Good afternoon everybody. Welcome to the city of Palaca, Florida Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on December 8th, 2025. It is now 5:00 pm and I'm calling this meeting to order. We'll begin with an invocation. Is Pastor Malbury zooming in?
>> Invocation. >> Oh, thank you. Good. Um, led by Pastor Malbury and pledge of allegiance led by Miss Jackson. Please stand. >> Good evening everyone. Father, we give
you thanks and praise again for the opportunity to come before your presence. We thank you for this time of sharing this meeting God that you uh were ordained for such a time as this. We pray God your blessing to be upon these your leaders. Uh crown their heads
with wisdom and understanding God those things that are necessary to move this city in the rightful direction. We thank you dear God for every one of these leaders for their expertise and what they do to further this cause for the
city. We thank you now for all that you're doing God for Palaka Putnham County and the surroundings. We pray their blessing upon us continuously. It is in Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> To the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call please. Ms. Jones >> present. >> Commissioner Jones
>> present. >> Present. >> Commissioner >> here. >> Thank you. We have quorum. Has everybody had an opportunity to read the minutes from November 10th, 2025? >> Motion to approve. >> We have a second. >> We have a motion and second. All in
favor? >> I any opposition? Thank you. I'm going to open the floor to public comments. I do have a few cards here. Um >> these are on specific topics
and that are on the agenda. If there's anybody, let's see. Anybody who's here to talk about any items or have any public comment items that are not listed on the agenda, please come forward. Those of you who submitted a card, when we get to that item, we'll call you for public comment.
Anybody here for public comment? General items. Seeing none, we'll close public comment. Going on to regular business. >> Mayor, uh there are three items that we will have to pull off of the agenda. The first item is the uh CR plan update. We
received um from the consultant their desire to want to go back through the uh refined scope to be certain that everything that they say we do or need to have done will keep us compliant. Uh
so they found that there was a need to sit with us again. Uh the so that's item B. Item D. We will have to pull that item. Um, today the city attorney went
back through it and found that um, the legislator I should allow her to explain it. That would be better if you would. >> Do you want to do that now after a motion is made >> or after the motion? >> Just you can do it now. Go ahead. >> Sure. Um, basically, um, there has been
some recent changes in the Florida statutes governing CRAAS and we are not allowed to use CRA funding for special events. So, we're going to have to figure out how to reallocate those grant funds for some other project.
>> Okay. And then finally, um, item F was to accept the Florida Commerce Grant for the redevelopment of the port consolidated site. However, upon uh subsequent review, we realized that the
applicant was not the CRA, but instead the city. So therefore, this would uh not even though it's going it's in the CRA district, the applicant was actually the city. >> Okay. >> We we need a motion to modify the
agenda. I'll make a motion that we modify the agenda excluding items B, D, and F. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion to second. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposition? Thank you. Move on to
item >> have a question back >> for and this is for um attorney west >> for I know it was pulled item D but should we go ahead or is there any official action so that it doesn't come
back before us that we can do or how would you because if we can't utilize that money um for special events it doesn't need to come back before us. Correct. >> Correct. uh we are going I I've been exploring um other alternatives that
would be consistent with the statute where you could allocate those those funds and I have shared some of those ideas with the the city manager but that's going to have to come back before this board so you can make that policy decision on where you want the funds to go. >> Perfect. Just wanted to clarify. Thank
you. >> Thank you. >> On to item A. Award of contract to Mayor Holmes LLC St. John's Avenue Streetscape Improvements. um 202511 ITV for 1,ion3680885.2 71% grant 29% CRA funds Mr. Kos.
>> Hello good evening major commissioners um I'm here to present um the contract um to Mer Homes LLC. They do business as Maeer Construction. Um we did the procurement
process. Um we opened the bids. I believe we received around five to six bids is in the package. Um they were the lowest and most responsive bidder on on this bid. Um we sent everything to the engineer for review and we send
everything to FDOT for review. This is an FDOT grant. As you as you remember when I did a presentation maybe two months ago. Um we had 1,60,000 remaining for the FDOT grants and then we have 600,000 allocated from CRA funds. Um so
the contractor is um pre-qualified by FDOT. FDOT approved them. So we're just willing to award them here. I was not able to upload a preliminary schedule that they sent us for the for the project. Um remember this project should be done by December 2026. So, we're
aiming to start like early January this project. So, I have some copies in here of the preliminary schedule. I don't know if I can share with you, but um they're saying here that they're about to start in January 5th and the project should be done by November the 12th. I
know um one day you ask me mayor about where they're going to start and in the schedule that they sent me um they're about to start in in the west side that's going to be 11th Street. So, this is where they're going to start. >> Okay. Because I think that this is just
me um from talking to merchants or actually the organizers of the Aelia Festival, they have concerns about how that will impact that. So, would it be better to start in the 400 block and get those blocks done first so they're done
before Fest? And what's the date, Miss Forelia Fest? March. >> February. >> February. Okay. So, it's going to be tidy the way. >> Okay. Maybe it makes more sense to >> Yes. I I think we can go to details later and then we can, you know, discuss
if it's better to start on on Fourth Street. We This is something we can discuss with the contractor. >> I think we need to discuss. Yeah. Talk to the folks organizing the RHP um and see how they feel, what they think is best that won't impact the festival in a negative way. >> Yeah, that's something definitely we can
discuss with them in the pre-construction meeting. I mean this is not happening until we award the contract to them but um yes this is what I have in this item. Um obviously we're like under under budget on this on this project. So that's something that's
something good. The engineer estimate cost for the project as you remember was like 1.4 million and and this is this was not including the bumpouts. So and they came like in 1.2 I believe without the bumpouts. So we're like under budget. So that's something positive.
and they seem to be like really good company. I've not worked with them. The city, I don't believe, has worked with them before, but they seem to have a really good reputation. So, >> thank you. Thank you. And it's exciting that it's finally happening. Also, are they going to be able to meet with the downtown merchants prior to starting? >> Yes, that's something that's something
we can make happen so that way everyone knows what's happening. >> Sounds good. Any questions? >> Seems not. Thank you. We'll go on to C four seasons landscape. >> We're going to vote and vote. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't I didn't look
the right way. Go ahead. >> Second. >> Oh, we have a motion to second. All in favor? >> I >> I Any opposition? >> Um, four seasons landscape south historic district phase one landscaping proposal. >> I'm going to ask Miss West to respond.
>> Yes. Uh, so if you recall, uh, you all met Mr. Shane Ellison of Four Seasons Lawn and Landscaping. He was here with his wife to make a personal introduction. Um and he is going to be continuing to work with the city. This
is the first phase of streetscaping in the South Historic District. Um it contemplates installing 40 15gallon live oak trees and 65 15gallon dahoon hollies. um both are native trees to
Florida and this particular area of Florida. Uh the cost of $16,450 also includes the labor of installation, the mulching, and then the landscaping company is committing to making sure the
trees don't die due to lack of watering by watering them for a one-year time period. Uh so this will be along the Oak and Laurel Street corridors. The species of the tree will depend on whether or
not there are utility lines up above. So if there is a utility line and he he walked the entire path of oak and laurel. If there's a utility line, it's going to be a dehing holly. If there's not a utility line, it's going to be a live oak.
And more important uh the budget is sufficient for the uh services as well. >> Does anybody have any more questions on this or have any questions? >> Okay. Do we have a motion?
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Second. >> A motion to second. All in favor? >> I. Any opposition? Thank you. On to E. solar powered lights.
>> So, this item is um that we just wanted to bring this back to the CRA board. Um from everything that we can understand, there was not an actual approval as to how to move forward. Uh but historically
or the background is that if we were to there are 17 gas lamps and if we were to move forward with uh gas, it would cost us at least 6,200. annually, not considering the repairs and maintenance of approximately 7,000. However, if we
were to replace them, oh no, we forgot to bring the sample. We were going to bring it out of my office, the solar, so we could turn the light off and they could see. Please, I'm sorry about that. So we do have uh we actually have uh the
solar lamp here so that you can see how it looks in the dark and that would cost us for all 17 about 2500. So we are recommending our staff recommendation is that we move forward
with the solar lamps and uh there was some research that we did also miss west about the routine >> recurring >> right recurring can you talk about that? >> Sure. Um, so I was asked to research
whether or not the CRA can fund recurring operating expenses such as utilities and based upon my research and several AGO opinions, it is my legal opinion that it cannot. So for that
natural gas utility monthly fee, that is not something that uh can be funded out of CRA funds. So therefore, you know, what we're trying to make uh you understand is that paying the 6,000 or more annually is a
recurring fee. So we should not we cannot do that. But uh this right here covering all 7. We we hope that if we turn all the lights off, you can see how nice and pretty. Maybe Oh, it's not going to shine for us. >> It probably has to time the light on.
Does it do you have to is today? So >> Oh, so I didn't get enough light today. >> Well, forget it. But at night time it shines in my office. So So it does shine. Okay. I wanted you to see it. I'm sorry. At least we tried. The thought
was there. But uh basically it looks very nice. It's u historic looking and uh really I've come by at night and it shines uh brightly. So, as long as we have sun, which we normally do, this
shines at night and the cost differential is significant. Only 2500 covers all 17 lamps. >> Is it coming on now? >> Yeah, it's coming on. >> Like a color. Okay. >> Also, as follow up to Miss West
information, I did call the Florida Redevelopment Agency and an attorney from the Florida Legal Cities left me a message back saying that TIFF funds cannot be used for recurring utility costs such as electricity, water, gas, anything like that. It should be
restricted just to redevelopment related expenses. >> I'm also would like to bring up planning director to give us more context. Good evening. >> Just just to make you aware that this lamp was presented to the story
preservation board for a certificate of appropriateness and the board denied this this lamp. They denied the certificate. So I presume that if you um if you agree to have this it probably we have to go
back to this to the story preservation board for their consideration to get a certificate. >> But they were not aware at that time that legally we cannot use tiff funds to >> that was that was not their view. >> It was just you know the way it looks
and whether it was gas or it was solar. They preferred the gas. >> Right. I'm just saying they didn't have that information at the time though. None of us did because that that we weren't aware yet of that. >> But the new information that we now have is that we cannot use tiff money for
recurring uh that type of recurring expenditure which would be utilities, gas, we cannot do that. >> Gas, electric, anything of that nature. >> Thank you. >> Does anybody have any questions before I open? >> I think it was to you to make a
decision. I think that's why we brought it back. Yes, I have I have people here for public comment though and I wanted to >> um Miss Roach who also wanted to comment on 4 A 4E and 4 F and I missed for but come on up please. Name and city or town
of residence. Three minutes Cheryl Roach, Palaska, Florida. After being saddened by the thought of our gas lamps only shining for a brief period during the holidays and are paid for by a few South Historic homeowners, I put this topic on the CRA agenda in the
beginning of the year. On the day of the meeting, my presentation was thwarted by elected officials and city employees. Today, I thank Mr. Campbell and Mr. Pelisir for bringing this topic back to the agenda. There are 17 standing gas lights in the South Historic District. One was run
over by a car and never replaced. They are all in need of painting and replacement of the luminers. Also, the installment of a flame guard. A glass cylinder which goes around the flame would help prevent blowouts. This would be prudent to keep costs down. My recollection is that there was a line item in the CRA budget to cover the
expense of upgrading the existing lamps. Also, I was told, as was the board, that the CRA can pay for maintenance and lighting by Miss Odum. So, I would like verification of what exactly has changed. The Bay Village neighborhood in
Boston is switching out their 2,800 gas lights to LED. What they've learned is swapping lights on paper sounds great, but the actual cost is expensive. Their LED lamps light at night with electricity. If you choose to go solar to have the lamps lit at night, you will
need grid backup. That will also be expensive. Or you can go with a lithium battery backup. These are a huge theft risk and also costly. There is not the possibility of just a solar
panel on top of a lamp post lighting all the time. The high cost of a green project should be paramount in the ultimate decision. The city local guidelines for historic homeowners are based on the secretary of interior standards preferring like to like wood
to wood. However, substitute materials like vinyl windows and hardy sighting can be used if local ordinances allow. To go solar should open the door of relief for South historic homeowners who struggle maintaining and renovating their homes. Both vinyl and Hardy are
energy efficient and costeffective. To say you want solar street lamps because of the environment, but you demand wood to wood simply makes no sense. I now reference the three-fold guide sent out to historic areas from the city. I quote, "This guide aims to help
residents understand the benefits, responsibilities, and processes associated with living in a historic district in Palatka, ensuring both preservation of our heritage and the enjoyment of a unique living environment." I have copies if you all
would like that. If the city and the CRA board votes to install solar lamps, they will be completely contradicting their own words. In closing, the lamps are currently lit. Their glow lift lifting the neighborhood dramatically. There is no reason they should not stay.
Considering the huge surplus of the CRA budget, if you allow the lights to dim, it proves you are not preserving our unique living environment in our city. I urge you to keep the gas lights burning for the preservation of city's heritage.
And I would most certainly like a followup as to why suddenly we're being told that the CRA cannot uh cover the cost when I was specifically told as was the commission that it does
cover it. And I would also like to hand out the flyers that were distributed by the planning board pertaining to the preservation of our CRA districts. >> Thank you, Algra Kitchens. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Thank you.
Allegra Kitchens, please. >> Allegria Kitchens, Black, Florida. First of all, bottom line is this. This is a historic district. Solar lights are not historic. They did not have solar lights in the turn of the century. They did not have it 1800s, the 1700s or the n early
1900s. So solar lights number one are not historic. I agree with Miss Roach. If you want to make people uh keep historic for their their and not use vinyl and not use plastic, then you can't make them use solar. Also, I would wonder
lights are utilities, are they not? That's a utility. Doesn't matter whether it's electricity, gas, LED, or something beamed down from the Starship Enterprise. That's a utility. Therefore, solar lights being lights are also utilities. So, how can how can they not
come under utilities? I don't see why they can't be paid for under utilities. They are utilities. If you produce a light, that's a utility. The other thing, and this is almost as important, the most important thing is they're not historic neighbor. No matter how you turn it, they're not historic to a historic district. Period.
At the previous meetings when I which I've spoken and been at, there's been other presentations on money. I didn't I don't have the information. The gas lights were way cheaper than the solar lights to maintain and to keep up and to do. And as far as the thing about oh painting and this and that, guess what people, solar lights have to be painted,
too. Their post rot just like the regular light. No difference in the post. The only difference is the sunlight when it's available in Florida might keep them lit. Now, I'll tell you this. I've done research on solar because I was interested in solar panels on house. Solar is not a good a good proposition for the state of Florida.
Why? We're the sunshine state. Because while we're the sunshine state, we have a massive fl cloud cover and that helps dim solar. It does not work well. We also are known as the rain state of the of the of the world just about. We have a lot of rain. We have a lot of cloud cover when we don't have rain. That does
not help solar. I have solar lights in my yard. I love them. They are all they're gone by 10:00 at night. And that's if you got 12 hours of sunlight during the daytime. Solar does not last. It does not last 24 hours. It will go out. You have to have sunlight. You have to have not have have a cloudless sky.
Solar is not a good option for the historic district from this fact that solar is not good in the state of Florida. No matter what you hear, Google search it being search it, research it. The other thing is it is not historical. You cannot get around the fact it's historical. It is not historical. Period. And if if the CRA funds can't
pay for the gas authority, work something out with them. You own the gas authority. You have access to their their extra money. Work something out with them. There's a way to keep the gas lights and the gas lights are what you need to keep. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Rusto. >> Yes.
When's my clock start? I only got three minutes. Not enough time. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. My name is Veto Russo. I live at 415 Emit Street here in PLA. I'm the president of Neighborhood Association. Uh speaking on the gas street lamps, uh
the SH uh the neighbor association uh when Ken Campbell was the president uh bought these gas street lamps and the neighbor association owns them. So really the ownership of the of the gas street lamps is a bit of a moot
point, don't you think? Because because no nothing should be happen to these gas street lamps that the majority of that neighborhood doesn't agree with. whether the whether the city wants to make an argument that they own it or if the neighborhood association is going to uh consider to be ownership.
Now, we have always acted as if we're owners. We basically pay for the lighting up during the holiday season. We pay we've paid for having a few of them of the heads these heads here uh replaced because the flame kept blowing
out. So, the in fact that was a couple years ago, the PLA gas authority switched out a couple of heads for us. The uh one gas um the one gas street lamp that Cheryl was referencing that got hit by a drunk driver and smashed
into three pieces. I picked those pieces up, took them to the took them to a shop and had them reweld it. And I actually went out there and repaired the base by leveling it back out and pouring a concrete uh cradle around it to keep it
to keep it upright. So So the the gas street lamp number 17 is actually sitting in my sitting in my yard actually. >> So we would like to actually get that back out, but that thing is really really heavy. So, um I think it's fairly unanimous
that we like to keep the gas lamps rather than going with solar because of the historic nature of them. I think they look um they're beautiful when they're lit up like that. In fact, I would love I would love to get FPL to turn off the gas turn off the the
electric street lamps and uh and just just have the gas street lamps lit lighting up the neighborhood. I think that'd be really cool. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Pam Garris. >> Thank you, Pam Garris. Platka, Florida.
The value of historic resources monetarily, aesthetically, and preserved for future generations of a city lies in the application of specific guidelines. Historic preservation experts offer tips on navigating these guidelines to
preserve historic resource sources as cited in the article on homes.com ballroom blitz industry pros offer five tips for honoring a property's past by Rebecca San Juan November 6, 2025 and I quote her article in many
communities changes to historic facades often go before special panels set up to ensure the distinctive character of a home to be preserved. Well, we're talking about lights, but it's all a part of the neighborhood and where the homes are. It all goes together to create the ambiance of historically
correct neighborhoods. The ensuing discussions can become quite testy as property owners seek to retain control of what happens to their own homes and communities striving to protect their architectural and cultural value. Our cultural value here, which is not valued
by some people, are the historic resources we have. Many towns in Florida do not have that. You can't replicate them. They're there for from a century ago. Okay. Homeowners, homeowners in the South Historic District approximately 10
years ago had control over how they wanted their TIFF funds utilized through the CRA. This needs to revert back to this policy. I was living in the south historic then and I remember this distinctly. The purpose of the CRA is to eliminate
blight in specific in the specific three historic districts. Repair of the gas lamps purchased from the city for a dollar each approximately in the 2000s by the South Historic Neighborhood Association should be funded by CRA funds. And I understand now that's a
moot point according to the legal authorities and the League of Cities. These gas lights were originally lining the riverfront in the last century and were replaced with other lighting. These lights are historically authentic to the city of Palaca. Our city should always
strive to preserve in a historically accurate mode. This protects the architectural and cultural values of our south historic district and the whole historic city. The historic resources of the city of Pac are its most valuable real estate when strict historic
preservation guidelines are followed as stated by experts in the art article referenced. And if you'd like to read that article, it goes through how houses should be uh remodeled, renovated, and that details such as
lighting should be as close to authentic as possible. It gets very specific. Um, these rare historic buildings and neighborhoods are a great draw for tourism. An example is several individuals from out of town have told
me personally that Grand Gable's Bed and Breakfast is their favorite place to stay anywhere. Thus, preserved historic properties create a revenue strain in the economy of the city, as do bass tournaments. Thank you. >> I implore you to vote to fund this. And
I think this is my editorial comment. There's a lot of money wasted in this city. You could find the money to fund these gas lamps if you can't fund it through CRA. >> Thank you. Um, and just for clarification, I did reach out to Ken Campbell who was the president of South
Historic Neighborhood Association when those lights were put up in the 90s, late 90s, and they were funded with CRA monies. According to him, they have only been there since the 1990s. There's no indication they were there in the neighborhood historically
either. Um, but I think we're back to the fact that legally we can't use tiff monies to fund utility costs. We can use them to refurbish the lights, but after that that becomes an issue. Anybody else have any questions, discussion? Well,
>> go ahead. >> Go ahead, M. Commissioner Campbell. >> I know what legal said, but at some given point, we have to take into consideration what the individuals of what I've heard. Of course, I can't
speak for the whole Southside um historic district, but they have been advocating, and I have to give it to Miss Roach. Miss Roach brought this to us far enough in advance because the aim was to have it done by this holiday season if I was cor if I'm correct. Then
I was a proponent of gas um just because of what I've seen and the the combination of neighborhood. However, I'm at a position now given what legal has stated. Um,
but if there is a way, I would like to see us proceed with the the gas portion versus the solar. >> Anybody else? >> Yes, I I'll just chime in. I do know,
you know, it's a reason why, you know, they have the CRA and even training on the CRA to be able to help us understand how we could uh spend funds uh as it relates to uh various things. And again, that's why legislation is is is pushing
to do away with the CRAAS because of how individuals in the past have utilized those funds. Now, just because uh this is a a a a condition that we can't use the CRA funds to do that, there may be
another mechanism way through the the the city's uh general fund or what have you to be able to assist in that measure, but there's no way that I would put myself in a position to vote on something and knowing that it's not a
legal uh it's not legal to to put those funds in that bucket because we've the city have had to pay money back from years past with doing various things whether it was through the better place plan through uh other other grants that
we've used and different things of that nature and had to pay money back. So I don't want to go back to doing things that the way people did it in the past. We we we given legal guidelines to be able to operate with these funds. So, if there's a way that we can do it from a
the u the general fund, let's look let's explore that and I'll be happy to assist in that regard. But I was I was in support of it in the beginning with the gas with the gas uh lighting. >> So, again, when we got this new information as it relates to the law
that's passed, uh I got to go with with what what legal says and what I'm not um going to go anything different. >> Okay, I understand. >> Anyone else? Commissioner, >> um, to refresh my memory, what is the,
uh, estimated yearly cost of gas to maintain those lamps? >> 6,200? >> $6,200 a year, sir. 17 lamps. >> Yes, approximately. And then maybe a couple of more thousand for maintenance,
but it should not exceed 10,000. you there's no money in the reserves or can you use reserves money for this or how does that work in in city government? >> Uh I will now that I'm being given directive I will with the finance director uh look for funds in general
fund as opposed to the CRA. I was keeping an open mind about the the LED lights there uh and still have one. But I I am very much of a historical thought that we need to maintain that
look that keeps unique to Pala >> and and any other town older towns. Um, I u worked in southern Mississippi for about three years and that Buxy area is very rustic and very old south if you
will and they had a light I saw in a lot of houses and it had to be electric. Um, but it looked just like a whipper of a plane >> and it had to be electric. I never walked up to one and looked at it, but everybody had them. I just don't think
that gas was strung everywhere all over the city. But those were very real looking to see them on the on the fronts of those houses that out there. You know, just keep an open mind to everything that's out there. But I can't vote for anything like that. I'd have to see it and
>> I know that I can't see. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Commissioner Davis. >> Yeah. Um, number one, I think we're hearing loudly and clearly from the
residents who have spoken. Um, I know that on the report it mentioned um pending um the feedback from the uh evaluation.
>> Yes. Um and I did research. The survey has not yet been completed and that's why it's it's placed here pending the results of the survey. So because the position is vacant, we're
not moving as quickly as before. But the survey I would like there was a survey done, but I would prefer to do one with survey monkey. >> Yeah. I was just I was just bringing that up. Um, like I said, I hear consensus here and I also agree with
what I've heard before. One, we can't pay with it um with these PI funds. So, to that point, um, if there's an option to do gas with city funds, I think we should look at that option.
>> Thank you. >> Oh, go ahead. And and as far as mine, if I have some funds in my special events fund, maybe I can transfer some of those funds out, a portion of it to help in that regard.
So, I'll be happy to do that. >> Thank you. >> It's been noted. >> But we need a long-term plan. I mean, that would only this money would have to be allocated on an annual basis to make this happen consistently as the name the PO folks that are here have asked. It
can't be just short term going to satisfy their interest of the people that are here. >> Right. I understand that. >> But it's appreciated that you offer to help. >> I understand that. But as you know, as long as I'm on the board and we the allocations are there for the commission, everybody get those
allocations. I'm just making the commitment to do it from my my perspective. And actually the amount that's in there, it it it could take care of the whole thing. But again, I would like for the the rest of the commission to chime in as well. >> Go ahead, commissioner.
>> I just have a question. Being that we're looking at the possibilities of paying out of some other funding sources outside of >> the >> TIF funds, does this now become a
commission decision versus a CRA decision? Because if so, I would like to move forth with making an official motion that we no longer entertain this on the CRA level, but bring this to the commission so that we don't have to wait
to another CRA meeting to handle business one way or another and that this officially be added onto the agenda of the city commission so that we can move forth accordingly. >> That sir, >> are you making that motion? >> Yes, ma'am. May I?
>> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposition? Thank you. On to reports.
Hold compliance monthly and end of year report. >> Good afternoon. I'm Harold Bartelli, City Pl Compliance Office. um giving you a quick uh update of excuse me uh CRA issue um issue we've had and an ended to your report. Uh you should have a copy
of this all in your briefing. So I'm going to keep it quick and easy for y'all. I'm not holding anybody up. Uh from our last meeting from November 10th to December 11th, we've had a total of eight new cases in the historic district areas. Uh three pending and five have come into compliance are closed.
Um, and those um, houses and areas are in your packet. Uh, ended end of the year CRA uh, report update for y'all folks. Uh, we've had since January 79 cases in all in all three districts. Uh, 67 of those cases
are closed or have come in compliance. As to this date, we have 12 of them that are still open. Um and nine in this area that we've had we'll call repeat issues where we have things on. Um those uh are also in your report
of warehouses and locations. Um if anybody has any questions for me at this time that be all. >> Does anybody have any questions? >> Yeah. Have a statement. >> Yes sir. Mr. Bartelli. Uh, I think this was prior to your arrival in code
enforcement, but we did mention when we get these reports, we would like to have photos uh of these val violatable violating offenses like the houses or the the residents. And
it's a thorough report with the with the addresses, >> but visual if we could see exactly what we're talking about, especially like with the repeat offenders. Uh it's it would be good to see the before, the after, what are we talking about, you
know, um and any violations. So when they come back come to us for lean reductions and things of that nature, we actually have solved it. Um so I would request that we continue with that. >> That's not an issue. I was unaware of that. Um, I can put those in there. The before, after photos, pending photos.
That's not an issue at all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments or questions? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Financial report date for the month ended October 31st, 2025. Miss Pierre,
>> good evening, mayor and commissioners. The Okay, so the total revenues received year to date are zero. The CRA relies heavily on advalorum tax revenues which are assessed at the beginning of the fiscal year but not collected until
later typically starting in November or December. So under the modified acral accounting revenue is recognized only when it's measurable and available. Since the Putnham County tax collector does not distribute funds to the CRA until after collection begins, there is
a natural lag between the start of the fiscal year and when revenue is actually received. As a result, no revenue is recorded in the first month of the fiscal year as the CRA has not yet received or recognized its primary funding sources such as property tax.
Expenses and transfers to date total $16,797. The CRA's total budget for the fiscal year is 2,814,774 with 0% of revenues and 1% of expenditures realized as of this report.
That pretty much ends my presentation unless you have questions. >> Anyone have any questions? Mina, >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> City manager report. Uh, city manager reported that the CRA is um continuing
its operations even though we are in the midst of interviewing uh applicants and trying to find the replacement. Uh we are getting close. We even had um an interview today. Additionally, um myself
with uh Mr. Lorenzo and also my administrative assistant. We are processing um building improvement grants as they are coming in. We are actually at the point of uh paying I believe three of the granters. So that
what that means is that they have finished their project. uh we have we have verified the uh documentation and uh the project manager has also gone out to ensure that the project was successfully completed. So we will be uh
dispersing those funds rather soon. So that's pretty much it. We do have uh a consultant that would like to come on board, but we believe that this position should be filled with a dayto-day individual that can go out to the community.
>> Thank you, >> Commissioner T. >> I do have a question and I'm just uh out of consistency and transparency um I've asked it I've asked this question in the last meeting as well. Even though there was a vacancy, it was an understanding
that we were still moving forth with the um the logo project, the wayfinding so that we would be able to go ahead and get some of that stuff done. It was stated at that meeting that we were there was working with the public information officer and that you all were close to bringing something back to
us. So, I just would like an update with regards to that. We will have that uh update for you in the January meeting, but public information officer is working with the branding. She's involved in that project. Matter of fact, she's
spearheading it. So, I will make sure and bring an update in January. Thank you. >> Anybody else have any questions of Miss Connie? >> Thank you. Before we adjourn, um, we do need to recognize Miss Jackson's
service to the CRA board. In recognition of your dedicated service on the community redevelopment agency since 2022, your commitment, leadership, and contributions have greatly supported the mission of the agency and the growth of our community. With sincere appreciation, we honor your continued
service. Dated the 11th day of December, 2025. Thank you, Miss Jackson. And I don't know if anybody else has any words to say. >> Anybody else like to say anything? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. They all say thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Jackson.
>> Thank you. It's been It's been a pleasure. >> This is certainly been a honor and a pleasure to work alongside you on this board. You have certainly been an asset to our city. Thank you for all you do. >> Thank you. With that, are there any
further items? >> Got a motion to journ. Thank you everyone. >> Okay. >> We can't discuss it now. Once the meeting closes, you can't discuss it with all of us here.