[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 surge
up the Maka River for instance from the Gulf and then the water coming downstream from the river has nowhere to go. So that can cause water to back up along the rivers and cause flooding. That along with a lot of rain that comes from these hurricanes can also cause an increase of water flooding into the
rivers and into our water management systems causing flooding as well. Public works does a lot of work before the storm to make sure that our water levels are as low as possible so we can handle additional storm surge and flooding in our water systems. If you want additional information about that, we
have a great video about our water control structures and you can visit the public works website. [Music] Hello everyone. My name is Devon Pulis. I'm the aquatics manager within our parks and recreation department. We're
here today at the Northport Aquatic Center just to talk to everyone about our float for life program. We recognize that nationally unintentional drowning is the leading cause of death for children that are under the age of four. So we have an awesome program here called Float for Life. Float for Life is
a program that we teach that starts with the fundamentals of floating before we actually learn swimming. This program is targeted for those children that ages 6 months to four. And what we want them to do is we want them to get comfortable in the water. and if they accidentally fall in the water or find themselves in a
trouble situation, they can roll over their back and float. When we launched this program, uh we were the only one in the state that was actually teaching this milestone program. So, want to give a shout out to our Northport Rotary as well who sponsored this program here at the aquatic center and actually paid for
a trainer to come in all the way from Nebraska where this program originates there. We practice and we go through what's called milestones here. So, as soon as the kids progress through the milestones, we can continue moving on through them. And at the end of it, it's a pretty awesome program when they graduate is one of the final things that
they do is they jump in fully clothed and they have to turn over, roll over on their back, and actually be able to scream for help at that point in time. It's just an awesome segment program that leads right into our learn to swim program. So that way we can make sure we're keeping our kids safe in, on, and
around the water. They're trying to get you. [Music] Oh my gosh, this is going to be great. [Music] Oh, you're swimming in the pool. [Music] [Music]
[Music] I'm Stacy Losio. I am the emergency management coordinator for the city of Northport. And we're going to talk about why it's important to have a go kit and what should go inside of it. It's important to have a go bag because if you wait last minute to pack, there are
definitely going to be items that you are going to forget in the scramble to get everything put together. So, it's important to have your documents such as IDs, insurance paperwork, titles for your home and your vehicles and your boats just so that if your home does
flood or your roof blows up, all those documents are with you and they're safe because you don't want to end up losing those and having to try to replace those later on. Also in your go bag, you should think about what medications you might need to have ahead of time. If we're under a state of emergency, you
are able to refill your prescriptions ahead of time, even if they're not due yet. So, it's important to do that. Also, in your go bags, you should have non-p perishable food, flashlight, batteries, a radio that is battery powered and extra batteries. Should all
power go out, we will be able to broadcast on 97.5 FM anything uh any emergency information. So, be sure to have your battery powered radio ready and tuned in to 97.5. [Music]
We believe that the natural resources department will be an integral part for the city's growth as we want to achieve a more balanced approach of development In the future, >> what we really want to do is see
sensible development, sustainable de. >> Good afternoon, everybody. Today's Thursday, October 2nd, 2025. It's 400 p.m. We're in the city chambers, and I call the city commission regular meeting to order. Commissioners present, Commissioner Duval, Commissioner
Langden, Mayor Stokes, Vice Mayor Emerich, and Commissioner Petro. There's a quorum present for this meeting. Also present, City Manager Fletcher, interimm city attorney Golden, Assistant Clerk, uh, City Clerk Pal, Board Specialist Lindner,
Police Chief Garrison, and Deputy Chief Hurley, I believe. And Ginger, do you care to lead us in the pledge? [Music] I aliance 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. >> I love to see the chambers full like this. >> All right. Looking for a motion to
approve the agenda. >> So move. >> Second. had a motion by the vice mayor um seconded by commissioner Langden to approve the agenda. Let's vote and that passes five to zero. City clerk, any public comment?
>> No public comment, sir. >> All right, then we are on to welcoming new employees. City manager. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This item is 25-2776 recommend welcoming new employees. I'd like to welcome Christine McDade, our human resource director, to lead us
through the item. Thank you, sir. [Music] >> Good afternoon. For the record, Christine McDade, human resources director. It's my honor to introduce to you some of our newest employees on the team. When I call in, if you'll please stand. From public works, we have
Richard Bernick, Building Tech 3. We have Shane Mule, generator technician. From the police department, we have Carol Cooper Khichio, a business I'm sorry, senior business managers. [Applause]
Samantha Keelin, crime scene technician, also from the police department. [Applause] From fire rescue, we have Richard Wilbert, quality assurance, quality improvement officer. From development services, we have
Chelsea Mercer, development tech. From parks and recreation, we have Jason Harrari, Daryl Flick, athletic field specialist. [Applause] And finally for utilities we have Edward Bear collection and distribution tech.
So on behalf of the city I welcome all of you and I wish you much success. All right next up proclamations and recognitions. Um commissioners let's go on down front.
Nice. It's okay. First stop commission. Let's see here. Do we have anybody from safe place >> center? >> Come on down. Come on down. >> Northport, Florida proclamation. Whereas
domestic violence is a serious crime that affects people of all ages, income levels and anchor, but most often women and children and once started the campaign of physical, psychological, economic and domestic violence only gets
worse, resulting in heavy burden on society and families. squares of 106,515 domestic violence offenses were reported in the state of Florida in 2020 and 248
incidents reported in Northport and whereas safe place and rape crisis center provides free service to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children in Sarasota and Dota counties. seeks to stop the crime of
domestic violence through awareness and education and encourages every citizen to actively engage in public and private efforts, including conversations about domestic violence, how to prevent it, how to help survivors connect with
services, and how to how every segment of our society can work together to better address domestic violence. Now therefore, we, the city commission of the city of Northport, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as domestic
violence awareness month. >> Hi, my name is Michelle. Um, sorry. Um, I work at Spark in Northport. um the family service center building on Pan-American. So, we do offer free and confidential services to all survivors
of domestic violence as well as well as sexual assault. Um we go to court with them, we refer them to our attorneys, um go to the state's attorney's office with them, police department, anything that they need, we help them with. And we
also have a shelter uh in Sarasota that we can offer to our survivors. So, thank you. [Applause] two. >> Yeah. [Music] >> Oh boy.
We got anybody here for uh Florida Native Plant Month? Come on down. There we go. [Applause] From the mangrove chapter. Cool. Thank you for coming. Whereas Florida's
natural resources are a sign significant contributor to our econom economy and quality of life and Florida's native plants provide both economic and ecological benefits. And whereas native plants and their relationships with
insects and other anthropods create the biological foundation for all ecosystems and life on Earth. And whereas Florida is one of the most biodiverse states in the US, yet has one of the highest
numbers of threatened and endangered native plants due to habitat destruction and degradation. And whereas because Northport is experiencing unprecedented population growth, the need for the protection of
native plants and habitats has never been greater. And whereas October is a spectacular time to view native plants in bloom and in the many Northport parks such as Oak Parks and Makahhatchee Creek
Environmental Park. And whereas in addition to parks, native plants add beauty and sustainability to home, commercial, governmental, and other landscapes. Now therefore, we the city commission of the city of Northport do
hereby proclaim October 2025 as Florida Native Plant Month. [Applause] Uh thank you very much for recogniz the to the city commission um and to all of Northport for recognizing October 2025
as Florida Native Plant Mo month. I'm Ava Lacader. I'm the president of the mangrove chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. The society is a statewide organization with over 30 chapters and our mission is to champion Florida's native plants and their
habitats. We encompass Sarasota, uh, Southern Sarasota and Charlotte counties. Proclaiming Florida Native Plant Month helps to create an awareness in which local governing bodies consider the impact of their plans and decisions on native plants and the ecological systems
that our community needs to thrive. I invite you all and others to consider how are native plants being protected in Northport. Are native plants rather than non-native exotic plants being installed in landscapes owned and operated by
Northport? How do future development projects in Northport impact native plants and the overall sustainability of our community? Please consider our local chapter uh and our organization as a whole as a resource at the local level. We're here to help you and others learn
about the many economic and ecological benefits of native plants. We have a grant program, that's right, free money um for local groups to purchase native plants for public spaces. We offer these to like the entryways of HOAs, churches, um any kind of an organization or even a
business. And our programs are always free and open to the public. We host monthly speakers, we have field trips, and we organize an annual uh native plant day event in Lemon Bay Park as well. Uh so the bottom line is that we and the ecosystems that support us uh
cannot live without native plants. And I thank you for your time. [Applause] Thank you. All right. Let's bring up uh graduating class of Northport University.
[Applause] >> Shane, you out there? >> Nope. >> Good work. >> You can say a few words and >> all right. Perfect. >> Okay. This will be
>> Yeah. Get some on both sides here. >> Thank you, commission, for letting me take a few moments to recognize the class 3 of NPU, Northport University. For those not familiar with NPU, it's an 8-week course designed to give residents a behind-the-scen look of how the city operates. Participants learn directly
from the staff how decisions are made and how each department works to together serve the community. It's more than just a class. It's an opportunity for residents to connect with their local government, ask questions, and see firsthand what it takes to keep Northport running. What truly makes this
program successful are the people involved. Thank you to all the city departments and staff who stayed late after working a full day to make this program a reality. Your time, your presentations, and engagement with the class truly brought this program to life. And to the MPU class 3, thank you
for committing your Thursdays with us for eight weeks straight. That shows how much you care about your city. And that kind of bond between the residents and the government really comes together. This is exactly what helps to strengthen our community. Your time, your
curiosity, your energy make this experience meaningful for all of us. Programs like MPU are essential for building a stronger, more informed, and more connected Northport. And it's inspiring to see that in action. So again, thank you to everyone who makes this NPU a success. We're proud of what
this program represents, and we're even more proud of the people who choose to be a part of it. So congratulations everyone. All right, here we are. Graduates. Laurel out at >> Adelman.
Congratulations. [Applause] >> We got Bradley Buren. >> Congratulations, sir. Do you want me to hand up to you? >> Yeah, why don't you Melissa Crane? Congratulations
[Applause] Cody Dit. [Applause] Okay. Jean Marie Clap Mixel. [Applause] Congratulations. >> Okay.
>> Amy Fox. Congratulations. >> Okay, Donald Misler. [Applause] Ginger Miranda, congratulations. [Applause]
And Carmine Miranda, congratulations. and your relations. [Music] >> Vance Mixel Jr. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> John Osborne. All right.
Congratulations. Tim Robinson, congratulations, sir. David Roth, congratulations. and David Ross senior.
Somebody up Jackie Waterhouse. Congratulations. Tim Robinson. Say Tim Robinson. >> No. >> Tim. >> Tim Robinson. >> We got it. Okay. >> All right. Anyway, perfect. That's everybody. >> We get everybody.
Congratulations, folks. [Applause] >> That's right. >> Two. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Who's here from customer service?
Come on down. >> Oh my goodness. I'll get started. Whereas the city of Northport is committed to providing excellent customer service to its residents and businesses. And whereas
the effective delivery of public services and the positive interactions with our constituents are crucial for building a strong and thriving community. And whereas National Customer Service Week celebrated annually during
the first full week in October provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the efforts of public servants dedicated to serving our customers. And whereas the city recognizes the dedication and hard work of its
employees in providing essential services and ensuring a positive experience for all of our citizens. And whereas we believe that positive customer service fosters trust, strengthens community ties, and enhances
the quality of life for all of us. Now therefore, we, the city commission of the city of Northport, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 6th through October 10th, 2025
as National Customer Service Week. [Applause] Uh, thank you, Commission. Um, we just want to recognize all of the customer service uh representatives and staff who work with the citizens every day. Um, the city takes customer service very uh
seriously and so much so that next week uh during customer service week, the HR team is going to be doing a customer service training for all city employees. So, it's something that we all take very seriously, but especially these folks up here. We have um team members from development services and the building
division. We have our call center who work the front desk here at city hall. Probably greeted many of you when you came in. Uh we have um utilities and parks and recreation. These are folks that work with customers every day. And just to give you a sense of how busy they are, you know that um customer
service isn't an easy job, but it's a 247 job. And so whether that's online or answering emails or phone calls, uh the city answered over 300,000 phone calls from residents and citizens and customers in the past fiscal year. So, these folks are very busy, but we
appreciate what they do every day for our residents and for our citizens, and we want to thank them for the hard work that they do every day and the dedication to their jobs. So, thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you. Thank you, folks. [Applause]
[Music] whale. Whereas in today's increasingly interconnected world, cyber security remains a vital pillar in protecting personal privacy, organizational assets,
and national security. And whereas cyber threats continue to grow in both complexity and frequency, posing serious risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of digital
information. And whereas it is more important than ever for individuals, businesses, and public institutions to stay informed and take proactive steps to implement strong cyber security practices. And whereas promoting
awareness and education about cyber security helps individuals and organizations recognize threats, adopt secure behaviors, and build resilience against cyber attacks. And whereas National
Cyber Security Awareness Month, observed each October, serves as a crucial reminder of the shared responsibility we all have in securing the digital world and offers an opportunity to promote best practices across all sectors. Now
therefore, we, the city commission of the city of Northport, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. [Applause]
>> Thank you. >> All right. Hi everybody. You guys should know me. I am the IT security administrator for the city of Northport. Um, as I accept this proclamation recognizing cyber security awareness month, I'm reminded of how critical it is to safeguard our digital infrastructure that keeps our
organization running smoothly and securely. Cyber security is not just about technology. It's about the people who use it. From securing data to preventing cyber threats, every individual plays an essential role in protecting our systems. This month is an opportunity to reinforce that cyber
security awareness is a shared responsibility and it starts with everybody. As we face increasingly sophisticated threats, I encourage everybody to stay vigilant, follow best practices, and never underestimate the impact of simple actions like using a
strong password, updating your software, and being cautious of fishing attempts. A reminder that you guys should have gotten an email from me about your training that is due by the end of the month. So just make sure that you take care of it. Thank you.
>> Florida City Week. Know who would receive this Florida City Week? City Manager's office, come on down. [Music] Whereas Florida City Week is celebrated
October 20th through October 26, 2025. And whereas city government is the government closest to most citizens and the one with the most direct daily impact upon its residents. And whereas municipal government provides services and programs that
enhance the quality of life for residents, making their city their home. And whereas city government is administered for and by its citizens and is dependent upon public commitment to and understanding of its many responsibilities. And whereas city
government officials and employees share the responsibility to pass along the understanding of public services and their benefits. And whereas Florida City Week offers an important opportunity for elected officials and city staff to spread the word to all citizens of
Florida that they can shape and influence this branch of government. And whereas the Florida League of Cities and its member cities have joined together to teach citizens about municipal government through a variety of activities. And whereas the city encourages all residents and city
government employees to participate in events that recognize and celebrate Florida City Week. Now therefore, we the city commission of the city of Northport, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 20th through October 26th, 2025
as Florida City Week. Hey everybody, I'm Madison. >> Hey, with Northport Communications and we are thrilled to talk about Florida City Week today. We have lots of fun stuff planned um to honor everybody that
works in local government here every day. Um we have our inaugural Northport University sum alumni summit coming up. Um it's super cool that we get to do an alumni summit already. We've had three classes now. So, we're going to be able to celebrate all of them. Um, as well as
the very first NPU teen, Northport University teen, um, graduation coming up. Yay. So, um, we get to celebrate that as well. That's been super fun to hang out with those guys. Um, and then on top of that on social media and other
places, we're going to be doing some fun stuff like videos, social media content. Um, so just keep an eye out for all that stuff. And there might even be stickers. So, watch out for that. We'll make sure that there's fun stickers everywhere for you guys to get. Um, but thank you so much, Commission, for proclaiming this
week. Um, we're excited to celebrate it here in a few weeks. Thank you. >> Oh, thank you. We're not going yet. We're not going yet. Shake your hand again. >> Thank you. Shake your hand. Is Gloramar fansa here.
>> Can you come up please? >> This is from FRMA, Florida Records Management Association. This certificate certifies that Gloramar Fana FCRM has demonstrated the required
experience and performance in the body of knowledge necessary for a records management professional to be successful in managing Florida's public records and is hereby bestowed the credential Florida certified records
manager. And this was presented in the 30th day of May on 2025. So congratulations. [Applause] >> So as he just said, Laura is our records management administrator for the city
and this is a job that is really behind the scenes, but it has a huge impact on the city. She manages all the official records for the city and the retention and make sure that everything works out properly. And um so when we interviewed Gloramar, we asked her a question. I don't remember what it was, but I remember her answer. And it was, I love
records. And I'm like, we're gonna hire her because people don't love records. But we brought her on. And it's true. She really does love records. And it shows in how her attention to detail and just the work that she does for this city. And I think even she started her training a week after I think it was the
first week that she got here. She went to her very first conference to work on accomplishing this. And we are very proud of you as the department and everybody in the department is here in support of her and very proud of you. So good. [Applause] They want to puff your tail.
>> She got her whole team. >> Thank you. >> Steps. >> Thank you. two. >> Thank you. Nope. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you.
[Music] Fire prevention week. Who's coming on? New guy gets a lot. [Music] Not yet. >> Northport, Florida proclamation. Whereas fire prevention week is October 5th through October 11th, 2025. And it is a
vital public service with members of Northport Fire Rescue committed to ensure the safety and security of all those living in, doing business, and visiting Northport. And whereas fire is a serious public safety concern both
locally and nationally. And the presence of lithium ion batteries in many household devices introduces uh introduces a unique fire risks. And whereas most of the electronics used in homes daily, including smartphones,
tablets, laptops, power tools, ebikes, escooters, and toys are powered by lithium ion batteries, which if misused, damaged, or improperly charged can overheat, start a fire, or explode. And
whereas the National Fire Protection Association reports an increase in battery related fires, underscoring the need for public education on the safe use of lithium ion batteries. And whereas residents should follow three
key calls to action, buy only listed products, charge batteries safely, and recycle them responsibly to prevent battery related fires. And whereas lithiumion batteries store a large amount of energy in a small space, an
improper use, such as overcharging, using off-brand charges without safety certification or exposing batteries to damage can result in fire or explosion. And whereas the proper disposal and recycling of lithium ion batteries help
prevent environmental hazards and reduce fire risks in the home and community. And whereas Northport first responders are dedicated to reduce the occurrence of fires through prevention, safety education,
and community outreach. and where's the 2025 fire prevention week theme charge into fire safety lithium ion batteries in your home serves to remind us of the importance of using charging and
recycling lithium ion batteries safely to reduce the risk of fires in homes and communities. Now therefore, we, the city commission of the city of Northport, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 5th
through October 11th, 2025 as fire prevention week. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Sure. I got a long uh hope you don't mind. I hate sharing my month with everyone, but I guess I will do it this
year. Um but anyways um I have to thank or extend my sincere thanks to my staff for their outstanding dedication and daily commitment to excellence. Their hard work is the foundation of the high standards we uphold. Special thanks to
Deputy Fire Marshall Robert Needy who couldn't be here today. Uh plan reviewer Inspector Brian Cook and Inspectors Dave Grant and Nia Daniels. uh they without them uh we wouldn't be able to perform the job that
we do on a daily basis. Uh I really appreciate all that they do. Um I also want to express my appreciation to the entire Northport Fire Rescue team from the chief to every member on the line for the continued efforts to promoting safety in our community. Without them,
we wouldn't be able to do what we do on a day-to-day basis. They make us aware of what's going on in the community as well as uh their eyes and ears on the on the road. So, we appreciate what they do. We might not say it every day, but in addition to my staff, all the team
members on the North Fire Rescue are a big part of that and a big part of our success. Additionally, I would like to thank the mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, city manager, deputy and assistant city managers, and all the city of Northport departments
and staff for their ongoing support. appreciate everything that you guys do to help us uh promote ourselves and actually help us uh be better in a safer community. Finally, thank you to our residents, snowbirds, and visitors for trusting us as partners in fire safety
and education. And I'd like to also make everyone aware to mark their calendars because our third annual open house for Northport Fire Rescue is on January 10th this coming year. So I expect to see everyone there and all the departments
present for the event. I just said a thank you to you guys. So hopefully you can be there. So um I do appreciate this time. I we don't get out much. I don't get out much should I say but uh uh it is great to be a part of the group. So thank you very
much. All right. Oh, I got >> Congratulations, sir. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you sir. [Music]
>> Okay. Anybody here? First responders, come on up. >> We got one for police, one for fire. So, come on down. 31. [Music] >> Make sure you highlight the police over
time. >> They were all walking up. >> No police. No police. my garage back at the time. >> They're always going to talk a little bit about first responders and that that includes both
fire rescue and police respond. Whereas every day, every day, our citizens witness the absolute courage and selfless sacrifice of our first responders.
And whereas whether they are police officers protecting our community, firefighters running into burning buildings, or 911 dispatchers, these heroes are always there for us when we need them. And whereas on National First
Responders Day, October 28th, 19, 2025, we honor and c I'm old. We honor and celebrate extraordinarily brave women and men who put themselves in harm's way
to keep our city safe. Now therefore, we, the city commission of the city of Northport, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 28th, 2025 as National First Responders Day.
[Applause] Now someone has to step up here. Someone has to respond. >> You prepared a whole speech for the volunteer award. I guess >> you get one.
>> Did they get one, too? >> Come on, Chief. Okay. Sorry. I know you want to go. >> No, go ahead. It's fired before. >> We'll do this like a regular call. >> All right. Go first. >> Uh, thank you to the city for
recognizing this commission, city manager's office. Uh, the folks you have in front of you are the frontline support that we have every single day. Without them, uh, honestly, the city is not near as safe. So, I'll turn it over to the deputy chief of police. Thank
you. Again, a chief would speak, but he's he's his voice is in his ears are gone. He's just recovering from from an illness. So, but I'll speak for Chief Garrison. We can't do our job uh without the support of our our community, our our commission, and the city's
leadership team. So, actually, believe it or not, what we do every day, our our heads are held up high is because of the support of our community. Um the love and support that we do each and every day from the community makes our job easy. So we continue to fight. We continue to stand up in the front lines
because we serve to protect you all. So thank you all for what what you do for us and the front lines. Thank you. >> Squeeze in tight, gang. Thank you for your service. Is anyone here to celebrate breast cancer awareness month? If you are,
please come on down. Whereas every October, communities around the country come together to recognize breast cancer awareness month. And whereas for 40 years, the breast cancer awareness month has helped raise
awareness of breast cancer across the nation. And whereas October is a time for highlighting the strength and resilience of breast cancer survivors. And whereas approximately 316,950
women and 2800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2025. And whereas breast cancer death rates in the United States have dropped by 44% since 1989.
And whereas testing plays a central role at each point in breast cancer treatment and recovery. And whereas when caught in its earliest localized stages, the 5-year relative
survival rate is 99%. And whereas there are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the US. And whereas awareness of the facts and statistics surrounding breast cancer in the United States is key in
empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Now therefore, we the city commission of the city of Northport, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as breast cancer awareness month. Thank
you. [Applause] Well, thank you. Uh, Amanda and I are breast cancer survivors and we talked about doing something a little different this year. You guys have heard my story before, but you know, as survivors, we
have a responsibility to honor those who are going through the battle right now. We have the responsibility to give back to all those who supported us. You know, cancer isn't just a physical situation. It's also an emotional one. I couldn't have gotten through it without my
friends, my family, my co-workers. Um, it really is something that takes an army to get through. So, we're proud to be here and we're proud to every October. I don't know you feel, but October is a different type of month for me now since I've been through all of this. So, I'm proud to stand with my
brothers and sisters who are going through it. I encourage all of you to make sure you're taking care of yourself because early detection is the best fight really. But no one should fight alone and uh support your support your sisters, your moms, your grandmothers,
your friends, anyone going through it because it makes such a difference. So thank you and I appreciate you allowing us this time. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Awesome. Well done, guys. Thank you. Let's give our parts a rescue.
>> Yeah. Red. Yeah. Is red ribbon week for you guys? >> Okay. Good. >> All right. Whereas alcohol and drug abuse affects individuals, families, and communities across the nation with nearly one in
four children living with a parent or caregiver with a substance use disorder. And whereas it is imperative that visible unified prevention education efforts by community members be launched to reduce the demand for drugs and
prevent substance use before it starts. And whereas the annual national red ribbon campaign sponsored by the nonprofit organization National Family Partnership offers citizens the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles. And
whereas Red Ribbon RI Red Ribbon Week serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drugrevention activities and is celebrated in communities across the nation from October 23rd through October 31st. And
whereas the city of Northport Parks and Recreations Department operates the drug-free youth program known as Defi, a dynamic community initiative for Northport students in grades 6 through 12 who are committed to making responsible decisions and living a
lifestyle free from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. And whereas the city of Northport is proud to partner with businesses, organizations, and individuals who share our commitment to supporting teens in making positive drug-free choices. Now, therefore, we the city commission
of the city of Northport, Florida, do hereby proclaim October 23rd through October 31st, 2025 as Red Ribbon Week. [Applause] Hi, as most of you know, I am Trish Sturgis, assistant director of parks and
recreation. On behalf of the parks and recreation department, I would like to thank Mayor Stokes and the city commission for this proclamation and the recognition of how important this week is for our youth. We also want to thank our community partners who continue to join join us in supporting the youth and
their families. Our department's mission is to create opportunities that enrich lives and strengthen community well-being. Defi is an excellent example of how we bring that mission to life by supporting positive choices for our youth. Through DeFi, we partner with local businesses, schools, and
organizations to provide teens safe, supportive, and engaging opportunities to succeed in living drug-free. We have received overwhelming support from the community along with willingness to volunteer at the D5 program. We look forward to continuing to grow this
program and initiative and expand the impact across the city. I'd like to introduce our new DI coordinator, Kevin Mace to say a little bit about the program. [Applause] >> Thank you, assistant director Sturgis.
Nearly one in four children live in living with a parent or a caregiver who has a substance misuse problem. In Florida, treatment costs for substance misuse disorders total more than $43 billion a year. Research shows that $1
spent on broad community-based prevention can save between5 and $18 in future cost. This includes health care, criminal justice, loss productivity, child welfare services, family support, and traffic accidents. That's why
prevention matters and why programs like Defi make a difference in the teens that live here in Northport. Defi isn't just a program. It's a movement led by our teens. Students in grades 6 through 12 pledge to make healthy, responsible choices and encourage their peers to do
the same. Red Ribbon Week is a time to unite as a community and stand behind our youth. We encourage everyone to wear red, participate in activities, and show support for the positive choices our students are making every single day. Together, we can ensure that Northport
continues to be a place where youth feel supported, families feel connected, and everyone has the opportunity to live drug-free. If you are a student in grades 6 through 12 and would like to become a member, you have to have your parents permission. You can register online uh for and you can participate in
one of our intake um days. Our website is northportfl.govward sld-defi. Thank you again for this proclamation commission and your commitment to our community. Thank you. [Applause] Three, two, one.
Thank you. >> All right. >> You're up. >> I'm up. >> Come on down. >> Parks and Recreation. Can we have you down here? >> All right. Uh, good afternoon. I'm Sandy Funheller. I'm the parks and recreation
director. Um I'm pleased today to have Suzanne Neve here from the Florida Festival and Events Association. Uh and we have a couple awards um from Florida Festival and Events. Uh and as CEO of FFA, uh Suzanne leads an organization of
more than 700 members providing education, networking, and advocacy to strengthen and celebrate events across the state of Florida. We're honored to have her with us today and I'm going to turn it over to her. >> Thank you, Sandy. >> On behalf of the Florida Festivals and
Events Association, it is truly my honor to be here this afternoon to recognize the city of Northport for your outstanding achievements in event marketing and community programming. Each year, FFA hosts the Sensational Awards to celebrate the incredible work of cities and organizations across
Florida that bring people together through events. This year we had more than 700 entries submitted from across the state. And I'm proud to share that Northport received three statewide awards. First place for social media ad campaign for Pumpkin Plunge, second
place for a recap report for the annual impact report, and second place in the brochure category for the Northport Parks and Recreation Playbook. These awards recognize excellence in creativity, communication, and community impact. They are a reflection of the
dedication, innovation, and teamwork of the entire city staff who work year round to make Northport's programs and events so successful. Congratulations to you all for this well-deserved recognition. Your work not only strengthens community pride here at home, but also sets the example for
cities across the entire state of Florida. Congratulations. Yes, we're gonna let a little song. I'll be quick. Okay. Thank you. Good afternoon. I'm Kim. I'm the community partnership and engagement manager. Um on behalf of Northport Parks and Recreations Department. We'd like to
thank Florida Festival and Events Association for this recognition. We're honored to be acknowledged among so many outstanding organizations across the state. These awards celebrate the creativity and collaboration of our staff. And the greatest reward is seeing residents connect with programs, attend
events, and experience the benefits of parks and recreation in their daily daily lives. Every campaign and publication are created with our community in mind, aiming to welcome them in, keep them informed, and highlight the impact of we are making
together. I want to give a special congratulations to Whitney Badard, our graphic design specialist, whose talent and creativity brought these winning designs to life. Thank you again for this honor and congratulations to our entire team.
[Applause] >> Two. Thank you. Appreciate it. [Music] >> Communications, come on down. >> You want to present this? >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much. You got it. Just
watch your step among these wires. >> Hi there. I'm Katya Sutherland, uh, marketing and community engagement manager in the communications division, part of the city manager department. I'm very, very proud, uh, to share some exciting news for the communications
division. Our 2024 city annual report has been honored with a savvy award for excellence from the city county communications and marketing association. Move that to you. The judges praised the engaging, fun, and
professional nature of the publication that they said was easy to navigate, made readers want to pick it up and learn more about our amazing city. This is tremendous recognition of the hard work and creativity that went into this publication. First and foremost,
congratulations to Kelly Diccastro whose leadership, dedication brought this report to life. I would also like to give special thanks to Cody Donarski who created outstanding uh supporting content and to the rest of the communications team as well as all of
you the many departments and divisions across the city who contributed content uh ideas and reviews. We truly could not have achieved this award without you. Last year, our 2023 annual report received an outstanding award from the
Florida Municipal Communications Association. To win two major awards for our inaugural annual report and the second annual report is an outstanding achievement and testament to the strength, collaboration, and dedication
that Kelly, Cody, the communications team, and all you who supported us um have had. Congratulations, Kelly Cody, the communications division, and everybody across the city who made this happen. Thank you very much. >> New camera.
>> Congratulations, you guys. [Music] Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. >> E, what's that? >> Item E. >> Just serve. There's a group to present. >> Okay.
>> Where do we have? We don't have any. >> No, they have. You just have to call them up. >> Okay. Just serve. Want to come on down. >> All right. >> All right. You're up. Good afternoon everyone. My name is uh
Bill Morgan and I serve as the bishop for the uh Northport area of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And it's a privilege to be here today on behalf of the church and the uh just serve initiative to celebrate service and to recognize communities that
embrace the spirit of volunteerism. First, we sincerely thank Mayor Stokes and the commission um for welcoming us here today. And it is our honor to officially declare the city of Northport a just serve city. For those unfamiliar
with Just Serve, it's a free online platform developed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And its mission is simple to connect volunteers and organizations that need them. nonpr for nonprofits, faith-based groups, community programs, and local
government so they can make a difference wherever they are and however they want to serve. Just Serve does the work for you, researching organizations, finding projects, coordinating schedules, and bringing service opportunities to your fingertips. And if
you haven't seen the website, I I encourage you to go look at it. All you do is register, pick a project, and join a community of volunteers already changing the world. Have a service project in mind. So, if you have something in mind, Just Serve makes it easy to share. The best projects are
collaborative. Bring people together across faith-based, nonprofit, community, and government organizations. By pro by posting the your project, you connect it with volunteers ready to bring it to life. Just serve as more than just a website. It is a movement
active in 17 countries offering local projects, remote opportunities, and non-donation-based service following the Savior's teaching to love thy neighbor as thyself. Just Serve provides opportunities to rel to relieve
suffering, care for the poor and needy, and enhance the quality of life in our communities. To ensure integrity, Jeff Serve protects or uh to ensure integrity. Just serve projects do not directly solicit
donations or involve fundraising, are not political, and are not not forprofit oriented. These are there are no fees for organizations or volunteers. Signing up is easy. Type in your zip code, see local projects, and click for details.
When and where to serve, and any special needs needed or any special skills needed. Northport has earned the recognition because this city lives the spirit of service. Offering volunteer opportunities for residents through the heart program that supports
seniors, encouraging local service club involvement, and recognizing outstanding volunteers who make a difference every day. Northport just just doesn't support service. It celebrates it, encourages it, and leads by example. So today, with
gratitude and admiration, we officially declare the city of Northport, Florida, a just served city. So before I put this on you, I just wanted to say what it is. Um, these are Kui Nut. Um, I am Hawaiian and so Kui is a light and that is what you guys are.
All the all the service organizations. Did we get them? Are they up here? Did you say there was some that were going to come up here? >> We have our staff. >> Yes, right here. Okay, perfect. Okay. Well, we just want to recognize all of you um for being a light. Um anytime you
serve, you're a light to someone. And so, kui in Hawaiian, it means light. And what they used to use these was for um torches. And so, anytime you serve someone, it's you're lighting up someone's life. So, we just want to appreciate you. So, these are kui nuts.
And the thing about lays is a lot of flower lays die. These don't die. These are forever. So this is just a a recognition. Thank you um from from Just Serve. >> Thank you, mayor. I'm sorry.
Want to make sure and just a background I met Pete a long time ago, vice mayor, but we actually did some service out here for the hurricane uh Hurricane Ian. So that's that's our first time meeting and then I'm gonna give it to the
guys you guys. You're taller. There you go. >> Can't forget my tea, right? >> You guys can have them. >> You have that. >> All right.
>> All right. >> Oh, sorry. Here, Mr. Sorry. >> And then you give them their swag bag. >> Yeah, we've got some swag for you. >> Everyone loves swag. I'll have you both swag. >> Can do that.
>> Two. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys for all your service. >> Thank you. I know. I can tell you. [Music]
>> Uh, >> let's see. I think we got it. >> All right. Back up on the I had no idea where I was. >> I knew exactly where you were off the path. Very
nice. >> Where's the mayor going? >> Keeping you on your toes. >> And then folks, >> want to thank everybody for coming and participating in this. These are special. This is a special meeting every
month. So, we appreciate the support. >> Audio. >> Yeah, I got it. Uh, assistant city clerk, do we have any general public comments? >> No public comment, sir. >> All right, then with that, it is 502 and I'm going to journ this meeting.
>> Thank you, everybody. >> Development, a development that is um in line with what we already have here. So, we want to preserve as much as we can of the uh natural resources. So there is still place for our natural species, our
our migrating sees