Welcome everybody to the student of the month event um for the from the city of Palaca. It's April 9th, 2026. This is the last our last student of the month event for the school year. I bet you're all looking forward to that summer. Um, and I we will um hand each student of
the month a certificate after we read their name off and then we will pass them out to each of them and we'll ask you all to stand up here students after you receive your certificate for photos. Um, we'll first take photos with educators and then individually with
families. Our first student of the month is William Edwards, Browning Ps Elementary. I'll pass. >> Commissioner Davis, I'll let you take those. >> Reed Hall Children's Reading Center
Charter School. Congratulations. Jared Jones, James A. Long Elementary. Congratulations. Elelliana Thompson, Kelly Smith Elementary. Congratulations Abigail Sodto Melon Learning Center Pre
through K. Johanna Gasser, Melon Learning Center, K through 12 here. Connor seats Mosley Elementary, >> Emerson Smith, Panal Baptist. Congratulations.
Congratulations, >> Catalina Rivera, Putnham Academy of Arts and Sciences. >> Would all the educators please come up so we can take a group photo? Maybe there look this way. students.
>> Young is my grandson. Congratulations. And then >> have other family members. Oh my goodness. >> All right, everybody look this way. >> Got it. Thank you.
>> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. I'll let you go first for the official. >> Thank you. >> Hold on. >> Hold on one second. Hold on. We're tag team. >> All right.
>> That way you can have one. >> No, we're good. >> Emerson. Everybody who's standing on the side, make sure you step all the way back. Okay. Everybody look this way >> and hold it. >> Okay,
>> thank you. >> Congratulations, >> Connor. his family. >> Can we go this way a little bit more? This way. Okay. >> Commissioner Judge, you're on camera. Yes, you did. One more. Okay. No, you didn't go in there.
>> Everybody this way. Oh, >> got it. >> Hold on. >> One more. Excuse. >> Oh, this is your phone. >> Yes, baby. Wait. I get another one.
Gotcha. >> Somebody Awesome. >> Sorry about that. >> All right. Who's next? >> Oh, mom. Yeah. >> Okay. One more.
>> Congratulations again. Okay, >> just a little bit. >> Perfect. >> There you go. >> All right, everybody. >> Hold on one second. was a picture.
>> Wait, Salah. I got this way. >> Got it. Thank you. All right. >> Okay. Is that it? >> Mhm.
>> You need your face. I still don't hear anybody. Welcome everybody. We're going to start the meeting is going to commence. Welcome to the city of Palaka city commission meeting. We are um May 14th, 2026 and at 6 p.m. I'm calling the meeting to order. Starting with
invocation led by Pastor Malberry, pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Campbell. Please stand if you're able. Let's pray. Father, again, thank you for allowing us to come together once again to take care of your business. We pray
God that you will bless uh the leadership that you provided and for all that is here constituents, everyone that has a part. We pray that your will be done, your kingdom come and glory would be revealed. We thank you for all that you do for us and what you're going to
do. Continue to bless us, Lord. Your hand is upon us. Keep us mindful of who you are. It is in Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Join me in saluting our nation's flag. 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. >> Roll call, please. Madame clerk will not make it tonight. Commissioner Jones, >> present. >> Commissioner Campbell, >> present.
>> Commissioner Davis, >> present. Present. We have quorum. Thank you. Has everybody had an opportunity to read the minutes from the April 2026 workshop? Commission meeting minutes from April 23rd, 2026 annual report April 29th,
2026. And the second budget workshop, April 29, 2026. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion, a second. All in favor? >> I. Any opposition? Thank you. On to public recognitions, presentations.
Firefighter State Award, Ben Stevens, presented by Commander Donnelly. >> Come on up, Commander Dina, please. >> Good evening. Uh, >> Mr. Mike, >> I want to thank you for uh putting this in this evening. I know I did it on a
last minute deal. So again, I want to thank parents for doing it. Thank you very much. >> Tonight we have two of our state representatives with us. In a busy schedule, they came down to do the presentation of the award.
Uh Mike Klein, who is the state surgeon for the veterans of foreign war and Chester Lundy who is the district 14 commander of district 14 for the state of Florida for the veterans of foreign war. Mike Klein will do the presentation
because it's a state award tonight and Mike being a state officer I think it's appropriate that he does that. I'll say something after he's done okay and we do the presentation. Thank you again for letting us do this tonight here. >> Thank you all for allowing me to be
here. uh when they called to ask me to present this award, it it would be an honor for me to do this due the fact that I do have a background in emergency medicine. So, I know what these guys are day in day out. Before I get into this though, I'd like to recognize the not
just the fire service, the rescue service, but your police and sheriff's office. U as a veteran, when I go someplace, I knew pretty much who the enemy is. Years ago, you know, things went on. today, your law enforcement and your EMS, they don't know what the
intermittent is. So again, it's an honor to be here in front of each and every one of you for this. So with that that being said, >> oh, thought it was all said. I'm the district 14 commander and uh this is my second year district 14 and this is the
second year that post 30 3349 has taken this award. So, thanks for supporting the uh the BFW, the post here in Palaka and uh for actually looking at your your firefighters, your police officers, your sheriff's officers and submitting those
guys for doing outstanding jobs and ladies. So, with that being said, let's get the word handed out. >> Let me just make a disclaimer. Chester was a Marine. So, Congratulations. >> Again, this this is a national award. It comes to the state and this comes to
commander-in-chief uh yeah what's Carol Whitmore. National firefighter award awarded to firefighter Ben Stevens in recognition and sincere appreciation of his dedication and selfless service to the Pala Fire
Department. During firefighter Ben Stevens's outstanding career, he has maintained the record of highly professional and exemplary service and community and and nation. His extraordinary commitment illustrates the proud core values and traditions of the firefighters profession further
highlighted by the degree of the admiration and respect of both his peers and the local public he serves. Firefighter Ben Stevens Stevens is truly an exceptional example to all firefighters and his honor reflects the proud ideas and high standards of the
veterans of foreign wars United States. It witnessed there of this day Carol J. Whitmore commander-in-chief test by Dan West agent general. Okay. So, I'm going to present it with the plaque. And the plaque reads, Department of Florida, Veterans of
Foreign Wars, present to firefighter Ben Stevens, firefighter of the year, 2526. I tell you what, I used to look as good as you, but then I was the old the old school the striker treasures or for Washington. So again, congratulations
and I look forward to seeing you a couple more times in the future. Okay. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thanks, sir. >> I'm good. Set it off. >> You want to get in? do one with them
first and then one. >> Everybody look this way. Don't move when I say stay right there. I know. Somebody's getting lost. Got it. Just quickly, I'd like to thank the VFW for recognizing our firefighters every
year and appreciate the commission for uh allowing this in the meeting. Thank you. I uh want to reinitiate what Mike said about I do want to thank all the first responders of the Putnham County and the city of Pala. They do an outstanding job
every day and they keep our community safe and that's an important part of it. Again, I want to thank the city for uh letting us do this tonight and it was a great honor. Uh the second thing I want to ask tonight, uh we have the parade
coming up for Memorial Day on the 25th at 10:00. Everything's in order. Uh the city of PLA commissioners and so forth are invited to be in the parade, which I hope they do. Uh we have quite a lineup
going. I think uh I'm trying to get the 993rd to uh lead us uh to be there. And uh I have a 92-year-old veteran of foreign war. He's a Korean veteran. He's 92 years old and he's
going to be our grand marshal this year. >> So So again, again, thank you all for uh letting us do this. public works presentation of basket from the women's club. Miss Vans Renberg.
>> Uh good evening ladies, gentlemen. So excited to join you today. My name is Elizabeth Van Rensburg. I'm with the GFWC Palaca Women's Club. I'm joined by many ladies and gentlemen more important than me. my president, Erin Hughes, our
president-elect, Vicky Smith, our auditor, uh Tim Jefferson, and also uh members that have contributed wholeheartedly to oh, I'm sorry, Kh Hope, our secretary. Um who have contributed wholeheartedly to what we
are here to present tonight. So, we have a department within our women's club that is called civic awareness and outreach. And to me, what that means is our city's first responders because after all, we are the Palaca Women's Club. So, you might recall last year,
uh, we created quite a sizable donation to the Palaca Fire Department to buy them protective hoods. We moved on to the Placa Police Department where we adopted a cop for Christmas and that was just a ton of fun. So, coming into uh 2020, y'all are giggling, but it was
amazing and we got the canines. Uh but coming into 2026, we were kind of like unsung first responder heroes and we hit upon our city of PALA public works department employees. So beginning back in January uh we began to create a
blessing basket full of gift certificates and uh gift cards that were local. So they came from all over the community, but they also supported our community. And I am pleased to say that as a result, May being public works
awareness and appreciation month, we have a basket with us with 175 gift cards and gift certificates totaling almost $4,000. That was TRULY a community program because we had 63
partners in businesses and individuals. um in the city of Palaca and beyond. So, uh that is why we're here tonight and we're so excited and we wish we could be flies on the wall when the public works employees go through and they're like, "Oh my gosh, I want this and I want that
and you can have that and I'll take that." Uh but anyway, here it is. And I put up in front uh Mayor Korea, thank you so much. Thank you so much for your donation. But this truly encompasses a great deal in our
community. And um I'd love if my club members could join us to present this. >> Everybody come on up. >> Come on up. Public works folks since they all dressed so Natalie for
this event. Natalie for this event. I can't. >> This is going to take some real photo bombing to get through this. Come down here. Oh, >> I was trying to >> I think
There we go. >> All right. Good. Thank you. >> Mayor, can may I have a comment? Yes, >> Miss Van Rinsburg one minute, please. Quiet, please. >> Miss Van Rinsburg, before you leave, um
I'd just like to offer some comments. Um Miss Van Rinsburg contacted me in January um to identify some community partners. I gave her a couple of names, but I really didn't do as much as I thought I would. But I just want to say this was such a passion of hers to
identify other first responders that we typically don't think of and that's our public works department. And I want you to know before this was an official project, she had already secured um gift certificates already. So that
just speaks to the passion in her heart. And I just want to say thank you. Thank you very much. >> Oh well, you are more than welcome. And the joke at the women's club is just do what she says or at midnight she'll be standing above your bed looking at you. >> It's just it's easier to just do what
she says. >> And now I understand why they say it. >> Yeah, >> it was a lot of fun. It was also a village. >> And thank you to the um women's club. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. on to proclamation for Historic
Preservation Month. Too high. Whereas the National Trust for Historic Preservation raises awareness for historic preservation during the month of May. Whereas historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth and sustainable development, revitalizing neighborhoods,
fostering local pride, and maintaining community character while enhancing livability. And whereas historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life, and all ethnic backgrounds. And whereas the historic buildings,
churches, and homes of the city of Palaca help make our city unique and provide links with aspirations and attainment of the city's pioneers. Whereas the buildings constructed in the 19th and 20th century contribute to an appreciation of our heritage. Whereas it is important to celebrate the role of
history in our lives and the contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as a people. Now therefore, I, Roberto Kareah, mayor of the city of Palaca, Florida, together with the members of the Palaca City Commission, do hereby proclaim the month
of May 2026 as historic preservation month in the city of Palaca and urge everyone in our community to participate in historic preservation efforts. Do we have a motion to approve? >> Second. >> We have a motion, a second. All in favor? I
>> opposed. Thank you. I would. Yes, please. Um, good evening, mayor, uh, commissioners. I am, my name is Chris Roosevel, and I serve as secretary of the Putnham County Historical Society. So, I'm here to accept this in behalf of the historical
society and Nicole Grace, who could not be here tonight, but um, she we would all like to thank you. uh the city of Palaska's continued commitment to historic preservation throughout our community. We deeply appreciate the attention given to recognizing and
preserving history in all areas of the city uh reflecting a strong respect for our shared heritage. We also respectfully acknowledge and value the cons consideration of offering this proclamation and the importance it holds
in honoring and preserving our collective history for future generations. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. on to city manager and administrative reports public works update. Mr.
Verakio, >> good evening, mayor, commissioners. How are you tonight? >> Good, thank you. >> Um, let me start by saying um uh this updates about the public works building. As we all know, this has been in the works for a number of years and we are finally coming down to home stretch. Um,
we are at the point where next week is substantial completion on the project. Um, we still have some bugs to work out, but nothing major. So, no, no real problems. It the the contractor Thomas May who did the job did an amazing job. Pacero also did an amazing job as far as
uh assisting us, fighting for us when we needed somebody in our corner. Very pleased with them as well. So, I'll start with the first one. That's the front of the building, the entrance. And if you'll notice, um the city of Palaca Public Works uh that is the approved logo uh for the city using our stuff.
And that is going to be uh hung on the side of that building. You'll see the three windows there. It'll be right above that. It's a rather large uh sign. It's in the works. We're going to have it made here shortly. So, if we can move on to the next slide, please. Okay. So, I did a lot of comparisons from where we
came from to where we are now. I know you guys like comparisons and things of that nature. So, if you look on the left, that's the new shower area for for our our men. Um, to the right is the old shower area. There's quite quite a difference. People are very excited about this. Uh, next slide, please.
Okay. To the left is the new break room. To the right is the old break room. Um, as you can just see the waxed floors and the amount of room in there. Um, it's it's definitely a place to for the men to relax. And if you look at those two doors to the left on the new break room side, that's the locker room right behind there. So they'll have a private
locker room now to where in the past they haven't. So that's pretty cool. Next slide, please. Uh just to give you an idea of the the size uh the totality of the uh project, what we did. So we're coming out of a 1460 square foot building uh with no rear exit, no ADA
accessible. It's is, you know, it is what it was. But uh the new building is 5,000 square feet and it's going to accommodate everybody. We typically had our meetings when we had our sanitation meetings and so on and so we'd have them outside standing. So now we have a big enough conference room where we can uh
handle uh meetings with our whole crew. We we're 65 strong. So sometimes when we have full meetings it's it gets quite busy. So now we can actually have them inside. Next one please. Uh again there's old bathroom to the new bathroom. The bathroom is pretty amazing. I know I got a bunch of pictures of the bathroom in there
apparently. I didn't realize but it's a great bathroom. I'm just going to say so looking forward >> we we left the paint commode. We thought about it though hard and long. So uh next slide please. Okay. And this this one has so much to it. If you look
to the right, that's how we stored material for our water and sewer department. Um as you can see that that the problems with that that some of that material has been out there for 20 years. um you lose track. And to the left is our new system with our our our forklift there. So everything's
organized now. We know what we have. The the goal is to make sure we're saving as much money as we possibly can uh for the city and for the taxpayers and we're utilizing what we have. So it's it's it's quite a big difference from from what we've been accustomed to. Next
slide, please. Okay. So this is big. If you look on the right hand side first, you'll see the old system of how our guys would get up and change a tire. If you look at that bottle jack they're putting underneath there, understand that that truck weighs about 45,000 lbs loaded. So, you're getting up into 20 22
tons. Uh to the left hand side is the new automated lift system. That truck that is lifted currently was full. It weighs about 55,000 lbs. Um and the the safety is is unmatched and unparalleled. The guys can walk underneath. Um they all work in unison. They go under the
tires, they lift the truck. This is it's a really big thing. This is something that need to be. If you guys remember from the last presentation a while back, the guys were working on dirt, lying on the floor in the dirt outside. So this is a big difference for us. We're very very proud of that. Uh next slide please. Okay, so um this is the fleet
area. Currently the way it is, if you look at the floor, it's kind of shiny, kind of looks a little dirty, but it's not. That floor has been four times covered in a a a epoxy acrylic. So every everything's sealed. So, if we spill hydraulic fluid, gas fuel, no problems.
It's going to last a lifetime, that floor. Um, another great part about it is is we're trying to come up with a flow, something safer where the guys aren't backing and out of a 12 yard 12 foot door. So, here you can bring in and we can work on literally four trucks,
garbage trucks indoors at one time uh in in this space. And they pull into the front and they pull out the back. There's corresponding doors on each side. So that the the safety, the the amount of work that we can get done indoors in a good safe condition is it's unparalleled. We're definitely brought
us into the next century and the state-of-the-art uh area for these guys to work on these trucks. We're very proud of that. So next one, please. Okay, so this is running through just some photos of the new area. To the left is a computer lab for all our employees. So we have a lot of times where the
employees need to come in, line in, get on ADG, ADP, and do some work. Um, and we've never really had any specific area for them. Now, if you look to the left, you can we're going to have four computers set up in there so we can bring them in and keep our employees easily informed. And on the right hand
side is the staff break room. Next one, please. Uh, lay down yard is on the left hand side. Uh, it's a key component of everything we have. Uh, flow, flow, flow, things flow. We want trucks flowing in, trucks flowing out. Um, we are still short. Uh, a couple things need to be done out there that we're
going to get finished up and will be put in front of you guys. Guys, we got a pole barn uh that's going to go out for uh bid to get the pole barn put in so we can have all of our trucks, 18 of them to be exact. Um undercover, not out in the sun taking wear and tear, taking a beat and getting the weathered and and
it the sun really hurts our hydraulics. The hydraulics take a beat and so it's it's an important move. Uh on the right hand side, that's the entry as you come in. That's the hallway. On the right hand side is all the uh superintendents offices. If you go to the next one, please. Uh that's our new conference
room that's big enough to house a very large crew in there and have a productive meetings that everybody at a point where they can sit down and be comfortable. Um next one please. Uh and this is just a typical office. Every one of those offices are they're 10 foot by
11 foot. So they're decentiz offices but not overly sized. We managed to get an extra office in there. Uh everybody has a window outside. Uh nobody wants to work in a uh box with no windows. So they have fresh air. They open up. Um, it's pretty cool, pretty amazing. Everybody's very excited about it. Uh,
next one, please. Okay, that's about it. Um, as you can probably imagine, we're ecstatic. The the simple everybody's pride in where we're going to. I I see it in the guys now. Everybody's so happy and so proud to be there. Um, it's it's going to change the
way we do things and and it's it it I don't even know how to say it. I just am I'm am proud of everybody and everybody's so proud to be part of this and thank you guys for allowing this to happen. Really appreciate it and it's it's a big deal. Thank you. >> It's exciting.
>> Yes. Yes, ma'am. Yeah. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. We will I will set that up with the PIO. We we'll get that taken care of. Yes, ma'am. Of course, we will. Excited to have you guys come out. >> Yeah. So now that's the best looking um facility in the city of PCA. You set the
bar high. >> Oh, and county. Okay. Okay. Maybe the state, but um maybe >> I I'm glad. I know this has been a long time coming. You guys have experienced it longer than I have. So congratulations. >> Thank you all for bing my heart.
>> I'm really happy really happy that we're to this point as well. just seeing where we come from, where you came from, and where you are now, uh, speaks to the hard work and dedication that we have um, not only for our citizens, but for our employees as well. So, we're happy
that you are in a place where you can be more functional um, and we look forward to going higher and higher um, as we need to. Again, thank you for your leadership as you stepped in and made sure that this project when you brought
me out initially, I knew what the vision was just by you telling it. And so, um, your excitement makes your employees excited. So, again, thank you so much for your leadership. >> Thank you, sir. Very much. >> Thank you. Anybody else? Thank you.
>> Thanks. >> Summer internship, Miss Jones. Madame Mayor, commissioners, um this is just to um introduce and just to let our citizens know as well, if they have not seen it, um the summer internship um program that the city of Palica offers
every year. Thanks to Commissioner Campbell for making sure it's going to go out and on time and we appreciate that. Um it will start, we currently accept applications um online. Um we do have a QR code created by our PIO um so that they can scan it and apply that way
as well. It will start um the program is actually going to run for seven weeks starting June 8th, 2026 and it'll go through July 24th of 2026. Um each department depending on the um department they have different schedules. Some have their interns work
four days, some work five. So it depends on the department they're in. But every um we have we have very few departments that are not seeking an intern. So everybody is looking for an intern. At current according to our budget um HR
budget can fund 17 interns. So 17 um eligible students will be qualified to participate in our summer intern program this year. >> And if I can mayor I want to speak to the success of the internship. First of all, we are far beyond what we initially
started with the amount of students that we were able to bring into um when we first initiated the internship. And the reason why I was pushing it, trying to get out was because we had students and we had staff that were excited about
getting that information because they know that uh city of Palaca it normally does that. Um and actually we've had in past where we've had interns actually become full-time employees of the city. So this is another um testament to the
dedication not only to our citizens as a whole but more specifically to our younger constituents in the city. >> We all look forward to meeting all of them and spending time here. It's always they so enthusiastic about being here. It's a great experience
>> and it's not a watered down experience. Mayor, they actually are put to work. No, no, no, no. I'm just saying I want the citizens to know it's not a watered down process. They actually are working. >> Have young people in the in city hall.
It does have a vibrancy. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> City manager report, acting city manager report. And I know you have dental work and you don't really want to stay on that chief or go to >> Good. Good evening, mayor and commissioners. I'll try to keep it
short, but first up, I'd like to call Assistant Chief Nukem up to give you a update on the FPL lighting project. >> Madame Mayor, commissioners, um the lighting project is actually slightly above
um where we were in our timeline. If you remember when we started this, uh, they told us it'd be about a year from the time they ordered them to the time that they the lights, all the different types of lights came in to the time they were installed. We're looking at a completion of about
um, mid June. Um, if everything stays on track, um, if you have been riding around at night, you're going to notice there are a lot of welllit areas. Now, some areas might be too lit because um I have to watch my back when I walk around
now. Um but we're dealing with the uh I don't want to call them complaints, but concerns of the lighting being too too bright. Uh we have about I want to say between 10 and 12 shades that have been ordered to this point. Um two or three
have been installed. Uh, and we are working with Michelle Usher with FPL and she is wonderful to work with. Um, she answers the phone, she answers the emails, she's been keeping me on track with where they're at. So, um, everything's going very well with the
project. >> Do you have any questions? >> No. And thank you for addressing the lights that are too bright because we we've all had people call concerns about red lights coming into their bedroom. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. We're we're as soon as I get the phone number, the name, and the address,
I immediately I do it myself. Um I go out, I get the poll number, I notify Michelle. She notifies me that the shades have been ordered. It takes a few days to get them in. And then they have a subcontractor that goes out and is not only installing the lights, but installing the shades as well.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. The next item I want to brief you on, I'm not sure if all of you know, uh, but we were with the assistance of Chief Taylor and Miss Virginia Jones. Uh, we
were able to select the new HR director and, uh, they will be starting on the 20th, 18th. Uh, started on the 18th. So, I know some of you have asked that question, inquired about the status. So, I did want to let you know that we have made the selection and uh it will be in
place. Uh, and then the last thing, as you know, on April 29th, we had our team building exercise. And uh, I want to um I want to allow um the opportunity for Shawn at the next commission meeting to go a little further in depth, but I
wanted to let you know that we will be providing you with a debrief and uh, giving you some of the highlights of that uh, very successful team building exercise that we were we were very pleased with. So, uh, you will be you can be expecting that at the next commission meeting. And that's all I have, mayor.
>> Okay. Thank you. On to public comments. Um, is there anybody here for public comments? For items not specified on the agenda, you would have three minutes and you need to give your name and city or town of residence. Some of you have already sent
submitted cards for general comments. Um, is there anybody else here? But I will start with Miss Kitchens. Just a I leave the kitchen to the floor. Just a couple of things to bring to your attention. Uh I wasn't going to speak on it tonight, but this since this is historic preservation month, uh I did a
walkthrough around the Bronson House last Thursday after the historic preservation board meeting and found 27 pretty bad errors that the contractor has made. Uh my comment was Stevie Wonder could have done a better job. And if you all don't know, Stevie Wonder is blind. I have documented those 27
things. Uh I have presented them to the city staff. I will be presenting them to the Putnham County Historical Board on Saturday. Uh I didn't give them to you individually because you all recently passed an ordinance where you don't interact with city staff anymore basically except through the city manager if I'm I may be incorrect about
that. But it was a city policy. But anyway, regardless, uh I will be glad to email those to you. But it's very important as what happened years ago when you all hired someone to do the front porch to the Bronson house. They did the front porch. They used interior floorboards and after the time for their
liability had passed, the floor started buckling and it was too late to go back on them. That's why we had this current problem with the floorboards. I would sincerely encourage staff and uh the city manager to make sure that the contract is looked at and that the contractor corrects the things that are
wrong and they are clearly documented. I'm sure there's a lot more. I just walked around the outside with a a fellow that restores historic houses. He pointed out a few things, but they uh they were very obvious. I'll just point out one. From the driveway on the bottom step, there's a gap in the riser. Uh
from the step to the riser that's about two inches, and you can see it all the way to the driveway. The uh and there's other things that are way worse than that. Uh but I won't go into that. Uh the other thing I would ask, and I don't need any comment from you. Of course, you're welcome to comment. I would suggest that either do an emergency item
or put it on the next agenda when you all suspend the sound ordinance. Uh would you please put some type of a restriction that it cannot be heard in San Mato Lundy East Pala and I heard somebody heard it in Hastings. If you put a restriction that can't be heard
more than one block from the actual event, even though you suspend it, I think that would help protect the welfare and the health of Palaca citizens. And that's all I have tonight. Thank you. Thank you, Josh Alexander. >> Good morning, commissioners. My name is Good afternoon. Good afternoon. It's all
running together today. I was here till 8:30 last night with you guys. My name is Josh Alexander. Uh reside at 246 Port Comfort Drive. I am also the county commissioner for district 3 which encompasses downtown Palatka. Uh through the course of discussion on Monday with
staff, we determined that our sports and youth um activities are growing by leaps and bounds and to the point that we may it necessitates that we may need additional ball fields.
And what we've done recently with the Calvary Life Center down there, while our art pool was under construction, we partnered with them. And after thinking about it for a little while, I was like, man, with the location of that pool, it gives new kids new opportunities that
may have never had the opportunities to get swimming lessons. I like maybe we could parlay that same thing into the unused baseball fields we have. Um, I talked to Eddie a little bit about it and he said that there was one field at Booker that was being used part-time for
for soccer and the other fields pretty much lay dormant. Um, before I spend too much of staff's time and effort, I wanted to engage you guys. Um, because I know growing up playing youth sports in Putham County, I played at Shaw Buck, I
played at Fred Green, we practiced at Beasley Middle School and my mom and dad, they all worked. But I went to my grandmother's house on Campbell Street after school, but I was able to walk or ride my bicycle back and forth to practice. That's really unachievable for some of these kids downtown to ride out
to Babe Ruth Fields. So, I think the benefit would be twofold. It would allow us to continue to expand our youth programs and our tournaments. And it would also expose these children to give them the same opportunities to see
baseball being played and maybe inspire them to get out and interact with everybody else, you know, because right now they don't have that opportunity. And I'm not belleaguering the the city's athletic um programs.
I want it to be shared and I want everybody to have the same opportunities and I think this would allow some of those children the opportunity to participate. Um, some of the best athletes that I played against, they walked or rode their bicycle there because their parents were at work. You
know, they could make a special arrangement to get to a game at 6:00 in the evening, but the practices shortly after school. The majority of them were at work. So, the kids walked, you know, they got away there, but they walked or rode their bicycle. Just wanted to see if that was something
that the city commission might have an appetite for before I devoted any more of my staff's time to it. What I would like to propose if you guys would be interested is putting together a proposal of how this I guess would it be called an
interlocal agreement or something of that nature where we would work together. I am not wanting to take ownership of the fields or maintenance, but potentially find something that was palatable to give all of our ch children in this community
an opportunity to participate. So, >> and we will give um responses after we finish the public comment period. >> Okay. Well, I just want to bounce that off for you guys. I don't I don't expect a response tonight, but um if you want to shoot me an email or something like that, that's fine. So just let me know
if you want me to, you know, share this opportunity within the city. >> Okay. And thank you, Mr. Alexander. Aaron Hughes. >> Hi guys. Um, so I realized >> Oh, excuse me. I'm Aaron Hughes and I reside in East Palaca. Um, so I realized
last evening. Yes. >> Excuse me. >> Oh, Josh, don't leave. He's He has to go. >> He has He does have to leave. >> Sorry. >> You can go email. >> Okay. Thank you. Go ahead. Go ahead, Miss Hughes.
>> I take back my time. Uh thank you so much. Uh I'm Aaron Hughes from East Palaca. Uh and all the busyiness of planning uh next weekend. I realized last night that uh this is the last commission meeting before the Blue Crab Festival. So 293 days ago, I came here
and advocated for the event to be returned to the community. Um, and I am extremely elated to tell you about how I have worked with people who I've never met before. Um, who came out of the woodwork with all different skill sets,
uh, bookkeeping, financial officers, uh, marketing, um, working with our merchants downtown, uh, all kinds of things. people that I have never done any projects before, but they had the heart. They stepped forward and uh and have volunteered their time. So, we have
gotten our ducks in a row. We've got our t-shirts that have uh been put out in the pre-sales. You can get them at the event. Um we have done all of our insurance. I've done probably 20 different walkthroughs of the riverfront for placements and power and everything else. And your special events team is
just as great as I remember them. um they have walked through with all of us with PD, public works, fire department to make sure that loadins, roadblocks, everything is is uh you know tucked away and we've got our our schedule and everything. I see you nodding cuz you
know so um and so thank you all to uh to your team that has supported us and making this happen. Uh our first goal is for safety, our second goal is success. And uh going into the weekend, I'm I'm pretty confident about success. So, thank you very much.
>> Thank you, >> Rosina. As I >> Good evening. My name is Rosena Eisman. I'm also known as Love My Art by Roselli. I have a shop on St. John's Avenue. And I guess I didn't know or
wasn't paying attention. There's a lot of really great things that are happening downtown which I'm very excited about. uh the preservation as well as the um expansion. Uh one of the things that does have me very much concerned is the lack of parking. Um
many many many years ago during Hurricane Andrew, I was uh part of South Florida's zoning department. So I understand requirements when it comes to businesses, parking, square footages.
Um, I recently learned that with the expansion that's coming of the St. James Hotel and the other properties on in the 200 block, um, we are losing a lot of parking and there's going to be an
influx of, um, how shall I say business. Um, I was told that the city of Palaka requires 1.1 parking spaces for every one bedroom and one parking space for every three
seats in a restaurant. I thought, "Oh, that's great." And then I was told, "Oops, wait a minute. There's a subsection to that. The downtown area does not require any parking whatsoever." And that kind of gave me pause because the St. James is going to
take over the parking that's behind my building where I where I and three other people park, have our customers park. So, we're losing that. Plus, I think we're going to also lose the access to the back of our building. I could be
wrong about that. Um, I love the fact that we are beautifying and building up the town, but perhaps before we jump into reconstruction. Maybe we should look at the possibility of building a um parking garage possibly at the Ammeris
Bank. They have a big parking lot. Possibly at the courthouse, they have a big parking lot. If you have it would provide for income for the city as well. Um maybe after the first hour it's I don't know a dollar a dollar an hour
after that first hour is free. Um it's just very concerning for a lot of the shop owners that have folks that are turning to other places instead of coming downtown because the parking is so challenged. Um I would appreciate if
y'all would think about that before you move forward with what's on the agenda later for the expansion of those buildings. I think it's great that they are expanding. I love the fact that the St. James is going to be restored, but where's everybody going to park? So, if you could maybe look at that before
we move forward on that, that would be appreciated by the shop owners. Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you. Is there anybody else here for public comment? Items not specified on the agenda, come up. I'm Marca Bcraft. I own Elsie Bells over
on Fourth Street, uh 111 North Fourth Street for the past three years. Uh it's been a retail shop since 1980. And I'm here tonight as a neighbor to the historic downtown because it happens
What happens to your streets happens to our customers. I see the potential and I love the idea of new businesses moving in, but I have to oppose the hotel projects because it builds rooms but not the parking to
accommodate them. The fact that we're losing parking to the proposed expansion of the St. James Hotel as well as all of the parking on Reed Street gives me pause. Uh Palatka has its own planning rules
that recognize and encourages the quality and quantity of expansions in Palatka. The permitting process won't save us. It's time to comply with the parking before
the buildings go up. I've seen this fail in other parts of Florida. Um, Clearwater had to create a 500 per room yearly street permit parking because most of the hotels had
fewer spaces than rooms. That was at the taxpayers's expense. As a small business owner, I live the impact. When a hotel guest takes two-hour parking spaces in front of my stores, my
customers drive by and I lose payroll. I have 60 entrepreneurial vendors in my shop. If my employee has to walk four blocks because someone has taken up this park
the parking, who takes care of their safety in the evenings when it's dark early? Delivery trucks already double park on St. John's Street. If you add Ubers to
no lots available on our streets, it will be a gridlock and impassible for emergency vehicles. The developers may run a shuttle from what I've heard. Um, but those shuttles are going to take up curb space, curb
space that we may need for a firet truck. So, I appreciate you're taking the time to look into this and I am hoping that we can find a suitable alternative to the parking before we end up ruining the
charm that brings people to Platka. >> Thank you. Is there anybody else here for public comment? Seeing none, I'll close public comment. Do we want to respond? Um, first starting with Bronson Holland. Is Mr.
Bumg here? No, I don't see Davis. Is David here? >> Mayor, mayor, mayor, if I may. Um, as far as the Bronto Mullen house, I did meet with David and Chris, both of them together. We did receive the uh 27 uh
issues that uh Allegro was uh speaking on and we have walked out and and we're putting together a plan to address those issues as best as possible. We will be providing you with a report on that to identify what we are doing with the issues that's been reported and um the
items that uh basically wasn't included in the overall project scope. I can have David or uh Chris come up and answer any questions if you like. >> No, I think we're okay with the as long as the followup is there. Um,
Commissioner Alexander's question about the base additional baseball field. >> Okay, go. In short, absolutely, positively something that I would like for this commission to um take in consideration and I actually would
request that we put this on our agenda so that we can have the proper discussion as to um how we would like to move forward bringing staff into that cong uh conversation as well. But I am in full support of any partnerships that could happen between the city of Palaca
and the uh county. So >> yeah, um I agree and any opportunity or additional opportunities for our youth is also a positive thing. Go ahead, Commissioner Davis. >> Um I'm support of community partnerships. However, I'm not sure I
heard the ask. I heard intertal agreement. I heard um that sports and youth activities are growing. The city has parks. It sounds like if these are um teams that are in the county, I'm not
sure how what we have in place now does not address that, would they not reach out to our to Mr. Cutright's department to request a use of facility? Do we need an interlocal agreement for that? I didn't clearly hear
and ask other than some type of partnership. So, I do need more information. Um, but based on what I'm hearing, I'm not in support of the general statement I heard unless I know that what we have in place for our parks
and recreation department does not already address that or allow someone to use that park. >> And I think that the suggestion well that Mr. Alexander May was perhaps to develop a proposal and I I think that should be in conjunction with Mr. Cutright that they have a discussion and come up with a plan if that's what what
they want to do if that's what they recommend. >> Okay. I Okay, a plan. But I guess what I'm saying is what plan would be needed? We have parks. We have a recreation department. We have facilities in the
city that are available for others to use by going through the proper process to request it. So I'm just not following to come to us. >> That's all I'm saying. That's correct. We have a department and I'm not sure something else is needed >> and especially something to the extent
of an interlocal agreement. >> Go ahead, Commissioner Jones. >> I agree with Commissioner Davis. It could be something as simple as aou uh memo of understanding between the the city and the county uh the recreation department just like we do with PAL is
just using our facilities. It's already a public park so they should be able to use it without really coming to us. Um because taxpayers in the city pay county taxes as well. So um for th those kids
to participate in their sports rather babe roof. Bay is a different entity though. But if it's a county sponsored event, it's just the fees that I think is going to be probably a problem with who collects fees. That's what you're going to run into. And that's a memo of
understanding. I think that the departments should take up prior to it coming to the board. But I think we all will support youth activities in the city. We we have parks that are not being used right now. And he was right about that. >> I think Go ahead. I think maybe I was looking listen listening to it a little
bit different. I do believe that there is an opportunity for some type of partnership for what we do not currently offer through our parks and recreations. There are sports that I think youth in the city would be able to benefit from if there was a mutual conversation or an
agreement between the county and the city. So, I do believe from the perspective of what I gathered, and it may come with the additional information that is requested, but I wasn't solely looking on them coming in and taking over the parks. I'm looking for the partnership that could possibly happen
with recreation or sports that we currently do not have or the way that the students I mean the uh youth in the community could possibly benefit from being able to be a part whether it's even a discount um price or something of
that nature for youth that may be able to participate. So, I'm looking maybe I looked at it a little bit different, but that's what I was taking. That's why I wanted us to be able to bring this to um a meeting and possibly have M uh Commissioner Alexander to come back and
be a little bit more um in depth in his request. But I think he was just saying if this was something that we are willing to entertain, so then you would be able to bring staff in to uh to look into the request a little bit further. So I think the direction that I'm
hearing is that the recreation art that Mr. Cartwright and maybe county recreation with input from commissioner Alexander get together and just kind of come up with a like their ideas and and just how to work this out as simply as possible. >> Correct. And mayor just want to be
clear. Yes, that is what I'm saying that this is a department situ. I don't know that it's a commission, >> right? And that's why I'm saying we get back to department as simple as that. Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um,
parking. I don't know if Mr. Agama wants to come up and give us a brief overview of our ordinances in regards to parking. And >> madame mayor, they're referring to parking in the downtown. >> Yes, >> we do have an item on the public hearing tonight. >> Correct.
>> That is uh it is what their their concerns are regarding the parking. I would prefer that we discuss that at that point. >> Okay. Thank you. on to the consent agenda. Um there was a recommendation from staff to pull item
2026 R82 which is >> I I >> I item I to pull item I is there anything else? >> Commissioner. >> Okay. >> And I'd like to pull H.
Okay. Anything else? Anybody else? I C and H. Does Do we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion that we accept the consent agenda excluding items C, H, and I. For discussion, >> second. Have a motion to second. All in
favor? >> I. Any opposition? Thank you. C. ratification of the agreement reached between the firefighters union and the city regarding longevity payments. Mayor, we have uh attorney Rob Larkin
who is representing the city and uh participated in the negotiations for the resolution of the grievance bought brought by the union and he's attending via Zoom.
>> Welcome Mr. Locken. >> Thank you. I'm honored to be before you. the person >> from the conversation I've had with the city attorney in reference to uh this grievance uh and basically budget
ratification um it's brought to my attention that I think all of our attention that the former city manager actually entered in this uh this agreement with the fire
and it actually constituted a a budget increase. Well, it clearly states that if that happened, we could actually ratify this or not ratify this and put and go back to the drawing board, which
the information that was gathered was the city manager did not act properly in the negotiations. Um, I wanted to be transparent. I wanted to be brought out in this meeting. If the attorney felt or felt that um
things was not handled properly, I don't think we should ratify this at this time. So further discussion should be led by attorney and her intent or Mr. Lin if he wish to do so
to clarify this for us collectively. Mr. Lockan, if you'd like to give us all the facts, please. >> Uh yes, ma'am. Um on April 22nd, uh we met um myself,
the uh city manager, city attorney, fire chief, uh I believe that there was a an assistant fire chief, uh someone from finance, and I believe someone from human resources. and we discussed uh the strategy of our meeting with the uh
union the following day. We outlined some um opportunities that we thought we could resolve the grievance. Um and I won't get into those to those specifics because I believe that that would be attorney client privileged and I don't
know that we want that on the public record. But the opportunities that we saw as potential uh uh resolution uh were uh were not communicated the following morning. Um I I I did not um participate necessarily in the
negotiations in terms of making offers and counter offers. I I believe u the city manager um gave an overview of of uh where the parties were at and the status of the negotiations up until uh till that day. And at some point um the
the union made a proposal and um the city manager called a caucus um which time that proposal was discussed. I think a member of of uh human resources or finance was brought in to discuss it with her and um when the union returned
um she agreed to accept their proposal and um instructed me to write up the terms of it which I did um and and then instructed me to sign it which I did. Um, and I think the the council member that mentioned that um that this
agreement can be ratified or cannot be ratified. I think that is uh that's the the the question before before the board. >> Thank you. Does any >> Hello. For the record, this is Jim Brantley with Donnie Gross for the union
uh the attorney um that represented the union at the negotiation. And I just wanted to that uh council to understand that I'm participating in the meeting as well. >> Okay. Thank you. Go ahead. >> So the crux of of the matter right now
is this. If we hired a union attorney to represent us with the fire department union attorney and he didn't participate, don't you think they should go back to the drawing board? We did not have representation. as he just told
you, our attorney wasn't there. Union attorney wasn't there. So, I think that it would be wise if they go back and actually go through this process again before we sign something that clearly states here.
City manager cannot do basically what she did. Is am I reading this right, Mr. Larkin? >> Uh, except for a point of clarification, Mr. Jones. Um I I am um the attorney. I'm the labor attorney that represents
the city of of Palaca. So I was there as a representative for the city. I just did not uh participate in the in the negotiations as I think we envisioned the evening before. >> You did or you did not participate in the >> I I was present. I was physically
present but I did not participate. >> He did not >> right. He did not participate. >> He was present. >> He was present. So, if you guys okay with I just wanted to bring it up because I wanted to make certain that we don't sign a ratification here knowing that our attorney that we hired did not
participate in the negotiation. So, >> go ahead, Commissioner Davis. So just to backtrack a little bit, the process that got us here was based on information provided to our HR for
how we previously um addressed and I may ask um our CD attorney to give me the right terminology of um we got direction or HR got direction on how to calculate the
um longevity pay and that information was all spelled out, agreed upon. The contract was approved by both the city and the union and I believe there was some misinterpretation of the amount based on
that agreed upon contract and I'm generalizing which is how we got here. >> That is correct. you did ratify a three-year union contract uh with the firefighters union uh last September. >> Okay. And so to that point, there was a
disagreement about what the actual pay would be. Um, in general, generally speaking, and if you put some teeth >> in generally, there was a uh disagreement as to how the pay, base pay
with longevity would be calculated. >> Correct. And now to fast forward. So that's what um that's the catalyst for the grievance. So fast forward to what we're talking about tonight. the former city manager
had um an option to resolve the grievance while she could not make the um she couldn't give the option in and of it exceeded her um level of approval or
authority. it whatever she gave them that they agreed upon has to be re ratified by the commission. So my first question is and um Miss Pierre to our finance director, were you involved in
um any discussion about the amounts and how we would um pay for those amounts because from my understanding it looks like it's going to result in an increase in the budget.
And did you discuss with the former city manager where those funds would come from or how it would be addressed before this was uh presented? >> I attended um the meeting be the day before the the negotiation. Um so I will
say I was involved in the sense that I was at the meeting alongside the attorney and HR um and discussions were made as far as the different options and there were discussions made about the amounts and the impact on the budget. Um
and the following day um I was supposed to meet with be a part of the meeting. the the plan was that the meeting may last throughout the entire day. Um the city manager would attend the first part of the first half of the meeting like
she we were thinking the morning to like noon and I would attend in the later afternoon as she had to attend other meetings throughout the day. Um when the time came I called I went over to where the location of the meeting the meeting
had ended. So I was not at the meeting because it had already ended. And so did you have any subsequent conversations or discussion about the impact on the budget from the
proposed solution? I had a discussion with the um former city manager in the parking lot um about the the impact. We did we did discuss the the impact of the the decision that was made and as
the finance manager, did you come back and consider that and identify how the city could um deliver on this solution?
In other words, you know that this results in an increase, correct? Are you aware? Okay. And do you know where the city um would get the funds from to provide this increase if this was ratified?
I did not have that information. I I don't have that right here before me. Um so I do I at this very moment I don't know. I don't have that information before me and I it's also for a
three-year period. It's over three. This one this increase divided by three. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Pierre. May I ask um Miss Jones, HR, were you >> at the meeting?
>> No, it's true. >> Yes, ma'am. We were at the prior not at the meeting the day of. I was simply called in. Um I think the fire people went outside and it was the attorney uh Mr. Lark and Miss Cardi and she was
simply going over some numbers that I had given her and she asked she was asking me did they calculate in um just for the if the longevity was added on top is that was the numbers that were calculated I was showing her what would be an increase and I said yes and she
said she didn't need me anymore and I left. >> Okay. said um you said yes to the proposal. >> No, no, no. The numbers that she was asking me how I calculated and was it based on that data number of hours? >> Okay. So, you verified the numbers? >> Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you, Miss um and this is for the attorney or whomever needs to answer this question. Based on the information that we were provided in the packet um today, it looks like there is going to be a $155,7634
increase in the budget. Is that divided by three? Is that correct? And can somebody if not can someone give me those numbers, please? I I don't know if m Miss Pia can or miss I thought it was each year and it would be I thought I I
had different numbers but can you come up and that I was told the numbers so >> that's why true for this year pos >> because this it's been some time since this occurred and I don't have the numbers before me but I do remember that
we we are we the numbers that were considered was only considering the second half of the fiscal year. >> So the number is that number 150 >> the 150 is I don't think believe that represents the the second half of the
fiscal year. >> I don't know is there anyone here who understands the impact to the city who can give us a definitive impact for consideration? I don't have the actual numbers, but the
way I remember it was about $70,000 more for a three-year period, which would be about $23,000 a year, >> but M would have better numbers on that, but that's the way I understood it was about 70,000. >> Okay. Just for
>> Thank you. >> A small amount. And I had I was just doing some quick figuring. I'm trying to get um some numbers here today um as it pertains to that. And what I did was just simply pulled um the firefighters that were in question and hours and I
had to because we have two different hours that we're operating when we're seeing a impact. We have the base hours that are 56 a week. We have those and we can pretty much so when I'm basing on five months I'm looking that we're computing for the rest of this this
fiscal year 1,230 hours. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, I broke that down by what that would look like um for them at the new rate. Okay. >> Um so, just that portion on regular hours, I came up with about almost $20,000. Okay.
>> Okay. And then since the firefighters overtime and halftime, I think it's called halftime, they have these and they're not steady. So they So what I did was pull the year, >> okay, >> on these six to get a kind of get an
average of what they were averaging and what a year divided by 12 and then times the time five just to get an average. So this is not an all-encompassing number for just those particular firefighters and that amount and these are loaded numbers. I'm including pension, I'm including taxes and everything and
that's going to push around 30,000. >> Okay, >> this is just taking us through this fiscal year. >> Okay, >> just this fiscal year. Okay. >> Thank you. >> So, so I I will um actually I'm going to go ahead and yield and then I want to
come back and give my opinion about this. >> Okay. Thank you. So, with not knowing all the information, that's the reason why I wanted to pull and discuss. Secondly, I want the attorney, our attorney, it doesn't matter either one to read the legal
summary. And if you would go down to what Florida statute say about this chapter 447 of the statute. If you read subsection uh actually the entire section and the conclusion so that we can all be on the
same page. We we got this memo but I would like the legal interpretation of it. Could you do that for me? >> I'm going to defer to Mr. Lin since he authored the memo. >> That's fine. And and and just so I'm clear, Mr. Jones, you want me to read the conclusion of the memo or
>> Absolutely. So it'll be clear to all of us. >> Okay. Um the conclusion reads, >> I believe he wants section two and three or just three. >> Two and three to conclusion. He's going to tell us what he >> just just to be clear, Mr. Lin, he wants section two legal summary and section
three conclusion read. >> Okay. So section two, legal summary reads as follows. Chapter 447 of Florida statutes generally governs employee rights, labor unions, collective bargaining, and the interactions between management and labor, especially for
public sector employees. Section 447.309 forens 2 of Florida statutes governs appropriations associated with collective bargaining agreements. This provision of the statute states that the chief executive, in this instance, the city manager, shall request the
legislative body to appropriate such amounts as shall be sufficient to fund the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. C. Section 447.309 PN 2 PN A. However, the legislative body approving the budgetary request has the
absolute right to fund or not fund agreements arising out of collective bargaining. See, for example, Sarasota County School District versus Sarah Sarasota Classified Teachers Association 614 Southern Second 1143 at pages 1148 through 49, Florida second district
court of appeal 1993. This absolute right over appropriations means that a chief executive cannot through collective bargaining exceed the budgetary authority previously approved by the legislative body. Meaning a legislate a legislature has the absolute
right to underfund an agreement. See also United Faculty of Florida versus Florida Board of Regents uh 365 Southern 2nd 1073 at pages 1077 through79 Florida First District Court of Appeal 1979. A chief executive and negotiating agent
cannot bind an agreement on an employer without ratification of a legislative body. And that is especially true for budgetary matters. See for example, city of Winter Haven versus Florida Public Employees Relations Commission 358 Southern 2nd 1374 at pages 30 1376
through77 Florida District Court of Appeal 1978. Through resolving a grievance, a city manager cannot exceed the delegated authority from the legislative body absent subst subsequent ratification. See also sheriff for Pasco County versus Florida State Lodge 53
Southern 3rd 1073 Florida First District Court of Appeals 2010. Section 3 conclusion. Accordingly, a review of the relevant law determines that budgetary authority to fund or to not fund certain agreements contemplated by a collective bargaining agreement lacks with the
legislative body and the legisl or is vested with the legislative body and the legislative body alone. A city manager through grievance resolution proceedings cannot exceed the delegated budgetary authority granted by the legislative body. Therefore, the agreement that the city manager in this instance sought to
enforce to adjust and increase pay in exchange for a backay waiver and cancellation of subsequent arbitration in excess of the allocated budget of the city is subject to ratification by the legislative body. It is up to the city council to determine whether to ratify the agreement from the city manager,
especially as it affects its budget for the fiscal year. If you have any questions, any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or another attorney with Allen or Blue. All right. So, per your memor memorandum,
this these actions did put us in a deficit with our budget. No matter how small it is, it's a deficit. Okay? So, it wasn't wasn't budgeted for it. Secondly, um I personally feel that um arbitration
should be next versus us going ahead and we going ahead and ratifying this contract. I feel strongly with that. If the rest of the commission don't feel that way, I can understand. However, case law support us doing that.
So, I wanted the attorney to read it. I know Miss West wasn't involved in this uh the collective bargaining or I guess this last uh ordeal with Miss Cardi in the the fire department.
However, I think that we should go back to another remedy is arbitration at this time. Isn't that an option at this time or is it Mr. Larsson? >> It absolutely I'm I'm certain I would defer to Mr. Brantley, but I'm certain that obviously if the if it's not
ratified that the union will renew it uh its request for arbitration and that that is where we would proceed. But that the council still would have an opportunity I would think. I don't know what Mr. Brantley would would say, and I don't want to uh to guess uh or speculate for him, but we would still
also have an opportunity to perhaps return to the table and perhaps discuss another resolution that might be uh more palatable for for the council if this is not uh going to be ratified. >> So, arbitration is out there. Yes. But
there there may also be another opportunity to resolve this. Uh but I have not spoken to Mr. Brantley uh personally about about the union's u feelings about that. >> Thank you. >> So if I still got a do you want to speak before make a motion please? Go ahead. Yes ma'am.
>> So I'd like to offer another uh perspective on this. So arbitration is not free. We're paying for an attorney. From what I understand for the rest of this fiscal year there's an approximately $30,000 impact to our
budget. The piece that I don't think we're talking about here is who's impacted by these decisions. Our first responders and in particular six of our longest employed firefighters
are who's impacted by this. Their longevity pay is obviously overdue. So, I'd like for us to consider recognizing that no, the prior city manager did not have authority to um enter into this
agreement without the commission ratifying it, but to really consider we're going to pay money regardless. And I if we're going to pay money, I'd rather eat the $30,000 for this year to bring our six longest serving
firefighters up to the correct longevity pay and um ensure that going forward we're all on the same page and understand how this should work. I do
not believe again first responders longevity pay overdue. Continuous arbitration will cost money. We're spending regardless. So, I would like for the commission to consider
ratifying this agreement um because there were some other concessions that were made that really um have resulted in a lesser increase. I know that's an oxymoron, but
a lesser increase than it could have been if we went back to the date of the contract. So, I'd like to put that out for consideration. >> Thank you. So, I am in favor of ratifying this agreement. >> Well, go ahead. I was going to say I have I I have a concern in ratifying it
that we don't have all the facts. We don't have all the numbers. So, yes, we may have an estimate of 30,000 for the rest of this fiscal year, but what the what about the next two years? >> So, my >> that's my concern about this moment. I'm not saying we shouldn't ratify it going
forward. So to answer your question, I did it's not that I ignored that, but considering it then we are in budget workshops now and we have to consider the salaries for our firefighters going forward and we have the ability to
adjust our budget to make sure salaries for our first responders in particular fire department and police department. And for me, safety is my priority for this city that they are paid.
Tonight, we had the opportunity to witness firefighter Stevens receive an award and I think that speaks to the caliber of personnel we have here in our fire department. >> What is it?
>> Let her finish. Please let her finish, please. >> Yeah, that >> Let her finish, please. Go ahead. I'm just speaking from my perspective and what's important to me and for what I see as important to the citizens of our city. Again,
that's my perspective. Thank you, Commissioner Jones. >> Okay. If we want to be really transparent here, really transparent. Uh, one of the issues and one of the reasons why we don't have a city manager is
because of a misstep and this jumping into a contract negotiations or failing to follow what our attorney suggests contributed to it. And if we're
coming back and saying, "Oh, it wasn't a big deal." How do we get to that point? Yeah, I'm talking about Miss Cardi and I'm talking about she was trying to make this happen and it became a problem
when it was brought to our attention that she went against the grain. Okay. So, let's go back to saying what I was saying. Not saying we're not going to give ratify this, but let's do it right. We got an opportunity to do it right. We
hired the attorney is already hired to do their job. The attorney gave us the overview of what he feel that we direction we should head to make this right. And I think that's what we should do. Not saying that we don't want to get
the six highest uh um tenur firefighters what they're do. Eventually, I think we'll get to that. But I would like to make this process go the way it should have went by utilizing the attorney that we paid which he just said he didn't
even he didn't even participate. >> Okay. >> So we say well arbitration is going to cost us. What did this cost us to have an attorney and they didn't participate? Matt, >> some things that I mean >> so commission I sound like we're working
backwards >> and I don't want it's not a personal thing but I would like to let's get it right and and >> I do feel for the the fire department and the firefighters that have endured
this. We want to make it right, but we need to make it right now going forward. not saying, "Well, we'll do this now and then we'll make it right the next time." We have an opportunity right now. And that's all I'm saying is, so I don't want to go back and forth with it. I understand
you're we go to a vote right now. I don't want to go back and forth with it, but it sound like the mayor understand where I'm coming from with this. I just want to get it right now with this. This is being transparent. >> Go ahead. >> Go ahead, Commissioner. >> So, let me ask for a point of clarification.
the memo that you're referencing and this is for the uh labor attorney, Mr. Larkin, this memo. The legal summary and conclusion from my understanding of reading this document
is simply saying the city manager does not have authority to um that that whatever decision was made by the city attorney or former city attorney needs to be ratified. That that's what I'm reading here. I don't
see any other recommendation to go back to arbitration or to do anything differently. Am I misunderstanding your memo? >> Uh, no, Miss Davis, you're you're you're understanding it correctly that I'm I'm simply stating what the law is is that this the council will have to ratify it.
Now, I'm not make I'm not taking a position on whether you should or you shouldn't. I'm just simply saying that that this would be subject to ratification since this exceeded her budgetary authority and whatever the council decides to do is is the council's prerogative.
>> Thank you. And that's what I understood. So I'm not reading any more any less. The other reason I'm recommending that we ratify this is because Mr. Larkin was present. He did not participate. I don't know what that reason is, but he was
present. Mr. Larkin, was there an opportunity or was there a need for you to do anything differently than you did when you were in that negotiating negotiation meeting?
the the negotiation meeting that that took place on the morning of April 23rd, I think was uh was not in what what we discussed the prior evening, April 22nd, was not what was was not what unfolded
on the morning of April 23rd. It was my understanding that I was going to lead the negotiations and that I had some options that we had agreed to that we could potentially resolve this with. I did not lead the negotiations. Miss Cardi did. Miss Cardi gave an overview.
They gave a there was some back and forth about uh you know how longevity pay had been interpreted and when the interpretation changed and so forth and so on. They made a proposal that they would wave their back pay uh from the
inception of the contract which would be October 1st through May 8th. Miss Cardi asked that they step out at some point in that in in in that u u the human resource uh uh mi miss I think it's Miss Virginia came in that Miss Virginia and
Miss Cardi had a discussion over the figures. I was not part of that. I asked Miss Cardi at some point whether she wanted to make a counter offer and she instructed me that she did not. And then when they returned, I went out in the hallway, asked them to return, and when
they came back in, she accepted their offer. >> That Thank you. >> That that was all that essentially transpired. I did not uh lead the negotiations and we did not make a a an offer to the union. We simply accepted theirs. >> Thank you. Based on that information,
then I'm going to change my decision because what you recommended was not what was presented. So to that end, um I would like to move forward with you leading the negotiation and going back
to um consider this. Thank you. I I would draw my original decision based on that. >> So is that a motion or somebody making a motion? I make a motion that we table this discussion until it come
go back through arbitration or an attempt to arbitrate with the union if they accept negotiation. Excuse me. Yeah. >> If they accept their attorney accept >> um that's basically saying it was a breakdown in in
negotiations. >> Okay. So, a couple of different things here. Um, arbitration is definitely different from going back to the table to have settlement discussions. Arbitration is probably going to cost between 30 to $40,000, which is why we
had the informal settlement meeting instead. Uh, your your options here are to ratify the agreement that is before you or not uh with instructions on how you would like to proceed. Well,
I I I move to not ratify this this uh contract. >> Second. >> Your motion is second. Is there anybody here for public comment on this item? Please come up and give your name and city, town, or residents. >> My name is Marcus Wilson. I'm the
president of uh local 2992, the professional firefighters of Placa. Uh we we went to negotiation started April last year. We ended right up right before the budget in September. Longevity was not discussed during the
whole negotiation. Longevity has been paid all the way. This is for the six individuals. Their old longevity has been paid all the way up until October 1st. As of October 1st, the city decided not to pay the six
individuals their old longevity. And after October 1st, if anybody came into longevity at their 10, 15, or 20 year mark, they received longevity on top of their uh base pay. Everybody that's been here for 10, 15,
and 20 years has not received their longevity since October 1st that they've always received prior to. I don't know if that if y'all understand that, but >> I'm seeing a shaking of the head from HR. Do you have anything else to say?
>> That's all I have, ma'am. >> Okay, we'll we'll have HR come up afterward after public comment. >> Thank you. Is anybody else here for public comment? Please come up and Yeah, you can fill out a card, Mr. Clunch, afterwards. >> Give your name and city to town residents. >> Um, my name is Robbie Clunch. Um, Black,
Florida. Um, I basically just have a question. I just want to make sure I understand this. If y'all don't ratify this, it will go to arbitration. Correct. >> No. >> No. you all have the chance to renegotiate it. That's all I need to know. I'll pull this out. >> Thank you. Thank you. Is there anybody
else here for public comment on this item? >> Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Um, did you want to respond in some way, Miss Jones? >> Just to restate what Mr. Wilkins was saying the way things were done, but as we discussed during um meetings as we
were going through this negotiating process, the contract that one that was adopted and ratified by you all does state that longevity is paid is 5% of the base, not on top of the base. We've gone through this time after time with
them and because I think previously it's been done one way, this is the way it's been done. So, we've always had it there. But the contract states it's 5% every five ten or 15 years of the base not on top of the base. And so they have
been receiving their longevity. So it's not like they we took their longevity. If they came had a 10-year mark, a 15 year mark, that longevity was given >> and they wanted on top of the base. And when we renegotiated the new contract,
that longevity was included in the base pay of where they were placed, which was above um where in actuality my original sheet where they should have been placed. But Miss Cardi made that determination and they were placed way I
think the some of them received being placed into the stepping grade from the old firefighter union an increase of three to four dollars an hour. Okay. So this was a difference in that. I will say that. So that contract states 5% of
the base, not on top of the base. That's clear language. Anybody, you can just read that. That's just very clear as how that I stood by that. But I understand what Mr. um Wilson is saying because it was always done like that. They received it like that, but it wasn't taken away
from them. And they did receive it at 10, 15, and 20 year marks. >> Great. So, so also verify what I've seen. We wanted you to do it right. We want to get it right. Secondly, I have a question.
In the bargaining, who was the representatives for the fire department union? Who? >> Oh, Mr. Wilson is the president and then he firefighter >> attorney >> attorney. >> Attorney,
>> anybody know? Who was the attorney present during this >> during negotiations? Miss West attended. >> No, you the attorney for the firefighters and >> we represent ourselves. >> I think >> I'm on the Zoom call. James Brantley >> and Terrell Hill.
>> And who? >> Terrell Hill. >> That used to be the mayor. >> Correct. >> Okay. I don't have any more. I I don't think that we can easily move
past by that. Is there any conflict that comes as a result of that association? >> No, not not that I see. He has a private practice. He's >> he's no longer an employee of the city. >> Employed by the city in any capacity.
He's free to He has cases pending against the city of >> No. And the reason I'm asking is just as a point of transparency because again now that that has come up there may be some individuals within the community that
poses questions and things of that nature. So we want that to be completely transparent that there is no conflict with regards to so >> but there is no conflict in my opinion. This is a negotiation between the city of Kalaka and the firefighters union and
they are free to hire whomever they want as counsel. >> Mayor, just just a quick question for attorney West. Um if we don't ratify this, what happens next? Do what what are next steps?
>> So if if you don't proceed with ratification, uh the options and Mr. Larkin, Mr. Brantley, correct me if I'm wrong. You can opt for another informal settlement resolution uh negotiating
session to try and resolve it or the other alternative and it is expensive is arbitration. The reason we went to the informal is because of the expense of the arbitration. So let me let me ask you this with regards to
a time. Um I sat quiet because I saw both sides of the conversation and again I agree with wanting to do right. Um but with reference to if this is not or does not pass tonight,
what is the opportunity of an informal meeting happening prior to our next meeting so that it's not pushed out for months or anything of that nature. and we're looking at a two-eek time frame uh to have this conversation amongst the
individuals that need to be in place led by the correct person. How can we get this done prior to our 28th meeting? >> Right. It's a it's a good question. We have to have cooperation from the union
to meet in an informal uh context. Uh that is something that they would have to agree to do. Perhaps council for the union uh can give some sort of assurance that they would be amendable to another informal meeting. Um but you have to have two parties agreeing to come
together for that meeting otherwise arbitration is the only option left. Uh in terms of the timing that that is a tight time frame to have that occur before the 28th which is our our next meeting. Um I'll defer to to councel Mr.
Brantley Mr. Larkin if uh you have availability and >> I mean I don't think that I think if there was already a conversation had on the hat on behalf of the city um only thing that it needs to be done is presented to I don't think it's going back to the drawing board and starting
at complete numbers I mean starting at zero there has already been a conversation about um what should have been translated in that meeting that involved the union um and that did not happen. So, I don't think it's
completely going back to the drawing board trying to come up with a whole new scenario of um things to present. So, again, I think that's one positive, but I just don't want to um push it back
really any further. But again, uh I saw both sides of the conversation that was brought forth by uh Commissioner Davis as well as Commissioner Jones. Um, but again, I think it's an opportunity for us to do it the correct way. And who
knows what may come as a result of that conversation, but I would hope that and I'll speak directly to the individuals that sit before me because you all have spoken to us and I don't want you to feel as if we are to
I am turning I can't speak for the commission a deaf ear to trying to get this resolved. Um, I hope that you trust us enough to allow us the opportunity to do or bring back um the process that we
put in place prior, which was to have Mr. Lock and Attorney Lockin to represent us, but in hopes of you all understanding that we want to make sure that we do this right. Um, and not only right by the commission, but right by
you as well. So, I'm speaking directly to you because you spoke directly to me. And I just would hope that in my time of being here, I've earned enough trust that I'm not trying to sweep anything under the rug or do anything indifferent. I want to make sure that
this is done correctly. I want to make sure that all presentations or everything that should have been presented have the opportunity because you don't know what was presented and we don't as well. And this will give that opportunity. So, I would hope that you give grace in this time and I'm trying
to hope that it could be done within the next two weeks. >> So, back to Miss West. I mean, it's something that Mr. Brantley and >> Mr. Larkner, >> I I again, you know, this is up to you have to have two cooperative parties in
order to meet again. So, >> if we can do that, Commissioner Campbell, you're absolutely right. We're not starting from square one. All the parties have the requisite information uh to move forward. It's just a matter of uh >> coming together. >> Do we have a
>> yeah willingness to come together? >> Willingness and the time frame. >> The two weeks may be >> I don't think two weeks is enough. I mean there's a conversation and there should be if you can't meet within the two weeks of course then we understand. However, given the urgency of what has
been what has come before us, because this has not been something that I mean, this has been on the table for quite some time now. So, I don't want to push it so far out to where it feels. And again, I'll say this every time I have an opportunity to, we talk about a lot
of things when they're hot, but when they're no longer hot, it's kind of pushed to the back burner. >> And so, I don't want this to be one of those things because they have been waiting patiently for us. That's why I'm making the recommendation to try to have that meeting within the next two weeks
so that it can come back before the commission and if that can't happen and then we come up with the next alternative. But if it can happen, >> let's make it happen. >> Okay. >> I think we all agree with that. I mean, nobody's Yeah.
>> So, yes, we have a motion and a second on the table. All in favor? I. >> Any opposition? Thank you. Can I be >> Go ahead. >> Can I have a moment of transparency? Um,
>> I'm going to mention about what happened. We were not there, the parties involved with two attorneys and the city manager, former city manager. And I can't go further in this meeting without saying what I'm about to say
right now. Miss Cardi was trying to get this done. I almost say it. She was trying to get this done and I guess it was a misstep. Now I'm talking to the to the union. Okay. And
it was a misstep and it was actually bought to the commission's attention. >> Commissioner, >> what? >> No. No. Because you know what? It don't feel >> the attorney was speaking. Let >> I'm I'm speaking. >> No, but let Attorney West say what she
has to say first, please. And just wait. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> There are some issues that I would urge caution on in terms of matters manager >> and let's just leave it. We we do have a
vote and let's just move forward, please. >> Yeah. But it it's easy to say when it didn't affect you the way it's affecting others. And you know this like the second time where there's been somebody that really have tried to do right by
the citizens by the employees and they got the bad end of the stick. I'll say it this way. You can read between the lines. >> They got the bad end of the stick because they were trying to do what's right. only for this commission or others to come back and do exactly what they were
doing and nothing happened. Okay. So to ratify this agreement was an effort by the city manager come back and do the same thing we're asking we're being asked actually to done do tonight
and it would have happened if we had to bring brought up certain aspects of what happened and we all wouldn't know that the attorney didn't take partake in the bargaining uh order negotiations. We didn't know that. >> I did. I spoke to the attorney directly.
Well, well, at after the fact. Okay. So, >> so after the fact, however, it was brought to my attention that it was a great misstep prior to and so the misstep happened and we took action
almost like knee-jerk. Yeah, if you could go with being on your conscience like that, you guys are are This is the job for you guys. But I'm telling you, it doesn't feel right when it comes to
people livelihood and we turn around and do the same thing. And you um you guys can read through the between the lines and um I just need to get out from my cous doesn't feel right up here um when we're going and doing the same thing
that we basically penalize somebody for doing. I'm sorry. You got you guys know what I'm talking about. >> I don't >> I don't either. So, but it doesn't matter. Can we get to the agenda? >> Okay. Um H adopt resolution 2026 R81, a
resolution of the city commission of the city of Palaka, Florida. >> I'm sorry. I pulled another item. >> Uh >> I pulled H. >> That's what I'm reading. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. Um, >> adopt resolution 2026 R81, a resolution
of the city commission of the city of Palaca, Florida, incorporating the proposed new employee hiring policy to appendix 16 of the personnel policy and providing for scrivenness errors. Miss Davis. >> Um, yes, Miss Jones. The reason I pulled
this, the last paragraph in the draft that we received. I just want to make sure because it didn't fit with the heading. This is the um I guess my question is is that last
section but uh let me tell you the it looks like it's language that's considering an internal employee going to a new position. Is that correct >> for the last paragraph of completed application? Is that where we at?
Okay. Well, let me pull up. What item is this? See, I'm sorry. I can't Oh, here it is. Um, thank you. the portion that says yes a completed application.
Yes. >> And the change of status form. >> Correct. >> So that that part there this is um still um this is from a new hire perspective. This is not the like job vacancies but this is new hires a brand new um
employee coming in. >> So >> Oh okay. So after where do where does that fit in? It seems like it's just out of place. Is it just a random statement? >> Yeah, it was language in the old one which could very easily be removed
because it doesn't bring any um >> clarity. >> Yeah, that is confusion and that's why I'm I pull this. I don't understand >> two things. Number one, if it is, where does it fit into this process? Do you have a flow for other things, right?
>> And this is just a random paragraph. >> That was a piece that was already in the policy. >> Um, for that piece of language there that was inside. Only thing that's been added is what you see in red. >> No, I understand. >> So, that was a piece that was in there that was flowing with the new hire on
top of before the part that was taken out at the very beginning. I'm talking speaking of career source and all of that. >> Then let me ask a different question. Is it still relevant? >> No ma'am. So if it's not relevant then um
because I don't I don't want to move to approve this or I will by deleting that. I guess that's the only way deleting it or rewriting it so that it has the same language as a policy and putting it into the appropriate place. So are you saying
it's no it's not relevant? the three paragraphs that you talk about can be removed and that last statement needs to stay as the end that says no employee should be allowed to start the work. That's a part of the new hire. >> Okay. >> Just that statement there. The other three >> you're talking about.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. So to that point, I move to um approve um resolution 2026-R81 with the noted change to remove the last I'm sorry, the three paragraphs
before the last paragraph >> after the policy review. after the policy review. Five policy review. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> We have a motion, a second. Anybody here for public comment on this item?
>> Seeing no one close public comment. All in favor? >> I. >> I. Any opposition? Thank you. Um, I adopt resolution 2026-R82, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Palaca, Florida, authorizing the establishment of a dedicated
audiovisisual AV control center, approving the transition to the OBS studio platform for meeting production and streaming, directing public works to evaluate the proposed control room location, and authorizing staff to proceed with implementation, planning, and system upgrades, providing for an
effective date. So, mayor uh staff p wanted to pull this item so that we can give you a better understanding one of the uh activities that will be taking place and what will be included in the project as well as uh
some additional costs that's going to be associated to it. So, at this time, if you would, I'd like to bring up uh Greta Greta Hall. I apologize. >> And I think uh Karen will also uh provide some insight if she
>> Okay. Thank you. Hello. Um I did just a real quick PowerPoint just to kind of break some stuff down. Um and you all have copies of it. So I wanted to kind of you want to click next. Um just kind of overview of the timeline from the the discussions that the
commission had in March and the activity that's taken place within the time span. We have met multiple times with the IT department of the AB system for the um Putnham County. Um, shout out to them because they have been amazing in their
communications with us and their suggestions. Um, but this was a just a general timeline of the process itself and where we are today. Um, just to kind of give you a heads up of what that is. Click. Um, again, the overview is that
you were had directed us to really evaluate the current system. um taking in consideration some of the recommendations you had um regarding how the county has their system set up and kind of coming in and putting up a plan
utilizing as much as the equipment we currently have in addition to upgrading what um parts of our system need to be um updated just due to age. Next um George Williams um has helped as
well. Um the key recommendations in this area were to establish a ded a design designated control center. So those of you who have been to those commission meetings um know that the AV system the presentations they're all presented from
the back room of their um area. Um and that would be what we would want to create here removing the IT and AB system um from the city manager or city clerk so the city clerk can do city clerk job. Um that would require um just
this basic breakdown um using um Okall who is the one who put in our main system. They know the system. They're going through each individual piece to make sure what was current, what needed to be out, what was outdated, what needed to be increased. Also, it
actually isolates and puts a hub all together. So there would be no separation like we have AV systems in the back here. We have AV stuff in the back here. We have AB stuff in the back there. This would be all centralized located. It would be easier to access
and easier to streamline the the whole process there. Um so the estimated relocation costs um was in the proposal um that you guys have a location of. The proposed location would be in the very back um as part of a section of the
break room. Um we did work uh and get a additional quote from public works um of 4,000 to accommodate that transition. Um and then the final of course would be an approval from you. Um the system upgrade recommendations
um OB the OBS um studio platform is actually a free product. Um but what it does is it allows us to navigate in a more professional manner. So we'll be able to do transitions, we'll be able to present with a better higher quality. Um, and it helps integrate a lot more of
these systems to help eliminate some of the technical issues we have with our current situation by simply going in. And the way we do it now is that we we actually log in to Zoom and then we link it to YouTube. And there's really a lot of tr um
problems that are incorporated with those transitions and making it clean and direct will eliminate a lot of the technical issues that we have. Um again the enhancements um for staff would be each um of the commissioners would have
a small visual u monitor in your area. So we would not be recom we would not be utilizing these for you guys. These would be what they were originally intended for and that was would be for out here. You would have that ability to see that right there. The one of the
things that was requested is the process of notification. That is a proprietary device that was created solely by their IT department. Jesse is the one who created that program. Um the commissioner from last
night did say that he has already reached out to Jesse about potentially creating that for us as well. Um we would have to look at the actual cost of that um if there's any additional cost AV stuff um and recommendations for that, but we would not be able to support it if it broke because you can't
buy it. So those are a couple of other things that we might have to look into. Um but this will stream streamline um a lot of of what our current issues are. Um preliminary cost estimates um anywhere range between 18,09 to 196. Um
and this is again a general um overview. Um if the any additional changes happen, it would probably be within this realm. We don't foresee anything being larger than this at this moment. Um there was discussion of
um where this would come from. I know that that was a discussion between the former city manager and our finance director. So she may be able to tell you exactly where that money was projected to be pulled from. And the next steps would be approval from the commission to move forward from this point. Um and we would finalize the scope of work and put
a timetable in coordination with the city commission meetings. Um so that we do not create a um issue with our meetings. Um, if you have any questions, um, just let me know. >> Commissioner Alexander, >> Commissioner Alexander.
>> Yeah, Commissioner Alexander um, had made a mention when we were talking about the proprietary that their IT department had actually built that notification system. Um, and originally Jesse had said, you know, that that would be an issue because
obviously and then Commissioner Alexander last night said he had actually instructed Jesse to to look really into that. The the realiz the realization is is that if Jesse wins the lotto and he goes away and it breaks, there's nobody there to fix it.
>> So, I just want to be transparent with that. Um, it's a great system, but we also need to look at the longevity of the system so we're not don't have a continuous problem later. May >> go ahead.
>> So, $20,000 and we were just quoted a couple of about a month ago that we just needed a amplifier and yeah, wasn't we? >> I've >> Am I the only one that >> it was it was something that was
connected. He said amplifier connected to underneath here that's connected to the back. >> All right. >> Yeah. So that's that's that was a fix. >> So So we went from a amplifier to now we need
monitors and lights um for $20,000. I think that's a that's a huge expense um for such for the small room. And I thought that tell me if I'm wrong, you one of the plans would maybe be going to Port Consolidated to you to
utilize it as a meeting room. I don't know. I mean, I just think that that's a that's a big expense just to be able to get on Zoom a Zoom call. >> Well, it's not just for that. The recommend the the >> I heard everything you said. You broke
it down nice. I was just I just give my opinion on it. Yeah, we were just before based upon recommendations um and suggest >> AV situation. >> Yeah. So the AV will it take two people to operate it like it does now? >> There'll be a single person which would
be myself in the back and then the city clerk would be doing the city clerk her position as a city clerk. >> Will we be able to remember last night I asked about u chat constituents being able to get on the chat platform and ask questions? is that
>> um that's not something the city has ever done and that's something that that you you're putting that into a public comment type thing and I would have to defer to to somebody higher up than meet them need >> is because they don't do it don't mean it's not necessary what about ADA people
who want to join the meetings how did >> we have had where those they called during the appropriate time there was a phone call uh >> that was during co >> yeah I'm just I'm putting it out there just during this period, >> right? >> And we've done it prior to you, mayor as
well. >> So, my question is if we're going to spend that kind of money, talk I just want to know, are there upgrades like that that we're considering? Um, and as I said one time before with other departments, we put stuff up here that this is what we want, but we have no
expectation cuz we can't see it. We don't know exactly what we're going to get. But that was just my comment. I just want to say that >> if if I may, mayor, >> go ahead. Uh some of the things that was taken into consideration is the constant problems we've been um observing throughout all of the commission
meetings and uh given the fact that we looked at not only looking at the AV system and pulling it into uh consideration but looking at things that will assist you um in going on uh to be able to uh operate more efficiently
in your meetings. We know that sometimes the presentations that's put on the screen that you all struggle to be able to see and then Karen has to uh look to move to enlarge it. So being able to provide you with the monitors and turn the screen uh to the crowd not only
helps you but it helps the audience to be able to see and uh what we're displaying. Uh so we looked at it as a holistic view of the opportunity to uh bring the the the chambers into the to the present time as far as how we're
operating and to eliminate some of the problems that you are constantly facing in the meetings. uh in looking at it um we looked at not only the options that's been presented uh outside of the the current chambers but what we can do currently within the current chambers
and the money that's associated the lines that for the funding is in the resolution that uh Miss Chantel has already identified the bud the money is already in the budget and we we have the opportunity now to go ahead and step it up so we can have a better product
overall and that was our full intention to give the presentation so that you all would be able to uh see what we were trying to do and how we were trying to uh assist in moving forward. >> In addition, >> in addition and I've been a major push
for this um is to help with bringing the key word tonight has been transparency, a little bit more order to our meetings. Um, so that's why I initially brought that up. Um, so that we would be able to, as we said in
January in the meeting at the county, the push option, which gives notification to the mayor, um, it flowed and it allowed for that conversation to be a little bit more fruitful than our current setup. So, I
was one that pushed. We've tried several different methods here. We tried the push lights that turned multiple colors or mine would turn yours on, yours would turn mine on. Uh we've tried this. We've tried a whole we've tried a a a number
of things, but I think at some point in order for us to really truly facilitate a cohesive um uh unit or facilitate proper um meeting and professional meetings, of course, I think it's time
for us to upgrade. Um we're upgrading our different facilities. We're doing what we have to do for them. we need to take in consideration what would allow us to flow a little bit better as we sit behind the deis. Um that would eliminate a whole lot of a talking if we had that
system. And again to not rehash what um uh acting city manager has stated but we have had in the last couple of months. This has probably been the only meeting one or two that we have not had any
technical difficulties as of now. And so again, I think this is an opportunity for the consideration um of moving forth in hopes of this bringing a whole lot more unity when it
comes down to um our meetings. >> I was going to make a motion if there are no more comments. >> That's fine. >> We are in 2026. I think it's time to move forward. >> I didn't say anything. >> I move to adopt I move to adopt resolution 2026-R82.
>> Second. >> Who pulled that anyway? >> Dave, right? >> I did. >> Oh, >> we have a motion. She has worked hard. We have for public comment on this item. >> Seeing no clos public comment. All in favor? I. Any opposition? Thank you.
Does anybody want to take a recess? >> No. >> On to regular business. We hearing our release of lean for 1315 Laurel Street. >> Miss West, Mr. Agama, Miss >> Good evening. Thanks. Thank you so much for squeezing this matter in. I know it
was a bit last. >> Can you give us your name, please? the city of town restor my name is attorney Gabriel String I'm here on behalf of principal partners group and uh my client is actually I believe he's on Zoom
is the mic on too before we really get going here push the button till light up there you go >> indeed there we go >> technology >> well again thank you so much for taking the time to squeeze this in we greatly greatly really appreciate it here. Uh my
client wants to try to get this resolved. Specifically, he has need of selling the property and with the lean that's been placed on it, it's uh interfering with his ability to uh dispose of the property. Uh back in the uh uh uh summer of 2025, my client uh
submitted a check and payment full payment for the lean that was imposed and thereafter the lean has not been released and we want to try to get that resolved. I didn't know what y'all's take on this was and what we can do to kind of get this taken care of. >> Thank you. Miss West, can you kind of or
Mr. Ogamo give us kind of a background update on what happened here? >> Seeing that Mr. Ogamo is not jumping out of his chair. I I will go ahead and try and address some of the background on this. Um this
was an exceptionally blighted piece of property that had been incurring fines for a long period of time. Uh by the time it got to uh code enforcement, it had incurred about $10,000
in fines. The property uh unfortunately suffered a massive structural fire um and it was uh causing basically a public health risk. We have the ability under our ordinances for our city manager to
do what is called a summary order of abatement which basically allows them if there's an imminent public health risk and in this case there was there was documentation from neighbors that children were uh playing in the attic of the burntout structure that we did in
fact have an imminent public health risk. And so the city manager executed the summary order of abatement and we had the entire structure demolished. The demolition costs were $4,700. Uh principal partners did in fact
reimburse the city for that out-ofpocket expense. Um it is my understanding that code enforcement uh provided the asurances that if they paid the reimbursement for the demolition that
the lean would be released. So I believe there was a misunderstanding on the part of the property owner and then the policy that you had adopted back in 2021
which isn't exactly a 50% reduction in a code enforcement lean. There are a lot of subjective criteria. For example, if you look at number 11, we are to take into consideration other factors such as economic, physical, mental, etc., which
may show a hardship on the entity requesting the lean reduction. Um, it's my understanding that the code compliance uh office has not been following this particular policy because of the highly subjective criteria and
instead imposing simply an administrative fee. Um, at any rate, this came up before you at the last meeting. Uh, the motion was to cut the lean in half to 5,000 on top of the
4,700 that's already been paid. And that's the backstory of how we got here today. >> Said some of the stuff that she stated. My question was gonna be why is this back before us? >> Um,
>> would you like me to answer or >> I can also answer as well. >> Who made the decision to bring this back for us because I believe at that meeting there was extensive conversation that took place amongst and I want to say
upwards of 30 minutes. um during that time with clarification this and then I mean you have stated some things that would make me reconsider um however
I just didn't understand initially why this was brought back before us >> I I'll answer that question um and uh attorney west not necessarily putting it on the agenda but as I I um reiterated
to um Mr. Jones and our our conversation. This is not something that this is a request from the attorney for the client, the opportunity to be heard. It's not uh staff's request to bring it back before you to um change any uh of
the rulings that you have made. Uh the request for the attorney uh has the option because just like we stated before, there's secondary measures that can be taken after that. So, we felt the need to be able to allow him the opportunity to speak before you and uh
you guys can continue on uh either with your decision that you've made prior or it would give you the opportunity once the background if you requested additional background information for you to make a different decision. We as uh staff are set fast with where we
stand on the last uh the last ruling and uh we leave it to you after you have had the opportunity to hear from the attorney >> and indeed following up on that there are some rather uh concrete legal issues
that are at play here. Uh specifically, my client tendered payment uh with a check that said lean is paid in full. Um that check was accepted in pursuant to Florida statute 673 uh.3111.
That constitutes the court and satisfaction. The check was accepted. It was never returned within the 90-day period that was allotted by the statute and accordingly it's binding upon upon the city. Uh furthermore, my client acted in reliance upon the
representations that were given to it by agents of the city of Pala. It rendered payment in full pursuant to a letter that was sent to my client with Palaka city of Palaka letterhead and included
city of Palaka uh uh information on it. uh if the if the council would like to see I have with me uh copies of the applicable check stating that it says lean paid in full. I also have copies of the applicable statute and I also have case law that states that you know in so
far as a agent commits to something on behalf of the principal that that action is binding upon the principal when they particularly when the principal receives a benefit as the city has here as as payment in full. So given that that's why we're we're back before the before
the council requesting that we uh that the original agreement be enforced. I can understand uh that maybe this has been discussed before. It wasn't something to which I was privy to. So please excuse me on that matter. So I cannot speak as to anything that was done before I came on board. But what I
can say is that here we have some serious uh legal issues that we're trying to take care of on the front side of things. I'll turn it over to Miss Miss West. I'm sure she'd like to say something. >> And we do have a copy of the check. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So So what you got here, you have a lean
of 10,1 $10,175. That's the lean, >> correct? You owe us the fees of $4,700 because we provided a service to clean that property. So what you were doing with that check is actually paying us for
cleaning that property out. That's separate from the link. You do understand that, right? >> Um actually >> it's page 16. Well, >> it says copy right here. >> The fine is here. There.
>> No, I see that. I see that >> fine is there. That's two separate things. >> So, um, >> yeah, >> and being asked. Okay, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Maybe I can actually kind of eliminate and maybe may I approach I have a copy
of something that may because this will kind of >> I think this is kind of where the the some of the confusion may lie. Sir, madam, one for you. Would you like a copy of Okay, here's what I have. Oh, you got the original all fantastic
>> because you do you see two different handwritings on there on that particular chair? >> I do. I do. >> So, when was it put on there? That's a question to be asked by us. >> I'm going to go back.
>> Thanks. Um, but here what I would point out to >> to you is down at the bottom. It says if you accept to to demolish an administrative fee a total of 4750 to make payment to the city of Palaka, please paste a copy in this form and
send it in. Right. Um to that extent here we're looking at some sort of official communication evidence is suggesting that this this whole thing can be wrapped up for for
this particular amount of money. And this check says lean paid in full which is statutoily highly not only relevant but it's becomes binding upon the upon the city. It's not something
that we can really negotiate around. Uh specifically, Florida statute 673.311 provides if a person against whom a claim is asserted uh demonstrates that uh they tendered an instrument to the claimant as full satisfaction of the
claim that the amount of the claim was unlquidated or sub subject to a bonafide dispute and that the claimant obtained payment of the instrument. The following sections apply. The claim is discharged if the person against whom the claim is asserted proves that the instrument or the accompanying written communication
contained a conspicuous statement to the effect that the instrument was tendered as full satisfaction of the claim. >> So yes ma'am >> Miss Pierre when we accept checks we deposit them.
We have copies of checks that we receive. Same check paid in full was on the original check in this different handwriting. Do you understand the question I'm asking? I don't know if you have this.
Um can >> No. Would you pass it to Miss >> I think what she's trying to verify. >> I'm trying to verify. Yeah. I I I agree. I just want to make sure that when we deposited the check that lean paid in
full was on the check or if we received it. >> I would need to log in to the bank website. Okay. >> To get a copy of the check from the website. I >> I'm just curious. I do understand what you're saying about the check. I don't we don't need to debate that. I see it
on the check copy that you provided where we deposited the check. My question is to Commissioner Jones's point, it is unusual that the lean paid in full is in a different handwriting and I was just trying to ascertain
>> when that was written. >> That's a great question and to be completely frank, I don't have personal firsthand knowledge about it and I can't say one way or the other and I'm not going to go near it, but >> that's why I asked our >> finance director. So to that point,
that's information I would like to see if we receive the check. Obviously, it's there post deposit. Um I'm just curious, but I do understand your um rationale. >> Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate
>> I'm not saying I agree. I understand it. I understand it. And my question is, they had the ability to be present at the last meeting, correct? >> Yes, >> that's correct. >> Were they notified of that meeting?
>> Uh, I I do not believe they were. Uh, we don't typically notify on releases of lean being put on the agenda. >> So, mayor, if I can, >> but I I can't independently verify that. I I don't know. is not my department. >> So,
>> can we ask Mr. Minister Lorenzo to basically provide information on that question? >> For what I my recollection that I have is that Chrissy did notify them. I don't know where it was by phone or by email that that item is going to come in from
the board. I also see on our form that it was typed in released total balance due and we did cash the check regardless of when this if somebody else is >> agreed >> it was deposited and it was over the
90day period. So the question is the additional $5,000 for the lean and it looks like we have processed this information as if the lean was paid in full. That's the point. So at at this
point um I just want to so we don't keep belong yeah belonging um belaboring this point. Um, Miss West, from your perspective, um, at um, your professional opinion,
um, the choices we have, please, I know I want to put you on the spot to accept this as process or the other one is to um, not and have the next step proceed. >> Sure. So from a a code compliance
perspective, mission accomplished. You have a blighted property that has been demolished and the property owner has paid the full expense uh for the city to demolish that property. You you do need to take into consideration that um code
enforcement leans are has been previously characterized by other city managers. This isn't my phrase, but monopoly money. It is not hard money in the bank. Um, however, it is fully within your discretion. However, on this one, we do have an attorney who has
threatened litigation. Um, granted, it would be small claims, but that that's a risk. >> Mayor Oh, can I'm ready to make a motion when you >> Go ahead, Commissioner Jones. Were you going to say something? >> Yeah, I do want to say something.
>> At what at what point Do we I know we don't have a city manager right now, but at what point do we hold people accountable for making these kind of errors and accepting
checks that have really it's just not paying attention. Um paid in full, lean paid in full. And if you look, if you really examine this document, it also says
>> release of the lean $14.95. >> Okay, you see that, Mayor Commission? >> So that's not accurate. So whose responsibility is for these things
to be looked at? The name I see on here is code compliance officer, the attorney and the planning director. >> Well, I'd like to say something if I can. >> Yes, sir. >> As as responsible for the code
enforcement department, uh this will happen before I took over. the responsibility of the department. However, my understanding is what what the appellent here paid was to reimburse the city for the demolition.
>> Right. >> That's the $4,750. >> That's right. >> We still have a lean that is pending. I don't know what kind of agreement was happen before but in my view this l is still is still valid and they would have
to pay based on the policy 50% of that which that would be 58787.50 50 cents >> eight months commission >> and I don't know I don't know I'm going to refer to the city attorney I don't know how much
the fact that they wrote in the check I don't think that means that the city is accepting that that the league has been paid in full >> commissioner Campbell >> my concern is on this document that we are referencing it states that the total
balance due total fees without lean reduction is $10,175 and then in parentheses it has released. >> So my concern is let's come to a decision with regards to where we are now. But if these practices
and procedures and policies are what we're currently following, that needs to be reviewed. But that's more of a day-to-day operation. But I we found ourselves in a lot of situations
based on scriveners eras and uh I'll leave it at that. >> City manager or no city manager. >> Yeah. So are they scriven errors or
>> that's not a scriven error >> ever errors cuz if you listen to the conversation the that the gentleman brought forth he was told or the the >> property owner >> property owner was told if this amount
which was the $4,750 was paid that it would release. Uh, so I don't know if Let's just get past this. >> Go ahead. Sorry. >> Last thing.
>> Mavis, do you want >> Let Miss Davis talk. I think she frustrated. Go ahead. >> Motion. >> No. No. So, let me talk. So, >> go ahead. >> So, so what happened is I just want to point this out. So, before we move forward, >> this may be the difference between
$10,000 and $5,000. But we are accountable to where this money goes. So anybody say what if what if 10,000 was received cuz it says released right here. Do we not we just
let that go? Like you said let it go. I think we when we start talking about due diligence we need to have this looked into a little further. But if if we just could say let$ 10,000 of the city dollars go. We don't know. Did somebody actually
What if he come in and say he paid cash? Because it says released and it says paid. You know, I don't know. I guess if we say we're going to get be good stewards of the city money, we need to actually do what we say we're going to do. But u
I think the case was made. We had a planning director saying that he think that the money should be uh recuperated. Threatened to go to litigation. And that's what you do. You're our attorney. Let's go to court if that's the case. That's what I say. U but but we we lay
down so easily when somebody mention litigation. That's what it seems to me. Small claims court. I think that we should we should make you prove your case, sir. But yeah, >> that's how I feel.
>> So many public come up kitchens for Florida. I've been involved with codes. I was on the codes enforcement board for a number of years. Uh my question is this. Yes, he paid the $4,700 and some odd dollars, which was the lean cost. Are not the
administrative fees and the cost of demolition, two separate things. And people get their they usually they get their lean reduced, but the administration fee, the city has historically required that be paid because that reimburses the city, but the city employs time. So it looks to me
like that the client paid one thing but did not pay the administrative fees. He paid the cost of demolition. And as to marking on the check, I'm agreeing with Commissioner Jones somewhat. What company, city, bank, Publix, who writes
on the check they receive as payment writes on the check, payment receipt or in full. You write, you give the person a receipt, but you don't write it on their check that you deposit into the bank. If the city staff did that, I don't think they should have probably, but we're talking to me, we're talking about two different things. He's talking about reducing the lean and it said it
red it said it paid the lean. It did not say it paid the administrative fees. That's two different things. That's apples and oranges. Thank you. >> One last thing before you make the motion because I want to bring it to your point before you do it, Miss Davis. If in fact this check pays for the lean,
you owe us for demolition because you don't have a receipt for that. Well, Mr. Gum. All right. But you can >> I'm just saying look at the bottom where it says if you accept this demolition.
>> So technically that check is for that because that's what the it's saying. It says, "If you accept the de uh demolish and administrative fees, total due is $4,750.
Make payment payable." >> So, it can't be both, Mr. Campbell. >> No, listen. I'm just bringing out >> But it can't be both. >> The way it's documented, it does say that that that everything was settled based on pay >> submitting of that check
>> of the check. So tell tell me >> whether whether we agree with it or not. That's what it does. >> But it's not saying that. Mayor, you it said it said demolition and administrative fee. >> So we're talking about a lean. It doesn't address the lean down there. Look at it. >> But it also says up here the lean is
released. >> Again, what it's saying, what it is done. It's happened. >> All right. >> Not really. >> You know, hello. This is a principal partners and I've been watching I've been watching this.
>> Okay. >> And uh you know I guess I need to say something. You know we had a a Zoom meeting with uh Jane West and the uh the last uh the last manager I guess which was his last case or whatever. And uh we
all had an agreement and it was on I guess it's on video. We you can go back and check it where it was stated to us that if we paid the lean everything else would be released. We then got we then got in writing from the city of Kaka from Jane West saying that exactly and
that's what we did. So we made that payment under the assumption that everything else was going to be released because that's what we were told at the hearing that we had the Zoom hearing that we had at the time. Now, she probably should have went to the commission back then when she agreed to
that, but that was not, you know, that was not on us. So, we did, we did what we were supposed to do. >> Both sides, >> Miss West, do you want to speak to that? I mean, I just don't >> I I'm sorry. I don't recall that. But I I do know that there were discussions
and this was widely accepted within the code compliance department that if a blighted structure is demolished and the city takes on that abatement cost, it is deemed in compliance and and they are allowed to proceed with without any
further incumbrance on their property. That that was standard operating procedure with the summary orders of abatement. We're also the purpose of code enforcement is not to produce income. It's to eliminate the code enforcement violations and sometimes I
mean if we collect some revenue as a result of that that's great that we can reinvest into doing some of these things into these community but that isn't the intent of code enforcement to make money personally for the city >> cover costs. Yes. So the the issues have been different with the summary orders
of abatement because we are going onto people's property, right? And in this particular case um they did not want us demolishing the structure. They thought they could actually salvage this burntout structure uh through various repairs. I think I we have presented
photos of exactly what it looked like. It constituted significant blight. And so we took this emergency action that is permissible. While it is an extreme action under our ordinances that allows the city manager to make the determination that in the face of a
imminent public health threat, we are allowed to demolish a structure. Now that that cost that demolition cost is tacked on to the property as a lean because it's an expense that the city has incurred and we do not eliminate
hard out-ofpocket costs. That would be fiscally imprudent. >> Correct. But once that blight is eliminated, the mission for the code compliance department is mission accomplished. You have removed the blight and therefore that that is the incentive for the property owner to go
ahead and reimburse us for that out-ofpocket cost. They are deemed in compliance and they can move forward with the property. >> And so they paid back the demolition cost and administrative fees. >> The demolition cost was $4,500.
The administrative cost was $250 for a total of $7,000 or $4,750 paid by the property owner. >> Okay. Um, Commissioner Davis, >> I move that we accept the $4,500
demolition fee and the $250 administrative fee already paid um to release the lean on 1315 Long Street. We have a motion. Do we have a second?
Motion died. I can't second it. So, here we are. >> Okay. So, thank you, sir. >> The light is not there no more, so it don't matter. Okay, we're going to on to
the discussion direction. Interim city manager. >> Miss Jones, do you want to come up? Um, I know you know we have Go ahead. >> I'll take this one. >> Take this. Go ahead. >> I'll Yes, sir.
>> We I think that conversation should be led by us. >> That's fine. >> I am. I'm just going to preface. >> She's going to do some preferences as much for the community to give a little opening. Thank you.
>> Thank you. It's my pleasure to be able to state that we have sent you resumes for applicants for the interim city manager position. Uh we wanted to put this on the agenda to give you the opportunity to discuss uh next steps and
process moving forward uh and um direction for staff uh there. So, uh, now we'll await your direction and I'll gladly take notes so I know what to do next. >> Thank you. >> Who wants to stop? Commissioner
Campbell. >> Well, I'm appreciative of the constant updates that uh, Miss Jones has been pushing out to us as the applicants have been coming in. Um, I do believe that
this is a matter that we should really address rather sooner than later. Uh I know that our acting city manager is doing a phenomenal job um in that capacity. Um but initially uh it is his
intent to be the chief of police and not the city manager of Palac Palaka acting or not. And so it is incumbent upon us to go ahead and come up with how we would like to proceed forth. I know that
I do have one recommendation that I hope that will be considered amongst our commission is that whoever we have serve in that capacity be already an established Floridaian. Based
on the state of Florida, having someone come from out of state could cause or pose a major curveball um in the interim time. So, I would make the request that if we do uh have someone or when we do make that that one
of my requests is that it's already a Floridaian um that is familiar with where we are and not where we are as far as the city of Palaka, but where we are in the state of Florida. And I think that would be a better charge than having someone come
in from the outside. >> Commissioner Davis, did you want to say something? >> Yes, I agree with Commissioner Campbell. And if I'm not mistaken, I I would we would have to um ask the city clerk. I believe when I made a motion for next
steps that that was included because I do agree, but whether it was or not, I 100% agree that we want an established Floridaian with experience as a city manager in the state of Florida. um we received as if if my numbers are
correct 16 resumeumés of um interested persons. I will say I'm going to go ahead and cut to the chase because I also agree with Commissioner Campbell that we need to move forward and get an interim as soon
as possible. Um, of the 16 application, I'm sorry, resumeumés, I have two, only two recommended for interviews. And, um, I would like for us to establish a
timeline tonight if possible to go ahead and get interviews scheduled and determine um, how we can get an interim city manager. um appropriately but as soon as
possible. Thank you. >> I I agree with out of the 16 uh that there are a few highly qualified and I do have two that I would make the recommendation that we move forward with
um >> interviews as well. >> And you commissioner James. Well, could we just make consensus? We each choose two people and it may be even the same people and we could narrow
it down and bring them in and >> I'm good with that. >> And make it happen. All right, sounds good. >> Okay, I'll start. >> Commissioner Davis first then. >> Thank you. Um the two um I would like to interview um Andrew Hyatt and Cynthia
Curry. >> Surprisingly, those are actually my two. Commissioner Jones and pull them up. >> Okay, I'll let you pull them up. We'll live in suspense for a bit. >> You go ahead with the other
>> I had Cynthia Curry as well and James Patrick Gleason. Curry I think is a unanimous choice to come in for interview. Um this is my choice one of my choices. Um
so Ken Ken Middleton. >> Who' you say? I'm sorry. >> Ken Middleton. >> Okay. >> Ken Middleton. >> That's just my person. >> Mayor, could you um state the one that you had as well? I'm sorry. Could you
read >> Gleon? James John James Patrick Gleason. I'm sorry. There are too many Johns and Jonathan. James Patrick Gleason. Kim Middleton. Thanks, please. >> If I could for Mr. Jones, you had Ken
Middleton and what was your second? >> Cynthia Curry. >> Cynthia Curry. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Cynthia Williams Curry. >> All right. So, we've established the at least the one that was unanimous.
Um how we do how do we get there? >> So we have four people total. >> Yeah. Four total candidates. >> Yeah. So with that said, do we want to interview all four? Do we
want to interview three? Two. Make a decision here so we can move forward. We all know Cynthia Curry is one of them. So who's this? How many more do we want to interview? >> Because we're gonna have to have >> I will go ahead. If can can we just get feedback on
>> on the candidates >> on the motion? >> Huh? >> Well, what I want don't want to do is waste time because we're looking for someone who has city manager experience who can hit the ground running. And so
to that point, I just want to make sure one of the um persons on the list has never been a city manager. So I was just curious as to why the potentially interviewing them. And I guess we're talking to you. We're asking you,
Commissioner Jones. >> Well, they have over 30 years of executive uh supervisor experience with with probably an organization that's bigger than the city of Palaca. And uh so that's how it's like a lot of positions
whether it's promotions or what you may not have that that experience or education but I mean you may not have that education but that experience kind of like so it's an interview and it's for intram but I get what you I I get
your question wholeheartedly um because they haven't had experience and you want them to hit the ground running. I got that. But >> well, in the motion for asking HR to get someone was to get applications, I'm
sorry, resumes and recommendations for experienced city managers. That's what the motion was. >> And so I just um that does not fit the what we approved and authorized. So I just
>> We got the application. we got >> we rece we received 16 resumes. >> Um >> and so I just don't want to waste our time and that's why I'm bringing it up but otherwise we can we can move forward. I don't want to belabor this point. U we have been here long enough.
I don't want to belabor the point but I want to stick and to your point Commissioner Jones. Let's do basically what we need to do the right way and how we need to do it. And so that's the reason I'm giving the feedback because
we need to interview and hire as soon as possible someone who can hit the ground running. And we cannot afford to hire another inexperienced city manager to fill the role whether it's interim or permanent. And that's
why I'm bringing this forth now just as a timesaver. >> And I can appreciate you bringing it up, but if I have a choice, those are my two choices. That was you ask me. That's what I did. So >> we agree. I have a motion. We're trying to narrow down. Mayor, I have a motion. >> Don't bring them in.
>> Okay. Okay. >> I move that we move forward with interviewing James Gleason, Andrew Hyatt, and Cynthia Curry for the interim city manager position. >> We have a motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Okay. I mean what I mean it's not I KNOW YOU DID NOT IT'S NOT AN ARGUMENT going through all of that you guys wanted an argument it's not an argument >> no we didn't okay thank you though
any other direction date would you like to come up because we now probably need to set a timeline to get this accomplished >> that's what we're hearing from cha Go. Go ahead.
>> To to to be perfectly let's just be honest. If we being honest on this dice, if we already reviewed the applications, the one person that we all have in common, why don't we just bring that person in and just say, okay, if >> a motion was on the floor, a vote was
made. >> No, I'm just >> No, I get what you're saying cuz that's that's actually what I was going to recommend is we all have that one person. But >> I I just like to I also would like to interview a couple other folks even though we were all in agreement as as
her being one of the candidates. But go ahead, M. Miss. Jones. Go ahead. >> Okay. So Cynthia Curry, Andrew Hyatt, and James Gleason. Those are the three. >> You're correct. >> Is that correct? Okay. >> Correct. >> So we want in-person interviews.
What just a good >> I will say this >> if possible >> we have had and I'm I'm putting putting this out there. We have had interviews with city managers in the past that
the system it it was not conducive. It didn't work out. >> Yeah. >> If possible as much as possible. We want them in person. Yes. >> And they are all in Florida. So
five. >> So I will make the calls to these individuals, find out a time that they will be available for interviews and I will try to do it next week or this weekend. >> Yes, please. By next week >> next week and get some times that they're in and I will communicate that
to you all. >> Thank you. >> But I'll go ahead Chief SH. >> Just clarifying that that would cause for us to call a special meeting for the interview for you all to interview. Yeah. And and I'll explain that
>> if we can get it done next week because the following week uh is graduation week and I have a commitment in my position and I understand this is equally important but
graduation for consideration. So I have to attend all graduations. Okay. And I think we just again want to accomplish this as soon as possible this interview process and move this forward. So next week please ask them to be here next week. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
>> Thank you. >> Discussion direction. Okay. B policy amendment. This is yours, Commissioner Jones. So why don't you explain? >> Okay. Commissioner Jones bought this. This is about the restrooms at the city parks. Restrooms
at city parks. I uh was actually checking into the uh availability of the park and uh found that the restrooms are not open during the day during normal business hours.
And I spoke with Mr. Right. Then he said since he been here that's hasn't been the process or their operational um task to open open the bathrooms for public use. So after going back and forth a little bit
I thought that I bring up here on the dice for discussion that we need to either have an ordinance that if the the park is open the bathroom should be open. We just spent money putting new bathrooms at Hank Bryan Park and but if they're not open for public use, what
were we doing? So, um I don't know if everybody knew that or not. I did not know that the bathrooms are not open during the day. So, from dust gone the parks are open. I also thought that the bathroom should be open during that time.
So any feedback? >> Are you doing this in parts or is that the only thing that you >> in parts? >> There's more that's listed on the >> on the on discussion direction B. It's
more like first come first serve. I mean it wasn't clear to me what we were going to be talking. >> So let me Okay, I'll go deeper. So the park use the park use is a first come first- serve basis. Okay. On going to a park. If you go to play basketball, you
could play on a basketball court if you have a ball. >> If you want to have a party on one of the parks, you must reserve the park, pay a deposit, and you have the rights to a specific area or the park during a
specific time. So, you're actually renting the park. When I say first come, first serve. If I me and some friends go at Booker Park to go shoot basketball currently, as it states, as it is right
now, we could play basketball, but we can't go in the bathrooms. We can't use the bathrooms. And I think that's a problem because it's in a neighborhood. And if you're drinking Gatorade or water and you're playing basketball, eventually you're gonna have to go to
the bathroom. So, the bathrooms need to be open. Why? I I just thought that could have been a call and the bathrooms would be open. I didn't know I really had to come to the dice to make this decision, but
in the absence of a policy or practice, it has to be. So, we have to address that public park, public access. So >> Mr. Cutright or Mr. Verio. So is there a policy right now?
>> So the uh the bathrooms at the baseball parks, not the community parks. Hank Brian bathroom is open from dust to dawn. The park down in the riverfront is open to Fred Green Shaw Buck and Sweet Orange Field used to be Foster Field has
bathrooms for the baseball facility. It's the the complex right there. there now has been since I've been here been open regularly unless you utilize it for a special event or program and then we were opening up. If we knew we had recognized people coming to do the park,
we would. This conversation came from utilizing the park this weekend and was asked to fill out our application to let us know what was going on. Uh the bathrooms at those parks are not ADA compliance. So that's one of the reasons why we
don't want them open up on a regular basis because we would not be would be failing code. >> Uh also to bring those parks bathrooms in compliance like Hank Bryant and the park at uh Riverfront. Joe can get us some quotes, but it's going to cost
several thousand to bring those bathrooms up in compliance. Uh, in this question situation right here, if since it was brought up, if it had been told to me that they needed to park and want to use just the bathroom, we would have worked it. And the emails I had with
Commissioner Jones, I was trying to accommodate that, but I still needed the application so I would know what they needed. And that's where it went to. Let's put it on the agenda to talk about opening facilities on a regular basis. I am fully in compliance with doing that,
but I know it's going to cost money to bring those bathrooms that we have right now into compliance, open up for the public from dust to dust. Now, Joe can give you better numbers on how much that's going to cost, but since I've been here 19, those bathrooms, those
restrooms was never open on a regular basis unless it was a program or a special event or some type of rental. If I can elaborate just a little bit further on ADA. So July 26th, 1990,
George Bush enacted the American for Disabilities Act. Um structures that were built prior to that time were grandfathered in. Um if those structures are ever altered or used for a different use in which they were intended, we have
to bring them up to code. Those structures are block structures in in all the areas we're talking about. Um, and the doorways aren't big enough. Um, the inside of the bathrooms are not big enough to have a uh wheelchair spin
around. So, in certain parks, if we were to want to actually utilize them as all day bathrooms for the public to use, we would have to bring them up to be ADA compliant, which would mean uh Shaw, uh, Green, those bathrooms would probably
have to be tore down and rebuilt, and that's the reality of it. Um, so there's a lot of cost associated with with with those as well. Now, let me also go to Booker Park while we're talking. We are in the process. Booker Park is a little bit different because it was built larger with the concession stand and
everything. There is room. We're currently working on bringing that up to be a public bathroom, which we have to adhere to because we're putting the splash pad there. So, we're going to have to incur whatever cost that that is. But, uh, to have the bathrooms open during the day in a park that's really
not used on a regular basis, is it worth the cost for the city at this time? We'll certainly follow whatever direction you want. We will take care of it if that's the direction you guys put it. But that's the cold artifacts of the uh American Disability Act at this time.
>> When was that park built? >> I can't answer that, sir. >> So, how do you know it's not grandfathered in? >> Oh, they're they're all grandfathered in. They were all built before 1990. >> You can tell by the dimensions of the doorway for they >> absolutely. They wouldn't have passed inspection when they were originally built. >> They don't need ADU.
>> So, those bathrooms are there. So, if I rent the building, I could I could use the bathroom? >> Yes. because it's considered a private bathroom. So, and it's an original intended use. It was grandfathered in. So, as that use, that's what it's for. The minute you change it to a public bathroom, you're changing its usage. When you change its usage, we are forced
to bring it up to compliance, sir. >> Okay. So, it's a public bathroom paid for by public taxpayers dollars. And again, it's use utilized. I recommend that we spend whatever we
Well, we're going to do that anyway. But when people ask to use it, use the park, I just can't see us not opening the bathroom regardless. I mean, whatever the event is, if kids say we're going to
play there, the bathrooms need to be available. So, so Saturday school district employees want to have a kickball game there and I told them, "Mar, I did tell you this." So, they
wanted to use it. And so, I wasn't uh going to put an application out because it wasn't for me. They called me and I did what I was supposed to do, ask you, you're the department head. So, that's how we got to this point. Uh it's not a personal use thing. I I don't I don't
have you I don't wish or desire to use the park for the weekend. So to get that clear and that's why I was not going to do an application. But I do think that that park need to be open or all the bathrooms need to be open >> during the day. >> And in our conversation, Commissioner
Jones, I asked for an application. If you was not going to do it, you should have had the people that wanted it to call us because all I needed at that time, all I wanted was an application on file to make sure we >> Let's Let's nip this in the bud cuz I don't think this is the appropriate
setting to have a personal conversation. If there is I think the concern was with the bathrooms being open throughout the day. Mr. Joe has clearly identified or made the statement that if those bathrooms
are open during the day that it goes against its intentional using which as Commissioner Jones you often say we're breaking our own rules if we do that. So >> federal law >> if the brushrooms on those properties
that cannot be open if it needs to be brought before the commission to have the proper conversation as how we would like to move forth. I would make that recommendation, but as of now, I will not support us going against our own
rules with regards to having the restrooms open during the day uh if it's not a private event, which allows us to go around. >> So, tell me, >> it's also federal law. I mean, it's not our rules. It's it's we don't want to violate federal law um not meet ADA
requirements. So, we don't have a choice until we make changes to those buildings. So, so for clarity, what bathrooms, what public parks are open? Bathrooms are open too. >> Hank Brian Park is open. The riverfront park is open. Shaw walk Fred Green or
Sweet Armsfield and uh Fred and uh Forester Fred Green SH and Booker are the three bar four bathrooms that we don't have access daily use. Uh but Booker is in been pro in the process of getting that changed when they put the
splash back in. Fred Green, Shaw Walk, and Forester has bathrooms that are not conducive for ADA compliance me. I still think they should be open, but I'll go against the grain. >> Okay. Well, thank you. Thank you. So
these people want to have the park for the weekend, Saturday specifically, they cannot use the bathroom. >> If they didn't come in and fill out an application, the bathroom would not be open. Uh but if they fill out the application, the bathrooms and accommodation will all be a kitchen and
everything. We have amenities that will be open for them to use >> for a fee. >> For a fee that can be waved if a commissioner feel like they want >> I ain't put my name on nothing. Nope. I'm going by the rules per commissioner Campbell.
>> Exactly. I follow the rules. I just ran the other day. >> Okay. We're going to Are we all set? Thank you. >> Uh, mayor, just for clarification, then are we going to move We're not going to move forward with bringing back a policy. That was my recommendation. That was my recommendation. >> So, do you want to make a motion to >> I make the recommendation that we bring
for back to the commission the conversation regarding the restrooms at our city parks and fields. >> Do we We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second >> motion and a second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Nay. >> Wait. I didn't even get to that point.
You've got to wait till I say any opposition. Any opposition? >> Nay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> On to public hearings. Request. >> Excuse me. >> That also includes the portable bathroom. >> Yeah.
Um, on to public hearings. Request to annex, amend future land use map, and reszone 404 Mission Road, Ordinance number 202620, possible number 02-10-26-0000-630-0011, Ordinance number 202621, Ordinance number 202623,
Mr. Agamo. Thank you madame mayor commissioners u this is an item that's been continued from the last meeting u due to the fact that the applicant was not present so the commission continued the item to
today it's basically just a request to annex one parcel it's about 0.39 acres uh and the intent is to connect to city water as part of the annexation obviously we have to also um change the
future land use and reszone the property to to the city of Palaka uh zoning districts. Uh the parcel is located at 404 Mission Road. The parcel has a duplex and it's
uh and we have reviewed the annexation, the future land use amendment and the resoning. Um it meets all the requirements that the parcel is adjacent to the boundary of the city.
it doesn't create an enclave and it was approved for review by the planning board on April 7th and they approve uh those three items unanimously and staff is recommending approval. The
applicant I believe is here that they might want to address. >> Okay. Um could you please come up in case there are any questions >> on one of you both of you? Somebody. Thank you. Um, give your name and city or town of residence.
>> Uh, Zack Pala. >> Okay. Do you have a last name, Zach? >> No, I'm just getting forward. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does anybody have any questions of the property owner or representative? Anybody? Okay. With that
said, do I have a motion? I move to approve ordinance 2026-20 21 and 23. >> Second. >> We have a motion, a second. Anybody here for public comment on this item? >> Seeing none, we close public comment. All in favor?
>> I. Any opposition? Excuse me. >> Yay or nay? >> I say yay. >> Oh, I didn't hear you. I'm so sorry. Did you hear No, you want me to? >> Yay. >> Okay. Thank you.
On to B. Ordinance 2026-28 and runs of the city of Paka, Florida establishing the provisions of a planned unit development overlay with respect to the following parcels of land. 42-10-27-6850- 0120- 0101
42-10-27-6850- 0110- 0100 42-10-276850- 0120 0020 42-10-27-6850-120-0011 42-10-276850- - 0120-0010
42-10-27-6850- 0150-0060 and 42-10-27-6850- 0150-004 and 42-10-276850- 0150-009 located at 2011 211 225 229 300 and 320 St. John's Avenue and 301 Reed Street,
Palaka, Florida, providing for Scrivenness Evers and providing for an effective date. Mr. Agalo. >> Yeah. Madame May, before um I just need a clarification just for the record for the prior the prior item was the motion to approve the three ordinances. >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Well, basically this is a request to reszone a parcel that the mayor just read into the record um in order to establish a plan unit development. Basically, it's just an overlay on top
of the existing uh zoning district that they have. And it is a requirement of the of the code that anything that is above 20,000 square feet of non-residential uses or any residential
use that is above five unit it has to be a PUD. That's the reason for is in front of you. Um like we said before it imposed u eight parcels mainly located along St. Jones
Avenue and the applicant requesting the resigning of the site of parcel supply unit development overlay. The parcels have a comm future line use in the comprehensive plan and downtown
riverfront zoning district. As you may know, the downtown riverfront district was established with the purpose of providing uh a pedestrian oriented retail entertainment area that has historic event downtown and his waterfront area.
The intent of the applicant is to redevelop the parcels under a unified master plan and it calls for a mixeduse project consisting of restaurants, entertainment, bar, events, venue, hotel rooms and possibly a residential
component. The project is proposed to be built in two phases. The first phase would include four years and ba basically will be all the properties along the 200 block and then there's another uh phase
phase two will be up to 10 years and that will be the renovation of the James Hotel and the shelter building. This item was reviewed by the planning board on May 5th and recommended approval of
the resoning as well as the development agreement. The planning board also granted a request that was placed by the applicant in the development agreement to grant conditional use approval for hotel units
in three parcels that were not at that moment uh receive a condition of use. I'd like to address a little bit the issue that was brought up today in public in public comments regarding the parking. It is true is not required to
provide parking. However, we know and the applicant knows there's going to be a demand for parking and to that effect we have put a clause to develop an agreement that the applicant will work with the city to find alternatives to
provide parking. Uh we believe this is a very important project. It's going to be a milestone for the redevelopment of our downtown and uh we staff recommend approval of the
resoning. With that, I'm going to you know Mr. Troyano, who is the agent for the applicant to maybe go into a more little bit more detail about the project. >> So, Mr. Triano, are you representing the group? Come on up.
My name is James Triano. Um the address is 2000 Reed Street, Palaca, Florida. Uh madame mayor, commissioner, city staff, thank you for this opportunity. Um this is something that's been a long time coming. Uh today in the audience, there are um owners that are part of this
development process. We had a an opportunity to talk to the city planning commission as uh Mr. Agamino uh talked about earlier. Um, we talked about our project. We talked about our vision of where we're going. And we were very pleased to see a
unanimous uh consent to move forward to you as far as approval for this program or project. Think about three things about what we're trying to do for downtown Palatka. This is going to be unique, real, and authentic. It's going to bring a wow moment to us here in
Palatka. We're taking buildings that are blighted, buildings that have been left unoccupied or just didn't have um a level of service that we would want to see in downtown Palada. We truly want to change what's happening in Palaca. But
as I have been told countless number of times, our mission is to do no harm to a community that gave back to us. So our intent is to the best we can to provide a beautiful wow moment from uh
restaurants, hotels, um opportunities for people to come to Palatka and spend money. It will truly be a changing moment for the city, bringing people from out of town, having people in town to come and to not only spend money with
us or to stay in our hotel rooms, but to spend money with merchants that are here in town. It's a wonderful idea. thinking about all the things that we have been planning. Uh we're currently in the planning pro process for no ease which is the Mercury's building at 211 St.
John's Avenue. We're with the um county for the building permit review as well as the city for site and code review um for code and um the code process itself. This is one of the hurdles that we must
overcome for our permit to be issued. We did not know at the time that we applied that there would be an issue, but we have worked handinhand with city staff and I must compliment you on city staff for their guidance that they provided to us. How we were able to work together to come up with this development agreement
and present it to you for your review. There are millions of dollars worth of investment that are coming here to downtown. Tens of millions of dollars. We're excited about that. We're excited about the change that will happen. So, we're prepared to move forward. We're
excited for this opportunity to present this to you and I'm here to answer any questions that you may have. I know in your packet there is um an elevation of what the program will look like in the 200 block as well as a James Hotel at 300 St. John's Avenue, the Shelley
building at 320 St. John's Avenue, and the property um along Reed Street that will become part of the James Hotel. Um so there's a lot. We're excited. We have talked to members of our community. We've gotten tremendous support for this and we're looking forward for an
opportunity to move forward and I stand in front of you prepared to answer any questions that you may have. >> Commissioner Campbell, any questions? >> Commissioner Jones. >> Of course. >> Of course. >> Question. And the question is, hey, Mr.
Toronto, about the the parking, we had people here earlier speaking of parking and their concerns. Um, and I just heard that from Mr. Damo that you said that he would work with us on parking and the wos.
What would that look like? >> So let me start out with a quote. Um I'm going to go back to Quint Stutter. Quint Stutter says when parking is your problem, you're doing great. >> So we are preparing for a parking problem. We want to bring good
development to downtown Palatka. It has to be again authentic, real, and unique. So how are we going to help? We want to work with the city. You know, there are plenty of opportunities to look at um potentially using our impact fees or the
impact fees that would be collected to help offset for parking. Um there's also an opportunity for a public private partnership for a parking facility. We want to work with the city handinand on these issues. We want to see good parking. We want to see good processes
put in place. We want to have people that come to Palaca to remember why they were here. They had a great time and we want them to return and we want them to continue to look at this town and this county as being a place that they want to return and bring their families to.
So, uh, Madame Mayor, if I may to continue his to answer that question, as it states in the development agreement, we're fully prepared and want to talk about parking. We have talked to members of this commission prior to and we were told there wasn't really a parking issue
downtown. We know that we have to work with the city to help with those issues and it wasn't the members of this this panel but we have issues that we would like to work with you and I think we have some great ideas. There's some examples in St. Augustine. There's
examples in other communities where a public private partnership was very successful. So, Madame Mayor, I hope I've answered the commissioner's question. >> No, really didn't. >> Okay. >> Because I was I wanted examples. I mean, what would you actually do? And I mean,
I hear you, but I want to if you could I mean, I know I know Mr. Sloan, I know he has some ideas and his ideas are could blow your mind a lot of times when he tell you about it. But at least when he talk, I can kind of see it. I get
excited about it. So, I thought that you may be able to tell me a concept that you may have already had to to to take care of the parking ws or at least >> Madame Mayor, if I may. There are plenty of opportunities for us to look at, but it's a big task. So, there's a lot of parking already in and around downtown
that could be used. >> Let's just say that we have a shuttle service that can be used to help move, whether it be public or private, to move people from parking space A to our venue and back to that. So there's an an entrepreneurial opportunity for others to help with the growth that we're going
to be seeing here in Palaca. There's an opportunity through a public private partnership for a parking facility or parking concepts in and around Palatka. If you look at how successful it has been in other communities,
um we should look at those. I I can't tell you any one specific thing that we have because we need to work with the city. We need to work with the county and work with our community to collectively come up with the best options possible. We have parking that's
near the river. We have parking in and around here. You think about at night these parking lots are vacant. Having a a shuttle facility until something can be built. Um those are options, Madame Mayor, that we could look at to help offset the parking that we have in this
community. I I can't specifically say one will be the best. And I think that's truly going to be left up to us as a collective to decide what's best for Palcoa. >> And I think at this point in time, we're ready to have and I think it was done in the past, but certainly needs updating to do a study of all the parking that we
have available and be able to publicize that and if it is a private posel that we work with that owner or owners to come to some agreement about using it publicly when they are not using it. So, for example, we also have a lot of churches downtown and on Sunday and
Wednesday evening, yes, they're used some other locations as well, but basically most of the time they're vacant. So, I think there's a lot more parking than people realize. And the fact of the matter is true. If you build a parking garage, you're still going to have to walk from that parking garage to your destination, which could be the end
of the street. It could be in the 900 block. We're going to have to walk unless you have mobility issues, and we have to address that to me in more ways than we do now. provide for people that have mobility issues, but otherwise the rest of us are going to get our exercise. And I think that's a healthy thing.
>> And so, if I if I may just add to that, if I may, um talking about the possibilities of not only uh governmentalowned opportunities for people to chauffeer people back and forth, but again, from a private perspective, too. And you're right, these parking lots all sit vacant.
having that opportunity to use them in collaboration with the property owners, whether it be the school board next door, whether it be a church up the street, whether it be at the Ameris parking, whether it be at the courthouse. I think we have viable options for to consider to help. Thank you, ma'am.
>> Yes, I agree. And also, thank you, PetticS. Pettic cabs is a there's a somebody in St. Overstein who has a pettic cab business who's interested in coming here if it were an opportunity. Go ahead, >> Commissioner. As always, I want to offer a different perspective. I've lived in a
city that was granted not as small as Balaca, but it was relatively small. And I live through the revitalization of our downtown area. And I will tell you, sitting in the city of Swany commission meetings, we could have the same
conversation. Those who had been in Swany for years always talked about not enough parking, not enough parking. And over time, the city did revitalize. The downtown area did revitalize. What I
will tell you is this. There are plenty of examples of places with parking decks and nowhere to go. As a matter of fact, many cities are re-imagining their parking decks that are unused because of a failed plan to
develop the area. And so we have these parking decks that are vacant pretty much. But I will say this, a parking deck with no place to go doesn't matter. I can also tell you that if there are
places to go and I'm going to use Gainesville, University of Florida, any area, especially with universities or other areas, there are things to do downtown and I see no lack. I don't see people not going because they don't have a parking space in front of the
building. So, I do believe that as we're revitalizing our downtown area, we have all these plans. We have um partners and businesses who are coming in to revitalize according to our plan and I
believe we have to just look at things a little bit differently and there are tons of examples and no not a big city you know I know palea is not trying to be a big city but at the end of the day regardless as to your size when you're revitalizing a downtown and talking
about parking you have to consider some different concepts. There are lots of places. I actually live a couple of blocks from downtown and there are lots of places to park. Is the parking space
in front of a store that I want to walk directly into the door? Not necessarily. Do I still go there? Yes. Um, so I do want to consider the bigger picture. Okay. A parking deck with no place to go
is not worth anything. We got to have some place for people to go before we can talk about a lack of parking. And I do agree that we do need to do a parking study because we do have viable places that could be that could park um for
people to park to come there. No place is occupied 24/7. So you got to look at a a study. Granted, things eb and flow, right? When we have
um when we have festivals or we have fireworks, I mean people still come and they walk blocks. And um I will agree with you, mayor. We do need to walk a little bit more in Palaca. So thank you. just want to just
say open your mind and think about what we're trying to accomplish and those kinds of things can be addressed in many ways. There are several options. So, thank you. >> Anybody else? >> I'm ready to make a motion.
>> Go ahead. >> I'll make a motion. >> I'll open the floor to public comment. >> Yeah, that's me. Give your name. Give us your name please again in city town residence. >> Marcia Bcraft and I'm on 111 North
Fourth Street here in I am not anti hotel. I'm I'm anti >> you need to talk to us miss >> you talk about these extra parking spaces that are available tonight.
Businesses do business during the day. These gentlemen are also going to be needing parking spaces in the day. They seem to be coming to you with open arms to help you with the parking problem.
The problem seems to be the transparency of the council. >> I don't know what your drawback is with growth for everyone. Why can we not
It seems like we're taking away more parking than we are allotting. The St. James is allocating taking the front part to Reed Street and incorporated it in. So that does away with their parking. The revitalization
of the downtown beautifification has taken away parking. I don't care what you say. If you look the way it's drawn, you're missing at least a half a spot at each corner. That's two additional spots. Reed Street is closing all of their
parking. I have a parking problem. I have a parking problem from the courthouse parking in front of my store. I have a parking problem from everyone on St. John's Street that has businesses
parking in front of my store so they can keep their spots available. You have a parking. Stop sticking your head in the sand. You have a parking problem. Address it. >> Are you coming up for Mr. Okay. Thank
you. Come up, Mr. Deputy. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Sam Deputy, 623 St. John's Avenue. I too I desire a parking problem. I would like to see us work on the balance of this. When Mr. Sloan uh
hosted the downtown merchants and I'm so grateful for that meeting that we had where we saw the entire >> uh presentation. Over 70 of us attended that meeting who were downtown merchants. >> Wonderful presentation and we were
impressed. Uh, I'm delighted at the millions that I see that will be coming in before hopefully I exit this world and to see downtown rework. But is there a way that we can work on the parking
issues? At the same time, we have lots of options. You just took down on my blocks the 2hour parking limit ordinance sign that we have on the books. uh 2 hours and if you will remember at my age
the meter m came and marked your tires and you got a ticket if you were there more than two hours. We have lots of options, but it's up to you to make sure that those options take place. And so, we need to start on this now because
when this project is done, I want to welcome all of these fantastic people to Palaka, Florida, to uh Elsie Bells, to Deputy's Addict, to all of the businesses downtown because this is going to be an exciting time for us to
see come into Palaka. But let's begin this parking question now versus when it does become an issue before us. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else here for public comment? Mitchens
kitchens for lack of Florida. I too am concerned about public parking. Guess what folks? When I go shopping, I take my car because I want to put my whatever I buy in my car. I don't want to carry it four blocks. I don't want to carry a chest of drawers. I don't want to carry a 15 pound sack of produce. So, we do
need parking downtown. It's not necessarily more parking, but we need to quit getting rid of the parking we have. I saw the landscape thing a couple of years ago, a couple of months ago when they were going to do rellandscape downtown the St. John's Avenue. They were going to put uh grid marks at the
at the intersection so that uh merchandise trucks could park and and give deliveries to the uh owners of the stores. Now, apparently there's gonna be bumpouts at the intersection. Already you can't see at the intersection, Harley, because of the tree growth covering up the stop signs. Now, they're going to have bumpouts on all four
corners of the intersection. That's going to take more parking away. Get rid of the bumpouts. Give us back the four parking spaces at each intersection and bring back the policeman that mar and it was Mr. T Perry, I believe, was his name. He'd go around with a little cart and a chalk thing and he'd mark the
tires and uh get bring back the two-hour parking, start giving tickets. That'll help Elsa Bell's problem. People get a few tickets. The city gets some money. The parking problem is solved on that part. But please take into consideration, do not destroy any more parking spaces. Your current landscape plan that you're moving forward with the
bumpouts will destroy more parking. We don't need to lose parking spaces. We need to have more. And at this point, when you open your car door, in a parking space, you have to be careful because the the street is so crowded that you open your car into traffic, your car door. And I do know that the
underlying theme in Palaca for years has been we want to make St. John's Avenue pedestrian friendly. They want to get rid of motor vehicle traffic and y'all almost achieved it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else here for public comment? Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Motion.
>> Make a motion that we accept the ordinance 2026-28. >> Second. We have a motion to second. All in favor? I. Any opposition? Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Any commissioner comments? Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Jones, >> Commissioner Campbell. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Motion to adjourn. Okay. Thank you. What