determine the likelihood that you will flood and they're used to determine if you need flood insurance if you have a mortgage on your home. Now, the evacuation zones are based on storm surge data that comes from the National Hurricane Center and they use topography
as well as hurricane vulnerability for storm surge for the area and we use those to determine who needs to evacuate during a storm. So, it's important to understand that there is a difference. If you're interested in finding out what evacuation zone you are in, which we highly recommend you do, uh you can use
your search engine of choice and type in Sarasota County Know Your Level and that'll take you to the Sarasota County government website. [Music] [Music] Frank Lamos always manager city of Northport. Uh here today with Mario
Vindetti, planner schedule for the city of Northport solid waste division. We're going to talk about bulk pickups today. Uh how to schedule bulk pickups, what should go out and what should not go out to the curb, where to place the items in them, what happens if you have more than what's allotted for you for the year for
a bulk pickup. So Mario, I know we call 941-248050, talk to our customer service reps. That's correct. About how to schedule a bulk pickup. How else can we do that? Can also go on our website, northportfl.gov, click on solid waste, and fill out a bulk request form.
Excellent. Excellent. So Mario, what about uh if a person wants to place it out, what should they place out? What's the right thing? What's the wrong thing? Basically, Frank, anything that doesn't fit in the container that's garbage is going to go curbside. We're gonna stay off driveways. What's not accepted is
tires, chemicals, stuff like that. You can put yard waste out. That's considered bulk, but just make sure it's separate from the garbage pile. Yard waste is a separate pickup. So, what happens if I use all my bulk pickups, right? Good question. So, you can have more,
but you just have to pay. It's going to be$,650 a cubic yard, and that's length time width time height divided by 27 is 1 cubic yard. Any questions, of course, let us know. Give us a call. 941-24850. Water in a swale that's kind of the ditch by your house is not flooding
within a after a storm event. Water should be in that soil up to 72 hours after the storm. That allows the water to be filtered to get the stuff that came off our roofs and off the road out of the water so that when it reaches the habitat, it no longer has those
contaminants in it. It also provides an opportunity to slow down water so that the water doesn't go so fast that it erodess um the roadways or any other infrastructure. So when you see water in a soil, if it's only been, you know, up to 72 hours since the last rain, that is
not flooding. That is doing its job. [Music] I'm Stacy Losio. I'm the emergency manager for the city of Northport. And today we're going to discuss storm surge and flooding and how both of those affect Northport during a hurricane. So storm surge is when strong sustained
winds are constantly blowing over a long period of time over the Gulf and pushing water up onto shore. So when that happens, there is a lot of flooding along and beach erosion along the beaches and the homes inland. However, the storm surge can also push water up
the river. So it could push storm the Maka River for instance, then the Gulf and then the water coming. All right. Good morning everybody. Today is Monday, October 6, 2025. It's 10:00 a.m. We're in the city chambers and I call the city
commission workshop meeting to order. Commission commissioners present, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner Langden, Mayor Stokes, Vice Mayor Emerich, and Commissioner Pro. There's a quorum for present for the meeting. Also present, city manager Fletcher, interimm city attorney Goolan, city clerk FA,
board specialist Lindner, uh, police chief Garrison, and Deputy Chief Hurley. Uh, Larry, would you be kind enough to lead us in a pledge [Music] to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Uh before I ask for public comment, city manager, would it be appropriate at this
time, can we reorder our workshop agenda a little bit to bring with the guests we have here in the in the audience? I hate to have to sit them have to have them sit through uh two other agenda items that may run a
couple hours long and move discussion possible direction regarding condition of community service facility up front. Cool. Yes. Is uh need a consensus from my fellow commissioners. Make sure that's okay. Yeah. Yep.
Everybody good? Commissioner Petra, you're a yes. Vice Mayor, yes. I'm a yes. I'm a yes. All right. We got to get very good. And with that, I'll ask there any public comments out there. Mr. Rando, you got to give them emergency people all the money they
need. Them need a good place for the emergency preparedness. Your heard support them. Much love. Nonprofits commissioners. Thank you for being one of the only local boards to allow public comment during workshops. For the past eight months, Kuanas held meetings with other nonprofits to brainstorm how to
get one giant multi-purpose building for meetings, artists, Lovelin Center activities, and the Backpack Angels. Senior Center and Awaken reps never attended because they were told the building was able for was available for three more years. Now that the center is at risk, many nonprofits would do
fundraising to either help fix or rebuild it, especially if they can use it from time to time. Foundations in Sarasota will help nonprofits rebuild in partnership with the city. Let's talk to them. Read the online comments. The majority want a safe place for seniors and agree there's a need for a community
pantry. We are willing to pay a few extra dollars in taxes for a new building. Without a pantry, an estimated 5,000 kids will suffer. All of the 11 schools is at 52% or more of kids on free or reduced lunch. Glenn Allen is at 76%. This also means they aren't eating
weekend meals without pantry assistance. Awaken helps 250 families for the holidays and the day of hope in the summer. Without these services, our officers will be arresting people who are desperate and stealing from Walmart and other stores. Social services, Toys for Tots, Shop with the Cop, and Kuanas
will all be impacted without Awaken doing their part and helping families at Christmas. Please allow portable units on the footprint of the building if it's knocked down. Please allow Awaken to operate using the parking lot and help the displaced seniors. They won't drive far from where the senior center is now.
Some walk there or drive the back roads to avoid going on US 41. The center is a lifeline for them. They participate in fall prevention classes, play cards, and get food from Awaken. Awaken services as second responders after hurricanes and other disasters. They partner with All
Faith's Food Bank and out of state churches with resources others don't have. In person, I have Joe Morgan, followed by Chuck English. Good morning, Joan Morgan. Okay, now I'm aging myself. Back when the senior
center was talked about, and that's what I call it, not community center because that's what we called it. I'm the only one alive that was on that committee. All right. Um, and the reason I was on the committee because at the time I was the youngest of all commissioners. I was
32. And you were department chairman. So I was the chairman of the transportation, education, and recreation committee. and the senior set sen senior citizen center which was about to be contemplated was educational
and recreational. The people who worked on that senior set senior citizen center were dedicated as I say I was 32 the youngest on that committee was 74. Okay. And they would tell me in 35 in 33 years
once it's open I can walk in and use it. Um, the people were dedicated. They cared. That was their lifeline. Wilfred Churchill was a royal pain to work with. He had one goal in mind and
that was that center and he was 247 on it and we had so many meetings and they cared so much. Remember the majority of the citizens then were senior citizens, okay? And this was a very important link to them. I have a
uh Wilford Churchill on our last official meeting which was supposed to be it was just kind of slap on the back. We did it. Hooray. This is going to be we ordered a few more tables and chairs and that was it. And just just enjoyed ourselves that day. Guess what folks? He
died that night. He died of a heart attack. That was his baby. His mission was done. The heart that he worked so hard to keep going was gone. Let me tell you something. He and the other members of that committee are
going to come back and haunt you if you do anything to that building. I swear to God, they will find a way. Okay, Helen Marches right here. How many years and devotion has she put into that building and a lot of these other people? That building means something. We can't
just tear down every single building that's got mold in that. I know it's bad. I don't have the solution, but we've got to find a better solution because we just can't tear them down and rebuild. It's time and it's money. It's a lot of time and it's a lot of money and these are needed.
Besides the senior center, okay, what's there is the Awakened Church and the food pantry. Everything that was said is so true. That food pantry is saving the lives of people. It has to be started at New Hope Church. It's developed through
the years and it is become bigger and bigger and bigger. And God bless everyone who works for it and God bless everything that is being done there. But that food pantry is absolutely needed. It's vital. The senior citizen center is vital. It serves a huge portion of this
community and it is needed. So please find something. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. As far as a senior center and the food bank, um I remember when they were built,
okay, and they've outshined themselves as a fixture within our community for decades. what you do with that building impacts a
significant segment of our community. But every one of you know that you know and I'm sure it's going to be a tough decision whatever you do. The thing that bothers me a after researching is the
lack of proactive maintenance on many of our buildings. Okay. That's where the tragedy really lays. Yeah, we've had a few hurricanes over the years, but in buildings that stand over the years.
Again, research tells me it's a lack of proactive maintenance. I have another issue and and and and I hope you all make the right decisions because people notice. Now, I have another issue. It relates to
boards and committees. Recently I uh was subject to removal from a board. Um I believe I notified these absences.
But here's my issue. I believe the policy for as it relates to uh boards and committees is flawed. It lacks notification of the commission to removal. Right? For one
also it has no mechanism for appeal to the commission and the vote for removal is not done by the commission as they are commission boards and committees not administrative.
You vote these people onto these boards. these people stepped forward to serve. No matter what the reasoning is for their removal, they should at least deserve respect to be able to appeal and
have a vote of the commission to remove them. There's the flaw. And uh for myself, I'd already notified staff that I intended because of health reasons to
step down after my term, which is in November. I'll still attend the meetings till November, and serve out my term, but not as a member of the board. Thank you. It's flawed, and the majority of this commission knows it's flawed. Thank
you. Y'all a blessed day. Thank you. All right. Um so let's start with 25-2805 uh discussion possible direction regarding uh relating to the condition
of community services facility. City manager, your item to introduce. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll introduce the item and then we'll have some of our teams come up and discuss more of the costs that were included with the item. But the community services facility located at 4940 Panama Boulevard was
constructed in 1977 with multiple additions through 1982 and is currently leased to the Northport Senior Center and Awaken Outreach Center. The original and first edition are pre-engineer pre-engineered metal buildings while the 1982 edition is masonary. Um the
facility maintenance division assessments including thirdparty engineering and cost engineers um have determined there are a number of deficiencies as follows in the building. There's extensive corrosion in roof and structural steel components. There's outdated and non-compliant roofing
system incapable of meeting current wind load requirements. ADA non-compliance in thresholds, corridors, rooms and doorways. Lack of sprinkler system and alarm systems. energy code non-compliance due to insufficient insulation and water intrusion and aging
sanitary water distribution network and electrical systems. The immediate cost of repairs is $574,956 [Music] with an additional $22,000 needed within about 5 years. Uh and any substantial renovation would qualify as a level three alteration under the
Florida building code, triggering full compliance upgrades, rendering phase repairs inefficient and ultimately more expensive. Um, it is our opinion based on what you've already heard today that we do recognize and share the same value of these two partners in this particular
building. It is a question of the commission's decision as to how to move forward due to the age and the expense of the upcoming cost to maintain the building and keep it up to code if that is done as well. Um, we do have a construction cost estimate of
improvements that was included in the background that might show you more line item detail which totals from, I want to say, $574,000 that was mentioned to about $2 million. Um, but we're happy to put that up and have a discussion regarding any questions you might have, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you. Um, commissioners, I'll open it up to you. Names up if you want. I mean, I'll go first if you want, Commissioner Langon. I guess
you can go first. Yeah. I mean, you know, my uh you know, my take is that the Awakened Food Pantry and the Senior
Center are integral parts of this community. And while, you know, I'm sure there's all kinds of arguments for pros and cons as to whether or not, you know, citizens tax dollars should go to
support these. Um, I I personally believe they should. Um, you know, I I believe that we should find money for this. Whether we find a way to keep these buildings patched for the next few years or whether we take a different
approach and put some trailers there so they can continue to operate and tear that building down and build a new building. You know, my feeling is we need to try to find the money somehow to do this. Um, you know, I I
while I can see an argument made for, hey, you know, why should the citizens have to pay for this? Why? Because you all are citizens. Because if we were to close down one of our community centers, there'd be an uproar over the impact of families and kids. What about our
seniors? What about the thousands of people who benefit from from the food pantry? Do we want to chase them across the line to Port Charlotte or somewhere else? Um, there are plenty of projects that this city is entertaining that will make us more efficient as a city, govern
better as a city, but don't directly help the citizens as much as this project would. So, it would be my thought that we should direct staff to find this money and take it from somewhere else that's already been
budgeted and we can talk about where, but I think that we need to make sure that we provide a home for these two groups and find a way somehow to do it. That's just my personal opinion. Commissioner Langden.
Uh, thank you, Mayor. I have a couple of questions before I opine. Um, so first, if the immediate needs are taken care of,
does that precipitate the need to bring things up to current code? Chuck speak public works director. So, if we make those repairs that are needed, that would likely trigger that 50% rule to bring it up to code. And that's why you have those other numbers
that we included likely. Do do we have So, the FEMA rule is 50% of the value of the property. Um, I suspect in its current condition
it it wouldn't bring a lot if we tried to sell it, but I would have to think we could do those immediate repairs. Could we confirm whether or not that would trigger the FEMA requirement?
Sure. I'm going to have him go up. Uh, good morning. Kim Humphrey, project manager public works. Um, so what would trigger the 50% rule would be the plumbing work that the building needs. Um, the roof would have to be brought up to code when we replace it. Uh, which
would also require some structural repairs at the same time. Uh, but the failing um, sewer lines would be and it's really 50% of the area of the building when it comes to Florida building code, not really the value of
the building like FEMA. Um I I don't recall the FEMA rules. What kind of window would we be looking at? So if we decided to do the immediate repairs,
what's the trigger? How much time would we have before we would be required to bring that building up to code? So Florida building code dictates that whatever you touch has to be brought up to code as as part of the project and
brought up to the code in place at the time that the work is done. So if we were to do the roof this year, you would have to bring the roof up to the Florida building code current standard. Uh if we were to do plumbing 12 months from now,
um then you would have to bring everything up to code that you touch. Uh once you hit 50% of the area of the building, then the entire project is you have to bring everything up to code. That's a level three alteration.
Okay. Um, second question, have we had any conversations with um the nonprofits that occupy that
building in terms of their interest in contributing somehow to the repairs either through fundraising or perhaps wanting to purchase the building? So, have we had any conversations with the
inhabitants of that building? So, when we received the information that you received in a memo from us, that was the first time we communicated that information. Um, part of what we believe the commission has done in the past is once you get the information, you would direct us to engage the uh
occupants to say those same things. We've we've said those same things. And ideally, we would like to work on something that the city could partner with the occupant on in order to make a transition that works out best for safety of the building and the life of
the building as well as the occupants who are there. So, there's been no discussion as to what could happen, but we are thinking the same options. We're thinking the same options that you're thinking. Okay. Okay. So, here's what I'm thinking. Um I agree with everything
that the mayor said in terms of the importance of these activities. Um we we heard earlier from a public commenter perhaps chastising us a little bit for not maintaining the buildings better over the years. There's only only
so much money, folks, and we try to keep taxes low in this city because we know a lot of people who live here are struggling to make ends meet. Um, last time I checked, I don't think we have a
money making machine anywhere on city property to to make the money happen. Um, but I'm kind of thinking I would be open to trying to trying to find
some of the money. Um, I I also think that our nonprofits, it's not a bad thing to have some skin in the game and to help through
fundraising um, and to work with the city perhaps to try to repair these buildings or do something you, you know, whatever the appetite is of the nonprofit leadership.
But but I agree. I mean, this building is just in terrible terrible shape. Um and and I I haven't seen any budget anywhere in the city for the repair of these buildings. In fact, when we did our facility analysis,
several of the buildings, including this one, were tagged for demolition be because of their condition. But again, I would be open for working with the occupants of those
buildings and if we can somehow fix the most egregious aspects of the building, things that are really safety concerns to give us some time.
Um perhaps we can figure something out. Um, I would hate to lose the food pantry. I would hate to lose the senior center from this community. Um, but we're going to have to get really creative, folks. Um, we we can't do it
alone. You know, we just went through the budget. If anyone's been watching, we have and I struggle to retain these numbers, but but we have 275 million in capital projects that really need to be
done in the next five years. That's outrageous. So, I'm open to a conversation, but we're really going to need help and partnerships. And often times our
nonprofits are in a better position to secure some grants than the city is. But but I'm open to talking about it and figuring out what we can do. I don't have the answers right this moment, but
I'm very open to exploring some options. That's it for me, Vice Mayor. All right. I've heard this a few times over the last few days and I'd really like to get to the roots of this conversation on when Awaken was told
that they still had three more years. Was the conversation recent? Was it a year or so ago? When did this conversation take place? Because if it's a current conversation, then you know it's not very good when we promise them they'd still have three years and then
we're springing this on. I'm not aware that Awaken was told they had three more years. Uh in 2020 when I tried to do roof repairs to this building and all we could do was basically put a coating over it. It's because a structure wouldn't handle a new roof. Okay. I told the commission at that time and
the tenants at that time were told that this building was coming up on end of life. That was in 2020. Okay. Well, I just wanted to know where those conversations were. Yes, sir. Um, if we were to do the immediate repairs, would the building still be able to be
occupied during those repairs? So, unfortunately, not. Um, on the awaken side, the way the metal roof is, there's no deck underneath it. So, I believe that's why a few years ago, we looked at the possibility of roofing over the top. Um,
so they could continue to utilize the building during during construction. But when we pull this roof, there's nothing underneath it. So, I mean, and how long would that take? How long would it would displace? Honestly, until I have a structural
engineer take a look at the repairs that would need to be done to the structure underneath, I I can't say. I I know for certain we would have to have some more weld points. Um, there's a lot of deteriorated conditions u in the
structure. Okay. And could you possibly give me a timeline on how long that would take to get that information before you even started repairs? Uh, I'm probably within a month and a half. You know, we could do some
exploratory on some additional exploratory on the structural members. Um, figure out how much it would take uh to repair those in the replacement of a new roof. Okay. Okay. And another question I had was while these repairs are going on, it
would be brought up to the current code. Correct. Right. So, we're really looking at uh as part of the replacement of the roof, yes, it would have to be brought up to current code. Um the roof alone though. Okay. And and the reason I'm getting to this is is trying to stretch it out to
the 50% mark because if you got to bring this up to code and then okay, that's fixed. Well, how much more can we do on repairs before we hit that 50% mark? And and again, it's timelines. Would it be a
year, 2 years, 3 years before we hit that threshold? And then possibly at that time say, well, okay, well, we don't want to repair it completely because it's a $2 million price tag. And then we revisit the situation on, okay, we're going to
tear it down and then possibly have a partnership with portables going in there for nonprofits or whatever the case may be. That's down the road. But I'm trying to extend the life of where we're at now without having to make a decision within a year and displace both
of these groups. So I'm trying to stretch it out. That's what I'm trying to look at. So looking at the work that's needed most immediately. Um, right now the water distribution and sanitary lines are at the end of their life. That would
be the work that needs to happen. That would require us to touch 50% of the building and therefore bring everything into compliance. Okay. But you said it's at the end of its life. A lot of our seniors are at the end. So they're not dead,
but they're not dead. So, how many, you know, how much life is still left in those water lines to where again we prolong the inevitable on having to do this to where we can stretch out more time. That's that's where I'm basically trying to get at.
Yeah, my crystal ball doesn't show me that today. I don't I know they are due for replacement. There's some problems with them. Um, I don't know how much more time they have on them, but they are due for replacement now,
right? I'm just saying maybe we can squeeze another year out of them and keep moving forward and maybe two years. I don't know. I'm just I'm trying to stretch out this timeline as best as possible because I don't want to especially when we talk next year. We're talking about, you know, the awakens
lease is up in June or July and we extended the senior center to that point to make a decision on are we going to close the building or are we going what are our plans? But again, that's a wrong time as well is in the middle of the summer with Awaken. That's when all of
our school kids are out and they're not getting school lunches. They're not getting fed at school. So relying on the homestead to be able to eat is a very tough situation, especially throughout the summertime. So even if we were to go
there, I'd be game to extend it those leases until Novemberish just to get through the summer months. But that's another conversation down the road just with this workshop. We're just trying to figure out where we're going with this. And um I've what I'm hearing on the board is
they're willing to put, you know, the immediate fixes in, but I just don't want to do the immediate fix and then we got to come up with $2 million and then we got to jump on it, you know. So it's got to be planned properly. So um
right now it said 500,000 and then I believe the city manager said 200,000 over the next 5 years. Yes, sir. Okay. Uh that's all I had. Mayor, thank you. Thanks, Vice Mayor. Uh Commissioner Petro.
Thank you, Mayor. I agree with the mayor that these two entities, two nonprofits are integral part of our community. Um my question is how much was the monthly lease for both tenants that we were collecting as a city?
Hi. Uh, Janet Cardo, social services manager for the record. So, there's two tenants there. Um, a senior center is $200 monthly and um, Awaken is 400 because they have two spaces. So, there's three spaces at the CEC. Each
space is $200. So, $600 total on a monthly basis. What will we using this money for? it it goes to the general fund. So we were not allocating to do any repairs for that from those that would
be funds. So facilities maintenance budget comes from general fund. So where I mean you can say that some of that money goes to facilities maintenance. I don't we don't track I don't track where that 600 a month goes but it goes into the general
fund which is where the facilities maintenance budget comes out of. And can you tell us how much of preventive maintenance was done to those units for the past 12 months at the bottom of this
or even going backwards two years, three years? Sure. So in 2024, uh, we responded to 62 work orders and 44 were repairs, special requests for service. In 2025, there were 45 work orders and 27 were
repairs for for repairs or special requests for service. If we demolish the building, what would be the land to be used for? If we go that route, what would would be planned? That would be a decision for the
commission as a recommendation from the staff. I mean, oh, we would follow the direction of the commission. Can't dodge it. And if we decide to repair, um, how do we finance those repairs and
how soon can it be repaired? The immediate needs. So, the plumbing, we would have to go out to bid uh for that plumbing. There would probably have to be a scope developed for that work. Um the roof would be the same thing and that one's a little more intense because
it will take structure engineers to to fix. Remember this is a metal building uh that has deteriorated. The the actual structural members are deteriorating under the roof. Okay. So you're looking probably uh several
months before you start any work as I'm thinking out loud. um to put another metal building doesn't take too much time. Correct. If we if we go that route, I depending upon how we would want to
modify the design in the next iteration. I I would say 9 months for design and a year for construction. If we were to remove and replace the facility because I've seen the metal buildings uh
come online really fast, especially after the hurricane. we the one on Greenwood, how much time did we did it take the city to Well, what what you don't see is all the upfront work for the design and the permitting. Um so once once you actually
have it fabricated and it starts going up on site, it is very fast. I mean, you know, two months tops for complete fit and finish. Uh but the design and permitting, I would say I wouldn't say any less than nine months. And just as a recommendation to my
fellow commissioners um um and for addressing immediate needs and possibly upcoming needs um and we have to find the money for that. But in tandem I would start working on the design
and put up a shell of a metal building which does not require too much of a design. I mean it does require design but it's not a complicated design. Um what would you
advise us on that route as far as the tandem to do it in tandem? Uh again we're here to present this information and look for direction from the commission on which way to go. I can tell you that that you can make these repairs now and work design at the same
time, but then you're going to have to fund these repairs as well as fund that design portion, which likely around 200,000. Sure. And there's a cost for everything. But um at this point I mean at this
workshop I don't know if it's even feasible to make a concrete decision right now because we have not discussed prior to this publicly and especially we have not consulted or we have not
reached out to tenants and when I say tenants these are not just tenants that they are part of the community. Uh, so if they have some ideas that we can share or they can share with the staff and present it back to us, that would be
probably a a good and efficient way to do it. Um, because we can only guess what they think, right? We we got enormous amount of emails and uh phone calls and people that approached us as
commissioners but we don't have the the entire picture to make the decision right now. So I would be very hesitant to make any concrete decision right now. I see the city manager commissioner just as a reminder as we're bringing this to you in a workshop
that's the purpose which is not for you to make a decision today. If we would have brought it as a regular meeting, then we would have said we need to know what action he wants to take. But our goal was for your awareness so that we didn't get further down the line once we received the information from the
third party so that we would all be on the same page, so to speak, as to what's coming 9 months down the road. And then as with the art center, you gave us direction to work with them as they were trying to figure out how to vacate their space at Dallas Park. We were looking
for something of that same nature to go work with Larry and his team or pastor and sort of try to figure out how to see if there was something that both the city and the tenant could agree to. That's what we were looking for today.
That would be it. Yeah. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner. Um, you know, listening to my fellow commissioners so far, it seems there's a a a leaning towards like finding a way to make this work and keep keep Awaken
food pantry and and the senior center, you know, in place in some fashion. I think it would be helpful for this commission to give clear direction to staff that um if in fact that's how the commission feels that we make a
commitment morally to keep them in place, find a way to transition, whether we got to fix the building, whether we got to tear it down and build a new building, I don't have the answers to that. That's what you all get paid so much money for. So I say we direct staff
to go figure it out. But I'd like to see this commission make a commitment to going in that direction and that to let our seniors, let our food pantry folks know. We're not going to abandon them. We're
going to stick with them. We want them to be there. We're going to find a way to raise the money because that's the third piece of this. The first is a commitment to keep them in place. The second is finding a transition and and a way to do this. Do we patchwork it for a
period of time? Do we stretch this out? Do we bite the bullet and put some temporaries in there and tear it down and build a real proper facility? Okay. And then the third piece is where the heck we're going to find the money for it. And you know I would say that you
know we could in a way form this you know in in the form of three consensuses so that staff has a good direction as to what to do and how to come back here because I think these people are owed a commitment on the part at least a moral commitment on the part of this commission to say hey
we're going to find a way to keep it open. We're going to find a way to keep you in place. We're not going to tear that building down and leave you to fend for yourselves. I mean, we are the commission. We set policy. We set direction. We have the right to do that. And I think it's a good message to send
not just the folks who are here in this room, but everybody in this city that when it comes to spending our tax dollars, we're going to start making tough decisions. Some of these dollars, a lot of our tax dollars get spent to improve the quality of governance. The
way we govern are resources that we pull and utilize to provide government services. But there are a lot of things that directly affect the lives of our citizenry. And to me, we need to see we spend some of
those dollars there. Um there'll be other discussions today and into the future about where this commission and past commissions have decided to spend their dollars and in this climate with what we're going to be facing over the next couple of years
easy over the next couple years. We better start figuring out how we're going to be more efficient and how we make sure the dollars go that directly benefit our citizens. Otherwise, all we're going to be doing is building another building which is going to have to be maintained, taken care of,
improved, you name it. I mean, there are other projects just like this and we need to start really bearing down. I So, I I you know, uh, everybody can go do a couple more rounds of this and then at some point I'm going to make, you know, a cons or offer up a consensus if no one
else or a couple of them. So, um, Commissioner Langden, you're up. Yeah. Thank you, mayor. Um, I I I don't feel in a position to say at this moment that I'm ready to make a commitment to
keep people in place because I'm not sure that's the right answer. Um, before I can really make a decision, staff has done a really good job of identifying what needs to happen in
order to repair this building. But I want to know what would it cost to tear it down and put up a simple metal structure because I think that's the other alternative to all of this. And I'm not a contractor, but we do have
someone who has that experience. But sometimes it's cheaper to just start over than trying to prop up a building that truly is end of life. So, um, I have some specific questions and if you
want me to phrase it, uh, for, um, a consensus, I'm happy to. Commissioner, before you go forward, and I'm really breaking a little bit of protocol, but if you indulge me, I because I don't want the thought to get lost as as we go round and round on
this, is should we possibly see this opportunity as a as an opportunity? We have such small quantities of land that the city actually owns and controls. Okay. Right now we have two
very valuable tenants that occupy space on this property along with our social services building. Have we given any thought and should we give any thought to assuming we can accommodate the transition, tearing these buildings down and really building
something on that property that can not just take care of awakened food pantry and our seniors but provide some additional space resources that may create efficiencies cost efficiencies elsewhere. I mean whether
it's a I mean whether there's money-making opportunity with a uh hive type mindset or whether it's other social services type opportunities in that building. I'm just you know there's two ways to do it. Do it on a cheap
build a metal building to replace what's there or build it out and and see it as a bigger picture. Um it has just such direct benefit to our individual citizens. So, I I just don't want to lose that concept.
Make a note of it. Um because I think I still have the floor. You do. And I apologize and thank you for letting me butt in. Okay. So, here here are the questions I need answers to. Um should rents be raised?
Should rents go to the maintenance of these buildings? But even more importantly, what are the costs to tear it down? Absolutely. So, forget those cuz they're trans. They're they're secondary. I really need to know what are the costs
for tearing down this building and replacing it. Current footprint, the simplest building possible to replace current space just to sort of balance out these numbers.
Then I would also the other questions I have related um if we move in a direction of tear down and replacement whatever that footprint looks like what are the cost of trailers we have a
lot of experience with that so that shouldn't be very hard. What are the cost of trailers to sort of keep both of these groups in that general space? And can the occupants cover some or all
of those rental costs? They're pretty high as I recall, but I think we just need to have that information so that the current occupants have some data points as well to make some decisions.
And I know raising the rents would be really Janet I yeah I mean it would be head exploding to so if I can just touch on the the rent side of that uh we're still preparing the facility lease policy to come back to commission that will allow you to determine what those those rates will be
related to market. Yeah, we're in a final review with legal now. So that'll be coming because I know we have to treat everybody fairly. So if we raise one then we really have to look at raising. Correct. this this policy will will kind of take care of that across the board,
right? What the com So that would really help me. It would sort of flush out what the immediate situation is. I would be perfectly willing today to say that we are committed to aggressively working
with the occupants um to to find a solution to this problem. that it's certainly our desire to keep these groups in place because they they provide such valuable services for our community.
I'm I'm just reluctant to go further than that until we have a little more information until staff has an opportunity to have a conversation with the occupants and and how are they feeling and how do they think they might be able to contribute to a solution and
then come back at a later date to be more specific. I don't know if you'd be comfortable with that, Mayor, but Commissioner Duval. Thank you, mayor. My first concern is looking at the
picture and seeing daylight coming through the walls, is the building safe for use. Secondly, the folks that are using it uh as the senior center, I've seen some of the uh
public comment emails and things. um they like where they're at, you know, and they don't want to move far away. Um but there's so many different issues here,
keeping the services available is important. And that's where I I'd like to break things down a little bit into each individual group. We have an art community
that's looking for help, looking for a building they used to have. The Kuanas are also involved in using this building over social services and they're looking for something. Um,
seniors are not a nonprofit, they're citizens and we provide services. Um, Awaken, I don't know a lot about Awaken except they seem to give a lot of things away
and I don't know if they use that building seven days a week or is it just on Saturdays? addressing awaken temporarily if their services, you know, their giveaways, their food giveaways
that they do. If they just have their equipment, their tables, their food storage in the building and then they only have their services on one day a week, three days, two days a week. Why couldn't they move somewhere like the
Morgan Center where we could put a we could put a storage trailer for their equipment and then they could have the space for their giveaways on Saturdays and Sundays. Social services, these people don't want
to move far away and I understand that. Mobility when you're a senior isn't as easy as when you're six years old. uh maybe temporarily putting portable trailers in some place
like Dallas White Park or in the I don't know how much physical space we have right there on Pan-American U where it's located now. Um, I look at
$500,000 to repair this now versus spending $500,000 on those portables for a couple of years while we demolish this and put in a building that might be
able to service a number of nonprofits and organizations. Um, like right now, uh, the art center, they're looking for a 50-year lease over by Dallas White Park. But we also have some
opportunities. I've heard some talk about having opportunities of revenue uh like like a uh a rowing company, I believe, was mentioned uh that could provide us revenue at that space. So
maybe we could get uh the arts center, the Kuanas, the service center, wake church all in one larger building that we build, get plans for now and work on it and get it built. So um so that we're not back
here in three years asking the same questions. Um, as far as maintenance, uh, I would really like to see maintenance of all city properties, buildings. Um, if something's wrong, fix
it now. If there's a light bulb bulb out, change the light bulb. If the paint's peeling, paint it. uh waiting until you know and like with with this building um you know I looked at some of the pictures you know the the ADA
requirements and everything you know where there's a where there's a urinal having 14 in versus 9 in of space next to it. These are things that we really can't fix in an old building. There's been upgrades and things and I hate to
see us throw good money after bad. uh long run, I'd rather see a new facility. And if we can somehow do something temporarily, you know, a hybrid
wake church goes over to the Morgan Center or the Mullen Center somewhere service center. we put in portables either on the property or close by at Dallas White Park. Um, and work at it
from that aspect of things. Um, you know, as as I say, my over my overall thing is, you know, do some things temporarily, but long range plan. It's time for a new building. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Uh, Vice Mayor,
you're up. You want to do the city attorney first? Are you going to say something I like? Yes, absolutely. Thank you, mayor. So, I just I'm going to be sensitive to the situation that that you're dealing with, but I want to be able to put a legal perspective on it
when spending taxpayers dollars. So, we have to ensure that it's for the public a public purpose is clearly identified. And some of the suggestions that I've heard um go a little bit beyond what what might maybe I'm not saying 100% is but maybe
further than than we can legally go using those those dollars. Um fixing the building that the city owns to make sure that it is uh habitable is one thing, but kind of expanding that into other areas or putting portables in other areas um may be a stretch and we would
have to look into that as as uh as we got closer to a decision being made if that's the direction the commission wants to go. And just to kind of throw a legal perspective onto that for you. That's all I have. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Vice Mayor, you just took the wind out of my silence.
No. Um, I'm good. Mr. Petra. Yes. Uh, I guess it's okay to go on rounds because this is the only time we as a commission we can talk to each other u publicly about this situation. um as the city man um attorney said
sensitive in the nature but I would like to see additional information regarding how much capacity each organization needs as far as the square footage and that information is important for us
and um going forward because if we do temporary facilities we need to know how much they need. Um can can I get a clarifier on that? Are you looking for what capacity they need because that may be different than what capacity we actually have on site
currently? Both. Okay. Basically, do they need refrigeration for the food or the food trucks come and they distribute on the spot the entire load or do they need have refrigeration to to store or maybe it's non-p
perishables that they need to store things of that nature? Sure. So we we can get you the square footage of the buildings that are in place. Sure. But you want us to go a step further and ask what what they would like, what they need. What they would like. At this point, we do addressing the
needs and the need of the community rather than wants. So Okay. Yes, sir. We we do need like I said, it's more of a servicing the community and citizens of our city. So how much capacity each organization requires to for the food
for the gathering of seniors? I don't know exactly what they do uh when they gather in one place either games or I I have no idea. I'm not there yet. But um and I do believe as a as as the conversation develops, we're developing
I can see that Commissioners Deval's u commissioner Deval's point that it's rather be wise to have temporary storage or facility to have than addressing the
M the the needs and then eventually demolish the buildings and all the money we spend on that building. So, I would I would like to see them to be near that area and because there's a big parking lot, right? And I do believe we did redo
the parking lot just recently, 2019. Yeah. 20 around 2020. So, it's fairly fresh. And I would like to see the report as far as how much renting of storage or facilities that
are needed as opposed to buying them because by the time we going to design and build, we might spend the same money and still own those facilities, the the portables. I mean, so that would be an efficiency and
a due diligence on the city staff um as far as the homework before you own it. But then we would not we would need to know in advance how much square footage they require, how much the other entity requires. So,
it's rather wisely to buy the storage or portables and uh own it for the rest of the life of those units than renting because renting is not cheap. Those units are expensive to rent.
Yes, sir. About two about two years is your your break point on renting versus purchase. So, that that's basically the answer. it's it's more beneficial to buy them or finance them to buy them, whatever the case might be. Um and um
as the conversation develops, I do believe we probably have to look more realistically at the situation and um possibly knock it down without interruption of the actual needs and daily activities. I do
believe that we can use uses six days a week that that five to six five to six days. Yes sir. Five to six days. So without interruption of the the workflow that they do and I granted they do it
for out of the bund ab abundance of the kindness of their heart because they don't get paid to do that stuff. So um this these are my kind of requirements or thoughts about that we
need and if you can give us a more breakdown of how much the design would be how much the uh square footage of the future building um and the time frame of the design and the time frame of
erecting those facilities or one it would be one one building split in how many units? Three units or two units. So so we can have an idea of the time frame of the construction and the design for construction of a new facility
of the new facility. Yes. Yes sir. So a lot of work from I guess prep work behind the scenes is required before we can make a decision. I don't want to make a decision on lack of information.
That's why that's why I said in my first um address uh that I would be very hesitant just like Commissioner Link said it's it's hard to make a decision right now because we don't have all the information
but I'm leaning towards that it's more financially responsible respon to be fiscally responsible to probably knock it down and but not interrupting their activities of these two entities. Thank you mayor. That would be all and and that's what we're looking for is
direction today. We're not looking for a decision. Before I recognize Commissioner Langden, um this is a workshop to repeat. We do not make decisions here. We talk about things here and we figure out some general direction we can give staff. You know, I mean people say a lot of
things about staff, some good, some bad, but they are definitely subject matter experts in their own right. It is their job to figure this out. To figure out and to present to us the alternatives for how we might do this, how we might
transition it, what the costs are, what the alternatives are, whether we go new, whether we go partial, whether we do whatever we do. That's your job to put it together to figure out how bring it to us and present it.
But clearly we need to give direction that says after all this this workshop item was a consensus to direct city manager to move forward with the decommissioning and demolition of community services facility. I would say
from what I've heard here today that doesn't seem to be the desire of anybody on this board without a clear plan as to how we're going to retain our valuable tenants and and citizens in in the facility or a new facility that they're
in. So, we need to give direction that with this idea in mind, go do some homework, put this together, come back with some alternatives, some plans, some details, some information addressing everything you've heard from us here today. And then we see where we
go. But clearly, we're sending a message that we don't want to demolish this building and leave our our our two tenants, valuable tenants, to their own devices. We want to try to make this work and figure out a way we can provide
a facility for them to operate on on that property. So, I mean, with that, I don't know if you were planning on putting a consensus together, but the floor is now yours. Okay. Thank you, mayor. I have three consensuses.
Mayor, we have public comment. Oh, I don't have consensus yet, but I wanted to make a statement if you don't mind there. Absolutely. Because I was after Commissioner Langden. I I I love this guy over here. The more homework he gives them, the longer it's
going to take. So, we'll be back in about 5 years to discuss this. Y'all are okay. That's all I have. Well, thanks very much for your valuable input by Mr. Mayor, Mr. Landon, who got the
Okay, let's public comment before we go. Sorry, Debbie McDow. I just don't get it. Don't get it at all. This is the first public meeting regarding the conditions of the community service building aka senior center and staff's recommendation is to go straight for the jugular and
recommending recommend demolishing the building. The building is 48 years old for heaven's sake. Just two months ago, there was a workshop to discuss the infrastructure needs of the city for the next 35 years. There was a line item stating $17 million will be needed for
city facilities. Go back and look at the exhaustive list broken out by project. The community service building didn't even make the list. Not one penny allocated. But suddenly there's a millions of dollars in need of repairs. How did that get overlooked and left off the list? This list of necessary repairs
for this building is quite extensive. Those kind of repairs take years to get to the point of demolition. Why wasn't this brought to the commissioner's attention long ago? Why wasn't the money put into the budget to start planning to do these necessary repairs when they could have been repaired? Why weren't the inspection, maintenance, and repair
logs included in the backup materials? Not very transparent. The one thing I do get, our seniors need the senior center, just like Northport citizens need the food pantry. Sheila Johnson. As a longtime resident, I am deeply concerned by the pattern of decisions made by this body that I believe erode the quality of
life we cherish in Northport. First, the YMCA pool was lost. Then, the Al Gall Center and pre kindergarten building were demolished. Most recently, the planned destruction of the art center. Now with reports swirling, it appears the senior center is in your sights as the next target. These aren't just buildings. They are vital community
gathering spaces that our families and seniors rely on. Just a few months ago, two commissioners proposed repurposing the Mullen Center. This would strip our community of a facility that provides muchneeded space for summer camp events, programs, and family activities. At every turn, it seems this commission has
prioritized development over people. For the older members of our community, the senior center is a place for social activity, resources, and connection. The city has a responsibility to provide for the interconnected needs of our older residents, same as the youth and families at the community centers. Commissioners have consistently targeted
these community spaces and for what. We have to ask who is truly benefiting from the series of demolitions. The logical conclusion is that there is a developer wanting to acquire the land these facilities occupy. This will not improve Northport. It will make way for more commercialization. We've already
experienced the resoning that has disrupted our residential areas. This constant assault on the services and institutions that make Northport special is disturbing. You have a duty to serve all the residents, not just those who promise profit. I urge you to stop this cycle of deconstruction, reverse course,
prioritize our community's needs, and preserve the quality of life that we, the residents, most value most. You should all be ashamed of this blatant disregard for the well-being of the people you were elected to represent. Chris State, I would like to raise a concern regarding the potential
involvement of Commissioner Langden in internal disputes between the Awaken Outreach Center and the Northport Senior Center. I personally observed Commissioner Langden in multiple closed- dooror private conversations with Larry Grant, the acting director of Awaken Outreach Center. It is my understanding that Larry Grant is seeking control of the building currently occupied by the
senior center. Additionally, I've learned that Mr. Grant has filed charges against the president of the senior center and this matter was discussed at the last commission meeting. Given these circumstances, I respectfully ask for clarification on the following. What is Commissioner Langden's role, if any, in these internal disputes. Was there any
official or unofficial influence exerted by the commissioner regarding the building or the actions taken against the senior center leadership? How does the commission ensure impartiality and prevent conflicts of interest in matters involving city-owned facilities and local organizations? Transparency and accountability are essential for
maintaining public trust. I appreciate the commission's attention to these questions. In person, I have Larry Grant and Pastor Z, Larry Grant, director, Awaken Outreach Center. Uh, first I want to thank all the commissioners, city managers, city
staff, and all the different city departments for everything they do for the city and that they've done to help outreach center over the years. Most of you have been out to volunteer to serve
all of our neighbors, your citizens, and it's it was wonderful. and you're always there to help any other needs that we have whether it's food drives or you know if things need to be fixed at the
building or you know anything that we need from Janet at social services you know we work with them the police fire and I just really appreciate it and I hope that everybody can see what you all
do for our community. Um, and just a quick thing about there is no talk about us buying the building, taking over the building or anything like that. So,
just keep that in mind. Um, and we really appreciate all that you do because it's allowed us to serve our community. In 2024,
we were able to serve um 3 million pounds of food from our food pantry to 156,000 people throughout the year. And that's much in part due to our relationship and partnership with the
city. Um there's another 7,000 through many other outreaches that any of you have been a part of whether it's uh our day for a back to school event, Thanksgiving outreach, our hope for Christmas event, you know, and again in
partnership with many of the city departments and we are greatly appreciative of all that. So, thank you very much and we are forever grateful for whatever is available that we can do
to continue partnering. Thank you, sir. Uh Brian Sedra, I'm the lead pastor at Wake Church. Um we uh we have been a part of this city for almost 13 years. We'll be 13 in January. Um the very
first thing that we ever did uh as a church in the city of Northport was actually partner with our fire department for their uh remember the fallen 5K. It is the heart of our church to pour love on the city and we do that without asking actually anything in
return. We we've always uh absolutely love the partnership that you have provided as a city and so to each of the commissioners, thank you for allowing us to partner with you. Uh, city manager Fletcher, thank you uh, for working with us. I want to thank the staff. The staff
has been tremendous over the years, and I I have a little bit of an unpopular thought. Um, but I just think it should be voiced. I don't see the city uh, as being obligated to help awaken uh, in the way that it's been referred to. I
appreciate it with all of my heart. Um, but we're a church and this is not a religious entity. The city is not a religious entity. To speak to Commissioner Deval's thoughts, we are actually open 5 days a week and we service 3,700 residents each week with
food and other uh activities. We don't have church services at the outreach center. We literally only use that facility to give things to the community. Um that is done through uh fundraising efforts. That's done through
partnerships with other nonprofits. Uh we service mothers, helping mothers. So once a month there's a trailer that comes in and provides uh clothing and other supplies for moms and children, infants, etc. We partner with uh Jesus
loves you ministries. They bring a shower trailer and once a month we do what we call a community day and we're primar primarily we focus our attentions that day on helping our homeless population. We partner with the hot team here in Northport. So most of our services literally are impacting the
city of Northport, the residents of the city of Northport, and we want to continue to do that. And so, um, whether that's in this building or some other way that we can do that, our heart is to partner. But one last thought, um, and again, understanding that the city is
not a religious entity. James 1:27 says that real religion, pure religion, undefiled before God the father is this, to visit the orphan and the widows and their afflictions and to keep oneself unstained by the world. And I would just encourage that perhaps what would be most helpful to our senior center and
senior citizens would be if the city would consider absorbing them and putting them as a part of the parks and recreation department. that instead of them having to come up with their $20 per person to sustain themselves throughout the year, perhaps the city would be better served to actually begin
to provide real services for the senior centers, senior citizens of our great community. U that's my thought. But listen, again, just thank you so so much for all of your support. We will we will continue to serve the city of Northport no matter what happens. So, thank you.
Thank you. Uh, Commissioner Langden, I believe you're gonna you're going to be the sacrificial lamb here just to sort of keep it. Anyway, um, three potential consensus.
First, that we make a commitment today that the staff and commission will work aggressively on a solution that retains the services that the occupants of this building currently provide to the
community within the community. Sounds like a good consensus to me. Commissioner Petro, I'm in agreement. Vice Mayor, yes. I'm a yes. I'm a yes. Yes. Good. That wasn't easy.
Number two, engage to uh direct staff to engage uh with well to instruct city manager to work with staff to engage with the current occupants of
the building to identify minimum space requirements. um and to identify what they might be able to provide to help craft a solution, whether that's money or volunteer or whatever. I don't want to
define that, but that we engage with the occupants to contribute to a solution. Petro, yes, Vice Mayor. Yeah, it'd be a yes. I'm a yes. I'm a yes. Yes.
Yes. Um and then third for me um that we instruct city manager to work with staff to also identify the costs of tearing down the building
and replacing the current structure in the most coste effective way. and also uh document costs of providing trailers should they
be needed by the occupants um to continue to provide services. Yeah, I mean it gives a pretty general direction. Mr. Petro, if you're a yes. Yes. Vice Mayor.
Yeah. Mayor is a yes. I'm a yes. Yes. Well, there you go. I'll ask city manager, is there any other direction you guys need? Anything else you want us to address regarding
this matter at this time or? No, Mr. Mayor, I think we're good. Yeah. Okay. Gives everybody a pretty good direction as to where we're going. Folks, really appreciate you all coming out here today and spending your morning to listen to us. find out we aren't
always the big bad wolf that everybody thinks we are. We actually like are part of the community too and we do value you guys and uh we're going to do everything we can to make this make sense and work it through. So we appreciate it.
All right. Uh you want to take a quick 10 game? That would be great. I can refill my coffee table. Yeah. Just stretch before we're going to the other end. There we go. Break. Yeah, let's take a 10 minutes. 10 minutes.
session here. Let's uh now we'll swing into 25-2847. This is the presentation regarding funding for emergency operations center project. City manager, your item. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is an emergency operation center funding update and is a presentation to be
presented by Miss Stacy Alisio, our emergency manager. Thank you, Stacey. Thanks for your patience. Oh, you know what? It's very important conversation to be had, so I was glad to switch spots. Um, if we could just get the presentation up on the screens.
Um, I'm going to start just with a brief overview of what emergency management is, just so everyone's aware. I had the opportunity to meet one-on-one last year with Commissioner Langden, um, Vice Mayor Stokes, and our or Vice Mayor Emer and Mayor Stokes. Um, but I haven't gotten really to speak much with
Commissioner Dval or Commissioner Pro. So, um, what we do in emergency management, we uh, constantly working within four phases. So, we have preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Currently, we are preparing for any disaster that might happen with planning, training, exercises. We're
working on mitigation. and we're part of the local mitigation strategy where we look for funding for mitigation projects um such as um hardening our facilities um things like that. Um and then we are also in recovery for Hurricane Ian um
still so working through that. So the faces are constantly overlapping. So we're not just the hurricane people. We are doing work constantly year round and it is a lot of work. So this emergency operation center, blue skies, that's the terminology we use for a beautiful day like today. We aren't currently
responding to any disasters. So, um we will be using the emergency operations center as office space um for emergency management. And now we're also going to be housing some building officials um in there as well. And we'll get into the reasoning um for that later on. Um meeting space as well. So, city departments um we are pretty short on
conference room space. So, city departments will be able to reserve those conference rooms um to be able to use whenever they needed to. Uh we can use training and exercise space. We'll have a big situation room um with monitors so we can have larger trainings and exercises. Um the main goal we would
like to do is to bring more of our emergency management partners here to do training and exercise here within the city instead of us going out to them all the time. Um it's a backup data center for it. It is going to provide a situation room that's operational 24/7. As of right now, it takes it when we
schedule it to set up the EOC, it takes a couple of hours. if something were to happen, an emergency were to happen off hours, let's say on the weekend in the middle of the night, where we have to call it in to then come set up. So, it's going to be a delayed response in that respect. And then a community continuity of operations location for station 81 in
communication. So, if something were to happen, um it could be a place for them to go um and use the EOC to maintain their day-to-day operations. um during a disaster. It is a hardened facility uh with backup generator, backup water, um backup communication.
So, it's a a an a space for us to be able to safely work um and respond during an emergency, especially during a hurricane. It provides a situation room with technology that will allow us to maintain situational awareness. We are 104 square miles of a city. The emergency operations center is that hub
for collecting information about what's happening throughout the entire city and put that together in a big picture to go back out to people in the field. So, it allows us to create priorities to understand where our resources are most needed um and coordinate their response that way. Um it's going to be an emergency call center, um a joint
information center. So, that's going to be used by communications to allow us to get information out to the public as well as for the public to call us and let us know what their concerns, what they're seeing out on the streets, any rumors that they're hearing. So, it will allow a two-way conversation between us and the public. Um, amateur radio ham
radio room is in there as well. Uh, we have space for GIS and IT to be able to work to keep everything operational as well as to produce maps, keep our dashboards up to date to u process all of the data coming into the emergency operations center. And then we're going to coordinate logistics, which is the
big one. ask that the resource requests that we send out to the county, to the state to make sure that the resources we need come in, that we're tracking them, that those resources are then returned to where they need to go. Uh we went over this at the last workshop and we talked about funding.
Nothing's changed here. Um we had that almost $1.7 million deficit to break ground. And then um if we add in the $900,000 for FFN to make the building whole, it's about 2.6 million. Um then this is that not to exceed amount based
on the GMP. Wow. So a big multi-ep department effort here. We were able to come up with a solution to break ground to come up with that about 1.7 million. Um that's why we're going to be housing building
officials now in the EOC day today that will allow us to use the building fund balance. So it it it solves a problem for the EOC as well as a problem for development services. They're looking for a space for their building inspectors. we have the available space. Um so it allows us to then create that partnership and use some of that
building fund funding as well. Um and then um there was some sir tax funds that was available of $340,740 that we'll be using. Um this provides permanent space for building inspectors and the funding is available now. So um
we won't need to borrow money from a future project, things like that. Um the funding we can use we can use now and we won't have to pay it back to the building fund because we're providing permanent space. Um the cut this will allow construction to begin on schedule and we will still
be seeking $900,000 for FFN next fiscal year but this does allow us to break ground start the emergency operation center project prevent any delays and any further inflation is cost escalation um through the delay and that would be caused by the delay in the project
and then um we had spoken earlier about tax collector collocation. So, the functionality of this tax collector building, it really wouldn't meet the needs of the emergency operations center. Um, Deputy City Manager Yarro had spoken with the tax collector about this. Um,
it would need to be hard into a category for storm. Um, it wouldn't have the spaces needed, the parking space needed, the wraparound services needed for an EOC. However, the tax collector would select to explore other options to partner with the city to potentially provide space for some other use other
than an emergency operation center. So, does anybody have any questions? All right, commissioners. Commissioner Duval. Thank you, Mayor. Um, my first question
is I got confused on the blue sk the blue sky and the gray skies. We're not talking about two separate buildings, are we? No. Okay, same building. So in other words, this building is going to be hardened. Okay, it'll be available for whatever
our needs are. And secondly, you know, thanks for your time, your presentation. Um, but I just had a thought uh that since the tax collector uh still has wants, so to speak, um, and
there is that FFE cost, you know, maybe we could kind of plan to include part of the deal with the tax collector into taking care of maybe that part of the funding. I'm up for any suggestions.
Thank you. Yep. Commissioner Petro. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, quick question about the deficits that you said and project cost and benefits. There's a total project
that deficit of 2.5 million and if it's with permitting, design and tech, it's 1.6 million. Have you reached out to any state organizations like grants or any of that?
Yes. So, I've actually spoken to Senator Gruters twice about this, so it's in the top of his mind. We are going to be attempting to get appropriations um this upcoming year for this um through the governor's office. Those aren't guaranteed funds, but that is something that we've been pursuing.
And how much would they say how much would it be? It's up to their discretion. So, we asked for the total amount. So, we the the plan is to ask for the whole 2.5 that were that we were short. Um hoping we'll at least get the 900,000 that were
short for the FFN. So, you ask for the maximum and then usually they dwindle it down. Um so, at least that way hopefully we'll get the minimum that we're required. any level of federal agencies. Have you considered to so the federal grants would actually
increase the cost of the building more than what we would get because we'd have to then harden it to a category five. We'd have to go through Davis Bacon. So we'd have to go through all sort of different regulations. It would delay the project and it would the cost of hardening the structure. We looked into that would cost more than any federal
funding would give us. Does that make sense? Yes. But uh level five is 11 P is sufficient for Yes. So the conversations that we had because we're in London enough usually when those strong hurricanes come through it degrades a little bit before it makes its way to Northport.
What would comfortable with the category between between level four and five? So a category five is 157 mileph sustained winds. So we'd be built up to 156 mile per hour sustained. and Hurricane Ian was below that
significantly. So, financially speaking, what Oh, financially speaking, that might be a question for our project manager. Perfect timing. Yes. Hello, Kim Humphrey Public Works again. Uh because the building wasn't designed
as a level five, it's hard to say what the difference when we bid it would have been between a four and a five. Uh, but I can share Sarasota County's EOC as a level five and when you break down the square footage, I would say ours would be probably another two million. Uh, if
we were to pursue the higher wind trading, but it it wasn't required for this area. Sure. Sure. And any um I guess my question back to you would be any level from the county um willingness
to participate in financial I did reach out to EM Chief Tetum and they said that they do not have any financial support they could give us right now, but they will be endorsing us and talking to the to uh state legislation as well about the need for them to give us appropriations. So we
have their support that way and I anticipated that answer. But the reason I'm asking is because when the county level is addressing this need on the state level, it's has much more weight to get something. So are they
going to are they are they willing to do it maybe? Yes. So, we have in February emergency management day at the capital and that's when all the emergency managers go up and and speak to our um legislature and when they go up there, they're going to they're going to speak for us and the
importance of them providing funding for the EFC. I just wanted to emphasize that because Northport is the biggest area for this for the for the county. So they should be very interested in helping us and presenting us
and lobbying on our behalf. Mhm. After all, we do serve the county. We do. Yes. Yes. And they agree and they're they're supporting us in any way that they can. Okay. Thank you for all you do. You're welcome. Happy to do it. Commissioner Langden.
Uh thank you, Mayor. I just have some questions. Um, we had been looking at the tax collector's need for space and adding the EOC on to it. What if we flipped that?
Could we modify the EOC plans to incorporate the tax folks? Again, I'm I'm working money issues. We know they have budget. Um, it I know we have a design. I I understand all of that, but
we have our funding is we're at a crisis in this city in terms of needing infrastructure and needing space and not having the money
for it. So all I'm working is is how can we leverage some of these projects? So if there's any overlap or any opportunity
to combine things a little bit, um I I think we should explore them. Is the plan still to build on city center property? Yeah, right next to fire station 81. I see Deputy City Manager coming down,
so I'm sure he has something to say. Um, based on uh Fire Chief Titus and my interaction with uh with Mr. Moran, uh he the way he's going to build is um
more or less through a P3 and it's going to be very very fast. I don't think uh it will work out that kind of partnership where we kind of modify our existing design for the EOC. I I don't think the way he's going to build that will work.
Okay. Thank you for that. But it was a great I mean it was outside of the box. Definitely. Here's where my brain is going and you're you're not going to like this at all. I don't like it.
But I think if if folks are going to get the space that they absolutely need, the thought process where each need has
its own building that I don't see those days happening in this city. I mean we have got to face facts that we don't have sufficient money. I mean, we could put all of our money into maintaining
current buildings and probably not have enough for that. So, I don't have any answers, but we have a police headquarters that we're unable to
fund. We know fire and rescue is going to need another building in the next, was it two or three years? I'm trying to remember Chief's presentation. and we have an EOC that wants its own building.
How are we going to get those things done? They're also critically important for us to be able to maintain um a safe community and to continue to provide a safe community in a rapidly
growing environment. We've got to get really creative, folks, on how we get it done or no one's getting nothing. I mean, that's where we're at. Let's just face it. I thought we were a little creative when we partnered with development services to put building.
I appreciate that. I do appreciate that. Um, that's really all I have. All right. Well, moving in the same vein, which nobody's going to like to hear, but you know, well, some people will want to hear it. Um,
I mean, it's going to be $13 million, you know, just like the police want their headquarters. And after two rough hurricanes, we decided like we got to have an emergency operations facility.
Um, even though the county has one, even though we don't get as much support maybe from the county as we would hope or maybe they have no obligation to provide it despite the taxes we pay, um, the reality is this is $13 million.
And if you look at that one slide where it said, you know, there'll be space for, you know, meeting rooms and for training sessions with other outside the city entities. I mean, I know that was all an attempt to partner and utilize
and this and that, but 13 million. If we didn't do any of that, could we do it for seven? Could we turn around and maybe not build next to the fire station, but combine this now with a totally different approach to police? We
we're we're here. We've already committed, you know, this is a great project. This is going to give us a state-of-the-art emergency operations center. And certainly I don't want to argue the fact that there isn't a need
and that this need doesn't benefit our citizens in crisis necessarily, but $13 million for when we're going to have storms. If this facility can be enlarged, again, a bigger picture item like Commissioner Langden said,
where there's some ability to partner our departments. I mean, we don't have anywhere near the money to do all the projects that are out there. And if we don't and and and the perception is, well, here's another government building
is the fact that we perform better as a government during an emergency. It might have a direct impact on whether someone lives or dies, whether we're able to rescue someone or not, or get them help. I appreciate that. But it is also creating a government building that is
going to be maintained, operated, taken care of, going to have other things in it. And it's $13 million of ultimately tax money. And I just question whether even though we've gone all this way and we are this close,
whether or not in light of the fact that we have no clue how we're going to help our police department out, maybe we need to rethink. This project was going to be part of a police headquarters got booted because the thought of 135 million was gagging. So, it was broken apart
and now we can't fund even a $122 million police headquarters. Nor do I see us funding $122 million police headquarters. Not that that's the conversation today, but we need to, as Commissioner Langden
said, start figuring out how everybody can sacrifice some. Because if you don't think the state's going to take a bite out of our general fund property tax revenue next year, you are delusional.
And when that happens, that is going to put us in a position of having to really get creative and make every dollar worth $2. And to make a commitment at this point to do this, I I I have some concern. Not that I don't
support conceptually this plan or the value that an EOC brings. I'm just questioning whether this is the highest and best use of our tax revenues and it's sax and it's building tax and building fund money which could be directed
to help other projects that could be invaluable. I mean, after all, we just finished having a conversation about what we could do to all our senior citizens who are so integral part of our community and an awakened food pantry that feeds tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people out there during
the course of the year. How much more help to our direct community, citizens, and residents would the money benefit if if we used it there as opposed to creating a government building to respond in a hurricane or a disaster?
Maybe the state and the county ought to step up. Maybe someone else ought to step up other than our taxpayers over and over and over and over and over again. I'm just saying and this is the opportunity to bring it up. I don't know how anybody thinks about it, but that's my two cents. Commissioner Petro,
thank you. Mayor, I forgot to ask, have you differentiated the cost analysis as far as doing P3 and the other route? How much is the difference in financial impact would it be? I we
the P3 conversation was related to what the tax collector was doing, not the city. So that wasn't our project. Oh, okay. That that was uh the tax collector's project pathway, not ours. And uh also when you mentioned parking lot that the parking lot would not be
sufficient for like the the tax collector building and all is that Yeah. So after a disaster both our the EOCC parking lot would be with first responders and resources and then sharing that with a public facing building as busy as a tax collector gets
after a disaster was just one logistical issue that we would run into of many. Is there a requirement by the state that the parking lot should be so close to the proximity of the building or could it be because we have a lot of parking? Yeah. Yeah. and that will definitely be utilized as well. But there, like I
said, there are several other reasons why unfortunately the the partnership with the with the um tax collector's office wouldn't work. Parking was just one. But yeah, we will definitely during a disaster, this whole area is filled with tents and aid and parking and all
sorts of stuff. We'd kind of take over this whole area. And with the the deficit amount, um what would be your recommendation or where would you get the money? So, we found the money. We were going to partner with development services to
provide space with the um for the building inspectors that would allow us to use some of the building fund. Um and then there was some um sir tax fund balance that we're going to utilize to cover the other 340,000. I'm referring to the presentation when there's there's a line of deficit.
Yes. Yes. And the the the the solution to the de the deficit was the building fund and the sert tax dollars. Okay. That left us with still $900,000 of FFN that we're going to try to get appropriations from the governor's office for.
Thank you. City manager. Oh, yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a clarification or add on, I guess. Um, and just to piggy back on Commissioner Petro's thought there, the idea was to bring you a solution for that deficit,
which is sort of what she just related to when we talked about getting creative. So, it was funded. And to back to the mayor's point, yes, this is a project that if if the decision is to change the direction now, today would be the day to say stop going in that
direction because we we've talked about this project probably like a year and a half or so. But things have changed. Our money picture has been presented to me more clearly and like what previously said, we have financial challenges everywhere. Um, so but this one was already in our budget. we saw for the
gap and there's been about several hundred thousand dollars already invested in this in design work and whatnot. So, if we're gonna stop, we need to sort of get that today and that would be helpful. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If I may also clarify too that we're subject to disasters other than
hurricanes, right? And as I mentioned before, it takes us hours to set up the current EOC in room 244. So, if we were to have something happen last minute, like mass casualty incident, god forbid, or some sort of flash flooding, um it's
going to take a long time for us to be able to ramp everything up, especially if it were to happen in the middle of the night. We have to call it down to set everything. So, it would it is a you know, you want to talk about public safety. Um we do more than hurricanes. Um, we're statutoily obligated to provide specific trainings year round so
that you know those the space will be utilized year round and it's it's a needed space for sure. I just a a couple of comments. Um, one
addressing the mayor's comments. Um, I don't believe the city should be in the business of building buildings for our nonprofits. As much as I love them, as much as I want all of them to stay within the city,
we we do a lot to provide space at incredibly reduced rates of market value, that's appropriate um, in my mind. But to build a building specifically for
nonprofits, I just I would have a hard time supporting that. Um and similarly if we did make any potential adjustments to
the EOC plans then those adjustments should directly support projects of public safety would would be my thought process. Not that we're there. Um, and I have to I just I hate having this
conversation, but how do we how do we as a commission address the incredible needs just of public safety? Forget our buildings falling down and infrastructure aging. How do we
maintain public safety? I don't know how we do it. We need more fire rescue locations. We need a police building. How do we do it? Is that a question for me?
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's a bit rhetorical because because there really isn't an answer for it, but we have to start somewhere. And I guess I would
to proceed with building an EOC, I I would just have to better understand the benefits to the community. I mean, there's no question about disaster relief. I mean, there's just no
question. and and I only to clearly recall the difficulty we had addressing the aftermath of Ian. I mean I get it. Um but I just I really need some help.
So our currently just to talk about our what we're currently working with out of 244 um we don't have the space to bring in all of our outside partners. So, our vision is with the new EOC with more space, we can bring in United Way to give them a seat at our table. We can
bring in Awaken Church to give them a seat at our table and bring them in. Um, our community emergency response teams, they're always looking for places to train. We don't have a big enough space um that's available all the time because, you know, our parks buildings
are always used being used for or often being used for something else. So, this would allow us to have our community emergency response teams come in and do their training here. They currently go to Charlotte County for that. Um, they shouldn't have to do that. They should be able to do that here with us. Um, so those are just a couple examples, but I
I'm happy to provide you. And just one, so I suspect deputy has something to say. Um, but I would just have a related question.
As as we build our capacity here, we still have to integrate with the county. Correct. We would still have to send a person. I think that's the extent of it. Correct. Yes. Yep. Yep. And that's the best
practice to send a liazison up. Uh Nick Hurley, deputy fire chief. To give you a little more insight and to kind of turn back the pages a little bit from 2020 to 21 all the way until now, we have been hammered by storms. So
through those storms, living through this building and living through this building being uh uninhabitable during Ian, I can attest to this was what really prompted the fire from commission at that time that we need to do better
when it comes to emergency management and the facilities for emergency management in order to prepare the city for the future. That said, as we move this project along, we have taken a lot of different considerations in and I say we because at the time EM was underneath
fire and we've been good partners through this process. So, it is absolutely a need. It is a very critical need. Um, when you think of emergency management, it is not just gray sky gray skies. It is also blue sky events. at any point in time something could happen
to where Stacy and her team has to assemble a lot of people to then mitigate a disaster of large scale within the city. They're also very much uh helpful throughout small events as well. So whether it be a brush fire or you know something to do with a law
enforcement issue. So we are a growing city. We recognize that there are some the needs as we transition from small city to medium city to big city and this is certainly one of the most critical tasks that we can accomplish is to make sure we can mitigate large disasters. We
can't do it from this building. We've we've tried that was clear after Ian. It was abundantly clear. Yes. And we had to move into a separate building and then move back into this building. And yes, I I lived through that. So and and so did many others that work for the
city. So it is a critical need. It is something that is very much on the front of mind of all of the responders in the city. But uh yes it is it is something that we direly need in order to make sure we what we do first is provide for public safety.
If I may just one other quick thing. Um, what would really really help me is more information and maybe a little more planning and thought given to in the blue sky scenario,
how do we make this EOC serve the community better? And I'm just brainstorming. Um, the chamber is always looking for space to run their lunch and learns. I mean, so it's an expensive facility. There'll be
a lot of space. How do we ensure that the community can make best use of it in blue sky situations? That would really help me with with this proposal. Yes. And I we have so many great ideas
that I'm more than willing to go through the city manager to provide for you. For sure. That would be great. Thank you very much. Vice Mayor. Yeah. The city manager stated earlier that so far we spent about 200,000. Is
that about it? What we've spent on this project so far? Or how much have we spent to this date on this project? It's like 600,000. We can go back and double check. It probably take a matter of minutes, but I think it's upwards of 300,000 and maybe 400,000 for the design portion of where we're at right now.
Okay. So, let's say 400,000ish. 566,674. I like this number better. Okay. 500,000. Okay. Now, this this 500,000 does this pay for the completed design? Is that all everything all done and designed and ready to go for
shovel ready? So, the project at this point is fully designed. We're in for permitting. We've addressed the majority of permitting comments and it's been bid. Uh this is the the GMP number that we bring to you in the presentation.
Okay. And and my other question was listening to these conversations, I just want to make sure that everything's out in the open. Let's say the project stalls because they want to do funding with other things. What's the shelf life on
that design? If if we were to say no, we don't want to do it right now, do we have to go back and redesign it in the future or does it have like a three, fiveyear lifespan on design? I would have to take a look and see when the next Florida building code update is
due for implementation. Uh, at a minimum, we would have to go back and adjust any references to the previous Florida building code, which, you know, it depends on what they change um and when they change it. But then, okay, let's ask, let me ask
this question. If something changes, can those designs just be upgraded or do they have to go back to square one and be redesigned and another 500,000ish? No, I mean, they would have to be updated at Ellen. It depends on what up
updates they implement in the Florida building code. If they change the wind loads, that could have a large effect to our structural drawings. You know, sometimes they just change how you calculate a wind load and it can have some effect, right? So, it would be still a workable
document. True. Yes. Absolutely. All right. That's that's all I had, Mayor. Okay. Um I mean, appreciating the need for the EOC and the fact that we need a dedicated facility and and I see that
and and I don't negate that. You know, I'm looking at how do we, you know, kill more birds with one stone, so to speak. You know, there's I mean, breaking ground on a separate
standalone building next to the to the fire station here. Okay, there's that. There's We negate the the tax collector thing because it doesn't make sense. We we own a beautiful property that we're going to build a a beautiful police
headquarters on for which we have no money to do so. Um we have a commitment to build a government building in Wellen Park. Um maybe that would make a great EOC building along with um the addition of
city services building services and other things which might have been envisioned for that building. Is that a concept where maybe then we can leverage our development partners to pay for it and reimburse them over time since we can't borrow money on our own? I'm trying to think in my mind, we've got
$13 million that we're ready to pull a trigger on. We've got this money. It is it is sir tax money which was on the sir tax list when it was adopted in 22. We've got some building fund money. Both those buckets can lend themselves
certainly to other high priority projects we have in the city. Is there a way to be creative enough to to to find a way to do this? If if we can't build a police headquarters building to introduce the subject a little because it is sort of it goes hand in hand and
and where in the world if we couldn't this year are we going to next year the year after the year after that find a hundred plus million dollars. Maybe we need to decide all right we need to have just like we have different fire
stations we have safe let's create a city safety facility. Okay, let's have a section of the policing go there. I know it's not optimum. I know it's not centralized, but it's part of a sacrifice that we're going to have to make cuz after all, what's the police
department going to do when big chunk of their money disappears next year or the year after? And they don't have it. I mean, we have to deal with the realities of we only have limited resources. So, I'm thinking, and I don't have all the answers like Commissioner Langdon says,
but maybe it's worth starting to think about some of this stuff. Is there a way to partner up our departments to share resources, share space, um, and utilize the leverage we have with partners out there because this is
$13 million that's going bye-bye. And once it's spent, it's spent. And and yes, will that building have value? Sure it will. But is there a better way to get to the endgame, which is give us a safety facility that we need, but at the
same time better utilize our citizens tax dollars or our available tax revenues? I I don't know. I'm I'm struggling with this cuz the need's there. But but I feel like uh you know I mean why would Wellland Park
make a horrible location? And and is it even realistic that we could put an EOC there instead of that government building? Do we really need more bure bureaucracy, another government building, or could that be our EOC? And could we like you're trying to partner
or utilize some of your extra available space for, you know, the development services. Could we not do it there? I think it depends on the evacuation level in Wellland Park. I think most of that is C and below. Um, all of level C was
evacuated during Milton. So, um, we would like to keep the EOC out of an area that would potentially be evacuated. Melan Clark. Mhm. May there um again a lot of outside of
the box thinking. Um while putting an additional EOC on top of uh that facility might make sense might makes sense. You're contractually obligated to build a kind of a general services building. The vision was um to give them
kind of centralized access to um building planning all that kind of stuff. contractually I don't think you're going to be able to walk away from any by those but doesn't mean that you know uh you could colllocate an EOC there I will
say this during Ian it was um important with all the so we had the national guard here that were located here we had uh Tampa Bay police were here and it was there were synergies that were had by
having uh the EOC function here in the middle of all that. Uh that's one thing you would be sacrificing. Not necessarily. Since it's going to be an enormously magnificent property in the new Wellart High School that'll be available soon make make for a great
staging area if the county wants to actually help us a little maybe. I don't but as far as downtown Wellen Park I don't think they would like seeing the Humvees and all that kind of stuff colllocated with the if the EOC was there. But you're right, there are other things out there. out
out in Well Park that could be explored. It's just, you know, it's it's just food for thought when you think about how resourceful we're going to have to be. So, I'm I'm I'm not negating the need. I'm not negating the plan that's been put together. I'm just saying we're
right on the precipice. Like city manager said, if we move forward, this is going to happen. That money is going to get spent. This building is going to get built. And later we may say, "Oops, we could have done this differently." And I, you know, I'm asking the question, that's all. Now it seems to be
the right time to kick this all around. I mean, we have not solved the problem of RPD. And despite how much I support, let's face it, engineering professionals, if you ask the experts, the consultants, what's the optimum
here? you know, analyze our need, tell us what we need to do, here's the general parameter, the money we have available, and they come up with these plans, and there are wonderful. I mean, the PD building is magnificent. The EOC is magnificent. And in a perfect world
with plenty of available money, like no problem. But it this isn't the world we live in anymore. We we are not seeing reality. Reality is
we're not going to have the money for any of this stuff. And if we spend this kind of money now only to next year find 10, 15, 20% of our general fund revenue vaporize, what in the hell are we going to do? How are we going to keep up with our policing
needs? Maybe we should leverage that. Even if you took a couple of million to throw it to to to somewhere else, you still got 10 million you could potentially put towards, you know, developing something on the site we bought for our PDA headquarters. And maybe we need to think about a district
policing, you know, a precinct mentality. I don't know, but sure it's after the direction we've gone for the last year, we haven't come up with the solutions. We're not going to find them easily. So we really, you know, I hate to say that the EOC now becomes like a
a, you know, a ball to bounce around in this process, but I don't know any other time to talk about it. And if we don't and we move forward after today, then it's not going to be on the table. And so I, you know, again, I'm struggling with it, but Commissioner Langden.
Yeah. Um, just another thought, our police headquarters proposal had 40-year shelf space. Why not put the EOC in that shelf space and leverage the budget?
So, if police could come up with not the ideal, it would be sacrificing some things. And I'm just throwing out numbers just to throw them out. But if
our police could come up with a 70 or 80 million plan and part of that is an EOC bringing it down $13 million. I'm starting to feel a lot better about
getting things done. Merge those plan. I mean it's not ideal. But we have to get out of ideal. I I am really beginning to understand why
previous commissions just simply didn't spend money maintaining our current buildings. There was no money. That's why. And so we're living with that today.
and and this commission. I've been so proud of this commission and our current staff that we've really figured out how to get some big big projects moving.
Um, again, we're going to have to get really, really creative. And the only thing I can guarantee you is no one is going to get everything they want. But we have to figure out how do we
take care of our existing needs and and I can hear previous commission saying well that's what we did with the current police uh headquarters and that's why today we're so grossly out of space because we
sort of designed it for the current need. I I totally understand now why they did that. So, we have to figure it out. Why? Why couldn't we take that property we bought for our police headquarters and build a fire
station, a a police building, something that would house various departments or or areas of policing and find a way to do it. I mean, not Yeah,
there's issues and there's consolidations and there's duplicates. Hey, this is all we've got to work with. We've got a piece of property we bought that's sitting there. It has the the space capacity to hold an EOC and a fire station and a police headquarters if
it's designed and put together properly. I don't see why we can't use that property and find a way. Nobody gets like Commissioner Langden says what they the total of what they want. Certainly the police don't, but there's you can't tell me that there can't be whether it's
just the you know the senior staff of the policing and certain departments within the police department that lend itself to being separate and find a way to do it because to me that's the way of the future. And the fact that the fire
rescue would be part of it. Well, you know, their funds can't can only be used for certain things and I get that, but it would still help defay part of the cost of these facilities, their portion. And the EOC has money. It's already
generated for the EOC project. It it it reduces the amount of pressure on PD. It doesn't give a a full police headquarters, but it's a part of a larger conversation to have to figure out whether it's even feasible and to
say it's not optimum or it's not the best plan. We know that we can't give this city the best plans because we don't have anywhere near the money and all we will do is kick the can down the road on these things until they
cost 10 times what they cost. So, how are we going to living in a state that is going the direction to pinch pennies everywhere? There is no doubt we're all going to have serious financial impact over this next year or two. We're going to be dealing with less money. H
how do we not at least investigate doing some of these consolidations and find a way to do it? not give all the reasons why we can't do it or why it hurts us or why it doesn't provide for
this that or the other. But it's like if you don't get any of this, zero, none of it. You don't get the EOC, you don't get police headquarters, you don't get you get nothing unless you figure out a way to do it together on one property. Figure it out because that's what our
taxpayers are telling us. That's what the citizens are saying. How much where are you going to get this money? You're not going to get it from us anymore cuz we'll throw you out of office and replace you with people who will bury their heads and go back 20 years. That is not the answer for this city. The
answer is to stop wanting everything we want and to figure out the bare bones needs we need to provide safety for our citizens. That simple. That simple. Safety. I don't care about meeting rooms and
collaborations and training. You know what? The citizens don't care about that. They care about save my ass in the middle of a hurricane. Okay? Get out here and and solve my problems. You know, Dy, this is just this is just
more government expansion. And that's what it is. Okay? So, I say, let's give you what you want, but find a way to partner it more than just a little space for for, you know, development services. If I may. Um, so I think there might be
a little bit of confusion. So the the big space, the situation room is where we'll have the the monitors and be able to coordinate and have our maps and gather all the information during blue skies. That is where we could use that room every day for
trainings, meetings. We're part of the um long-term recovery committee. So, we could host meetings with the long-term recovery group that provides money to people who are recovering um from Hurricane Ian, things like that. So, it's not like we're building a building
with all these separate training rooms. It's just this room already exists and day-to-day it will be used often for emergency management purposes for um our community partners for for residents as well because we could also host our
hurricane seminars in the emergency operations center. Um, we could host our community emergency response teams. Um, we could hold uh first aid trainings. There's all sorts of things that we could utilize would utilize um that space for that would benefit the community as well.
And I just question whether more not so much taking away from the plan you have necessarily, but just locating it in the right spot with the right like I mean with with with the right
neighbors on a campus and we have a property to do that. I I I I'm just questioning whether there isn't some better master plan to all this and solve and skin more cats here. I I you know I don't know the answer to that. I just I
just know this is an awful lot of money to pull a trigger on and and while I don't doubt the need there's an awful lot of need to go around. So I I'm just I'm looking for creative approaches.
That's Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, just a few comments. Um, the the reason why when we looked at originally the EOCC and the police station together and they were separated was due to security concerns that were sort of um PD's security
concerns are a little higher and tighter than EOCC would be. So, they were separated for that reason. Um you the points you make are excellent of course because we know that because we have half a billion dollars that we're trying to solve for in unfunded CIP which is
still a conversation that we want to have. The reason why the information was brought to you today was the continuation of a project that was already approved prior and that approval spans multiple years, multiple boards, multiple managers. So we're executing on
what we asked for but times change, things have changed. Um, we know that we we're not going to be able to borrow it at the lowest amount possible because of uh we don't have that ability. We know that the the climate of the the city and the county and the country is not going
to allow for taxes to be raised to pay for it either. So, we're looking at this small window and the creativity that you bring to the table is very valid. um if we need to go back and sort of revisit
this even though as Commissioner Vice Mayor Emer said you know the couple hundred thousand couple of hundred,000 several hundred,000 that we spent on design for this one you know the same thing is with the police headquarters we didn't want to lose that money that we
invested because we acted on the consultant's recommendation at that time which was in the best interest of how do we make it ideal as you have said um today, but we might need to go back and revisit that and see if there is a public safety complex that makes sense
out there. If there is a different model that can get us to the next 20 to 30 years as opposed to a longer range vision. Happy to go back and do that. I know Commissioner Langden um Miss Cissio has said she's happy to come back and give you more information on the
benefits of, you know, what makes it work or why why it works. And maybe we need to do that for every project that we have just to make sure that we're thinking about today's issues and challenges versus whenever the project began to be discussed and how it evolved over to today. Yeah. Cuz would we really
lose the design ability if if we just moved it to a different location? I mean, if we didn't build it next to the fire station and we built it out on another property, wherever that might be, would would we really lose would the design cost change?
I think it depends on the size of the property, but doesn't assuming the property was sufficient to handle it, obviously. So, we could reuse floor plans, assuming we're not now merging other departments into the EOC and trying to figure out how they work together, but you would
have to restart site design entirely. Yeah. Okay. But that is what drew the EOC to this location. It's colllocated with police headquarters, city hall, a fire station, an activity, the Mullen Center, uh area
for staging. It became a uh a a good option uh for where to put the centralized emergency operations center for really all of public safety during those events. So, and when we go back to uh talking about, you know, public
safety and complexes, fire stations are geographically located based on our ability to get somewhere within a prescribed amount of time. So, defining a fire station to go in that location. I know we've we completed a concurrency study with a developer that's in that
area, and that's not the best location for a fire station. So there's a lot of other factors that do come into a lot of the great ideas. And keep in mind, we've batted these around now for years, right? Like there was a talk at one time of where do we put the emergency operations center. All of those
discussions landed it at where it's planned to go. So um it has been around uh we've discussed it. It's obviously been on the front side of commission now I think for two budget cycles. Um, so what the EM has done in collaboration with finance and the building department
is basically tried to package that in a shovel ready project that we we wouldn't be in the same spot. I think a year ago, probably right about now, we were staring Milton coming right down the pipeline and then a few weeks ago was the one-year anniversary of Helen and
then a few weeks before that was Debbie. So, we're one year out from three very catastrophic storms. And when we're operating off a 244 and we're telling everybody you can't go to the third floor of this building because there's a chance that if the storm were strong
enough, significant damage would occur and and you know, safety to the responders of the EOC. That's what we've been looking to solve for for years now is where how do we get a building that is sustainable through a a very heavy disaster and event but is also usable in
a blue skies environment. We have to solve for the the the most dangerous first and that is an Ian, a Helen, a Debbie, a Milton, all of those things. What happens if that hits the city of Northport? Again, all of the other ancillary pieces are how can that
building can also how it could also be functional when we're not staring down the center of a cone path for a hurricane and how can we ensure that the citizens of Northport throughout all these events are are taken care of to the best that we can as police, as fire, emergency management, and as city
employees. That's what this building is about. and and delays to that really do mean we we stay with status quo what we have here. So I have a quick related question.
Yeah. Yeah. Vice Mayor, hold that thought though. Commissioner, when you're rebuilding the fire station, what hardening is that going to be at? It's the same the critical infrastructure category 4. Okay. So
wouldn't it be possible to just add on like an extra conference room at that same rating for the emergency management process only as like a training room emergency management not worried about the building department being in there
just at that point. But as you're constructing the fire station rather than having a standalone building you incorporate it into the new station and then it's there. And I think the cost would be a lot less because all you're doing is adding on. You're not
doing a separate building. You're just Yes, you would redesign the fire station to incorporate whatever type of square footage you needed for this building. And great question. And those conversations had come up before we designed. Obviously, they're getting ready to tear the fire station down and rebuild it starting in a couple of
weeks. to paint the picture that 244 as we've known it. We've operated with that small room for ever. I mean, as long as I can remember, uh that's that's been the room the city has used for the EOC.
The the EOCC build is much more than a singular room, right? So, keep in mind that if if power fails, there's no water. Everything is like we were in Ian. That building is the building that functions to keep all the emergency response going throughout the city for
that entire event. So it houses city employees for the entire event. So it's not just a room, it's bunk space, it's kitchen space so uh meals can be prepared. It's uh separate meeting rooms because as we go through these
processes, I think some of you commissioners have been around. We pick up from the EOCC. We go plan a strategy meeting, a tactics meeting. The EOCC still functions and then we move back into it. So all of the spaces that are in the EOC, I was there throughout the entire design were trimmed down to just
like you're saying. What is it that we need? There are very little wants in that building. Those are all needs. If they're in that box, I guarantee you at this point as we stand in front of you today, they are only there because they are what's needed in order to make that building what it needs to be to provide
those services throughout some of the biggest disasters that we could ever think of. So, it's a little more than the the meeting room. I think that's where a lot of thoughts go. That's what we've been using. We're trying to get away from that because we have found it's it's not sufficient. It won't it
won't sustain time, right? and and and I fully understand that and I've been through emergency management for quite a few years here working with the city as well and that that's the key. We are in an emergency situation. It's it's time to buckle up
and get the works done. And no matter how we do it, we do it. It doesn't need to be in a luxurious setting. Okay? If we just get what we need out there to incorporate all these people in that emergency, then that that we've
accomplished that goal. That's all I'm trying to get at because they're sitting up here talking about trying to incorporate different things and and to where we can utilize our monies properly going forward because as the mayor put,
$13 million is a big price tag. Can we do it cheaper? Can we receive the same goals? And that's why we're trying to incorporate other things. You know, I understand why you went with the building department. They need room for their inspectors. But it doesn't mean we can't put portables out back either
because in the old days, the old city hall just popped up a trailer and that's where the building department went right outside of city hall. So, it depend. Yours is totally different as a requirement. Not not for the inspectors though. They can work at a desk in a
trailer as long as it's AC. you guys, you have different needs, different specifications. I understand that just may not be the proper partnership at this time for the results that we're looking for. And we're looking to save money and and it's coming. You know, we
have to start looking at that. I'm not saying we're killing it, but it's it's difficult right now with what we need and what what's coming in. We got to decide what's going out and the citizens come first. So that's where I'm at.
Mr. Petro, thank you mayor. I guess we are slowly getting to reality that faces us and uh I support the project wholeheartedly and especially you know in those situation that might
arise each year and that year of that all of us are dreading the hurricane um season. Um, I guess we need to have a to adapt to a reality that faces us. During the budget process, I voiced the
concern that we're going to be facing um with the reduction of uh income uh the real estate tax revenue. And at that time we kind of dismissed it and not seriously
not not too seriously. But as we progressing, we see that at least the homestead will be raised um and the primary residence would be tax exempt to some extent. At
least that's what I hear from the from other sources. Um as a matter of fact at the committee I attended um this past Monday um some of the commissioners from
neighboring communities attended the seminar where they were informed of future decision from the govern governor's office and there were serious decisions that will be made. They all they they all said that it's going to be
it's going to come. It's just a matter of time and the extent but it's going to come. I guess we have to have a multifunctional type of a approach. What can we use and uh if we I really like vice mayor's
suggestion if we can incorporate into one building um and have a multifunctional use of the facility whether for the emergency situations or regular fire department um that would be
ideal and I guess we have to look into that those options. uh because sooner or later we we're going to get to that situation where we're going to be cutting not not to mention
proposing new projects. So um that would be an ideal situation to look at multifunctional use of any of our facilities and any of our um uh assets that we have and maybe
we can I don't want to make a decision now but maybe we can postpone that or maybe we have to explore more. I know it was based as the city manager said it was based on the previous commissions boards and
multiple city managers. Um but times are changing so and we have to adapt and be adaptable to those changes as well. I guess if we stay in line and do not adapt, we're going to hurt us ourselves.
And uh that's just want to that that's what I want to address and the reality check. Thank you, Mayor. Yeah. Uh before I recognize Commissioner Duval, I would just say again one um if
we do nothing, okay, if we simply have this finish up this debate and we all exhaust ourselves, then this just goes forward and it just gets done. What's the next step?
Um, we're bringing you a proposal to finalize the funding of the project. If you if you don't say move forward, we don't move the project forward because there's a gap in the funding that's needed. You've approved 11.2 million of it. 12. That's what I mean. If we approve the
funding, it No, you've approved most of the funding. We're asking you now if you agree with the pathway to approve the rest of the funding. And if and if we agree with the path to provide the rest of the funding, then we go forward, right? And there's nothing the
commission needs to do, you're just go build the building. Well, I think we need to bring it back to you as an agenda item that would sort of get you to dot the eyes and cross the tees of us doing that funding. it would. But if you say no, we don't want to do this or you want more information to
make your decision, then we would bring that back to you and we could do that in a regular meeting and that way you could actually vote on it and then make that decision from that day or one-on-one if they wanted to look at the floor plan. We could do a one-on-one so I could show you guys the floor plans again if you Yeah. Yeah. If we need to, like she just
said, if we need to bring back you individually to give you more information before you come back collectively, that's fine as well. can't show the floor plans. I mean, I don't Let me recognize Commissioner Deval. I
appre I apologize, David. Go ahead. You're up, brother. I'll come in. Thank you, mayor. Um, I just have a quick technical question. Um, the new fire department, is that going to have a
backup generator andor battery backup for that generator? Yes. All all fire stations are required to have generator backup. Um the EOC building if it gets built or if it gets attached
to the fire department or if it does not get attached to the fire department. Is there battery backup? Is there a generator backup for that building also? For all of those type buildings? Yes, sir. So whether it be an EOC, a fire
station, uh police uh facility, all of those are considered critical infrastructure and the requirements are they have generator backup. Okay. And I would just add in if the plan changes and the EOC building
gets attached to the new fire station. Um or even if it doesn't if it's clear by um could you put it in the plans where the backup generator for one building can also feed the other you know so it can
switch back and forth u in you know in my experience I hate doing this all the time but I do it anyway I worked in nuclear power plants we had three plants all in Lake Ontario if one plant lost its power.
It could get power from the other two stations as well as from offsite or off the grid and uh not one backup generator but three and three banks of backup batteries. I'm
just saying is you know maybe add in a plan where you could you know have a substation connect the two that's all. So, just to clarify, the the fire station 81 that is being rebuilt essentially as we speak, uh that that is
contractually moving forward with the design that we have with the contractor. So, that's being torn down. Um the EOC is planned to have its own generator because it is a separate
building. If the EOC were to ever be paired up with another critical infrastructure style building, then yes, you would be able to size the generator appropriately to then power all of it. Essentially, what we have right now with
station 81's rebuild and the EOC is that those generators are sized to then run both buildings. So you would get some economies of scale with doing this style uh idea with say another building but you would still end up with a bigger generator because you would still power
both. Thank you. Yeah. All I would say is it so the takeaway from this workshop for this item would be do we you know
give direction for staff to move forward on the funding options. Okay. I you know in of itself it's not a bad ask. I mean, if if there's no alternatives in terms of the conversations we've had about
consolidating needs and facilities and all that stuff, um we need to, you know, obviously provide this facility. So you know I I I guess in my mind I don't have
a problem as long as by giving direction to move forward you know it utili you know these funding sources that just you know it's this project's still got to come back before us okay before it gets finally approved in the interimm is there any appetite for
us trying to create any kind of additional direction about thinking about this project a as it's designed I in in a fashion that allows us to combine or consolidate you know is this
really the best spot should it be on the site by Toledo Blade where the police headquarters was going to go you know and then allow the space I mean I don't know I'm just asking the question is is is there anything more to yet discuss about this project because we're
not going to really get much of a chance except when it comes back for final no approval and then it's sort of like a hell now we got to undo our plan cuz the plan is for it to be built right there in city hall and maybe this is the best way maybe it it just is what it is I
don't know but you know I don't know what anybody else thinks about this like are we just you know sharing some concerns we have and that's it
um I I think for me. I would like to consider a different location for the EOC. There's great value in having it located in the same area as a police
headquarters. So, I'm going to be aspirational when I say that at some point in the near term, our police headquarters will be out on Toledo Blade and we'll have the EOC
there. Um, I'd have to dig back into the police headquarters plan, but I'm sure there would be separate uh power generators, there would be separate training facilities, there
would be separate kitchen. So, I'm suggesting that we could build the operations center out there and then when we do start building the police headquarters, there'd be training redundancy,
shower and stayover redundancies. We would have to make the redundancies work so that the footprint of the police headquarters could be smaller, read less expensive.
We have to at least look at it. I think trying to do it here on city center green along with fire station 81 I'm I'm hearing is really a stretch. 81 is happening. it's really too late to
try to leverage um some consistencies there, but the Toledo Blade location is within spitting distance of two fire stations and plans for a third a little further
out east. Somehow, folks, we have to make it work. We have to make it work. I got a question. Go ahead, Vice Mayor. Let's just say the path continues forward as it was presented and we're moving
forward into the next steps. How much money would be, you know, paid out like permitting this that and the other before you come back to see us again? would any monies be expended between now and that point? So, I would have a couple of challenges.
If we're looking at now colllocating PD headquarters in EOC and Toledo Blade, which I think I just heard, we don't have the PD headquarters designed that way and they are completely designed now. We didn't have room for expansion
on that site where we may just pop down an EOC. And here, here comes Chief. Uh, so it just it doesn't look like that right now. So there would be some effort involved with redesigning and trying to figure out how to do that. A new design. A new design. New design.
Yeah. Was that a new design on the PD is what you were stating for both? It would be both or both. Really? Rip start all over. And then Elena was kind enough to share that, you know, if planning their their
needs really aren't met out that far. They need to be more central. So we would lose them as a partner probably if we relocated. Right. There are no good answers to this question. Mr. Dval.
Yes. um if we do change, you know, and decide, okay, let's build this up and you know, where the police station's going to be. Um right now
we have just about $11 million available that we've already appropriated. Um, so we're a couple of million short of the overall project, but we do have the 11 million and some of that money came from
development services by taking some of their money. Okay. And if we change it to the police station, are we going to be able to take that development services because some of their people Yes. No. I think that that's exactly what I'm
getting at is right now development services would be able to use some of the planned building and if it goes to the police station well now they're not going to go with it and there there goes some of that money. Correct.
Yes. And so actually the the the money from development services from the building fund is on top of the 11 million. So that money actually closes the deficit completely. So we currently are presenting to you a project that allows us to com to break ground. So
it's shovel ready now. So her fund closes that gap. Thank you. Thank you sir. Anything else? Commissioners, I just betro, what's the square footage of the
building that you are requesting to be built? Uh, apart just specifically for your department, not developmental, but so it's it's all the the to the whole building is 16,000 square feet, and that
includes a 2,000 square foot generator enclosure. Is that how big that is? So, um the the actual part of the building that we'll be utilizing is much much smaller because we need the mechanical room, the data center, things like that. Um that goes into that 16,000 square ft.
16 plus two. No, that includes every that's everything. Yep. Okay. City manager. So, Mr. Mayor, based on everything that we've heard today, would you right would you like us to sort of give
you a little time to think about the options that you've told us? We've heard enough to go back and sort of bring back some questions to answers to your questions and bring it back as an agenda item and then sort of give those answers, talk to you maybe in one ones, give you some briefings regarding some
of the questions and then have you make a decision um before anything goes any further than today without you actually having a consensus or any um voting today. Thank gang. It seems like there's a lot of
unanswered questions. I know. For one, I'd like to have a further conversation on this after they've gone back and researched everything and and bring it back to us once again. They've heard our concerns. Yes. Let's put the subject matter experts in
gear and have them come back with their solutions. Yes, sir. Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor, because I think there's a lot that has happened since the beginning of this conversation whenever it began to now. And some of those questions we already have answers for, but some of them like the suggestion
about the combination of the building at Wellen Park, which I've never heard of, but that, you know, it's outside the box and it might make sense. But we've I think we've heard enough today to bring you back something that will allow you to make a decision. The other thing I think too is, you know, while time is money, so we always
have to be careful about that. At the same time, you know, over the next two, three, four months, once we get in past the Christmas holidays into January, we're we're going to start to have more clarity on the direction this state's headed. I I don't know that they'll have
any final plans, but we're certainly going to start to to get a picture of of what looks like the direction, but something's coming that's going to affect us financially. And the degree to which it does is going to affect how we operate going forward, right? Even
through this next budget cycle that we just already approved because I mean, it all depends on like when we're going to start to see some cash hits. So, it buys a little more time. it it doesn't, you know, I don't know if it'll provide total clarity, but it but it but
it might show some indication about what's happening and it gives us a chance to think about this some more because like I said, all these decisions are going to have to be we're just we're just so limited from a financial resource standpoint. You can't argue
that this isn't a righteous ask. You know, you can't it's a righteous ask. It's well thought out. It's needed. It It All those things are true, but just like the police headquarters, but you got to have the money. You got to have
the money. And and and here we sort of got almost all the money. The only question is, is that the best juice for the money? Because our world keeps shifting under us. And and and I know this stuff was all approved. It goes back years. we've been talking, but you know, if we didn't have two horrendous
hurricanes, would we be here today at at the point of doing this project or would we be muddling along like we always did? You see, and that's that's the question, too. You know, it's it's just a lot of money and and and
worthy of more thought. Anyway, Commissioner Langden, if I could just throw out another quick thought regarding the blue sky. if the space in the EOC plans can alleviate some of the space issues
at the current PD, current city hall and the Mullen Center. That would help me a lot. Okay, just a tip. Yes,
a tip. Yeah. One thing to add on top of and I don't want to see nos. I I want staff to figure out how to make it alleviate our current space issues here on campus and we're happy to do it. We're we
partnered with Elena and whoever else wants GIS is moving over to us too. So we'll have some IT staff in there dayto-day as well. So that would be great. Happy to help. The other piece the other piece to add to is uh this project has gone to GMP.
So what that means is we've received the response on what that project will cost which the EMS stated prior those bids are held for a finite period of time maybe 3 months. So
if we break beyond a certain point, probably December, they will have to go out and rebid. And if the decision of the board is to stick with the plan, they'll have to go out, rebid, and there will be an escalated cost with that. So
for us the the normal timing would be get the GMP staff scrambled allmemes all the the the the ideas that we could to bring it to funding to then still get it potentially in front of you all and then to move it along with hopes of getting
it before there has to be a rebid of a GMP. I mean I'm really agreeing with you that doing any redesigns at this point is really not feasible. So, let's just figure out how it can alleviate our car space issues even a
little bit. Be very helpful. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate you suffering through our I appreciate you guys. You know, I'm always up for a challenge and I'm always up for a great discussion and I I do I appreciate all of your questions. Thank you.
One more emergency to manage. It is. It is. Anything else? Anybody or we good? No. Thank you. What do we want to do, gang? It's 10 of one. Do we want to have a lunch break or do we want to try to just push through and do the final item? Up to you. How
long is that going to take? What? The final item. Maybe take a small break and then just come back and plow or what do you want to do? Staff hasn't eaten. Like, you know, what do you want to do?
Yeah. Mr. Langden is has an obligation. She cannot Yes. So, take these 10 minutes and come back and finish. Yeah. Let's just do let's just do a quick 10 minutes to stretch our Oh, I'm sorry, Sam. Well, I was trying to ask them how long they thought this was going to take.
There's only one page that's in the item and I think we were going to sort of show you the links in there to get the information that you need. Well, not that you need that we are doing now with this process. So, I don't think it'll be a long item. presentation itself is not long. We were just going to demonstrate
to you what information is available to you now and where to find it and then ask for input as to what the commission wants to see going forward. So, do you want to just plow through? I don't care.
You mentioned staff is hungry. They haven't eaten. They they're fine. Oh, why didn't Let's take a vote. Do we want to take a quick 10 though? Just a bathroom. Take 10 then come back. All right. So, let's be back in 9
minutes. Commissioner Lang. Oops. We're reconvinced. 1:00. We're here without Commissioner Langden. She had an appointment. She had to attend. So, we are back for
See where it is. Are you doing page? Yeah. 25-2796 discussion possible direction regarding development review administrative approval process. City manager, your item, sir. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I am going to turn it over to Miss Lorie Barnes, our deputy
director for development services. Uh, good afternoon, mayor, commissioners. Lori Barnes, development services deputy director. Um, we have prepared a staff summary for you regarding our administrative approval
report, uh, which you've been receiving on a weekly basis. And we understand the commission had some input or some asks as to what we might incorporate in that administrative approval report. Um, most
recently we have started including the link to our development viewer map for you all to be able to look up those projects as to where they're located and the basic components of those projects. So I wanted to give you a highlight of
our improved development view or map. If you click on that link in the email, say for example, we had a project that was approved administratively and a development order was issued. you could link on the development viewer map and
then you can locate that project. Um, I'll use the imagine school for example. If you click on the property in the development viewer map, you'll receive a popup of all of the basic
information of the project. Um, including the location of the site, how large the site is, and the general components of the project. At the bottom of that popup, you can click the link to view your image site
layout and that will show you the site plan that is in that has been reviewed by the development review committee and approved administratively. Now, some of the commentary at uh prior meetings um first was inquiries about
groundbreaking and hearing about them late or after the fact. The development services department does not control or necessarily have all of that information available to us as far as groundbreings are concerned. The Chamber of Commerce
really leads the charge in welcoming new businesses through a ribbon cutting um and sometimes groundbreings. Now, if we do receive information or invitations to groundbreaking ceremonies, Imagine School is a good example. We received a
communication last week inviting us to their groundbreaking which we forwarded up to the city manager's office for sharing with you all. Um there was some commentary about seeing things on Facebook. Um,
there's lots of things going on on Facebook and we don't necessarily know every project that is coming down the pike based on somebody who is out there doing a survey or even doing an environmental assessment. They may not
have applied for a pre-application meeting. They may not have a formal application in progress. But what we can do and and we'd be willing to if the commission's consensus is for us to do so is we've initiated or will be
initiating quarterly economic development updates. As part of that presentation, we can do an overall development services update and we can bring you into the loop as far as all of the applications that are currently in the review sequence as part of that
presentation. Now, alternatively, all of that information is available to the public and to you all on a sella as far as applications that are currently being reviewed by our DRC. Um, I believe that there was an inquiry
about economic impact of all of these projects that are reviewed administratively. One of the things that we can easily accomplish is providing the commission with an estimate of an of annual advalorum tax revenue should those
projects be completed and come to fruition. Um a broader economic development impact statement for every project would involve purchasing software and dedicating staff time more significant
than doing an advalorum calculation. Um so that would be something that we could consider contemplating in you know a mid-year budget adjustment or next year should the commission wish us to proceed in that direction.
I believe those were the high highlights of the prior discussion. So, we're happy to hear your feedback. We're happy to do what we can do to improve the report so that it helps you be more aware of what's happening in the development
review world. Appreciate it, Lori. Thank you very much. Commissioners, um, any discussions on this item? Any thoughts anybody's having? Commissioner Patrick, thank you, ma'am. I do really appreciate
this this presentation uh because we do learn a lot of new developments at the later stage of from Facebook as the mayor said at the previous uh dialogue when we had this
conversation. Um I would like to have uh any major updates to be commun communicated with us with a sellar specifically permitting changes any major permitting changes and um any
commercial new development um because otherwise we have to kind of dig on on our own and find out what's going on in that area, what's being developed there. And u I've learned through my short time here that I've
learned from citizens what's going on with the new development commercial development then from the staff and uh I just like to communicate that this is a right step in
this direction to inform us what's going on. A quarterly reports is probably sufficient. I I guess monthly is too much. Um but uh yes, we would like to be in the loop and I appreciate that.
Thank you. No, my concerns with the report. I I like this and and it does, you know, if you work with it, just like if you go on the city website, you can navigate yourself through and find these the these development projects. Like Commissioner
uh Petro says, you know, invariably every couple of weeks they'll be like, "Oh, this parcel on this corner is being cleared and like what's going on? What are they doing? This and that." I I also share his his concern over
that. Like a lot of stuff I hear I I get tipped off to because I see it, you know, because it's affecting neighborhoods. So people see, oh, somebody's in there and they're clearing trees and they're doing this and they're doing that. But this all points to a
bit of a larger conversation that perhaps we can talk about since it's a workshop. um is the ability for us as commissioners to better understand how y'all are
operating. You know, the the separation between commission and staff. We all have our perceptions on okay the charter is does a wonderful job in in uh smoking and clouding up the entire I
mean it's just not clear and a lot of stuff isn't identified as to who does what to who we kind of know we give direction we approve the dollars um we set policy and staff figures out the howto's and and operates the city but
maybe we're missing an opportunity to on a regular basis, a monthly basis where a workshop takes place where the like our orientations when when when I was went through orientation and I'm sure
Commissioner Dval and and Petro when they did I found it invaluable to be able to sit down with staff with the department staff and get educated. Part of was how it works, how their departments work, this that and the other. The other was what they're working on now and what what's current
is is there value in in addition to getting this monthly report on development you know projects from development services is there is there a need a want a desire to to rotate through and and have the
opportunity for commission as a group to sit with a department in a workshop environment and literally have verbal go backs face to face. What about this? I heard about that. Have these conversations that one, don't interfere with the with the average day-to-day
operations of y'all. And don't create a disconnect between what some commissioners know and what other commissioners don't because that is an issue very often when when there's the ability to to garner information in an inequitable way. and could this
help solve some of our disconnects and some of our and create better understanding as to what's going on in our various departments. Maybe, you know, we can rotate it. We can, you know, one month it's it's development services, one month it's it's uh economic development, one months it's
it's public works and depending on issues that are out there and it's its subject matter should be directed by commission, not just oh you all are going to make yourselves available for us so we can have a BS session. It I I it needs to be structured to where by a
certain date the items that commission would desire to discuss with staff face to face would be submitted by a deadline. Staff would then have adequate time to to research and prepare for it and then we
have that get together. I'm trying to create a better communications and working relationship. I don't know. So we can trans so we can bridge a little of of of you know what y'all are doing versus what we see and what we hear. It it
would it would help me I think and it would keep commission feet to the fire to create that agenda. I mean it wouldn't just be oh next Thursday's you know community and we show up and so like what do you all want to talk about? It's like there needs to be issues to
discuss subject matter, but should there be more than this? I I mean, I don't know. I'm just, you know, this this one item in a narrow sense pointed to a concern we had when we all agreed with the uldc we'll have so much would become
administratively approved. How would we the commission know what the heck was going on? And so, you know, this report sort of helped some, but it's not helping as much as I'd like it to. It's not that the information isn't there. It's that like we don't
know about it in a more timely fashion and we got to go hunt for it or wait for the report. I just I don't know. I'm just wondering if there's something better we could do here to help facilitate better communication between commission and staff and do it in a way
that's respectful of of of of staff's time, you know. Yes, sir. So, so one of the things that I can offer and Yeah, absolutely. C. Yeah. So, we've talked about this and what we said that we were going to do is
as we talk about economic development, the the question that we answered today was the one that was asked regarding we don't see things that we don't approve anymore. And so now you can go and you see where they're at. You can see them on the map and those ones have already been approved. What's outstanding and
I'm just talking about the economic development angle. You kind of broaden it out to the world. But the economic development angle, a lot of people understand that it is a long um a long game, so to speak. It does not happen overnight. There's a lot of things in
the process that can be talked about publicly and that can't be talked about publicly. There's a lot of things that happen as they are drawn up and some that sort of fall through. But I think what we need to do and what we're going to do on a on a regular basis is to show and explain what is going on so that
people can get excited about what might happen. But you also have to educate them to what might not happen as well. Because as we see the highs and lows in economic development, that is not something that the general public sees. They may hear about something here or there and the next thing you know that
thing doesn't happen and then they try to figure out well who's to blame for it or why didn't it go why didn't it go right and we should be coming to you and telling you as a board and as a public what didn't go well or go right but there has to be an understanding of how economic development works and the
success rate of um carrying projects from beginning to end. We just don't want to set people up for false expectations every time that we hear something good, but we also want them to be excited about the efforts that our team and Lori and her team is driving to take the city forward. Um, and to
Commissioner Pro's point, I think Lori, I'm asking this is a question. Don't we send out like a regular newsletter or some sort of information to RSL users so they know what's changing or what has changed? Do we do that? the the system is automated and if
something has changed the anyone who's registered should be updated. Um similarly if there's something changing in a process then the building official or um Elena will send out a notice to our users so that they understand.
Okay. I I thought there was some method in place to avoid what you were saying which was not sort of uh making public making directly available the changes to aella because it is a new system and it is a huge deal and there have been several changes since we implemented in
last December but I just want to make sure there was there should be a way for users to know about the changes to the system directly. Mr. Mayor, if I may, um, you you had
some of this conversation is about current development and some of it's about economic development. So, city manager just gave a fantastic overview about how economic development works and getting excited about things. With the current development, there are
mechanisms where we can better communicate with you if that is so desired. We have a bi-weekly development review committee meeting. It's an in-person meeting here in room 244. There is an agenda that goes out to all of our DRC reviewers and our outside
partners like the school board. Now, if we have pre-application meetings on that agenda, you'll see them and that's people thinking about bringing development into the city. Similarly, if we have a project in formal review, if they've been issued comments, they are
scheduled for that DRC agenda so that they can come if they wish to discuss those comments. We can easily include the commission in that distribution of that agenda so that you can see what projects are coming to DRC. Keep in mind
though, sometimes those preapps, they don't ever come to fruition. Um, so even though they're interacting with our department, it doesn't necessarily mean that the project will absolutely 100% come out of the ground in the future, but we can include you in those
communications. The DRC meeting is open to the public. It is not a board or committee, so there's no public input involved, but members of the public can come and listen, and that may be some of what you're hearing because we do have a number of residents who watch those DRC
agendas and do come and listen. So, we're happy to share that. Um, and then, you know, as far as some of some of what you hear is rumors and they're and and they're not substantiated. Um, you know,
we had an inquiry about, well, is there an urban air recreation facility coming to the city? Well, no, there absolutely isn't. To my knowledge, they haven't called us. They haven't requested a zoning verification letter. They haven't requested a preapp. So, there's always
going to be some unsubstantiated rumors out there that we'll not be able to address. Is the DRC's notice me? That's a sunshine meeting. No, it is not. We are a technical review committee. We do not make decisions
based on public input, which is one of the reasons why no public input is involved. So more than one commissioner can't attend. Correct. That'll be a problem. Of course, can it be? Yes, it's the the meeting right now is
an in-person meeting. Um, we could contemplate uh with direction including a Microsoft Teams link, but I'm not sure if that brings into the sunshine as well with one more than one commissioner. I'd defer to the clerk on that. Um but you
know we we require these to be in person now instead of online number one to meet our requirements um under the development permit timelines in the statute and also to try to build those relationships with our DRC team reviewers and our applicants
and actually be able to be in a room look at a plan point mark give guidance as to how to change their plan to meet the code requirements. ments, etc. Vice Mayor,
yeah, at these meetings and and you just stated that, you know, they might be happy to come on board, but they sometimes don't go come into fruition, do at the point that you know that they're not coming, do you update that? Because let's just say a citizen has
looked at this is what's going on. this what may happen. Target, I'll use them as an example. Target may want to come to Northport, but no, they decided not to. And then an update on why they decided not to
because like you said or city manager, somebody said they get the wrong information out there. It's like the the city didn't want them. So, you know, they just went elsewhere. to have that out there as anformational piece for the citizens. We could say, "No, Target
decided to go to Port Charlotte because they were more shovel ready than the city of Northport." There's your answer. Not Northport kicked them out. Just curious if that could be implemented or um I I don't see why we couldn't share that information if we have that
information. We don't always have that information. Someone may come in for a pre-application meeting and we never hear from them again. Um, others might be communicating with economic development and they might share why they might not be coming. And moreover,
we have projects that have issued development orders. Development orders are good for 2 years. Sometimes they just don't proceed. And most often we don't know why. And and that was the main thing was if
we had that knowledge and I understand they may not even say you know who knows somebody that started something may have changed their mind and may not be in that financial situation again but if we know it's best to let the citizens know as well. If we don't know we don't know.
We can't just come up and create a story. But if we know for X reason, then we could put that out to the citizens and say, "No, it's not all the city's fault. They couldn't get permits. They couldn't do this. They couldn't do that." No. This way we can if if we had
that information, I think it's sharable. And and and I think it really needs to be put out there if we have it. That's all understood. Thank you. That's all I had, ma'am. Anybody else? Okay. Um staff is looking for a consensus to uh
make the the revisions to the uh development review administrative report. So but before we do I guess any public comment um you need a consensus for that? You looking for a consensus?
Sure. you've given us some really good feedback. Um I'm I I understand that you know some of you have certain topics. So yes, a consensus on the items we've discussed so that we know that you're
all in agreement that these things are important for you to incorporate into the report. Um, one of the things I mentioned was, you know, the economic impact that there hasn't really been much conversation on your part in regard
to how we proceed in that direction. So, yes, um, if if we can have some some more uh, input, that would be fantastic. We good everybody? What's that? Good. All right, then. Thank you.
Thank you. I think that covers all our substant general public comment. Sheila Smith, I am writing to urge the city commission to preserve the Northport Senior Center and Wake Food Pantry. Both programs serve essential roles in our community. The senior center established in 1977 offers
seniors a safe place to connect, socialize, and find places. Awaken food pantry, which took over operations from the Salvation Army after COVID, provides free food five days a week to families, seniors, and individuals in need. Both are volunteer run and operate out of the same city-owned facility. According to the backup materials, the building is
nearly 50 years old and requires major repairs estimated between 4.4 and 5.8 million. While those costs are significant, these structural issues did not appear overnight. Maintenance and inspection records could clarify when these problems began and why they were not addressed sooner. It is concerning that
such deterioration wasn't identified in past budget. So proactive repairs could be funded. The options before the commission, repair or demolish will have lasting impacts. If repaired, how will it be funded? And what is the timeline? If demolished, will it be re rebuilt? And where will these critical community
programs go? In the meantime, we have already lost the YMCA and the art center. Let's not add the senior center and food pantry to the list. Both organizations provide vital support that strengthens our city's sense of care and community. If this were the Morgan Center facing closure, the response would be immediate. Seniors and vulnerable families deserve the same
urgency and respect. Please prioritize repair, restoration, and long-term planning to ensure these essential programs continue to serve Northport residents for years to come. And that's all I have. All right. Thank you. Well, if there's nothing more, commissioners, it's 124
and I end this workshop.