He showed me the daily checklist for the park. >> Then we have our chemical data sheets. So basically just making sure like our comp pool, lazy river, kids pool are all where they need to be anywhere between two parts per million or 10 parts. And
then pH is somewhere between 7.2 and 7.8 for a healthy pool. >> There you go. Then came the back washing and wasting process. flushing the filters to keep the water flowing freely or removing excess water from the system to keep the water levels balanced. >> And then it'll start coming out in this
pit. >> So this this whole pit will fill in about 3 minutes. >> Really? Over there? >> Yep. >> Next, we changed out one of the strainer baskets which help catch large debris before it can reach the pumps. >> I'll tra that one. Thank you. Then new
one goes in just like that. And we usually let those dry out. South Platum later this week. >> Before joining the team in Northport, Matt worked as a lifeguard in Charlotte County under Trish Sturgis, our assistant director of parks and recreation. >> So, I've known Trish a very long time. So, that definitely was one of the
influences of wanting to come work at the aquatic center. Had me go out for an AFO course recently, which is aquatic facility operator course. basically anything and everything relating to a facility like water chemistry, safety
rules, that this and that. So, I went there. I just passed that class. So, that's a little little bit of knowledge under my belt. It was definitely useful. >> Well, Matt, we're we're grateful for your time and your experience and all you put into your career here and congratulations on your certification
and you do amazing job here, sir. >> Thank you for joining me today at the Northport Aquatic Center. It's a great facility. I want to thank director Sandy Funheler, assistant director Trish Sturgis. I have learned so much amazing things today. I would like to say that the technical expertise that goes to keep the water safe as well as the
people safe is an amazing combination. See you on the next job. Thanks for being here. Hey, city of Northport. My name is Sandra Budro. I am with AECOM and I'm representing the city of Northport on this glorious Price Boulevard project.
We are here on Price Boulevard at the Blue Ridge Waterway in which we are building the box culvert. Um, as we've talked in the past, we're doing a double barrel box culvert here and we are currently pouring the second wall of the structure. That wall's got to cure. The
concrete has to cure and then we can strip form. So, it does take some time for the walls to cure and then for us to start building the top. After that, we're going to build uh the earthwork and then the roadway. So, at this point, we are currently early on in the process. If you want further updates,
you're going to go to the Price Boulevard web page. Pop. Hello, I'm Jerome Fletcher, city manager of Northport. I'm on the job with the solid waste division of public works. Let's go. Make yourself at home.
>> Oh, I love the duck. Look at that. >> Yes, >> that got passed down through a few co-workers and then now it's it's ended up in this truck. So, I was like, I want to keep it. So, >> well, well, maybe it's for the uh twotime driver of the year. How about that? >> Yeah. >> Oh, congratulations. >> I appreciate it.
>> Yeah. You You only been here for two years, right? >> Two and a half now. So, >> all right. >> Recognition is nice, but what he really values is the simplicity of the work. Meet Cole Sigley, a solid waste driver for the city of Northport. >> You can put me on the same truck and same route, leave me alone for 30 years,
and I'll be it'll be done. You don't have to worry. You don't have to worry about it, >> right? It's very low stress. Let me do my job. Yep. >> I'll do it right. Come back tomorrow. >> Yep. And then you go on to your next route and then you just keep doing that and then eventually the weekend comes. You enjoy the weekend right back to it.
>> Right. That's that's how life should be. >> It's a career he planned for early on right after high school. >> I went and got my CDL after I graduated high school and my goal is to get here eventually. So >> All right. >> So I sound like a man with a plan. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, we appreciate it. We
appreciate everything you guys do. He even shared a little bit about where he grew up far from the Florida heat >> because we we're from West Virginia. >> Okay. What what part of West Virginia? >> Uh so it's north central so like Clarksburg. It's about 40 minutes from Morgantown which is where the university
and the schools are and all that stuff. >> I've been to Wheeling West Virginia a couple times >> up in the mountains. >> Yeah. >> I I I'm going to tell you driving up those streets when the streets are like really narrow >> and you got to wind up those I was like oh my And I was young. And I was like
23. >> Yeah. >> And I was like, man, this is going to be a problem. >> There are some of those mountain roads where it's just we like to call them kiss your butt turns where you're snaking through >> and then you got to do that in the winter when it's icy on the road. >> I don't even want to think about it. I don't want to think about it. >> No, I'll take this over that up there.
>> Any day. >> And when the talk turns to hobbies, the trucks don't stop at work. In his spare time, it's all about monster trucks and RC cars. >> Nice little basketball court right there. My son would like that. out of our house. >> Oh, yeah. >> That's nice.
>> Your place to run your little RC trucks, too, >> right? Oh, yeah. >> I got a bunch of those. I like >> Do you? >> Yeah. >> Oh, man. Do you have the gas powered ones? >> I have the electric. I don't have the gas power. I've seen them. >> I I just want like the ones that go fast. I mean, it could be electric or gas, but how fast can yours go?
>> I have So, I have a couple that can go 40 plus. >> Oh, yeah. >> So, they're the brushless motors. So, >> you go race them somewhere like on the track? >> No, I just race around my yard. They're monster trucks, so they you just take those things anywhere >> and they can jump over anything. >> Oh, yeah. >> Right. >> I rip them through the sand and the grass. I hit big jumps with them. I
break them more than I do. >> You take a big jump, you're like, "All right, let's do this." And then you land it and it's like, boom, it's done. You just broke the wheel offer. >> But when the work day starts, the focus shifts to keeping the city running smoothly. Every collection has a plan. And behind the scenes, people like Mario
Vaniti, planner and scheduler for the city, help make sure it all runs like clockwork. So basically I'll and I will check them one by one. >> Right. Do you really? >> Oh yeah. I'll get out at every one and I'll check I might take a section and do like three or four streets. >> Right.
>> But for the entire city. >> Yeah. So here we have contamination our first tote. >> Right. >> We have yard waste which does not belong in there. >> Right. >> And we're going to end up tagging this and they're not going to collect it because of that. >> Okay. But but as I'm familiar with you
write on there exactly what the problem is. I can check off. There's a spot for yard waste on there that doesn't belong in there. And I will show you that. >> The goal isn't punishment. It's education. Making sure residents know what belongs in the bin and what doesn't. >> So, here we have these are um it's a
recycling notice. It's not a violation. It's not It's just a warning. It's just saying that, you know, oops, you had something in here that didn't belong. >> Right. >> So, I'll date this. Today's the 24th. And there's a spot on here. We noticed your recycle container that had something that didn't belong and there's
a spot for yard waste, >> right? >> Any kind of branches, trees, plants, anything like that does not belong in there. It's not recyclable. The collection center won't take it. So, basically, I just leave this notice on top of the lid like this. >> Leave it closed
like that. Yard waste and that's it. and the driver knows not to collect this. >> And if there's ever confusion, there's even an app that takes out the guesswork. >> So, the Recycle Coach app, it's easy. You just put in your street, your zip code, and it will it will notify you the
day before on your phone. You get a notification say, "Hey, tomorrow's your trash day, and you put the tan lid out." Wow. >> It'll give you notifications, so you can't mess it up. >> I like that. From drivers to planners, each role shows the same thing. Pride in their work and pride in serving the community.
I do the best I can for y'all. Learned a lot today. Had a great experience with the gentleman from solid waste division of public works. What I learned today was that we have a lot of programs I don't think citizens are aware of to take advantage of. Whether it's cardboard collection, whether it's tote cleaning or also just the fact that we
have one gentleman, Mr. Mario, who goes out through the entire city making sure that we recycle properly. Please make sure that we recycle properly so that we can get the best most efficient use of our solid waste throughout the entire city. It was great to be here today and thank you.
>> Good evening. Today is Wednesday, February 18th, 2026. It's 6:00 p.m. We're in the city chambers, and I call this city commission joint meeting to order. Commissioners present are Commissioner Dval, Commissioner Stokes, Mayor Emerich, and Commissioner Pro.
There is a quorum present for this meeting. Also present are city manager Fletcher, city attorney Fino, deputy city clerk Powell, board specialist Linder. In the back we had uh Captain King is here and fire marshal Marietti
was just here a moment ago. Pledge of allegiance. I'm going to call on Commissioner Stokes to lead us this evening if you would. >> Pledge to the flag of the United States of America. and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you, sir. I skipped something. I'm going to request the charter board chair, Miss Body or Bod. >> Body to introduce the members.
>> Hello. Um, I think we can each inter introduce ourselves. My name is Virginia. I'm the chair. >> Joe Justice, vice chair. >> Sugaran Staples, board member. >> Thank you. Request a motion to approve the agenda.
So moved. >> We have a motion made by Commissioner Stokes, seconded by Commissioner Pro to approve the agenda. Please vote. And that passes 4 to zero. >> Moving on. Deputy clerk, do we have
public comment, sir? >> Uh, yes, Mr. Mayor. We do have one. Uh, Tim. >> Mr. Mayor might remember this. I don't think the rest of you will. I was harassed by the police department in this town. I had two guns put, one at
each temple. My backyard has been stolen from me. I've been harassed by the cops. I've been given a ticket for not wearing a seat belt. Now people are trying to steal my land again. They came to my house. I don't go to
your house. Every single time is when someone comes to my property. The only reason I own that property is because cops put guns to my head. THIS GOES BACK a long time. You guys never settled with me. I had the former
mayor in here wouldn't allow me to speak. Violating my rights. I could have sued right then and there. The former police chief came to my house and told me to move out OF TOWN. THAT'S A FACT, JACK. NOW THEY come to my house and tell me to
get off my own property. Ain't happening. You better make sure your code department handles this properly. The police department was at my house. They know a crime took place. In order to
build a fence, you need a permit. So, I hope the police department informed the code department that they should have sent a letter to that house to the owner because it's a renter.
Now, when the cops came, they wouldn't let me go on my own property. That fence was 5 ft in. Okay. And I had another 70 ft. So, what's that? 7 * 5 35 350
square ft at minimum. I got news for you. How big's your garage? Can I come steal your garage? Can I come steal your bedroom? Can I come steal your dining room? IS THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING to me with all of this. You guys have
never done nothing. I TOLD THE COPS THAT THAT NIGHT and I have a lot more to say and you know damn well I am not going to stop coming to this meeting. Yep. You got me again. Every meeting, every topic, you got me. I'm sorry. I am not
putting up with this. This is ridiculous. This is not the United States of America. This is the same thing that Rick SCOTT AND I TOLD HIM I was going to throw him under the bus, too. Donald Trump and everybody's doing. The Americans don't own this country
anymore. You don't own your land anymore. The foreigners own it. DO YOU KNOW IN NEW Hampshire they do roadb blocks? I'm closer to an international border here and in in New Hampshire they set up roadblocks on the interstate ON
THE HIGHWAYS. HOW COME THERE'S no roadblocks here? You guys do clicking ticket click claims but you arrest illegal aliens and you won't protect my property. That is all. Thank you. Moving on to general business discussion
and possible action regarding advisory board recommendation memorandum from the charter review advisory board concerning bond issuance during declared disaster or emergency without voter approval. Uh Mr. Powell, you are to introduce this
item, sir. >> All right. So on December 18th, the charter review advisory board first made the recommendations regarding new verbiage. And then on January 13th, the city commission voted to have the joint meeting today to talk about this issue further.
>> Thank you. And the charter review shall speak to this item, please. >> You want me to start? >> Yeah. Well, our whole intent here is simply to be able to have this city
restored to its previous way prior to an emergency or natural disaster, hurricane, whatever it is. I know the city has a problem trying to get money. All cities do. and we were
trying to figure out a way to be able to restore this without having to go through a referendum every time we'd have a storm or a national disaster. Uh, and that that's our object. Now, how we do this is probably going to have a give and take between what you guys know can
happen and versus what we think can happen. That's why we'd like we like having this meeting so we can get both your input, mix it with ours and see if we can come up with a a good way to move this forward and give it to the voters.
>> Okay. Uh any commissioners have any questions or would like to speak on the item? >> Commissioner Stokes. >> Yeah. Um, one, we appreciate that, you know, the charter review board has has
taken on this challenge because obviously I don't think anybody I don't think there's anybody that doesn't realize that the city needs the ability to borrow in the event of an emergency. There are low and no interest
loans that the state and feds offer that we can't take advantage of. We depleted. I mean, we we ate into our reserves after Ian so dramatically that, God forbid, we had been hit again with another storm, there wouldn't have been the money to
address uh debris removal and and a variety of other things. So, you know, it there's no doubt that we need this. You know, we've tried it twice. It's failed twice. And from what we've learned from those
lessons are that this needs to be an initiative that's driven not so much by commission or staff as much as by the community. And we've had lots of
conversations with parties outside third parties who have worked these types of referendums for the county, for other counties, for other municipalities, and for us. And this is at least a year to twoyear project.
It involves community engagement. It involves crafting the language in a way that makes sense to the community. and considers the unintended consequences.
Um, you know, we struggled with the language the first two times. You know, when you say to try to bring the city back to its condition prior to an event, well, does that mean if you
know the aquatic center loss is it slides like so this the the city should without authority from the citizens be able to borrow whatever money it needs to fix that? Does it mean if ball fields or parks get torn up that money gets
spent there? or does it mean only the most critical structures and facilities and equipment be replaced to get us back on track and be able to provide basic services? So, there's a lot that goes into trying to create language that makes sense. Should
there be a cap? Shouldn't there be a cap on the borrowing? You know, one could argue there should be no cap because we could be looking at 60 70 80 million hit if god forbid there was a catastrophic event. But the city can't afford to
service that kind of debt. So should there should there not be some cap that citizens are comfortable with even if it doesn't cover the whole amount at least it's something more than we had before. So, there's so many things and how do
you generate that citizen initiative? Um, you know, citizens said they didn't vote for this because they didn't trust government. Well, that's a sad reason not to vote for their own best interest, but that's how people feel and that's how some people voted. So, I don't know
how we do this without a professional organization. And and I'll point A to August because Christine Robinson who has run numerous, okay, referendums for the county, other municipalities, and our city, you know, told us flat out, you're looking at a
2-year window to make this work, to put together the right resources to address some of the other issues the city is struggling with. You know, citizens want to feel we're responsible with their dollars. So, you know, while we haven't raised their millage rate, the property tax rate for six years, fees have gone
up, the budget's gone up every year, you know, perhaps there's a a sizable portion of the citizenry that doesn't think we're responsible enough, that we should be slashing and cutting the budget more and that we should be providing greater reserves for those kind of emergencies. There's all these
issues that have to be worked through. And so the county, I understand, is putting this emergency borrowing on their referendum on on a referendum this November. I also heard that Argus, who initially
supported it, no longer supports it. I don't know the details of it all, but I would say that it might make a lot of sense to watch and see what happens with them, see what the state does with property taxes, see how our next 26 27
budget comes together, and start to plan for the 28 election. You know, I'm all for doing this. The idea putting it on every single year until we bludgeon the citizens into submission, not me. I'm not supporting that. But a organized
plan addressing all the concerns of the citizens and getting them behind it. Yeah. I mean, sooner or later they got to do it. And I I fear that it won't happen until we have a bad we have a bad hurricane season
and we don't pick up debris cuz I'll never vote to spend as much money as we did before out of our reserves. So if people have to wait, if 70 HOAs have to go on their own and deal with the federal government to find a way to get a debris removed, well maybe that's what
they'll have to do. You know, once people understand the severity of this issue, how important it is to have that ability, you know, maybe that will change. But, you know, right now for me, it's a yeah, I'm committed to the concept, but I think it's premature
because a lot of work to do to get there. Totally got me here. >> Yeah. Um going to think out of the box a little bit. I know we're talking long term, you know, a couple years before we would ever think about putting this on a referendum, but with the city manager,
I'm going to ask him a few questions. What do we got sitting in reserves? About 52 $53 millionish >> at least. That's the amount we spent last time when we had such an event. Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, and that puts us at the 20%
of our reserve capacity. >> I think we're a little bit above that, but yes. >> Right. And legally, we're supposed to be at what 10 >> 10. >> Okay. So, my scenario would say is if we took, let's say, 15 to 20 of that
million. >> Mhm. >> Earmarked it into a hurricane relief fund, leave the rest in reserves, you'd still be above the 10%. But that money would be ear earmarked for hurricane relief.
That would be your cap, your 15 or your 20 million and that's what we would have to spend. And like Commissioner Stokes had said, we may not be able to do it all just critical areas and then we might have to stockpile stuff on city property until we might be
able to move it on down the road and to landfills and afford it that way. But at least we would be showing the citizens here, we're we're designated this money here that we have instead of depleting that 52 million again because of the
storm because it's like, you know, bills just came in and we kept cleaning and kept cleaning, >> right? >> We we were the best participant in all the surrounding areas. You know, we were the ones that was cleaned first. You'd go to Charlotte County for months later it was still sitting by the side of 41.
But do we have to be that exact each time we have a storm? It's it's an emergency. You know, we should learn to live with those. Been here almost 40ome years. And yeah, there's give and take. So, I'm just throwing it out there that
maybe we might want to pursue something like that to earmark x amount of dollars, stay above our 10%, we still have everything covered. And as long as it doesn't well, we don't have borrowing capabilities, but you know, our borrowing rate, but it's just something
to think about for the fix now until we could be able to borrow. >> And from our standpoint, staff standpoint, we were always concerned about that second storm. So all that money that we spent on that first storm and we're thinking back to 2022 when Ian hit, had there been another storm right
beyond that one and you're already spending that money on the first storm, then that's where you would not be able to recover from that second storm. So when you go immediately into the recovery mode, which is what the public and everyone expects you to do, you start spending down that pile that you
have set aside for the hurricane. So maybe the strategy is not to recover as fast and see and ensure that there's not another storm coming on the heels of that storm so that you can then prepare and recover from in this example both
storms that's how we could spread the money that we have out without the ability to borrow. >> And that that's what I'm getting at. If you designated let's say 15 to 20 million on the first storm >> and then the second storm hits >> then we still have 20ome million to 30 million still sitting in reserves as a
backup to work on that secondary storm and other critical areas. >> Yes sir. But there will be, and the public is hearing this, there will be an inconvenience to that strategy because we will not be able to clean up as much as anyone would like to with $15 million
in the example where we had to spend 50 million, I think, for in right. But we just may have to change our game plan. Instead of taking it to the dump, paying all those dump fees, we may have to take it from the areas of concern and take it and stockpile it on city property until we can take it to the dump fees. That
would cut down on expenditures right there as well. >> Yes. So, I mean, it's just a different game plan. That's all I was trying to get at. >> And by city property, you mean like staging areas, not like the front lawn of city green? >> Well, I mean, it depends. No, >> no. Yes. City lots that we have out
there in areas, you know, like our um sanitation area out there, you know. >> Yes, sir. >> Not not in the working zones, vacant property, but it it's just something to think about and m over and maybe we'll discuss that as an agenda item down the road, but just to think about.
>> Yes, sir. Commissioner Stokes. >> Yeah. You know, one consideration, you know, were we to want to do that is is let's face it, there's so much uncertainty as to what's going to happen with property tax that if there's any
kind of a a a piece of legislation that finds its way through and actually gets signed, sealed, and delivered, it's going to have significant impact. It may well impact the level at which we maintain our reserves because you know we have to
maintain the 20 but anything over and above that may well have to be utilized for some basic essential services. We don't know how deep these cuts are going to be or if they're going to happen at all. And it just adds another layer of
uncertainty as to why, you know, it's hard to make these kinds of decisions or to make a commitment on the part of commission to take a chunk of our reserves and and set them aside and segregate them and and uh you know, and agree not to use them when we're going
into a budget cycle that we really have no clue what we're going to be facing yet. So, there's a lot a lot a lot of considerations that go into this. It's it's just lousy timing. Hopefully, we won't have to experience a lousy hurricane season. We we we dodged a
bullet last year and hopefully we will again for the next couple years before, you know, we have to uh to face the music. But it's all I really have on this on this. I didn't suggest it to be
put on the agenda next month. We would have to, you know, wait till after November, see what goes on with with all the voting and stuff. This could be something that we could plan on next spring, you know, something like that to, you know, figure out what what we're doing. But, Commissioner Devolve,
>> thank you, Mayor. >> First of all, thank you for being here. I've been where you are. As you've already heard, you know, uh Christine Robinson, you know, the Argus Foundation, you know,
they're recommending, you know, that we're just not ready right now for another referendum. But that doesn't mean we can't be prepared for one. And one suggestion I'd like to make is that uh
maybe your board meet with Miss Robinson. You know, the trust factor we've had two referendums that have failed.
It's getting that wording correct. You know, the citizens just do not want to say you can borrow. They want some sort of limit. You know, my my own personal
feeling on limit is, you know, I've said this before. I know members here have heard me say it. I don't care if the city borrows $15 million for 10 projects or 150
million for one project. as long as whatever we borrow will keep the city maintaining that double A rating. We have the Moody double A rating. you know, I'd like to
see it go AAA, but and part of that is, you know, I mean, you know, it's frustrating that when we had Hurricane Ian, you know, and we spent $45 million and that wasn't to repair anything. That was just
to pick up debris. And at that time, you know, FEMA was around for low interest, zero interest, even forgivable type loans. But because we
can't borrow, we didn't do any of that. We had to pay for it ourselves. Um, but I'd like to see if you could talk with Christine Robinson and and get that
wording down to something that will put some sort of limit on and like like the wording that I uh the words I remember seeing when I when I looked at this was,
you know, to bring it back to a state of repair. Okay. Well, first you have all that 45 million for just that was just debris. That was no repair, you know. So, it's almost like there's two categories.
But to get the confidence of the citizens, we've got to get the the wording correct. So that would be, you know, my recommendation to, you know, talk to Christine Robinson and then, you know, get back to us and and find out a
timeline of when we when we can do this. Um, you know, personally, I'd like to see it in November, but I just don't think that that's going to happen right now. But again, I do thank you for being
here. I thank you for your time and your efforts that you put into this. Thank you, >> Commissioner Petro. >> Thank you, Mayor. I want to thank this advisory board for their work and their
recommendation and that you devote your time to be on this board and to discuss issues that we face as a city. I think um we have a we have a good shot at this. Um we have we have to do some leg
work. Um, I do believe that wording matters and Commissioner Dval touched on many points I wanted to talk about, but I'm I'm just gonna skip what he said because some of it I was going to say almost word for word. Um, I I do believe
we have to do the right wording uh because wording matters. Um and if we specify a limit on the cap and we would be saying that I don't know if it can fit in that 70 whatever 75
wording limit if we say that I hate to losing those non-interest loans and forgivable loans from the state but if we get that thing inside of that uh paragraph where citizens can see it
when they vote. Uh because we have nothing to lose. If we borrow and the state repays us or forgives the loan or loans that would be very beneficial for the city. Um another thing is u I do
think we have to specify what kind of borrowing um to the detail uh because yes we have to win the trust I don't think we have anything to lose by having this agenda or this uh
referendum questions uh question um on this nove this November I do believe that the reason it was failed well a couple times. Um the first one was very
bundled. It involved um capital projects. So it was no separation between the emergency borrowing and capital improvement projects. So that was the big one. Uh people didn't feel uh that
they could trust the city with that. on on this one. On the second one, I think we had too many referendum questions. Uh and that is May um of last year. Uh it was just too crowded. People voted just
to vote no. They didn't trust the government. Um we were not as focused as we could be with this November referendum question and a specific say question. it would be
just the one. We can do a better job. I think we have a we wouldn't have to pay for special election um to have extra because it falls with the November elections. So, and this is my view. I would I would want to see this
on uh on the ballot on November of this year because u the city would be so much um uh benefited if used correctly. And I think we can do it. We can do it as long as we do the
cap if we do the specific wording. Um, and I don't know how, but maybe possibly we can specify so we don't lose on non-interest loans from the state government or whatever that phrase that
we can get free money if you will from the state government. So in conclusion, I think we should do it and again thank you for your work and for your time. That's it.
>> Quick question. Uh, Deputy City Clerk. >> Yes, sir. >> If this was to go towards a referendum, when would we have to have it written and submitted by? >> August 3rd. >> By August 3rd. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Stokes. >> Yeah. Um,
you know, everybody has an opinion probably on why the last two referendums that contained this item failed. Um, and what at least what I came away with is that, you know,
we didn't know what we were doing. We didn't know how to do this the right way. You know, for us to sit here or staff or a combination to sit and try to figure out what language we think makes sense. Um,
that isn't how these are done. You know, the education I've received is that this is a lengthy process. It involves initially surveying the community, talking to them about what their hot buttons are, what their concerns are, um giving them various scenarios to answer
so that as that information's gathered and reviewed, we can get a feel for what the concerns are. Um maybe people could care less about the cap. We we don't really know that. I I mean, there's not one of us here who represents the
people. There's a 100,000 people. We don't represent them all. We don't have a clue what all these people are thinking. So, just like we did with our branding, we spent an extensive amount of time. This needs to be done by a third party organization that can go out
and once that information is gathered, then they come back with sample language. Then that sample language goes out. There's usually a couple of of community surveys and engagements. There's meetings where community can input. This is a lengthy lengthy lengthy
process to get this right because if the community doesn't support this, if the community actually doesn't lead this with a communityformed group, which it a group like Argus or someone like that would organize on the city's VAF, it
isn't going to pass again. Okay. um this needs to be done in the right way. And if you study the way referendums work, you realize that we didn't really approach it that
way. I I I not because we're not brave enough, it's because we didn't know. and and you know, I think that um the thought of putting this on a referendum before the community buyin, before there's been that engagement,
that education, that collaboration, I think it sends a loud message of tonedeafness to the community. It's like, well, we just keep putting it out there until you finally just vote for it because, you know, we need it. So hold your nose, open your mouth, and let us
shove it down your throat. And that is the worst thing in my opinion we could do to this city. That is one of the reasons why we get so much push back. So you know, I appreciate that everybody's concerned that, oh gee, we could have a
catastrophic event. Yes, we could. And if people really took that to heart, they would have voted for it the first two times, but they didn't. So we need to, you know, the definition insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. And that's what in my opinion this would be. I do I
would never support this going on in November. I totally support doing it, but it has to be done right and has to be done by the right group and it is not an initiative that this commission or this city staff should be driving. should be done by the community and it
can be done that way if we get buyin by the various stakeholders and that takes time and effort and collaboration and trust and that's what hopefully over the next year we can build. So that's way around that. Thank you mayor
>> commissioner pro. >> Thank you mayor. U I'll throw away two cents. I I definition of insanity but this time we'll correct ourselves. Um I do believe the November of 2024 when it
was presented to the voters I correct me if I'm wrong but I think there were about 300 people difference 300 votes difference from passing it >> 306 >> 306
thank you so and that was very bundled question it was it was confusing to me I had to do extra homework I I would like what what do what do they mean like does this relate to the capital improvement
project if they're affected by the hurricane or national or declared disaster or emergency I couldn't comprehend so and we almost got it so I don't think we are doing
ourselves uh disservice if we put it again on November because and I'm speaking because this is the only time we can speak about this. Um, and we correct ourselves. We put a cap. We put emergency only. We do very
specific things um as far as waring because wording matters. So, and we presented right way. Let's say 30 million. not sure what we gonna go for but we will do moderate
uh amount the citizen will look and see hey this is just for the emergency and this is just for declared disaster uh and this is so we don't lose money or you know on grants from the state why not why why
not do it uh so and it's like way we doing it over and over again just to get them to vote for this time we correct ourselves and present them what's really really matters to them to the people um
and yes we can do any town hall holes or you know as commissioners we can educate the public too but uh I think we shouldn't lose an opportunity and wait another two and a half years because if we if
God forbid but if we get two hurricanes in in one season, then what happens then? Then the citizens going to come up and say, "Why didn't you put it on another referendum?" Then we're going to be be blamed. Really be blamed because when
they when the citizens speak is when there's inconvenience, where there's something that bothers them. I've had not many encounters with the residents when they say, "Hey, good job. You're doing good job." Usually when people come to us
they're either angry or have some issues or they want some change. Uh so and we want to make this change. I want to make this change and I want to make this change this November. uh as long as we put right warning as long as
we put the cap and consulting to do consulting with outside agencies that they can help uh then I have to completely oversee the process but then maybe they can help us in some capacity some limited capacity as a staff and as
a city we we take it ourselves this this endeavor but if we do only one referendum question I think we can do it but this is just my opinion again. So, but I failed to speak because Commissioner Stokes has a different approach. Um, I have a different
approach. So, that's why we are engaged in this discussion. Thank you, >> Commissioner Dval. >> Thank you. Um, I have to agree with Commissioner Petro. U,
I think we that's a that's an awful gamble to be taking. that we're going to gamble that we can change the citizens attitudes and it's going and and we got to wait about two years to do that. Um that's two
hurricane seasons. Um, I would like I would I would like to see, you know, that approach, you know, as I say, get in touch with someone from the uh Christine Robinson from the Argus Foundation and, you know, with a goal of of
possibly getting this done, as soon as possible, you know, that's with a a credible chance. And secondly, um, what I'd like to hear, you know, based on what you're hearing, I'd like to hear
your thoughts on, you know, what's going on here tonight, you know, and and what are your feelings about, you know, maybe talking with someone from an outside agency and, you know, working with them to get
wording correct? Is that something you want to do or not want to do? Um, you know, this is a joint meeting, so I don't want to be talking down to you. I want a conversation. Thanks, >> city manager. You're in the queue.
>> Oh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, just to point out a few things. One, um, Christine Robinson, who again has been mentioned, she was very clear when she had our one-on-one meetings with all of us regarding her vision and her strategy
to get it passed. And the first thing she said was, "It is a two-year process. There's there's no way that she would get on board with a 9-month process knowing that time is short now." She also gave us feedback that we weren't
ready as a group, meaning that we needed to do things differently than we were currently doing them, myself included. She gave me my own advice and it was not nice and or wrapped in a pretty little bow. and it was things that she told me I needed to do differently as a city
manager in order to help it get passed. And I encouraged her to give you all feedback as well. I'm not sure if she did or not, but she was clear about things that I did wrong that I am still working on and I still think about in a way that will help me do my part in
getting it passed. And I know that that still takes time as well. I know that the um two newest commissioners, you all weren't here when we well, we had the one in November of 24. You weren't up here, but you were in the May one. But I think you both told us that you didn't
support it in November when it was on the ballot, and now you're trying to say, "Well, let's go ahead and let's do it now because it's so timesensitive." It was timesensitive two years ago when we tried to get it done. It's still timesensitive today, and we still have
to go through that. But from a staff standpoint, and uh I think I've spoken to Miss Robinson enough to know that she would say if she were here today that this is not something that we should rush into. It has to be done very
deliberately in a way so that we do have the education, the conversations with the community, making sure that they are heard. Getting the question right is not as easy as it sounds. It's you make it sound like the question that we came up
with in 24 wasn't sort of fully thought out. The the borrowing issue of this city overall is an issue and making sure that we could replace the capital needs of this city is a concern for us who are in the leadership roles of making sure that we have the best fiscal
responsibility for the future of the city at mind. So both of those were combined in that effort that almost passed. And then the other one that didn't pass, as you said, there were many questions on it that people may not have agreed with. But I would strongly encourage you to understand the emphasis
that M. Robinson put on the fact that 9 months is not going to be enough and this the board that we have up here has some improvements to do before we are going to get the trust and confidence of the community. Thank you, Mr. Thank you. And I'd like to hear some
thoughts from the board before we move on with any more commissioners. >> Hi. Um I would just say for us as part of the charter review board, um our interest lies in what's best for the city. That's I mean we do this on a
volunteer basis and part of that for us is is that thought of serving our city but also providing what's best for our city. And not that I have an answer of when the best time to do anything is um but more that we do have an interest in
this. That's why we kind of brought it to you because we have this interest and we wanted to start the conversation. So I do feel like and please correct me if I'm wrong. We would like to continue to pursue this area and to you know if that means meeting with some people and
talking about because elections are not as simple as hey everyone agrees that's not really how elections uh maybe work like we'd want it to but it might be about reaching out to the community in different ways and having those conversations and figuring out the timeline that would bring success not
just attempts because attempts without success um do you wear down the people and and they maybe even the trust that people might have in what we're doing. Um, so I would say that I don't know that I would say like we should
definitely do X or Y or Z, but I would definitely say that we as a group would like to continue to pursue to maybe explore more or get more information or if there's experts that can come and work with us and talk with us, I think that could be a very good thing. Anybody
else has anything they want to add? couple of items. Um, first off, we just put what we gave you together just to get some attention because we knew we needed to contact you and this had to be a give and take between what we thought and what you
know has to happen because you have more control. You understand what happens with borrowing better than we do. And I would think that some of the wording we could change in here would be restoring the city's most critical
workings to get it back after a hurricane. Not just get the whole city done, but anything that's critical like if we lose a a parking garage or something like that or water system goes out. The most critical things is what we really want to have restored.
and we put obligation bonds in there cuz we didn't know any better. But you guys know more about borrowing than we do. The idea, at least in my mind, I didn't want to put a figure on there because I don't know how you can put a figure. You know, if it's if we have a hurricane and
the critical structures of the city disappear, we need those to keep the city working. And I don't know a way to put a dollar sign on that. That's why we kind of worded it to the point of restoring the city, but that could be worded more than
one way. And the other thing is I know Christine Robinson, I would have no problem working with her, but the question to me is, do you as a commission need to set that meeting up since we're a city board? How would that
work? Because uh I'd be more than willing to meet with her. I know her and she's pretty well adapted at what she knows and she has her finger on quite a few items. Susan, >> thank you. Uh, I loved the conversation
that I heard today. There were things that were mentioned that we discussed as well. Um, my what I kept mentioning was we were asking for a blank check and I'm not going to give you a blank check. So, I personally love the idea of a cap
because right now you have no ability. We have no ability to borrow money. Even if we can incrementally move that needle, even by starting with a cap, even by being very clear about what the
intent is for the borrowing of the money for emergency restoration of core critical functions. We have to word smith what that needs to be and it has to be clear so that the members of our
community know exactly what we're asking about and what we're asking for. The other piece to that is and love to engage with this individual. I don't to me this is a marathon. This isn't a sprint. I think we need to do this the
right way because when this came up again I was like okay how many times are we going to bring this up in front of people because at some point it's just going to be no because you keep asking. So I do think we need to be thoughtful about how we proceed. I do think we need to have the right conversations. Do this
the right way. engage with people that help us to sus out specifically what we're looking for. Love the idea of being able to target the no interest um um loans and grants that we can, but
we've also got to be able to tell the story to the community, right? It's it's about getting the verbiage right, but it's also then about educating them on what's behind it. We can't do
restorations if we have two major storms in one season. What we're trying to do is enable a way to be able to keep core critical services reestablished and then define what does that look like right what is it what does that mean I do
think we need to get that granular I don't think we can in the reformed itself but it has to be clear in the way we communicate around it and I do think we need to be thoughtful in the approach and the time that we take to get this right
>> thank U Mr. Powell. >> Yes, sir. >> Since the clerk's department is in charge of overseeing all of our boards, would it be feasible for the clerk's department to reach out to Miss Robinson to try and find out her availability,
their meetings availability to where you can make that mesh and maybe she can come down and have a meeting with them and explain to them exactly what the process is? >> Absolutely. >> That good for you, Joe? >> I agree with that. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that we
got that before I forgot about that. So, >> okay. >> Uh, Commissioner Stokes and and I agree with that. I think that's a that's a good place to start because um whether it's she and her organization or others,
it will take their buy in. It will take their advocacy and their endorsement to make this work. Um, I don't know about any of my fellow commissioners, but I asked her point blank, you know, would you support
this going if assuming you we created language that made sense to everybody, would you support this in November, as I did also ask the chamber and they both said unequivocally, no, under no circumstances. This is how many times
you're going to do it the wrong way. No. So, I encourage my fellow commissioners who don't believe that to or who may have questions about that to reach out. Feel free. You're a commissioner. You can pick up the phone and call Christine Robinson. She'll be happy to talk to you
and educate you and uh then maybe we can all get on the same page with this. But in the interm, yeah, I think it's probably a good idea because that's where it would start if you guys and and a group like hers and then in turn the chamber and BNI and a whole lot of other
organizations out there drove this concept, yeah, it could work. But if we do it well, like I say, you know, I'm not about to swing and miss for the third time. So,
I'm not buying in until the community buys in. >> Oh, and thank you. Since you brought up, you know, the chamber as well is when we've gone through our referendums before, the city is not allowed to advocate. We're allowed to educate, but
we cannot push it out there saying this is what we have to do. So, we have to have fellow members of the community advocate for us and put that message out there saying this is what's needed. So, it is a group effort and we got to have everybody on board to go out and put it
forward. So, that takes time as well. Commissioner Petro, >> thank you, Mayor. Couple things. Um, very appreciative of your responses. Uh, very helpful. Uh, I do believe the language matters. Uh, restore core core
critical services. Uh, put a cap. um and uh something else whatever uh we can make it. Uh couple things I want to be on the record saying that if we do not vote to put this on referendum and the
hurricane happens or two my conscience is going to be clear because I was in minority and I'm going to say listen I did try to put it on the ballot and I was defeated. Uh the city cannot advocate
that is correct statement but the commission can we as individual and as a body uh commissioners we can advocate we can educate we can advertise whatever we because that's our as as as far as I'm
um educated on that stuff. I think commissioners can and I'm I'll be willing to go full force to educate do town halls um with the help of the staff obviously but this is just to keep
because it can backfire to us because if we don't do it the whom do you think the public is going to blame the commission and again on the first question when it was presented in November of 2024 the
difference was 306 votes and that was a loaded questions question. Um and yes I will admit I did not support that because it would if you be I didn't have a studying to that question and it would basically would open door to almost
unlimited borrowing and the citizen did not want that. With this case it's different because we present them that we want to restore core critical services. We put a cap on it. we want to take advantage of those no interest
grants loans um that can be just forgiven. I who would not want that. I I just if we make it right present to the citizens I I cannot guarantee but I I guarantee
that I would vote for that because if we do it correct and we correct ourselves um even though in 2024 I had no authority of because I was not elected at the time. uh by
designing that language and that question to be on the ballot. So I had no part of that. Uh but uh if we do it right, it will be passed and certainly we as a commission we are responsible for the city not some outside
organization or uh that can help us. Yes, they are willing and I'm very and they are very gracious to help us and um all four of them to to have their input to be. But if they're not willing to help us, we we should do it. I do
believe as a city commissioner, it is my obligation to present it to the voters and let them decide. Uh and I think it will be passed if we do it correctly. if we do a cap, if we do core critical services
uh restoration and you know all the language that goes in that question, but I I will not change my stance on this because I do believe it's critical for the city to have that ability to borrow
to be restored as a city as a whole because God forbid they're going to be blaming the commission for not putting this on the ballot. They're going to say, "We were ready to vote it, but you had to do it right way. You didn't even do it right way. You didn't try to do it
right way. What's going to happen then?" That's that's my that's my two cents. Thank you, >> Commissioner Stokes. >> Yeah. I have a question for Commissioner Petro. What exactly didn't we do? Right. Right.
>> I'd like to know the specifics. Okay. the specifics of what it was that we didn't do right and how you think you can do it right. Okay, that's what I'd like to know. >> Okay. >> Uh I can answer that. I I didn't say I
repeated what you said the insanity of repeating to do without any corrections. So if we did it incorrectly and uh we do it right way, >> what we do wrong? What was wrong with the language? Do you have suggested language? What makes you think you know
what the language should be? How do you know what the language is if the community is not helping to guide that language? That takes months and months and months to do. People who are smarter than you, smarter than me have told us,
but if you don't want to listen to them because you feel this strong obligation to go want to go forward, fine. I really don't have anything more to say. I say just let's vote and get this over with because clearly you don't have a
solution. You just have a criticism. We didn't do it right. But if we did it right, the people would say yes. When we put this on the first time, we had language that was so loose that you could drive a Mac truck through it when it came to other infrastructure
projects. And the citizen said, "If you only qualified this, if you were specific in what it was you wanted us to be able to allow you to borrow for, we support this wholeheartedly." So what did we do? We did that exactly. And they
voted it down by a bigger margin than the first time. And people said, "Well, it's because of all these other referendums and it was all this other stuff." You show me what you would say because the people who could teach us how to do
this right do not support this. Have told us they do not support this. You have not reached out to find out what they think. Yet you're here casting aspersions on the fact that we didn't do this right. If we did it right, it would
pass. So good sir, let us just vote and we can all live with because you know the the thing I want more than anything is for you to feel comfortable that you did everything for the citizens and that if this doesn't go on the referendum and there's a hurricane and there's a disaster, you can sleep good at night.
Well, sir, I can I I submit to you I have worked for four years on behalf of the city. I sleep good every single night knowing I do the best I can for this city. But I can't force people to trust us. I can't force people to vote yes. And we did everything we could to
do this properly. So I'm tired of hearing we don't do it right, but you don't have a solution. So that's all I got to say for good on this matter. Commissioner Petro. >> Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, my solution is
simple. Uh we do CAP, we do uh right wording, restore core critical services. And uh I basically repeated what you commissioner Stoke said that you we didn't do it right. So let's do it right this time. And just for the record, um I
every individual whom I spoke with, they said each one of them told me we would vote for emergency only, but there was two questions, too loaded, too much. Um so we had a good chance to do it, but
uh to passing it, but it's up to the commission obviously. So, but my solution is uh put a right language do the cap uh limit that is and uh mention something about u grants so we could
take advantage full advantage of state grants and uh non non-interest loan no interest loans. So that would be my solution that it we got any public comment on this item? >> Yes, Mr. Mayor Tim Doyle,
>> Mr. Stokes, I understand what you're saying. It doesn't matter if you're smart or not. That's what you always say in government. It's common sense what we need. We don't need smart people. We need common sense. Okay? That's what I'm
here for to you know that I want changes. So the problem here is he's right a little bit. It's how it's worried is when you have five things on the thing and you all want to spend money. Every single person will put no
no when there's five things. I'm just telling you how we think. You're going too far. Now here's the problem with Listen, we've been ripped off. We're 42 trillion
in debt. Rick Scott, all these people have promised to cut the budget. Rick Scott, send us 50 million to put in the bank. You send trillions to the Ukraine. Send 50 million to Northport, Rick Scott. Come
on, man up. That's where you should be going for the money. Tell them to stop sending money to Ukraine. Get the money here. And you are ering it wrong. You can't put down critical services.
What's critical to me is not critical to you. People didn't have bathrooms when I was a kid. People didn't have phones. Cell phones are a luxury. They are not a need. You have to word it as critical infrastructure, right? But you're saying
that public safety is what I'm saying. Not critical infrastructure. If one of the buildings fall down, who cares? fire, police, roads. That's what it's used for. That's it.
Not rebuilding buildings. That comes afterwards. And it should be on a vote by you guys. You call a special meeting and you get in here. If you can't get together, you do it by, I don't know, TV or something, somehow telephone, I don't care. And you
guys vote on it. So there is a vote on it, not somebody just doing it. kind of understand what I mean? You cannot say critical infrastructure because what's critical to you is not critical to me. The words needs to be
public safety. Do I you kind of understand what I'm saying on that? You guys understand what I'm saying on that? >> And we need to go after the federal government and tell them to get some money down here and put it in the bank account and stop sending our money
overseas. Greg Stwie gonna do anything for us or send their money someplace else? This >> is ridiculous. That's all, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, sir. I'm going to request a motion. >> I'd like to take a stab at it.
>> Go ahead, sir. I'd like to request that our charter review board get in touch with Miss Robinson and
ask her what her feelings are on it. um and try to start working
with some organizations u to work with Miss Robinson to try to get the proper wording. and try to do this so that getting it on November's
ballot is possible, not necessarily so, but possible. And then get back to us so the commission can make a decision. Is this something we want to do? Is there a way you can understand that
what I just said, Matt? Uh, yeah, I did catch it. I I didn't quite rephrase it completely, but um what we have is to request the charter review advisory board to get in touch with Christine Robinson and ask for her opinions on this matter to start working with um her
to get proper wording and try to do this so it's possible to get it on the November ballot and provide a recommendation to commission. >> Sounds good. >> Have a motion on the floor made by Commissioner Dval. Do I have a second?
And that was seconded by Commissioner Pro. Anything to that. Let's vote. And that passes 3 to one with Commissioner Stokes dissenting. Would you care to speak on that?
Oh, I suppose reasons given was suffice. >> I just wanted to put out there the reason that I voted yes was because I thought that was a fair compromise. Nothing is written in stone and we are looking for avenues. So, I'm always good
on education and we didn't put it on per se on the vote to put it on the ballot for November. We're just looking for information from Miss Robinson and her group to see how we can go forward. Did you want to say something, Joe?
>> Uh, I heard the motion. I heard the vote. >> I heard the motion. I heard the vote. The question I have is, are we going to contact Christine or are you going to set up a meeting with Christine for us? >> I I will reach out to Christine. >> Okay. Hey, the clerk's office will try
and arrange that >> according to y'all's schedule and her availability. And if her availability is not for 3 months, I don't know what her schedule is or >> knowing Christine, I think we got to go with her availability and we'll try to
work into it. >> Right. So, you guys will coordinate with the chair and and with the clerk's office and we'll we'll get it done as soon as we can. >> Sounds reasonable. All right. Um, moving on to general
public comment. >> Tim Doyle. >> No. Now, what's this picture of? This is how I was harassed. See, our whole police department after I had a no trespass order put on someone told this guy he
could trespass 15 feet on my property anytime he wants. Remember that? Mhm. I didn't even own my own property. I mean, don't get me wrong, no disrespect to you. These cops were Pinkertons. You got a corporation up
here. I mean, this guy was protected like the mafia protects people in the ridiculous. This better not happen this time. I I supposedly have no trespass order on these people.
I'm not putting up with it again. No one's going to build a fence on my property. No one's going to come on my property, tell me to get off my property. This is not going to happen. I want you to know every day at my house, twice a day, the Imagine School
plays their announcements. I can hear them at my house twice a day. I can hear the kids playing out there all day long. I'm not very close to it. So if these guys come to my house, if you can't hear my voice on to blade, I'm not disturbing
the peace. Do I make myself clear? Because if you're going to come after me, then you go after everybody else. Cuz that's the other thing that happened last time. Your board went around to my house give me, "Oh, your grass is 2 in too high. Here's a lean on your house
because I think this guy worked for the town and was protected by the town by all of you and you know it. I lost a child because of this police department. Two guns at my head, my temples.
You separated me from that woman. That child was lost. You arrest me for a crime that I did not commit. A woman punched a woman. Yeah. A stepmother would never hit a stepchild. Huh? Always got to blame the guy. I lost a goddamn
child. And you wonder why I'm mad. I'm telling you, I'm gonna leave before I lose it. But I'll be back next week. Next meeting. That is all, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, sir. And thank you all for being here. Appreciate it. We had a great conversation and we'll see where it goes
in the future. I do appreciate all your time. So, it's 7:06 and I will adjourn this meeting.