something. So, they um applied for the marker and with Julie Priest and I worked on it also. The marker is just magnificent. It was just unveiled this Saturday and it had we had a wonderful celebration. So I'm
here today to say these students had a dream. Let's take the dream the next step. I mean black heritage initiatives and including our dream at the county I think was that it was going to be some type of facility where we could teach history or as a museum or as a cultural
center. So that was always kind of what people hoped for but we never thought it would be realized. So, this is, as the prior gentleman said, this is truly a win-win situation for the county, and I encourage you to please say yes. Thank
you. And if you have any questions of Thank you. Thank you. Julie Priest is next, followed by Chand Chandler Josie. Good morning, everyone. This is quite a day for us. Uh, I met Lloyd Jones at an
event by Keep Martin Beautiful as a matter of fact and uh, I was introduced to him by Rob Ranieri who's in the the audience here, House of Hope. So, that was a good start. Uh, and ever since then, which has been several years now,
I have been working on the history on compiling the history, the real history of the school. And as it turns out, I found out more history. For instance, no fewer than two previous times in the history of this county and the history
of the city of Stewart, there were two other attempts by two other groups to do something like this in East Stewart and that fizzled out. So, this is truly exciting because now our county is taking this on. So, thank you very much
for that. And then in the intro by Mr. Stokus, I need to correct. I don't have my records with me, but the transfer of the building went through in 1986. Excuse me. So, it's been a while since the county has owned the facility.
And then the wonderful discovery which was started by Joet as far as doing the history for the historic preservation board in order to put it on our local register. In my review, the Pittsburgh Courier, no less Pittsburgh Courier in
1934 had a very small article that said that the school had opened. It was going to be dedicated on Washington's birthday and it was a civil works project. Civil works administration project which to me is quite prestigious that we have a
civil works uh administration project because a civil works administration was only in in effect for less than a year and then the other alphabet soup they they're called them from the new deal took over with all those responsibilities of relief and jobs for
those during the great depression. So we are very happy now to have the complete history and therefore I ask you in the paragraph where it starts with whereas and says the schoolhouse was built circa 1930 and I used to be a type setter out
of high school that I suggest you you change that to the schoolhouse was built in 1934 a project of the civil works administration and George I know you'll have room in there because you have room at the bottom of that paragraph to fit those words in. Of course, all the
people with heart spoke before me. I'm more of the record keeper. I urge you to please move forward with this. Thank you very much. Thank you. [Applause] And Mr. Josie is the last request to speak form I have. If you would like to
address us, please fill out a request to speak form and get it to the baiff who will get it to me. Thanks. Good morning. Good morning. My name is Chandler Josie, third generation Martin County resident and proud veteran of the United States Army. Thank you for the
opportunity to address this honorable group. I love my community and I've ser proudly served in various voluntary positions. I served in positions from member to vice president with the new Monrovia Community Development Corporation for 10 years. Most recently, the Portal Neighborhood Advisory
Committee as committee member, vice chair, and chair for eight years. and the Martin County Black Heritage Initiative since its inception in 2020. All that I have been empowered to do and encouraged to continue are directly credited to the generation that preceded me in my neighborhood that were
students of the one room schoolhouse and the almighty God. Interestingly enough, I am only one generation removed from those that were educated there. I'm in constant awe as I've learned from my mom who was a student and spoke earlier and others from my new Monrovian
neighborhood that were students that share with me incredible life-changing stories. Stories not of injustice, not of the downtrodden, but triumphant testimonials of determined students and dedicated educators who were and are con countless positive contributors to our
community and society in general. I love this history. I love my history and that which I love that empowers and encourages. I believe others can gain those attributes as well if given the opportunity. I visited the Little Red Schoolhouse on the island of Palm Beach with Martin County Black Heritage
Initiatives and Martin County School District representatives in January. And as impressive as that historic program was, I felt incredibly excited and blessed that the students of the Martin County School District would have the rare opportunity to not only learn local
history from the schoolhouse experience, but also hear firsthand accounts from those that were a part of the history. I fully support the facilities use agreement presented. I am prayerful that the history that is shared with our school district through this initiative will be viewed as a treasured learning
experience and not a missed opportunity of growth. Thank you. Thank you. Nancy Terrell is next. Thought we were done with speakers. Put your light on. Sorry. Good morning, commissioners. I just have a brief
statement of support for uh the project that's before you with the um use facilities use agreement for the Port Solerno Color School. I think as you look at chapter 16, the heart history, arts, well, arts, culture, and historic preservation element of a comprehensive
plan, I think it speaks beautifully to making sure that our community has access to these facilities and the education and the history that's a deep part of this community. So, I encourage your support. Thank you. Thank you,
Commissioner Heatherington. Yes. I I would just say number one, thanks so many people for coming here in support of this project. Uh today I had the honor of attending the unveiling of the historic marker on Saturday. It was
a beautiful ceremony um entertaining with Ula Clark as the uh mistress of ceremonies for sure. loved absolutely loved hearing the former students speaking at the ceremony and um and
thank you to Commissioner Herd for the what you've done to contribute to that. It was just a wonderful day of of community and people and I think that's what Barton County is all about. And um a couple of you speakers said it was
extremely important to celebrate our history and I'm a generational native as well of Barton County. Grew up in Indian Town and absolutely love Martin Barton County. would whole I I love that so many of you came because to me this was
sort of a a no-brainer slam dunk easy you know no decision to be made. So I wholeheartedly support you look forward to you being able to pass this form of history on to several more generations and I would be happy to move um staff's
recommendation for approval with the changes suggested by Julie Priest. Yes. adding in the dates and and George you've noted Miss Priest comments madam chair that's where my light is just changed with those commissioner campy
thank you like many of my colleagues I had the opportunity Saturday to be there and I agree with commissioner Heatherington uh Ula Clark really brings a whole different flavor to and um an event that probably there are so many honorary degrees yeah a lot of people
got doctorates that day a lot of people were taken out of their comfort zones whether they liked it or not. Um but it made for an exciting time. But even if Miss Clark wasn't there, I felt uh I felt honored to be part of it. Um you
know, we there's a lot of things that elected officials get to do. Some of them are difficult, some of them are exciting, but we really have to protect our history. uh if we don't, we really do a disservice to those that came before us
because not only are we celebrating it, we have to protect it. You know, when you heard about the building potentially being torn down because the easy thing to do is to tear it down and to move on. But the hard thing and the group that's formed in this grassroots group that
then got involved with our historic preservation group and the collaboration uh Commissioner Heatherington is right. You had us at hello. This literally could have been on the consent agenda because none of us would have not participated. I thank our staff. I'm
surprised it had to take two years. It could have been. But I get that there's a lot of moving parts. But if we didn't do this, then we're not teaching and sharing our history with the future. And I think that's going to become harder and harder, especially with real things. You know, it's easy to put an app on the
phone or to do something, but um I know that school board member Marshia Powers is here and assistant superintendent Dr. Tracy Miller is here. The thing that really struck me as most important from Saturday's presentation was the collaboration that the school district
will have by bringing like they did with the uh with the environmental studies center because I remember when my kids were little, everybody went to the environmental study center. It was something as the years progressed you look forward to and now I know that
every student will have a chance to go through this school building and we had a chance to go in it and I'll tell you you know before I had stepped in I think it was going to be nice in there but when you step through the doorway it literally is like going back in time you
can really get a sense that you cannot get seeing it online watching a video playing a a name physically being in there I think will be very valuable for our students. So it's it's easy for us
to support your decision. I want to thank Commissioner Herd because with district discretionary funds, there's a lot of of draws and pulls on those those limited dollars, but for her to get on board, I think was obviously part of
really saving it. And then it was interesting to have Harold Marky come down. I know he's moved out of the area uh for him to come down because I do remember this, you know, I was here when they talked about protecting it and saving it. Um you need champions like
that on the government side to do it because the passion of the neighborhood. Uh I mean I was thinking as you were all speaking, what's the next project we're going to work on? because you've had a success. Now, you know, this this group of folks that know how to get things
done. Uh you're a real asset and a benefit to our community. So, uh I think you'll get a unanimous decision today and it was rightly earned. So, thank you very much. Look forward to your future work. And for those who aren't as familiar
with uh the colored schoolhouse as we are, it was it's remarkable in that it was built in the height of the depression. It was completed in 1934 uh with for and by a community who were denied access to public education. And
they had the the astonishingly good fortune to uh hire Costella Williams to teach most of those students for most of those years. And by all accounts, she was a marvelous teacher. Um it sounds it sounds a lot like that like she taught
Bible school as much as she taught reading, writing and arithmetic. Those kids all became extraordinary aators and I think that they were probably reciting scripture. Um she instilled character and uh honesty and a love of learning
and those kids were those students were so proud of that school. They loved their school. They loved their teacher. They loved their flag. They loved their books. They loved that school and were all so enthusiastic about uh praising
the school and their educations there. Um, so the school was open for just over uh three decades and then it was shuttered and then it was pretty much neglected for or underutilized for the next four decades and then it was
destroyed uh in 2004 by uh hurricanes Francis and Gan. And the school board had control of it at that time and the community came to the school board and asked them for help in restoring it. And the school board hired a consultant who evaluated it and said it should be
condemned. And the community came to see me and they asked me if I would help restore it. And we hired a consultant and the consultant evaluated it and the consultant said it should be condemned. And I talked to Harold Marky who was our
general services director at the time and he also thought that it should be condemned but he believed in that project. And so we said, "Sure, of course, we'll restore it." And I get to take the bows because I provided the
resources for the restoration. But Harold Marky did all the work. His commitment, his dedication to that project made it possible. And then it's been underutilized for the last 12 years. And then along comes
Lloyd Jones. And don't bother saying no to Lloyd Jones. You're wasting your breath cuz that man has dedication like no man I've ever met in my life like life. He just is he was relentless uh tenacious in a wonderful wonderful way.
So now this school is going to be an institute of learning again because just as we as every uh public school child in Martin County passes through the environmental uh studies center, they now will be passing through the uh Serno Colored Schoolhouse learning about the
history there. So this is this is terrific. Thank you Lloyd for for uh staying with us. Thank you Mr. Caps. Yes, I attended the historic preservation event on
Saturday and my heart was very warmed by all of the stories um from all the former students and all the people who have helped uh bring this uh project to where it is today.
Um, again, as others have said, uh, thank you, Commissioner Herd, for your lead on this. And, um, I would encourage all Martin County residents to make your way there to view this little school.
It's very, very inspiring. A couple of things that stood out to me by some of the speakers that Commissioner Herd alluded to was uh the devotions in the morning which included the reading of the
Psalms and a special prayer that they recited every day. That was very very heartwarming. Um also the stories about the flag. the kids would would uh have like this competition to go out and put the who gets to put the flag up every
day and the flag to could not touch the ground and it could never get wet. So uh those uh were really touching stories and um this initiative underscores the
very uh important work of historic preservation. Um, as we all know, this is Historic Preservation Month, and I was just really glad that I got to this on Saturday. So, congratulations to all of you.
Thank you all. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you very much. Thanks. Do we have any more public comment? What? We I think we ended public comment.
We haven't done the consent. No commissioners. Now we need to move to the consent agenda. Um, in addition to approving the consent agenda, we are also asked to withdraw consent five, consent six, consent 7,
consent 8, and consent nine. Thank you. Thank you, Diane. I'll move approval of the consent agenda with the draw with withdrawal of consent 5, six, seven, eight, and nine. Second. There's a motion and a second.
All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. We are ready for That's a preset. Uh public hearing quasi judicial one. Oh, Commissioner. Commissioner comments. Oh, I'm sorry. Commissioner comments.
Commissioner Heatherington. Yes. Oh. Um, in advance here of Memorial Day, we've been working on a project in my district. Um, to if you've walked the Veterans Memorial Bridge or driven by on Caner Highway, the southeast corner,
there's a large utility box. I've seen them in other areas. They've been wrapped and they look beautiful and blend in this particular utility box on that corner. Um and many people walk that bridge and they park at Kiplinger Park and walk by. It will be wrapped
with featuring a number of Martin County veterans in celebration of their service to Martin County. It will also have a QR code. If you're walking, don't do it if you're driving. Uh you could scan the QR code and you'll get a little bit of
history about the different veterans that are featured. So, um, in honor of, and I've been looking for something to do with this box for some time, um, to celebrate veterans and their contributions, they're specifically Martin County veterans. So, it'll be up by the end of the week. So, I hope
you'll, um, take a drive over to Ciplander Park and walk over the Veterans Bridge and check it out. And that's all I have today. Nice. Commissioner Campy, I'm all set. Commissioner Caps. Yes. I would like to thank county staff
and the Army Corps of Engineers for uh having me tour the C23 C24 reservoir and storm water treatment areas in western St. Lucy County
uh just several days ago. And this is where they pump water out of the C-23 with these big pumps into these two large reservoirs. And that's kind of like the first step. And then the water is
gravityfed into five storm water treatment areas which are like these gigantic fields where the water will be one to two feet tall with lots of vegetation to clean the
water and to serve as habitat for uh wildlife like waiting birds and that kind of thing. And then after the water filters through these five STAs as they're called, the water goes into a canal
uh where they're they monitor how much nitrogen and phosphor phosphorus was taken out by the storm water treatment areas. And then the water goes into this canal that leads into 10mi Creek and then into the north fork of the St. Lucy
River where it that clean water filters down through our river and under the Roosevelt Bridge. So, it was very inspiring to see this. It was an engineering marvel and I can't wait to see it become functional and to see the
results that we're all going to benefit from. So, thank you for the tour. Anything else? I'm good. Commissioner Vargas, I'm fine. As am I. Mr. Stokas? Uh, yes, Madam
Chair. I just have two brief comments. I wanted to take a moment to recognize our parks and ref parks and rec staff. Uh, we have some pictures on the screen for you. Uh, two of our staff won advancing after school awards, which is an award recognized for their commitment to quality standards, dedication to the
children, and contributions of the afterchool field. The first one is Mr. Jorge Pacetta. Uh, he won the out of school time legacy award. And then the next one would be
Lauren I Mahalik. I apologize. I'm probably butchering your name. Um, quality leadership in the out of school time award for her leadership quality. So, I just want to uh highlight some of the great work that our staff's doing especially in parks and wreck. Terrific. Miss Woods. Yes. I just wanted to
briefly uh welcome back a new senior assistant county attorney, Sebastian Fox. He served a number of years in my office with distinction and we're so pleased to welcome him back. Yay. Welcome back, [Applause]
Sebastian. Anything else? And we'll take we will take up uh public hearing quasi judicial number one which is a public hearing to consider adoption of an amendment to the Martin County zoning atlas to change the zoning district classification for
Jensen Beach MH MHP LLC. Uh this is quasi judicial commissioners. Commissioner Vargas any exparte disclosures? Uh if I have any they've been filed. Commissioner Caps, if I have any, they have been filed. I have some and they've
been filed. Commissioner Campy, I have some and they've been filed. And Commissioner Heatherington, I have them and they've been filed. Mr. Elam, have you passed on all of your important information to the clerk? Yes. Copy of the agenda item and my work history have been turned in. And anyone
who's going to be providing sworn testimony, please stand up and be sworn. Where's your right hand? Do you swear or affirm the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, for the
record, Brian Elim, principal planner with the growth management department. This is a request by Quazo Planning Solutions Incorporated on behalf of Jensen Beach MHP LLC for a proposed amendment to the county zoning atlas. The proposed amendment is to change the
existing zoning district classification from planned unit development to LC limited commercial district and RS-5 lowdensity residential district or the most appropriate zoning districts. This request to reszone is considered non-mandatory. Included with this
application is a request for a certificate of public facilities exemption. The approximate 17.27 acres property consists of 10 parcels located east of Northeast Skyline Drive. The property is bisected by Northeast Indian River Drive and the Florida East Coast
Railroad and includes land east of Northeast Indian River Drive. The property is generally located at the intersection of Northeast Indian River Drive and Northeast First Street, approximately 100 ft north of Northeast Pineapple Avenue or Northeast Causeway
Boulevard at 3830 Northeast Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach. This is an aerial of the site. All the areas within the red outlines uh are part of the existing Pitchford's Landing PUD.
The existing future land use on the property is low density and commercial limited. I'm sorry. The existing zoning is outlined in red is the Pitchard's Landing PUD and the future land use is low density and commercial
limited. This slide shows the proposed zoning districts with the RS-5 lowdensity residential district over the land with low density future land use and with LC limited commercial over the land with commercial limited underlying future land use.
There's one category A zoning district available to implement the commercial limited land use policies of the comp plan and that's LC limited commercial PUD zoning is also an option and there are six category A straight zoning districts available to implement the low
density um comp plan future land use that's RS3 4 and five which are single family homes and the RM3 4 and 5 which allow Multif family PUB zoning is also an option. So development standards and
structure setbacks for the LC and the same for the low density um zoning districts. The one being proposed RS5 is 7500 minimum um lot area. uh five units per acre is the maximum density
and the setbacks are identical. This application was heard before the local planning agency on May 15th. Um it was voted 3 to one in favor of staff's recommendation. Development review staff have found the Jensen Beach MHP LLC
reszoning application to be consistent with the existing land uses as detailed in the staff report. Staff recommends approval of the resoning request by Jensen Beach MHP LLC. We move that the board receive and file the agenda item and all its attachments including the
staff report is exhibit one. I move that the board adopt a resolution approving the reszoning from planned unit development to LC limited commercial district and RS5 lowdensity residential district. That concludes the presentation. Be happy to answer any questions. Commissioner Vargas, I have
looked at this property. I'm very familiar with it. Um I've spoken with staff. I've spoken with the applicant also. Um, and my understanding, even if we were to grant this change zoning, it still would
not comply with what exists on the property. Is that correct? The uses on the property are considered non-conforming. It's because their existence back to the 30s. It predates all our our code. Right. Exactly.
However, um I have some concerns about this. Um to have the number of units on per acre, it's approximately five units, which falls in with the character of Jensen Beach single family
homes, which is fine. However, um what about what about something extremely important? We're talking about the water and the sewer. My understanding is this is septic tank primarily the developed portion. Is that
correct? Yes. Okay. And I think there's a comprehensive plan policy 10.2A4 2 A4 which requires multifamily non-residential properties to connect to a regional sewage system within 365 days of
receiving notice that a gravity sewer or wastewater force main with capacity is adjacent to the property. Is that correct? Yes, it is. Okay. I think that this is really an important policy for the protection of
waterways in Martin County, especially those waterways that have been impaired. Um there are state initiatives to encourage hookup for the water and the sewer and also um this can be financed
uh through Martin County. Um and also they can have the option the property owner to finance outside also which might be more cost effective. Um I think I'm concerned also for the health and safety of the
community. You know we have elderly, we have children who could possibly get sick. I did mention the waterways. um when this process uh is implemented of the hookup to the water and the sewer, everyone would be able to remain in
their homes. Nobody would be displaced. Uh so you continue your business. Um and that's going to encourage of course more foot traffic. So, I know that there is a neighbor that suggested a neighboring property owner suggested walkways,
crosswalks, flashing lights um to protect those that now are using this area. Um I I think that it's important that we as a board proactively enforce this plan policy, and I don't quite
understand why it has not been enforced up to date. Miss Elder, would you like to weigh in or um I'll take it. Uh good morning. Uh Peter Walden, deputy growth management director. Uh before us this morning is
is a reszoning and we can't really um address the utilities or the hookup of it, but uh staff would be glad to come back at a later date uh with an um evaluation of the water and sewer
systems along the rivers and possibly work with utilities to uh recommend some incentives or uh methods to to get more people to uh hook up. if that would be the board's uh decision.
Well, I think that that this definitely is the way we need to go with this because we are now changing the zoning to allow these property owners to eventually sell the property to the west. And there are 1, two, three, there
are five parcels there that I see that are could be developed for a good quantity of homes. And then eventually, if that's what the direction you want to go in, if we grant this zoning, then certainly more single family residential could be developed there. Um, I know that there's some parcels right along
the river, which might be more difficult on the east side of Northeast Indian River Drive to put something different. Although I think there's a restaurant there, a German restaurant uh that my understanding with the footprint so it
could be more vertical uh could be changed. Something else might be more difficult on the west side of Indian River Drive. Again, you have the opportunities to develop into single family um eventually, but I think the water and sewer is not something to be
discounted. Um, I I would propose again to direct staff to develop a plan to begin enforcing this comprehensive plan provision. That's why it's there and come back to this board for further discussion before we follow through with
the zoning change. Again, uh, this should be hinged on connecting to sewer and water hookup, but there's plenty of time that this park has been in existence for that. and we have to protect the safety and welfare of our
community and do what's best for the citizens of Martin County and Jensen Beach in particular. Any further questions for staff? Uh applicant, would you like to make a presentation? Terry McCarthy
representing the property owner. Thank you for allowing us to speak today. Um, this may come as a surprise to you all, but we're completely in agreement with the staff on this issue. Um,
regarding water and sewer, I think that's a separate issue. Um, if you want to table this to address it, okay, but you know, I'd have to speak to my my client. I would caution you though,
especially in this instance about the unintended consequences of your actions. You know, oftentimes we don't realize the unintended consequences. I can tell you significant consequences would be present here because the folks that live
here, they're elderly, a lot of them. They they're in the lower rung of society. If they had the wherewithal, they wouldn't be living here. If you come in and put in the water and sewer, you're going to disrupt their
lives. The rent will go up. You know, it'll it'll be an expense that will be passed on. What will the impact be on those residents? It'll be disastrous. I mean, it'll kill some of them and others. They'll drive them away. And frankly, to what end? I mean, if you're
gonna do this, I I I'm not opposed to the concept of water and sewer, but I think you have to temper that with the unintended consequences of where you're uh dictating that be
applied. Certainly on Skyline, I I believe there's a water line over there. I don't think there's sewer over there. Anyone putting in a single family, that was going to have to tie in. That goes without saying. and the commercial properties on the east, they're really not big enough to do much of all of
anything other than what's there. So, if you want to tie that to this to this zoning, frankly, I don't think that's kosher in terms of resonings. They have to be taken on their own. Um, I'll get I'll get with my client and
see what their response is, but I would urge you that in this particular instance, and there'll be other instances similar to this, that you remember the unintended consequences of what it will have, what will happen to the folks that are living
there. Those septic tanks and the the wells and whatever. I mean, they've been there a long time. Uh maybe they need to be upgraded, but if you went in there and said, "Look at we're going to come in and lay lines in here, water and
sewer lines in here." To those folks, I think they'd say, "Gee, do you really have to disrupt their lives like this?" Um, and as I say, I think it'll kill some of them and others, they'll they'll be forced to move away. Now, that's the goal. I don't think that's the goal. I
think the goal is to get water and sewer there, which I think you can do on an a global issue for Martin County to go to those areas where where it should be done because you do have a policy to that in that respect. Now, with respect
to the actual application for resoning, I'm happy to have uh Dena Freeman come up. Dena is our expert. You've already heard from your experts. I think you're going to hear the same thing from Dena that you just heard from your experts, which is in favor of the zoning change.
Um, so I'll leave it up to the board and the and the chair to uh how you want to head with this. Commissioner Vargas, do you have questions for Mr. McCarthy? Yes, it's my understanding there's no disruption to those that are living there. I did speak with engineering about this when um and and so installed.
I'm sorry. When the lines are installed. Yeah. I mean, it's not that they have to move, that they can stay there. Um, is there already, Miss Elder, is there already um a requirement that the state is enforcing failed
uh septic systems cannot be upgraded. They they can't be upgraded. There is a statute that requires um regular SE if there's a failed septic it can be upgraded but it's a more it's a more extensive wastewater system so it's
more expensive and they are encouraging the conversion to from septic to sewer but it it is a more expensive process now with the recent changes let me add too I think I think we are also missing an opportunity
here today in that your action today to reszone the property will take away the spectre of Pitchford's PUD multif family multi-story 80 or 90 units it's single
family now that goes away so if you reszone it today you can still enforce your your tie-in requirements in the county there's nothing that would stop you from doing that and I defer to uh council but I I
believe that's correct. If the property is reszoned, we can still look at the comprehensive plan and bring out back an agenda item to the board to um come up with a plan to encourage or promote um connection for those properties that are by the
impaired water waterways. Certainly, um that is an option or or we can table it for today and have another discussion about this so that we're all in agreement because we're doing bit by bit. done. Commissioner Caps,
um, Miss Woods or Miss Elder, it it seems to me that what is being asked here is to condition a zoning approval on public utilities
and I'm not sure that's legal. U, can you want to weigh in on that? like you know this this thing about how like when we're doing a comp plan amendment we can't talk about what's going to be built there so or or a zoning thing. I don't think this is the
time to be bringing this up. This is more of a site plan kind of issue, right? Yes and no. So right now there is a PUD in place that did require hookup to water and sewer. There was a wastewater agreement. It's PU's deszoning. it's
already expired. So today the board is looking to reszone that. You base that decision on the competent substantial evidence that's presented during this hearing. If the resoning is in compliance with with the comprehensive plan and the board wants to keep the
existing zoning, the standard under the law is to show based on the evidence there's a legitimate public purpose to keep the existing zoning. Um, so that would be the standard that we would have to establish if the board decides to um keep the existing zoning. It would have
to be based on the evidence presented at the hearing. Um, so that's the legal standard. Um, the the catch in this one is that we have a expired PUD agreement. So that agreement would need to be renegotiated. So it's a little bit more complex than just a standard zoning, but
that's the st legal standard that we would have to follow. Mr. Vargas. So the the mandate that the water and the
sewer had to be hooked up has expired. Is that correct? So the the POD agreement expired and all the development tables have expired. So yes, that mandate. So it's expired. And Sonia, you're coming to us to ask for another zoning, but we're saying, well,
yeah, but we already have a comp plan policy in place and that hasn't that has been followed through by the owner of the property. We're here to Dina Freeman, for the record on behalf of Quazo Planning Incorporated. Um, we are here today for a reasonzoning. It's a color change on a map. We have an
expired PUB. It was approved in 2007. I believe it's 80 88 units were approved multifamily and single family for the pitch landing peed. We had a room full of green shirts. Um it was a 8-hour meeting. Um today I believe we may have
maybe one representative from the community objecting. So the site plan and the land use that was changed from mobile home to um lowdensity residential and retain the limited commercial did include a concurrent PUD zoning agreement. That PEUD zoning agreement
was approved in 2007 and uh 2011 2015 there were amendments to the PUD. The PUD did expire and in the language I believe it's on page seven or eight there is language that requires staff to bring it forward to look at the reasonzoning and go to the zoning that
was um prior to or that's consistent with the comprehensive plan. So we're here today consistent with the language on that page in the PUD that says we have to do something. Um the PUD we submitted a reszoning back in 2021 and staff did ask that we just resone the
parcels that we're our applicant and client is looking to sell what are on the water and those single family lots. We've been in the system for 4 years trying they they said everything met the the reasonzoning but we'd rather you extend um and renew the PUD. We've been
trying to do that since 2021. um at the last meeting in February of 2025 with a joint workshop and additional new comments were provided in that staff report that were basically impossible to meet for a legal non-conforming RV park and mobile home park that dates back
from the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. The first codes came in in 77 and 82 with the comp plan. This project is one of those historic attainable affordable housing projects in Martin County. There's it's full and the people that own the property now bought it after the
PD had expired with the intent of continuing the RV park mobile home park use and also own the property to the south and the intent to develop that for an RV park. I think that the hookup with water and sewer is more amanable and timely when he they come in for a site
plan approval for the property to the south that they own. They're not averse to hook up to water and sewer. That is just something that's not on the table for for today because we couldn't get there with the the standards and the development that was trying to be applied to a
1930s4s50 ' 50s ' 60s7s project. It was impossible. We went and met with staff February 2025. It was a unanimous coming out of that meeting that the best way forward was to reszone to the RS5 and the LC. And so we res resubmitted in March for a reasonzoning for the entire
property rather than those single parcels and amending the peed in the middle. What happened next is staff reviewed that and they basically came to the same conclusions and recommendations and were on the same page regarding moving forward on the colors on the map to RS5 and LC consistent with the land
use and zoning. In the comp plan, a PUD is an option, but it's an option. It's not mandated and you must do that. It has to be negotiated and we have to meet and reach an agreement on that. Unfortunately, because the RV standards are in the standards for specific use
are trying to be applied to this peed master amendment, it can't be done because this project it and another thing just to say when it comes to regulation and health and self safety and well-being um Martin County Health Department has to regulate and and um
the applicant has to provide and submit um to the state and to the county regarding any management of any utilities and also of how they run the actual RV park. And that's something that's been doing and they've provided information on that in previous application packets. So we have historic
project that predates all of your codes. It's an attainable affordable housing. The reasoning unfortunately the PUD we couldn't get there. And the best way forward in order to be able to release the overall unified control, sell off some of these lots and still retain an
attainable affordable RV and mobile home park is to go forward the RS5 and the LC. What I would say is that you the applicant owner will welcome communication with staff including the county engineer and any of the public works or utilities departments in order
to look at and ascertain whether there are any improvements including hookup to water and sewer that may be required as part of the overall management of of the actual property. And the good news is there is an opportunity. They are going to come in with a site plan consistent with a mobile home to the south and look
to develop the same type of use which will likely involve a reszoning to a PUB and not just your straight zoning. And that is an opportunity to not only hook up to water and sewer there, but also to look at negotiating and hooking up to water and sewer on the existing
Pitchford's Landing property. So I do really appreciate this opportunity. I do agree that legally what we're here to discuss today is purely a color on a map and anything else is something that is site plan and development standard appropriate. So I really request that you approve the project for the
reasonzoning. It is consistent with the land use and zoning. The policy that Commissioner Vargas identified is something that staff would need to work with the property owner separate to this application process. Thank you, Commissioner Vargas. Okay. Um, in speaking with the attorney, uh, he said they they
don't plan on doing anything with the mobile home park, just leaving it as it is, even if we were to grant the zoning. So, correct, you're talking. And then there the other the the five parcels that are off of Skyline. They may or may not sell them. Of course, they would
have to obviously tie in to water and sewer. Yes. But my understanding is that there is water and sewer that's pulled up to the property. They just haven't connected. Is is that correct? I believe there is water and sewer lines running down Indian River Drive. That's right. Exactly.
But that's a separate element to it may be a separate element, but I feel very strongly about this. And I know the people in Jensen Beach, I know how they feel also. I know how the people in Martin County feel about this about their waterways and protecting themselves, too. I the property owner, she doesn't have to do anything.
Obviously, if we gave this zoning as it is, but I think we have to have further discussion about this. This is quite a large piece of property. Quite a large piece of property. And we welcome that discussion separate to the reasonzoning. That's fine. But, you know, why don't we table this and have another meeting and talk about this and see what the
property owner is willing to do because if we're going to keep the septic system there and you know, as it is and we grant this zoning, then what's protecting? But what I'm trying to say is that the applicant and the owner can still come and meet with you guys, but that's a separate matter to a reszoning
on a color on a map. distinct difference in process. So there are no conditions and no requirements to hook up to water and sewer in a reasonzoning situation like this. Um so we'd rather if we can we could like to
move forward on the application. Commissioner Caps seems like I remember that there's a policy in the comp plan that has to do with mobile homes and like a no loss type of thing that's sort of like
uh working waterfront where we have a no net loss policy for working waterfront. Don't we have something like that too about mobile homes? Yes. when the uh land use was changed from mobile home to low density, it was part of the PUD provision that some affordable housing
was available through the uh project. Right. So, you know, that's that's a valued thing in our comp plan. And I I tend to agree with Miss Freeman that we'll have an opportunity to to address
this issue with a site plan matter at a later time. Um, so I think I think the timing of this is a little off. So I would move approval. Commissioners, there is a a a uh request to speak from the public. You want to
take that before we take Sure. Commissioner comments. Mr. Hamilton. Yes. Good morning. Thank you, uh, commissioners, Madam Chair. My name is Chris Hamilton. I'm the uh senior vice president of operations and deputy general counsel for Sharpie Holdings. We
own all of the real estate around the roundabout uh there at uh Northeast Indian River Causeway and uh Pineapple Avenue that all converge there. Just to be clear, we we are not opposed to development. We just think it needs to be done to Commissioner Vargas' point smartly and that things come current
with the current code and so we can update our county uh appropriately. Uh there's three issues or excuse me, four issues that we want to just raise. We we submitted them in a letter uh to the commission. I think as you all have it. Um and those are I'm going to go in kind of reverse order I think because we
address the envir the environmental concern with the septic system. Um we believe that if there's going to be any development, redevelopment, change of zoning there, they need to become current and tie into the septic system. There's been ongoing issues with groundwater runoff there. Uh we've
experienced at our properties. We can smell it uh from the septic systems. Um, it's an ongoing issue. Uh, to the points that were just raised, if you approve the zoning, they may not come back with a site plan for 5 years, 8 years. There's no requirement
that they come back with a site plan. So, we would argue that it needs to be something that's addressed now when it is before the commission. Secondly, the Hoffman property that's along the water, the German restaurant, there's no setbacks. I believe it's currently a historic grandfathered uh building. Um, it's largely dilapidated.
There's no parking. Cars are already parking on the rideway. There's no sidewalks. So, we would argue that any reasonzoning or redevelopment of that property would need to require uh it come current with the code. Um so, there are setbacks. There's, you know, I frankly we're shocked there hasn't been
pedestrian issues. It's one of the things we raised with the vehicular traffic. Uh just last Sunday night, a vehicle went through the roundabout and hit our tech center on the front steps uh and caused substantial damage to the building at 10:30 at night. So, if there's going to be an increase uh or
change in zoning, increase in traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular in that area, we need to address the roundabout, the crosswalks, the sidewalks. Um, and it's something that needs to be done, whether that's through a site plan amendment or this
resoning. And finally, you know, the code compliance. Again, uh any reasonzoning, redevelopment of these properties needs to come current with the current code. That includes setbacks, height requirements, and we'd ask that there be no variances allowed uh in the future with these properties
if that were to occur. Um I'm happy to answer any questions, but again, we feel that this is, you know, this matter is before the commission right now for resoning. It is time that you can address some of these concerns. Um again, we're not against development. We just think it needs to be done smartly.
Thank you, Miss Elder or Mr. Walden. Yeah. Yes. Elise Elder, I just want to confirm with the applicant that your not affidavit of no notice has been turned in on the record. Okay. Thanks. Commissioner Heatherington. Oh, I was just going to reiterate before
I heard this comments and I had a have a question um for staff, but it it we are looking at to me a a reasonzoning and while I think the value, you know, where there's value to the conversation on
um enforcing and encouraging our subject to sewer provisions, I believe this to be um a reasonzoning. I believe it to be the most compatible um request. I also was not on the commission but I do
remember when that the multif family and some of that was approved that there was a lot of resistance to that. Let me ask you Elise on the limited commercial whatever was to be moved forward in the future on that they would come in um
with some kind of site plan to to be presented in front of this board. Correct. Correct. And that's when the setbacks and the site all of that would come into play. I understand it's a a very small parcel and what they can do is limited because of parking and just filling the spot. But yeah, all of that would come back in the site plan. Hookup
would come back, setbacks, pedestrian walkways, all of that. We'll have an opportunity to consider, you know, your your concerns that you raised when um something is brought back um for a site plan. So with that, I think we're talking about a simple request of a
reasonzoning and I'm inclined to support based on the evidence I've heard. Commissioner Campy, I think it's interesting there's two valid conversations being had. Uh when I had the opportunity to meet
with staff and we talked about the concept of bringing water and sewer, my comment was that most people are very very interested in having water and sewer in Palm City, Palm City farms and other areas. We have folks that are
desperate for it. But when I'm thinking, you know, having sat up here for quite a while, we're confusing two separate conversations. The agenda item is for a reasonzoning. And to Commissioner Cap's
point, um I remember quite well when Christa Story, who was with the attorney's office, she would sit where Miss Elder is sitting and when the commission would start to stray off the topic, off the the meat and potatoes of the agenda item, she would rightfully
say, "Oh, not allowed to be discussing that portion. That's not part of this. we're discussing exclusively this. And so to me, I'm not a lawyer, but we have lawyers. And actually, now for one of the first times ever, we have a
commissioner who's also a lawyer. Uh, and so my concern, my my um radar, my spidey sense is telling me that we need to focus on specifically what this agenda item is. Commissioner
Vargas's point about bringing uh water and sewer is valid, but I am not interested in sort of threatening or holding my approval based on something that's not part of the agenda item for
today. I I am not a lawyer, but I don't see uh that causes me concern that um we'd be making decisions or requesting of an applicant uh a situation that's not part of what's been
advertised and promoted and is on the agenda. I I to me as a lay person that is not something I'm interested in doing. I would like to see and I think all of the smaller parcels and commercial projects that are going to
potentially change their use or their what's happening to them currently as Miss Elder said would have to come back through a site plan through everything else. That's our opportunity uh fairly to say this is what we're expecting. uh
you're this close to the river, but it's I don't feel comfortable trying to layer that on top of uh hey, we're not going to give you your approval for what you've been asking for for several years and our staff has agreed to and you had agreed to, but
wait a second, at the at the item at the meeting, I'm going to put this other thing. I don't want to conduct my myself as a government uh representative in that way. And I will second the motion by Mr. Commissioner Caps for the
reasonzoning as it's been presented to us today in this agenda item. Commissioner Vargas. Okay. I'm not an attorney either. My sister is. All right. So, she's the law in the family here. But I I understood from our
council comprehensive plan policy 10.28.4 4 requires gravity sewer wastewater force main hookup. Am I correct, Miss Elder? I mean, this expired. So, this property owner did nothing all these years.
Nothing at all. And it's more than just a color coding difference on a map. This affects people's lives. I mean, if you have backup of waste water or sewer, I mean, who is going to the property owner is not going to come and say, "Gee, I think we really need to do this.
This is what we're doing up here. And I think anything different if if there's a different vote, then I think we really need to think this very clearly. The state is leaning in a direction that they are requiring water and sewer hookup, especially especially the sewer
hookup. And there there are there are the pipes there already there. It's not like we have to do this. It doesn't disrupt anybody's living quarters whatsoever. I did ask that several times, but we haven't enforced this this this policy and I don't quite understand
that why so many years and I've only just come come on five months ago. So I I have to look to the others that have been here longer why it hasn't been enforced especially as a very delicate area that is right on the river that has been talked about that people have
protested that you know this is the community of Martin County whether you're west western Palm city or eastern hope sound or Jensen Beach. So it's not a matter of bringing something else in. I I'm asking to table this and to have further discussion with the property owner, of which the council
has said that he he'd be willing to do. I mean, I think this is the most legitimate thing to do for our community. Commissioner, uh regardless of what uh happens with respect to the resoning, I'll commit to you that we will get
together with you and the staff to deal with the issue, but it's a separate issue. And if there is a component in your code that says you got to hook up, tell staff to enforce it. But I will commit to you that we will get with you
and with the staff to address that issue. But it's a separate issue. Miss Elder, to answer Commissioner Vargas' question, the only reason why the water and sewer is relevant in this resoning is because the current PUD requires it. It has expired, so it's a
very complicated issue. We do have that comprehensive plan provision that requires hookup. The county, as far as I know, hasn't taken proactive steps to enforce it. Um, so in this resoning, the standard is to look at the competent substantial evidence presented by staff
and the applicant and if it if it meets the standards to reszone the property, we can certainly look at this comprehensive plan and like uh Mr. Walden said, come back with an agenda item to encourage hookup, to enforce it, whatever the board would like. Um, but
if if the resoning meets compet substantial evidence, the board um should look at that and reszone it. Um, the existing PUD is expired. So, it's a it's a gray area on this one. Commissioner Caps, I think another
reason for not making sewer, water, and hookup a part of this hearing uh for reasonzoning, but to deal with it at a later time is that most uh city water and sewer hookups are
funded by grants. And if you think about the ones that have been done thus far, uh they're grant funded. And that's a that's a a big process. Um, and if if
anybody should get it done with a grant, it's probably these folks because they're um on the lower end of the financial uh spectrum and would probably need the help the most. Um, so this is not the
time to be uh to deal be dealing with that issue. Um, I think they would probably want to pursue a grant um to uh to make that conversion if and when that ends up happening. There's a motion and a second. Any
further discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Opposed. That motion passes 4 to one with Commissioner Vargas desenting. We Commissioner, I'll follow up on this. We will now take a 10-minute break. No.
Welcome back. We are taking up department one which is office of management and budget items which require board approval. Miss Merley. Good morning commissioners. Stephanie Merley here to present today's OMB item. Our first item is a permission to apply
for the hazard mitigation grant program um through FDEM for the Bessie Creek retrofit project. Our public works department is requesting permission to apply for 5,625,000 for um retrofit modifications to existing four roadway drainage
crossings um to address flooding and erosion concerns in the Palm City Farms wershed. Um there is a match of 1,875,000 which is programmed within the storm water capital improvement plan budget. Our second item is a permission to apply
for the FY25 safe streets and roads for all implementation grant for Southeast Dixie Highway complete streets project. Um our public works department is requesting permission to apply for $5,632,000 um for safety improvements to control
speed um to separate users and improve visibility along Southeast Dixie Highway. Um there is a grant match required in the amount of $1,48,000 which is programmed within the roads capital improvement plan budget. Item number three is a
permission to accept the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services urban forestry grant for the Sailfish Sands golf course tree planting. Um, our parks and recreation department and ecosystem is requesting a grant award in the amount of
$37,39825 to enhance the native tree canopy habitat, reduce invasive exotic growth and reduce erosion along Willoughby Creek and support storm water management at Sailfish Sands Golf Course. Um there is a grant match required in the amount of 3739
$39825 which is partially local funds budgeted in the Sailfish Sand CIP as well as in kind grant match from county staff. And the last item is adjustments to the fisc year 2025 budget. Um there are four items where we have received
funds and we are needing to appropriate them through budget resolutions. The first one is a budget resolution to allocate the contribution from the Chanse Bay Ranch PUD. Um we are in receipt of $6,000 for one fire preeemption device and we need a budget
resolution to allocate that contribution into the budget. The second item is um to allocate a contribution from the town of Jupiter Island for the East Fork Creek phase 2 project. Town of Jupiter Island has um given us a check in the amount of
$194,910 for East Fork Creek for the um relocation of the South Martin Regional Utility Force Main. Um we are in installing a weir in that project to enhance flood attenuation and we need a budget resolution to appropriate that
contribution as well. The third item is a budget resolution to recognize insurance proceeds for the building department. Um, a vehicle was involved in an accident and sustained some body damage and um,
$5,321.65 has been received for the repairs of that vehicle. And the last item is a budget resolution to accept insurance proceeds um for a drone that sustained damage during use in the amount of
$6,192.60. Um it's going to be allocated toward the purchase of a new drone and we need a budget resolution to appropriate that contribution as well. And that's all I have today. Any questions? Commissioner Caps?
I would just like to uh mention uh that 4B budget resolution to allocate contribution from the town of Jupiter Island for East Fork Creek phase 2 project. I'd just like to mention to anybody who might be listening what that
actually is. Many some people have have asked uh what's going on just to the south of Mariner Sands on US1 and that is the project I believe
called East Fork Creek 2. And um just forformational purposes I wonder if somebody could just tell us a little bit about it and what it's for. George Zama, public works deputy director. So, this project is phase two of the East Fork Creek project, which is
the linear storm water treatment area cell of the entire entire project that was um permitted. And um SMRU, South Martin Regional Utility, has utilities. There's
an there was a unopened rightaway through this area just uh south of Mariner Sands actually between Mariner Sands and Heritage Ridge and um the uh construction uh which involves
excavation of that linear STA lake um uh would have exposed the force main. So, uh, it was required that the force main be relocated and our partnership with the town of Jupiter Island and South Martin Regional Utility, we um entered
into an interlocal agreement for them to relocate um the sewer with the project. Good. Thank you, Commissioner Caps. You should ask for a field trip. It's really a nice project. They it's uh Dickerson is the contractor and they were the ones
who did and it's the same project manager who did the Twin Rivers Park project and they did a bangup job. So, I'm sure they're doing a good job on this project, too. Yeah, I'd love to see it. We'll be happy to bring you on a visit. Good. Commissioner Heatherington, just staff, I'll move staff's
recommendation for approval. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Next is department two, uh, contracts that meet the threshold for board
approval of $1 million or greater. Good morning. Good morning, commissioners. Tasha Sab, procurement supervisor for you. I have two items for your consideration today. I will do them separately. Um, Charlie Leighton Park Boat Ramp renovations and park
improvements. Recommended action is moved that the board award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder customuilt Marine Construction Inc. in the amount of 4,520,177.15. That is the base bid plus alternate one and plus alternate three.
Move that the board award I'm sorry authorize the county administrator or designate to execute all documents related to this request. Stacy has to tell you something. Okay. Yes. I will be abstaining from item A1
on departmental number two um due to the fact of my um employee relationship with Ferrer Construction. So I have turned in my form 8B and I will abstain from this item. Okay. Mr. Campy. Since we're
separating it out, I would very happily make a motion to accept that agenda item. It is something that the community, the NAC, the CRA, the parks and recck board, the parks and recck advisory board, the district commissioner have been working on for a
long, long time. And this is really putting us through the finish line, I believe, of at least getting it going. And I wanted to thank parks and recck staff and the CRA, um, the office of community development staff. We've been collaborating on this for a long time.
as well as the fact that the boat ramps is just the next in a phase boat ramp rehabilitation that we're doing countywide. That will be in conjunction with this second. Any further discussion? There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I
opposed. That motion passes four zero with four to one with Commissioner Heatherington abstaining. Sorry. Thank you. Uh my second item is for Southwest Fox Brown Road resurfacing.
This is from uh State Road 710 Warfield Boulevard to County Road 714 Martin Highway. Recommended action move that the board award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder who is JW Cheetum LLC in the amount of
$2,696. I'm sorry 2,92,696,329. Move that the board authorize the county administrator or designate to execute all documents related to this request. Any questions for staff? No. Is there a motion to approve? Move
approval. Second. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Uh we'll take up department three which is consideration to adopt an official
Martin County flag. Yes. Good afternoon. Excuse me. Good morning madam chair. Um George Stoke assistant county administrator. Um, at your just a previous BOCC meeting, you had directed staff to
research uh the creation of a Martin County official flag to where is it? What where is it? I'm you know what? With your input, I'm sure we'll be able to go go from there. Um, this is one of those wonderful times.
I've actually learned something that I think I could use in trivia for the rest of my life. uh upon research I've dis uh my staff and I have discovered that there is a group of experts who design flags and they have an association and they are called the North American
Vexalological Association. Uh staff did reach out to them and basically what we have is three different models in which uh a flag can be designed. We've identified one as a basic model which is with a seal or a logo on a solid field
for the flag. However, the NA North American Vexological Association for several reasons says that that's probably something we we should not do. Um, the North American Vexological Association does recommend either utilizing an intermediate model uh which
the the Vexologist in which I spoke to has uh graciously volunteered to um help us in the design of a flag if that's the way that the board would like to move forward. uh and we can come back to this body with two or three examples and they've uh volunteered in at no cost for
that or they do recommend you could do a complex model very similar to the city of Boca Raton where there's public workshops, public input um and there is some costs that are associated with that. Um, basically what the North
American Vexological Association looks at is uh they tell you to keep your flag simple, use meaningful symbolism, keep it to two to three basic colors, no letters or seals, and then be distinctive or be relatable or be related uh to some similarities or
connections with your community. So what um of course some of the issues that do of course occur is the design selection process costs. If the board goes with the mo the intermediate model, the cost would be negligible. Pretty much staff time and the uh perhaps there might be
some costs that would be included for creating a uh couple of templates or con conceptual designs. If you were to go with the more complex uh design standard, there would be of course some costs for public workshops and probably other incurred costs for the meetings.
Um, as far as initial capital and maintenance costs, depending on where this board wanted to go, if you wanted to have a conversation at a future date, uh, there are 36 flag poles at county facilities. And staff's initial recommendation is if you were going to
put a flag in a flag pole at every single facility, you're probably looking at costing around $500,000 because most of the flag poles, there'll need to be the installation of another flag pole or a swap out of the hardware. However, if you wanted to just consider it keeping
in one place, you're probably looking the according to our general services, the average cost to install a flag pole is approximately $10 to $15,000. A lot of that cost is both the pole, the electric as well as the concrete. Uh there is cost of course with
manufacturing the flags as well as we'll need to come back to you if you do decide to do a flag because we will need this body to decide some policy discussions as well as first amendment issues, government speech as well as legal and copyright considerations whether the flag will be an open uh for
public use or whether it'll be just for the use of the county. Um, with that, um, I'm looking for any type of comments or recommendations as it relates to I'm going to try and bring it up to if you want to move forward with a flag. And then if you do want to move forward with the design of a flag,
do you prefer the basic, intermediate, or complex model? And with that, Madam Chair, that's my presentation. I'm more than happy to take any comments and or concerns. Mr. Campy, Mr. Stokus, thank you very much for that. uh when Miss Gail Goldie had come
here a couple of meetings ago to recommend that. I thought it was a good suggestion. I know that the city of Stewart had um a local artist work on a flag that I had seen a version of. I thought looked very nice. Um couple of things. One, I
like the version where they volunteer their services to create a couple of uh options. If we wanted to have some community input, we could have the community input based on the three options that a professional flag designer from NAVA um was to create for
us. Two, I don't I definitely don't think we need to put it up in front of every building. It's not I mean it's more of a in my mind it's a nice thing to have. It's our 100th anniversary. It'd be nice to start a flag for the second hundred years.
Um, it could be a flag that, you know, departments can have. It could go on a flag pole in the building. I wouldn't put it I wouldn't install a single flag pole anywhere specifically for the county flag. I had a question though. You said that they recommended not having any
letters or a seal. Yes. Uh, NAVA gave a couple reasons. Mr. U Mr. U Vice Chair. Yes, thank you. Um, pretty much the what the the NAVA professionals represented was that seals represent the government
and not necessarily a broader community symbol as well as seals are often contain intricate details that are not easily visible on a flag and it wouldn't in their opinion wouldn't look good. Um, we can obviously if you want we can throw one together and and have you guys
look at that. More than happy to do that. uh as well as the other options that the NAVA Vexologist put together if that's where this board would like to go. Um, my personal opinion is I I think it has to have the seal or some letters because otherwise you have no idea whose
flag it is. And I, you know, having really been involved in looking at state flags, 99% of them have the seal of the state or the name of the state. I can't imag other otherwise it's just a piece of art which is nice but
and I think our seal is simplistic enough that it would duplicate on a flag. Um so I don't know what my colleagues are thinking but I think it would have to have the seal so that at least when people saw it they would know that it was our flag. Uh and then your
other question was about whether or not it would be exclusively the use of uh the government side. Like I remember several years ago we had an agenda item on who could and could not use the seal, our official seal. I think a seal is
different because people could then like try to elevate up their items or their organizations by putting our seal on it. it had like it gave it a sense of uh authority. So I know that we request that people can't use our seal without
permission. Um I think if people wanted to have the flag, they could have it. But if they were going to reproduce it in in lit in information websites or printed, I think
we should follow the same policy for the flag that we would follow with the seal. But if someone wanted to have a flag like a chamber of commerce or a school or something that they should have the ability to use it or if someone wanted
to fly it in front of their home, I guess the question would be who gets to retail it? Who gets to merchandise it? Commissioner Vargas. Yeah. Um, I I tend to lean towards the intermediate model
with NAVA offering to design the flag complimentary, bring it before the board again, see what we think of it or several designs and then go forward with it. It doesn't have to hang on a flag pole in multiple locations. It could be
hanging in here in outside the lobby also. And then later on we can decide if we're going to allow merchandising of it as they did with the state of Florida, you know, with the shirts when they used to have the toll collectors, that type of thing. Commissioner Caps, I like the
intermediate uh option because of the word expert consultation. Like um seems like it would really be good to lean heavily toward people that know how to make these uh look good because uh of the
permanence of it. you know, uh mistakes could be made, you know, uh things that are just not uh the the best choices. And I think I think we I like the I like the uh expert
side of things uh to give us guidance. Commissioner Heatherington, I I agree. I would lean towards the intermediate model and I kind of like the seal on a flag, but I'll leave that to the the design
consultationist to present a couple options. And also one of the one of the uh NAVA's recommendations is using two or three basic colors. And if we're I'm looking at the seal, I'm not wetted to the seal. I think that's kind of busy for a flag.
But, um, I do like the colors on our seal, which are kind of gold and royal and white. What do you think about those colors? I like them colors. Right. Those are good. Right. I do. We're going to be redecorating in those colors, too. So,
yeah. Well, it also is consistent. Yeah. Okay. Thank you very much. That all you need? Uh, yes. I think that is all I need. I just want to make sure I don't have a recommendation. Price the flag. What? Price the flag is what it costs to produce. Oh, absolutely. I We'll be
coming back to you. Yes, that's all I needed was just direction. Thank you very much. Perfect. Thank you. Have a great day. Nice job this morning. Thank you. Uh, are we going to do our legislative update now, Miss Powers?
Are you going back to Tallahassee? Not planning on not not planning on it at this time. Nobody plans on it. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Um so I do just want to preface we are going to come back with a more in-depth update with our lobbyist
team um to kind of go over session. Um it's not completed yet. Uh we'll get into that in a second. So regular session dates are 60 days u March 4th to May 2nd. Um this year was a little
different. Um towards the end it was became apparent that there they were not going to agree on a budget. Um that is the goal of session is at the end of the 60 days the house and the senate come together on a unified budget one budget for the whole state and that did not
happen. So, they extended session um originally to June 6th. Um the Senate, the House extended to June 30th. And keep in mind July 1 begins a fiscal year. So, they need to have the budget
presented by um July 1, which is it needs 72 hours before July 1. Um they call it a cooling off period. Um they'll review it and then it'll sit and then it'll go in pretty much I mean essentially the governor would have to sign it. it would go into effect immediately. Um so that's kind of what
we're waiting on right now. Um they have committed that policy is done. Um so bills are not going to be passed. However, there is some caveats and there can be um like language in the budget that is me mimics a bill. Um so there
are a few things still floating around. Um and then just the the general budget is still um looming. There's been I could tell you all the rumors I've heard. you know, they're going to pass a barebones budget, no appropriations. Um, this session we didn't file any appropriations. So, that aspect, we're
we're kind of in the clear. So, um, we'll see. Um, that's kind of the the status of of session. Um, just waiting. Um, they said they're going to go back, um, next week after the holiday and come together and I think just pass it back and forth until they come to some kind
of agreement on a on a budget. Um, and then back to policy. So overall, um there were 1,900 bills filed. Uh 255 of those passed both chambers. That's about 13% which has been the standard um over the last couple sessions. Some higher,
some lower, but um yeah, about 13.6%. Um so next with those bills, they all get they go into another holding period and they're awaited. they get basically in batches get presented to the governor and he has uh two weeks to
sign them or veto them or if he doesn't sign it approve it. It just go becomes law. Um so right now it says on here 29 bills that was yesterday when I left here was 29 bills have been signed. Uh just before I came down here 41 bills
have been signed by the governor. So and that busy today yeah he is he is busy. So, I think there's another 40 sitting on his desk right now. So, I wouldn't be anything. Not yet. Um, so I wouldn't be but I wouldn't be surprised if I went up to my office right now and that number's
already changed. Um, one of those bills obviously you guys know um much about our local bill. Um, it did pass unanimously out of three committees in the House um off the full Senate House and Senate floor. And now we're in that
we're still waiting to go to his desk, but um we are working with their office to make sure that there's no hiccups and that that gets um signed into law and will go into effect. Um you had the closer up there. Yes. Yeah, that was that was our final
committee stop and then uh we were there for the full House and Senate floor votes as well. Uh Representative Snyder uh really uh helped us out in this one. There was um um some concerns by some of the healthcare industry at one point and
uh and Senator Gail Herrell was also instrumental in uh in getting uh getting this one and of course uh Sarah did an excellent job and our and our team as well. So it was um not as uh it it went well but it
wasn't smooth the entire route. Nice job. Uh it was a very interesting experience. my first time running a local bill. So, learning and now we can do it again whenever. I think we got the process down. So, um it's definitely a learning experience. Like Don said,
there was some hiccups, but we we figured it out and and obviously were able to get a unanimous bill. Um you know, mo a lot of the comments that were made by other members were, why is this not a general bill? Why is the whole state, you know, not getting this deal?
All counties getting this deal. um we didn't want to take on that this year, but we will have that for us and and going forward hopefully we can support uh and other representatives efforts to get it across the finish line for the rest of the 66 counties or 64 counties
in uh in the state. And that is all I have um today. Like I said, we will be coming back with a more comprehensive update. Um, if there is any legislation you'd like to talk about, I can try my best to answer on the fly. I uh but um
with session not being done, we didn't want to go too into depth because everything like I said, it just changed overnight. So any you know, if he vetos certain bills or or they uh become law. So um with that being said, I that's all I have today, but um if you do see any
of our delegation members, uh make sure you thank them. Um they really really helped us this session. um especially Rep. Snider with our local bill, he really did fight hard for us um to get that across the finish line and Senator Herrell as well. So, and tell tell us
what the procedure is for so so the bill the there there will be a reconciled budget and it's sent to the governor and the governor vetos that budget then what happens? I'm not sure what happens. Uh well
essentially if it's if it's to the last hour the government the state government would shut down um they don't have a budget. So does the house have the ability to override the governor's veto? Yes. On the budget too or just on bills?
Uh I do you know I brought I brought my my support here on all state? Uh so the the Senate would have the ability to override a veto and they do seem to have an override majority um a
supermajority they and they exercise that this year in a special session to override some of his vetos from last year. So there's some expectation that that lever is is out there and could be pulled. Okay. And another one and I don't know if I have the the the number
right. SB80 we analyze that. Yes. 180. Yeah. Alis Elder, deputy county attorney. So SB 180 is an emergency management bill, but in that bill, it had some hidden
provisions and in section 18, there's a provision that would um impact the county potentially in the future. So, if there is a hurricane and you are in the federal disaster, if you're in 100 miles of the cone, um, and the hurricane hits and you're in that declaration, then for
one year, the county could not implement any more restrictive comprehensive plan amendments or land development regulations. So, that's section 18 of the bill. There's also section 28 of the bill, and that mentions just three hurricanes, and one is Milton. So, if
you're in the uh federal emergency declaration for Milton, which Martin County is, you cannot enact any more restrictive or any more restrictive comp plan amendments or LDR provisions. And that's retroactive to August 1st, 2024.
So, that if the governor signs this would impact Martin County and some of the efforts that the board has been doing. um we look back there aren't a lot of efforts that would be undone because the bill provides it's void abinio which means it's void from the
get-go. So um if that does then there would be maybe a couple things like the rural lifestyle text amendment and maybe the urban service district some of those more restrictive provisions that might that might actually um we wouldn't be able to probably move forward if it's signed. And that's on the governor's
desk. It hasn't been on presented to him yet, but it's in that holding pattern of bills that have um passed. So, both the House and the Senate have passed the bill, correct? It just hasn't unanimously. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's a long bill. It's actually uh like 48
pages. Okay. John Mayo, Environmental Resource Administrator. Sorry, I should have said that last time. Um, I would add that the governor cannot line item veto a policy bill. And so his options would be to veto the entire it's a massive bill. It
does a lot of other things. And I guess I would also say that I think some of that might this is conjecture. Take it for what it's worth from a non- lawyer. Um, but but I think that the reachback element could be challenged. In fact,
there's a a um a similar bill that was passed in 23 for Hurricane Ian and Manatee County is weighing out challenging it um because it's changing some of the comp plan amendments that they made or that they're proposing to make um that have nothing to do with the
storm or storm recovery. So there I think there's more um to come on that and some of it might happen in courts. Have they filed us a challenge? They have not yet. Um, in fact, they it's um they they kind this is fairly fresh. They were going to pass a wetland
buffer. Um, I guess they voted on it last week and then they got letters from several state agencies saying that that that legislation would prohibit them from changing that until next November. And they're they're figuring out how to
respond to that. Who are they filing the challenge to the legislature? Well, I think they're I think what they're planning to do is take I think what they're considering doing is taking um litigation to challenge the constitutionality of that
legislation. It' be a case in federal court probably in Tallahassee. Well, interesting. Any further questions? Thank you. I look forward to getting our our uh summary of the bills
when we know more. All right, let's see. Uh shall we take up department five? Commissioners, uh this item is uh um subject is uh county attorney Sarah Woods, as we spoke before, has um uh is
retiring uh effective uh July. Uh she is going to uh weather our budget process with us. So um which I most appreciate and uh and so with that the next uh order of business would be to discuss uh
um the uh the process by which you all would like to select the next county attorney. And for the public at large, the count board of county commissioners uh hire two employees. Um the county administrator, myself, and the county
attorney. And uh and so again, this will be a the board's process. And what I've uh outlined is a suggested of uh of process that you may want to consider. And that is we would use our um internal human resources department to uh
advertise uh for a county attorney um uh throughout the area in the state of Florida for through organizations such as the Florida Association of uh county attorneys um and other bar related um um uh avenues throughout the throughout the
state. Um and uh and with that sele that advertisement um we would uh receive um uh those applicants after the requisite uh advertising period uh at least 30 days. Um and uh my suggestion is is that
we would have uh the board would have a committee to kind of at least review and vet the number of um applicants that we could uh uh forward on to you the the top um uh five or seven or depending upon how many applications you get for
your consideration for interviews or further uh analysis. Uh, and my suggestion was to have a committee that would be made up of myself, uh, uh, two constitutional officers. Um, Sheriff John Budenek has agreed to participate,
if you all would accept, and Carolyn Timman, our clerk of court. Um and uh one um department head um and uh and then perhaps one county one um uh uh private attorney uh for a committee of
five that would not be selected until we have the applicants because we wouldn't obviously want to uh uh select somebody that might be wanting to um apply for the job. So um that would be uh we would meet and then review with uh our HR
department the qualifications and and then forward on to you all uh those top candidates and then in a public meeting decide how you wanted to proceed with those top candidates whether we have some interview process that we could uh organize and help with you all before
you do your final selection. So, um, and then once the board has ultimately, uh, selected a, uh, county, um, attorney, then it would be my job to work on behalf of the board to help with a, either a member of the board or myself
individually, uh, to negotiate a contract with that future attorney. In the interim, while we're doing this process, it's also our recommendation that we um, appoint uh, Alise Elder as the acting attorney. uh and that would
uh come with the normal um county practice of of a 10% salary increase for the duration that she would be the acting uh county attorney. And so that's so this is an opportunity for you all to provide me feedback on um both the
process and the interim county attorney selection. So with that, I'll open it up to any comments or suggestions. Commissioner Caps. I think the recommendations are well thought out and I move approval.
Anybody else? Commissioner Campy. I didn't disagree with anything that you mentioned. My only question, the application process, how would you um promote or advertise that
the position is open? Is like using Indeed or is there a you announce it through does like you mentioned the Florida Association of County Attorneys? Do they have a a Yes. So, all of those avenues. Yes. And Matt Graham is here
who's my my HR expert. So, we were planning to use all of our uh customary uh all the what what we know county attorney uh organizations belong to. Um there's uh uh Florida Association of County Attorneys, which is part of your
FAC group. Um and there are also uh other local bar organizations and Florida Bar organizations that we can advertise to. And so those were the immediate recommendations that uh HR had already targeted. And of course, if there's any others out there that you
all have suggestions, we would do use all the the electronic forms of um advertising that most candidates are using today along with any others um that um uh but but principally we were looking at those of which um um the
county attorneys organizations and county and municipal um attorneys uh uh Florida, you know, city attorneys also would be included in that um that list. Second uh the agenda item. Commissioner
Heatherington, I agree with all of it's well thought out uh think and comprehensive and would just for my clarification. So would this advertisement go out after this board item or you anticipating that we're waiting till July? That that is a good
question. And I think um um we could start the advertisement actually uh within the next couple of weeks to get it organized and that way the selection process because you'll it'll take um a couple of months to go through this process. So we we could start the
advertisement process as soon as staff has uh organized all of the um uh the description and make sure we we we get it described properly. Okay. this my only concern is that the list of the the
composition of the uh panel favors internal succession if I'm so if if I'm if I'm a a qualified candidate who isn't a Martin County
employee I'm thinking oh well every the entire panel consists of county employees why bother for applying. Well, do you consider clerk of the court and the sheriff county employees? Yes. Yes. Yes. Absolutely.
I don't disagree with that. You can you'd have one outside attorney, but you could have others. You could ask for someone to come from the outside of the county from the Florida Bar Association of County Attorneys, uh, or a regional member of the Florida
Bar from outside of the county to participate. Yeah, I would want the process to be as transparent and as fair as possible. So, if you I don't disagree with what you're saying. If you don't want to make it look like it's all locals, then we can layer in someone assistant county
attorney or that's not interested from Palm Beach or or St. Lucy or Okachobee or judges. Maybe you could put pick a couple of judges. I also think that the one outside local attorney should not be one who is a regularly appearing before
us as a development attorney. I don't have any interest in I I just put a criteria that it's not someone that's in land planning side of the business. It's someone who's you know state you know uh what do they call
it um state plan you know uh estate planning. It could be someone that's in um corporate law but not in growth management. you made good suggestions.
You know, it's I I like I like the idea of the the an agency like the Florida Association of Counties or you know those I think it should be somebody who is in uh has experienced planning because that's a huge part of our job.
That's a huge part of the the uh county attorney's job. I just don't want it to be somebody local. Well, and I think we could also layer in a judge. So we could replace if you think it is too county centric the department head position with a fak representative.
Okay. Okay. And uh that way the only um county you know employee really would be myself. And then um uh and then you have your two constitutionals. Um counting them as inside this. I get it. Um they are. Yeah. And uh and the reason
why I included them is because that's the county attorney's office works with those two constitutionals the most if you terms of of the constitutionals. That's why they would favor internal succession. But um so anyway, so we could replace
department head with a fact representative. We have a an outside attorney representative that would not be development related uh attorney in the in the um in the community. And do you have another um if we're going to keep it to five, we can go more than
five if you'd like more. Um um you have another and can we also, you know, we're one of 67 counties. I mean, there are counties up to the north that may not be just surrounding us. I mean, you could zoom them in when they're on the this panel, but talking about other representatives
for this panel. Well, I mean, you give me a suggestion. So I think um um um if you have a specific entity involved, it would be helpful. What about a site also uh to consider
that may be geared towards attorneys that you don't pay? Do you know what I'm saying? Like if you're a teacher and you want to go overseas, there are sites for that to be able to submit information that we're looking
for an attorney for this position. So, um, Assistant County Administrator Mgram. So, just to go back to the job posting, when we post it on our website, Indeed automatically picks it up. We have a we've worked out arrangements with them. Indeed is the
largest job posting website there is. So the other one that Don had suggested was the Florida Association of County Attorneys, but we can certainly look at other websites geared for um attorney job postings as well. I'm sure there are
uh websites geared towards that. Sure. So we'll we'll do our due diligence and look into that. LinkedIn. Yes, LinkedIn as well. Commissioners, we're not going to be selecting this review committee before we before the
um requests for responses go out anyway. So, we've got some time to reflect upon if we want to add one or two more members to this selection committee, right? No, that's good. So that we we have a base level uh to start with if I
understand it and then um you all can provide some additional feedback and before we um uh um uh the the selection before we get all the applications in uh we can have another public discussion on any addition uh additional members. How
does that sound? Yep. May I make one more suggestion? um potentially I'm not sure if he has any interest but uh former county attorney Steve Fry would have a history of the job been removed from the process for a long time doesn't
even know some of the younger people that work in the department um I think he would be an interesting uh advisor to the process I think he's an insider too he's gone he's gone but 15 years I think we need to have people that are totally removed
from Martin County. I mean, we don't want to bring somebody back here. I'd rather have seven. Wait, um, you know, for this. I'd rather have seven, but sometimes having, you know, when you go so far removed, then you give up some of what people would need to know
specifically what this job is about. I don't agree with that at all. That's why there's five of us. I think that we need to have some another person or two or three that are totally removed from Martin County. As I say, we're one of 67 counties.
I'm certain other county administrators be very happy to recommend if you picked up the phone and call them. Yes, I think this might be a good person. Let let's let's reflect in in the upcoming month about who we might draw into this pool of of
uh committee members. Okay. Okay. This is just us picking the committee to pick the person. Wait until we get to picking the person. Well, we'll do we'll cross that at that time. Yeah. No, that's what I mean. Ultimately, I have confidence in
the in the selection. Yeah. Yeah. Any further comments? Nope. So, uh the you had a motion and a second to at least give or you just want to use I can just accept this as direction. Yeah. To move forward and then we can move
forward with the advertising and the final committee will come back. Is that the Yeah, but there is a motion that we should approve and that's that we approve the appointment of Elise Elder as acting county attorney with a 10% salary increase. Yes. Effective upon Sarah Woods leaving office July have a
second. Yes, I was the second. So, we're going to use that motion. Yes. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Okay. And now we are going to break for lunch and then we're We can make it much easier. I'll
just make a motion to deny Miss Wood's retirement. Denied. Second. Are Are we going to lunch now or? Yeah, because we have a preset at 1:30. So, I don't We don't That's Yeah, you got to come back at 1:30. Come back. Well, you made that
plan. Mhm. We have 1:30. All right. This guy. Uhhuh. We'll see you at 1:30. Our heels 1:30. Uhhuh. Part: 2
You're on. We are back and taking up our final agenda item, public hearing number one, which is a public hearing to consider adopting a resolution authorizing execution of a road transfer agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for Southwest Martin Highway, Southeast Indian Street,
Northeast Jensen Beach Boulevard, and Northeast Causeway Boulevard. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Jim Gorton, public works director. This is a public hearing to consider adopting a resolution authorizing execution of a road transfer agreement with the Florida Department of
Transportation for Southwest Martin Highway, Indian Street, Jensen Beach Boulevard, and Causeway Boulevard. Oops. That Donna, can you pull up the uh slides, please? Thank you.
[Applause] So for this roadway transfer agreement uh for background um DOT is always looking for roadways that connect their state highway system together. And in this instance there is the opportunity to transfer um uh county
road 714 between the turnpike and Caner Highway to do uh which would connect obviously the turnpike and uh Caner Highway which are both state roads. So it would be proposed to transfer 714 from Martin Downs Boulevard to Caner
Highway onto the state highway system. The second piece is Indian Street from where that road terminated at Caner Highway over to US1 and that would be trans Indian Street would be transferred over to the state highway system from county
maintenance. And in return, the state would um transfer Jensen Beach Boulevard from US1 between US1 to Savannah Road. Martin County already maintains the section east from Savannah Road to Indian River
Drive and then Causeway Boulevard from Indian River Drive over to State Road A1A uh with the exclusion of the bridges. So the the state would take on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, but they would not give us the the bridges for on
Causeway Boulevard. They would retain maintenance responsibility for those structures. The um next steps would be that the chair of our board with the FDOT secretary would both execute the agreement. Martin Highway would be transferred onto the state highway
system. Jensen Beach Boulevard would be transferred off of the state highway system. Indian Street would be transferred on to the system upon completion of the county's ongoing resurfacing project. We're in the punchless phase right now, so we should be done within the next month or so. And
then Causeway Boulevard would be transferred off of the state highway system over to county maintenance with the exception of the bridges upon completion of their ongoing mobility improvements that they're working on. right now. Um I do have uh three folks from DOT.
We've got Chris Car's the operations engineer for Treasure Coast Operations. We got John Spivey and then their consultant Andrew Deetsz who uh worked with our staff to put together this transfer agreement. So if we have any questions are available.
Questions for our staff? Commissioner Campy. I think Commissioner Vargas was before me. Put your light on again. Commissioner Vargas. Yes. Uh, so the bridges over to the islands are under DOT. Yeah, they're currently maintained by DOT and the
intent is for them to continue to maintain them. Okay. All right. And A1A on Hutchinson Island. That is a DOT roadway as well. So, okay. So, they're all connected. Commissioner Campy, thank you. Um, couple of questions. Some
just for background. Why are we doing this? I'm not saying that in a an accusatory. I'm saying I'm just asking like generally why. So, uh, in general, the DOT in particular is looking to connect their roadway network
and this provides better connectivity between their roadways. It it connects um the turnpike 95 and US1 and Caner Highway all together with one stretch of roadway. Um, from the county standpoint,
um, Jensen Beach Boulevard used to be a county road. Actually, it was our road. And when we wanted to do the, uh, CRA improvements on Dixie Highway through Rio, we transferred Jensen Beach Boulevard over to them uh, in exchange for Dixie Highway. We've built the Dixie Highway project now and now Jensen Beach
Boulevard is um is is something that we could maintain and it's something that I think that the county has an interest in um you know continuing to look at mobility improvements in that corridor. We've got some parks in there. We've got some schools in there. So, there's opportunity in the future um to
potentially do some projects that would make it easier to do them if if it's a county roadway. Um the the biggest change is the major bridge spans. Uh we do replace bridges, but um the Veterans Memorial Bridge right now is in great
shape. We maintain it very well. Um but there is going to be maintenance in the future that will be uh rather costly and we Martin County frankly doesn't have a ton of experience maintaining large spans like that. So for DOT to take over the maintenance of that span and to
retain the span on the Jensen Beach causeway really um it allows them to do what they have experience and what they're good at and allows us to focus on the the uh you know the roadways and the smaller bridges that really is more of our belly wick. No, I appreciate that. I don't disagree with what you're
saying. Um especially with the bridge spans. I think it's actually I don't want to say it out loud. I think it's very generous of them and and I'm wondering like is there something I'm missing because that's a lot of work and effort and money that they're willing to
take on and I appreciate it like our big brother up in Tallahassee the the you know the transportation big brother is willing to do that. I'm very pleased. I'm just concerned. I have a couple of questions for you. Currently the
bridge, the veterans memorial bridge um I think on the original cleaning like uh program it was like monthly and we are one cycle more correct. What do you do it once a month or twice a month? We do
it uh it's programmed once a month but it's on an as needed basis. So bridges um especially the higher the span they get the more debris end up on the roads. A lot of it I don't think it's people rolling down their window and throwing trash out, but more often than it could be more often than not, it's people with
pickup trucks or or flatbed trucks and and material that's in the back of the vehicle fly out when you're going over the bridge. So, it's programmed once a month. We do it more than once a month. Will our friends from FDOT do the same thing? We still have the ability. We've written into the maintenance agreements.
Uh we still will maintain the landscaping on the bridge. So any enhancements that have been put in such as the flag poles, that's my next question. Uh um being able to put up and down the flags for events, we still have the ability to do that. The benches, the
garbage cans, those all are are retained at the county level. They just have the structural elements of the bridge regular maintenance, not coming like if I see for whatever reason a lot of sod. I guess people take pallets of sod, they put them in a pickup truck, they do not secure them. There's always pieces of
sod uh or like you said bigger debris. I don't think people are up there throwing it out on the bridge, but if you're blowing over the bridge, it just falls out. But that is one of the things I get the most constituent feedback on is the bridge is dirty. Not that it is because
we have really stepped it up, but as soon as something happens, I hear very quickly from the folks that just don't like it to be that. So, we're going to maintain the just the general cleaning maintenance of the span itself. Correct. We'll still have the ability to
put the flags up and down as we want to. Yes. The landscaping from the bridge west all the way, I guess, to the turnpike is maintained now by them or by us. It's it's currently maintained by Martin County and it will be ma
maintained by Martin County as will the landscaping on Indian Street out to US1. So those enhancements um have been written into the agreement that Martin County will continue to maintain that. So they're taking over like the ownership and the long-term or
really specific construction maintenance of the span, the infrastructure maintenance of the bridge, the roadway surface, the sidewalks, the curbs, the drainage system underneath the road, not emptying the garbages. So all the structural elements, all of the
enhancements, um those still are retained by the county. Okay. And then the long linear uh drainage, you know, they almost look like parks, but on both sides of Martin Highway, obviously in Palm City where
all the landscaping is and it's designed, I guess when the roads flood, it goes into that. That's them or that's us. That will be retained with Martin County. Okay. So, that's that's the um it has a dual function. It was created as a buffer um to reduce the impact of
that roadway on the residents on the north and south side of the bridge. So it was densely vegetated and but it also provides water quality and flood attenuation for the roadway which it does a good job of because if it rains hard like a couple of weeks ago it hadn't rained forever but then it really
rained and that was probably 18 in deep which is perfect. Build up. Yep. Okay. And then the last part which is a road construction thing. I've had some people if you're riding I think it's in both directions but imagine you're coming over the Veterans Memorial Bridge you
just cross over into Touchdown in Palm City and you're riding to map that road which is a relatively young road in his terms as roads go is really getting beat up. You know, I've had I know we've
patched it a handful of times, but there's a lot of uh like after that strong rain is it just like the last lift seems to be loose or something and it's falling apart. Quicky maintenance and patching jobs. That's FOT. That's us
going forward. Once the road's transferred, it'll be a DOT res. Okay. When are you looking to transfer it? Um that roadway will be transferred after it's signed by both. So like in a week. That one could be rather quick. The other two the other two um are waiting
on projects to finish. The Indian Street section and the Causeway Boulevard. Um but the the other two, Jensen Beach Boulevard and 714 will be transferred once the agreement's signed. If we can or if you can have a conversation with our best friends from FDOT,
um that needs a little work. Maybe just some patching or whatever, but it feels like it's you know what happens if you leave it alone? It's just going to continue to get a little bit worse. Sure. It's it's an indication of the use that the roadway gets. Yeah. So, it's it's um you know, if it's a residential
road, we like to see those last about 25 years, but because this is an arterial I get it. It's Yeah, I get it. I told the person that asked me, I said, "Look, it gets a lot of wear and tear, a lot of trucks going over it, a lot of activity, but it feels like, you know, as lay people, everyone's an
engineer, you know, because they stayed at a Holiday Inn, but it feels like it's peeling up faster than it should have." And so, you know, trying not to be suspicious of some kind of portion of this that we missed, I appreciate it very much. I think it's a good plan. And
I would make a motion to accept staff's recommendation. Commissioner Heatherington. Yeah, I think you covered some of my questions, but just just to clarify and reiterate, so the Veterans Memorial sign on either side, east or west of Veterans and the
flag poles will be maintained by us. If someone were to run it over, we we can put it back, right? That's happened before. I And we'll be permitted. Same thing with utility boxes. We were going to have to get permission to wrap the utility box. We worked through that, but
that's that's still in the purview of the county. Yes, that's correct. And um as far as maintenance, I remember having this dialogue and I'm perhaps about Jensen Beach Causeway so much about the fishermen and they wanted it maintained
more. Was that more on the span of the bridge or the causeway? And is that going to be the county's responsibility? Because there was a lot of conversation about that. So the um maintenance of the structural elements of those spans is DOT's
responsibility handling the residents who fish on it and leave debris on the sidewalk. That would shift over to the county. So, um, we are already, you haven't heard about problems out there recently, um, at least not to the frequency you used to because we're
working with Keep Martin Beautiful and we did an education campaign and and met with a lot of the local, uh, bait shops and just talked through, you know, what we were seeing, what the problem is, and uh, it's gotten a lot better. So, we're already doing that even though it's not
our bridge. The fisherman or the fish No, the uh um really it was people were catching things that they weren't targeting and you know junk fish type things and instead of throwing them they would just let them die on the bridge
because they didn't want to have to catch them again. Who maintains the Roosevelt Bridge? Uh DOT. Okay, that one that one needs a little help. That that's another way. As as I was saying earlier, the higher you get up, the more wind you're dealing with and the more debris blows off vehicles and and that's
when that frequently gets up there. They have a a um contractor that maintains that bridge. And then one last between east from Indian Street from US1 to Caner. That's not a city of Stewart
Road currently. It's a county road. Be a county road. Yep. Okay. That's the one we just paved. Okay. Nice job. All right. I I agree. So, what bridges do we maintain? We have about 60 bridges otherwise. So,
um, one bridge that we're replacing this year is the, um, County Line Bridge on South County Line Road. Uh, the next bridge after that is the Island Way bridge, also in South County. The one after that is the Pine Lake Drive bridge in North River Shores. Interested in any
of those? We have a buy one get one today. A BOGO. But they're usually a couple hundred feet max. And they're they're local roads. Yeah. Yeah. There's Yeah, you'll go off into the water, you'll live. The the two
really other big ones is the uh the Arundle shop bridge which goes over the Okachobee waterway and then the co of course the hope road is that's ours. That's ours. and DOT. And the other the other significant
bridge that we uh maintain and operate is the Hope Sound Bascu Bridge uh which uh we just did some repairs to, but that was a used bridge when we got it. So eventually that replacement um will be a
significant event in Martin County. [Music] How about the Jupiter Island Lighthouse Bridge? Is that us? No, that's a job. That was a DOT job. And that's uh looks looks Yeah, it looks really good. It's not quite done, but it's getting close.
Railings. Glad it's open. The railings. Very decorative railings. It's fancy. Which one? The Jupiter Island Lighthouse Bridge. It's the US1 bridge south of That was a project. Why was it ever? It looks like an apartment. That is that the bridge tender gets to stay in that. That's
fantastic. It's the nicest apartment in all of Florida. It's got the best views. Thing is gigantic. It's beautiful. All right. So, remember district 5 commissioner made the motion for you guys? I second it. Did you second it?
Yeah. Oh, okay. Any any further comment? Nope. FDOT, you want to tell us anything? You want to comment? Any comments from you? Yeah. You mean you made a big effort to drive up here from Fort Lauderdale? Yeah. Come on up. We appreciate it. Now I can tell you
about all that the million-doll transfer. There's a motion and a second. All those in favor? I opposed. That motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you. Now come up and tell us what what we just signed up for.
Well, commissioners, that is the end of our meeting. We'll take commissioner comments. Uh, Commissioner Vargas, fine. Thank you. Commissioner Caps, I'm good today. I am too. Commissioner Campy, I'm fine. Thank you. And Commissioner Hel, we don't meet again. We're not having the June 10th meeting, right? No, we're
not. So, we're not coming back until June 17th. Okay. When's Father's Day? Before then? Oh, it is. Um I we won't be back before Father's Day, which I believe is June 15th. So I would wish uh my father and all other fathers and men
who or women who have to play the role of a dad in someone's life, I wish you a happy healthy father's day and bless you. Thank you, Commissioner Heatherington. Oh, I'm all set. Thank you, Mr. Donaldson. and you weren't here for comments this morning. So, yeah, just Well, I was uh at the town of
Jupiter Island and uh had a good meeting with them on our regarding our ocean rescue facility and um their next meeting was going to be time when we were planning to go to DC. So, it was important to get that done and and they certainly uh sent back words of appreciation to the county working with
them. uh and uh Mayor Penelopey uh Townsen wanted to express uh uh Miss Woods that uh a happy retirement and uh thanked her for her service and wish the board good luck in finding her replacement. So um uh that's really all
I had to say. So it was a it was a good good exchange and hopefully uh we'll have some other partnership with them uh uh in the future on maybe some septic to sewer. So anyway, it was a good meeting. Thank you. And I appreciate George filling in and I hope you all didn't
mind that. I hope to in in the in the efforts to uh continue having depth of staff to perhaps do that more often. Thank you. You did great. Y did. Miss Woods, would anyone from the public like to address
us? Seeing none, we from FOT. F dot. Would you like to address us? Going. Going. On. We're adjourned.