Good morning. Today is Tuesday, April 14th. It is now 9:00 and uh we're going to open the uh call to order the board of county commission meeting with the invocation by Chaplain Ted Stackball poll followed by the pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Pelisir.
Please rise if you're able to do so. Would you please bow your heads with me in prayer? Almighty Father, we come to you today with a grateful heart that we're able to live, work, and worship here in Putham County. Today, I lift up our
leadership that they may walk in integrity, obtain wisdom, and strive for unity in their work. May this meeting today be productive, serve our community, and glorify your name. As we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, would you protect children, redeem
families, and give renewed strength to those who work to make this happen? Almighty Father, it is in your son's name that I ask for this in Jesus name. Amen. I pledge allegiance 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. >> Thank you. >> We have in front of us the approval of the minutes.
Madame Chair, I move approval of the minutes uh for the regular meeting March 10th, 2026 and then the workshop March 10th, 2026. Both minutes. >> Second. >> We have a motion and second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. Motion carries. We will uh
recess the BOCC and convene uh the port authority meeting with beginning with the approval of the minutes. Madam Chair, I move approval of the board of county commission regular meeting 10 March 10th, 2026 of Port Authority. >> Port Authority. Thank you. >> Second.
>> And we have a second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I. >> I. All right. Is there any public comment? >> All right. Seeing none, we'll go into a lease agreement for DBI civil or DB civil, apology.
>> Yes. Um staff received a proposal from DV Civil. They're looking for an area within Pentam County that they can use about 10 acres um just for layown materials. As you know, they've done numerous projects for us within and around our county. Um this is a similar
spot as to where they used a layown area um when we did the drainage project on St. John's Avenue. So they just uh that was a convenient location for them and they're seeking some um allowance to use it as they work on projects. >> Okay. Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um staff, I got a question for you. Based on do we put our um lease agreement out for bid on this or is it just something we can do uh I don't know the word I'm looking for, but proprietary. >> So, this is a port item which follows a
little bit different standards. However, um traditionally anytime a proposal is brought to us, staff brings it to the board for consideration and the board can give staff direction as to how they want to handle it. >> The other question I have there that
area out in Francis along uh 309 C and going on the other the east side of Francis Baptist Church and also right there on Springside Cutoff and St. John's took a beating from some of those
trucks that were coming down um Springside, coming up Springside. Um Mr. uh Stout actually had to go out there and get th those companies to put some millings down on the intersections because they were just tearing it up
really bad. Um, that's kind of a concern of mine if we're going to do the business park, how much tearing up we're going to do and who's going to be responsible for that because I mean it is a nice area and we do use that park. But, um, there's got to be some
responsibility taken when they they could use the whole road. They don't want to. They just make a a tighter turn by not using some of the road and it shows out there. And then they were even running over the the barriers that were put up. So just a concern of mine. Thank
you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. That was two different companies. That was that that company that did that was particular to the school districts. Um I actually followed them all the way through to the to through that area, watched them cut the curve, and then went watched them go to
the school to dump their load of dirt. So um that's whenever we called the company directly and got them to to work on it. But they're supposed to as part of the school district's uh responsibility with their contractor, that contractor is supposed to fix that road. Um, but I do see your concern that
if you're having more more and more trucks, regardless of the company, that there would be some level responsibility. I think staff's just looking for direction. Uh, Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> Uh, yes, ma'am. I have a couple questions on this one myself. Um, so any
of the Port Authority properties, we do not have to put those out for bid when we go to lease them. Correct. So the requirement to put out leases and sales for bid is um is an obligation for the county, not for the port. So the port as a separate legal entity has a little bit more
flexibility. >> Okay, that's good to know. Good to know. Okay. And the um got another question. Uh section 4.01-1 or 001 parties respective obligations. It says at the tenants's expense, tenant shall contract for and pay all costs
associated with any and all telecom communication utilities including security system if any used or consumed on the premises. After that it says landlord shall be responsible to provide all necessary and appropriate television, voice, mail, internet, Wi-Fi, electricity, gas, water, sewer
and solid waste removal. So are we paying for their electricity, their gas, their water, their garbage and sewage? >> This is just vacant land. Um, so there will be none of that as far as I'm aware. Um, we certainly can look at that clause if it needs to be revised or if
the board would like it revised. >> Yeah. I don't I don't want us paying for their garbage and I don't want us paying for their sewage if that ever, you know, if they change anything. >> Sure. They don't have any structure out there. So there's no sewage for sure. But um if garbage is a concern, we can certainly um make a revision to that
with your permission. >> Yes. Yes. >> For direction. And secondly, um you know, uh we have a local contractor, Copper Roads, that is just down the road from them who is leasing five acres from us
for $1,250. And we're Yeah. And um I just want it fair and equitable. I question why we're leasing 10 acres to an out of county contractor for $800 a month. >> Sure. Again, this was the proposal
brought to staff. Staff brings it to you guys. Okay? If you want staff to go back um with a different price or cost or negotiation, we certainly can keeping in mind those two businesses do have a different principle um operation at each premise.
>> Sure. Sure. But if we're if we're leasing vacant land to an out of county contractor, I should think it should be at a minimum fair and equitable to a local contractor. acreage and dollar-wise because right now we're at $80 an acre for 10 acres and I think
that is more than a fair price um and it's less than our local contractor is paying. So I would like to see at least the same amount charged >> commissioner >> with board direction staff isn't really authorized to negotiate. Sure. >> So we bring a proposal, you guys tell us
what you want, we'll go back and negotiate and tell you where we get. >> Right. And I again again I don't want to they may be different disciplines but I know DB civil I think they do some paving as well for us and I don't want them to have a competitive advantage over a local contractor when it comes to
their lo their layown yard. We have to protect our own >> um Commissioner Alexander I had a couple things. I know I've got some other commissioners who want to speak. So what was it you were reading >> out of 101? >> It's like page 155.
>> Oh okay. All right. >> Okay. Thank you. I just didn't have that in front of me. And then second, the acreage out at um at the business park is not cleared land. It is not 10 acres of that's completely usable. There's a
lot of trees. There's a pond on it. There's it's not the same type of land of what the other other one used. So, I think if we're going to have that discussion, we need to I don't disagree with you as far as uh dollars, but I think usable acres, yes, there's 10
acres there, but he's not going in and cutting down the trees and then going to be able to to use the land. It's he doesn't have 10 acres of cleared property. >> I understand. But we're charging 12250 for 5 acres, which is half >> of cleared land. So, how much do you
even have five acres of cleared land here? I mean, that's the question that we have. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Okay. Commissioner Pister, you're recognized. >> Button. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um I agree with Commissioner Alexander. Um you know, like and like
alike. If it's the same, it should be rented for the same. If it's a county property, if the property is the same type, cleared or uncleared property, whatever that use may be. And back to Commissioner Harvey's uh comments about the road and the travel. Uh I had
several calls about that and I contacted uh Mr. out at public works and he contacted the uh contractor with the school board that's doing that work and they will put that road back in its original condition when they are done. So I said we need to do some tidy uh
tidying up on to get it by until then but they said they will fix any uh problems that they've caused after that work is complete. So I think that's satisfactory in my opinion. Thank you >> Commissioner Harvey. You're recognized. >> Thank you Madam Chair. Following up on
Commissioner Alexander's conversation, um, and also understanding that we have no staff for Port Authority. Basically, you kind of thrown that ball and you kind of run with it, but the Port Authority is the five of us, no doubt.
Um, so maybe we should adjust the lease to get rid of the sewage and get rid of those things. And maybe we should also say that premises consist of approximately 10 acres knowing that we're only going to be using 3.5 or four acres. And uh I don't disagree either
that the price should be relatively close to what um we were doing before. Um now location, location, location, but they're here to do some work to save themselves u money as far as moving
equipment around. I I get that and I think that's a good business decision, but they're doing that to save the bottom line, but we we are caretakers of the public property. So, I think it's behooving for us to continue this conversation, adjust the lease to get
rid of those items in there that are not applicable and also carve out to where it is a 10acre piece, but they're only going to be using 3 point whatever acres of cleared land for that purpose. and um
and bring it up to a reasonable rent. That's my that's this commissioner's opinion. >> So So do you have a proposal? >> Are you saying come back or what are you saying? >> I don't know if we need to come back. I just think we need to hone in on those things that are giving us a little
uncomfortableness today. And if we can answer the question of what the usable acres out there, um I think we can get over that hurdle. I think we can get rid of the sewer, the garbage, and we can get rid of that today. >> Yeah, I think that's just standard language, but yeah, I agree with that.
>> And I think we can come up with a reasonable rent that we can go back and offer them as the port authority that we discussed it and we feel the rent should be this and not that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, if we >> Commissioner Newer recognized, >> you're next. Commissioner Alexander, >> I'm kind of running along in the same
vein. Um, I think the their proposed rent is low in comparison to what we have out there. Um, this space they have, I believe, is relatively unimproved. I don't believe there's any security fencing. I don't believe there's any hard top down. Um, I would
suggest we clean up some of those things in the contract that Commissioner Axander picked up on. Um, I would propose maybe $1,500 a month as opposed to the 800. uh that's just a a starting point and I'm you know I don't have any experience in you know commercial space
um but as I compare that with other you know land leases on other businesses around especially in the the a industry you know that would be above a little bit so on a per acre basis anyway that would be my suggestion
to run $1500 a month and um I don't know that we want to be responsible for their security fencing and things of that nature nature, I would say any improvements need to, you know, fall on the on the le. >> All right, Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> I want to thank Commissioner Newold and
um and also you, Madam Chair. You guys u you know, like as always, we all bring a different set of skill set to this and um you two guys spend a lot more time in the real estate side than than I do, but it just seemed like that was a little low when we had commission leases in the same area, same type of zoning, same
type of property. Um, so I would say that we do establish that rate. Um, I would like to see it at $1,500 a month myself. >> All right. So, the proposal is somebody making a motion. >> Sure. Um, I'll make a motion that we
amend the lease to exclude um any of the utilities. Um, that should not fall on the county and change the monthly rate to $1,500 a month. >> All right. >> Second. >> Second. Any other any other discussion
or amendments? >> Uh, Madam Chair, if you don't mind, are we going to discuss the usable acres or just knowing that 10 acres is 10 acres and there's only so much usable space there. Is that okay with everybody? I'm fine with that. Okay. Thank you.
>> All right. All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> All right. Moving on. Uh, lease extension for warehouse one. Good morning, Mr. Solomon. >> Good morning, commissioners. Uh before you as item D, uh is a lease extension
for what we call warehouse number one. This is the original lease Victoria Marine signed many years ago. Uh they still have two uh one year left uh allowed on their extension. They're requesting that they be allowed to extend it to to bring that
lease to a term. Um the uh rate is currently 5,000 a month. There is no clause in this one for any increase. So it would be another year of 5,000 bringing their expiration date to July 28th, 2028. They're currently utilizing
the warehouse for boat manufacturing um in uh our community. >> All right. Um Mr. SS are recognized. >> Mr. Sullen, could you read the monthly lease value again, please? $5,000 a month. Thank you.
>> All right, Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized. >> Okay, I'm a little confused, Madam Chair. My page on page 24 says that the increase will be $5,250 a month. >> That's the next lease, Mr. >> That's the next one. >> Yes, sir.
>> Okay. All right. So, basically, let me ask you this, Mr. Sullivan. Warehouse one and warehouse two is the same person. Basically, >> it's the same land uh tenants. However, they're two different leases in two different buildings. >> Gotcha. Thank you. Thank you. That's all I have, Madam Chair.
>> All right. Any further discussion? Is there a motion on the floor? >> Madam Chair, I move approval of the lease prevented presented to us for warehouse one. >> Second. >> We have a motion second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> Motion carries. Lease extension
warehouse two. >> Uh before you item E is a extension on the second uh warehouse that was leased by Victoria Marine. Uh, this lease, sorry, I need to put my readers on. I'm getting old. Um,
this lease began uh is current set to expire on 9:30 2026. Uh, they're asking for a two-year extension till 9:30 2028, which would also leave a one-year option afterwards. Uh, the current rent on this
property is $5,000. uh once uh the renewal takes place uh on October 1st uh 2026, the uh rate will increase by 5% to $5,250 for that year. The following
year, there will be another increase of 5% to $5,512.50 for that following year. And if they choose the option for that third year remaining, there'll be an additional 5%. But they have not opted on that at this time. They're asking for just two years.
>> Comm. >> Thank you. Commissioner Pelis, you're recognized. >> Just forformational purposes. Uh the 5% increase exceeds the 10ear average of the CPI. So I'm very good with this. >> All right. Um I do have a question on the
insurance. I know that um they're required to have insurance, but do we have somebody that follows up every year to make sure that we get a deck page that shows that a deck page that shows that they have insurance every year? >> That will be verified. Uh we haven't been doing it, but we will verify it.
>> Yeah, I think that's very important. We should be doing that not only on Port Authority properties, but I'll discuss that later on our >> My insurance hat just came home. >> All right, go ahead, Commissioner Harvey. >> Just a little clarification. >> Okay. Okay, it's not just enough to get a copy of the insurance policy. We have
to be named as an additional insured on the policy. And that's very important. And the reason for that, let me give you my insurance 101, is because if a customer has a policy and they name you a cert certificate holder, they can change that immediately and be something
completely different and you'll never know about it. But as an additional insured, you're fully aware of it because you get a copy of it. And if they don't want to file a claim, we have every right to file a claim as an additional insured. Thank you, Madam Chair.
>> I just want to make sure that we are we keep that in file every year and that we hire there's a there's some kind of a tickler file or something that says whether it's January 1 or the renewal time in April, whenever it is, is that we actually get that copy and we have it
in our files. And maybe that's being done. I don't know. But I want to make sure that we're doing that on all of our Port Authority properties, not just this one. If we're leasing it out, we need to have that coverage and make sure that we have it documented. Those are my comments. Um, all right. Do we have a recommendation?
>> I move for approval of the warehouse to lease extension. >> Second. >> We have a motion, second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Motion carries. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any general discussion on Port Authority items?
All right, we will adjourn the port authority and reconvene the BOCC beginning with presentations. Uh, Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized to read the proclamation for the St. John's River Water Management District Water Conservation Month. And while you're going to the podium, I want to
recognize um Sheriff Gator Delo in the audience and also Miss Gina with um Congressman Fine's office. I saw her somewhere. There she is. Thank you. Thank you for being here today. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, fellow board members. Can you hear me? Okay. Um, let me kind of give you a brief
thing about this before I go into water conservation month. Many many years ago, my my son-in-law took me down to an environmental conference down in Orlando, which I thought, "Wow, this is going to be a lot of fun." But I wanted to spend time with my son-in-law. So, we
did we did that. We go down there and I've got this irrigation system. You'll understand this. You turn on valves and all this water just pours out. But I always thought what a waste that was. And when I went to that conference, I saw this product called Mr. Landscape
where it put water directly at the plant that you wanted it to be at with minimal water use. And I still use that product today. And I will tell you that when you look at the water that we waste all over the ground, sometimes when we're really
trying to target one plant or many plants, we can do a whole lot better job in that realm. So, Madam Chair, thanks for letting me expound upon that. uh Putnham County proclamation number 2026-026 recognizing April as water conservation
month whereas water is a basic and essential need of every living creature and whereas the state of Florida water management districts and Putnham County are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation and whereas Putnham County
and the state of Florida has designated April typically a dry month when water depends demands are most acute water conser Florida's water conservation month to educate citizens about how they can help save Florida's precious water
resources. And whereas Putton County has always encouraged and supported water conservation through various educational programs and special events. And whereas every business, industry, school, and citizens can make a difference when it comes to conserving water. And whereas
every business and industry, school and citizens can help by saving water and thus promote a healthy economy and community. And whereas outdoor irrigation comprises a large portion of water use, Putham County will encourage citizens and businesses to focus on
improving outdoor irrigation efficiency. Now therefore, be it resolved by the virtue of the authority vested in our chairwoman, uh, Putham County Board of County Commissioners do hereby proclaim the month of April as water conservation month. Putnham County is calling upon
each and every citizen and business to help protect our precious water resources by practicing water saving methods and becoming more aware of the need to save water. For this the 27th year of water conservation month, there will be a special focus on improving
outdoor irrigation efficiency and done order and adopted this 14th day of April 2026. Madam Chair, I move approval of this proclamation. >> All right, we have a second. >> Second. >> Second. Thank you. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you. Uh I think Bill has a few
words that he wants to say. Madam Chair, commissioners, Bill White, Water Management District. Thank you so much for get helping us get the word out. Every April we come up and we talk about how it's the driest month. This year is different. This year it goes January, February, March, it's been the
driest months and now we go into April. So all of our monitoring wells on the aquifer, which it runs from South Georgia all the way down into South Florida, all of our monitoring wells are showing way below what they should be at this time of year. So that's what brought uh our board, the water
management board to come out and say, "Hey, we need to start taking action on this. We we needed to put out the word that we are in a waters shortage advisory." That sounds kind of scary. Oh my god, we're going to run out of water. What it means is is once again, every
April we like Commissioner Harvey was saying, every April we talk about watering. Why? Because it's a lowhanging fruit. It's easy. 50% of our water, fresh drinking water, we put on our yards and we put on our plants because we don't use the technology which we
will be getting into. Um, so this year they came out with the water advisory. So that not only talks about what civilians or what the the citizens need to do, but also governments, businesses, it what it means is watering once once a
week. Most of our plants and all of our grass, the St. Augustine grass can handle that and that'll get us through till we get into June and we start getting into the rainy seasons. So once again, Madam Chair, thank you so much for helping us spread the word. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Sure. Everybody that way a little bit. >> All right. All right. Next, we're going to have Commissioner Newold for National Healthcare Decisions Day. All right. Thank you. We have
proclamation number 2026-027, National Healthc Care Decisions Month. Whereas, National Healthcare Decisions Day is recognized across our nation on April 16, 2026 to raise public awareness of the need to plan ahead for health
care decisions, especially those related to end of life care and medical decisionmaking when patients are unable to speak for themselves and to encourage the specific use of advanced directives to communicate these important health care decisions. And whereas many Putnham
County, Florida residents have not yet prepared for health care decisions in times of crisis or at end of life, nor had important conversations with their families and their healthcare providers and documented those decisions. And whereas it is likely a significant
reason for these low percentages is that there's both a lack of awareness and an uncertainty in the public about advanced directives. And whereas one of the goals of the healthc care decisions day is to raise awareness and provide clear and consistent information to the public
about advanced directives as well as to encourage medical professionals and lawyers to volunteer their time and efforts to improve public knowledge and increase the number of citizens citizens with advanced directives. And whereas Haven Hospice endorses this event and is
committed to educating the public during the month of April to stress the importance of discussing health care choices and executing advanced directives to make their wishes known. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the Putham County Board of County
Commissioners that they hereby proclaim April 2026 as National Healthc Care Decisions Month and encourage all citizens to increase their understanding and awareness of care at the end of life and to observe this month with the appropriate activities and programs.
Done ordered and adopted this 14th day of April, 2026. I would move we accept this proposal. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and second. All in favor say I. >> I. Thank you. Miss Crystal, did you want
to say some thanks? >> Thank you. Um, thank you all for allowing us to come and receive this proclamation today. I don't have a lot um but I do um have an announcement kind of share with you guys. We are having an event on Thursday at um at our office on
St. John's Avenue um which is the 16th happens to be um National Healthcare Decisions Day where we are going to be hosting um a um gentleman from Douglas Law Firm as well as Johnson Over Funeral Home and we are going to be open to the
public um to discuss those um advanced um advanced care plans. So, um, you know, just come send. It's on social media. So, share, please share. Um, it's open. It's free. It's from 4 to 6. Um, so if you do not have an advanced
directive in place or you don't have a living will or haven't, you know, had any of those discussions or you know someone that has not, please send them our way. Um, we would love to be able to just share the information with them. Um, it's important that we educate. in our business uh we get a lot of
individuals who haven't had those conversations who who haven't you know had those discussions and those become very difficult on the family. So we want to try to avoid that and get the word out and um have you know as many people as possible um make those preparations.
So this Thursday the 16th from 4 to 6 um over at our office on St. John's Avenue. >> Thank you. Appreciate you. Thank you. >> Oh take a photo. >> Yeah, we take a picture. Nobody wants to talk about it. All right.
One more. All right. One more. Okay, next up we have Information Technology National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. And I'll read that proclamation. Good morning. Putnham County proclamation number 2026-028
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Whereas public safety te telecommunicators of the Putnham County Sheriff's Office play a vital role in the protection of human life and property in our community. And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the
first critical contact our citizens have with emergency services. These dedicated men and women are first responders serving our community. And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters,
paramedics, and EMTs by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety. And whereas public safety telecommunicators of the Putnham County Sheriff's Office have contributed substantially to the apprehension apprehension of crim criminals, I'll
speak in a little bit. Suppression of fires and treatment of patients. And now therefore, be it proclaimed by the Putnham County Board of Commissioners that the week of April 12th through April 18th, 2026 shall be designated as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Recognizing the compassion,
understanding, and professionalism Putnham County Public Safety Telecommunicators exhibit during their performance on their jobs. Passed and adopted by this this day. Uh I move for this proclamation to be approved. >> Second. We have a second. All in favor say I.
>> I. Thank you. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the commission. These individuals who work in our communication center are truly the unsung heroes of the sheriff's office. We often think of ourselves as
patrol deputies as the backbone of the sheriff's office, but I can assure you that these individuals who work in our dispatch center are the brains of the operation. They're what makes everything work. They keep us safe. They're that friendly voice on the other end of the phone whenever there's an emergency.
There are multiple times where we have seen some great successes with them giving CPR instructions over the phone and actually attribute them to saving someone's life because of that information that they're able to provide. The service that they provide to our deputies is absolutely invaluable
and we couldn't be more grateful for them. Thank you. >> Thank you. Well, >> I will say something. I uh y'all know who I am. Uh James Richie, IT director. For the record, Mr. Baker. Uh we have uh I'm also I also serve as the 911
coordinator for Putnham County. And there there's a lot to that role, but I I wrote this and I would like to read it. It says, "During telecommunicator and sheriff, you did a phenomenal job and I'm going to say a lot of what you just said, but during telecommunicators week, we recognize a group of professionals who are often unseen but
never absent and that is our 911 dispatchers. They are the first first responder. Before a siren is ever heard, before a unit is ever on scene, it is their voice that brings order to chaos. They answer the call on someone's worst
day, gather critical information, provide life-saving instructions, and ensure to help help gets where it needs to go quickly and safely. They're calm under pressure. Their professionalism and their dedication saves lives every single day. And on behalf of the county
and as a 911 coordinator, I want to say thank you to all them that they're not here today because they are in in the back room and they're working for us, for you, for the public. Uh I want to say thank you uh for the incredible work that you do and the difference that you make in our community. Seen or not seen, these these are some incredible human
beings that sit behind the desk every day uh and night. And I really mean that. So I I do thank you so much. I'm going to take a point of privilege and introduce my granddaughter. This is Haley. And uh she didn't want she didn't want me to say anything, but she's one
of the newer dispatchers and she's gone through her training and I think she graduated. Is that what the right term? Anyway, she um this is her new career and I'm super proud of her. >> Yeah. Awesome. >> Outstanding. >> I think I wrote her a letter of recommendation.
Hey Haley, how are you? >> Good. >> You might want to stand away from that jacket. It's a little loud. >> Are we good? >> Beginning of the meeting. >> Yeah, that's okay. Now everybody can be seen. All
right. Good. >> One more. Haley just got off of a 12, was it? 10 hour shift, 12 hour shift, whatever they are. 12. Um, next up we have a presentation by UFAS for Putham County Extension presentation master gardener
appreciation and update. >> Hello team. >> Good morning everyone. Um, it's great to be here today and um, for those of you who do not know me, I'm the uh, horiculture my name is Julio Perez. I'm the horiculture agent for the UFAS uh ex
cooperative extension for Putham County. Um my duty is to educate uh people about um everything from landscape to um past and plants. But one of our most important um things we do is to educate
people about Florida friendly landscaping and all the things that go around that including water conservation and fertilizer usage uh and pesticide usage. Well, I can't do that without my co um my volunteers that I uh coordinate
with. And this year we or this week we have our upcoming uh fundraiser and I have Miss April Griffin who's going to talk a little bit more about that. >> Thank you for having us this morning. I appreciate it. And um I this is the most
exciting week in the whole year because it's plant sale week. Oh, >> but um before I get to that, I wanted to thank you for your continued support of the extension and of the master gardener program. Uh there have been several counties this year I've been noticing
that have been discussing whether they want to keep the support of their extensions and your support is so vital and appreciated. So, thank you very much. Um another office update is we just got new flooring. So, thank you for
that. um that um yes, the the carpet is gone along with all the dust and I'm sure that they've cleaned out a lot of closets and and things so it's it's looking very nice. >> Come see it. >> Yes, come and visit. Um we just finished
the fair um last uh week. Um our exhibit was on Victory Gardens and how people can start their own gardens at home with earth boxes. and we spoke to 642 people during the fair. We had 19 master
gardener volunteers. There's only 22 of us. So that was the largest percentage was there. And we donated 135 hours just to the fair itself. >> So um thank you for for that. To date,
we have volunteered 734 hours. We have driven over 5,500 miles. This is a ginormous county. Um, and we have done, um, to date 30 soil tests, which is 15 more than the whole of last year. So,
um, we're really trying to work hard for the county and its citizens. We have two projects that we're currently working on. Um, the first is a community demonstration garden at the historic waterworks. Uh, we just finished that plot and it's open and the tomatoes look
lovely. And we're also starting a project with FMA Healthcare for their residential facility. We're going to be doing vegetable gardens and a butterfly garden for the residents to learn how to to propagate and how to take care of of
um vegetation and plants. And the biggest thing we have going on is our plant sale that is this Saturday. I brought I only have one flyer, so you're going to have to share. Or maybe you could put it somewhere. >> We're going to put it on the website. >> Okay, that'd be great. Um, and it's 9 to1 at the fairgrounds. And this year
we're in a bigger hall. We're in one of the bigger exhibit, what do you call them? Pavilions. Um, planning on lots of Florida friendly and native plants. Again, to your point, for for water conservation. And we have a lot of
things that we're going to be sharing with people that come to our plant sale as far as educational things for gardens and for themselves. And if you know anybody that has a like and a love for volunteering, we are always looking for more the
class. If we have enough to have a class this year will start in August and there's a lot of information about that. You can contact Julio also. And we have Wendy Muselene here who is extension. I'm sorry >> they don't know me. >> Well, I just thought, you know, she's
standing here. I should introduce her. So, you're doing great. Thank you for your time and I hope to see you Saturday. >> Saturday. Thank you. And and thank you for your volunteerism. I mean the hours and the and the time that you guys put into that. I mean you could do you could be doing anything but the fact that you
care enough about your community and your county to volunteer and put in those hours. And to have 22 volunteers that tells you what an amazing team you've got. So thank you. Commissioner Harvey you're recognized. >> What kind of plants are you going to be selling Saturday so we can put that out for those who are watching right now? Um
we have um citrus blueberries. We have a lot of Florida friendly and native plants. Most of the plants have been grown by our master gardener volunteers. I have agapanthas and walking iris and uh beauty berries. So a lot of um
ornamentals and we do have some vegetables and um starts for people too. >> Very good. Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> Quick question before you go. Um, ironically enough, we're here today. I just got a text from my wife, which I probably shouldn't have opened, but she
sent me pictures of palm trees that she wants around our pool. Would you happen to have any palm trees? >> I do not I do not believe that. I'll let >> I have some. >> We don't have palm trees. Uh, they tend to you tend to have to have a bigger Yeah. >> Um, and that's a little outside of our
operating budget to purchase uh larger trees like that. But um we do have uh a plethora of fruit trees coming in and a few ornamentals that uh trees that we plan to have, but unfortunately not any any palms.
>> All right, I'll let Gina know. Thank you. >> Thank you for your presentation. Thank you. Very good. We appreciate everything. >> Right. Going into public comment on agenda items. This portion of the agenda is designed to allow citizens an opportunity to bring matters to the attention of the
board. It is not reasonable to expect the board will engage in debate or deliberation about matters on which the board has received no prior information as part of the agenda. Please limit your time to three minutes. Public comment cards are conveniently placed at the meeting room entrance and should be submitted prior to the meeting to the deputy clerk who sits to the right of
the podium. This is on agenda items. We will have public comment on miscellaneous items further down the um further down the agenda. Do we have any um public comment cards? All right. Anybody wishing to speak on on the agenda items listed in the packet. All
right. Moving forward. Is there any commissioners who would wish to pull anything? Commissioner Alexander? >> I have none today. >> Commissioner Harvey, >> I have none. >> Commissioner Newold, >> I have none. >> Commissioner Palisier, >> I have none. >> I am going to pull I just for discussion
purposes. Item I >> I >> Okay, Madam Chair, I move approval of consent agendas item A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and J. >> Second. >> We have a motion to second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I.
>> All right. I just wanted to discuss briefly. Um Oh, did I say all in favor? >> Do it now. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> We're twice. Now we're going to talk about I. And the eyes have it. Oh, that was
funny. Uh, pay uh I if you haven't been out, please go out to Francis Ballpark. Uh, we are have made a lot of improvements out there where we've got a con a bathroom facility going in there that was badly needed. I can remember
when I worked for Representative Payne's office years ago. It was being discussed back then that people in the community wanted um more bathroom facilities and so Julianne and um Mr. Grimes or JR has worked diligently to find the right spot
out there. They work with Parks and Rex and um it's it's moving along fast. We went out and look took a look at it, but just the whole park is looking so much better and we made um so many improvements out there, but having uh public water and sewer out there is um
going to be a huge help. Uh we did have this additional expense um that we didn't really we we had we didn't really have it in the budget. So that's why it's in front of us today. >> No, the sewer is budgeted. >> Pardon me. >> The sewer part is budgeted. >> Oh, the sewer was budgeted. >> This is just an award for the board
because it's exceeds what we can award on our end. >> Okay, gotcha. But anyway, I just wanted to say go out and look at it. It's a it's a great project. Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to say to this board and the previous board, we have sunk a lot of money into
parks and recreation for this county throughout the county all and as the lady said, it's a big county. Um, gone are the days when you would go to a ball field, play one ball game, leave. These people camp out, the families are there, they got two or three children,
different fields are going on at one time. So to have the right uh facilities there is a it's an important thing and it makes us look good because we have teams that come from all over and for them I don't want them to ever see that
as a stumbling block to Putnham County um as far as facilities go. So I think we've done the right thing and we're going to continue to do the right thing for the right reason and this is just part of that. So thank you Madam Chair. And I want to remind people too that there's a dog park out there. People
don't think we have a dog park, but we have a a great area out there for a for a dog park. Um, Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> Yes, ma'am. I I don't want to be negative, but we as a commission and we as a community have spent many dollars
and we take a lot of pride in our recreational facilities. But I'm very disappointed in a small group of vandals who have just damaged our brand new pickle ball courts in East Palatka that
we just had constructed and we didn't even get an opportunity to hold an official opening for our community before they made them unplayable. And as I understand, they've been doing there's been vandalism at Francis and elsewhere.
We take great pride in our community. And I would ask that our community, if you see something, say something, protect our investment and your investment because if it was important enough for us to make the investment, that means that the community has felt it was
important enough. So, please help us take care of of our community. >> Thank Thank you for bringing that up. And if we can have a discussion too with the sheriff's office. I know that the sheriff's already left, but just as a reminder to ask them when they can to patrol those areas a little bit better.
>> We have and we've also um spoke to Jennifer who's the a deputy who kind of covers those special things. As recently as yesterday, we had somebody spin out on the basketball courts at Francis while we were there for a construction meeting. Um, so we are constantly patrolling them as much as possible. So
is the sheriff's office. Um, they're well aware to ride through our parks, be at our parks. Um, and and that we are willing to take action. We've we as of last night, we trespassed two people from South Putham. Um, so we are taking the action. Unfortunately, as
Commissioner Alexander says, it we can't be everywhere at one time. So, if the community is there and they see something happening that isn't um a a positive impact in the park, then please do report it. >> Yep. And if you report it to the sheriff's office, you are also welcome
to call the county and report it as well. Commissioner Newer recognized. >> Well, thank you for pulling this just, you know, for informationational sake. It's it's good to kind of have um parks and wreck, you know, spoken about publicly. We often overlook it. Um, these upgrades are are more than just
quality of life convenience upgrades. You know, we've seen them across the county. Um, we've got momentum in that space and I hope we will carry it forward. But these are economic drivers. Um, when people will come and, you know, when you have these amenities, we're able to bring those out of town folk in
and do those those, you know, big programs that are multi-day with just hundreds and hundreds of people. So, I mean, it's it's kind of changing us in a really positive way. So, thanks for pulling that out. >> Thank you, Commissioner Peliser, you're recognized. >> I'm just going to pile on a little more
with Commissioner Alexander and Harvey here. Um, Commissioner Alexander first. I I'm very disgusted that someone would go out and do things like that. And basically, they're tearing up their tax dollars and mine. And u like you like I say, if you see something, say
something. Call u the sheriff's office and make them aware of it. and let's see if we can catch these people and uh give them a different outlook on it. Um as co Mr. Harvey said about how proud we are of our our grounds and that we have
and um Miss Young I think has a son that plays on one of the little league teams and they had a tournament sometime back and I think you said eight different counties were represented there. those those a lot of those people are are spending the night, you know, they're they're staying in our hotels, eating in
our restaurants, and that's that's good stuff. I mean, you can't beat that. And and to be known to have, you know, great ball fields that those kids play that are almost big league style, you know, status. Uh that's that's a big thing and I think that's great. See that continue
on. >> Yeah. I'm gonna I'm gonna jump in and just as you you referenced, um the softball tournament was the the tournament that you're referencing. my daughter played in. But uh that was a year ago and before the organization left, they said, "We want to be back here next year." >> And then before the year was up, they
said, "We don't want to just be there for softball. We want to be there for baseball, too." And so this year, we'll hope host the district regional tournament for both softball and baseball, which will be their last stop before they compete at a state level. >> And we also have opportunities for
volleyball, pickle ball, tennis, we uh basketball, we're big in soccer. We have lots of different um Yeah. fishing opportunities. Yeah. Swim team. That's right. Yep. Mr. Sugs are recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Those are the reasons why the dollars that you five
has have uh given us the authority to expend to fix our parks is why those folks are coming back here. Your dollars are well spent, well received in the community, well received around our state because uh like like Miss Young was saying, we had eight different counties represented here. not only did
they play that tournament, they want to come back and play two more. So, the dollars that we've invested in our parks and wreck is uh absolutely paying dividends. And that's a that's a a thank you to you five for being able to do that because if you haven't been out to the parks lately, I would absolutely
suggest you go look at what's been done at Theobble, what's being done at Francis, what's being done at South Pton Sports Complex because those are making a huge difference for your community. >> And I heard that somebody threw a ball out at one of the fields. Was that Yeah. successful. Saw video.
>> Oh, that's good. You did great. >> A great thing. >> That was a good thing. >> Can we get a motion to approve? >> Madam Chair, >> Madam Chair, I move item I >> second. >> We have a motion in second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I.
>> I. I. >> Thank you guys for doing that. We're going to take a quick recess and then we'll come back to new business. Seven new business administration veteran services and technology department renovation. >> Good good morning madam chair and
commissioners. Uh this morning is you guys had asked us to reach out for a preliminary design which I think is included inside of your um packet. Um you awarded us $100,000 to go out and get it done. The final price ended up at
11080. So if you want us to move forward with it, we'd need the additional funding. >> All right, back to the board for discussion. Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> So in reading this, we get a 1.2 million
project, 110,000 on top of that for architectural engineering. I'm just going to ask the question, wouldn't it be better just to build a different building? And I hate to say it that way, even though we have all these buildings and the taxpayers would not
understand that, but trying to retrofit an old building versus getting a new one. What was the price on the new buildings that for the landfill and the new buildings for the fire departments that we just recently did? >> Well, the fire department was one I'm
sorry, >> go ahead. >> 1.8 million. >> That's correct. >> Yeah. So I think one thing we got to put in comparison is size, right? So um I think that's the first hurdle we got to get across um the building at um the
landfill was I think and I to get exact numbers from Mr. Tilton somewhere around 400,000 400 and some change um but it's around 3,3500 square feet. um animal services uh administrative office um adoption facility out there is somewhere
in the 4,000 square foot range cost in the range of $400 and some thousand dollars to build. Um you know there's a lot of I think there's a lot of differences in construction type and kind here uh that we have to cross. I mean
starting new does make some sense. uh doing rehab makes other sense. Um kind of depending on where you guys want to go. Uh if we do figure out either way we have to design it um and have a buildable set of plans that got to be engineered. So we're going to have those expenses. Either way we go. Um I'm not
saying it'll be any cheaper. Uh to do the fire station design was somewhere right around $200,000 to do the fire station design. Uh the time you did site civil work on that, you're still at two and a half million. Um somewhere 2.2 two some because the time you put the the
construction cost was 1.8 design was 200,000 so that's two million and then you got and we did all the in-house uh stuff so we got probably you know another 225 230 $50,000 in civil works so you're all in there at 2.250 2550 2.3
um and that building is uh looked last week just shy of 7,000 square feet. So I don't not have a calculator in front of me but I'm look at the square footages but I don't a lot of a fire station you got to remember is an open bay space. It's not doesn't have walls and
electrical and data and some of the uh mechanical HVAC that would make that space cost more if it was closed in and done that way. So I mean there is some some comparable differences. Um I I think in my opinion I think 1.2
million's light if that's the estimated cost. Um it would surprise me if it came in at 1.2 million. I think it's going to be a little bit higher than that uh with the scope over there because we still got to do mechanical and all that kind of stuff inside that building that's not currently there. So just like I said this is coming before you guys uh
because as much as we wanted to do it at 100, it just didn't end up there. >> Okay. Well, Madam Chair, the reason I kind of said that after our last meeting, I talked to Mr. Grimes and and I kind of brought it up during the meeting about some of these buildings
and once we start retrofitting them, then we have to put sprinkler systems and it's going to be quite ownorous on us to do all that. And maybe it's time to have the real conversation about what buildings do we really want, which ones do we knock
down, which ones do we cut the block and close it in and then start over and and that's where I'm at right now. And and keep him on the complex. I think we have plenty of parking for that reason. But I remember as a as a young boy, there was
a building out here on the corner of Westover and and Krill Avenue out there. There was a sales place, electronic sales building, concrete building. Uh there was a hamburger stand out there, the bank building that we still see
sitting there vacant that's could be or could not be any good. You know, I think we probably just need to start looking at what's really our appetite and what can we really afford to do. and and I applaud those commissioners that took a bite of the apple and got
this this facility, but truly us going forward in these facilities and the buildings we have might not be practical to do that. And that's all I'm going to say about that. So, thank you, Madam Chair. >> Miss Young, you're recognized. >> Commissioner, I just want to add um or
commissioners as you deliberate um one of the things that has not been identified is potential funding sources. So as we um think through it, it is about 8,400 square feet is what's drawn or or in the concept. Um and I too believe that number of 1.2 in
construction cost is light. Even at that, it does not include furnishing, fixtures, everything that happens once the building is complete, the equipment that needs to go in it. With that in mind, potential funding sources that could be utilized would of course be the general fund. your balance of
unrestricted reserves is down to six million and in the VPP you're down to 1.8 of unrestricted. So as you think through how we move forward um identifying which funding source that you think you want to use is going to be
an important conversation as well. >> All right. Thank you Commissioner Alexander recognized. >> Thank you Madam Chair. And you know that was kind of the purpose uh the premise of engaging this architect as to give us some steerage and direction on which way we wanted to go as to renovating an
existing facility or building new uh that we could you know design to accommodate our staff directly. So I mean it it's pretty obvious to me that uh renovation may not be the best route on the existing facility and something
that we can build that could accommodate them. And also we, you know, we may need to look at scaling back as far as the size and um and you know while I've got the mic um Miss Sims is in the audience.
Um hate to put you on the spot, but do you think there might be some assistance that we could look for from a federal level? >> That's what we had talked about. Okay, good deal. So, and that gives us the opportunity to look at these two
projects individually and not just as one project. So, it was potentially we could do one at a time as the funding presented itself and became available. But I don't want to continue to kick the can down the road and not accomplish
what we need for these two entities because we've established the fact that they are both vital to our operation and to our community and our citizens. So, um, those are my comments on it. Madam Chair, >> Commissioner Pelister, you're recognized.
>> I I too feel like, um, that we need to explore all the avenues to of funding that we can possibly lay our hands on. Um, hopefully, Congressman Fine's office could be of some assistance. But again, we, as you said, Commissioner Alexander, we can't
kick the can down the road. We've got find somewhere here, jump on and go with it. But we uh you know we're we're not in a break neck hurry, but uh we certainly want to move forward and and make some progress here, but we need to explore all our avenues that we possibly
can find some funding. So, um I think that's all I have to say about that right now. >> Okay. So, u I'll I'll make a couple comments. I know Commissioner Alexander, you made the comment uh basically that that maybe a new building would be um
cost effective, but we don't know what we don't know that. I mean, that's where I'm at is as I'm struggling with and then I am struggling with a with a with a vision of you got all this space and then you don't and then we've talked about that
before uh at the at the DAS about you've got all this space and then you put a new building in. And I don't know how a can a a citizen would understand that at all. I mean, I just struggle with that personally. And then and then I and then I go to, okay, if we're not going to use the
building, then what the heck are we going to do with it? So, there's that part. So, we're just going to leave a vacant and for the next 30 years, and I know one thing. I know that if it costs so much today, I can assure you next year it's going to cost more. And the year after that, it's going to cost more. And the year after that, it's even
three times higher than it is today. So that's where I get with when when I start thinking about numbers. Um we have established at this board and we all did agree that this is that both of these departments do need they need a lot of help >> and we all and so I'm glad that we got
to that consensus. Um as we go into our budget year, we're going to have some serious we're going to have to have some serious discussions as as in our new budget year. um this we went down this road to see what our engineering would cost and what it would cost to
potentially renovate these buildings. Um but we did not have it in our budget. So we're going into a budget year and um you know maybe that's the discussion we have during our budget time to say is this something we want to put in our capital plan or not. Um but I do think
that we should explore every opportunity for funding. My concern with is at the federal level it usually takes a year and a half. I mean it takes uh Gina's what's our federal I mean timeline you're looking at a year and a half two years. Yeah. So that's another concern
because then again you're asking for 1.2 this year and then by the time it comes up at the federal level now it's a $2 million expense. Y >> and so or whatever it is and that's what my concern is and then we're still short. Yeah. >> And um
>> so I guess my question would be is there like a community development um grant or any other kind of grants that we could explore that would um especially like the one I know that we asked for the veteran services particularly with the Congressman Fines's office. But is there
any other type of grants that we can explore and see if there's funding opportunities? Um that's what I'd like to see. I don't know if that what your thoughts are on that Mr. Suggs. We can absolutely look and see what might be available to us out there on any type of grant level
whether it be state, federal or maybe community uh development block grants or whatever we have out there. I will say that when we go to uh DC next week that you know we put in staff put in for uh five appropriations at the federal level
and this was one of them was for the veteran services facility. So I would suggest that when we're out there, we absolutely have that conversation with Randy Fine or Congressman Fine's office and the others to see if we can't continue to get support and if it pushes if we get support and then pushes us down the road another year. It's another
year, but at least we'll have some funding that might be able to help offset the cost for that. But it is one of the five that we put in for >> Yes, sir. Good deal. >> Oh yes, sir. Okay. All right. Uh Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> Yes, ma'am. Um all all great points there. So, you know, it it's a tough
decision to make, but um you know, we we just went through our appropriation session uh for this year with the state and we haven't started discussing our appropriation ask for next year. So, maybe this is something we put out there. I saw that a lot of the other um
districts were asking for higher dollar items, but um hopefully we'll be successful. It looks like uh hopefully nothing will get vetoed that we asked for this year. I think we were pretty success successful out there and maybe this is something we should consider as an appropriation ask for next year.
>> I I don't disagree with that. Um Mr. Grimes, you're recognized. >> So what we have before us today is to do a design, right? >> Correct. >> Anytime we do any of these projects, we need to have something ready to go because like I think you hit the nail on the head, what costs $10 today is going
to cost $30 tomorrow. >> Yep. Um, and I think a lot of these times when we get held up is we wait till we find a funding source and then we go into the design phase and then that takes a year. It takes eight months, right, to get a full set of design plans. I think we'd be wise make
a decision. Are we going to go ahead and look forward with the design, right? Today we're only looking at the difference of the $10,000 from where you guys were comfortable in order to do the design of the building. Right? And then we have a shovel ready project. It may be easier to go to the state of Florida and go, "Hey, we have the shovel ready
project. We need to get it going." It's it's designed, it's engineered, it's ready. Only thing we need is a is some assistance. Sometimes that does make it a little easier. It also shows that we've got some buy in that we've paid and had had this thing done and ready to go. Because when we went through the Army Corps, when they finally released the money, they go, "Do you have a
shovel ready project? We need to get started." >> And we're like, "Yeah." And that's how we ended up on doing that right down East River Road because it was ready to go. And I think that's where we need to get is is I think we got a decision made. Do we want to go ahead and design this building or do we look do you want me to go back out and say, "Hey, design us a new facility." Either way, you're
spending a couple million dollars. I mean, truly, by the time if you figure the square footage combined of both of the new facilities, you're 8 $900,000 and and and exterior construction million somewhere in there, I'm sure. Um and then you're right back to square one
where you already have this facility. Um sometimes I do have a little bit of change of heart. It is sometimes it's a lot easier to do it underneath new construction because you start everything brand new. But there's also a way to look at this is going we do have this building to the chair lady's point is is you know go and look at it. But I think we need to move forward with a at
least getting a design done of you know and having it ready to go to turn in so we when we can put it out on the street for bid just as soon as we identify funding whether it's through you know a budget item if it because it would be done about the same time as budgets are done next year so we could get that project moving forward. I don't want to
have it waiting and for design. That's what I'm trying to get to. >> I think those are very good points. Thank you, Commissioner Palister, you're recognized. >> I think Mr. Grimes is spot on with the comments about having it shovel ready and um certainly makes it more appealing to when you're out there searching for
for help that you got something. Hey, we we're ready to run. We've done this much. Um and I'm I'm with you, Commissioner Wilson, as far as the the general public. Well, you got a fine building there. It doesn't leak. It's got four good walls. Why'd you take it to the ground? You know, that's that's
hard to digest. Even the money part of it would tell the story, but that is hard to digest that you got four walls and a roof that don't leak and you're going to take it to the ground. >> That that part doesn't make sense, but I think Mr. Grimes is spot on with moving
forward with uh the design and and uh then, you know, out searching for funds in in various areas. >> So, do you want to make a motion? >> I do. I'll make a motion. Oh, excuse me. >> That's okay. Uh, Commissioner Harvey, >> thank you, Madam Chair. Let's be The
only reason I said take it to the ground was this. Uh, we heard about having to upgrade all the sprinker systems in the building, which I'm not opposed to, don't get me wrong. Can >> Can we clarify that? We we we did speak to the building department. As long as
we don't encroach in that 19,000 square ft between us and where we're going, >> they're not going to require us to put a sprinkler system in that current building. So, it's Mr. Wadeson, the building official, said as soon as we get into the 19,000 square foot in the center is where we're really going to run into our problems. >> Okay. >> And and this building we're talking
about, let me let me It's a good story to tell because it's yes, it's a funding. We're looking for funding, but it's a veteran service building. And let's not lose track of that. That's an important aspect uh for our veterans in this community. But I want to be sure
that we're not talking about where veterans is now. We're talking about straight down this hallway at the end where the old barberh shop, the old Tom Falies used to be. All that area right there is where we're looking to gain 8,000 square feet. Correct.
>> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> For two departments for the veteran services and the IT. Correct. >> So that we can move them. All right. Uh, Mr. Suggs, you're recognized and then we'll bring it back to the board. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Uh, Deputy Administrator Grimes is spot on as far
as the uh go ahead and moving forward with this design and and and plan. You know, we are asking for just less than 15,000. Move that forward. But having the a project that's fully vetted, fully designed, and ready to go, uh I'm going
to throw it to Commissioner Alexander at this point and just uh this is what we found when we apply for grants. That's one of the one of the criteria for points and in grading systems and and for being award. Uh we're going through one right now where we're having to deal
with that very thing. So, uh, I think anytime that we can have a project ready to go, it gives us a a leg up, a benefit to, uh, when we apply for those grants. So, I would absolutely encourage the board to to move forward this morning so we can get this one moving forward so
when we do apply for those grants that we'll have those design plans ready to go. >> Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion. >> I think Mr. uh, Commissioner Paliser was making the motion. >> I was until I was cut off there. >> All right. Go ahead, >> Mr. Okay. >> Like a motion that we move forward with the um design of the veteran services
and uh information technology department renovation and relocation. >> All right. We have a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second that. Second, >> madam chair for discussion. Do we want to put a cap on that? Like right now it's 110 8.90. Do we want to say like 111 or something to that? Because
there's always costs that come up. >> I think it was pretty it's a hard cost. It's a hard cost proposal. >> Okay. So $110,890. >> Yes sir. That's what's being that's what the motion is. All right. And any further discussion? All in favor say I.
>> I. Motion carries. >> All right. Moving on to the next item. Um the volunteer fire uh station. >> Uh good morning once again. Um I was approached um by the city cruisers asked about a fire station that we that we
took into the county. We really haven't used it since we brought it into the county. Um it was brought in um the volunteer fire department down there had dissolved um and they wanted to give the building to the county. The the got a career engine just across the Dun Creek Bridge there at Satsum and one that
responds out of Interlock and we're not I'm sorry out east PLA. We're not currently using the building at this time. Um other than some just generalized storage. Um it was approached to us by the Isaiah city cruisers. They were looking for a place to um house um once a month meeting type things inside the place. agreed to fix
it back up, make it a nicer facility. We've only used it for the last couple years as a basically um a laid a lay down yard for the uh construction sewer projects and stuff in the area. So, it was just brought to us. This is again like we talked about in the port. It was somebody brought something to us for one
of our county facilities. We just want to bring it to you guys for the proposal and you kind of give us direction back on what you'd like us to do. >> So, um Commissioner uh Harvey, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So the previous discussion at the port was we have a little more latitude on what we can do
along the same line. Do we have to put this out to bid or do we have the same latitude as a board of county commission not as a port authority? That's my question. >> As we were talking about, we may actually have to put this out to bid.
>> Okay. to follow up on that. Is this the same building that we've been getting complaints on about the tree in the in the way and all that? >> That's East. >> No, sir. That's in San Monteo. >> That's the one off of Kite Road and we're working through that with the citizens now. Try to get some resolution on that. We do not own that bill, but
we're trying to get the citizens a success. >> I get it. Thank you. >> Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, Rich, does since this is a not for-p profofit, does that fall under a different envelope
as far as going out for bid? >> You know, it would for a sale. I'd have to I've got to look at the statute for that. >> Okay. >> There are some exceptions to it, but the ones that come to my mind are if you have an airport or seapport facility, those are things that are exempt from
that process. >> Okay. Right. Um, you want us to just give you a few minutes to cipher through that and then we'll come back to it later, guys? >> Yep. We can we can move forward with discussion. Commissioner New recognized. >> Thank you. Yeah, it would be nice to see
this vacant space utilized in in some way. It it is interesting that nonprofit sees it as a as an opportunity. Um, you know, it it's it's been a lay down yard, which is nice to see some use out there because the building has been derelct.
It, you know, it's going to fill up with vagrants. It's going to have maintenance issues over time. And just helping a community organization that that gives back to the community and would would upkeep and maintain that building feels
appropriate. Um, of course we need to follow the letter of the law and make sure we're we're staying in our lane, but uh I'd be in favor of moving forward with it if if the legalities work out. >> Commissioner Balister, you're recognized.
>> I too have no problem with that. U Commissioner Newbold, but I do have the question I'm going have to borrow Commissioner Harvey's insurance hat for a minute. um what type of insurance is currently on the building and would we require them to carry some sort of a liability or how would that work or
what's >> So our lease does include insurance requirements but as far as what insurance is on the building I think it's probably limited to what we're capped at with sovereign immunity and the protections that are provided to us as a county.
>> So I would just say um this is one of those it's easy but it's hard. It's easy because we we love this organization and like you said, they bring they do a lot for our for our community, but then the hard part is is how do you make it fair for everybody, but then right now the
building's not being used at all. So, it's like one of those how do you where do you get get there? And then at the end of the day, I think even after you get through the repairs and cleanup, which would be significant for them, and I and I recognize that because the building's sitting there and not being
used, but then at what point going forward is it two years from now, let's say we were able to work something out. Is it two years from now that then it flips and and now we actually have some kind of a
lease or some small monetary amount of money or something that would be fair. Um because once they get it up in the running then they're just basically in a free building and we don't necessarily give free buildings out. So, um, they
would have the expense of the up and in at the beginning, and I understand that. And so, it's it's just like if I was leasing to Commissioner Newold and I would say, "You can rent my house, but it needs $5,000 worth of repairs." That would cover the first year's worth of rent, right? So, where's the numbers in
this for me? And it's not that I'm necessarily wanting to to take money from a nonprofit because I can tell you I worked, you know, really hard on one this weekend to to make a lot of money for that nonprofit and I believe in them and what they doing in the or in the in
the county. So that's the challenge I have is how do we make it fair and and what how do we move forward with that and I think we need some direction on what if we're sending it out to bid whether we have to send it out for bid. I think that's the question that we're gonna we're going to have to get back on.
And I'll ask Can we defer this just so I can >> Sure. >> try to figure that out. >> Yeah, I think so. Is there any further discussion? Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized. >> My question is for answer. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Commissioner Alexander. >> Yes, ma'am. Do I need to make a motion to table this until the next meeting?
>> We we can do that if we want or we can just be silent on it and wait and see if if we have further discussion. >> Okay. I know. I just know that the Z city cruiser folks are here with us this morning and I just want to make sure that that if it moves to the next meeting is that I I just don't know
their timeline. They they were very, you know, trying to work with us. I just want to make sure we're not put not putting them in a bind, but I just want to make sure they're good, too. So, but I know we got stuff to do on our side of the house. >> We we have a couple new items for new business. So, why don't we move forward and then just see where we're at after we finish that. If you'll just hang
tight with us, guys. All right. Um, next up, we have the partnership with Calvary Life Center. um on page 143 and 44. >> Um thank you commissioners. As you know, our pool is under renovation or the pool that we operate. And so we began looking for a partnership and what we ended up
with a was a really great proposal for a long-term partnership. Um Calvary Life Center has a junior Olympic size swimming pool that's indoor at 1414 Bronson Street. Um met with their team last week with Miss Haley and Mr. Grimes. Um they are very interested in a
long-term relationship. Most of you know that our swim lessons stay at max capacity. We turn kids away every year simply because I don't have enough space in that pool to run enough kids through it. Um, with the addition of the additional pool, that would mean we could double the amount of swim lessons
we can offer to the community. Um, as as they have proposed um the county would be an adviser, i.e. We would help them when they had questions about chemicals and and dirt certain things. They would be responsible for the maintenance. They're responsible for the purchase of
the chemicals. They're responsible for the maintenance of the actual facility. We would be responsible for providing all certified red light red cross lifeguards um and for maintaining the programmatic offerings for both schools ultimately when we get both up and
running. Um so bringing that before you today, I believe it would be very advantageous for our community. um as well as our recreation programs. >> This is a in the form of a memorandum of understanding that's in your packet. >> Correct. >> And it look And there's no cost to the
county on this. >> There's no cost for the facility. Obviously, our cost are in the Red Cross lifeguards, right? Um and then of course we do make some amount of money back on the swim lessons that we charge as well as community swim and um lap swim when
people choose to participate. So there is some offset in revenue generation. However, we truly try really hard um to keep our swim lesson cost very low and um subordinated or or supplemented when possible with community partners.
>> All right. Commissioner um Harvey, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So explain long-term relationship. What does that mean? What does that mean? >> So long-term, they're interested in us continuing once this pool is up and operational. They're interested in us having both locations to be up and
operational in the same relationship as we start. Meaning they're going to be responsible for the chemicals. If there's something random that they have as as part of what we would do in normal operations, um then of course we'd be happy to support them where we can, but um they're responsible for the facility
itself. We would be responsible for maintaining programs, lifeguards, um, community outreach, you know, all of those types of things. >> But there would be an additional cost if we use that facility. I'm sure there was going to be someone to unlock the door, lock the door, more power probably for
pool pumps and things like that. >> So, we wouldn't pay power, electricity, utilities, that type of thing. Our cost is truly in the staffing. And you are absolutely correct. It would require some additional staffing to run both locations. However, um
remember that this pool has been for the longest time the only community pool that's open from West Putinham to South Putinham. It's the only place our high schools have to operate a swim team. It's the only place our clubs have. It's the only place our community has for a public access pool. Um during the summer
we run 10 to 12 hour days every day all day and we constantly have more people wanting to do more things at the pool. So when we talk about utilization it's one of our better utilized and um these swim lesson opportunities that we provide are are frankly invaluable to a
community that has so much water. >> And I think we've used that facility before since I've been a commissioner. I do remember there was some times when this pool wasn't working and we were able to go over there. >> We've partnered a couple of times. nothing on a long-term basis. Um, and this is intended to be a long-term partnership um to help them. They want
people in utilization in their facility as well. And so they, you know, they it's going to help them. It's going to help us and help our communities. >> Well, I think it's a good move. So, thank you very much for bringing this up. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> All right. Commissioner Newol, you're recognized. I'm sorry, Commissioner Alexander. Sorry.
>> Yeah, I would like to applaud staff for bringing this forward. Um, I started talking to Germaine last year. that pool had been dormant for a couple of years and he was very proud of of the upgrades and getting it back open and we discussed different ways of bringing the
public in and utilizing that pool. We talked about night swims, movie nights and the fact that that pool can be utilized 24/7 365 because it is indoors. It's something that we don't have anywhere else in our community and the location is is is perfect because that
community there is underserved. they have, you know, transportation issues getting to this other pool. And I think it's a tremendous opportunity just from a safety standpoint to provide swimming lessons again to this community with the amount of waterfront that we have and the exposure to water in this community.
You know, we all know it's a benefit, but it's a detriment at the same time for those who lack the ability to swim. So, thank you for bringing it forward. I think it's a great idea. >> Commissioner New, you're now recognized. >> Ju just going to pile on. You know, these are the types of opportunities we
really should be seeking. I mean, it's a public private partnership in the parks and recck space. It's going to uh it's going to help our relationship with the city. It's going to, you know, you could literally save lives with swim lessons there and the return on
investment is just, you know, off the chart. So, anyway, it's it feels feels good. Thank you. >> All right, Mr. SGS, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. This is one of those opportunities that kind of presented itself because of a need and
it's uh Commissioner Alexander rested commissioners are absolutely correct. Mr. Grimes and I were over at the city uh when this project came forward and it is have absolutely it's been underutilized for many years and this gives us an opportunity to breathe a little life back in that facility. I was
really the only comment I really want to make this morning was I was amazed that this past week how many people actually stomped me whether I've been at the grocery store lunch or wherever talking about the fact that their kids who swim every every summer weren't going to have an opportunity this year and they saw
this item on the agenda and they were very excited about it. So I just wanted to share with you that the uh >> the insight from those that are that that utilize this facility that they're excited to see this opportunity coming from you five today. >> Thank you. I agree. I think it's a it it it makes good sense and we do want to
continue to have our children safe in our community. Um I am good with the duration on the contract because you know it looks like you can either party can terminate within uh 30-day notice and I'm good with that because you know we're not signing something that says that we're obligated for the next 10 or
20 years. >> So Madam Chair, I'd like to move approval of this partnership with the county and Calvary Family Life Center. >> I'll definitely second that one. We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. And then real quick, uh,
request to rename Rotary Park to Danny Martinez Park. Is this you, Mr. Grimes? Or I'm sorry, M. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Rotary reached out to, uh, me to update me that the new bylaws had changed in their rules and their park names that they sponsor or
support should no longer support the name Rotary in the park name. Um, and so in speaking with uh the then president, Mr. Gent, I asked them as a board to give me a recommendation for what they would like to see. Um, you may or may
not know that what is currently Rotary Park is the last um infrastructure upgrades that they've made. They supported the ball field there um and made some some infrastructure improvements that have made a world of difference in that park. Um, it's been a great change to see some investment in
that park for us. Um, and so as part of closing out that grant, we obviously want to do all the celebratory things, but we need a new sign and a new name for the park. So that the board unanimously recommended to rename the park Danny Martinez, which of course, as you all know, supports a um lifelong
member of Rotary in Putnham County, who done who has done many, many things in our community. So that's their request, and it's before you today. >> Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And I couldn't see a more fitting person to name a park after. I will tell you that Danny
Martinez's name came up when my grandfather and him would ride together to the paper mill. Danny was a lot younger than my grandfather. Um, so that's how I first heard of Danny Martinez. And over the years as a young man and in adulthood watching Danny
Martinez uh invest in this community >> with time, talent, and funds. There's a lot of times people go, "Well, I invest, but they don't put their money behind it." Danny did this through personal assets, and he also did it by giving
money to Rotary and Rotary assets. So, this couldn't be a more fitting thing for me to do. And when I saw it on the agenda, it was really brought a smile to my face. Um, I'm saddened that we're not having the parade of 100 years of Danny
Martinez because it would be fun to have a parade right to this park and do a ribbon cutting, but we'll we can come up with something attributing that. But, uh, Danny was looking forward to a parade and maybe uh, we can do something appropriate. But, uh, this commissioner
is all in favor of renaming that part the Danny Martinez part. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> All right. Any other discussion? I'd like to go ahead and make the motion to approve the request to rename Rotary Park Danny Martinez Park. >> Second. >> Have a motion. Second. Any further
discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> And I want to go back and clarify on the um with the Zoya City Cruisers. There is a nominal um rent payment in here um with discounted for I I'm sorry I missed that one in my comments earlier. Um, but
my question is, is that for one year that that they would pay the 500 minus the 400? Is that just a one-year period and then after that we we go to the 500? I want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly. >> I believe the way it's proposed would be ongoing because they they would be
continuously expected to bear some of the cost of operations of that building. >> Okay. All right. I was making sure I understood it. All right. >> So, Madam Chair, where do we fall down on that? Do we need to go out to a public lease or can we do something immediately to help this?
>> I think we need to pull it and defer so that I can bring it back to you after having a definitive answer. From what I'm looking at within our code of ordinances as well as the statutes, I think you do have to put it up a bit. >> Okay. >> All right. All right. So, we'll pull that from the
agenda and um come back later. All right. With that, that's all the new business. Moving into code enforcement. Madame Chair, is there anyone in the audience today for any codes case the two code cases we have?
>> Doesn't look like it. Thank you for asking, >> Madam Chair. Then if no one's in the audience, we can move this pretty quick. On codes case number 20600912 is now in compliance. The total fine was $171
900. staff has calculated the hard cost of enforcement back to the taxpayers of $2674 if paid within 90 days. That's my motion. >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> And madame chair on code's case number 2020-0000272 codes the fine incurred is $48,85.50. 50. Uh staff has calculated the actual hard cost of enforcement back to the taxpayer of $4,850.
My recommendation is staff recommendation. My motion is to accept $4,850 if paid within 90 days on this case. >> Second. >> Have a motion. Second. All in favor say I. >> Motion carries. Thank you.
>> All right. >> Public comment. Um, this portion of the agenda is designed to allow citizens an opportunity to bring matters to the attention of the board. It is not reasonable to expect that the board will engage in debate or deliberation about matters on which the board has received no prior information as part of the agenda. Please limit your
time to three minutes. Public comment cards are conveniently placed at the meeting room entrance and should be submitted prior to the meeting to the deputy clerk who sits to the right of the podium. Miss Ashley, you have some cards. All right. Good morning, uh, Travis
Roberts, you're up. >> Good morning or afternoon. One more Yansancy Circle, Florida. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. A quick update on Fort Gates. We met with and we had Mr. Walt there. I'm not going to attempt to say your name again because I always screw it up. It
ain't that hard. >> Um, >> just go with it. >> Sir, >> there you go. Good job. >> Yeah, I've been working on it. Um, we had a meeting with um, State Representative Sap on the phone, Sir Walt, myself, and a couple other people.
There's some funding that could go in for Fort Gates. Problem is, just like you said with the lady over here, it's going to take a year or two years. They talk about discretionary funds, maybe a couple of them pitching in, which have been mentioned before, that would get it
um pretty much done and quickly if that could be done, if that's still open on the table. The other thing is I called Tallahassee and was talking to them about the lease and they said somebody from the county had called them. I talked to the attorney, I believe
yourself, and nobody seemed to know who >> we're talking about the water lease though. the the >> yes >> the submerged land lease >> the submerged land lease um so I didn't know if they might have been Mr. Suggs or Miss Julian or somebody or if they
had an update on that but he said it was definitely Putman County and they had talked to him about what they needed to do and wouldn't entertain it until I talked to you guys again and found out you know where we need to move from there.
So that's about it. I'm still waiting. >> Okay. So, just make sure I understand. So, uh we're still make waiting on a determination on the submerged land lease. >> I haven't gone that far with it. Um
>> Mr. Commando, would you have any? >> Yes, ma'am. We're still having to wait on that because I have not had any conversation with anyone that can tell me whether or not we have that submerged land lease or not. >> When we were having our phone conference the other day, um Mr. Roberts had a
question about his lease that you had in place when 2017 when the storm took everybody out of business. Would that be correct? >> Correct. Commissioner Wilson had asked me what I would like at the time and not knowing where we stood with the county,
with the state or anything. I kind of left it open-ended. What I would like to see is that the four years that the when Irma hit, okay, that wasn't the county's fault, but we had four years that our lease was cut short, but there was an option for 10
more years on it because we have a $90,000 loan on the little boat house and dock that's out there for people to fish. That way, we can finish paying off the loan because I I don't want to lose 90 grand, you know. But if we could do
something like that that would give me a 14-year lease. And I'm sure in 14 years from now, as beat up as I am, and we just finishing chemo up and stuff, I'm going to be ready to turn it over to somebody by then. But what I would like to see is a 14-year
um lease with an option of 10 more. >> Well, you mean a fouryear with it option. >> So it' be it' be Oh, you're looking for 24 >> if if possible. If not, I would like to get the four remaining years that we were left on our lease plus the option
that was in the original lease for the 10 years. So, it would be 14 years total on the lease. >> Okay. So, just for clarity, so you've got a couple things, Commissioner, if I may. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> I just want to make sure I'm understanding what the ask is. So, in addition, you're you're looking for an
the the lease to be renewed. >> You're looking for the landing to be repaired. >> Correct. >> Correct. And and then you could be operational. >> It it would be operational. >> Okay. >> Correct. If it was done today, we could be running today >> if it were what?
>> If if the other side was finished, if West Bank was finished, we could be up and running today. >> Mhm. >> I mean, that's how close we are. We're just waiting. They came out um Briners came out did some minor adjustments to the wheel the other day that they said that was in the original contract they
would be back in two years to check for adjustments. They came out and did their final adjustments. Those wheels were built in 1700s that still raised that landing. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Harvey, you recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And Mr. Roberts,
please do not take any Don't bash me too bad or threaten to beat me up over this. A question for staff. Mr. Roberts was never on a lease, correct? On a prior lease before. >> That's correct. And we paid the original
leafy even two years with not running that ferry. Correct. >> That's correct. >> And based on some of the conversations we've had today, based on port leases and based on county leases, there's no guarantee that we can
give Mr. Robert a lease today. >> We would have to put that out for bid. Correct. >> That's now correct. Yeah. And there there's also the issue of ownership. I mean, when you look at Fort Gates Fairy Road, >> right, >> we have a title search that says the county has the road up to the landing.
It looks like FD or the state land trust owns that property. You would there would have to be u a lease with FD for the submerged land lease. And then on the west side, the Belindelin trust is
the one that owns that property. There has to be something there. I mean, there's a number of different things that would have to come way before the ability of us to enter into a lease. >> Well, I just didn't want to give Mr. Roberts any false hope that this board can entertain a promise of a lease when
the lease has to go out for bid and that's where we're at. We've always been there. We've heard this couple times today. So, not trying to take it away from you. I'm not saying that. I would love for you to operate it. My point is we would have to go through the legal
process of getting all this done. >> Okay. The the looking back all the way until 1880, there's never been a bid process on Fort Gates because it was always privately owned. When Calvin
Culage bought it in 1919, that's when it went to pretty much the county or what was established as a county. >> I understand. I just didn't want you to feel like when you walked out of here, we're all shaking our head. We're all in support. Don't get me wrong. None of Well, I shouldn't speak for all of us. I
I'm in support, but we've got to go through the legal channels and we got to put it out for bit. And I just didn't want you to be blindsided by that by no, you know, because that's what you've heard that happen twice before you today, >> right? But also know that there was
$1,200 doesn't constitute for $1.6 $6 million being lost doesn't even come close. That's why I would rather see that we could get the fulfillment of the contract. Even though my name wasn't on the contract, I was still a silent partner at the time. And the contract
was with Fort Gates Ferry, which I'm part of Fort Gates Ferry. That's why I say that. >> I'm not sure I understand your reference from 1,200 to 1 point something million. What are you referring to? I think he's referring to opportunity cost, which our leases don't make us liable for anyway.
>> Well, that's what with our book showing what came through every day up until the point of the hurricane. That's what we base those off on. We even dropped it back 10%. >> Right. I I I agree with what you're saying as far as how the calculation came to be. I'm just telling you that an
opportunity cost is not something that is paid out pursuant to our lease. So, just like we have a a lease with a restaurant, if they happen to close, we're not responsible for the money they would have made in operating the restaurant. >> I got you. Okay. I I needed to understand that.
>> The other question comes into the buildings under the laws that were written by President Trump. Those are all historical buildings and cannot be removed. We own those. So, that's going to be another conflict there as far as the fish camp and our
boat. the county can't take our boat. They can't take our barge, you know. So, but I mean, that's stuff for another day. >> Well, when we had when we when you were here last, we talked about the possibility of of letting you take um
control of that that landing. What did you discover? Did you discover something? It seems like when I spoke to you on the phone, you had found out that that wasn't possible >> um with the state. The state says the county had to do it, but the county breached their contract when they didn't
renew it in 2019. >> That's what the state told me. That the contract had to be redone between them. That it couldn't be done between an individual. It had to be with the county and then the county had to >> So the state couldn't get work with you on that. You couldn't take control over
that landing without I got you. Okay. Um Mr. Commissioner Paler, do you have any other comments? Uh >> a little bit. Um, I think it was established that you were paid two years while the ferry was shut down. Total. >> I'm sorry. >> You were paid two years after the ferry
went down in 2017. >> The monies went toward the insurancees that the county was supposed to provide for the landings. >> So, which they and then >> there there's
>> for the barge, I'm sorry. >> Yeah. There's nothing in the agreement that says the countyy's responsible for the insurance, >> but the county anything the county owns is supposed to be insured. That's what we're the monies were spent. >> It's also whoever has a lease is supposed to insure. We just had that discussion too. If somebody has a lease,
they're supposed to be providing the insurance. That's part of every lease agreement we do. That was Is that what you're referring to? Yeah, we had our insurance and stuff, >> but the upkeep as far as the other stuff that the county fell negligent on the landings itself, the seaw walls and
stuff, those things have never been done. We've maintained those things out of our own pockets. They've been the taxpayers thousands and thousands of >> We did one side, but we've never fixed the other. >> I'm sorry. >> We did one side. One side of of the landing was completely done.
>> One side. Yeah. That was after several years. I mean, it finally got done, but I mean, we're still eight and a half years, and we never even got to finish up our lease, and that was before Mr. Hacket died. >> Yes, sir. Uh, Mr. Suggs, >> apologize to to answer Commissioner
Peliser's question. U, I do believe we paid uh the full contract. I think it was $1,200 a month until the expiration of the contract uh to Mr. Hackett. That's right. Yeah, there was a lot of other stuff in
the contract that was never fulfilled. The county was supposed to provide the ropes, um, life jackets, stuff like that that was never done. We never asked them and we went ahead and took that upon ourselves and provided all that. So,
there was a lot of back and forth on it. Like I said, when I when he said that I received me and my family received $1,200 a month. I've never received one penny. >> Sure. >> You know, my thing is to save the ferry.
And my biggest fear is that with these buildings that were built in the 1800s, that barge that's over 100 years old, that boat that was built, and I just found out because I got the blueprints finally that was built in 1881, that piece of history is none like any
other in the state. It's one of the oldest except for St. Augustine over there. Putman County has the largest um the oldest piece of history. That's got to say something for this county, you know, to bring in tourism. But when I
leave that that goes into Fort Gates, you know, I don't know what's going to be called then. It's the name has changed back and forth. You know, it was St. John's Ferry and then it was a couple other fairies but the original name was Fort Gates Ferry established by
Colonel William Gates you know. >> Yes sir. Uh Commissioner New recognized >> the barge itself is is that owned by you or by the county? >> The boat. >> The barge. >> The barge is owned by us. >> Okay. And the boat. >> The boat and the barge are owned by Dale
and myself. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Commissioner Paliser, you're recognized. I had not to be totally honest, I had not dug into the lease and ownership of of or how the going forward would would work. My whole focus has been reestablishing the
landing and the permission to build the landing, which I think we're working toward that. My I think I told you the other day on the phone that um I think we're going to have to have some buyin from the uh forestry service about the landing being right off the end of their road there going where it meets the
water. Um, we haven't reached out to Miss I'll never get her name. >> No, he's you you're talking about the forestry folks. Yes. Miss Carrick. Carrie Carrick. >> Mr. Carrick. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Mr. Sakarak. So, um I think we got
to get some buy in from her. But I was willing to use some of my discretionary money to u fund um rebuilding the landing uh to be sure that came to be because I think we got a just a ballpark rough estimate from Mr. Miner of I think
he said 150,000. He just shot that off the hip. That's no that's not viewing anything personally u and out on site. He just looked at some pictures I showed him and he just ballparked it at that. But I I do would like to see if if we could get uh I don't know who else does
that kind of work uh building those type of of deals and at least get a hard number so we could say oh it costs this then we can move forward with with at least knowing that part. Do you know anybody Mr. Grimes other than Mr. Miner? >> I don't know that we don't of the was it
Briner Marine that did the the Fruitland side is that who did that miss Cheryl and >> that was Cheryl and Bull. Yeah, >> right. >> I mean, I don't know. We don't reach out to them and say, "Hey, you guys already did that side." I mean, and that maybe something Mr. Roberts could do because he's down there every day is meet them over there and just bring us back some
kind of idea. I mean, if that's meaningable to the board because I don't I mean, >> I think that gives a good an idea somewhere to start, >> right? If Mr. Roberts is willing to do that, I mean, just to meet with him at his convenience because he knows the operation of the ferry is get bring a quote back to the board saying, "Hey,
this is what's going to put the landing back in, you know, shape to to operate. Well, the way we did it last time, and I worked with Commissioner Ross on it, is that we purchased instead of it costing so much money, and I'm not going to throw any figures out because it would
make the bidding process unfair. But what we did was the county purchased materials from the prison over in Zephr Hills. They have their own sawmill there, which we saved twothirds the amount of money that we would normally have spent. So, instead of it going way
up here into the stars, it came way down. And then what the county subbed out was the labor on it at that point because Briners had been taking care of the Tommy Briner his dad in the 60s their name is routed into the concrete
bulkhead there. So they pretty much and I was glad to see that they got it to keep the history going because the first ones they built you know lasted 50 years which is a good investment on what was spent at the time. You know, even if a hurricane come and re hit it, the price
of doing it in concrete, you know, we could have replaced that thing 20 to 30 times just for what it was originally going to be spent. So, it was a good investment. >> And I I think we still have the right to to to own or direct purchase the material, right? But I mean, we need to
get some kind of quote for you guys, you know, at some point. If you guys are wanting to identify that Commissioner Pelisier is willing to spend some discretionary dollars, we can absolutely reach out and see if that's amanable. As long as it meets procurement, I mean, I'll be happy to meet Mr. Roberts or and the contractors down there if you know
trying to schedule them in. I mean, I can get a hold of Miss Cheryl. I mean, I can get a hold of minor marine or whatever the new name of it is and get a couple, but by the original quote is going to tell us kind of dictate how many more quotes we have to go get her. If it's way high, we may have to go to bid or what have you. But we got to get
a baseline established somewhere. So, I mean, that way we're not shooting from the hip on all these. I mean, it'd be great just to get a contractor, lay their eyes on it, figure how much it's give a rust idea what it's going to cost, and then start moving it forward. >> I agree with you 100%, Mr. Grimes. And then I would was going to challenge some
of my fellow commissioners. You might want to use some of their discretionary money to join in the fight. >> Maybe we might not need to. So, um, your um your direction is for him to do >> Let's get some Let's get some quotes on from at least two if we those are only two that we know of. If there's a third,
Absolutely. >> Well, there's plenty. It's it's it's the amount that's going to dictate how many we need to get, right? Because if it trips to $75,000 threshold, we got to put it out for a competitive bid. If it's below there, we got to get a singular quote at 5,000. Then two from
uh I think it's now 5 to 25 and then 25 to 75, we got to get three quotes. So, it just all depends on where it lands. >> I I feel certain it's going to trip that threshold. >> I'm sure it very well may, but I mean, if it does, then we're going to have to try to get and I hate to we're going to get a design done on it so everybody's
bidding the same thing, right? So if I take one company down there and they're going to construct it with 8 by8 posts and the next one's going to do it with 6x6 post, we're going to have to have a designer at some point design that landing so that if we do have to go out to bid, it is all bid the same specification. Unless there's I don't
know the design I know we did one on the Frutland side. Is there one on the on the west side as well? Okay. Then if the design's already done and engineered, that'd be very easy to put out the bid. >> Mirrored images. >> The east and west bank are mirrored images. >> Okay. So when we had it done, they had
actually labeled it and with the state and um D and EPA and them, they still have on record where originally it was signed in concrete, but they went ahead and made an amendment to it to allow it
to be done in wood and that is still good for another two years. >> Okay. >> Is what I found out the other day. >> All right, Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Travis, I'm all in. And uh yeah, I'll probably chip in some too there, Mr. Peliser. But I just want to make sure we're fixing something
we own. You know, we can't really do anything till we establish that we own the property or that we have the lease on the property. So, I think we're kind of putting the cart before the horse until we determine that. >> Do you have a comment, Mr. Grimes? >> I mean, >> I think the landings itself do belong to
the county. the landing itself, not the land, >> not the land coming up to the landing. >> The the physical landing itself, I truly do believe belongs to the county. I mean, that's how we got the DOT funding to do it. >> The your problem is going to be once again is access to and from it.
>> Um, and also the um the submerged land lease, the the asset itself, the county spent county dollars to put the original the the the east side landing in today. We could do the same thing. Our problem is is access, right? access to bring the material to it, access to all the stuff.
I mean, that's where we're really going to have to make sure we got all of those >> pieces in place. Yeah, the the building of the landing is the easy part. It's going to be making sure that we can get submerged land leases. Maybe we still have one from D. That's where Mr. Commando is going to be instrumental is making sure we have all of those things
lined up so that we can go to construction. >> Um, >> that's right. because otherwise we're just going to put, you know, several thousand dollars, tens of thousands of dollars out there that we can't that we can't access. >> Right. Right. So, we just need to make sure we can access this. Correct. And yeah, I'm all for it, Travis. And I'll chip in, too. I'm right there with
Commissioner Polish here, but I don't want to put any money in if that's something I can't get to. Now, I did I did talk to the lady that owns the other side on the West Bank, and she said that she had no problem, and she would give a a notorized letter saying that if we had
to put materials, she would allow allow her property there because she has several acres there. I think six or 10 acres. She would allow a portion of that down by the water to be used to put the materials there inside of a fence. So it
would actually be, you know, and she's got cameras on the property, so you know, that would eliminate. She also said that if it came back that she owned the land under the landing that she would allow that to be used
um for as long as it needed to be used. >> Okay, Mr. Commissioner Newell, you're recognized. >> So it sounds like the submerged land lease issues are are what's slowing us up here. Um, I'm happy to help participate financially, um, discretionarily. I don't see an access issue on the west
side. I mean, the Forest Service road, do we need their cooperation to utilize that road? Not that I'm aware of. I think we can travel that road. We could deliver materials there. Is that or am I mistaken? >> I think that's where we ran into this last time is I forget the lady's name
from California owns the right hand and the lefthand side of that road, which the boundaries are in the middle. So she owns the land. Um at some >> no it's the United States of America government contract that was done with the Putnham County and the the state for
the ferry operation back in 1939 1941 when it was filed. It states that that was a procured land then that it was never for anybody but the ground to use as long as there was an operational ferry. >> Are you referring to the road? >> Are you referring to the road Angie?
>> Yes. >> Yeah. We're not arguing the road. >> I don't believe we're arguing the road. I think we're I think the debate is on both sides of the road. >> Okay. Well, >> is that correct, Mr. Grimes? I'm making sure I understand. >> I'm I'm not convinced. >> Okay. >> Um that that we have that we own the
road, right? Because the forest road stops at a certain point and it belongs to the the private land owner and that's why the lady came in here. She brought us her survey. It shows on her survey that she owns that contiguous piece of property. So, and we have not maintained that road. We don't have prescriptive
rights to it. I don't if the federal government hasn't, they don't have prescriptive rights to it. So that's where the legal council I think through his studies are going to give us a determination of who actually does own that road. >> No, it looks like the Blender Lin Trust owns it. It's just, you know, just because it's named National Horse Road
29. I think it's giving a an illusion that it's owned by somebody, but it looks like it's owned by her. >> Okay. Well, if that's the case, it Mr. Robert seems to have a relationship with her and and seems to, you know, it sounds like she's going to be willing to kind of fully cooperate. And if all that
comes together, I think the submerged land lease is is really kind of what's holding this up. >> That's a portion of it. But we we have as the county, >> if we're going to have our citizens convey across that property, and I could be wrong, and I'll be happy to, we've got to have some kind of easement across
it as well, whether it's so even to use the lady's land. We're going to have to have a temporary construction easement to order to to stage material. We're going to have to have an easement across there to convey traffic. It's going to have to be dedicated to the public at some level for us to be able to transverse across that property. We've
got to have easement of some kind. >> That that's already an easement there with the FPL FPL lines on that and the clay electric lines on that. That's already >> that's a utility easement >> for their purposes. >> For their purposes, we have to have a ingress and egress easement. But under
prescriptive rights, >> we don't have prescriptive rights. We haven't m we don't maintain it. The county does not maintain that road. In order for us to have prescriptive rights, we have to have maintained that road for a certain number of years. >> No. If it's if it's been used according to what the law says in the statutes, if
it's been used for 20 years or more, then it falls under prescriptive rights no matter who does it. So if you had if you had a piece of property over here, you can't be landlocked from that. If you're using that for 20 years, you're entitled to use it for for as long as
you need to. >> There's only one attorney sitting here, and that's Mr. Commando, so I have to refer to him. >> With all these papers we have, >> I'm happy to look at whatever papers, >> but it's been used, it's been used for a couple hundred years as an under
prescriptive rights. And it says that in the taxpayer scrolls when you look it up. That's exactly what it says right there. I think I said way way way back that there's possibility that there needs to be a survey to prove where the property line is because if you the forestry
service takes care of that road 29 right down to the water's edge and if you look at it it's far road 29 right into the river. >> It doesn't it doesn't veer left or right. >> The the lady was from California provided us a survey that shows Yes, sir. that she owns that land.
>> That's so that's where we're I I get that it says Forest Road 79. It could go to the channel of the river. It goes across her property. >> Okay. >> So, but she she that Miss Lind lady owns that property and we've got to get access across that property for public right of way.
>> She if she signs the document that seems like that problem goes away. Correct. >> Yes, sir. That but we got to all of those things have to be in place before we spend discretionary dollars or whatever we spend in order to have >> I'm I'm on board with everything you've said. >> Absolutely. I mean, none of it's impossible. We just got to get
>> if you can get the documents, I will get them signed by >> that's that's Mr. Commando >> and we can proceed on with getting we can proceed on with getting an estimate or estimates. >> Most certainly we can we can put several things going together right as working
but I just we can't do any construction until >> I get it. I'm I'm on board. >> Okay. Yep. >> So So let's uh let's land this plane. Um, Commissioner Alexander, I'm going to recognize you and then we're going to follow up with what the direction is. >> That sounds great to me. So, Travis, if we get you some documents together with
an easement through her property, you can get those taken care of. >> Yes, sir. >> So, the burden falls on you, not us. >> Okay. >> Okay. Let's let's let's round this all back up. >> Descriptions. >> Mr. Mr. Commando, please weigh in. >> We still need a survey description of what the easement would be. It's not
just we can't just throw together some document that says we have access to drive-thru. >> So in your opinion um Mr. Commando, what is it these different layers of of this onion that were we've been discussing? Sounds like there's an appetite from the
board to try to get some resolution at least I have a commissioner on each side of me that's trying to say they'd like to get this resolved in some way or fashion or figure this out. So, >> I think we need a final determination. Um, when I've looked through some of the
title documents as far as who owns the landings, I don't think that's as clear as we're kind of bypassing. >> Okay. >> Um, I do think the Belinda Trust does own the Westside Landing. Um, even if we put money into it in the past, that's probably not a good thing as far as kind
of what our legal obligations are related to public dollars. Once you pass that, then you need access based on the road on the west side. It's clear at this point that the road on the east side is dedicated for public purpose, even though we haven't maintained it.
Um, after you cross those two check boxes off, then you need a submerged land lease with the state of Florida, which we do not have right now. Um, after the submerged land lease is there, we need to determine what the cost of actual construction would be. Um, and
in that construction, going back to issue number one as to what who owns it, uh, for example, the state of Florida's Department of Transportation has said that they're not allowing anything else to be built out
of wood. It has to be concrete, which complicates the price. >> Um, and that something that happened recently in Baker County. So once you get to that point, then you'll have an idea of what the cost is before you decide to move forward and commit. >> Well, I hope I'm hoping that that's not
the case on the concrete. But if if you've just recently experienced that, I can see where you're coming from. >> There was a a very small two-lane bridge in Baker County that's been wood from the beginning of time. And with I think they were trying to use FEMA
dollars to replace that bridge. Um, and FDOT came in recently, I'll say within the past six months, and said that we can't, they're not allowing us to put a wood bridge in. So, even though we're calling this a landing, just understand that the state may refer to it differently than we do.
>> Well, it has a bridge number. That's what Mr. Travis said in his video. >> And so, that part's something that we haven't dove into, but that's a concern as well. the um >> show your and then
>> after all of that's done presuming that the the functional pieces are in place then there has to be some discussion about what a management agreement would look like right >> because that one expired the prior one expired >> right >> on the one thing you're correct they no
new projects can be done out of that but this is a historical thing and it's we changed it from the on the east side from a bridge to a landing which it doesn't fall under
FDOT anymore which kind of screws it a little bit because there's no funding going to be available except through the historical society. I talked to them the other day and they've got $130 million sitting there not being used that they're wanting projects and wanting to
keep historical things alive. and he's like, I wish people would call me and come and get this, you know, and and let us use up our budgets before we lose them. But the letter from Governor Rick Scott over road FDO or FDOT when it said
the landing could not be built in concrete, that it had to stay historically correct. And the county has a list of that. I submitted it years ago to him when it was going to be built out of concrete. And he said it must remain wooden. >> Well, things change. So, we'll we'll
we'll take a look at it, but um thank you, Mr. Roberts, for your comments. We'll come back to the board. Um what is the direction of the board? >> Um could we at least move forward with the the getting the estimates in wood as and
if that doesn't I don't think that's going to cost any kind of money just to get an estimate and the builders to give us that estimate in the woods material. Correct. No. So, at least we'd know something and
if it turns out we can't do with wood, then we'll have to find out another way. But if Mr. Roberts is correct about the historical thing, we at least would have that already in place. >> Commissioner Alexander. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, it seems like each time we discuss this,
we come up with a new set of questions and a new set of directives. But I think this time, um, Mr. Commando has provided us with a with a great checklist of of tasks that need to be accomplished and I would ask Mr. Commando to provide us a
list of those check of that checklist so we together as a commission and you as a citizen who is advocating for this understand what the goals are and what the needs are to get this done in order. So um I would like to ask Mr. to provide
that with us in writing so he understands what the obligations are for both us and for for the commission. >> Real quick, Madam Chair, um when we were on our phone conversation with uh Representative Sap, what was what was he said that he was going to go forward to
see DOT? Is that what I remember him saying something about? >> He was saying that um there's a lot of stuff left in their budget or there's stuff that he can bring it up and get it done in the budget. He also mentioned the road over there on the other side
that with the upcoming legislation and stuff that road is about to be turned into a national forest. So it's not going to be um state and national. So the funding would be there but again
it would take a year to two years as the lady said over here to get that road and they're looking at a million dollars per mile. So, it basically cost them $7 million to do the road. But at least that's in the works of people. That
would mean the county would not be held, you know, to any standards as far as keeping the roads up, keeping the asphalt, people's tires getting cut, the police department or ambulance not being able to get there. That would eliminate a lot of that. And he's going to Congress right now and pushing for that
to be done early. Representative Sap is >> I'm sorry. >> Representative Sap. >> Yes, ma'am. >> He's going to Congress. >> Okay. >> And he's also he was talking about he's going to the state and the Congress and to their Senate and stuff to try to push this stuff. Now, he has a vested
interest in it because they own property over on the other side, which he said might bring up a conflict of interest. >> He said he would disclose that though in our conversation. He said he have to, and I I agreed with him 100%. Uh there's, you know, hopefully that doesn't
>> Okay. So, >> there is more than just the landing there. There is the road that's in the works with it. >> Okay. >> So, and it looks like he's going to be >> what did he say? Um secretary of uh transportation.
>> So, that also helps out if he gets involved and does it. And from right now, he's given us his word that he is going to get involved and helped out. as you said, Madam Chair, to bring it in for a landing. Um, Commissioner Alexander is correct about the checklist of of what we need to do and and so we
can kind of mark things off as we move along moving forward. And Mr. Grimes could u proceed with getting estimates from as many um people that do that type work, two or three. And so we get that part out of the way. At least we're getting something done and moving forward down the road is what I'd like
to see happen, Madam Chair. >> All right. >> There was one last thing. There was a bunch of stuff when the landing was being built. It had to be designed by historian or historical archaeological thing. It couldn't be done by turners um up there, but that was already that's
all been done. And also the dive teams were out. They found no artifacts. A lot of the preliminary stuff that was originally a big pain in the butt to get done has already been done on both sides. >> Okay. Well, that's good. That's good to know. And one one last thing on the
graffiti. >> You done said that three times. >> But on the graffiti thing. >> Oh yeah. >> Like when I I've gone to different parks. I coached at little league at the high schools and stuff. The kids with the graffiti even down on Drayton
Island. I was down there the other day. That beautiful landing that was built down there got gang graffiti all over it. They were doing the same thing in Pomona Park when we bought back baseball. Now it's gone again. But we had a problem with that. You know what we did? We got a hold of the veterans
over in Crescent City and the veterans took turns going out there and it might be something you guys might want to look out. They these guys have nothing to do and they have a lot of time on their hands. They love kids and they love helping out the community. You guys might want to reach out to some of our veterans groups and see if they'll just
have guys sit down there, you know, at night when these guys are spraying them and on the weekends when during the day they're not doing it. >> Okay. >> But just a thought. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you guys for your time. I appreciate everything you're doing and thank you for your service. >> Thank you. All right. Any other public comments on miscellaneous items? Is
there anybody else who wishes to speak? >> May I just ask a quick question? >> Yes. >> Mr. Commando, when you were looking at the submerged lands lease, did you notice it was supposed to be done in the grandfather's structure program for the Fort Gay Fairy landings? >> I wasn't looking at what program it was. >> Okay. Yeah, it's in the management
agreements. If you look through, you'll see that in order to maintain it so that you don't have to do all the new codes and the cement and all the extra stuff, it was in the old management agreements. And I do have all the paperwork if you like that. >> Okay. But the last management agreement that was in effect expired in 2021. >> Yes. Due to Yes.
>> So once it expires, then you have to have a new agreement. >> Due to breach of a convenience. Yes. >> Come on forward. >> Okay. How are you? Good morning. My name is Brandon Smiley, 108 Big Apple Road.
Um, I wanted to mention uh a program that Duvall County Ship uses um to help build new uh new construction affordable housing. And what they do is they give a loan to a potential buyer that um for construction and once they refinance
into the mortgage um that money is put back into the program. Um and I thought that that was a big win-win. Um, as far as, you know, I'd rather pay the impact fees than the bank any day. Um, and it's a way to significantly reduce the price
of construction. Um, I sent you the email, Miss or Commissioner Wil Wilkinson. Um, you know, I don't know the ins and outs of how they guarantee they're going to be still qualified at the end of construction or anything. Um, I just thought that that program is
definitely worth a look um, in terms of trying to, you know, still create affordable housing. Um, other things that can help would be, you know, the timing that I've mentioned before. If we could do it at the meter can inspection, no builder's going to stop before they get power. Um,
so it kind of makes us pay it. Uh, another thing that I've learned because I'm starting to do real tiny trailers instead of homes. Um, I met the water utility guy out when he was located in front of one of the lots I was clearing and I asked him, um, you know, now that
I'm going to have to pay the impact fee for the water, does that mean that, you know, the meters will take less than four months? He said that the funding doesn't go to them. Their fees got cut and it, you know, goes somewhere else. >> And what area was that? >> Uh, water. Uh, what? Uh, East Blaca.
>> East. Okay. Um, and and the utilities have always been kind of a problem even before the impact fees came about because the meters taking four months kind of I I can finish a house as fast as I can get meters um in East Palaca.
But, uh, if there was any way that we could apply for our water meters, you know, before we have a building permit because that's just kind that that slows everything up, you know, outside of the impact fees. Um, >> you know, those are kind of and I wanted to offer a little advice on the uh the
parks, uh, you know, vandalism and hopefully they're not listening, but one thing that I've done at, you know, my houses that sit vacant is, uh, dummy cameras, >> right? >> They have they have solar powered ones and knock on wood, I've never had any issues whenever there's a dummy camera up. Um, you know, hopefully that doesn't
give out the secret to whoever it that's about all I got today. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, commissioner committee updates. Commissioner Alexander, do you have any committee updates? Yeah, actually included into the
>> commissioner comments, but I gave each one of you an aerial photograph of a proposed um noake zone down at Dun Creek State Park. Um this is something I've been working on with that committee, >> which committee. This is your waterways and trails.
>> Waterways and trails. Yes, ma'am. Yep. Yep. >> Um anybody that spends much time on the water in Dun Creek, um Mr. Grimes. Um any any of you you guys um Mr. Suggs are aware of it. There's a very sharp 90 degree turn there uh
adjacent to the park. It's a blind curve. So what we're looking at now um is putting a no wake zone in effect there. Mr. Commando is actually drafting a resolution on that. So um that's about it. >> So you're saying you're going to be
bringing this forward at another meeting. You're just giving us a heads up. >> Yeah. Yeah. just >> because this was a waterways and trails uh recommendation. Now, this park though is not currently being >> utilized on a regular basis, right? >> I will. >> And we've been we've been advocating for
that and it hasn't happened, but >> we have and um actually they they have held quite a few events. There was an event a burn event this past weekend. They've got uh they did a march a couple weeks ago. I forget I think there was a thousand people there. Um it you can
hold a special event there. they call it a special event and work uh with Miss Joy. Um we've actually camped out there. There's an opportunity to host music events if you coordinate with her. So there are ways to do it just uh and for lack of a better term sidestep the u the
state and go through there. And um it's a beautiful park. I hope that our community can get out and enjoy it. And I'm really hoping to see the management p plan moving forward that was approved in 2018. Mhm. >> Uh haven't seen a whole lot going on, but I did learn at the last meeting that
we can pull out portions of it and look for funding on individual sections of it, not just the entire management plan itself. So, um that's going to be my direction moving forward. >> Well, I commend you on that because it really should be the state doing that, but I'd rather some movement than no
movement. But let me ask you a couple questions about this wake zone. Um have you already had conversation with like the sheriff's office or um FWC? Yep. Yep. And um therefore it um it actually has to come from the county level first and then they they enforce it.
>> So that's after meeting with FWC that was their direction there. So I've met with Rich and he's crafted some stuff in other uh district other counties that he works with. So we're we're using that. Um, I've I've met with some of our local Boers, um, the bass fishing folks as
well as the kayakers and and try to get input from both sides because as we all know, nobody wants restrictions and speed zones, you know, bass fishermen especially. But, uh, they they did recognize the need for some type of um, abatement
there because there has been a death in the in the past there as well as a um, a guy ended up in the trees there. And what's unique about this particular spot in the river is this is the only ADA compliant kayak launch in our county. So
that's what we're trying to tie it into. So down the road it doesn't just become an open opportunity to create wake zones throughout our county. So and that with that being said, they were they were a little more open to the discussion on it. So I think we're we're moving forward with it. >> Then who would be responsible for
signage? I know I'm getting ahead of us on this, but I'm just got some questions that maybe we could answer on the front end. >> Yeah. I I don't know exactly who would be responsible for the signage, whether it would be the county or FWC. >> Okay. All right. Well, those are just some general questions that when I saw this, I had um Okay. So, that's a that's
a good update. You got anything else? >> Um, not right now. We've got some other things going, but nothing that I want to bring forward yet. >> Okay. All right. Commissioner Harour, you have any updates on your committees? >> I do not. Thank you. Commissioner Newold, >> no updates. >> Commissioner Pelisir,
>> um, very briefly, um, continuing to serve with the CRA, >> uh, which you appointed me on, and, um, I I'm enjoying that. I really am. I am, um, I think, uh, giving them some guidance from the commissioner level of, uh, county commission of how we uh, move
things forward and maybe try to get a little steam up down there. Okay. >> Pushing some items forward. But yes, I enjoy that and want to continue to stay on that board. >> Okay. Very good. Um, and if if as we move forward in the year, if there's a board that you want to, you know, maybe uh step away from for a little bit, we
can have that discussion. Um, >> Sure. >> But you better have somebody ready is all I'm saying. Um, >> you let me get ready. You didn't let me get ready. >> Well, so I will give you a quick update. We had uh this, if you don't know, the SHIP program is open for applications
and that process is for down payment assistance and repairs, home home repairs. The application period ends, I believe, June 8th. And is that correct? >> Repairs and demo replacement. >> And demo replacement. And so we have had a good response from our citizens. Um,
and we are we'll be moving forward. We're we already have a list of repairs and home home improvements and some demos that we were working on from past years. And now we're we've got some more money come in and I just want to thank Julianne uh for her work on that board.
and she's not on the board, but she certainly serves as an adviser and helps us with that. And so, um, it's exciting to see that we have funding available for our citizens who can't necessarily afford some of those, um, emergency repairs or home repairs that they need. And it's just a great resource. So, I
hope people take advantage of that. Um, going forward to appointments, do we have any appointments starting with Commissioner Alexander? >> No, ma'am. >> Commissioner Harvey, >> I have none. Thank you. >> Commissioner Newbald, >> none. >> Commissioner Pelier, >> I have none. I have none at this time either. Um, comments from Carter Court.
>> Good morning, uh, commissioners. Um, construction of our, uh, new customer service center is, um, getting close to completion. So, um, what I'd like to do is invite, um, each one of you down and county administration if they would like
to. Um, but if y'all would like to come down over the next um, couple of weeks, you just uh, give me a call or shoot me a text, let me know in advance, and I'd be happy to walk you around before it gets a little too hectic in there before we start moving staff back in. We will be doing a a formal ribbon cutting in
early May. Um, but um, just wanted to give you guys the opportunity to come down, take a look um, before all the the craziness starts. So, and that's all I have. So, thank you. >> Commissioner, yes. >> Can I interject? I Matt, I had the opportunity to go down and meet Julie down there and walk through it. Um the
the facility has turned out beautiful and your staff has worked every day all day um coordinating and just really commend all of your internal staff and and all the effort that's put forth to really bring a project in um very well that's going to well serve our citizens
and your and your office. >> Absolutely. I I agree. Thank you. And uh all all credit goes to uh Mrs. Julie Mlan. you did a fantastic job managing that project. So, >> and I definitely need to get down there because I was on the forefront of wanting this done and and I haven't been by to see you. So, I I owe you that
visit. >> Um Okay. Um anything else? >> All right. Um any anything that came out of the legislative session that really affected your office? Uh there were there were some changes um that the uh clerk's association um some
bills that we supported that um shifted some funding on our court side that should help clerks statewide. Um I don't think that it will get us kind of where we need to be on the court side really but um as you know legislative efforts are multi-year processes and so we're
going to continue working on those and uh but there there were some wins. Yes. >> Yeah. And I did see on the ERP funding, we didn't get what we asked for. Um, and none of it's final yet anyway, but we there was a few a little bit of money in there for that. >> Yep. And still waiting to see on the Senate side as they go into finalizing
their budget whether it's actually going to be >> whether there's anything to it at all. Yeah. Okay. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Uh, County Attorney Commando. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, our outside council has asked for the ability to conduct an exe executive session if it is okay with the commission. our
recommendations to do that at the beginning of the next meeting and whether or not that is the announcement. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Um, so I feel like I don't I don't ever like leaving the room with a bunch of citizens and they're waiting on us for
to finish a meeting. So, is there another opportunity where we don't have to make our citizens wait to have an executive can we have an executive session whenever we want and we've just always done it right before board meeting because it was convenient? because I don't I don't like it. I just don't like it. >> It's It's all correct. It's We can do it
whenever we want. Um you have to still go through the same process of you open it up in the public, then you recess to an executive session or shade meeting and then you come back and you >> Oh, so you do have to start your BC. I see. >> It doesn't have to be a BOCC meeting. Okay. >> It could be a special call meeting for
that purpose. So you can do it whenever you want. I just don't like it whenever we have a room full of people and then we start the meeting and then we go, "Okay, we're going to have to recess while we go in this other meeting and then we come back." I just don't like it. >> We could do it at a time certain at the end of the meeting. Um it's generally
speaking, my understanding is it's done that way just because of your schedules to get all five of you here. >> Okay. >> Probably do it at the end and that way you've covered everything. >> But then you have to have a time certain. So it would be the same thing. So if you set it for one o'clock, everybody's getting up at one o'clock. the same thing. But more than like you
wouldn't have as many people sitting here. So I agree with that. I just I just struggle with that for my constituency. That's just me personally. Um that's just me. >> So you want to can we can we try to set it for um one o'clock? Can we just do
one o'clock >> today? >> No. I think I think we have to give a little bit more notice than that. Um after the next meeting >> could do it before the meeting. like >> that's what our discussion >> 8:30 8:15 you could do it
>> whatever time you want >> and then come in you know we're here anyway most of the time >> yeah I like that idea what do you anticipate like a 30 minute I know it's hard to depends on how much we talk I know >> honestly 15 minutes I don't think this one's that complicated
>> okay I just don't like our citizens waiting um >> we do 8:30 >> all right let's just plan on doing it can we advertise it for an 8:30 meeting >> we can >> okay let's do that so next board meeting you guys I'll need to be here a little bit earlier, please. >> Mr. Harvey can make sure we're all awake. He's up at 5 anyhow or four.
>> I'll text you and let you. >> All right. Anything else? >> No, Madam Chair. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh county administrator. >> Yes, sir. Madam Chair, uh the only thing I have is just a reminder, uh you know, next week all five of you commissioners as well as myself and Mr. won't be going
to uh uh DC to talk about our projects and uh meet with our representatives uh in DC. Mr. Josh Gabaton, our federal lobbyist, will be uh making all the arrangements. He will also be putting our talking points together as soon as I receive those. I'll throw those out to
the five of you. >> Okay. All right. And um yeah, Mr. Grimes, do you want to discuss the burn ban or proposed? >> Sure. So, um Jason Fosche, our um forest area supervisor, reached out to us
yesterday and asked um if we would put the county back underneath a burn ban. Um we did receive that inch of rain last week, but the forecast doesn't look good for the next few weeks. Um as as he said, we got some dry, windy days coming ahead of us. Um just trying to look out
for today actually had a I think a 500 acre fire breakout over the weekend in Baker County. Um, so, um, he asked, um, we told him we'd oblige to bring it back to you guys for a wave of support or however you need it to have the chair lady, uh, continue to sign, um, as seven days extensions, but brought it forward
today to try to enact another burn ban in our county. >> I concur. >> All right. So, is that a recommendation? >> It is a recommendation that we put >> and get a wave of support. Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Thank you. All right. Moving forward. Um, commissioner comments starting with
Commissioner Alexander. I'm picking on you today. You're first up up there every time. >> That's all right. I'm first in your mind, first in your heart. Yeah. >> No, I'm going to be brief. Um, you know, as it gets closer to lunchtime, I'm I'm getting hungry. But, uh, one thing I
wanted to do is, um, just give a big shout out to the man in black back there. Uh, last year we we we kind of missed the mark on our submitt for our grant for a boat ramp down there. This year, I think Sam has done a phenomenal
effort. He's put forth our uh he's done everything he can to put us in the best position I feel. Uh he's worked overtime to get that submitted. Uh worked with handinhand with our engineer team um the contract team Hansen that we've worked with and pushed them probably a little
bit beyond their comfort level, but that's what we needed I felt to to get this project moving forward. And I just want to give him a shout out and say thank you, man. >> Thank you, Sam. All right. Anything else? >> That's all I've got. >> All right, Commissioner Harvey. Thank you, Madam Chair. Want to kind of go
backwards a little bit as right now, Commissioner Palace will be passing down um Mr. Leo Granger and the Sister Springs Scholarship Banquet is coming up for this is the um the
Robert PH PFC Robert H. Jenkins Congressional Medal of Honor is buried there at the Sister Springs Baptist Cemetery in Grand and Lake Shores. uh they do a fundraiser every year of a dinner and um everyone's invited.
Donations is $25 and he would love to have each and every one of us down there. Uh so you've got a flyer in hand. That is actually May 16th, a Saturday at Robert H. Jenkins Elementary School cafeteria and a lot of us have been
there before. So if you're interested, I do have tickets, but u we don't need those necessarily to go and be a part of that's how they maintain that cemetery in perpetuity. Uh do want to mention that a few weeks ago we h Julianne and I
uh had the opportunity to sit down with the commander of Naval Air Station Jacksonville. You got an email on that on 48 from Julianne talking about that experience. Um, I encourage the commander to meet with each and every one of the commissioners, especially the
commissioner from South Putham about the flyover zones and things that are important that I frankly and I don't know if Julianne was um but I didn't realize the impact that they had um in the Navy down there and the restrictions
on the fly zones that they do do operate. And at the end I mentioned and Commissioner Palisier brought it to today and I won't seal his thunder but um if there's an opportunity for commissioners to go out and land on a
carrier. So I'm sure Commissioner Palisier will go into that and I won't go into any more detail on that but I do ask you if the if the commander contacts you uh do contact um do avail yourself to that meeting. I met them down in when
Mr. Suggs and I went down to Leburg, I believe it was, and we met for that was they had a they had a um concern about Rodman at that time, and that's why we went down there. And uh they do have some some skin in the game on Rodman and
the lake and Lake Akawaja and the Akawa River and access to their bombing range there uh off of 19 off of uh the um dam road if you will. Um the other thing is
the save Rob and Bass tournament is this coming Saturday and um appreciate all your support that you've been we'd love for you to be out there. The weigh-in starts around 2:30. Please come out. We're going to have a low country boil. We're going to have pulled pork and
we're going to have recognize all commissioners that um have been so heavily involved in saving the environment out there. So, please make yourself available if you can. We'd love to have you. And last thing, um, Madame Chair and fellow board members, I had
the opportunity to serve with Sheriff Jeff Hardy, who recently passed away. And Jeff was a very um, very emotional man. He he was a very good man. I remember him speaking at our homeowners
association in Enalarch and Lake Estates when we had a volunteer one and um, he became our sheriff after Dean Kelly. And we all know what happened down south with Haley Cummings. I don't think he could ever recover from that and the
jailbreak that happened. And but Jeff was a good man and despite uh some of the downfalls, we all have vices and we all have problems and I had the most resp I had a lot of respect for Jeff. Jeff actually oversaw the jail being
done, the current jail and u and was there for that. So, you know, um just remember Jeff in your prayers and his family. Um and you know, it's awful to lose any part of law enforcement that we've had, but he was our sheriff and I
think an awfully good one at that time. So, thank you, Madam Chair. That's the end of my comments. >> Thank you for that. Um Commissioner Newbuler recognized. >> Um I want to thank Commissioner Alexander for his interest and and just stick tuitiveness with Dun Creek State Park. Um, you know, he recognizes the
value of that for our entire community and especially South Putham. Um, I that no zone, I know they're controversial, but that's a a super important space to have one. That's a hairpin turn in the river. I' I've been in that space in a
kayak and experience folks speeding through there. It's especially with that ADA ramp that is there now. um is very important. That park is going to um receive more attention. It will receive more funding over time. Um talk about it
being underutilized, but it is utilized. Um at at the last event I went to, there were 800 people and >> No, but I just want to open every day. I just want to see open every day for campers and people to come and stay and spend money in Putham County. >> We are working on it, Madam Chair. We're
trying. I know >> it is open every day, but it is it's still underutilized and underfunded. So So it there's a lot of potential there and and I'm I'll ask a few questions later on about little specific funding pieces. So
anyway, um I did neglect in in committee updates neglected um I got the first half of my >> uh canvasing board training done. >> Okay. >> So hallelujah. Um I wanted to thank board. I thought you were on canvasing board. >> I am.
>> Did you do your training yet? >> No. >> Oh, there you go. >> Okay. >> Mr. Mr. Over keeps me in line on that. >> All right. >> I wanted to thank the commission for their support of the catfish festival. It was a big success down in Crescent City. Um the Rotary Club, you know, knocks it out of the park. Both Crescent
City and all the Rotary clubs within the county come down and pitch in and make that day a success. The city of Crescent City pitched in a ton. Um, thank you all for for making that uh scholarship initiative possible. Um, that's really
all I have. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Pelter. You're recognized. Um, on a sad note, like Commissioner Harvey said, I I did serve when Commission Sheriff Hardy was in office and um he um he and I spoke many
times in depth about the need of a a new jail expansion and I did work very hard um and did we did build that during my time uh there on the uh on the board. Um something very badly needed. Um and I hate to say it, but the darn thing stays
come near capacity now. um which is not good, but um just means that much sooner we'll probably have to add another pallet on there and I don't even want to think about that. But um um put that to bed. Um the uh I do have some
a picture and some a little booklet. I did do the carrier uh flyin um back in 2013. Um I do anybody that can go I do advise it. It's it's a very make you so proud to be an American. I
mean, your buttons will all bust off your shirt when you go on that thing. They take you from one end of that carrier to the other, show you every aspect of those people and their lives and what they do on day-to-day basis and you it will really make you appreciate our servicemen and women who serve
abroad and protect our freedoms. Um, it's it's a it's a great thing. and I actually flew on landed on the George HW Bush which has now just been deployed to the Middle East in theater. So, um kind of neat to think that I was on that
that's over there flinging bombs on those uh tow heads. Um >> sorry about that, but that's the way I feel about them folks. That particular country, we got a lot of other good friends over there, but those are not our friends. Those are enemies. And that
is the way that is folks. And as uh water concretrite used to say, that's the way it is. April 14th is 2026. Have a good day. >> That's all you got? >> That's it. >> All right. So, a couple things I want to
say. Uh Chaplain Stackpol mentioned it, but um April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. And today from 2 to 5, I want to thank Putnham County Emergency um services. They're having they're participating in a touch a truck event with the community partnership for
children at 1910 Reed Street and um they will have food trucks and games and other things to raise awareness and um for preventing child abuse. So, thank you for the emergency services for doing that. Also, um I want to recognize that
it is also um animal control officer appreciation week and tell you a couple great stories at animal services. You know, I always love to share their stories. But Britney at Animal Control, if you haven't looked on social media, worked really, really hard to get a dog
adopted uh through the through the Levy County Sheriff's Office, and that dog is going to become a K9 officer through training. So, that's exciting. And then also um another uh earlier a shelter pup was adopted from animal control services
and graduated from the training program for the canines for warriors which is a national program. So uh that's a that's a support dog to one of our veterans. So that's a big deal. So, we're moving. I feel like we're just continue to make positive changes with animal services
and I'm so thankful for that and thankful and want to recognize the animal control officer appreciation week and thank them for what they do. And then I want to remind you guys that this month we have two events. We have lots of events, but I want to highlight two of them. April 25th is our Vets Freedom
at the Fairgrounds Fest. Vets Freedom Vest Fest at the fairgrounds along what along with on April 25th is the Boston week blueberry festival and I'm sure you all have all signed up to uh volunteer your time because that's required as a
county commissioner. You are told by Linda that you're going to come do that. But anyway, um great things. That's a big big event in that community and um every year we always look forward to that. But Boston Blueberry Festival, don't forget April 25th. And I believe
that's all I have. >> Yes, sir. >> Can Mr. Richie show something? >> Yes. And Mr. Richie has something he wanted to show real quick um before we closed out our meeting. As long as it's appropriate, sir. >> It's not mine. There you go.
>> It wasn't your idea. Okay, let's clarify that. Okay. Can we make sure that it's shown shown on the um >> we had a >> Yeah, it's coming up >> way outside. >> See, look. Look at that pitch in the
air. Did you see that? >> Yeah. >> Well, I didn't wasn't batting left-handed. >> I didn't want to hit you as a thing. I was I mean, you No one has even spoken of the amazing agility of the catcher. >> That's right. >> I was going to say something, but did
they not trust you with a real bat? We did. >> They wouldn't give me a bat. No. Well, we weren't going to take Madam Chair's bat. So, now that it wasn't >> No, thank you. You didn't. So, that was uh just if you want to clarify what this picture is, this is you're throwing out the first pitch.
>> This is the first pitch being thrown out to West Putnham Ballpark when they had their opening day. U bunch of probably a hundred children out there playing ball. So, Commissioner uh Wilkinson and Commissioner Newol could not attend. But this is me throwing to Commissioner
Alexander and he does have agility skills because it was clearly out of the U strike zone as you can see. But uh we were trying to keep it away from Commissioner Paliser. So we didn't I would have hated to hit him. So but we had a good time a little and a little
levity never hurt any situation. So but I looked pretty good standing right there and did pretty well with it. So, and again, real quickly to talk about >> real quick, >> our we talked about our ball fields and and how well this this place was packed. The people were out there. They love it.
Um there was a team there from Union County. >> Y >> and um that just it was good stuff. >> Well, it wasn't that many years ago that that wasn't a really active field. So, um that's that's exciting. So, thank you all. >> I'm done. >> You're right. You know, we made a commitment that we were going to start
doing fields when fields were going to be used. >> We weren't going to go out there and just put money in and hope that they would come. And when they decided to come, then we started putting money together. And that's the important thing because as we heard today, vandalism happens. But when people take pride in
their park, it goes down a little bit. So, you're you're exactly right. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. This meeting is adjourned.