Look at me. >> Yeah, >> it is 4 o'clock. I'm going to call this meeting of the city of Palaka Planning Board to get to order. Um, November the 4th,
we going to call to order. Um, I guess I'll do the invocation. Um, Andy, will you do pledge of allegiance? Please stand if you're able. >> Let us pray. >> I'm here. I am here. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'm sorry,
pastor. Go ahead. >> That's okay. Father, give you thanks and praise again for the opportunity to come before your presence. We thank you for how you blessed us all day long. You strengthened us. You encouraged us. You
allowed us to come together once again. Pray God that your blessing be upon the heads of these leaders that you would give them wisdom in this hour. God, our nation need you God. We need your directions and all that we under to do. Father, we pray that you will help us to
make the decisions that will move us forward in a good place in this city. We pray God for your divine intervention. Help those God that need help. Bless those that need to be blessed. We give you praise for all you do for us
continuously in Jesus name we pray. Thank God. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you, pastor. >> Please. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please have a seat. >> Oh, >> Alex, would you please call to roll for us, please? >> Certainly. Edy Wilson >> here.
>> Chase Barnes here. Absent for the record. Earl Wallace >> here. >> Andrew Bernett >> here. >> Ed Kilibru >> here. >> George Loach excused for the record. We have quum.
>> We miss Mr. Doen. >> Tom Dolan. >> We have quum. >> Thank you. >> The entire >> I apologize. >> I'll now read the appeals and procedures and exparte communication. Any person wishing to appeal any decision made by
the planning board with respect to any manner considered as such meeting at such meeting will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to ensure that verbatim record of the proceedings is made. Which record includes the testimony and evidence upon
that which the appeal is to be based. Florida statutes 286.0105. Can I have an approval for the of the minutes for November or September 2nd, please? >> I'll make I'll make a motion. >> You know, you going to second it?
>> Well, okay. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Passes unanimously. >> I told you where she was. So, we got to
just put up with her. Okay, let me find my I guess that's what I Sorry. Okay. Um, >> 2045.
It's going to start in 2045. >> 80. I hadn't got there yet. So, uh, public comments. Is there anybody here wish to speak to the board outside of what we're going to talk about today? That case, you have three minutes and no
action should be expected to be taken by the board on those items. As yes, Miss Kitchens, >> no public comment, just a question. Will we be allowed to speak during the presentation or after it? I I would think so. I mean, it's because
it's a public thing. >> That That's all I would know. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Okay. Well, did I see anybody else speaking? Well, we'll move move on to our regular business, the approval of the city of Blackas comprehensive plan
update. >> Mr. Chair, commissioners, um I'd like to introduce Kathy Eva from JB Pro. there our consultants who worked with us in the update to the comprehensive plan. We're really in the last stretch of the
process that we started over two years ago, probably two and a half years ago. If you remember, we went through a vision uh planning process and after that we started the the update to the comprehensive plan. So now in the final
stretch, this is the first public hearing for the update to the comprehensive plan. all the elements of the comprehensive plan. After this, it's going to go to to the city commission for transmitt hearing and probably two or three months later, it's going to
come back for final adoption. And with that, I'm going to turn over to Kathy and she's going to go over the the presentation today. >> Okay. Thank you. Floor is yours, Miss Kathy. >> Good afternoon. It's nice to be back.
Um, for the record, I'm Kathy Iba. Um I'm a mer I'm a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows and we have been working with your staff for about a year on this project. Um I'd like to it's it's the
next step towards the update of all of your um planning documents. The next step after this will be the update of your land development code. So next So today we're going to go through four major components. We're going to go
through a little bit about the project out background. We're going to go through the comprehensive plan in each of the elements and the proposed updates and then we're going to conclude with anticipated next steps. So, a little bit about the project. Um,
as Lorenzo just mentioned, we began this effort with a vision plan or you did um that was done by the North Florida Regional Planning Council. Um then a grant was obtained last year or earlier this year for um a comprehensive plan
technical assistant grants for the update of comprehensive plan. We started that pro the vision plan was approved by the city council and then we were we started the work on the comprehensive plan about a year ago. Um, in June 2025, we were told that the grant was
substantially met. Um, and we have continued to complete the work directly with staff. This project has been managed by Lorenzo with Nick Hill of our offices, the two project managers. I have acted as the
principal in charge with uh a planner of ours doing work behind the scenes. and then Edward Ning from the Cordino root group has done the transportation components of this project. So what is a compar plan? Um in in a
nutshell a comp plan is your master plan for your city. It is it is all of the items um that a city might have to deal with from future land use and transportation to capital improvements, historic preservation, economic
development. It's it is a comprehensive document that really looks at at a high level. If you think of a funnel, it's at the very top of the funnel, a high level of all of the items that the city might work on. Then as we move forward, we will update your land development code,
which would be the next step that takes the highlevel comprehensive plan and brings it into code language that can be implemented. Um, and then the final step is the site and development projects and permitting. So this is the top of the funnel for the f for how we um develop
land and develop our city. Thinking about all the many issues that we could have whether they're future lane use and mobility, trans recreation and open space, conservation, capital improvements, uh historic preservation, economic development. Those two are optional elements that the city has
decided is important to the city of Palaca and therefore has created elements or chapters in their comprehensive plan to address those. So as part of this effort, even though the vision plan was done um prior to the
the updating of the of the goals, objectives and policies, we held two open houses, one in September, one in October to go through all of the policy changes and make sure that the direction that we have take undertaken in the
policy changes reflects the vision that was established. And there are three types of updates. The first one is the main maintaining consistency with the Florida statute. The second is implementing your vision. And thirdly is aligning with best p
planning practices. So the way we're going to work today is there are there are up to three slides per element. Some of the elements only have one or two um towards the end, but but the beginning and most the most meaty most critical elements have three.
They go through that statutory change. They go through the the vision changes and they go through the best practices. I am going to in order to to move this conversation go through um and knowing that you've had this packet for quite a
while now um because this presentation was originally to give be given last month. We're gonna we are going to I'm going to focus in the first slide and then if there are questions that you have please feel free to stop me. We can have a discussion as we move through
this this document. That way uh we can stay focused and move through it and as quickly as possible. There will be time at the end for the public to participate in that conversation. But at this moment this conversation is here at the dis. So when we talk about our future land
use, the future land use is guiding long-term vision for how land is to be developed. This is where you get your future land use ele your future land use map which identifies by property what the use of a property could be. Um and
it really sets a framework for how zoning future zoning and future site planning will happen. The big takeaways for this element for the changes are one um someone asked her miss Wilson asked the question what 2045
means. So this is this is in the future lane use ma future lane use element but then it is continued throughout all of the updates and that is that we are extending your planning horizon to 2045. So everything that we're looking at, whether it's population
um or whether it's uh transportation facilities, whether it's your park facilities and your public public utilities, we're looking at a horizon of can the what you have today provide for the growth of your community through the
planning horizon of 2045. And as you know, by statute, we update our comprehensive plan once every seven years. And that's because we're con things are constantly changing. So the next time you did this, you would probably be extending your planning
horizon to 20 2055 or somewhere around that period. So the big takeaways on future land use is one again that extension. Two that we're focusing in on mixeduse development in the downtown. This is we haven't established we have established
a new future land use um designation for the downtown area but it's based on a zoning classification that already exists in your land development code. So we're just bringing forward and making bringing forward that land development code um zoning designation and creating
a um future land use designation that mirrors and complements that zoning designation. We're also mo we also modified the PUD to ensure that PUDs are done only at times where it really matters um so that you the that the PUD
or that specialized zoning that happens with a PUD is only done at very specific times. the future land use category. Um the next slide, the future land use category, as I said, it's based on what's already in your zoning code,
which is 12 20 dwelling units in acor of a floor area ratio of four. Um the floor area ratio of four means that about four stories. Um you als we've also uh we've also established some policies to promote a
density bonus and incentives based on existing public infrastructure. Move forward. The next element is the housing element. This housing ele the housing element is is designed to create policies and a
planning framework that improves and the quality of your housing and the diversity of the types of housing. So the big takeaways on the improvements that we have done for the housing elements is one establishing policy policies that really talk about how to diversify your housing your housing
stock afford promote affordability and three rehab substandard units so that they can be brought up to current codes. You can go forward you can go. So that is that is the housing element unless there are any
questions on the housing element. Okay. The next element is your transportation element. This is an element that was done by Ed Ning at the Cordino group as mentioned earlier. Um the big takeaway the transportation
element deals with all things excess access. How do you get around your community? whether it's um whether it's biking, walking, whether it's a boat ferry, whether it's roads and transportation, whether it's transit, any of those things, however people
however allows for people to connect through the community. So the big takeaways on the improvements to the transportation element are one, improving pedestrian and bikeability of your community as a whole and identifying opportunities to do so.
Improving the multimodal connections. so that you can go from bike, walk, transit um and and car and even um we've suggested some ideas on how you could you re reinstate a ferry not only improving
transportation but improving some um your some ability for economic development and tourism. And then finally, as an overarching policy for transportation, we're recommending that the city update a long its long range transportation plan. It has not been done in quite a while. Um, that's an
effort that would be ex that would exceed the comprehensive plan, but really is a next step. Uh, just like updating your zoning code is a next step from your comprehensive plan, updating your transportation plan would be a next step for your comprehensive plan in order to implement fully the policies.
Are there any questions about the transportation element? All right. The next element is the recreation and open space element. This element deals with all issues parks and wreck. This element really looks at how to make sure that people have a high
quality of life by accessing parks whether they're owned by the city, the state um or uh the or if you had any federal parks um in your city. I know you have a you have one state park in your city. also talks about how you can
take advantage of the area along the waterfront with the St. John's River and making sure that parks are accessible to people in in all places. Um recognizing that parks are really central to helping connect cities together and they aren't just places that people go to recreate,
but they're really places that help bring a community together. So the big P takeaways on the changes to the parks and Oakman space element is one updating your long your level of service standards for your parks and recreation spaces in the long term. Um this would
be a an effort that the city again implement implement implementation of your comprehensive plan um would would recommend some improvements to your level of service standards for parks and recreation and and specifically addressing three items. One is the
management of your open spaces. The second one is the location or access to to your parks and spaces. And then total space, which is right now what your level of service standard is mostly based on, which is total square footage or total acreage of uh your park space.
And the reason that we're recommending the changes to the location is because it's about access. You can have a lot of acreage. You can have a lot of park space, but if it's not in places where people live or it isn't sp it isn't
distributed across the city and and accessible to all people, it may not be as valuable resource as it could be. Um especially children being able to walk, being able to ride their bikes to a local park. It's really important and it's something that we would recommend the city consider in the future is
really evaluating where your parks are and making sure that you um provide for accessibility to all parks by updating your level of service standard to one that is based not only on total acreage but also on accessibility.
Any questions about the parks and open space? >> Yes sir. I think you indicated we should look at explosion. >> I'm what I'm suggesting not is that not that you would have to make any changes to them, but that you would want to
incorporate that into your level of service standard. So, so that it is maintained as it moves forward as you continue to grow, as you continue to develop that you will want to make sure that those parks are accessible to everybody. It's not saying that there's
a problem with it today. If we felt there was a problem with it today, we would have recommended a change immediately. We're just saying that to more memorialize what you already have, the good work you already have, that it would be a good idea to consider updating your level of service standard to reflect that.
So today, your level of service standard is based on total acreage. It doesn't matter it all of that acreage could be in one place. It could be scattered throughout the community. it could be distributed evenly >> and it's scattered throughout.
>> So pretty. >> So all the level of service standard does sir is it would say that that that moving forward as new development comes online that that needs to be maintained. So it's not saying that it's not happening today. It's just saying that
as thing as you grow as you develop new areas you will want to consider how that access how that locationational standard is continues to be met. >> Yes. >> City >> the city does yes that you have your own
level of ser every that is part of your comprehensive plan. It's a foundational element of the comprehensive plan. Just as foundational to as um your as your future land use map and your future land use designations, your level of service standards are a foundational component
that is found within your comprehensive plan and you adopt them as part of your comprehensive plan. Usually you were usually to update them especially if you were to do a significant update. So let's say for example you want to update your transportation level of service standards. That's where the land range
transportation plan would come in play. If you were to update your parks, your parks level service standards, that's where a parks study would come in play. So, a specialized study that really looks at those issues on a very um fine-tuned level. That's what you you
would do that it would give you the justification then to update the level service standard, but the level service standard would be updated in your comprehensive plan. So, are there any other questions about the parks and open space element? Okay.
>> Or does she answer your questions? >> Yeah, I just I just don't want the city to get a ding that we don't deserve. It sounded like we were >> possibly getting one. >> No, it No, it's not. It's just saying that your current your current standard
is is strictly based on acreage and it may be something that you would want to change in the future just to reflect the current work that you have. It's not saying that what you're doing is bad. It's just saying that you would want in order to maintain it, a level of service standard that appro that deals not only
with acreage but also location might be appropriate. Um, I've been a planner in Florida for over 20 years and have done a lot of comprehensive plans both working for the local jurisdiction as a planner employed by this jurisdiction as and as a consultant
and the acreagebased level of service standard has been very common and it's in then in probably the last fiveish years that the best practices have changed so that level services for parks are have that do have that duality. They
are both based on acreage as well as location. So what you have done is exactly what most most jurisdictions across Florida have done traditionally. We're but the practice is changing >> and it's good >> and it's good.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. The next element is conservation. So conservation deals with and your environmental issues. This is about your natural resources. This is about your fire, your wildlife, your fisheries. Um,
anything that has to do with environmentally sensitive lands like wetlands. All of that is a part of your conservation element. And the big takeaways on the improvements here are um establishing long-term regulatory incentives to preserve, protect, and
restore. Preserve your native and your natural resources, protecting your vulnerable resources, and restoring any impacted lands that you have. Are there any change any questions about the conservation element? The next element is your public
facilities element. This element is the element that deals with all of your utilities, your sewer, your water, your drainage, your solid waste, and your aquifer recharge areas. This does not deal with utilities that are not operated by the city or by a public
entity. So this isn't this doesn't deal with electricity for example. Um the big takeaways on the public facilities is that to adopt is it through this update to your comprehensive plan you are adopting and
implementing your water supply plan. You have also identified any needs for future changes to your um capital improvement element. We also um your previous plan had your level of service standards that we've talked about
previously. Each one of those was located in different places. So your parks your parks level of service was in the parks parks element. The transportation level service was in the transportation element and the utilities based level service standards was were located here in the public facilities
element. We have changed that um and moved them all to your capital improvement element. And the reason that that has been changed is because in the past you had them both in your capital improvement element and in each individual element. So if one got changed and somebody forgot to make a
change to the other then now you've you've created an in internal inconsistency within your comprehensive plan. So now everything is in one place. So if you make a change to that space you're you don't have to worry that you have to make a second change somewhere else. Everything is changed in one
location only. Are there any ch questions about the public facilities element? The next element is your intergovernmental coordination element. This is the element that deals with and recognizes that by itself the city of Palaca needs to work with other
partners. Whether those partners are the Putnham County or the state of Florida, whether they're the school district of Putnham County, whether they're the regional planning council or the South Water or South Florida Water Management District or South St. John's water management district.
Um so the intergovernmental coordination element really talks about how the city of PL city of Palaca will work with all of those jurisdictions to promote collaboration on schools population projections and facility planning. The big takeaways from the intergovernmental
coordination element also known as the ICE element is that we are recommending that you work long-term to develop an interlocal for service bound for services with Putham County. Um, and this would deal with things like
boundaries. This would deal things with um like how to do how to promote infill development or how to address a lot of the um the annexation areas and um
and really understand how services can be better coordinated. Um, it's also recognizing transportation and economic development partnerships and that those partnerships are critical to the future of the city. Any questions about the
intergovernmental coordination element? The next of the required elements, oh no, I'm sorry, there's two more requirements. Um, the next required element is the capital improvement element. This is where I said before that we have moved all of the level of service standards. So before as I mentioned those were located both in
this element as well as their individual element. We have moved all of the level of service standards to the capital improvement element. We've also adopted and implemented your five-year capital improvement schedule as part of the update.
Any questions about the capital improvement element? And then the final of the required element is the private property rights element. This is a new element since the last time you updated your comprehensive plan that is required by Florida statute. Um and the big takeaway of this
is that this is this element establishes some policies and procedures and a framework for ensuring that each individual property private property owner has ability to utilize their property in a way that they think that they um deem most appropriate working
under the city's regulatory framework. All right. The next two elements are your two optional elements. The first one being the historic preservation element. This element recognizes that Palaca's history is very important to its future and looks to utilize that
history in a way that helps promote the city moving forward. So the big qu big takeaways is one adaptive reuse. If you're not aware with what adaptive reuse means, it's utilizing an historic property in a way that is um different than originally intended. So maybe you
had an a a historic home and now you want to make it into a bed and breakfast or you had a uh historic downtown building um and you want to make it into an apartment complex or something like that. It's utilizing a property, maintaining the historic structure but
utilizing the property in a way that's different than it was originally constructed. Um, and then creating public awareness through an educational campaign that really helps people understand the story of PALA, understand the story and how
PALA's history is critical to its future. Any questions about your historic preservation element? And then your final element is another optional element. It's the economic development element. This is the element that talks about how to promote the economy for
Palaca to make it a vibrant place. understanding that, you know, jobs, jobs and job development are critical to the future of the city. The big takeaways is one that your main street um and your downtown are critical to your future.
that the Plao Main Street is something that's really special and that working with a program like Ma like Florida main streets or the like um is a way to help promote the main street area and make it as vibrant as it possibly can be because
tourism is a critical part of the future of PALA. You are perfectly situated at in an idealistic location along the St. John River with a wonderful downtown main street. happens to be one of the cities that I personally really love.
PLA. I think PLA is just a great gem waiting to happen in a main street program which promotes the business is and helps revitalize your main street downtown through tourism and incorporating the waterfront is an is an
asset that um not many cities have and an opportunity that most cities wish they could take up. Preach, sister. >> Huh? >> Preach it. Yeah, >> preach it. I I'm I mean I'm a big fan of your Main Street. I'm gonna tell you. I just think >> you're not busy. That's
>> uh Well, >> we work with we I I I actually used to I started my career as a Main Street director. So, I'm I'm a big fan of Main Street programs. Um I worked as a Main Street director where early in my life when I
was a much younger planner. Um, and so I just we we and and our firm continues to work with Main Streets. We think that Main Street would be a great asset to your community if you were to pursue it. >> Where do you live? >> Where do I live currently? I live in
Gainesville. >> I if if I didn't have an aversion to an hour commute, which I used to do once upon in my life, but won't do again, um, I would take you up on that offer. Um, so anyway, so that is the end. If there are there any questions about your
economic development, >> not the economic development, but about the proposed updates. >> Okay. Can I just I'm just going to finish real quick. Just the just so you all understand the anticipated next steps for these updates. We are here to we are here today for
your one and only hearing before this board. The next reading would be is proposed for December 11th to city commission. Then it will go to state coordinated review which is a 60-day review period and then to be adopted sometime in February. So now open to
questions. Mr. Dolan >> these updates existing not charter but um >> comprehensive plan. >> Yes. Are they are these being added completely new or are they just being
revised? >> So, so there I I Nick told me to tell you all of this. So I I'm going to make sure I and I just so that I have witness that I said this. This is your new comprehensive plan. It
is exactly 300 pages. That was not unintentional, but we did do it. It is exactly 300 pages, but most of it is is just refining what you already have. We um restructured a lot of it. Your previous document was hard to find. So,
we restructured or reorganized it so that someone can easily use the document because it's not very usable. If it's hard to to understand where things are, that's where some like the level of service standards, moving them all into one place. That was part of a restructuring. We also looked at your goal, your objectives. you had a lot of
objectives in each element, we reduced your number of objectives so that they could be more easily read. Um, and the other thing the other major thing that we did and it was probably most of the time that we spent on this was um we
updated all of your data analysis. Um, so all of the data here is fresh. This is all completely current. All of the information, all of the maps, everything that is in here is is brand new. So, um
the policies themselves are not are not vastly new. They are reorganized. So, you may see a lot of strikethrough underlines and think, "Wow, there's a lot of changes here." But it's really restructuring. Um but the data analysis is all new. Other questions?
>> I have a couple. Yes. So, um, currently the the city is undergoing a charter review process and the charter review committee is recommending a modification of the height limit outside of the historic areas to increase it from its
current level of three stories. Should the the updated comp plan reflect this or wait until the next update? I mean, seems like an opportune time to not have to repeat that work. Yeah, if that is a change that you're going to make and
your height standards are in your wherever they're reflective in your future lane use element, you would want that change to be made now. >> Okay? >> And if you didn't make it now because the charter review is still going through, the alternative would be to do
a text amendment at the time of the adoption of the revised charter, which may actually be more appropriate because that process is still ongoing. So, I would if if I were just because we're at the tail end here, we have that would be a new change. Um, and it it's sort of a
substantial change. I I would recommend that you let the charter review process continue the way it is, but when you bring the charter review for adoption that you do a text amendment to your comprehensive plan at the same time. >> Okay. Do you have a time lane for for
the adoption of the charter review? >> Yes. So, we will be um the charter review committee will be submitting for the city commission's approval in April and upon approval of all the recommendations from the charter review committee, it will go to a referendum on
the November 2026 ballot. So, we're still a year out. Yeah. And because you're that far away, it's if you were if you were right now, if you were, and I'm sure that's probably what Lorenzo was asking, if your charter review was happening at the same time we're updating, then I then absolutely, let's
merge it. But because you're still 6 months away, I would wait and just do a text amendment. >> Do a text a later on. >> Okay. Yeah, a text amendment is a very easy process. So >> that No, that's good advice. Thank you. And then a couple more questions if you don't mind. >> Yeah, please. um the transportation
element. Reed Street is in my opinion, I don't know if we can back this up with data, but already seems to be at a failing level of service. So, what would be some potential transportation or transit solutions that could possibly address some of that since it's just
this primary through corridor? We don't really have an option. It's the only bridge. I is there any way to address that increasingly failing level of service? So, um I will tell you just so just so you know from a numbers numerical standpoint and again um Edning
from the Cordino group is a transportation expert and he is the one who did your element the transportation element. Um but he found no existing failing roadways >> in in your Yeah. >> In in your current in your current
horizon within 10 years there's likely to be failing roadways but today just numerically speaking there are no but that said he did make some recommendation and that's why we're that's why the multimodal. So some options may be looking at because of the
bridge of bridge capacity is bridge wick capacity and it can be a bottleneck. Um but maybe looking at uh a a water ferry that would help augment some transportation um from one side to the other especially tourism based um it it
provides a new fun thing for people to do may not have done it and be fast in the past. also looking at multimmoalto. How could you how can you move some of the people from from cars to um bike and bike walk pedestrian but a a trans a
bridge like that is a bottleneck. But currently you the good news is currently there is no level of service standard that is failing for transportation. So there are some opportunities to work with FDA and determine a future solution. >> Did they stand out here and account the
red line? Yeah. >> So J the adaptive level of service is D. >> Okay. So we're really close to F. >> I wasn't I wasn't >> I did say within 10 years the current is is C. That's where we are right now. So
we still have reserve capacity. >> Yeah. >> You know in order to we have a problem number of years >> before we fall and we have to do something improvements or >> why don't we improve before we fall. >> Right. Well, again, that's why that's
why that's why we're bringing it to your attention that you we do know that, you know, within 10 years you will have a problem there, but currently you don't. So, um, it may feel like it, and Miss Wilson, you're probably accurate to say some of it has to do with the signal lighting. Um, you know, too many signal
lights can certainly slow down traffic and create bottlenecks as well. One thing that what what I notice is and it's got to do with turn lanes and I'm just on the other side of the bridge. So what happens everybody and I pull out and I am in the fast lane because that's where I'm coming from. But I've got
myself I got it figured out. I go ahead and get in the right lane because everybody is in there. So when you top that bridge, everybody's up the bridge but there ain't nobody in the right lane. Everybody is running that fast lane. So,
>> well, they're doing that people. It's the drop. >> They're doing that so they can get down to 207 and turn left because there's no way to turn left on 207. I mean, the same thing coming back this way. You know, they're doing that because they want to stay over here on that side to
get to where they got to go. But I just it just blows my mind that that they don't >> that they're at that point that nobody's I mean, >> that seemed I'm I'm a native. I've lived here all my life, you know, and that seems to have been the problem through
my life is nobody wants to look ahead. They want to kick the can down the road, >> you know. >> So that again, that's why and that's why the plan identifies it as a roadway that you will want to think about long term. It is also an FOT road. So um so it is
something you will have to coordinate with the state on. But it it again that long range transportation plan is our number one recommendation for you from this comprehensive plan. Think about the comprehensive plan as sort of a >> uh a list of to-dos.
>> Okay? >> It gives you a lot of a lot of things that you will want to take on as next steps in order to implement it. And that long-range transportation plan is the number one thing that we would say is important to update as a to-do for your comprehensive plan to implement the
comprehensive plan. So um and through that you can identify more specific uh strategies for how to improve your roadway connections. But that long range transportation plan is this first step. So if I follow correctly, you think roads
10 years roughly before they start to fail. Like the next comp plan review is in seven years. >> The next comprehensive plan is in seven years. But but a long range transportation plan is is probably warranted sooner than that. As soon you know, within the next probably three years, you'll want to do a long range
transportation plan. Well, actually it is a Kathy there is an objective in the in the element that requires a master transportation plan for the city to to consider and adopt, >> right? Which is your LRTP.
>> Yeah. >> So that's that's your next step when it comes to transportation. Just say the same way with the new parks, you know, as we talked about earlier, the parks, the next step is to update to create update your parks plan.
>> Couple more questions. Sorry. >> No, please. >> Um, and this maybe is just from a just some practical advice on how to approach this issue. How do we unilaterally comply with the intergovernmental coordination requirement if, for example, we're trying to seek a, you
know, a boundary service area agreement with county? how how can we use this requirement in the comp plan to reach that objective since we haven't been able to. So, um, one thing I have talked
about, uh, with with Lorenzo and then prior to Lorenzo with Lisa, um, was that your city, um, in some parts of it has a lot of enclaves. Um, and so looking at
that boundary agreement that we've recommended is really critical because how do you serve all of those enclaves when those are officially in the county but yet they're completely surrounded by city? Um, and so how do you provide that
services? Then also as you look long-term and growth of of PLA, how do you bring in new lands that make sense? um where should your where should your future boundary for the city be? So the way I would use it is we have we have
recommended just like we've recommended for the LRTP just like we're recommending for a parks plan we would also we're also recommending that you develop a inner service um inner services interlocal with the platinum county and I would use that policy with
the county and say you know we we adopted this this is we need your partnership at the table to develop this it's you know that It's it's a it's a benefit to them as well. Those enclaves don't make sense any more sense for them as it does for you.
>> That's right. It takes two to tango. >> It does. to take and and and they need to understand that, you know, those those areas are not helping them and are are hurting them just as much as they're hurting you because they're having to bring in services from outside where
they're more efficiently, effectively, and cost-effective to be served here by the city of Placa. >> Agreed. And just my final comment, just a suggestion, if we could incorporate, and maybe you already have, and I apologize if you already have done so, but if we could incorporate on the
property rights element, the model property rights element that a thousand friends of Florida uh suggested a couple years ago, >> we use that as one of the models for developing that element. >> Any other questions?
I believe there was some from the public. So I will I'm here for further questions. >> M kitchens >> Allegra kitchens collect of Florida. I apologize I didn't spend more than an hour and a half on this. I should have spent about three hours but I found a couple of things. It's not questions.
comments and things I need I think needs to be changed under the uh comprehensive plan uh where economic development elements goals objectives and policies on policy 1.1 it's on page two of that particular section the city shall
establish a staff position such as of economic development the economic development coordinator for the city economic development agent is this chamber of commerce that's covered under the city code and the charter I don't think that you can do that. One of our previous city managers tried to have
himself appointed as the economic director and that didn't work out well for him. He was gone shortly thereafter. Uh the other thing on in this same section, if you will go to section uh 1.1.6
on page three, it says the city shall shall that means you have no wiggle room. According to former attorney Don, city attorney Don Holmes, the city shall establish the plata main street program, etc., etc. We did have a plaque main street program. It worked for a while,
then it didn't work. Then it went away. You cannot have two main street programs in the same city. In the fall of I think it was 2023, the city was the city CRA was looking at reestablishing the main street program. They tabled it so they could do an intense study to find out why it didn't work before and what to
do. That was in November. In January, Mr. Rick Sloan and Mr. Colin Bingham went to Tallahassee and they instituted a private Main Street program for with them as the dire one of them as a director. It's a private main street program for profit and you cannot have two main street programs in the same
city. I checked to find out because I knew that we were trying to do one and they basically did an in run around the city. So I don't think you can have two. So that probably shouldn't either remove the word the city shall establish and say the city may establish. That gives the city wiggle room. I think that or
else completely drop that paragraph. But I would just say change the word from shall to maybe or might because shall is is gone. Uh the other thing on that same section, see I believe is back here. Um yes on the very last part paragraph
1.5.2. The city shall promote art events sponsored by local artist organizations. That's very good. Such as the arts alliance of Putinham. Previously they had said the arts council and they got rid of that. I think when you specify one of the five or six arts groups in
Putnham County, you are giving precedence and preference to one group. That's discrimination and it could very well result in a lawsuit. So I would suggest drop the word such as the arts council and don't don't name a specific arts group. Just keep it as the city shall promote arts art events sponsored
by local art artist organizations and maintain an an annual inventory etc. But I suggest dropping the word alliance arts alliance of Putinham. We have about five or seven total arts groups in Putnham County and this in Pala and that specifies one and I don't think it's fair as a member of two of the others. I
don't think it's fair. Uh to housing just a comment on that under um >> and it's on page two under policy H1.12 and it says providing more flexible lot size and dimensional standards to support and and accommodate infill and
development. Infill basically contradicts previous parts of this comp plan that call for open spaces, conservation, and trees. The majority of people that I've talked to that come here from other countries and other cities come here because of the wooden lots. They don't want to have to have
houses side by side. That's just a comment on that. Uh on mobility. >> Ma'am, what was that? Senator >> um it's 1.1 1.1.2 and it's paragraph C and it's under housing on page two of the housing. >> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. under mobility. Uh I only had um first of all, US7, State Road 100, and State Road 20 that is Reed Street and yes, it's been a problem for years. DOT controls that and the US government. Uh I do know that DOT and the Florida legislature has been looking
at putting another bridge across the St. John's River. Hopefully that will come about. So I I don't think we have to worry about Reed Street right now in particular until they remove the red lights. The reason we get in the lefth hand lane coming back to palaca is because if you don't you can't turn to the left and get back to your home in Palaca. >> Right.
>> So and then on that same thing under mobility under uh paragraph 2.1 to ensure development of a complete multimod multimodal network to enhance general mobility based on core principles of equity connectivity
connectivity and accessibility. We, the city commission had to remove the word equity because I believe the state of Florida said governments can't use equity anymore because equity is based on race and color of skin. It should be equality, not equity. >> What number is that? >> And
>> uh it's ah >> it's on page seven. >> It's on page seven of the mobility element and it's uh paragraph 2.1 on page seven. The word equity should be changed to equality to match the US Constitution and the Civil Rights Acts of the 1960s.
And I think that's it. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Kitchens. >> Um, >> thank you. >> So, the the change on quality on objective 2.1 for mobility is not a problem.
the um the the housing element that is actually a state standard state statute requirement. So that is um that was one as I mentioned there were three types of updates that we did. Some of them were um state required to meet current
legislation and that is a state requirement. So, um, I can Lorenzo, you and I could work to on it to see if there's additional change of language, but that that's that idea has to be in here somewhere.
So um and then um in the uh economic development element um I'm the I agree that we can add the word
consider to the main street uh the city shall consider reestablishing. Um I'm not sure I understood the question about the economic development coordination because it it is a consideration. It's a city shall explore shall shall explore establish or
consider establishing an economic development coordinator to to support activities from the various organizations. So I'm not sure on that one. I'm not sure what the concern is to be honest.
>> Okay. I'll I'm I'm curious to hear what your concern about that one is. And then the other one um I agree not calling out that there are probably that that was that was a carryover from your previous
uh policy that did call out that organization, but I agree that probably should be stricken and just um leave it at local artist local artists or organizations. [Music] Are there any other questions?
>> Yes, of course. >> Capital improvements in the back. >> Yes. >> For the next five years, you planned out how much you're going to be spending each year. We're starting with $45 million this year.
>> I That is a question better asked of staff. We we are adapting by reference. So that is a document that was provided to us by staff. >> This is still a working in progress document the schedule A which is required by the statute that we need to
adopt every year. We need to adopt the following year. So we're still working on this. Uh it's not the final form. This is not the form that is really required by the statute. because of the lack of you know all this turnover that we have in the
city. Yeah. But basically it's is the the big capital improvements uh spending the city is going to go through the next five years. >> I see a lot of them are are grants. Have any of those grants been affected by what's going on?
>> No. Not that I know of. Okay, seeing no other questions. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Is there anybody else in the public to like to speak? >> Okay, seeing none, we'll move past that.
Um, at this point, we just need to approve this. Is that what we're doing? Putting our seal of approval on this as a commission, as a board. Yeah, you need to you need to make a motion to recommend approval to the city commission. >> Okay, that being said, can I hear a motion for
the approval to go on to the city commission? >> That's true. >> You approve it now. >> It's up. It's up to you. I mean, if you want to, you know, >> our consultant shaking her head. Yes.
The recommendations seem recently I' noted which how we'll make those changes. >> Say that again. >> I said >> I'm >> No, that's okay. Um I should speak up in the mic. >> Well, we knew the old part. >> What was that?
>> I said we knew the old part. >> Um I I went through each one of those and and made the comments of how we can make alterations to meet the questions. So I would I would I would make a motion that includes the recommended changes as
as made on as noted. >> Okay. >> I I would agree on all of them except I I did not understand the comments about the economic development coordination. Yeah, that was the one I'm confused on as well because I didn't completely I've
I mean that that So, if you might want to bring her back up and ask her to clarify because I'm not absolutely sure what we're what she's asking us to fix. >> Come back up, Miss Kitchens. Please >> slow down a little bit. >> What is my command?
>> Let me give let me open to that. >> Give us another What page are we really on? We are really on we're under the >> economic development economic development element goals objectives and policies and it is on page two of that section.
>> It's at the back of the it's >> they've got page numbers on >> Yeah, it's page two of the economic development element. There isn't a page number on that specific >> Well, there's my copy page numbers 135 of 186. >> The ones I copied each each section has
pages 1 through 16. So this is is policy 1.1.1 >> under the economic development element >> 55 what >> 55 >> yes >> it starts out for >> yes
>> the city shall explore establishing a staff position such as economic development coordinator. I believe that contradicts the city code which specifically names the chamber of commerce as the existing economic agent
for the city of Palatka and we pay them a salary every year to do that. I believe this if it doesn't contra if it doesn't infringe on if infringes on it to say the least and it may even duplicate it and that's why I don't think it's necessary. The economic development should come
staff should come from the chamber since they're the agent, not from the city. >> Right? But that's by contract. So it's not guaranteed that they're going to >> that's by city charter. >> No, it's in the code that 1988 talk.
>> If y'all want to leave it in and cause a problem, go for it. >> Well, the policy only calls to explore. It's not that we should. It shall establish a staff position. Then let's change the word from a shall to may. Explore. And then we got wiggle room. Let's change the word from shall to may.
And we got wiggle room. Then >> we only required to explore. >> I think if you you say may explore, I think that's better than shall then you don't have any problem is being maybe being sued by the chamber of commerce or whatever. We've had problems before. >> If you got shall in there, it's in
stone. >> That's right. to exp you know to establish a position. It's just for the city to consider. >> There's there's nothing that precludes having more than e one economic development staff member. There is a
provision in the code that does designate the chamber of commerce as the designated economic development representative for the city for grants for grants only. So it is it is not one and the same. It's not for economic development in general. excited for a
grant. >> I stand correct and I apologize. I did not know the city code had been changed when I was on the commission. Mr. Mike, I think it was when I was on the commission, Mike Simb tried to set himself up as this economic development agent and he couldn't do that because the city code said he couldn't do it. But okay, so leave the shall in there. I
have no problem with it. It's not my problem. I'm just pointing it out. >> You got to tighten up. Maybe >> I don't care if y'all want to do it. It's not my problem. >> You needed three hours, not just the next. I'm just trying I'm just trying to I'm trying to help offset problems that might occur. >> But you know, if they want to leave it,
I don't care. >> I have nothing better to do this afternoon than trying to help the city. I'm not being sarcastic. I enjoy it. >> Yeah, we know. >> Okay. >> So, my my advice would be to make a motion with all of the changes except
the the one change to policy 1.1.1. Do I hear a motion? Oh, wait a minute. >> Move to accept the changes that we suggested today and recommend approval to the board of
commission. I >> have a second. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion in a second. Any discussion amongst the board? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes
unanimously. So we will move that on to the city commission. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your presentation. >> Okay. Staff, any staff had any comments? >> Yeah, I do have a comment. You probably
noticed that Alex is doing the the meeting today. So from now on, um, Alice will be doing it. It's not going to be the city clerk anymore. So the planning department will be responsible for carry on the meeting for the minutes, the notices, the package, everything.
>> Okay. >> I just wanted to let you know that and I thank Alex, you know, for taking this. >> I'm watching you, Alex. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate those calls, Alex. Miss,
>> I do what I can. >> You have anything? >> Yeah. I do have a question though. Yes. If I may. >> Um, >> do we have any preference receiving the your packages in in >> just by paper physical, you know, like an agenda?
>> We always did that before. I mean, I say before, it's been years ago, couple years ago, we got got an agenda, got it in the mail or I came down here and got mine. >> Yeah. was in town, you know. >> So, do you do you want to continue doing that or you prefer to receive it
electronically or >> as long as we get it? >> I like getting it by email. >> Yeah, I'm fine by email. >> But I like having a paper reference. >> Mine used to come to my office, you know? >> Right. And the reason
>> But it came by Pony Express, too. >> What? >> I said it came by Pony Express, too. original is what he means. >> We still have that out there,
>> but I just come in and pick mine up. >> We can if if you prefer to receive it, we will we will hand deliver it to you >> a week before the meeting. >> Well, I I don't have a pro personally I don't have a problem with it coming by email now that I'm used to it. Um I just
would like a paper copy like we have here. >> Yeah. Yeah. If so I don't have to print out so my partner in business doesn't get on to me about 300 pages of paper coming out of mine. >> We we should have it by Friday. I mean I know y'all can have some late changes.
>> It should be a week before. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> That will give you enough time for >> that wasn't Alex but we're good with that. >> I'll take up for him there. >> Yeah. >> And and it's not coming. I mean clicking on that link is fine. Okay. Works.
>> All right. If he works on civic portal one, >> I'd rather >> get into it when I've got it. >> Well, I' I'd rather have I'd rather myself personally, I'd rather have it given to my personal email address and I know that opens me up to my personal email being open to the public, but
>> but I know. But weren't you just talking about something about the city? I didn't hear all that. I'm sorry >> because that was a problem before because the city we didn't have our emails was set up to do that way but none of us had our passwords and you know I just
>> I've been getting mine on my person >> okay >> and I understand in my absence that we don't have to worry about flats anymore >> that is that is correct >> what >> are you retiring
>> I was he's going to look at. >> That's a state statute. >> Yeah, >> we didn't do that. >> I I didn't say you did. >> Well, you were acting like we did it because you weren't here. >> That >> now it's on. Yeah, it's really put it
puts a big burden on staff because now we are required to review just staff review doesn't go to any kind of >> board you know to to review >> and and we have seven days to to to complete the review.
>> I can still point out screw-ups. >> Oh yeah. >> And then everybody's going to look around, you know. >> Yeah. >> So you can't consult anymore. You can't consult. I I don't have a license. that >> we still might call you. >> Huh?
>> We still might call you. >> That's right. >> Yeah, we still have to review the class. >> That's all I have. >> Is that all you have? Alex, you have anything you want to allow there? >> Nothing for now.
>> Nothing for now. Okay. All right. Well, seeing how that is said and done, I'm going to at 504 on November the 4th adjourn this meeting. I make a motion to
>> We are done.