Everybody, welcome. The meeting's going to stop, please. Thank you. Welcome to the city of Palaca city commission meeting on June 26, 2025. It is 6 pm. We're going to begin with the invocation by Pastor Malbury. Pledge of
allegiance led by Commissioner Campbell. Please stand. Let's pray. Father, again, we thank you for allowing us to come together again. Thank you for how good you have been all day long. It was you, God, that woke us up. It was you that allowed us to see
this day. And we say thank you. Pray, God, that you will give wisdom to this council tonight. Give them how to lead the city, God, into further pastures. And we give you glory and honor for all that you do for us to continue to praise
you. It is in Jesus name. Thank God. Amen. Amen. Please join me. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. Roll call, please. Madam cla present. Davis present. Present. Has we have a quorum. Thank you. Um has everybody had an opportunity to read the
minutes for May 22nd, 2025 and May 28th, 2025? Motion to approve. We have a motion. Second. Is that for both? Yes. Okay. We have a motion in a second. All in favor? Any opposition?
Thank you. Um, we're going to go on to public recogn recognition and presentation. But as the chair, I just wanted to say, um, because we are always televised and videoed and everything else so the public is aware of what we do. Um, that we really have to work on
limiting cyba conversations to zero. and also and all of us included including me to not interrupt other folks that have the floor at that time. Um it also will be courteous if we limit our floor time so everybody has a chance to speak as
well on this commission. So anyway, I just wanted to mention those couple of things because sometimes that we slide on those things. On to public recognition presentation and the spotlight employee of the month, Miss Jones. Commissioners, um um thanks once again
for this opportunity that we get to just recognize our employees, one employee each month for just exceeding over and above their job duties and they're recognized by the the peers are supervisor and for the month of June, we would like to recognize our facility and
property supervisor, Mr. Todd Troll. All right. But I'm brand new employee and um in my new employee orientation and I'm not sucking up but this party said a few
things that touch me and that oh collaboration respect give of yourself and no negative energy and the bomb. Florida League of Cities home rule hero.
Is there somebody here from the Florida League of Cities? Are you going to sell this award? No. Well, they they can they can look at it and read the Okay. Read it. I didn't know there was going
to be somebody else. No. No. No. And here is their press release. City Commissioner Rufus J. Borum honored with the 2025 home rule hero award. City of Kaka official recognized for advocacy efforts during the 2025 legislative
session. The Florida League of Cities FLC United Voice for Florida's municipal governments recently recognized Palaca City Commission Commissioner Rufus J. Borum with a 2025 home rule hero award for his hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2025 legislative session.
Commissioner Borne worked tirelessly tirelessly through session to promote local voices making local choices protect the home room powers of Florida's That's a Sir, Our
next proclamation is in honor of former mayor Wilfford Miriam. Whereas Wilfred P. Miam served the city of Palaca with distinction as mayor from 1915 to 1921 and later as county commissioner from 1924 to 1932, demonstrating unwavering
commitment to civic leadership and public service. And whereas Mr. Marian further contributed to the welfare of the community as chairman of the Putnham County chapter of the American road cause providing vital support during times of need and whereas he also served as the president of the Palaca Chamber
of Commerce champering championing having trouble today. Championing yeah all right economic development and fostering a spirit of enterprise and cooperation among local businesses and whereas in May 1911 Mr. Miriam played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Florida Woodenware Company, contributing
to the industrial growth and prosperity of the region. And whereas his legacy of leadership, service, and dedication continues to inspire generations of public servants and citizens alike. Now, therefore, it be resolved that we honor and recognize the enduring contributions
of Wilfford P. Miriam, whose life and work help shape the civic and economic fabric of Pacta and Putnham County. We have a motion to approve. Second. Second. All in favor? I. Thank
you. Any opposed? Could Mr. Miriam's family come on up to the front? I'll come down. Mr. Miriams, we do have his photo thanks to his family. And it's going to be up on the wall once it's framed. ask anyone holds maybe.
We're on a mission to find the missing mayors. There are several mayors. Thank you, Mr. Massie, whose photos are not up on the wall. Quite a few, actually. So with the help of some of city staff, we are working to achieve that.
City of Palaca Leadership Academy 2025 graduating class. Well, um our professor is here. Please come up that we had our there was a process that the department
heads identified potential leaders um staff members that we saw potential to leaders in. So there was some process and I believe there's 20 that was selected and I will let you take over.
Yeah, please give us your hand. Good evening Dr. Joe Saviaak. Yes, folks. I commend the mayor and city commission for making sure the citizens of Blackout are always served by the best leaders providing services, programs, and capital projects to them as effectively
and efficiently as possible. This is an outstanding team of leaders. They love serving citizens. I want to also express gratitude to city manager Marcia Cardings, Miss Virginia Jones in human resources, Miss Avery Hunter in human resources, and fire chief
Christopher Taylor for all their support in the success of this program. Every single detail was covered, so students had a superb learning environment. I remain especially grateful to Mr. Hunter for all of his assistance. Students sharpened key leadership skills
such as research, planning, project management, budgeting, program evaluation, and analyzing challenges and selecting best practice solutions. They learned about the proven principles of successful leadership, though they can always be the leaders we all would want
to follow. This experience also strengthens teamwork, culture, and a shared commitment to the mission of best serving citizens. I was blessed to be their professor during this academy. It's a class of gifted leaders and kind and caring individuals. They bring a
diversity of professional and personal backgrounds which allows students to discuss different perspectives and share valuable insights and effective solutions. Peer-to-peer learning enhances the educational experience for everyone. They excelled on all their assignments.
The assignments concentrate on the knowledge and specific skills that successful leaders utilize every day. They each presented a chapter from John Maxwell's classic 21 irrefutable laws of leadership based research and produced a
case study on leadership to identify best practices and model policies and programs. They completed a real world u two-hour in-class exercise analyzing a host of important issues and discussing potential solutions for policy makers
for a regional challenge affecting multiple local governments. It was a good opportunity for them to show uh what they what they have learned uh during the course of the leadership academy about leadership, teamwork, analyzing problems and finding solutions. The leaders who provided the
opportunity for these leaders to grow can be very proud. They are engaged, enthusiastic, and hardworking. They gave and they got the most problem experience. They're grateful to you for this opportunity and look forward to
giving away what they want. It was obvious from their presentation that they practiced and prepared. It was evident from their case study analysis assignments that they are um thinking like leaders should think about problems and solutions. Their teamwork and
capstone assignment in our final class analyzing and addressing a real world challenge involving uh an opportunity for local government was inemporary. I would one defining quality of this class their high level of participation and enthusiasm for the topics and
learning. We always had excellent class discussions. They shared a lot of experience and ideas. They they really liked exchanging ideas and discussing the right strategies for success as leaders. We also had fun. They have a good sense of humor and they kept it
enjoyable for everyone. Uh we admire those who want to learn and grow especially those who already have uh a lot on their plate including you know uh careers, families and other commitments. The city of Placa is a leader among
cities in Florida and growing leaders and we are especially proud of these graduates. Their hard work, dedication, integrity and strong commitment to professional excellence are very much appreciated and the residents, your residents are the real beneficiaries of
this program. We very much look forward to seeing continued accomplishments for many years to come both as leaders and as they grow more and more leaders using everything they've learned. We will always be here to support them as leaders uh as as you
always do for others. Today is your day. We congratulate you on this very impressive personal, professional, and academic achievement. We celebrate your commitment to being the leaders who set the standard for excellence. And we now ask each of you to come forward when your name is
announced to receive your certificate of completion and we will do it uh with the mayor and city commission. So we get photo. Thank you very much. Uh Eugene M. mayor. Are they gonna do this one at a time?
Are they not going to just call everybody and then do Madam Madam the group would just do the group Ellis Robert Evans Sometime I think about come up. We'll do one shot.
Avery patterns. Lieutenant Demetrius Johnson, Rebecca Jones. Lieutenant David Lazo, Lieutenant Col. He's not in politics version. The moment
Christian Ben Harris, Jennifer Pennington. Andrew Pow. Carl Sterling. Mayor, mission, city manager. That is all of your graduates that we have right now.
Carlos Dominguez. If I check make sure there's nothing stuck behind this. Madame Mayor, if I may dr it possible for us to get the results of that capstone project because we may be on the same issue.
Oh, okay. We took we took uh if you can decide for my handwriting. Yeah, we took a lot of notes, right? But yeah, I can probably but two leaders that we will be utilizing. very capable substitute. So we
did say anything. No, I just wanted to introduce him because I really will say anything. We're going to go city manager and administrative reports, Mr. Verio. Playground equipment update. Well, we had a lot of trouble the last
meeting. What's coming? You guys are gracious enough to tell us the very close to that very positive about to take place. Get it from that point. We're looking at eight months.
Delivery set up and all that stuff. Okay. We're sneaking quite a bit of money for the city. So, our goal is to keep the park down for as little as possible. So looking in the winter Oh, I got it right here. Sorry.
So that's that's the main feature of the big right there. One part I want to mention is that it's it's designed for adults to take their children up into it. So it's not difficult. You don't have to climb ladders. You can actually walk up smooth
get up really quick back side of it. See the gradual range going up. So then the uh the other piece the climate piece and right is going to get the uh 40 foot
new zip lounge um for that. It zips back and forth so it's never stationary for everybody. And I also want to point out the full blue on the deck um in this whole project. We're putting not very
very expensive but they did work out to make it affordable. That's actually that's set also has AVA swing ab and that's just an overhead shot of the layout.
I have a request um that since we've voted and gave permission for the additional equipment that I'm not sure what we are with our public information officer, but I would like to see this published. Um there has been some substantial conversations um on social
media with regards to the current condition of the park and some misinformation that has been put out there. Um so I would like us to uh combat some of that with the imaging. um and putting it out there stating that
this is the future of the park um just so that we can give citizens the assurance that we are not trying to take away the park but actually enhance the park um so I'm have a request that we put that on almost immediately sir we do
have a 4T by 3T sign on the fence in front of the park now pardon our dust coming soon I get it I get it we sometimes social media has more visitors than the actual park So yeah, but that was a request from me as
a result of social media until we finalized our decision on the website and also thank you. One more question with regards to the blue chips. What's the lifespan of those chips? That's a really good question and I just happen to know
that answer. So on average the regular uh playground mulch lasts 8 to 12 months. What happens underneath this right here? Um they are coated. Um these uh rubber chips will last 10 to 15 years. So it's a matter of regularly and
stay on top of it which will be our goals. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you. We're looking forward to it. Water quality report commission city manager quick look at the analytical reports for
the water city these numbers will citizen as well. I don't know if you can do it. I couldn't change it into a PowerPoint because it had numbers on. You want to
go to the next page? That's I have a copy here. Unfortunately, we don't have power available right now. Please new CCR report is already online. We'll start with our telephone and
bacteria for the last year. We had five positive samples. Four of those samples came from old pling at the new school development. They haven't been used to [Music] how long years and years. But when they first started using those pipes, we got
bad samples out. They were so old they never been flushed. We flushed them back. But basically in the city itself, we only had one sample out of 150 that came back with bacteria. We flushed it, cleaned it, and come to find out it was actually grease that when they put on
the hydrants, they put grease on it so it doesn't get blocked up. Some of the grease that our sample made a bad s We cleaned it up, put it in. No problem. So, our water is no bacteria, no ecoli. It's looking real good right now.
Maximum contaminant level is a two. We're a 01. So, we're definitely under. Chloride we don't use anymore. Sodium levels are maximum contaminants 160. We're 60. Way under on the sodium
bud. And chlorine out in the field. into your houses, your homes and everything maximum levels of four or so. So, we're looking real good. Then we get into our TTHM HA5 on this chart shows our last four
quarters which are all averaged together. Now, our last three quarters is where we really started making a big change because numbers don't represent it, but I'll read it off to you anyways. Uh currently on this report our max contaminant level for haloetic acids is
60. We're 28.3 or less than half over and currently we're even less than that. We're about 14. Our total trihelmethane at four different sites. Our max contaminant levels in 80s. Our ongoing average at each one now is an 11.
We were running 133 at each but we are now down to 11. And that's the Everybody season if you drink this for a long long time. It should be detrimental to you. Not bad. That stuff is out of your water. It's not even water no more. We're
looking fantastic. And the last one I have on here to present to you is copper. We all know we did a little flint and lead line coppers and we had no copper in there. Total allowed levels of 1.3. We have a 06.
So our water is at the highest quality that it's ever been for a long time whether it be funding or we just didn't have the issues or whatever it may That made a big difference. That helped a lot. Just washing plan. I know everybody sees the water rolling down the roads and they're worried stuff
broken and because getting that bad water out of our system and making the water a lot better. And as for the smell, I know everybody's still got a little smell every now and then, but like she said, the arationwide right now, taking all that out, and
within the next couple months, we're going to be putting in for awards to try to get best quality water out of our Anybody have questions? I don't have a thank them for I want to say thank you because I remember the last time you were here you spoke to the importance of what was needed and thank you to this
commission for recognizing the need not only for our department but for the citizens of this great city. Um so thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.
Next um Palaka Gas Authority June 2025 minutes. Yeah. Uh the board commissioners did request that board announced that I started attending
the uh PGA meetings which I did. um was warned that time to give a report and basically um the report is that at the meeting there was a financial report from the month of April. Um we did have an issue as a matter of fact dealing
with it today. Uh as it relates to the on the agreement between the discussion on that between the city of knowing uh we're starting to one of the projects that we have with
TGA is to start building all of our city owned properties as well which we have not been doing that uh in order to bring up financial statements to a more accurate position of gross reven related department.
Additionally, the gas authority had from the public service commission and there were some actually war about active gas service lines and they spoke about how they're going to start dealing
with that matter operating in maintenance plans. So, David and responded to what's the inac. Thank you. Any questions? Uh, yes. I
have one. You um with with the inactive gas lines. Um we if if that was a finding, we need to probably get a a a timeline. Um it pretty pretty quick in
terms of that because again they're under the umbrella of the city. Yes. And the city bear the liability for the PGA and the public gas authority. So um please uh get a timeline and hopefully we can understand if they're meeting now
in the time limit. Yes sir. We did go to the meeting yesterday um where we have lunch meetings. Thank you. Thank you Commissioner Jones. Miss Carter, I just wanted to ask uh I know last year we addressed the u
reference to the automatic water rate uh they were doing automatically and this commission addressed it and so they did not do it last year outcome this year. They ran
the water this year. I will respond to that. uh yesterday in our meeting on utilities. Um so what I've been looking at utilities is not really we need to review the prices that we are
charging because nonprofit building with the utilities department is not as large as it should be not even matter fact last month we had a loss for utilities. So I did bring that matter up in the me yesterday that uh what we will go back
to uh during this budget process before July 10th. Uh I will prepare that uh or have the finance department work with me to prepare the analysis. There's an analysis that should be done on an annual basis. And what it does is to
look at total cost, look at cost as well and to determine whether or not in order to meet all of the needs of that uh department that we uh are earning or expected to earn the revenue required.
So we're starting that process next week. Yeah. uh my concern but last year and this year uh when you go to pay that water bill and I was happy to hear about the water quality that we have now but it was darn to pay
the rent that we pay for the water and we can't drink that water and I know citizens have talked to me in the past um I ran for real that was one of the big concerns about the quality of water
and then the the rate that we pay and I know there's a um base rate that everybody pay then it goes to usage and you have some family one or two people in the the household and that rate that we're paying well you start talking
about rate with water and garbage I know it's all inclusive u but I wanted to somehow uh could we do a do research and find out u did we actually do a automated rate we did not or not and if So you know can we give a reprieve to if
we can somewhere in there what our water rate just Okay. Yes sir. Yes sir. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else have any questions? Thank you. Um being answered only in
this time. So um just wanted to give an update. conducting another survey as you said. Uh we do have the engineer actually looking at possibly other locations and determine whether or not thereability
some of the locations even include park etc. Um the price we feel that we have very good price at this point. Uh we are the price is going to be a little maybe about 50,000 more than what um Mr. Joe
has indicated because that's just the court but there are other things that have to be added such as defense um other things that we have to do to the environment to make sure that it is properly installed. So uh this will be
my agenda part of the discussion. Um there's another update as it relates to the airport and classroom board. Uh just want everyone to know that we did follow the guidance that was provided to staff.
It was then the draft report of the draft ordinance to all of the advisory board members. We did hear that. We did receive feedback and that was the final um ordinance will be on the July agenda
as well. Um there were some resignations that occurred. I think there were like three resignations. The remaining phone numbers they do actually fit the categories that are identified in the
hands. Uh even the additional chapter that had to be inserted into that is also will be presented in June. on operations. Uh we have made a significant margin with the
deal with the assessments that was prepared by the consultant almost a year ago. And so at this point uh we are interacting with consultant. We're moving forward and we're taking
all of the there was about seven or six different findings and we have developed corrective action forward with the recommendations. Uh finally with the homeless shelter uh we have identified areas that might work
and therefore uh we're looking at what's required to meet the property that is known and that will be brought back to the blue crab festival. Uh we did have the town hall meeting and um at this
point um we decided that it was most appropriate to bring it back to commissioners for direction. Thanks. Say that. Are we speaking of this moment discussion direction? It is on the agenda. So that's why I was
asking on it is further on. It is on the agenda further on. So that's why Yes. Thank you. Go ahead. Um, Miss Cardi, a couple of questions. Um, regarding the splash pad,
can can when we get an update at the the next meeting where that's on the agenda, I want to ask for some updates to information we've received. In particular, I'd like to get an update on the cost again and understand the cost.
Um, as I've just looked around, our cost seem very low from what it's typically taking in other areas that have municipal water as the source. Secondly, can we confirm and hold a
clear understanding before the presentation a confirmed um when we could possibly have it? The reason I'm doing that is because based on what
we heard in the main's meeting, we u one of the places at um the rental it's not an option based on current uh leases. So I'm just asking can we have that information cleared? Yes, I know the discussion went on about it, but if
those could be brought back, accurate information um based on comparing to um splash pools that use municipal water versus some other source that may not be
as expensive. Thank my second issue is with the airport. Um, we have some compliance conflicts, I will call them. What I'm
also asking is if anything that's a compliance conflict be prioritized to be addressed as soon as possible. I know one of the conflicts is with a tenant
and questioning whether a tenant has um business related to the industry. We have been discussing that for a long period of time asking relates to compliance. I think it's black and white
more and white than we're making the decision. So I am asking for that to be resolved according to the required compliance. Yeah. And secondly, if that's the first, yeah, secondly, for airport,
I'll be reviewing in reviewing the charter and when the airport advisory board was started, I started a particular reason we're updating we updated that information. Again, one of the things I'd like to see
is a review or analysis to determine based on when that original advisory board was established because something about keeping the community involved, which obviously was a different scope at that time and the airport was a
different entity at that time. Yes. So, I know we're trying to make it right online, but I'm also sure that online research understand is all for the airport even needed
today. Number two, if so, what does it look like direction to come back with some information? And three, is there something related to the
airport that will prevent from being in the city department? In other words, the structure is the commission, the city manager, and the man. Yes. in this case which I
believe as I've been reading all the information since the last meeting, we seem to get confusion and conflict because of that structure and lack of clarity for that structure. So those are some things I'd like for you to take a deeper dive into to
understand because maybe it's time we start looking at if we need to make different adjustments and I know progress but that's something we need to do in 2025. It might look different from the hear.
Yeah. Question for my my only other comment was uh is in in linement with U. Commissioner Davis, uh, I did have a chance to go out to the airport and I visited and from the compliance
standpoint, I think, um, we at least two of the three issues that is not in the last meeting
stop the operation that was going that was out of compliance. In response to your question, um I am moving with the consultant has been identified. Our first reaction
was to make certain that uh if we have a a time plan of what we're going to do and we have already started. So we do have steps that I do not want to disclose publicly. They are in the midst of
house. My question was we have not anyone out. I didn't I didn't I didn't say evicting them. There are certain things happening out there.
That we are liable for and my question is an example the street range. Yeah. Okay. example that is not an appropriate u yield for
the property. So my question is do you have to continue to wait for the consultant to and you and we've stated that it's clear it's a clear violation because it's not in alignment with the FA. So that's that's my issue of concern
because if it's going to affect here's what we got. if it's gonna affect our funding, right? We just recently paid off the airport debt, right? It had not been that way for quite some time. So,
we want to make sure that we continue to get the funding that we from FAA. We don't want to risk that. So, my my point is we need to move quicker than fast if we need. And I I accept what you were saying and I do want you to know that we
are moving as as you really can. There are legal issues also that I do not want to stay. Okay. I want to make that everything that I should do so
that we protect the city and we are doing that. So but there we have come across some legal matters that we have to be certain that we you know have that clear before we make movement. One other thing before I give up the
floor my an example is ski shooting for instance. What if some from one of the individuals end up getting injured by a gunshot out
there? The school is going to own that. Yes, we do know that. So who's accepting it? that much and I don't want to say in my opinion it should cease in my opinion it should cease because of
the liability and into safety for people who are operating out there in that it's the job of this commission we have one employee and it's the job of this commission to
give direction as to certain things. One of the issues that I have that I've been hearing over and over, not just with this situation, that we're working, that we have a plan,
and that we're moving according to the issue that I have. We don't know the plan. We don't know what's happening. Yet, we're getting phone calls. This is the only
opportunity we as commissioned have to hear anything so that we're able to help navigate. I understand that and everyone knows that I'm very much firm on not jumping into the day-to-day but when it comes to policy
that's where we as the commission help set that policy and if there had been direction that was given from a commissioner to the city manager some form of communication should have been sent to
the commissioner to put us on the same page Um, we've been talking about the airport for years. We've been talking about extensively or so recently heavily. There are opportunities or
there funding opportunities that we may or may not be able to get as a result of activities and I'm continually activities that are going on at our airport. Even without hearing that there has been
a resation of three of the board members, I become more concerned and want to have four people remain on that board in the future of the direction that we're going to be given.
I'm concerned or or questions whether residence because we're trying to bring an ordinance to or oversee it the way that it should or that we was something that we were no
longer interested in. Um there are questions that are now and for us to hear that we have a plan that we're working towards something and not specifically what that is that doesn't fit right
and again as the employee of this commission I want to make sure that there's an understanding that when is given that if there is something that you know that we don't that we
in some way shape or form via email be with the commissioners like because right and I'm sure you get a lot and for us to be able to properly address some of the things as far as the policy
portion of it which that does affect the policy we have to be in the no okay and I get that four days you had to ago that was have a communication that was in my child but if I have not
I'm sorry for that but um to break it open we just met with the skate club four days ago uh we did go over the fact that um they are not compliant um that
it came out that while we were sitting there that a letter that supposedly gave them authority to do what they're doing. I have not seen the letter. I requested the letter. So that was just for set up. So you have the authority if there is
something that they say they have produce it or shut it down until you can produce it. Again, there's a lot of lot and I get if there is a legal component of it, allow eagle legal to address it with you, through you to get to us. But
again, there has been several conversations from this day with regards to a lot of the activity that has been out there and said, we talk about things when they're hot, but when they're no longer hot, we don't hear from it until it's an issue again. And that's one of
the main problems that we have. Next time we would have heard from this, if Commissioner Bourne wouldn't have said anything, it probably would have been at the point of we're risking the losing something dealing with the operation. So that
I'm speaking. So, what I'm what I'm trying to get to to convey when you do have these important meetings, especially if it has been something that has come as a result of a request that has come from a commissioner that has
been televised, that has been put in record, we need the correct followup. And the correct followup is however that commissioner wishes to have it. if it's an email, if it's a meeting, telephone call, because again, we can't do
anything unless we know. And again, we when it comes down to the and I'm speaking to policy, that's a policy issue. I'm not speaking to the day of day because that is you. But when it comes down to going against what policy is, that's where we as a commissioner,
we have to put our foot down. We have to say, "Stop it. let us help you navigate through this even if it needs to be whatever kind of meeting legal a part of it but when it comes down to something like that policy I and and everybody
know more so recently our dayto-day versus our actual this what we actually sit here to do is help create policy and if the policy is not being followed it needs to be addressed the correct manner and sometimes it takes making a
stop so that they can come into compliance or else. We have to stop allowing people to run over us. If there is documentation provided, if there is not peace in the city
therefore I have my marching orders. I understand commissioner and I will move forward or you have them come before us and we can ask them the questions. And to thank Commission still
well again and and the other question would be have you had a chance to deal with our legal um staff person to see what the
operation is at the airport and understanding if if that is the use. Have you also received feedback from your senior airport airman I mean airport manager? Yes, I don't know. So what I did since
everything started which was maybe I don't want to go back in history but a few months ago but we did go out the three of us and we did the site visit as I mentioned before uh at the site visit really didn't see the kind of you know
aviation uh purpose that we thought would be there it wasn't there and um I did request due diligence we did all our due diligence And so therefore now that we've involved the consultant as well to
ensure us that okay this is really non-compliant here is all of the guidance here's the asurances the grant compliance asurances and so forth. We did all of that as recently as last week. So we had that meeting and now that we've done
everything that we feel we're supposed to do. We are now moving forward with legal uh releasing to the tenant the paperwork that's required to let them understand that you cannot stay here and
just right and the last thing is the the the piece with the cease and desist until we understand and know that whether we FAA if it's in compliance we already know from a standpoint that certain uses out there is
No, there isn't. Now that we've done the due diligence that we needed to do and I and I'm comfortable with Yep. We've done everything. So there is no reason for us not to move on because it's it's three three things that I know of that's out
there unless there's more. We had a workshop here. He did that, you know, the consultant gave us the assessment. Okay, here's the third one. Then um um they generally you don't have
um people who would remain on the property um doing an event. An example is the flight school, right? They have um events. But if you go on the the north, I guess
that's north. Yeah, that's north. So if you go on the north uh side of the airport when you're first coming in Ma Road north uh north of Ma Road right there along that line there's people
parked all along there in our RVs and among other things and so there's there's there's station there for long periods of time. That's my understanding. follow up. So that's the third thing that I learned
about. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Jones. My with all the questions my question is at this time is it proper to have this moved as a emergency item and we take an action versus we've already gave you our answer and I think
what we're talking right I think that so my question is uh attorney would this be proper to bring it as emergency item down to give direction and make make an action happen you can go in a second and take a vote
if you'd like. I think what I've heard is that um the consensus at least from the people who have been the commissioners that have been speaking is to uh to send the cease and disability to the shooting range of the airport
and unauthorized unauorized any tenant that not in compa 33 uses that we think are out there that are not to explain why they are. Maybe we could have Mr. McNair come up because I'm I'm a little bit
confused about the third. I know of the two which club and the use of the old terminal for non FAA purpose but Mr. McNeia, could you please come up because I'm not clear on this third item, but maybe you can clarify some of it for for
us, please. So, we have the ski club and we have the use of the former terminal for non FF FAA purpose. Is there a third thing? Well, you make an airport manager for city uh isolate oursel. So, this kind of
goes back to this is not way or are we ask that question one or two city man we're not well you know so instead of taking my word for it which is which is
fine um a consultant the industry consultant was hired to come in the end more of a a third party independent let's look at your property we know what the FA looks for we know what the violations we know what the
common issue and a lot of them obviously not use a lot of them may deal with the lack of fair market value rent so they came in did the assessment it wasn't about the quality of the operation it
was about the nature um came in, they identified u discharge essentially uh you know do you have any kind of document or instrument that shows how the airport getting the
ground release revenue from this operation? We don't have that. And again, these are older practices that were used. And when you get up to speed nowadays with regulation, they are being very very aggressive
about and effective about addressing them because the reality of it, the grant dollars are getting smaller. So, we have to become more compliant to capture those funds. And a lot of airports, nearby airports have received
visits and they're going through the process of having to try to justify the issue and in those situations it can get it can get challenging. So what we're trying to do is be proactive about it and say okay well hey before they
show up you know we want to get on it now and get it addressed but they are making their rounds. I had my my meeting for this meeting with the regent the vice chair of that and the word is hey down south but they're they're
moving to the north to really there are several if I need to identify yeah that might be helpful so the uh the spray field one the potable water wells the fire station location and
essentially what what they're is they're looking at the current property of the area and if there's some instrument in place for fire station if we produce that that's fine that that protects us right you know but they're
looking at these operations and they're saying what is the property line you know how is it set up and is it um building W4 which some may call it the old permanent
Yeah, we got that. Yeah. So, water wells, spray fields, fire station. Okay. And Commissioner Borne brought up campers there for extended period of time. So, clarify that please. So, so
that was not noted. However, that is a result of probably old practices. So, part of the sky, it's not like it's actually sky
part of their agreement in place that is essentially if there's an event going allowed to come in for the event. Well, those events are typically three
days a week. Well, what's been happening when we do our airfield, you know, you guys also there, but you know, um it was so that does exist
and that's a common item that we got one inspector. They don't want anybody motion. Yes. Um I move that we add an emot uh an emergency item to the agenda. It is
regarding the airport. Second motion to second. All in favor. Any opposition? Thank you. Okay. And now we need a motion motion. The cease and desist. Now I I do have a
question and it's directed more to the legal with regards to the cease and desist if that's the way that this commission is understood because my statement was general not specifically. So are we and this is also
to the commission as well. Initially we heard three. Now we have a list of five. Where six that seven. So that's a lot more to bite off of than what we originally
my question Mr. Mayor may may come back to the exercise program where does that leave me the airport if we but the truth it's a few different questions that I've thrown out there but
where does that leave the airport with regards if those letters or whatever want to go to those specific tragedies. Yeah. What the question? [Music]
Obviously, you know, some operations are low tax others dollar. the spray mill that's city serviceable water city
I think those are low hanging fruit that we can get resolved quicker um fire station. I think that's really um probably in terms of the RVs at the airport,
you know, um that's not a revenue service for So, so tenant paid their their rent but in terms of
stage there there's no to this is to the commission when we send the cease and desist if that is the pleasure of the board are we given because from what I heard
there are things that they there that are legal I don't know even if it's legal stating and it may be for every other tenant are we giving them an opportunity to provide information to us or are we just cising and deceasing and
allow that's what I want to make sure that there's a clear understanding of how we are moving forward. Are we moving forward with a a plan or are we given opportunity? I I just want to make sure that as we move forward that we take
truly into consideration um the effect whether good or bad would that plan excuse me I don't when if we do decide if the plan has to be developed it needs to have timelines that's always my concern that we don't absolutely I agree
but go ahead commission a few more questions the consultant completed that review and gave the city the report when approximately. We identified it as we started going over to the airport recently. I would
say I think December is when I got involved with Yeah. around the first of the year. So started Okay. prior changes, but we ended up getting the finished product. Right. Um so once the
finished product was provided obviously internally you know okay so what does this really mean you know the exposure got so let me state what I'm having a
problem with I just need help um I'm really concerned that these things are going on and I do you just came into the position Miss Card but with the information we're
getting some of this discussion has been in place since you started that I feel like we're hearing information from the airport manager that was never relayed by to the
commission and I think much of this information we we're hearing is critical home to, as Commissioner Campbell said, the work we need to do and the guidance we need to establish.
What I do recognize that some of this is not easy and it it's been inherited, but at the point of non-compliance and law, that is not great. And I
I'm honest. I feel like we're leaning towards and I know we have to be careful how we do things but I feel like we're leaning towards protecting others before we protect and I just want to say that and that
our first priority is in terms yes we want to be good uh um we want tenants and have a good tenant relationship but it has to be legal appropriate and compile
there is a process and things are in working I I don't feel the level of priority for the city's protection that I think we should hold when we have a city manager
a staff is and a a airport manager who totally understands the department and I don't know where the gap is but there's definitely a gap with the information it
comes to this commission so need to say that because I'm I'm trying to generate other questions to not say and I'm kind of taking time but so I just need to say that's my biggest not only by me and reports through the
commissioners but additionally it was also in different agenda meetings one of our last agenda meeting it was in there that's when I brought it to for once I gained the understanding we had issued
the notice to u we did that previously and uh then you know it was stated that we never communicated etc so then we said, "Okay, let's do our own due diligence." We did the due diligence.
Um, we've done everything that we should have done to be certain that as we move forward, we are protecting the city. So, we just completed that feature. I didn't think I don't know why.
I didn't because I didn't send it. Well, let me clarify. No, let me clarify then. You're right. You have been communicating. It's not a lack of communication. It's the quality of the information.
That's what's missing. And you're right. This has been on several agendas. However, again, and I've I've had this conversation and if you notice after we get department reports, I typically have a common request and that's the
information that we're giving that it being presented to us in a complete manner. We dump that information, but it is disjointed. It's very difficult to understand the consequences of federal information. We don't get the complete picture. We don't get information. we do
get communication. I'm just saying for me it's not complete enough to prevent us getting to where we are today. And and I was next then you come to the wall. Um I I did receive the information from Miss Cotti and I think that as I
recall from at least from the I won't the the old terminal I'll keep referring to it as that for that that incident that the the person that is leasing it was notified and the airport advisory board opposed that and so in order to it
came you know I think that's when the due diligence started and looking deeply into how that even came about how the use of that terminal came about for the tenant um what the that tenant is using it for. I think the but all of that
happened we did I didn't and we did get that information and that ended up resulting in having to look into it further and do a further investigation or deep dive into that particular use. Um so I I think sometimes it is fragmented but we you know we did have a
workshop in the airport too and we did get a lot of information and it's been changing. I mean it's to no fault of anybody um and not to any fault of Miss Connie. Go ahead. Okay. I mean you made a point that um the advisory advisory
advisory board um may gave off direction advisory board don't make final decision. Uh I want to ask the attorney uh what is the role of an an advisory board please? They make recommendations
to the final decision making board which is you. Thank you. Right. So when they give direction they can't say what to do and how to do it. They can give guidance and not direction but
guidance and it's up to the authoritative individuals to be able to take it or go a different direction. So the advisory board don't have that authority. The other point the other point is we
heard information dissemination and we have communicated these things. So it's too many times we have been hit with well we we we told the commissioners
they didn't do nothing. So when something happens, we own it. So what the direction you've been given uh on multiple occasions to be able to if something is clear and present and we
know that this thing is not in compliance it then we can we can we can take it up sometime later until unless something else change. So the for the things that's clear we need to we've been not
asked and I didn't say things I would make um I think that the point of that was that the ward had this history and so-called knowledge and we wanted to make we wanted to have the facts before we terminated the lease that in fact it was
not being used for a purpose that was correct for the airport and FAA and so that was why there was a due dill needed for that. Talking about the old terminal specifically right about three months a lot of the information we really did not know at
the outside took a lot of restarting all that kind of stuff. So had a sound uh the error on the side of caution was to bring the consultant back time which we did I think last week and met with the person uh and said what this is our
findings this what we're doing are we proceeding currently and that's last week so now take I think my my concern is I'm sorry Davis was
Davis how How much does a consultant cost? In other words, there is a cost to the city to bring this consultant back to do it brought it back and you brought him back in. Number the second question is
when the initial um request was made for the tenant to leave, did legal do due diligence prior to coming to that conclusion? I met manager and
uh city attorney and they apprised me of the circumstance. Right. And at that moment I said they're not in complaints, right? You know, okay. And and let me let me apologize because I I am interrogating you. However, I am um I
agree with Commissioner Bora. Miss Cardi, you are the city manager. We have a staff attorney. We pull for both of you to do this work. And I am concerned that a decision was
made because I know you guys did not enter into the information you sent out before this advisory board denied it, which is not so that's a
so we made our point. But the one thing I'm hearing as well and I'm more concerned that the mayor gets information that the rest of the commission is not so
I'm just going to ask if all information I just have a question of what was the consultant going to tell you differently than he already told you in the initial report.
I think just confirming that I did understand. So if we if we bring in a consultant and the consultant has given a report and this is the instance of this is not the first time this has happened.
We we pay someone for a service. They provide the service. It may not be what we desire to hear as a result of their service. So, we bring them in again to have them confirm a service
that we've already paid them to conduct that had the final report to tell us the same thing that what they stated the first time is the same thing they going to tell us the second time.
Jackson to look at the corrective action plan that was prepared to make certain that it would comply and it would go well with FAA. That's what we had him look at last week when we had the meeting. And so we just had the meeting.
He confirmed that our corrective action plan is a good plan. And now as I said to you all, I sent to the commissioners and I said to that did a corrective action plan and I will be proceeding with the recommendation. So I think this
this conversation has evolved and it has unleashed a lot. Um, so I I want us as the commission mayor to be cautious
simply because I get the way that the conversation started and where we are now, there's a whole lot of other underlying things that we have to truly take in consideration
as we may the cease or whatever the direction of this commission. I just want it to be clear when we move forward and how we move forward. I believe that we've talked substanti
Well, there's a motion on the table. So, I didn't want to deviate this conversation. So, emergency motion was approved. It's not an actual. Okay. So, I Okay. So I want to make sure that I believe that there
has been direction given directly and indirectly. Um again I'm standing from the side of policy. I stand with policy. Um
and I'm going to leave that to city manager. Are you ready to make a motion? I'm ready to make a motion. I move that the city manager and city attorney continue working in the manner
in which they're working since we are at this point and a process is being followed and that this be included when July 24th
that it's a long Um, okay. So, what I'm struggling with is I do want to put a timeline on when they need to provide those feedback. So, since it's July 24th, um,
of No, let me let me go back. Okay, let me start over. I move that the city manager and the city attorney continue to move forward that the process is already in place and dealing with the compliance
issues at the airport and that the commission be providing an update by July 4th July uh July 4th. July 7th. Okay. Okay. We have a motion on the floor. You
have a second. I'll second for the point of conversation, discussion. We have a motion to second discussion. So the discussion that I have, I'm fine with the motion as it stands, but within
I'm a little bit more concerned of it's not a concern, just want to clarify. We heard cease and desist. Is that going to everyone? And you may not have the answer. You can provide that in the report because the
part of that season is is the city of Palac. Oh, so my motion did not include I just had pursued with to for them to continue with the process that they have in place
cease and desist. It wasn't in your motion but commentary as a result of your motion mentioned cease and desist. But then there may be some of those as part of the corrective action plan but not for post.
That's just why I wanted to bring it out and I wanted to make sure that because if cease and desist is not the recommendation for everyone, it still goes to allowing but I just didn't want the cease and desist to be the thing that gets tied up
because that was mentioned. Yeah, it was mentioned, but it wasn't in the motion. I get it. But as a result of the commentary that came as a result of the motion, I just want to make sure that that's was identified and I still
second the motion. Is there any further discussion? Yeah, go ahead. Not for to get lost. The two main points that we talked about seat club and the uh building JW W4 W4.
Mhm. Okay. And we already had a cease synthesis drafted issued and then we came back and said we're going to do villages as unless I'm wrong when I heard you said we got villages
again. So what's the matter with that on those two and then continue with the course of action? Uh attorney I think you could do that review
compliance. I will talk with Jane about that. Do that. I think if these are at the point issued again that would be the next Yeah. I just don't want to push it out an entire another month and then our
next meeting we're only meeting once a month right now and and and with the liabilities that we should pull about on I think we must do something. We're just I continue to talk in circles. So we don't want to have an inspection.
Absolutely. So that's my point. So if we bought in an emergency item, let's make an emergency commission. So, we have a motion on approval as it stands, but it doesn't specifically say
for those two items. But again, if the timeline That's why I said what I said. I'm open to an amendment. Make an amendment. Can I amend the motion? There's a motion on the floor. The motion has to die. So, all in favor?
All in favor? There was no zero. Nay. Nay. Hold on. No, no, no. I voted I because I was in favor of the motion that I second the way that it was. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm gonna ask for
clarification because I'm I'm going I intentionally with the motion the way I'm so back up. I can help. Um, Mr. turn it up. Can you help frame the
motion with what she initially made that we seconded? No. The motion is on the floor. The motion was stated the way that it was. We call for a vote. It's either yay or nay. If it fails, we then make a new motion based on that's that's
the direction we were going, but then we got Yes, we did because the mayor had called for the vote and several votes. She missed my vote. That's what I'm trying to get you to understand. My vote was not counted for. She said there were nays. You didn't say. I didn't hear.
That's my point. Go ahead. I just want to clarify the reason I made the motion is because I did hear the city manager saying there was some legal issues and I wanted the process with information on July 4th
because I want to make sure And I don't know. But that is why I make the motion. So we have Yes. So we have two yays in the nay. Nay. Commissioner.
Well, I need to get a little bit more information because here here's what we got. We're voting on something that we don't even know what the city manager knows in terms of the implications around what could be what what was a
potential legal issue. So, can we at least know what the legal issue and like We just there is a motion on the floor. This
week is almost over last week, but this week is tomorrow. I believe it was last week. No, there's no point of order. You need you need to the point of order. You let you just need to be contained. I got the floor right now. I have Yeah, we had the meeting I believe was last Thursday.
There is a motion that there is a letter that literally gives them the right to be there. I have not seen the letter and I've requested the letter. So that just happened and so for that particular circumstance like I
want to get that letter in my hand to see anyway. But you mentioned something about just see them says and let them bring the letter to prove the point. I think you said that. Yes. Right. That's the that's the pathway I'm going. The
discussion had closed and we were in the middle of the vote. Right. Precisely. As city manager as it relates to the one situation that's straightforward. I do understand how to move forward with that
as I did previously. Okay. the due diligence process has been completed. Okay. And one last thing, is that in alignment with the the motion in the second the motion in the second that Commissioner Davis made? Is that in
alignment with the motion? It sounds like it to me. Oh, is it sound like it or is it is I need to know the discussion period has ended and we have a motion on the floor. Well, when you have a second, when you have a second, that's when you can call for question.
And this is the question. You did that already, but I'm asking a question to the city manager for for some for some clarity that I'm vote. No. So, my question is, is what what was what the motion that was made and seconded by
Commissioner Davis? Is that in alignment with your what you're working? Yes, it is. Okay. Thank you. That's what I'm asking. city attorney I mean city uh and attorney yes
a motion was made a second was given a vote was cast but there was a discrepancy and the role I mean the the vote there was nothing I said yay
but it was identified as all the commissioners said nay Okay. The the the discrepancy is discussion intervened prior to the correction
of me stating that the vote was wrong. So that's where the comm the confusion came in. So seek understanding first and not for me to be contained. How do we correct what has already been done so that it's properly reflected
into the minutes and give us direction as to how we move forward? Yeah. Distinguish who's saying what or the people speak at the same time. That's why it's advantageous to do a roll call vote by the clerk where she
calls each person's name and then you can vote. So this one sounds like there was a mistake with a voice call everyone talking at the same time. The motion I heard and maybe the clerk has this better but
I wrote the city manager and city attorney move forward with the airport compliance plan and that city council be provided an update by July 7th. work to resolve any of the problems that the last commission
I move that the city manager and the city attorney move forward with the process in place to address the compliance issues at the airport provided and update by July 7th. Yes. With an update to the commission by July 7th. A motion. We have a second from
Commissioner Campbell. Motion by Commissioner Davis. Madam Cler, roll call, please. Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Campbell, Yay. Commissioner Jones, nay. Commissioner Borum, nay.
Mayor Cor. So now a new motion can be made. I will second the motion. So it would have to come from someone preferably office. Um, I'll make the motion that the city manager continue with the current um
consultant or the plan that you currently have as it relates to the health board operations and with this the I mean so this
on anything that would not legal issue. Julybody second that motion. Second discussion. I second the motion. Second discussion. If the motion dies, the operation
continues as it is. So there's a resolution without having a resolution. Let's move forward. Okay. Go and clavis. Commissioner Campbell. Commissioner Jones.
Yay. Commissioner Horn. Yay. Nay. I say nay. So the motion dies will just move forward with what she's doing and and keep us updated as much as
possible. May I add just to ask something? Um, in in in the shows that you give us verbal verbal reports, I to start giving us written reports
because we can't go back on what was said. Okay. could pull up documentation that that's not at this level we should not be getting verbals anyway we require the department has to give it and as you all know report at this point I would like to give you
direction to give us thank you city of lack of budget revenue expenses report month ending May 31st 2025 miss All right. Good evening, uh, commissioners,
all that are here. Uh, functioning as finance director, uh, we do have the summarized city of budget versus actual expenses and revenues yearto date for the eight months ended May 31,
2025. If you Oh, I make it. Oh, okay. So year to date like our our budget is 77,882,000. Year to date we have actualized 27 million and we've actually spent 25 million. So we are we have revenues in
excess of expenditures for the eight months of 1.8 million80,000. uh general fund has brought in 12 million and has spent 11 million. I'll um I'm just going to say it briefly.
Airport has brought in five actually 1,898 and they've spent 1,612 operating at a profit of 285,000. OPA fund has actualized 285,000
and We actually spent that amount and earned that amount as well. With the golf course, we've generated 82,000. We have spent 111,000. So, at this moment, airport is
operating at loss. We are actually looking at airport uh agreement and trying to be certain that there's compliance. Again, uh we are looking at all of the agreements right now for compliance concerns and issues. And just for correction, that was the golf course
though, right? That was the golf course. And that's one of the reasons why we are at what did I say? Airport. Yeah, that's okay. But just for the record, it's golf course. She said that. She said golf. She was on the first airport. Let her go on, please.
No, I mean I told him that you were saying airport first and you cleared that up and move to the golf and I did also want to mention that we are looking also at golf course for compliance and work and we did meet with
them I believe was last week also the beginning of the week uh utility fund they have generated 8 million24,000 that's why I'm concerned about water utility because our profit was only $2,000.
That right there indicates that um our revenues need to be looked at and analyzed. And that's why next week we will be preparing an analysis to compare costs and to try to make a determination of what amount the revenue should be
increased by if we must increase them. um the uh tax increment fund which is CRA has uh generated 931,000 and have actually spent 186,000. We do
expect to spend more these last three months. So overall the most important thing um the most important factor is that uh we have we are still generating more revenue than what we're spending
and I would say the main reason is because our grants are being actualized. So a lot of grant expenditures are being incurred and reimbursement is also coming in for the grants as they are being incurred. And just looking at that
pretty uh graph there that tall number that is general fund and is showing that the bulk of general fund revenues which is 3 million700,000 is coming from property tax. So of that
12 million that has come into the general fund almost 4 million came from property tax. Going to the next uh graph if you can change and that's showing us that again with citywide um actual year
to date about 30% is coming from our um it's actually from the general fund. Well, not general fund, that would be utilities. So 30% 8 billion is coming from utility, 45%
is coming from general fund of that 27 million. The next one of the 25 million that was spent in expenditures, 11 million is coming is being spent from general fund.
Eight million is being spent from utilities. So the pattern is consistent that we have two funds that have the most revenue and they're also spending the most and that's general and utility.
Our um reserve percentage is 20%. Um the recommended percentage is I believe 16.7%. So at this point we are still doing well. But I am giving attention to
grants and so forth, particularly grants because um one of the things that happen with grants, we'll spend money like in this month and we aren't going to get that money back. It might take us two months. So two months from now, you're
going to see a lot of revenue come in. It's going to look like we're so profitable. But that's because there's the delay with the extending first and then receiving the revenue second. I just wanted to get that out. Any questions? Commissioner Boron. Yes.
Thank you. Um let's go back to the water utility. You said we were on a real close tight margin of 2,000 water utility. In terms of um what we were laid for, um this is the first time ever heard that we've been ever this close.
So, um, what's different? Um, if you can't answer it now, then I like to have at least answer within within the week or whatever to kind of get an understanding of why the margin is where
it terms. Yes, sir. And and the second thing is the reserve is at 20%. question. I do know when was that as high as 32 and 26. And so I'm just asking what brought it down to 20.
Okay. And I'm I'm going to research that for you. Okay. And I'll give you that answer. Thank you. Thank you. We're getting close. 16 um on to city of Palaka, Florida annual financial report for the year ended September 30th, 2024.
Okay, we should have auditors. Are they online or did they maybe they were there? Anyway, the most important thing is um that the audit was completed. Um
the auditors were on Zoom. They may have left. So that is most important that can you mind bringing up their presentation? I don't mind going over it for them if they're not here.
You can bring up the presentation. I'll do that. I'm pulling it up. Okay, cool. No, we're here. Oh, you are. Okay. Awesome. Great. So, I would like the auditors which are
they work diligently to get this completed and uh we do have deadlines at state Florida. So, it's imperative that they get an opportunity to um have this presentation given to you.
the HCT and companies their managing partner is Mr. Rodriguez. Okay, if you're ready, that would be great. Anytime. I don't know. Hello. I just asked them to unmute them.
You have to unmute them. No, I have to ask them. Yes, please go ahead. Please go ahead. Most importantly, this is the audited financials uh for the year that ended September 30th, 2024. Um we must have
this completed and submitted by June 30th, 2025. We did complete it. Um go to the next one. Okay, here's Mr. Harvey. Thank you. Go ahead, Mr. Harvey. Hello everyone. How are you all? My name
is Rod Harvey and I'm here to present the audit results for the fiscal year September 30 ended 2024. Over the next few minutes, we will talk about the audit results. We'll go over some supplemental slides which is required communication and the responsibilities. Next slide, please. We performed our
audit in accordance with Next slide, please. We performed our audit in accordance with GAS generally accepted accounting generally accepted auditing standards to ensure that the city is performing its financial statements in accordance with GAAP generally accepted accounting principles. We also perform
the uniform guidance which is federal and if applicable the state single audit. We have completed all of the audit reports. There are no outstanding matters and all significant accounting policies and procedures are noted in slide in note one. Next slide please.
Significant uh areas are noted on the next slide which you can see accounting estimates allows for doubtful accounts depreciation significant areas of risk management over override revenue recognition and cash and there are no new pronouncements that had an impact on
the financial statements. Next slide. There are no uncorrected or uh corrected financial statement Aje that need to be adjusting entries that need to be uh posted at this time. There are no outstanding issues as relates to
financial presentation and disclosures. Next slide please. We noted no control deficiencies, no significant uh related party issues. Next slide please. This is an important slide because it is our required communication to you. I
will highlight a few areas. As you can see, um there's no matter to report uh no illegal acts or fraud, no non-compliance with laws and regulation, no disagreements with management, and no significant findings or issues uh were discussed with management. Next slide.
We are deemed independent as relates to uh AICPA. Next slide, please. We will now Next slide, please. look over the financial reporting, revenues, expense, capital, assets, and debt. Next slide, please.
So again, we performed our audit in accordance with GAS revenues for the September 3024 period, 37.7 million as compared to 37.2 for the same period ended in 2023. There was a increase in grants. Uh we
tested those revenues for accuracy, existence, and presentation. Jumping over to expenditures, 28.3 million for the 24 fiscal year as compared to 28.2 for 2023. Again, we tested those uh
expenditure transactions for completeness accuracy in the presentation. Next slide, please. capital assets as you can see for 24 96.96 million as compared to 89 million for
the 23 year. Uh the increase is a result of infrastructure and then long-term debt 22.9 million for 24 as compared to 14.6 million for 23. Next slide please. Our
responsibility is to review the internal control environment based on those uh reviews and audits. Next slide. We will know any deficiencies. There are two type of deficiencies. Significant deficiencies or material weakness. Next
slide please. We are happy to report that the city of Palaka has no findings as relates to internal controls issues to be reported. Next slide, please. This talks about our the various
requirements of the tripod. Management is responsible for the fair presentation of the financial statements. Management is responsible to provide us the auditors with all requests for people, paperwork and document and evidence, audit evidence. The commission is
responsible for the oversight of the financial process. And we next slide as your auditors are required to report to you any of our findings. Next slide, please. Our requirements to communicate to you are listed on this slide. I will
highlight three. We are required to communicate if there's any suspect in fraud or we identify any non-compliance laws to communicate with management in writing if there are any significant deficiencies or control weaknesses. And then the third one is we will
communicate to you if we identify or suspect any uh fraud involving management employees in key roles and others where fraud may result. At this time if there's any questions we will do our best to answer those questions. We
thank you for the opportunity to serve the city of Palaca and uh we look forward to uh finalizing and issuing the audit report. Thank you. Anybody have any questions? Got one question. Um, thank you, mayor. Uh, well, I had an
opportunity to speak with the the city manager and I guess I'll let her um explain. We talked um about three weeks ago, maybe a month. We talked about an entry that it appeared that the the city
had borrowed money when in fact it was a revenue. So, help me understand. There was a $1.4 million. help understand how is this something Mr. Harvey that and
prior fiscal year which we have already addressed the adjustment to cash and so forth and um so the adjustment has been booked where everything's perfect and that is something that occurred in the prior fiscal year that was addressed
also in this year. So it the liabilities are properly stated on our side. Um as employees of the city, the finance department, we actually reviewed the trial balances and so forth and were
given to us by the auditors and everything is in fact correct. So it's not showing as a loan. It is showing as I just wanted I just wanted to make sure that is on the record. It comes to me. I want to
make sure that I'm um transparent with the with the community as it relates to different things cuz if you have a conversation and it's not um clearly communicated then in fact if it's a if it's a problem where it shows a loan you
can have easily have money doesn't just disappear. So I just want to at least make sure I put that on the record. Okay. And actually for this fiscal year, what it's really showing is that our debt position increased by 8,995,000.
So that is a huge improvement for our city in one year that we increased by $9 million. And so uh 7 million came from our utilities, our business type activities.
1.9 million came from our governmental activities. Also, this year we had no findings and this has been a turbulent year. Yes, we had no findings. So, uh kudos to the management team really of
our city and thank you uh Mr. Harvey for the enormous amount of diligence um that you you all did this year. Uh there has been per your request commissioners um they have now sent a proposal to perform
the operational audit as well and that did come in today as well. Any additional questions? Thank you Mr. Harvey. Yeah, no question. I just want to say um great job to the
finance team. Thank you very much for your work because as you mentioned it was turbulent but good job. Thank you. One thing too I guess m Mr. Harvey on on this operational audit what would that also uh I guess when we wrote it up it
it includes um property transactions all of these different things as it relates. Okay. Yes sir. All right. Thank you sir. I appreciate it. No problem. Any other questions? Thank you, Mr. Javi. Thank you so much.
Thank you all. I'm going to open the floor to public comments. Public comments on any item not on the agenda if anybody is here for public comments. Seeing none. Oh, sorry. Come up. Please give your name and add and city or town
of residence for the record. Okay. My name is Chris Hovius. I'm in Middberg, Florida. Um, I came down here. I was on the the Tuesday night meeting was advised to come here to speak to you guys as well. I was a vendor for the
blue festival. Um I met up here tables and chairs for I have not been retired. Um kind of a back provided your tent for 13 years previously to me starting my
own company. I worked for United Rental in Northeast Florida, which Tom Smith was the owner. He retired. He sold his company. Uh, but I've been here at the tent for 13 years. Um, I got a call Tuesday night of your event week
ancient entertainment or whatever she wants to go by saying that your guys' tent provider had dropped the ball. They were not coming to deliver your tents, tables, chairs. called me Tuesday about 5:' Tuesday about 9:00. She confirmed
that they were not coming. Um I came down Wednesday, Thursday, Friday to set up your guys event. She had given me respect. Um after the memorial, whatever that's when I was notified. Um I reached out to your guys's attorney Jane Shane West I believe. She advised
me kind of what the standard is I guess where you guys were at. It wasn't whatever to come there and present you know kind of throw I guess the mer county that I guess just where I'm at. So like I
said, I have done your guys event before. This is the first year being my company. I really think that I almost guys anything else or whatever, but there's anything for guys to do. I would greatly
appreciate it because I just not only for my people coming down the other events and you know the lack of stuff. Commissioner Campbell, I want to make sure because it's not appropriate time that he's complete. I want to make sure
that he has that time and he address I want to make a statement. Anybody else? We don't have public comments. No, I just want to make sure he's complete. Thank you. Is there I was saying is anybody else
here for public comment? see public comment and we're on to No, I have a response. I was gonna say what I was gonna say. We're on to commission. Um, it's very unfortunate that we're in
this situation. Um, it's more so unfortunate that and I'll, if you don't mind, I'll state that this gentleman is almost out of $8,000. Um,
the attorney made the recommendation that he come speaks to the commission. I'm I want to make sure that when he leaves, he leaves with some type of understanding of what we can and what we cannot do.
Being that he was advised to come here, I want to know the reason. an idea of what legal thought the outcome could be. And he doesn't live in Palaca. He's familiar
with Palaca, but this man has tried twice this week to have his voice heard. And I don't want him to walk away without some form of something because again he came twice
and to be out of that amount of money I would be coming to. I agree with that in terms of putting his gentleman um has had to come here twice. Um a little uncertain though given what's going on what we what
actually could take if any can give an update. Um please we have met as you know uh directed by the commissioners. I did meet or I met with Jenna myself and I did give you all the
results of that meeting about she identified all the money that she owes people and she was hoping that the city could get her money. Uh I then brought my team in. I brought in legal. I brought in community affairs. We went
through the agreement uh to ensure that the city had performed everything it said it's going to do which we had and additionally we gave her almost $35,000 or more of services that we had not done previously. So we did that. We performed
that due diligence of yes we do have vendors that she owe and I think it amounted to maybe 20,000 or something and uh she was asking could we give the money my position as city manager after
looking at everything was that we did not have an agreement with the vendors she did and I'm just saying so given that um I didn't where we were supposed to reimburse anyone
that she did not pay. No, I have no idea why legal has actually to come to voice as you know and I think and I think overall that's why I feel as if
he needs to have some direction direction because city staff our lawyer advised him to come speak to us not uno but twice. Well, that would I'll attorney and city
attorney agreed that we have no responsibility at all as a city to any of the vendors that Janetta negotiated with or committed to. So, when were you told that you needed to come speak to the commission?
Yes, please come back up to the podium. Remember, I had reached out to because I didn't know exactly what to do. So I have reached out and contact with Jane West the emails the contract that Janetta had
signed the contract was obvious what she put underneath whatever but anyway submitted all that stuff to her I follow up with her make sure she did I believe send it over to the event manager to talk to her about it. Answer your
question. I said I followed up. I said, "What can I do to do this?" She had already that I come to the town hall meeting and then I come to the town hall meeting or whatever kind of just I guess about it or whatever and then she said there
was a second meeting or whatever on Thursdays. Approximately what time frame? Um, and the reason I'm asking is because if that was communicated and you met with attorney West after,
there should have been some kind of communication that was given to A to Z prior to them making two trips down to the city of Palaca. This is where, and I hate that again that we're at this point, but this is
where communication and followup are essential because if the city attorney would have told me to come speak to the commission, I came to speak to the commission. I'm thinking there's going to be a
resolution to the problem. only to come and find out that there is nothing that we could do could do which would have and I get it could have been a conversation could have been some direction
and would have saved this man the embarrassment of having to stand before us not once but twice and still is going to walk away here from this without a resolution.
It doesn't make us look good when it comes down to I'll say the top of the totem pole of staff to have someone give direction to
them to come speak to us not knowing even of even some kind of communication should have been given to us saying hey this is what blah blah blah nothing and these are the things or these are the opportunities that we have to about it, learn from and not make these
mistakes again. This man's crying again. He may not have fallen too far and obviously a long time and now it's dark going down trying to get back home from middle to middle. But I want us to really take this into consideration and I know there may be others but for them to advise the what
was the reason didn't she tell you that you had to go to I know she she did she said that I speak with you guys talk but she said that she thought she believed that that the Max,
[Music] but she still told him to come as far that I I believe I put up and I understand you guys not doing anything about it because of what else but I mean anything to be done which is right
because additionally she my understanding when I met with her is that she told you that she was getting that paperwork from you just in case at least that's what she shared just in case there was any legal action you would have documentation that here's
what has done or whatever I get that we're trying to dive in and dig I get it but that we still have to take responsibility and ownership. I get all of the communication. I'm It's I'm I get it. But there's still a standard of she
told him to come talk to us. Thank you. I get I get everything that trying to dive in, but there's still a level of accountability. And this is not the first time that this has happened. This has happened multiple times where staff has made recommendations to come talk to the commission and once they get
to the commission there's nothing that we can do and this could have been evolving from the by making that recommendation. Thank you. Well, I I can't imagine how you feel,
sir, with, you know, with uh doing all that hard work, having your staff to come out and put in the work and expect the payment and not our um I sympathize with you. Um, but I'm more disheartened with uh the fact that our
city attorney was conversating with somebody the commission didn't have any and if I didn't get any any written communication that a conversation happened on at least two occasions
that the vendor is going to come to the commission. Yeah. um for you know some form of payment. Um different things from legal in terms of how
to perform. So I want to ask a pro attorney right now. What what does that what position that
does that put the city in as it relates to an individual and them giving direction to the individual to the town hall and also to the city hall to address the
commission for what does that put unfortunately general hearing the contracts when I'm hearing it sounds like the contracts individual and
Janella and not not the city. I will have to talk to Jo. Thank you. Thank you. I don't know if even if you wanted to be paying this individual for the time is that real contract would be taxpayers
having to get to the individual stuff like that she's thinking about [Music] sued by at least four four people this gentleman sued I I have not just because I I know previously and and I probably
should have done it with my gut, but because I feel so loyal to the company last year. I went to whole thing just to me. I should have listened to my gut and that's why I asked for a check whenever I took the event and she gave
me the check. between and again I mean it's I should I guess I should have I should have known better but you know I thought it was different but and being for the people that sued I mean I'm the last one on the list and
you know 8 $9,000 way from what it doesn't help me right now I know you guys probably And Miss West is not here to explain the rationale behind it, but I think it was
more or less for us to hear again what what the experiences are of some of these vendors both at the community input meeting and this more so we have that knowledge. Although unfortunately I I feel awful that you came out to PALA twice
for this. Any further questions, discussion? So, thank you. Going on to the consent agenda. Are there any items to be pulled from your consent agenda? Motion to approve consent agenda as per
second. The motion is second. We do have a p a request for public um by somebody that wants to speak for the public. Miss Piggins, do you want to speak? No, it's coming up on your business.
Okay. You also listed you listed a lot under number eight, but that's fine. Thank you. Thank you. We have a motion in second. Roll call. Commissioner Borum. That's a different order. Hi. Well, not I'm never sleeping.
Mr. Davis. Yes. Yes. On to regular business. Do we want to recess or keep moving forward? Okay. Move. Um, street light cost analysis.
Street light cost analysis. Chief Mcome. I mean, Commissioner, mayor, city manager Matt New, assistant chief police for the police department. As you guys know, we have done a street life analysis um for
the neighborhood improvement team at their request and I believe that uh Commissioner Campbell had even made a request about that. Um the police department I've already done a presentation on the analysis that we did. I finally got the
anal cost analysis back from and when we had discussed this before when this commission before we discussed doing or requesting the analysis on three states they primarily
phase there's no cost associated to the new lighting where there is a cost associated is for taking the existing lighting down and that existing lighting has a 10 year
life expectancy and we lose 10% of the cost every year of their u going into phase one to replace 115 3,300 lows
or 33,97 LEDs be a cost of the city of 54,000 declared acknowledge which is the hot spot areas replace 36 3300 lows
for 175 this have a cost of $18,327 and then to go into phase three which getident identified as low replacing 216
low 3,300 women led for 12,000 high less and it cost the city $100. Now in my meeting with they analysis, they had indicated that they agreed with
us on this phase one, phase two, phase three. The city we are interested in doing this cost not only in phases but over different fiscal years to separate that cost.
Where do we go from here? predicted for the approval of replacement and direction how do we want to do it obviously budget for the associated associated to each of the faces and then
we have to renew that we go into first and additional phases and then as I attend any question I don't have a question but I have a statement I think um this is something that is of great importance
when it comes down to the public safety um component of our city. Um we've spent on different phases on things that are not, for lack of better words, I would say
essential. Um, so I would like to see this be a priority of the commission and um work with finance and the city manager to see how we can best allocate to get the more done. Um,
instead of I'm not sure how the phases would look. Yes, sir. Um, because I did hear you say and I want to make sure that my phone is the phases when you say the different years or is that the financial component? So the the financial component if I'm
understandably you're right is each of the financial components are according to the phases um and that's to replace for example the high crime rings correct and that $54,6850 isn't
requesting those replacements little bit of Do we determine the phase and the defase just for point of clarity the phase? So if we say we want to do all three phases at one time just hypothetically
speaking. Yes sir. That payment for each the 5418 and 120 what we do at that time. Yes sir. That's what I wanted to make sure. Yes sir. Okay. Commissioner I just got to ask it out loud. I guess they don't have a five bet
to meetings. We had had a couple of uh Zoom or team meetings, whatever they call them. Um they were very clear to let us know that because we're looking at different types of lighting, LED lighting,
One thing they could tell us or tell me is that there's no cost for the new lights. If we were to get um someone that says, "Hey, that light is really bright coming toward my house, that will come out across the city. They'll put um
like a cover over the light or a shield to reduce that light." But one thing about these LEDs that they were very clear about was that they are directional lights. So the old LEDs that we currently have and the old style
light bulbs that we have, they just do flashing. These are actually pointed light. It's directed in a specific area down into the, you know, down to the ground. They're not supposed to directly affect
the president that may be behind the light or in front of the light, but in the there was a new composing because we are wanting to take a light downation. unfortunately might that's any other questions or comments? I agree
with Commissioner Campbell um because I pushed about the lights as well and I also feel that we should do it as a project. It's like $200,000 for lighting. Yeah, I don't think that's uh
exorbitant amount for safety. I think that's the reason why we are doing it because of the safety and the environment. So I would like to see it done in one phase due to the fact that you said if it take eight nine months to do one phase, you're going to talk about
three years to do that. So we need to go ahead and concentrate on area one, two, and three. I think that would be my slide up that you know the phases. Yeah, I just like to see the phases on
it. um to see if I mean cuz um we bought a letter a lift for Well, yeah, cuz um in the in the low light. Okay, I know the phase one and two deal with high crime
and hot spot areas. I know that's that's the easy level. I mean, we gave we gave a blue crowd 50,000. So, we know we're going to be we know
we're going to take care of our people from a standpoint of uh safety for sure. um in questioning the uh the the 123 phase is it is it possible what is the
capacity for FDNL to replace um all of those lights can they do it within a year or can we if if it's possible it um or can they do it all in one year I can contact them and let the city manager know what their expectancy is um so that
she can communicate that with you or I can communicate or whatever the pleasure is, right? Um I believe that they can do it. I don't want to speak on their behalf, but I believe they can do it in a one-year period. They just wanted to be very specific once we have signed that new contract and that once they
have received payment that there is a six to eight month turnaround time to get the bulbs in and to start doing it. Right. And I just had two what you're calling them at that time. I I have I have two things with that. um check the capacity of FPNL to be able to roll that
project out. And it would be my recommendation to do phase one and two for sure right away. And um the phase three which you know could possibly be put in another way because what happens is we if the lights were on a a 10ear
cycle and we replace them on in one cycle then when those lights start going if they go out at the same time they got 10 year life expectancy. Yes sir. um we don't expect them to go past 10 years
and if they do they just you know it's the probability of them going out is is pretty so I would like to go phase one and two and then phase three second phase but
yes I would like to speak to as a citizen that's elected that lived in a low lit area and the improvement that came um
once they brought lighting out in the Rolling Hill area, it covered um breakins and all of those things. So I think again we should look at this holistically. Um because since we have
the new lights that have been placed on our road we have had substantial decrease in criminal activity. Um and even as of now in that area the criminal activity has been picking back up on the
southside. So again I think this is something that we want to look at realistically. I think it's an improvement to public safety and when we're thinking about public safety, it should not come at a discount or a failance. Commissioner Davis,
I agree with Commissioner Campbell and Commissioner Jones um that we need to go ahead and look at doing this completely. The whole city's low life. I mean, we got to brighten up this city. And the
other thing is with the lead time gap, it wouldn't approve us to do this project only at one time approach or go over too many years. The other thing is knowing when we get these new lights, if there was a 10y year life um span on
these lights, we could accordingly get that budget. So knowing that 5,000 lights, right? Just saying. So that the contingency is to plan for that period of time and know that that will be an
outlay and a big project. Yes, ma'am. Um that we can plan for and put in a budget and in the plan to do at that time. So I'm as well as the commissioners have. I am and I agree about being proactive. Um so do we want to take a vote of I
will make I will make a motion. I would make a motion that we allow finance to um work on a uh source that would allow us to do the FL um lighting uh what's the lighting lighting
improvement um in one phase. I second a motion a second roll call. Well, can we can I get a question? You didn't get a discussion. Sorry. Well, I I support the whole project. Um,
so let's not get that misunderstood. My point was the fact that is it it is definitely now able to do that within a one one phase approach to do that. I'm all for putting the lighting in and I also like to make sure that things is
done logically and makes sense in terms of rolling things out in cost associated. So again all public safety. So if if I can have the uh online see if they can do it within one
year but I will get that information. There's a motion on the floor. There is a motion on the floor. So that and that information was requested previously. So we have a motion. Roll call, please. Commissioner
Davis. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. For the sake of safety. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Um peace selection for it.
your mic on. Do you also have the proposal? I have. Yes. And the proposal was with the agenda as well. But anyway, um I'm also looking for the propos
I'll just so with the inspiring Oh, thank you. I'll just move forward. Go on to the first page. U they did present to us among seven firms u that responded to the RFP
back in April. We did not even though inspired was selected we felt that there were some issues um that we had over the past three years. Uh therefore Mr. Joy who was the vice
president of the company was brought here twice once to uh understand what were the concerns and why didn't we immediately send this over towards the election. Uh we then brought the department heads in and each
department head gave an understanding of what the problems were for the services that had been rendered. We also found out that the major reason why the services weren't being performed as well as we had hoped and
some breakdown in communication and expectation like um our staff had gotten accustomed to only operating with Mark when and what they should have been doing was utilizing the health the health desk. the health desk then
communicates to at large if the health desk itself cannot solve it. So we put some uh corrective action in place. Uh this that is in your agenda packet the response from Mr. Bill Joy as to what
they will be doing going forward. They did change staff also and at this point we feel much more comfortable um with inspired being able to perform the services that they were retained to
provide. There are two other concerns that the evaluation team uh mentioned as to why they selected inspire. The two primary reasons are number one, we are in the midst of
conversion with our phone system. We're in the midst of going to a cloud based service and additionally we are actually having to comply with some concerns about police department with the spigious requirement. uh sides requires
that we have two separate servers and so for those reasons inspired really unanimously as the firm that's best suited to serve the city need.
We did try to bring an employee in only to discover that the employee could not uh provide the services that we're currently getting within IT managed service firm. U for instance the health
desk have about 12 people that are supporting the city. Um the mark person he is primarily the person that comes if He he tackled things that are on site. So we've done correction. We feel much
more comfortable now with inspired and we would like the commissioners to consider uh giving inspired the opportunity to serve us. If they don't you you can make it uh two years and
then renewal you know one year of for the following three. So it is up to you but we did submit everything to you so that you can understand and I'm sorry that Mr. Spirituality is
not here to explain it better. Commissioner B. Yes. Thank you mayor. Um I'm not sure. I think the county um parted ways would inspire to my knowledge
to our knowledge as far as we know. They're still working with that. Okay. I I was Okay. Okay. Well, and uh also Inspired was supposed to have they they
received it. Um and why we've been with Inspired for almost five years. So now why the victims are still still have they don't tax in
not in compliance. So that was one of the first questions that I posted on when I met the chief the chief wanted to answer. Yeah. Oh good question. Good evening, commissioner. Um, I can
answer that question simply. U, there was a number of different things within this project that expired had to accomplish on initially coming in with the original contract to be able to get us in an area where we went forward to separate the service. The last thing
that they have to do now is the phone project. Once the phone project is completed, they can then separate those servers and we can move forward to where we will be compliant. But right now, to answer your question in reference, they separated from the county. They are
currently with the county as well as um EMS and uh within Hutner County. I think uh what you're thinking of is the relax separation. um they separated from um and that was with a different issue
totally. Um what we have for um Inspire is mainly they are the only CIS compliant um compliant agency within the state of Florida that addresses uh all of our issues when we deal with our
audit. And that's something I expressed to Miss Cardi and and board when we look to vet our different that we looking at bringing in as far as the IT company they deal with uh at least 90% of the
law enforcement agencies in the state and they offer a royalty policy for FBLE to uh who governs our state audit. So it was something that was huge for us moving forward
that there we have a company with similar um requirements or um similar experience. Thank you sim similar experience to be able to address those issues. But we are moving forward and we
are further than we have been looking at adjustable. Well, I tr I trust you chief, but I do know from hearing from staff um you know a couple years back um that you know they were not um
pleased um with with inspiring. So that's what my understanding were for the last three years or so. So that's why my applause was. But again, if if if the staff is comfortable with moving forward with that, I do know
we have other vendors who scored that well and they they they're out of they're based out of the state, but they do have uh businesses or locations throughout
Florida. And so my thing is I just want to make sure you know our information is is is taken care of from a standpoint and if we have anybody else we could do it better. We want to make sure that we're all citizens that we
Well, one of the things we learned during the communication uh with the department heads was um like Miss Cardi mentioned a lack of understanding of what the initial contract indicated and how they needed to move um when it came to uh dealing with Inspire themselves
and and what we needed to have in place locally to assist with the the minor requests that we have in house. A lot of that came out and cleared up and it was mainly the communication and direction on with what needed to happen. Most of our staff that we have here now as you know um because you and I both were here
when we signed the contract with expired but most of our staff we have here now on the department head level was not here when that contract was signed and nor have they seen the contract and know what um it actually entails. So uh the discussion brought out a lot that what
um its fire responsibilities were and what they need to do to vet this situation. One of the examples I gave while we put someone in place to be able to go between as our IT personnel is between the fire and the current police
department on minor issues address and those are the things that uh are in adjacent or or better yet a plus to what the health desk is able to provide. Um and that's why some of our complaints or
some of their complaints differ from what our views were mainly because of the understanding of the contract and operations put in place to address those issues. And if I could continue with what you're saying is uh what we have done, we now
have what we call an IT lay. And even though the person is here for a few hours a week is very helpful because he's teaching all of the staff how to address and to access the services. We're now understanding better the
things that we were not doing correct that may not be functional. Um even after Mr. Joy met with the department head cities and what was on there the supplement and that supplement was detailing that one of the first problems
we had was care to support responsibilities we sub the contract right okay that that's that piece is fine my only issue is that from a from a security posture what does the
city look like as it relates to inspire the overall health of the city uh uh from a network standpoint uh and the cyber security posture standpoint. Example, we're coming up to hurricane
season. If we have a major disaster, whether it's a fire, flood, hurricane, loss of storm, do we have a disaster recovery plan in place? When you have
one or systems when you have one, I can just give you I just want to make sure that those things are done and then they should be like the backup and they should be done. You make sure that they're done annually and there's a walk through. So that's my whole thing is
making sure that the city can recover and eventually believe it or not sign the purchase order to separate. I'm comfortable if you if you say everything is A1. I'm I'm fine with
that. All I had was just a couple of questions to ask those questions. If we're good, I'm good. Commissioner Davis is on deck. Yeah, I was just going to say that based on the corrective action plan and the steps that you've taken, I
am comfortable and continuing inspired, especially in light of the information that Chief just provided. Um, so thank you for addressing those issues. The only thing it sounds like we're already um going to do is ensuring that we
follow follow up proactively or that we're proactive in addressing and continuing ongoing communication with them to identify any gaps in their contract early on. Yep.
And that actually the whole latter part of this conversation was what I wanted to address because it was understanding and I thank you chief and uh city manager for making sure that the it was communicated as to why um we were running into so so many
difficulties with it. and Commissioner um Davis actually summed up what I wanted to say to make sure that we stay on top of the communication standpoint where we see that there are they're they're lacking that we hold accountable and I think that's something that
Commissioner Jones has been um a proponent of with just across the board when it comes down to contracts and things of that nature accountability as well as Commissioner Bar. So I just want us to make sure that we from our end I don't care even if we have the calendar
to say hey review this are we are we on point if not schedule it out for another three to six months half you know just making sure that we revisit these kind of things because again once we get caught up into the day-to-day hustle we
forget we forget about things so I would make that recommendation that we calendar to say review contract if there's anything that needs to be communicated how to communicate it and then talking and thanks but the the key thing is and
and I say that to say this because at the end of the day the commission is responsible for anything especially we're having disaster that happen in the city um we're responsible we're the ultimate responsible the manager just
what we um what what we um approve we approve for for the fiscal year in terms of vision and priorities and so at the end of the day we're responsible. So that's why I asked him question and to go back to the initial statement you made. You are seeking direction,
correct? I would like uh Yes. And I would like for an action to be taken first to go ahead and Okay. Because I I did not uh even though it was the awarded person, I
wanted to take time to be certainly out. I know you went ahead and hired a IT consultant. What did the consultant say about this company? Huh? He said he he was also a part of the evaluation team
and unanimously the evaluation team voted for inspired. However, I put a pen in it and said, "Look, my concern, I know you all brought it to me, but I have a concern. And my concern is why was the service not to the level that I
thought it should have been? And we did take two months in dealing with it. And the question I also have is about the you know reading through reading through the RFP. It states that they have help desk that have 12 representatives that's
there for the city of Palao. And I'm, you know, I'm frugal with the the city's tax dollars. I mean taxpayers dollars and so we're hiring a in-house IT person to be a liaison for this firm
that we just contracting with that have 12 representative and a dedicated person we actually needed the IT person we have it's only 10 to 12 hours so we uh really
needed to bring us up to a level of understanding how to use the services that we've contracted for. So we needed what we got from this individual only 10 hours but it's necessary. I mean I'm
we're not able to attend those meetings uh with any level of deficiency. For instance, um the cloudbased fund, well, that's not inspired. That is another firm that's pays and that's
coming from the Department of Management Services. We need someone on staff that would kind of monitor things and make sure that we're getting our task completed, all of that. So, it's in the best interest that we have someone with
that expertise to attend those things and make sure that we're progressing. I have to defer that to the IT guru. I I have an idea, but I I did want to know why we hire someone to do some of the same services because the booking hand this these are the services that they
provide. So it's like a duplication of some of the search and it's just that we can get things moving as they are in fact now moving. um departments are coming together understanding
uh we're making progress now with the cloud m they've been trying to do and it didn't and uh even today like I mentioned we've got to the point now where we can see that we do this uh
separation of the church so this small amount of hours that I brought this person in I I will not try to be And I'm not I'm not and I do need the assistance of that. Go
ahead, commissioner. If there are no more comments, I was prepared to make a motion. Okay. Any further comments? If not, please. I move that we approve the city manager to move forward with um contracting inspire as
of service provider. Motion in a second. Roll call, please. Yay. Sorry. Yay. Yay. Mr. Jones. Yes. Yay.
Sorry. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Item 17. All right. Well, um, just a bit of an update. Uh, we did have the town hall meeting. Um we we got certificate of
feedback from the community. Um I I thought it was a very uh informative meeting where we were able to understand the pros and the cons. Uh we did as staff to holding that town hall meeting.
Uh we met several times and identified the problems. Um I probably heard the saying that were mentioned in the meeting high cost of food, the lack of family um activities. Um the many the
spots in between for music um the fact that um there was just not enough local involvement. It was just we agreed as staff with the comments that were made into meeting and so at this juncture
initially uh staff was thinking that we supposed to that was why we did all the studies that we did to come up with some of the corrected languages and all that stuff that we would put in. However, by
attending the telephone meeting and just getting feeling that perhaps this should be considered to be a community then u we would just like to get guidance from the commissioners to tell us how tell me
specifically how you would like to proceed. Would you like me to proceed with the R&P? Okay. And we do have somebody for public comment. I just mention that. Um come up Miss Kitchens for public comment and then we will just have a discussion.
Can you hear me? Yes. I'll tell you. Uh I blueprints in the beginning when it started it was local volunteers working benefit very well for about 20 something years then we kind of some of the original people and people started bottom line is
got involved in that putting out an you're just serving this young man I believe this purpose to let you know what you were dealing uh the state doesn't need to be involved that kind of stuff and
let it go for a year or two years let talk to some local folks find out that I know a local group already so let them take two years that's what they need to do the bad replication all the
state that bad reputation will go away in a year or two. Get your local folks involved. Only local people. Let them handle it. Put it on. Then you all involve the choice of city code for giving or
you services that they pay for. You don't need to be running event like this. elect sometimes wait but I'm sure
but let it go if volunteers think they need two years to wait let it go next year wait then let the volunteers put on no RFPs no bring in if I'm not wax poetic if you're going to bring in a quick let's get a little knock down
I mean so not the volunteers cook and do it that way. That's my suggestion. Thank you very much. Thank you. I do see another card flashing. Missed your name and city of residence, please. Hi, Aaron Hughes and I am from East
um so I had the joy of coming to participate in the town hall and thank you guys so much for giving that forum. Um I think it kind of rallied the spirit by the event um to let's say get it back on tracks. Um completely agree with a
lot of scheduling sentiments about the event that it should return back to locals and um something that I think I strongly advocated for on Tuesday evening was back the time. Um, something that this event has not had the last five times that it's been held is enough
time to plan it. It hasn't been planned in less than, excuse me, in more than 109 days. Um, so as of Tuesday night, it was 332 days. So we're at 330 days as of today until the next occurrence. Um, so
I have had a past history of being a part of the Black Young Professionals, which was the last school volunteer committee that uh completely unpaid uh that volunteered that year in 2019. And if you recall, that was a revival year
because it was not held in 2018. So I've already experienced the the comeback, the please try it one more time experience and u and I felt that that's been successful. We've gotten a lot of praise still to this day about that event. Um, and then uh also my
experience with the city and stuff as well, city staff as a special coordinator. I also had the opportunity to operate with ancient city entertainment in 22 and 23 and then um and help work with sponsorships in 23
and 20, excuse me, 24 and 25. Um so that has been my role in in engagement in in this event during that time period and I know that many people have expressed interest in doing that. Uh one of the things that I I did bring up during our
the council meeting was that uh I think within 30 to 60 days with the amount of emails that were listed in the signin sheet that committee could build out of the approximately 25 to 30 people that were there that night. Um or they could at least gauge in their interest. uh
whether they want to be full on gunko for the next 330 days or if they're only interested in um coming the day of and helping pick out trash um or or any other type of thing. So I completely agree. I don't think that we need to take a full year off. Um I think that
with this amount of time that I would be happy to work alongside with a city representative that could be a part of that committee um include a merchant leazison to coordinate with the downtown businesses to make sure that their their voices are heard as well. So if it was the will of the commission for the
locals to do that, I would love to have that opportunity to participate and support that effort. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anybody here for anybody else here rather for public comment on this item? Seeing none, we close public comment discussion. Commission
start. Excuse me, I'll start. Okay. So, after attending the um public the community forum, I do agree and I hear resoundingly that this needs to move back to a um communityled
festival. The other thing is again with consistency our other festivals are community or privately linked. So um and I do agree with Miss Johnson that we are not in the entertainment business and
don't mean to own event um directly. So, but a couple of things I want us to think about is um the blue crab festival this year definitely was tanted
across the state for sure. And um on the Jacksonville News and probably other places I actually went to an event in uh Fort Lauderdale, Florida. randomly met a lady who said, "Me and my
my husband and I go down to Palao." You know? We go there every year for the Blue Craft Festival. That's how we can ventilate. And she said, "But this year we're not." She said, "We're not coming back." Now, we've heard that over and
over from some people. They're not coming back and and they may not. But if we give people something to come back to, they will. The question is what will it take to give people something to come back to? Um and homeless time and
well I believe we could gather citizens to for 2026. Some of my questions are truly should we
step back and evaluate instead of just coming in off of what went wrong this year? We we know that we realize this going to be better, but do we really need to take a look at this
um event and see what does it look like for this three people? again is the date still relevant there more compet there's more competition now than there was when it started and I
don't I didn't but I'm just putting it on sometimes we get stuck in the box that I think um other things that's what 2025 2026 going forward may look like um and I'm a proponent of
community le I'm a proponent of making sure, you know, our businesses um uh benefit from it and our citizens benefit primarily that there's something for there's something for all ages um that
um appropriate for families and um I was speaking to a commissioner from the city I used to live in and asking them just to get some feedback on how to manage festivals because you have successful festivals.
And those have um some of the things you mentioned was they have three ways. One is things are you know held by an organization they get the permit from the city. Um these two
um sponsors one event called and to where not where is from Georgia they have a swan day. So that's their event, but the other festivals are what they call co-sponsored.
So and uh a nonprofit or citizens or group will um lead. What the city does as a co-sponsor is they will provide services like making way the fees for events or not writing a
$35,000 or $50,000 check but providing services that um that city does not have a budget for. So I just want to put that out there. But for sure citizen
questionable and and is take on gap year. Yeah. I agree with most everything and I think a gap year may be necessary. I think I I I said at the last commission meeting
that we need to bring it home and it needs to be a local event put on by the local community and my only other concern is if we stop um waving some of those costs and fees that we really can't afford but do we do we have other
festivals that we don't do that for. So we have to be consistent. If we're going to do it for one we have to do it for all in my opinion and we have several. I mean so we don't do it for a we don't do it for a craft beer. you don't do it for that on and on and on. So, I think it's either all or nothing and it's we would
have to budget because we still have to pay the employees to do those things. So, it's still going to cost the city money. Question is, do we do it or not? So, that was my only concern. Go ahead, Commissioner Campbell. I'm going to just throw this out for sake of conversation. and it doesn't have to happen tonight
and it's just an extension of what um Commissioner uh Davis mentioned what went on in their area. I think we talk about the other festivals. I get it what we don't but we asked by the blue crap
to come back and that it's going to get to I'm going to make a point. I think that even with our community affairs, there are events that we have that could be potentially maximized or grown. I think it may be an
opportunity for us to contract someone to do event planning for the city. And I say contract because it would be on an as need basis. that person should be local.
Um, I believe that person should have a knowledge of event planning to the magnitude and take that off of our cultural affairs and allow cultural affairs to really do what they need to do because they have established the
hippity hop, the the Easter, they have established the um the 4th of July, they have established the jingle jam. So those are staple events that comes from the city. So if we have someone who
takes those events in the seasonal and help promote because there's a lot that goes into it. There's a promotional standpoint that community fields just doesn't have the time to do. So if we identify and that person instead of taking the on here could be the person
that help bridge the gap with the community so that we can pull something off whatever day Memorial Day it can be Memorial Day or Memorial Day weekend but it's an opportunity for us to pass if we are looking to pass this on but pass it
on to where we can kind of help train or help I just don't want to not do thing and then thinking that we'll have a group of people that come together and say we're going to do it next year and it well the year after which would be 27 and it
doesn't happen. So if we think about bringing somebody on a contract to a service that's from the county, that's from the city or from the county, it gives us an opportunity to allow other the cultural affairs to do what they
need to do, but it also gives us the opportunity to build those events that have become staple in our community outside of the if that makes sense. Commission Jones. Well, not having any information about
the debriefing from those who all were involved in the blue crab and what happened. Most of everything I've heard has been through social media. haven't gotten anything from
city manager's office or we have not collectively had any conversations that where things fell apart. Um, and I think that we have to be responsible and have those conversations and whether it's a workshop and say, "Okay, this is
this was a staple. Are we willing to to give it up? Are we willing to forgo here?" Um, I would like to know where we, like a better term, dropped the ball. What happened? I saw some breakdown in
contract negotiation before we got to that point. Let me just and I and I would like to still know even more. So before I can make a decision, I would like to make a more informed decision and have a little more information. So
that's why I'm there. At this point, there's not enough information for me me to just say let's move in one direction or another. again. Um, we've we we've gotten past the uh blue crane and I thought that there
should have been some kind of act I mean after action report with some kind of uh me to to provide with some information um we're still you know wait so feedback from the community of town hall which
that just happen to to the extent. So I mean everything is still in motion and we got to take time to process this but I think um
over five years the event has been it brought a lot of people to the community back to back to back to back. We had one year that there was it's just
off. Okay. So to just throw it away, I think we just need to take a step back and just kind of process this stuff, but at the same time have something in place to say.
Is it worth what we currently have to move move something forward so that people can have something to look forward to as opposed to uh saying, "Oh, we're not going to do it because of one one hiccup or hang up, which we had no
control of. So, I just want to just think, you know, we just need to take time to pause, but have something in place to move forward with. that was and and also and I understand that from people reaching out is that this is the first
year um where vendors have not been compensated in a timely fashion. Even the city was not paid till after the organizer got her first check from us 50,000 and she came in at the same time with a check for the money she owed the city from the previous year. So
there's a little more than hiccups here. Um and I guess I I I just have that concern and also if any event cannot be self- sustaining that has to be assessed as well and whether it should go on or whether it
should be reduced to a day backing up and restarting and regenerating and I think we just have I agree that those are the things that have to be looked at. I don't know how much the city wants to analyze that also with the possibility of any lawsuits. we need to be careful. And you made you made a good
point, mayor, because again, we uh when you say the to reduce the funding that the city put in tax dollars for uh this event, but here's what happened. So, initially we had $150,000 and we backed
it down to 75,000 and then 50 and then we we were backing all the way out. think we have left it up to the actual vendor to be able to have unlimited um potential profit to to or whatever to
make sure they come their funds and that hard for at least four years when we return this year the way again I was not before moving forward with the with the
particular proposal there was some balls that got dropped along the way between the communication with the um the vendor. So it's a lot of things that we we the commission was were going forward.
So I think you know going forward if we have this a plan we already got something we already know we're pretty much going to do is that's
just because we over we get overlooked. She may be looking your way but I've already acknowledged so I think we need to go back to I know but it's nothing saying sometimes we all yeah and it in it short one thing I want to add and u
commissioner Campbell reminded me oh the successful point is they do hold on uh city staff event plan so that it was the other point of the success for the previous city I was talking about but here's what here's what I was I want to
talk about in general And I don't know, we I don't think we have enough information on three to make a decision tonight, which takes me to leaning more towards the gap here. Um, Miss Hayes made a
Hughes, I'm sorry, Miss Hughes made a point about in and Commissioner Orton about two, right? So, I think that number was 30 days. So, we still need to make a decision on direction of who's going to lead and how
it's going to be laid and all of that. That takes time. We still have some huge followups with our city manager from our private with some potential legal implications.
Can we use the name blue crab? I I don't know. But we don't know any of this. And we may be able to, but we have to have time for the commission to make a decision and give direction.
Number two, then to get a group to lead an organist, getting volunteers, getting resources. We have to have anybody who does it to have the resources to do it. And so as a
retired project manager, I don't see the success of doing that in the time we hold in the next year with all the prerequisites we hold to ensure that we are fully informed and make an informed
decision and identify who will take the lead. whatso um Commissioner Davis comment actually segments into what I wanted to say or what I'm going to say. Um
we're saying we don't have enough of information. I want to make sure that when we're given direction that we specify the information that we are requesting.
One thing that I've determined is we're asking for more information. They bring us what they think we want and it may not be what we want. So in giving direction to staff, Miss Cardi or
whomever it may be, let's identify what it is that they want so that when they do come back to us, they hold exactly what we want and not what we think we want. And I say that because
um there has been communication that has gone out about the blue crab that had information on it. If that information was not enough, what additional do we want financials?
Um we got the pros and we got the cons. We got the city's perspective. So I want to make sure that we give them what they what you know give them something to work with and not just say I think um wait
yeah yeah I just say this I'll be dumb I think um you know we it's been done year over year over year over year and for anybody who's been part of the committee Um I see anybody here who has been part of the committee.
What are the major differences from one year to the next? Actually just total comments now. I just ask a question. I don't know how to specifically answer that. I mean there's a broad general there's a a broad difference of entertainment. Okay. Okay.
Thank you. Thank you. Yes. We can't we can't address it to the public. Thank you. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Are you all set, Commissioner B? Uh, yeah. Yes, I will be. I'm done. Commissioner Jones. Commissioner general, do you have my
commission comments? Yes, please. We ain't commission. Okay. Okay. Just Okay. I didn't realize we moved the commission comments, but I was going to answer the question. So, and move
because I didn't know how we ended the last segment. I didn't know we moved on. I didn't hear commissioner's comment. Go ahead. Oh, no. No. But now, now it's so go ahead, Commissioner D. What do we mean? We are basically with the suggestion Commissioner Campbell made
that we give plan direction about what other information we feel we need or dismissing to make it. Let me do it this way. Let me do it this way. May we table this um and give opportunity by
by the there's a lot going on on the seven. So, let's do have your commentary or what you desire in to city manager by the seven so that they can formulate a um
or response to the request that calls from the commission. And if you did not send a response and when we get into a meeting, don't say you don't have enough of information. Thank you. That that addressed my question and I do not have any
commission. But can we also get some of the feedback from the Yes. Okay. Two things just hear me out. One is the afteraction report. That's one. The other thing is the town hall. Can we get
if we can get that information and that might answer the question? Yes. Thank you. Say two things. The after action report. That's what that's what I asked. Thanks. Thank you. I think we can move on to public hearings. But you're correct. We
did get it. We did get it. Ordinance 202522 and orance of the city of Palaca, Florida provided with B with future land use map of the adopted comprehensive plan be amended with respect to the following parcel of land from city of Palaca commercial to city of Palaka residential low density RL for
the following property 2405 President Street. Go ahead, Mr. are related to the same property that is a 2405 street and basically in the past this property has been used
as an office if I'm going to take them together if I could have the mayor or myself I could read the next item B again I didn't realize we're going to take it together but we certainly can and I'll gladly read it thank you for telling us that sir Thank you for combining. Ordinance
number 202523, an ordinance of the city of Palaka, Florida, providing that the official zoning map of the city of Palaka, Florida be amended from city of Palaka commercial neighborhood district C1A to city of Palaka single family residential R1 for the following property located at 2405 President
Street. Go ahead, Mr. What I'm saying is that property was built in the county because new owners the property and the house in the house. The applicant is here.
Any question you might have? This was uh reviewed by the planning board on May 6 and the recommended approval of both the exchange and the res the criteria for both the So
we'll see. Thank you. Um, does the property owner or the representative want to come up if there are any questions? Okay. Does anybody have any questions? The property. No. Motion to approve. Okay. Thank you. Is there anybody here for
public comment on this item? Saying no post public comment. Do we have a motion? Motion to approve. Motion to second. Roll call. Madam clerk. Commission Davis. Yes.
Commissioner Campbell. Yes. Commissioner Jones. Yes. Y Yeah. Okay. With that said, the next series are related to one specific property too. But I will read C. Ordinance number
20 2524 an ordinance of the city of Palaka providing that the future land use of the adopted comprehensive plan be amended with respect to the following parcel of land from city of Palaka residential high to RH to city of Palaka conservation district con for the
following property um and there's the whole Dix map of Palak MP2 I won't read the whole thing parcel 4210 27 6850 146083 contiguous to the boundaries of the city of Palaka I'm and I'm asking this item to be
continued. Actually, I'm asking item H and H continue. I'll make a motion, mayor. Go ahead. that we I that we take that we continue uh those words
was was see through until our next meeting. Have a motion. Do we second a second? Is anybody a time certain which is July the 20th? Thank you. Um anybody here for public
comment? Seeing no post. Okay, good. Okay. Thank you. Um, I'll let a roll call, please. Madam cler. Commissioner Davis. Yes. Commissioner Campbell. Yes. Commissioner Jones. Yes.
Yes. On to ordinance 202530, an ordinance of the city of Palaka vacating and abandoning a portion of Napoleon Street right away lying between 12th Street and 11th Street and adjacent to block 192 and 193. Um flat book two page 46 within
the city of Paka file on the circuit court. All right. Thank you. Uh this is a request for vacation abandonment right away on Napoleon Street which is 12 street
to to the city. The city has no intent of developing a road and the owner owns both parcels in both blocks actually the own and they asking for vacation or to develop residential development that it
show the right away. Uh like I said we met how it works and there's no intent for the city to ever open this and that's the reason we ask to
get out development plans for that area. Yes, the property owner has an contract with developer to develop 48 units for duplex
from one end. I was going to ask I'm sorry what? Does anybody have any questions directly of the property owner or the representative? And please give your name. Okay. Could you give your name, please?
Stellar engineer. Okay. Thank you. Does anybody have any questions? No, I just my my only question is I mean to the to the city. I mean, we we we could sell that property to them if they going to if you guys are developing on that.
What? That's 30 60 by one. 60 by one. Oh, 300 by 60 and and and and then what's what is the what is the what is it not value but the acreage acreage own
that own block? Yeah. 300 by 60. Yeah. Five acres. No, no. We're talking about the properties. What's the What's the size of the property that you're requesting
that the city vacate? The size of acreage with the road. It's about 80,000 square feet. 300 by 60. A little over a quarter acre. That seemed like a little bit. You said 300 by 60. Traditionally the way this works
when a property owner owns both sides and there's no intent to develop the rightway they apply for a vacate of the right way and then half goes to the half goes to the other monetary transaction. That sound like a
game to me. Okay. I mean I I I think that you could vacate the property charge for it or you could declare the property to be surplus lands and you could put it in the newspaper and take the highest I declare it become surplus
lands. Okay. Okay. Okay. Be a little bit more specific talking. Yeah. Yeah. We need to go clear in that regard. Yeah. Thank you. That helps clarify. Thank you.
Yeah. Go ahead. No, I mean he he he he cleared it up when he said that when you you wanted it's clear. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anybody here for public comment on this item? Seeing now public comment. Roll call,
please. I mean a motion. I'm sorry. Motion motion to approve. Motion to vacate. Second. Motion and second. Roll call poll, please. Madam clerk. Commissioner. Yes. Commissioner Jones.
Yes. Yes. Commissioner Davis. Yes. Yes. Thank you. On commissioner's comments. Motion to adjourn.