All right. Good evening. We're going to start the November the 18th, 2025 meeting. We'll have the call or invocation by Mr. Hart, pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Wilson, and the roll call. Please stand. >> Dear heavenly father, we thank you for
blessing the city of Accory to exist for over a hundred years. And we pray that you be with us as we get ready to conduct the city's business today. Even though we may disagree on certain facts, let us not be disagreeable or disrespect one another, but continue to treat each other as brothers and sisters. We pray that we will do the best for the best of
our city. And we pray a special blessing over all our first responders. Be with them on every call. Keep them safe as they watch over us. Remind their loved ones that you are watching over them. We so careful give you the praise, the honor, and the glory you do. In your son Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. I pledge algiance 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. >> Commissioner Kennedy >> here. >> Commissioner Wilson >> here. >> Mayor Johnson >> here.
>> Commissioner Fner >> here. >> Commissioner Oliver >> here. >> All right. We got the presentation and proclamations. No pro proclamation. So we have presentation on downtown from the downtown master development consultant G3 development business
group. >> Don't be bashful. >> Thank you mayor. If you recall, we uh G3 was selected in the uh request for qualifications for a downtown master developer, and they have uh since that time been working with staff and helping
us identify what uh the downtown needs are, looking at it from a developer perspective. And so, we wanted to bring them uh forward to show you some of their work in a presentation. Uh this presentation, we're not seeking direction tonight. We'll take the information they've provided and as we
continue to work with them and bring uh further planning and action items to this commission at a later date. Thank you. >> Mike. >> Good evening everybody. My name is Jake Gunther. I've got my father here, Jerry Gunther, and we are with G3 Development.
Um it's not in the presentation, so I'll give a little bit of a background about us. We're commercial real estate developers located in Mount Dora, Florida. Uh we've been open and operational for the past 25 years where we've partnered with organizations and municipalities around uh really the
southeast um and helping them solve complex real estate problems. Um that was kind of what brought us here today, the RFQ that you all issued. Um we've been working hard with your staff for the past six or so months to come up with the master developer report. Um and
this is the presentation um that highlights um some of those main points and we'll also be here for questions afterwards. So let me dive in. So the main question when we we started
this process was why now? Obviously a pivotal growth moment not only Akoi but you know central Florida and really Florida in general with the growth we've been seeing. So, you know, looking at capitalizing on that and specifically
capitalizing on it in a way where we can make downtown a viable, walkable, mixeduse type of environment. And what kind of guided us through our initial process was the the four studies you all
have done, you know, within the last, you know, really 15 years. And so, it was promising for us because we didn't have to come in and reinvent the wheel. um you guys had had done a lot of the work beforehand. You also had invested in downtown um you know with the
different streetscape projects. So um all of those are awesome signs for us as a developer um to see the municipality you know stepping up and and taking that initial investment in downtown. Um we also looked at you know those reports
and and what they wanted and then you know balanced that kind of in today's market reality you know after COVID everything is extremely expensive um and so how do you know you make new construction projects work um you know
based on where the current market is in downtown Akoi and then you know we didn't want this to just be a report you know as as Mike mentioned we hope We continue to work with staff and and bring you guys some actionable items that can continue to advance this this
process forward. So, as I mentioned, we looked at the uh the four different studies y'all have done since 2016, starting with the downtown master plan, the plant uh street character area plan, silverar, and then the most recent ini um
comprehensive plan um the envision 2045 that you guys most recently wrapped up. And again, the the main unified theme that we saw, but throughout all four of those reports was wanting to create a mixeduse, connected, walkable, viable
downtown. Um, you know, all four reports mention, you know, different different ways to get that done. And so we wanted to take, you know, the different parts and pieces that we thought made the most sense, um, and put them in that report and and help help guide that.
So within that, we were able to come up with a a a development framework and looking at the downtown. And really what the staff kind of asked us to do was imagine you had a blank slate and you were able to come in here. So we did that and then we grounded it back into those four reports and came up with this
downtown development framework. This is all extremely fluid. Nothing's obviously set in stone. Um the the whole point is to get this in front of y'all so we can get y'all's feedback. But if you look, everything's mixeduse. Um and and why is that? Well, you know, because of how
downtown is oriented and the unique opportunities, you don't have to necessarily pigeon pigeon hole yourselves into, you know, certain blocks. And so where you look at the the the darker blue, you know, closer to the 429 and then transitioning
back in towards the lake, what we were envisioning there is more of a multifamily mixeduse project. Not, you know, big 300 unit garden walkup apartments, but some sort of multif family component tied in with some um
commercial retail to really, you know, activate downtown as you're coming off the 429. If you look at the yellow areas, those areas are areas we focused more on retail and commercial as what we call vertical mixed use. So, you know, your
coffee shop on the bottom with a couple apartments or so on top. Um, and obviously with the streetscape on Oakland, we anticipate some of those projects there, but with the bones and everything on McKe, um, we thought that was, you know, best oriented. and then
tying that in down Blford and then back into Oakland with when you see the light blue what we were envisioning there are more professional office type uses. I know postcoid people are you know aren't aren't big on office but in central Florida and in you know municipalities
like AOE we've been very successful with professional office and we do feel like it's a need and it's a need in these downtowns that gets people down here at 365 patronizing the coffee shops the restaurants and really creates that strong base. You look at the orange
areas, those areas, it says high-end single family residential. We just mean, you know, nicer single family type type homes if I'm being honest. Um maybe transitioning, you know, the mobile home park into some kind of use like that. And then looking at the periphery and
the main goal there is just to kind of tie everything in and make it cohesive. When we talk about the three catalyst projects, um you can see those centered here around the municipal complex. The first one we want to talk about is
is activating the recording studio. Um you know, what we've envisioned there is a fish camp style restaurant. Um really tying into kind of the the old Florida heritage here in AOE and and creating a place where people can come down, enjoy
the lake, have a drink, watch a game. um and you know enjoy downtown in conjunction with that some kind of public activation with a a a band shell or something in Bill Breeze Park. Um again the thought process there is you
know we really need to train people to come down here and if we have events and and whatnot that that will get them to to to do that. And then last but not least, we don't think this is an immediate need now, but looking towards
the future, you know, some sort of parking structure. Um, you know, we partnered we partnered with pro a dozen municipalities around Central Florida and we always come back to this. Um, and you know, we can talk about that in
greater greater detail, but again, it's not something that has to happen today, but it would be something that we feel is necessary in downtown in the future. So speaking of all that, you know, all those those fund projects, what does that look like in, you know, today's
market reality? So, you know, when we go when we undertake a project, obviously we're looking at the finances and and how trying to make those work. And so, you know, we've got new construction projects going on all over Central Florida. And, you know, and if and in
the report, there are higher level breakdowns of this math. Um, but you know, we're seeing that to make our numbers work, you know, rents need to be somewhere between $40 and $50 a square foot for new construction.
If you look at the current market in downtown AoE today, it it's not there. You know, those rents are somewhere between 18 to 20 bucks a square foot. Um, you know, there's only about 10,000 square feet of commercial space in
downtown right now. So, um, it it's, you know, it it's it's just not there. And so, what we were tasked with was not just giving you this problem of, hey, you know, it's not there. How can we overcome that? Um, and in doing that, we
looked at, you know, municipalities all over the southeast, all throughout Central Florida, and the different tools um and and and whatnot that they use to to overcome those challenges. If you look at downtown Orlando right now, they're offering $100 a square foot in
tenant improvement allowance to try to get tenants back into that area. So, it's not just small smaller municipalities that are dealing with this. It's it's larger ones, too. And the whole goal of this is just to kind of throw some of these tools out there. We still need to work with the
staff and kind of figuring out what the best toolbox is. One of those is is land contribution. You have tax fee and deferments, tenant improvement assistance, CRA grants and programs, and then there's also some pre-development
support that municipalities can get into, too. So, as I mentioned, when we looked at this, we really looked at catalyzing downtown and what are three projects that could kick that off. We looked at the parcels the city owned um and and
how those could be strategically positioned. And then we wanted just to, you know, consider parking as we're we're we're getting this developed. And the main reason we're considering parking is because two of the cities we've dealt with, you know, the city of Mount Dora we're from and the city of
New Simra, you know, they they've grew to a point where they didn't think about parking and, you know, now they're like, what do we do? So, all we're saying is we just need to think about it and consider it as we're moving forward. This is a fish camp style restaurant that they just developed in the villages
called Harry and the Natives. Again, there's a few different styles, but this is kind of what we were envisioning down on the lake. This is another um development over in the villages called Sawrass Market. Um it's one of their more modern squares.
Um you know, this this is a a good inspiration. We were thinking of what maybe could happen down in Bill Breeze Park. And then there's the parking garage we just completed for the city of Wildwood. That was a smaller garage around 140 spaces. Um, and is all it's been an a
big asset to their new fledgling downtown that they're creating. So, next steps. I know we're not really here to to, you know, set any action items or next steps, but um in that report, you know, we talk about how this
is a 10year plus plan. We're not going to be the only the developers that are involved in this. Um, and you know, the short-term wins that we can put into place immediately to gain some momentum, the middle-term tasks that are going to keep that momentum going, and then the
long-term buildout, you know, which which, you know, gets downtown AO to where everybody wants to be. And so, potential next steps, again, we can talk about this more with staff, but, you know, formalizing some kind of development agreement on those um
catalyst projects. um talking about staff, you know, launching some incentives um and what that might look like. I know there are some developers waiting kind of in the wings and on some downtown parcels. Um advancing infrastructure.
I know you know you all have talked about this a lot, but you know getting a connection, you know, over to to Winter Garden and the trail, you know, we do think is extremely important. I know we can't connect directly to it, but we can get some jumpers in there potentially
and and and again draw some energy down there. And then public messaging just to kind of roll this all out, you know, to to let everybody know what we're doing and and see if they want to be a part of it. So, in closing, do y'all have any
questions for us? >> Commissioners, >> I just have some comments. I don't know. I need >> start down here with you. >> I just had like one comment um going back to that um to the rendering where
you had the the the band shell there. Um the bans the one with with the area. >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Uh this one. Oh, you're talking about uh that area. >> That one? Yeah, that one right there. >> Yes, sir. >> Just looking at that. Um, one of the things I've I've heard in the past is u
uh b having a band shell would be really great for the city especially around Bill Breeze Park but uh I I u had uh envision it being more on the water. >> Okay. >> And using the space uh that that is that you have it on there with the the grassy
area. Use it as where you can still sit down and also be able to enjoy um you know music or whatever from the band shell. But uh that would kind of eliminate part of the street the road there. But putting it out uh a little bit on the water would >> maybe enhance it and and allow for more seating.
>> Yes, sir. I know Jinger >> leisurely seating, I guess. >> Yes, sir. I know Ginger had some pretty pretty cool designs for a potential band shell and whatnot, but yes, sir. We'd be very open to to all that feedback. >> That's all I got.
Rich, >> the only comment I have is, and it's personal, it's a personal choice, is rather than a fish camp type restaurant, I'd like to see that property be developed into a more upscale restaurant. >> Yes, sir.
>> Doesn't have to be the the greatest and everything, but you know, along the lines of like a Seasons 52, that style restaurant. >> Yes, sir. Yeah. The the opish camp's probably not the it's more of the the feel. It'll be a high-end operator. Um, for sure.
>> That's it. >> Commissioner Wilson, >> the mayor may remember this probably 25 years ago, there was a master plan that had a band shell. >> You remember that? >> Yep. >> And so I feel we're maybe closer at this point after 25 years that folks were more accepting of something of that
nature. Um, I'm on a board that we met in Wildwood and I was very delighted to see the uh garage they had put as kind of proactive to what as they built up the community downtown to see that garage went in. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Because parking is very important as we all know. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, so again, some of these things I see
I hope they're done in my lifetime. >> Yes, ma'am. We'll get them done. And um I guess this is all it's a should I say a forward steps we're taking because after looking at 25 years ago seeing that I thought was wow we're going to have this and we're not and I think
we're more in the position now to move forward with that. So um I'm delighted I'm always felt that the recording studio when we got it should be some kind of a restaurant. You know we one of our crown jewels is our lake >> and we should capitalize on that.
>> Yes ma'am. Commissioner Kennedy. >> Thank you. I have a few comments and questions for you. >> Okay. >> Uh the first one I agree with Commissioner Fner. I think you're talking about like a high-end lakeside boardwalk restaurant. Yes, sir.
>> And I I agree with his opinion. >> Um I disagree a little bit on the band shell. >> Um and I want your opinion since you've done this several times. Mhm. >> What I see is music
where you have single family homes and businesses. One of the things that we've done to try to support the businesses on McKe and I assume we will in Oakland when that gets finished >> is put music down there like on Friday night, >> Saturday night. Yes.
>> And so I'm wondering if that's >> too far. >> Mhm. Can you talk about the connection and the because that's the leverage is to bring people down and to go to the businesses and let them sit outside. One of the problems we have right now is like if a business wants music, they
have to do it themselves. >> Mhm. >> And so one of the things I think the city should be doing is helping to leverage that and so 20 businesses can all have outside seating and enjoy the music and do stuff. How do how how would you fix that or leverage that?
>> Yes. So the goal with the band shell would definitely to be complimementaryary versus taking away from you know what's going on. Um you know with what we've seen is this band shell is really like a a light and you're attracting all the moths in for a
lack of a better term but and and and it's not just activated on a Friday night or a Saturday night. what what the goal would be is like within, you know, to create a merchants association or something like that that again doing active programming throughout the week
and whatnot. So again, we're getting people down here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. So when the businesses have a live band on Friday or Saturday night, they're not maybe going to the band show, but they're used to going downtown and so they'll go patronize those businesses. Um we've
seen in you know like other cities where you can just get segmented um and people will will go to the highway commercial versus go downtown for some reason or or vice versa. And the band shell just creates an opportunity for for more
people to come down here more often. >> If I might um you know it's a matter of scale also with regard to a band shell. Um, a lot of places um that come to mind like Carolton, Georgia, um, they have a
pretty large bandell at one of their re regional parks that they use to attract larger events, but they also have some small ones um, off their downtown where little quads or or blocks of businesses can go in together and have a band
playing um, that serves a local area. Gainesville, Florida, I think, has one as well. Um, so we that that's not to say that with our new land development code, which we are intending to require more shared public spaces within the
downtown between businesses, things like that, we could have a small bandell over there easily and still have a bigger one in the park >> uh to attract bigger events. So I I think you both be accomplished. Yeah, they're not mutually exclusive. You can
have a small You can have music in the downtown. >> Yes, sir. And scale is important. You know, we it's not going to be, you know, the Apakka amphitheater. So, >> my other question, you know, you're talking about building more capacity and raising
prices. >> Mhm. >> That's difficult. >> Uh usually as you add capacity, the prices go down. So, and you're talking about a long-term, maybe 10, 15 year long-term plan. What can we do this
year, next year? What do you recommend financially, economically, especially with the revenue challenges we may have? What should we be doing policywise today to facilitate this in the future?
>> I guess I guess I'll answer that one. I'm I'm Jerry Gunther and I mean it's a common problem we have with new construction. Um and so >> when we come into a city we say I mean the cost to operate a restaurant in Winter Garden other than the land cost
or here it's the same cost to build the building and so then it's how do you make the rent up? Um other cities have had um some subsidies whether it's property tax impact fees but we really look at it as um you know we're not the guys who put these plans together
typically. We're the guys who build the buildings and we're confident that we can work out some kind of deal that works with the city and the tenants that we bring to cities like this to make it work. Restaurants are very expensive to to build versus retail. Um, you know, in
Winter Garden, you know, projects there are somewhere between $60 and $80 a square foot. Um, we're not going to get that. And so here the $40 a foot or $45 a foot, I think we can get somebody in here. We may need some property tax or
some impact fees subsidies short term, but our goal is to get as close to market rate as we can. And obviously the land the land cost has a big factor in that. And so, you know, what we're hoping to do is work out it'll be totally open book where the land cost this, construction cost this, this is
the return the bank expects us to make on this investment. And so this is what the number is. But we've been able to do new construction in smaller markets before. Um and and when I say smaller, I I mean less affluent than Winter Garden. I mean, Winter Garden has done a great job the last 25 years of um really
making that town turn. So, it won't be a simple equation, but it'll be an open book equation where I think we can get it done with a good operator. And again, we'll put the money in, we'll build the building, and it'll be our responsibility to get a tenant and collect that rent to get our return. >> What is your timeline for that in this 0
to 5, 5 to 10? >> We're ready to get started. I mean, we've been we've been ready to get started for >> Well, I guess what I'm asking specifically is, can you give can you tell me in your financial planning >> when rents in Okoi downtown will be $40 a square foot? You have that modeled
out? >> I think with new con, I mean, you won't get new construction. I mean, it'll have to be $40 a foot with new construction. And so, if we can get this project done in a year and a half, two years, then that's when it'll start. and and what we're looking is for these catalyst projects and and it's like the band
show. You know, that's one way we can bring people here at certain times. And so we may say, "Hey, let's have an event from 3:00 to 5:00 on Saturday. Bring a bunch of people to downtown." And then after that, they'll go get dinner at the other places. And there may be music from 7:00 to 9:00 at the other places, but the band shell will act as a place
where we can manage people to come downtown during the hours we want. >> Thank you. >> That's it. One of the one of the things I think we we need to all have is foresight of seeing what we can do or not do. But I like what your plans are. If you talk about down by the lake, I
really we drew that years ago. They drew up that band shelter going out into the lake, which I really don't like that because you you then you got to take more space to cut in to get things loaded to the back. Most that band shells work off the back, not the front.
But we definitely need a band shell. you when you had that other part of the uh there up on the hill where you build condos and that's another thing the condos just like Winter Garden did beside the the their restaurants they put in they're sold for starting at 750
to $800,000 by that. >> Then you cross the street they're building another one and they're going to do they're doing the same thing. So that's what brings the price of the downtown commercial up. That'll help bring that up. But the other thing is is
like she said 25 years ago, but but it just kind of fell by the wayside. You got to have the foresight to keep moving forward. If you're going to do it now, you got to do it and you find somebody like you or somebody that can come in and lead us to that. That area over here would be a perfect place to put some in there. Those condos, you build parking
garage, then you got that middle part. If you ever go to Gainesville, there's two things in Gainesville that you need to see. the one where Steve Spur's restaurants. Had any of you up there been up there? You've seen it where that that play thing is in the middle between the restaurants and shops and they have
a play area. They have everything. I know you've seen it cuz y'all are up there. And then on the other one is the uh if you go down to Harry's downtown, the old part of Harry's they have that park with that grass sitting with the walls around it all around it. And like
every Friday, Saturday night, they have bands playing there. and they built that stage out there, the band shell with bathrooms on it and with backward coming into the back to put everything. So, I think that's where we start getting things different. And I don't it might
the name makes you sound like we're just going to put an old cheap restaurant in. That's not what we're talking about. No, >> you go to New Simra Beach, go to the yacht restaurant to eat. >> Mhm. >> The yacht restaurant. You go to New Simra Beach inside's a beautiful restaurant. you go out the back doors
and it's what we're talking about that was it's open area place on the water where you go out and eat. >> So that that entails all that stuff. So I'm I'm I'm all looking forward to some if I can be around that long >> and and that's our point too. I mean
when you look and I know parking garages aren't popular but what they do is they save green space and so we're not we're not proponents of hey let's build a building on every square foot down there. done a great job of preserving your lakefront and I think the green space in the lakefront is very important to leave that way because it's
comfortable for people to and they want to come down and see. We just need something to do when they come down. >> Well, if if you go down there on the afternoon, you'll see people out there sitting on the benches looking out over the lake >> and and things like that. But you also if you put that banel out on that lake, they're going to go down there and be on
it. >> You know, we've had problems with all that. I think he put some place more up there. It's uncovered. But I think it's a a great idea and I think you guys have come up and I know I've looked at some of your stuff. You do great jobs and you've offered to help do some of that stuff too. So you bring in the bring in
the people to proprier to come into that. So it makes it better for us. >> And we work with other developers too and that's the thing. We won't develop all downtown at Koi, but we will bring people in. Yeah. You know, the people who are doing stuff in Winter Garden. Uh I mean we've done projects with them. There's people all over Central Florida. We've done projects and they specialize
in other things and we'll bring them down when you're ready to do condos and those mixed use. But this will be what gets things started and once the money starts flowing in this area, I really think with the growth we've seen in Central Florida, it'll come from a lot of different sources. >> All right. Nobody else got any more comments? I think we need to set up a
workshop type thing, Craig. We can all sit down and go over this with them. >> Come up with what finalize something sim get get started on it. That's the plan. The next step would be to fine-tune a presentation with actual
recommendations and workshop it with the public and the commission and um start moving. >> Is everybody okay with that? >> Yes. >> We got consent for that. >> All right. >> And just ending. It's been a pleasure working with y'all's staff. I just want to say that. So, thank you all. >> Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> All right. No staff report. >> Um, thank you, mayor. I have a few items. Um, item, first item, I would like to pull item number 10 from consideration on the agenda. It's the um addendum to the school resource officer
agreement after further um legal review. We do not believe that is necessary and would not bring it back until such time as we did. So, we'd like to formally pull that. Um the uh second thing is that as you can
see um Christmas lights are being installed. Um we have a nightly inspection that started last night. Um would like to commend Duke Energy uh specifically Lisa Curran who's been working very closely with us and done a great job of installing um approximately
94 new receptacles and they will be rapidly replacing anything that after two inspections in the last month um still aren't wanting to work. Um they they're working with us and the goal is to have all that wrapped up by the end
of the week. So, um, another item I have is I just wanted to prize the commission and the public that, you know, Orlando Health's been an outstanding community partner and they support a lot of things. Um, they've actually launched a brand new wellness
initiative um, included free of charge for our employees. >> Who who's that? >> Orlando Health. Um, and you know, the goal is to provide city employees with additional tools and knowledge to enhance their enhance their health and wellness. And um, each month there's an
an a different activity for for our staff to complete. So, I want to commend Orlando Health for being a great community partner on that. And lastly, this is kind of an an interesting little thing. Um, starting tomorrow, uh, we are going to be, uh, working with a company
called Red Zone Robotics to conduct a 10% assessment of the city's, um, gravity sewer collection system or the sewer system itself, including gravity. Um, for approximately the next 45 days. And, um, our our utility department is
working with community relations to make sure that the word gets out on various forms of digital media. and they've already notified residents, but I want to read the the areas they're going to be working. Um, it's minimally invasive. Um, a robot's inserted into the
collection system through a through a manhole and then um it's autonomously controlled remotely. So, um, it's a minimally invasive traffic thing, but they're going to be in the Ohio Bay area, Acoy Landings, Reflections, the
Reserve, Richfield, Spring Lake Reserve, Wateride, Wellington Place, Weston Park, and Willows on the Lake. And, um, if you see, you know, a weird little robot popping out of a manhole um with a
truck next to it, that's what it's going to be. but it should not disrupt any normal traffic flow. And that's all I have. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Public comments. I have a one here from Joseph
McMull. Mike here. Hey. Oh, good evening. Good evening everyone. Thank you so much for allowing me to be before you. So, mayor, thank you so much. Um, I didn't think you was going to call me up so soon, but for those of you who don't know me, my
name is Joseph McMullen. I live at 2011 Logger Vista Drive in Oakland, and I run a nonprofit by the name of Hapcore Music Foundation. And every year for the last three years going into next year, we do a jazz festival here in the town of Oakland, I'm sorry, here in the city of Okoi, which is free to the community.
And we want to say thank you uh for your support. And even though we're just talking about a jazz festival, let me build up to who we are, where we are, and how we got here. HCO Music Foundation, our mission is building futures to music, art, and
education for deserving youth. And we do it in in several ways. We have a few pillars of how we do it. Uh we do master classes where we bring in university professors down to the central Florida area to to conduct master classes at the
schools just 10 days. No, just eight days ago, we had a University of Florida professor come down from from Florida and he did a master class at a co I'm sorry, at a at um Emis High School and Carver Middle to help these kids u
continue to grow in this thing called music that we love. We do a big jazz clinic every January and that's how the relationship started. about 15 years ago, we started doing a jazz clinic at a high school and uh Mayor Vander Griff at
the time would come to the to the jazz clinic and because at the night at the end of the night we would have a jazz concert and so Mayor Vander Griff, Commissioner Wilson at the time along with Commissioner Johnson at the time will come to those concerts and those clinics and see the impact of what we
were doing here in the city of Aoy. And it it was one of those things that, you know, we would have professionals come in, we would have university uh bands come in, and we do a whole day jazz clinic to and pour into these students
lives. Again, this all started right here in in the city of AOE and Brandy Griff along with Johnson and and Miss Wilson will come out and support. Fast forward about seven years ago, eight years ago
when we uh had the mayor Johnson, he asked that we bring the jack the the concert component to this to the town to the city. Now, right when we were talking about making that move, now of course we were having those concerts at the school and it was some great
performers would come. We would have some great times. Uh but it's hard to get people to come to a high school for a jazz concert. So, uh Mayor Johnson at the time said, "Hey, why don't you bring this to this to the city?" Which we did, but of course, CO
came on board. So, we had to pause for a little bit. Then when we got out of of CO, we brought the that concert here. So, that's where we are right now. We've been producing this concert here in this city for the last three years and hopefully going into the new year. And
we just want to say thank you for allowing us to to to to do those programs because without you, you know, we are not we won't be able to to uh to uh to touch these kids' lives. And and and the reason I want to talk about who
we are and what we do is because it's not just about a concert. It's not about a clinic. It's about how we are you are coming alongside Habco and allowing us to pour into kids lives. I would tell you we work with different entities and different programs around the area and
the commission has been the only entity here in in this area that has come alongside Hapco in a way that you're touching us helping us doing the clinics. You're also helping us with the concerts, giving these kids the opportunity to perform and and make a
difference in their lives. you you know you also you hire some of our students to come and perform at your Christmas parties and at your veterans parties and all the special events. Again, you're doing more than just a concert. So, we just want to say thank you uh for
allowing us to be a part of your city of producing some type of nice jazz concert which is free to the public and is allowing uh the citizens to experience something that is u in addition to what you're offering to the to the audience.
So, I just want to say thank you for allowing us. And if I can just, you know, give you one story uh that happened to me today and it and it and it talks to how this city and and and and you as a as an entity as a has
come alongside us. I was at an event earlier this morning and he um a young man walked up well a father walked up to me and said, "Hey, I know you." and he said, "Yes, my daughter was a member of the band at a Kore High School and she
graduated in 2019 and she remembers all he remembers all the programs that we did at the school and we're continuing to do at the school and he just thanked me for allowing uh for being a part of who you are of what we're doing in in the area." So, I just want to say thank
you for allowing us to pour into these kids' lives because as you know, you know, music and art is just the vehicle, but really the outcome is really we're trying to change lives and you're really doing being a a big uh partner with us to allow us to continue to do our
concerts, helping us, you know, to be a part of your community. I just want to say thank you for allowing us to be here. And then if I can just land this plane real quick, you know, as I mentioned, you are touching every aspect of HAPCO. You're touching our educational component. You're touching
uh our kids when they are able to perform and interact with professionals. And soon we're working with HACO and I have a a good friend of mine in the audience, Mark, if he can stand up. We're working on a potential place where we can have these kids perform on a
regular basis. So, I just want to say thank you for allowing me to come and and share with you who we are, what we're doing, but I really want to say thank you for being a great partner and allowing us to continue to be a part of your city and your expression of music,
art, and education in our community. Thank you so much. >> Any comments, commissioners? >> It's a wonderful program. Yes. >> Been around with Joseph for many years and it's enlightening that he has brought the arts and reinforce the arts in our high school and with our kids
because it's very important. It's kind of a class that are stopping arts. They're not putting the support behind them. So, I appreciate what you're doing. >> Thank you so much. >> Where's your next program? >> So, our next program is at a Koi High School. The jazz clinic I mentioned that we do every year is on January 24th at
AOY High School. So that that program is is is going to be on January 24th at AOY. Then also we're going to have the uh jazz concert here in the city on March 20th. Um which are continued blessing. >> I have a question. Mayor, >> go ahead.
>> Um are I know several times when we've supported the concert, we've done different things, contingency funding and stuff like that. Have are we at a point where we've put this permanently in the in the budget? Are we all squared away on this or
>> have we credited the um Lakeshore Center use? Is that something that's we've always >> traditionally uh the city commission waves the fees um and you know provides staff assistance to making the event you
know a success. Um we plan for that to continue to occur. we'll need you at a certain point. Um if you know um Mr. McMullen comes back and u makes formal request um we do a a special event
permit. We process a lot of those items. That traditionally has been the time where he's requested assistance. Um we don't specifically budget for that. Um and it's not because of the the jazz event. is because um it's it's an
outside event that while we're very much in support of it and I actually think it's a a wonderful program for for youth um we by and large don't do that for um private events because you know private
events come and go. Now, I would be happy to budget for that if so directed by the city commission as a as a permanent fixture in the city's budget. Um, but you know, because you don't want to lump this event into traditional
outside organization run events because it's it's it's much more than that. Um, we have money adequately um in the but adequately in the budget that we could use to support him. um which you you all know that you approve a contingency fund
balance for yourselves every year that we can use to support this event. So that's that's how I had planned for us to handle that and you guys can decide how much you want to take from that because um you never come close to spending all of that money. Um so
there's plenty of money there and at the appropriate time you can decide how much you would like to help um subsidize the event. Is that something we can do when we're closer to the event of March? >> Yeah. >> I mean, I'm just saying when we start when we get closer to the event of March. >> What >> I mean, yeah.
>> Problem is the planning of it before then takes takes time to come up with what you're going to do not do. You can't wait till March. >> That's my question. Are are you prepared for an ask tonight or would you have to come back with your your your numbers and what whatever you need to provide for us to
>> So, we're prepared for an ask. Um, normally I I really just, you know, go with your discretion because, you know, you know, I understand, you know, government works. >> What did we give last year? >> We do 10. >> I I just worry with everything that's
happening that we're funding this out of contingency. And maybe someday we won't have much contingency. And I'd like to uh I guess for lack of a better word, make your home permanent. I think that's best time to do that is when we do the budget midy year we can address that
issue become that way we net it to the in the budget process >> I think this time is the contingency will work we have $120,000 in the con contingency I have paper
so anybody want to make a motion >> he said we're doing a big >> what >> I Thought I was >> come back or do you want us to do >> mid or I'm getting a little confused here? >> Mr. City Attorney, can they appropriate?
Um, typically um we have a more formal um ask than this, but prepared >> um the the commit we typically give about $10,000. So >> that's what we did last year. >> You guys can do that again. Um and then we can backfill if necessary to
contingency with the midyear budget amendment. >> Well, you check that at midyear. Then you'll know, >> right? >> Fair enough. >> Well, >> so the motion will be to take it out of the discretionary funds. >> Contingency funds, I'm sorry.
Contingency funds misspoke, >> but but an actual budget amendment would require, you know, two readings and all that. No, what I was saying, you know, just to be clear, we can take it out of contingency tonight and we'll be evaluating um the city's budget performance and we
typically do a midyear amendment if we need to add money to anything. So, if we have unforeseen expenses that >> weren't use of more of the contingency line item, then we can add more in as the mayor was saying um at midyear if we
need to. So, that's effort and apart. they can go ahead and uh and do this tonight and then if we need to add more we can later. >> Makes sense to me. >> Thank you. >> Um make a motion. >> I' I'd like to do that. I'd like to create some certainty and know that
we're going to have this and um so I'll make a motion to uh pull 10,000 from contingency to designate it for the program in the concert. And um I don't know if we can go ahead and authorize staff to uh
>> wave the fees or whatever to assist as as traditionally they do with this program in the concert. >> Do I hear a second? >> I'll second it. >> Motion made by Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Oliver. Any more comments?
No more comments? I would make a suggestion on something. and I'll get with you about it. >> Okay. I I I do want to say thank >> change it. Huh. >> I want to say thank you. Yeah. >> For your support. And I did not mention the headliners are the professors at the
University of Florida, the jazz program uh at the University of Florida. The professors that is the entertainment that we have booked to come down. So you Gators will have University of Florida jazz professors coming down performing for your your city. And it's a free
concert. Please understand it is a free concert. How about if you find one more act? If we, you know, you find one more act, I think that would be a good thing to add to that is somebody that plays jazz music um saxophone or piano, whatever. Have somebody else also.
>> Well, we definitely want to have >> individual like you did one time, the guy from Miami or somewhere. >> Yeah, that's >> I know, but I'm >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's >> There's people around this area. >> Well, that's a that's a different level of ass. >> Yeah. We can't we can't facilitate that.
That's a different level of ass. >> There's people around this area that do that. >> Yes, sir. >> I mean, it's your your deduction, but >> nope. >> You need >> No. Again, as I mentioned earlier, you know, this entity has been the biggest supporter of everything that we do. And
so, the reason I built that story is I don't want people to think that this is just a jazz concert or just a a one time program. you know, whether it's the kids that you impacted, you know, the clinics, you know, everything that you're doing, you know, has really changed lives >> and you're part of that process. I want
to say thank you. Now, if you want us to expand it, again, this is a free concert. >> I just want to say thank you. And also, we know we bring in a Koi High School and they perform and we always make a major donation to their program for their kids, for their programs, and for the things again, everything is touching
our kids. Everybody, thank you so much. I appreciate you. >> Thank you. All right, that was the only one on public comments. The other was later on item 13. We need a consent agenda. We need a motion with item 10 pulled. >> I may have a motion.
>> Motion made for the consent agenda by Commissioner Wilson. Item 10 is pulled. Do a second. >> Second that. >> Second by Commissioner Pner. No more comments. Let's vote. We go to item 13,
second reading of ordinance amended section 124-8 through section 124-11 of the code of ordinances for smoking and vaping prohibited portions of recreational property. Parks and leisure services. Deputy Director Gaines.
>> Good evening, mayor and commissioners. Doug Gaines, deputy director of parks and leisure services. Just real quick, we were approached by the tobaccof free partnership of Orange County asking that we amend chapter 124 of the Akoi code of ordinances to address vape and vaping.
So staff has updated the definition of vape and vaping and added an exception for smoking of unfiltered cigars which are exempt per Florida statute. The tobaccof free partnership stated that any updated signage can be paid for by
them which would be nice. So staff recommends the honorable mayor and commissioners approve the amendments to chapter 124. >> What did you change? Which Adam? Can you tell everybody what it is? >> It's uh 124 and it's section 1248
through 124-11. Talks about smoking prohibited in portions of recreational property. So, we updated the definition. >> You'll see where it's in where it's in red. >> You need to post post it where people can get it.
Understand? >> Yes. >> All right. Okay. So, you got the ordinance? >> I do. An ordinance of the city of Akoi, Florida, amending article 2 of chapter 124 of the Akoi code of ordinances to
establish section 124-8 through section 124-11 smoking and vaping prohibited in portions of recreational property providing for exceptions and enforcement and providing for definitions, cotification, inconsistency, severability and an effective date.
>> All right, we have one public comment here. Victoria lady. >> Good evening. Um, I would like to thank Steve Schaefer from Tobaccofree Florida for um, responding to me when I reached out to him about my concerns about
vaping in uh, public events. And I appreciate Doug Gaines and Don for for uh meeting with us. And uh Steven Schaefer was so well prepared. He had copies of model ordinances from
other municipalities. He was familiar with Oko's ordinance and made suggestions on how to change it. I appreciate the commissioners and our city attorney and the mayor for responding to that as you have. I appreciate the police for visiting smoke
shops in Okoi before the recent music festival to confiscate and remove illegal products there that might have caused harm during the music festival. I'm not sure if that that's what motivated them, but it it to me it came
just in time because one of the problems with vaping is that you don't know what you're breathing. There could be anything there. And so I really um appreciate the addition of uh vaping as a prohibit prohibited activity in this
amended ordinance um along with uh smoking about marijuana. I remember my youth when tobacco was considered to be a very healthy thing uh kind of like you hear marijuana spoken of today. um actors in posed as doctors on television
and spoke of the health benefits of tobacco. Um the television commercials featured dancing, cigarettes, and other entertainment uh to promote the use of tobacco. I appreciate my mother and I'm remembering her tonight because she
would send us to the television to turn down the volume and then she would have us sing our own song um to counteract the commercial. Cigarettes. Cigarettes. We don't smoke those cigarettes. They will get you in
the neck, make you sick as heck. Stay away from cigarettes. That's the thing to do. Never know. Never know. never know. Don't smoke cigarettes or vape. I updated it, which she would want me to
do. So, thank you again for this and we'll see how it goes and appreciate it. And uh here's all to healthier uh Ooey. A great way to celebrate our centennial. Thank you. >> Thank you.
All right. Number 14. >> We had 13 vote with a vote. >> I did 13. You got a vote. >> Public hearing. Anybody in the public have any comments? >> Mayor, before before we I I have a question about 13. >> Mhm.
>> In in the uh the changes we made to the ordinance and it and it states that um the um it prohibits in the uh in portions of uh the recreational properties. So, the word portion kind of kind of it's throwing me off. I'm a
little confused here because are you saying that it's okay to smoke in some portions and other portions because but just just simply having the word portion in there as opposed to all um confuses me a little bit. >> So So can can I get some clarification
on on that? >> Section >> it allows you to designate >> section B. >> Yeah, >> section DB. Yeah, really it's it's for city parks and recreational areas, >> but it's portions of recreational
property. You're talking about property as a whole. >> Well, it says except as otherwise provided in this subsection, smoking is prohibited on any portion of the following properties owned by the city that enlists, you know, Jim Beach Recreation Center, Kobe Family Aquatic Center, etc., etc.
>> Okay. So, and it it also allows you to designate areas in the future, which is entirely a commission decision. >> So, in other words, the the recreation areas are all smoke free at this point if they'll be all smoke free. Correct. >> The ones listed in section B here on
page three. >> Page three. >> Tell us which ones and that we can go ahead in the future that we have more parks or more facilities. Am I correct? Mhm. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Right.
>> And then it says smoking is prohibited within 30 ft of any occupied playground located on recreational property. >> It's just not painting us in a corner. That's all it's doing. >> Yeah. I I'm I'm just typical. I'm I'm partial to the all as opposed to playing with portions.
>> That's that's all that's just me. >> I did >> should have a designated area someday. Anybody in the audience have any comments on the item 13, second reading of ordinance amended section about the vaping prohibited in the uh smoking?
>> Don't forget to fill the form out. >> Norine Dorin, editor and chief of Vox Populi, winterguardbox.com. Um, just want to be clear. Does does this mean no smoking anywhere in any park in AOE?
>> Or what does this >> Yes, it does. Yeah. >> Well, if you cannot Okay, not a big fan of smoking, but come on. If you cannot smoke anywhere inside and now you cannot smoke outside. Um, really, isn't this a
little bit of the nanny state here? And honestly, I'm I'm I really don't want to be the one waving the banner for smoking, but if you cannot smoke any place outside, I think that's a little bit ridiculous. Please designate a place
>> outside for people to light up a cigarette. I It's outside. >> I do address it. I can address it. >> You can you can smoke outside and not on a not in a city park. >> Yes. If I could further uh read from the
or this is the existing ordinance and not what what what's being changed. The parks and recreation director shall designate one or more areas within the foregoing properties as smoking areas where smoking will be permitted. >> So there is a carve out. >> I think you should have a carve out.
You're going to end up with a lawsuit somewhere >> in my humble opinion having not gone to law school. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. I need Nobody else have any comments?
All right, I'm gonna close it. Go to number four. Uh, we need a vote. I need a motion. >> I'll make a motion. >> I'll make the motion number 13 to approve. >> Commissioner Wilson makes the motion for item number 13. Do I hear a second? >> I'll second. >> Seconded by Commissioner Kenny. No more
comments. Let's vote. >> Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. >> All right. Now we'll go to 14. Second reading of ordinance for fiscal year 2025 year end budget amendment. Assistant finet. Okay. Um, mayor and commissioners,
members of the public, um, this is the second reading of of the U, year-end closeout budget amendment, which you've been given a staff report at first reading. Um, this is a customary action at year in financial closeout. It's no
impact to the budget and we actually have good news um in the sense that um when we asked you to approve um trueing up the solid waste fund, we presented a much higher number um than the year-end
actual turned out to be. So um this information has been posted online. It's been advertised in accordance with Florida statutes and we recommend uh that the commission approve it and we'll entertain any further questions.
It is a public hearing item. Um and we're happy to address any questions that he might might have. >> Read it. >> Read the ordinance. An ordinance of the city of Akoi, Orange County, Florida, relating to the city budget, amending the city budget adopted by ordinance 2024-28
for the fiscal year beginning October 1st, 2024 and ending September 30th, 2025 by providing for increase of appropriations, providing for severability, providing an effective date. >> I have no coupons or forms for anybody in the audience, but anybody in the
order to public hearing. Anybody have any comments on item 14? All right, no comments. I'll bring it back to the DAS. Anybody have comments on item 14? >> If not, I need a >> I'll make a motion to approve the
yearend budget amendment. >> Number 14, Commissioner Kennedy, the year-end budget amendment. Do I hear a second? >> I'll second that. >> Seconded by Commissioner Fer. No more comments. Let's vote.
All right, we'll go down to the public hearings. Number 15, public hearing for 125 South Circle Key Drive. Moody varants request project number VR2502. Planner
Bells. This is the trailer. Pull that up. Hard to hear. >> Oh, >> hold the mic up towards you. >> Okay, great. Um, good evening everyone. Tonight I'll be presenting on the Moody variance for their property located at 125 South Circle Key Drive and the
request to reduce the minimum rear setback. her issues is whether the honorable mayor and city commissioners should approve the proposed variance to table 5-2 to reduce the minimum mirror setback from 20 ft to 7 for the purpose of
installing a mobile home. For some background on the property, it is located north of West Silverstar Road and east of West Circle Key Drive. In total, the lot is 3,560 ft large and it is considered a
substandard lot of record as it does not meet the minimum 7,000 ft lot area for the RT1 zoning district. Here we have an aerial photography of the lot. This is the surrounding future land use
map and this is the surrounding zoning map. Per section 4-9A of the land development code, a variance must exhibit meeting four different criteria. The first is that special circumstances and conditions exist on the lot that are
peculiar and not applicable to other lots. That the literal interpretation of the regulations would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties. That the conditions and circumstances are not the result of the actions of the applicant. and that
the granting of the variance would not confer any special privileges onto the applicant. So, here we have a snippet of the property indicating its um yards and its setbacks with the buildable area with the current setbacks shown in gray.
And just to reiterate, these are the minimum um zoning requirements for the zoning district with the 20 feet in the front, 20 ft in the back um 15t side street and then the 7 and 1/2 um interior side which wouldn't be
applicable. So based on the information, staff has found that there are special circumstances and conditions that exist for the lot. Um, with having three frontages, it creates additional restrictions due to the setbacks. That the literal interpretation of the code
will result in a buildable area width of 10 ft, which is not adequate to support any type of dwelling. That this is not the act the actions of the applicant as the lot has always retained its original configuration since being platted um and has its three
frontages making the setbacks difficult to meet. And that confir no conference of any special privileges would happen as the granting of the variance would allow the homeowner to have a mobile home similar to all the other mobile
homes within the subdivision. During their October 14th meeting, the PCC heard the item and after some discussion made a unanimous vote to make a recommendation of approval for the requested variance to reduce the minimum setback from 20 ft to 7 for the purpose
of installing the mobile home. And similarly, staff is making the same recommendation to the honorable mayor and city commissioners to approve the requested variance to table 5-2 to reduce the setback from 20 to 7 ft for the rear setback for the purpose of
installing a mobile home at 125 South Circle Key Drive. And that concludes my presentation. Thank you. >> All right. Uh commissioners, >> I have one question. >> Yes. Um, I watched the PNZ meeting and I
read the packet. I'm not sure where I saw it, but there's already a mirror of this lot. There's already a similar lot. >> Yes. >> That has uh and I didn't find Did they receive a variance or did they build without a variance? What's the status of
that? >> So, that lot I can't remember the exact um address, but it is within the subdivision. Similar lot configuration. it was approved um in error because the orientation of the lot was the mobile
home wasn't considered. Um it was overlooked regarding the um placement of the entryway and so that was approved unfortunately by error. um in any instance where the mobile home is replaced for that lot, they would be subject to 5-2 for the non-conformities
um in which they may be able to replace it or depending on the time frame, they would essentially um time out of that non-conformity and it would have to be in compliance like this lot. Excuse me. >> That's why I didn't find it. >> Thank you. That's it.
>> Anybody else have any comments? Is it a Is this a new mobile home they're installing or or it a used mobile home? >> I I believe it is a used mobile home. >> Okay. >> All right. Anybody else?
>> We're going to open the public hearing. Anybody in public hearing want to say anything? Does the owners want to say anything? You're here. >> You have three five minutes. Hi. Oh, sorry.
>> Hi, my name's Gia Lucas. I'm um Pay Moody's daughter representing my mom and it is a used mobile home that was approved already approved by the city. And uh we just what had happened was the person installing the mobile home
when they got the approval they thought it meant that it was approved to be on that lot as is. So we did not realize that it was out of variance, you know, and that's why we had to apply for the variance. >> All right. >> Anybody have any questions of the young lady?
>> All right. Go ahead. >> I just have a question. I'm sorry. I'm just not uh familiar with, you know, installation of a mobile home. Is this like a Is this on a concrete slab? You put a concrete slab down and then you tie the mobile home down to to the to the slab. How does that work? >> Um, no. It's it's it's brought it's a
it's brought in and put together. It's on land. Some lots do have concrete slabs that were prior to there was an existing mobile home that was demolished off the lot years ago and this lot has been sitting empty for some time and we
were just able to have the gentleman that's um actually buying the lot from my mom um bringing in that mobile home. So, but there is no it's not going on an actual concrete slab. >> Okay. Yeah. and uh mayor uh assistant city manager rumor just want to clarify
with the mobile home inspection. There is an inspection process. The code allows for mobile homes from the year 1975 or newer. And before they're brought into the city, they have to be inspected. So our inspectors drive out to wherever the mobile home is. They pay mileage and we inspect the mobile home
to make sure it is safe and compliant. That is the inspection that was done. It was not a zoning approval. It was just that this mobile home is sufficient to be brought into the city of Akoi. So, >> yeah. Yep. >> All righty. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> All right. So, I'm going to close the public hearing and commissioners, I need a motion for or against either one. >> I'll make a motion to approve the Moody variance request VR2502. >> May I ask that include a specific
finding that the criteria for variance are met? >> Yes. And I appreciated very much you delineating the four uh criteria. >> All right, Commissioner Kennedy made the motion. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Who's it? >> Good. >> Me. >> Second.
>> Commissioner Fner made the second. Any more comments? More comments? Let's vote. >> Good job. >> Thank you. >> Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. All right. Number 16 public hearing for
Okcoy Village Center new grocery and fuel station largescale preliminary site plant project number LS2024-01 deputy director services director Whitfield there she is >> good evening Mr. Mayor, commissioners,
everybody. The this item is the AOY Village Center new grocery and fuel station preliminary large scale site plan. Um the property the project is going to be located on four parcels with some recently vacated ritways um along North
Lakewood and Clarkona Koi Road. Just a little bit of background, it's in the northwest corner of the intersection of North Lakewood and Clarona Koi. The realignment of North Lakewood. Um, as I mentioned, four parcels totaling 1.6 uh 6.9 acres with some vacant ridesways.
Um, the land is currently vacant. There are no unique features particular to the these properties. Um, and the rights away were vacated a few months back. This is an aerial of the of the property. This is dated. We only get
what the property appraiser gives us. um the surrounding future land use map. The surrounding zoning is essentially part of the Koi Village Center PUB. Um and this is the site plan. So it is only at a preliminary stage. Final comes back on consent once they've addressed all
outstanding staff comments. It does meet the um the plan the language plan for the Northwest parcel uh in terms of the building square footage, the parking ratios um and the uses themselves.
I don't have landscaping plans here, but a conversation was raised at the PCC regarding how the loading zones will be shielded from the traveling public and it is going to be here. Loading is on the south side of the property uh of the project. Um and because as you drive up
and and easterly on Lakewood, you're going to be seeing the back side of the building, we did ask them and they agreed to provide additional land um vegetation to help screen that. And there will be a wall um to shield the actual loaning zone which is a um uh an
elevated platform. These are some um uh building elevations. So one by one this is looking at it from the intersection um looking at it from Lakewood um right from right across from Clarkono
Corey Road. The back the westerly front side of the building. This is where the loading zone would be back here. Um this is I'm sorry, this is the other way. This is the um the pickup
area for merchandise pickup. This is the gas station and the canopy. Um a closeup of the actual I guess convenience mart itself. Um DRC considered this item at their October 7th meeting. Uh we discussed the
requirements for the final site plan and um they made a unanimous recommendation for approval of the preliminary site plan with no conditions. PCC also made um a preliminary I'm sorry a unanimous decision to recommend approval of the preliminary at their October hearing. Um
after discussing the loading zone, landscaping and pedestrian access. I will point out that the pedestrian access is going to be along Lakewood because there's a trail system there and sidewalk systems. So the backside where um the realignment is going to be is more for freight traffic.
>> Okay. >> And with that staff is recommending that the commission approve the prelim preliminary large scale site plan for the Okoy village center new grocery and v and fuel station on I don't want to read all those four parcels but in the
southwest parcel one of the village center PV and the applicant team is here. >> What's the square footage of that? So um the gas station and canopy is right under 8,000 and the grocery is right under 50. So um there a total of less
than 60. >> Okay. >> About 60. >> All right. >> Yeah. 56. >> Right. Open the public hearing. I have your uh forms filled out. If you want to talk, you can talk. If you don't want to, you don't have to. So
it's up to you. You don't have to. again. Okay. All right. Which one are you? >> Uh, I am not one of I'm the applicant, sir. For the record, McGregor Love. >> Okay. Well, you need to fill a form out. >> I will fill a form out. >> All right. Go ahead.
>> For the record, McGregor Love 215 North Yola Drive from Louns. Um, I'm the land use attorney here on behalf of the applicant tonight. Um, we also have our engineer of record, CPH, who's here to answer the technical questions, and that those may be the type of questions you
have. This is a site plan review. Um I I'll tell all of you tonight what I what I told the planning board, which is uh there's a reason there's a 2024 on this application. We've been at this for a while with staff and we're happy with the project as it's put together and the
elevations and we really appreciate the sort of deliberative effort that that we went through to to make this a good a good development for for your city. Uh here to answer any questions. Appreciate it. Thank you. >> All right. >> District. >> Anybody else want to talk out of that
group? If not, I'll close the public here and bring it back and give it to commissioners. Any comments? >> Uh, just one comment. Uh, everyone has really been looking forward to this project and um we reviewed the package
and the P&Z and uh wish you success. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Anybody? >> Nope. All right. I'll make a motion to approve the large scale preliminary site plan.
>> Motion made by Commissioner Kennedy. Do we hear a second? >> I second it. >> Seconded by Commissioner Oliver. Any more comments? No more comments. Let's vote. Motion carries unanimously. All righty. All right. Going down here now to item
number 17 number 25- Z006 for the lease and operation of the Forest Lake Golf Club assistant city manager Rumor. >> Yes sir. Thank you mayor. Uh this time last year we were working towards uh a
default process with the operator Forest Lake Golf Club. A uh subsequent mediation settlement was reached with them. Uh the city has been operating the golf course since April May of this year and has received the revenues generated
from the operation. Uh this commission authorized an RFP for a long-term operator back in August. You all shortlifted the firms on September 16th and held interviews on October 21st. uh in consideration of Commissioner Oliver
who was absent at that meeting and was not in attendance, you moved the commission's uh decision to tonight's meeting and uh just want of note as of the beginning of November uh we've made the final payment to the previous operators and we are the sole owner of
the golf course and operations. We've been making steady improvements to the golf course which have been highlighted in some various updates by the city manager and our consultant ZHA. And with that, mayor, I'll turn it over to you. >> All righty. All right. Um, I'm gonna
start. Commissioner Kennedy, comments, suggestions. >> Um, I ended up um convinced uh, as you know, I originally wasn't sure that any of the six I wanted
to go forward with. Um and I was I became convinced in the interviews that the commission was right and wise to go forward with those three. Um I thought the interviews were informative.
I um I want to go forward with Hampton Goff's proposal, but I also understand some of the comments about possibly finding a way to create a plan B if
that's not successful versus go to one of the other RFPs. You know, we had originally talked about we'd pick a preferred of the three and if we were success unsuccessful with the contract, we may go to another one. I actually
liked the comments of if we're not successful with a contract negotiation there, maybe looking at somehow creating a partnership or consortium such that we could continue to employ temporary
operators and essentially keep it for ourselves. That's my opinion. All right, Commissioner Oliver. Oh, >> okay. when we first started uh having these discussions
uh about a temporary or well about a bringing on a another operator and and um paying out the the current operator that been there for 25 years plus. Um I was really um not on board with with paying
out the $4.5 million. I just was not on board with that at all because I just didn't see how we would recoup that money and it would take us so long to recoup that money back. But after seeing the financials that they've been providing every month, the golf course is actually making money. I can see uh a
light at the end of the tunnel and recouping that money and and that's okay. So now we get to the point we get to the temporary operator and um we narrowed it down to the three. Uh I did a financial analysis um over several
weeks uh doing a comparison of the uh operators and um sorry get my notes here doing a comparison of the operators and in that comparison I was set to go with um one
operator. Sorry, look at my notes. seem lost my little notes there. That's okay. Nonetheless, I was prepared to um I provided a a memo to the commission in my absence uh with my recommendations
based on my financial analysis and comparisons of the three operators. And I was prepared to go with uh one of the operators. Um the Tamar, they were kind of right down the middle
of the road for us. Uh we had one operator, Hampton was on the high end as far as the revenue they're going to bring in. And then we had one operator on the on the lower end and one operator in the middle. It would seem to have a more of a conservative uh approach to bringing revenue for the
city. And I I like that and I was prepared for that. Um, in the past few weeks, I had the opportunity, well, I don't say opportunity. I was out one day with one of my neighbors, and we were picking up trash that was left uh by the sanitation department. The trash truck
came through and left a bunch of trash in the street. >> So, um, we were out, my neighbor and I, just picking up the trash and I had the opportunity, we were talking about, um, when the, uh, we owned our own, uh, uh, trash uh, company. You know, actually
when we were doing it ourselves, the city had our in-house sanitation department and we talked about that and and how great that service was. And I got to thinking about that. So in 2018, I I had I remembered I did a few ride alongs. It was the police department, fire department. Also did a ride along
with the sanitation department. And it I was really thoroughly impressed about the level of service that they gave us. I'm sitting there riding all day uh in his trash truck and talking to the operator of the trash truck and and looking at the personal service he gave. There was certain folks along his route
that he knew that they were elderly folks and they would he they would get out the truck, go up to the up the driveway, pick up the trash can, take it to the truck, dump it and put it back. And we did that for several residents and I was really impressed by that level of service that we received. And then we
decide to move uh our operation from um from a city-owned and operated sanitation to a third-party vendor. And and we we we've been dealing with some some growing pains ever since. And u and to that point, we were sitting out there picking up trash off the street. And I
got to thinking about that. One of the things that we we have not discussed is is the possibility of the city owning and operating the golf course ourselves and bringing in all the revenue. So I did an analysis. I did another analysis to see what that would look like. Just
kind of a a pros and cons kind of thing. And I and this is what I came up with. I I'm looking at this in in an evaluation. If we owned it, we have control the city. We will control um the full authority in the pricing uh the
programming, the customer service standards. We control the public uh benefit focused operational decisions um uh for our residents, our youth programs, other space preservations. We have uh we control the earnings uh for the golf course within the city and it
can also be uh uh reinvested back into the course itself and also to our recreational programs and our green spaces. Um we also look at the uh resident affordability. We have control of that as well. On the con side uh we also would also uh uh take on all the
financial risk as well. We also looked at uh um you have to specialize uh uh golf services uh operational demands for PJ professionals those kind of things. capital demands, irrigation, um cart fleet, cart and uh fleets, green
equipment, um the procurement and staffing uh constraints, uh government purchasing rules that we have to deal with. So, those are some of the pros and cons that I had to look at. And when we look at uh bringing in an operator versus um um running it ourselves
internally, but the thing is we've never really sat down and had the conversation as to what it looks like if we actually owned it. So I think we would be remiss if we never sat down and had the staff go and look at what does these things look like
if we was to bring this in ourselves and say what would it cost? What would what would be the benefits uh to the city? Uh what is the risk that we take on the city and bring us a full analysis back to make a determination from both sides of thing because right now we're only
talking about a a third party vendor to be the operator of the of the golf course. never looking at the possibilities of what it would mean if we were to uh to take it on ourselves. So my my thoughts and my recommendation is that we would um um uh take it upon
ourselves to to to give us some information as to what that looks like if we were to to uh take it on ourselves and uh what would be the benefit to us versus the risk. >> Mr. Commissioner Fner, >> I asked a lot of questions during the uh
interview phase of this process and uh I wasn't quite satisfied with any of the answers that any of the three proposers uh gave. I didn't think that they really met the best interest of what we're looking for up here and what we're
looking for for the city as a golf course. Uh, as Commissioner Oliver just said, we just took over the 40-year lease that was in place out there, and we're making money. We're making good money, and the
course is in good shape. It doesn't need a giant revamp. Uh, I think it's doable. Um, I'd go along with uh Commissioner Oliver's uh outlook on looking at have
staff look at uh doing this ourselves inhouse. I think we'll have much more control over it. We'll get 100% of the profits which will go toward the uh subcontractors that we hire to actually
run the course. Um that that's basically where I stand right now. Um there were a lot of things presented. Some things, you know, they all were responsive to the RFP.
It's just that the things that were presented didn't fully impress me. They had programs, they had gimmicks, they all had something that they were going to throw into the mix to, you know, make this a world champion golf course. Well,
I I think uh our sights are set a little lower than that. We want an outstanding course for our residents and anybody that comes to town that wants to play, they're more than welcome. But uh this is a a cityowned
property and if we take the responsibility fully for providing a good product, I think we can do that because this city has a fantastic staff. And if we hire the right people to join our staff, I think we can uh present a
golf course that everybody in Okoey, whether they play or not, would be proud of. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, Commissioner Wilson, >> Commissioner Oliver, I always like the opportunity to say I told you all so when it comes to trash. But, um,
when it comes to trash, I like to always bring it back up that I told you so. Um, okay. Since I'm the only one that voted in the opposition. Um, and to keep it in the city. But, um, I agree with a lot of what you both what I've heard tonight when after the last meeting, I did have
a lot of questions. I like some. I didn't like other parts of it. I do disagree. We do need I think some major revamping up there. >> Um so I'm gonna should I say disagree with that. I personally feel as though I'd like to extend the kind the lease we
have right now to give us more time to evaluate whether it's feasible for us to go with the city running it. Um again is because I like some things, I didn't like others. And um we have sat for 25
years with the current lease that we have. And I think that maybe it's time that we spend a little more time re-evaluating what our options are. I don't think we've spent time re evaluating whether we ran the golf course. Um maybe that might not be the best option. I don't
know. But I think by extending the lease, we have an opportunity to go back and evaluate a little more be a little more indepth to what we can do to change it. Um, it's a community golf course. We can't forget that our residents, we don't want to exclude our residents from
having the opportunity, but they've enjoyed all these time. Um, it is our it it's our golf course. It's our resident's golf course. And, um, maybe it's time we brought them all in and brought them in to have some opinions.
Um, but I don't want to make a rash decision at this point. So, that's kind of where I stand. >> All right. Well, I'm calling it pickle and not I I looked through all those things and read through all of them and went through
them. I mean, there's a real pretty looking one in there. There's another one that didn't want to do any of the money. And then there's another one like Tamarak who I thought also would have been the one that I would do. But another I I don't want to lose people that have
people that I I look at things that what's best for us at the city. This is not something that we don't fix. We take it. We fix it. And I I if it wasn't for that, it went for us looking at this. I had all intentions of putting my vote
for Tamarak. Rocky, the guy, gentleman Rocky, I played at his course. I've played at Forest Lake. They do they do a great job. But what one of the since this has come up and I I I don't want to make anybody enemies about this thing, but I'm telling you, you you can't keep
doing this stuff about saying, "Well, let's decide to try this and then we'll go drag it out and look at it." If we're going to do it, we got to do it. It ain't no dragging it out. We fix it. Buy it. You bond it and you pay the money
back to the city through the way we do it and we'll make the money that goes right back. This is not a profitm thing for the us. It's a pro it's a thing for the citizens of the city that we give them back to the the golf course and and and make it a place you want to go play.
Make it a place any other people can come. But we set the rules for 30. And like I said, nothing against anybody, but for 30 years, I went to that office up here asking them to do something. We never got it done. It just kept getting
drug out, drug out, and drug out. >> So if you don't have the mindset to sit now and say, "Hey, we're going to do this." Then I don't want to do that. I If we if y'all brought this up and you want to do this, do you can't sit here and har around? excuse my French or whatever you
want to call it. You got to do the action and and and move forward and do what we're supposed to do. We've dragged this out for a year over a year and a half almost saying what we're going to do or not do. We can make the money and put it back into our city funds. We get
to determine what it would be. We get to determine who's going to do what to it. No, I don't want to give them a long extension because they ain't done everything they were supposed to do. If you go out and check the things, they haven't done the things they're supposed to do. I think our people smart enough.
We come up with the issue and start laying out how to get the bond issue. We pay the bond issue to pay it off. Then we pay our money back to the four and a half millions we took out of the uh um what's that? My mind's blank. The the
fund emergency fund that we got, we put that money back and we take that money. Like I said, I hate that because I I love Terry Mack. I love playing golf out there, but it's it it it is nothing but what's right for the city. Cuz we never
got anywhere when somebody that other group had it. Not saying that the other ones would would do that. But you can't just keep saying, "Let's look at this for another year." You can't do that. You got to make the motion and do it. We go ahead and tell our staff to start
meeting and pull a yonder and tell you exactly what's got to be done out. You got to tear that golf. You got to tear that restaurant down, folks. It's got to come down. It's a It's a dump. You got to go out there and fix the greens. Part of the greens got to be fixed and the other greens got to fix
>> years ago. >> You and then you get irrigation. >> You get the driving range that everybody's talking about. That's where your money's comes in. People get to go there with their families, their kids, and and have having you. And then you put a decent person in there. You lease
out the restaurant and the bar to somebody like Dubstread or somebody and then you that's how that's how it goes. So I'm not really in favor of putting this thing off and come back to six months from now or three month three months from now doing that.
And I apologize like I said I probably going to make people mad but it I got sitting down thinking about this thing and over the weekend and it's I want to go through that thing again. Not that Tamarak would do that, but it's still
it's what it's our property. And everybody said to me, somebody said today, "Well, you going to sell it?" No, we're not selling it. We're not selling it. >> So, I would like to see us, if you're going to do it, do it. Make the motion and do it. And turn it over to staff, meet with all of us, take each
commissioner in and tell them what to lay out, let them make their suggestions. And we do that. And we start with the process. And I I think it can be a it can be a treasure in our city for what we got there. I
mean, we we want our kids to be able to go out there. We want our you people to if they have a golf tournament to be able to go do it for charity, whatever. So, I'm just saying if you going to make I never supposed to make the motion anyway because I'm the mayor, but I'd like to see a motion made. If we're
going to do this and not give it to to somebody, which it looked like it would have been a draw, I say we do the other, you know. So, there you go. Okay. Are can I ask are what you're referring to is to
tonight make the decision to see that's >> we here's the decision. You vote for Oakcoy to have the golf course. >> But should we allow the city staff to do so? >> Well, they're going to have to do that anyway, Rosemary. >> Well, then we have to No, Rosemary. >> They have to do that.
>> We have to extend the lease. >> Well, all we got to do is extend the lease till January or whenever they'll have them. they start having >> mayor speak. >> Um >> if you wanted to proceed down that path, um I would recommend that you direct us
to come back after meeting with you individually, I I as unpopular as this sounds, I would recommend that you extend them um 90 days, the existing operator >> January, February. that gives us opportunity to bring back options and
work with our consultant to um evaluate this if if you so chose. So, um if you were going to do that, then you would need to reject the current proposals and direct us to come back. >> I say we vote to take if you're going to not do them, we ain't going to put them
off anymore. You make the motion, it goes to the city, then you go ahead and do what you're talking about. You lay out the program of what we got to do. Mhm. That's fine. >> You lay out the program what you got to do. I mean, >> if if the rest of the commission is okay
with with with that um again, my concern is just simply um if we if we decide to go down this this path, and just vote that we would actually uh reject these these uh u these these three proposals, bring it in house to the city. Um as
long as we have enough time uh to give the staff enough time to be able to come back and give us all the information we need, I'm okay with that. That's what 90 days is. >> Yeah, I'm I'm okay. >> 90 days enough, but yes, we can always We can always go past. >> He knows what he's They got We got professional. You >> want make a motion? You want me to hold >> I'll make a motion. Make a motion.
>> I'll make a motion. >> All right. >> What? >> No. >> No, it's not. >> No, sir. I make a motion that the city commission uh reject all three proposals in their entirety
and not issue any in this uh under this RFP. Also, I make the motion that we need to extend the the current contract with Down to Earth to cover the the portion in between until the city can uh
take over it themselves. And I direct staff to uh set up a process to work with the city commission to achieve the citizens and commission's goals and we can we can have a little workshop meeting with the
the staff to give them some direction in the way we want to go. But that's my motion. >> All right. Do I hear a second? >> I'll second it. >> All right. Motion made by Commissioner Fner or seconded by Commissioner Oliver.
All right. Uh, any more comments? All right, let's vote. Motion carries unanimously. All right. Sorry, people. This All right, Craig, can you set it up and get it started?
>> Ball roll. >> All right. All right. We're going down to um comments from commissioners. Before we start that, I want to read off these announce major announce November events. City Hall will be closed on the observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday,
November the 27th and Friday, November the 28th. There will be no trash collections on Thanksgiving Day. It will instead be collected on Friday, November the 28th and Saturday, November the 29th. December events. An evening with Santa will take place on Friday,
December the 5th from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. at the Okcoy Lakesure Center. This event will feature photos with Santa arts, crafts, and more. The cost is $15 per person, and registration is required. For more information, visit the city's
website. Jolly Jamboree and Holiday Dog Parade and golf cart parade. Everybody seems to keep forgetting to put that on the form. The golf parade which we had last year and the police sets up the uh police sets up the um the checks the
parade issue out where it goes what it does. All right. And that will be December the 13th from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in downtown Okcoy. The free event will feature Santa's village, a kids zone, special guest, tree lighting, and
much more. To register for the dog parade, contact Parks and Leisure Services at 4079053180. Holiday toys for kids in need. Restoration is now open through December 3rd for children 6 months to 13 years of age with the Oakway Police Department.
Residents must provide a valid Florida driver's license or state ID, proof of regency, and birth certificate for each child. All right. All right. Um, Commissioner, um, Oliver,
>> uh, we're going to get started. Um, just I do have a few items. Um, one, I want to and extend a a thank you to um, Commissioner Kennedy uh, for impressing
uh, for us to have Veterans Day ceremony on actual Veterans Day. And um and the reason I'm thanking him for that because I had the opportunity to participate in the Veterans Day ceremony this Tuesday, November 11th, and it was a wonderful event. It was really, really good. Uh
the staff uh has really stepped up and we uh put on an event that we all can be proud of and um the event was so well well put together with the stage and the music. Um it's going to be hard to keep up with that. We we we got to keep that
up and uh it's going to be hard to kind of outdo that that event. There's two events that I really love in the city. Uh one is uh Operation Santa, which is Santa's coming to town. So, uh uh you guys please look at our website to to see what neighborhoods uh Operation
Santa will be coming through through your neighborhoods. But two is going to be the Veterans Day uh ceremony that we have every year. and it it is near and dear to my heart and uh the city and the staff has really really stepped up uh to the plate and again thank you commissioner Kennedy for for pressing us
to to have it on the day and the time that we had it. So it was a little cold but it was it was a great great ceremony. >> I'll take the blame. >> Take the blame for that. We're also back to standard time. Standard time means we
have less daylight. That means that um it's going to be dark. Uh we have more darkness. That means that we also have high school kids riding on the streets early in the morning and in the afternoon coming from baseball and basketball practice. So, please be aware that we do have uh uh those young
drivers out there. So, drive for them, protect our children while they're on our streets uh during this time where we have less daylight. Uh I've I received several um emails, a couple of phone calls um uh talking about the extension
of the Christmas lights along Clark Road. This is the first time we've ever had Crystal Black go all the way down Clark Road and some of the side roads. So, they look really, really good. So, uh uh kudos to city staff for uh making that investment. We started talking about that last year and we seeing the
remnants of that now that we have the Christmas lights. Uh before long, we're going to have Christmas light all over the city. So, this is a great start. So, thank you for that. Uh and finally, I will leave you with this. Another
new day, one more new hope, one more new step. If you don't leave the past in the past, it will destroy your future. Leave for what today has has to offer, not what yesterday took from you. That's all
I got. >> Commissioner Fner, >> I don't have any comments. >> Commissioner Wilson, >> um, just happy Thanksgiving. I would hope folks remember that Operation Santa, one of the um should I say besides seeing Santa is they are
collecting toys for the children in need program. So if you're able to, we appreciate you having something available as they drive by. That always helps that program immensely. Um also we've had a very busy November and coming up on December. So and we will be
having two meetings. Am I correct? In December sometimes. Okay. >> Yes, you are correct. So again, um, happy Thanksgiving, >> Commissioner Kennedy. >> I do have a couple comments. Uh first um
thank you commissioner for your gracious comment and I agree and um Craig what you have done with city staff and um
upped the game uh on some of these things is amazing and thank you and your staff for the extra effort that you've done to plan and manage these events. um Commissioner Wilson's comments about
the uh and Operation Santa and things like that. I received an email from someone asking it was a pretty good suggestion. Um could we put something maybe on the city website? I know you're
revamping it that maybe uh highlighted opportunities to volunteer andor donate. We read the announcements and there's various Facebook messages here and there, but uh someone wrote me and said, "Hey, can you give me a list of things
that I could do during the holidays to help people?" And I was like, "No." Uh but that's a great idea. And maybe we could throw a wrapper on that and opportunities to volunteer or donate or give, especially during the holidays. I think it'd be nice.
>> Be happy to do that. Um, I had another agreement with Commissioner Oliver. Um, I came downtown Wednesday or Thursday about 3:00, came down uh, Lakewood to Blofford and almost got
t-boned by a little boy and a little girl flying out of the gas station on a golf cart. >> And I know we're trying to be golf cart friendly. Um, but I thought when we discussed all that, they had to have a driver's license and know how to drive
and obey the laws. >> Um, can we tighten that up downtown? >> Can I ask you a question? Where was that at? >> Uh, northeast corner of the gas station. The what is is a sitgo or a kangaroo or American? >> The one blueford in and silver.
>> You talking about the four-way or silverstar? four-way stop >> coming out >> coming out onto Lakewood out of that side exit >> and came all the way across. >> I was coming south to come to the city >> hall statues of what they're supposed to
have. >> Yeah. And that's not cool. They just came flying out of nowhere and I almost ran them north. >> Yeah. Um, I don't I don't know what enforcement. I mean, I know that's hard to do, but >> we It's It's either you observe it in
action and see it or you get a complaint and then you keep an eye on it. And it's all for the safety of minors. We've had a lot of issues with minors driving golf carts and parents allowing them to do so. And we try to do the best we can.
the the police department's done a great job of trying to reach out to parents and help um provide advice for for you know corrective action but it is citable under our ordinance and um we tried to take an educational approach first we
can absolutely try to increase presence you know several of you comment to me about speeding on CM Avenue and and I know the police um has been trying to to beef up patrol in that area and and people are still speeding through
downtown and u we want to we will absolutely address that. Thank you. >> Well, thank you. And I think it is related, you know, school starting back up, getting out at 3:00, whatever time it was. Maybe just during that time. >> I got a suggestion about that.
>> That's all I have. Thank you. >> While you're talking about the school, why in the world can we not talk to the school? They unload all the cars stopped in the middle of the highway on Blofford and let the kids out.
>> They all congregate. The school don't open till a certain time, but there's no reason why they cannot go down to the corner of Lafayette and the entrance into the school parking lot. Let them stand there. Instead, they're all over the road in the mornings and in the
afternoons. So if they have to be told at the county, tell them to get them off the roads cuz they're all of them drop off from the parents and then they get out there and go across back. One's going this cross, one's going that way. They're going down to the doughut shop. Well, if they want to go to the doughnut shop, go down Lakewood, go up to the red
light and go across to it. But now they're coming all the way back and forth up at that corner. And nothing against the police, but they're not stopping them because the cars are trying to turn down Lafayette. The other cars are trying to go. So the citizens are getting affected
by it, too. And we want our kids to be safe. They're not safe there. There's 200, 300 of them sitting out there on the corner and they're playing, throwing stuff at each other and everything else. But they have all that area on the end of Lafayette that goes into the school
that they could sit there until they unlock that gate. And they don't unlock that gate till 9:00. So, I think we need to emphasize to the county, they got to move them down that block to the right place. >> Mayor, um, if I can on that specific
topic, uh, Chief Auburn's met with his counterpart at the Orange County Public Schools twice about this issue and we are trying to get them to make some changes prior to next school year uh, relating to that. >> You got a half a year left.
>> We Well, correct. We are we are actually making an effort to try to get them to make some operational changes um as best we can. I can have him update you all. >> They just got 250 meeting. >> Agreed. Well, I agree with you. Chief
Agurn agrees with you. Um we have to get the school board on board. Um and I'm trying to not throw other public agencies under the bus as often as I have in the past, including the school board. Um, but we are making an effort right now and I think it would be a good
dialogue with the commission if we had Chief Auburn give you an update on that at the next meeting. Um, he's scheduled to also update you on code enforcement at the next meeting. So, >> I've heard that for a month or two. >> Well, yes. I'm committing publicly here and
now that the next meeting you'll get an update on code enforcement and >> and the county has security people. they've hired the their own police force or whatever they why do they not have one at that school that can go out there and direct those children?
They don't they don't bring them out. >> There's a question um what time they open the gates to the >> 9:00 >> and the kids are getting there from 7:30. >> Is there any way to open the gates up a little earlier and let them hang out on campus with with a resource officer there? But they're all
>> I mean the doughnut shop's going to hate it but that's you know but but I I would say if they going to the donuts still they can walk up lake two blocks and go to it not be out on the main highway where all the cars I'm telling you the traffic is bump and this afternoon if you go in the afternoons from from
Ohio not Ohio street from Delaware Street all the way to Silver Star it's bumper to bumper >> getting out you can't get out I try to stay away from those time. >> I know. But I those of the people who live there gate.
So, but that's I mean we just need to address it to them. >> We are addressing it. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Um the other thing is we had our music fest this weekend that I what I mainly want to do is thank staff. Everybody get thanks sometimes. I
don't say too much about, but that staff worked all three three or four days cuz they had a couple days before. They did an exceptional job lining everything up, getting everything done, setting it up. First year I didn't have to help set it up and that was amazing. And they did everything. It was great. And I I mean
it they they worked, never complained about it being, you know, not picking everything up. Everybody was super. And it was enjoyed by a lot. We had a lot of families this year that came out to it. And it was really great. So it it it was
I want to tell the city uh manager to make sure we let them know that we appre and it the police was in full force there. We had I guess even a SWAT team was there in case somebody want to do crazy stuff that they do nowadays. But
it was more of a family orientation outside where all those rides and all the other things were at. So I want to thank you very much. Thank you >> staff for supporting that and commissioners for supporting it. >> That was all the departments. They all get a big kudos and they work really
well together. >> So we What's our next meeting? December second. >> December second. >> Second of December. I hope everybody has a happy Thanksgiving and don't eat too much turkey. Eating over