Good evening. I'm going to call this meeting of Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 to order. Stand with me. The mayor is going to lead us in prayer and the pledge. Please bow with me. Lord, thank you once again for the beautiful city that we live in. Thank you for the country. Thank you for that's happening on a
positive note. We ask that you watch over council tonight to help them make sound and right decisions. We like to thank our staff for running the city as it is for first responders for protecting us and all that good has come to Sebring. We ask that all we do in
your name Jesus Christ. Amen. 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.
All right, Kathy, could you please call the Here if there is anyone in the audience that would like to speak about something that is not on the agenda, need to fill out one of these forms up here and hand it into to Clerk Haley. We'll get to it uh
later on in the meeting. Uh, mayor's report. Uh, I have a few things that have come up. Um, that on the 10th of this month, we have the TDC's got their tourism awards lunchon. So, if anybody's interested, you can go to their website and get that. And and, uh, it's a pretty
cool little event. Uh, coming up this weekend, we have Moto Surf. This is, I believe, the fifth annual Moto Surf competition we have down at City Beach Pier. Um, and it's uh, it's pretty cool. There's people from all over the world. The
these races are continental. I mean, they're from um the organizers actually, I believe, from Yugoslavia and has become almost become an Olympic event. So, it's really kind of growing in nature. So, it's good. And then just to remind everybody on the 13th of this
month, we have the Lake Jackson Cleanup Day, 8 8:00 am to noon at uh Veterans Beach. So, if you're available and would like to help clean up Lake Jackson, pour the perimeter. They walked the whole nine acre, nine miles around the lake. Um, and helped clean up around there.
So, um, and that's put on by the Rotary, I believe. Yes, sir. And Carl Cool. So, couple other things we have. I've got a proclamation. Is anybody here from the Lighthouse for the Blind? I didn't see him come in today. So, we've got a proclamation I'd like to
read into the records. Whereas the white cane is a powerful symbol of independence, mobility, and equal access for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, allowing them to travel safely and participate fully in community life. And whereas National White Cane Day,
observed annually on October 15th, honors the achievement of people who are blind or visually impaired and raises awareness about the rights, safety, and inclusion of all individuals with vision loss. And whereas Highlands County and the city of Sebring is committed to fostering accessibility, promoting
public awareness, and supporting individuals who are blind or visually impaired through resources, services, and inclusive community partnerships. Not therefore now therefore be it proclaimed I, John Chute, mayor of the city of Sebring, Highlands County, Florida, do hereby
proclaim October 15, 2025 shall be known in all of Highlands County as White cane awareness day. and all residents are encouraged to celebrate the independence of individuals with loss and work together toward with vision loss and work together toward a more inclusive and accessible community for all. So, so
October 15th at 9:00 a.m. they have a little deal on the circle and everybody's invited to come there. They in the past have had what it's like to be blind. They have these glasses you can put on that look like Coke bottles and you'll find out what it's like to be blind. So, but uh got a lot of little
neat events that they usually planned. So, that's on October 15th at 9. We get a motion to approve to use the circle. Pardon? Motion to approve to use the circle. It's up to you. Is that what you need? Make a motion. We approve the use of the
circle as request. Second. We have a motion to second. Bishop. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. The last thing I have is resolution uh
number 202521. It's a resolution in support of an application by the Highlands County Fair Assoc Association for grant funding from Florida Department of Agriculture and Community Services to make certain infrastructure improvements to the
Highlands County Fairgrounds. This is um the Highlands County Fairgrounds is applying for a grant uh through the state that will cover improvements to the buildings down there and we have to pass a resolution as the governing body that they do use that as
an educational facility which they have egg venture down there. They have a lot of uh kids activities and they have the the county fair as far as the animals go. Um there's a lot of educational abilities, but under this grant, this
resolution has to be passed. So I'm asking you to make a motion to pass resolution 202521. Make a motion we approve resolution 2025-21 as presented. Second,
yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Stewart, yes. Thank you. Appreciate that. That's all I have. Okay, we're going to move on to council members reports and concerns. None. None. Yes, sir. No report.
Okay. I've got one thing I'd like to bring up tonight. Um, at our budget workshop talking about the golf course, I see we've got a a few people wanting to talk about that tonight. Uh it was indicated that at least the majority of council seemed to to be under the mindset that
we wanted to move on course as far as operating in some form or fashion in the future. Um and it sounded to me like we were open to doing an RFP process for that property. I want to get council's um the mayor's thoughts on that and if
that is still the agreement, I'd like to not wait any longer and have staff work on preparing something. I know we've got some correspondence from the Blackman, but whether at least personally whether I voted in favor of their proposal proposal or not, I would like it to be
opened up to at least consider alternative proposals. I agree. Is that a yes or a no? Uh yeah, I mean my my opinion is is that nobody came forth before, you know, until somebody else had a good idea,
but it wasn't open to Right. But I mean, somebody had the guts to to ask for it. Um and I feel like everybody's trying to ride the coattails now all of a sudden. But I think for the the good or you know, for the better good, I think we should probably do it. So
I agree. I think we should keep our options open, see what's out there, make the best decision with the best information possible that we can get. I agree. It's a big decision for the city. And and to be clear, I'm not saying this because I'm intending to
necessarily, you know, vote against the Blackman proposal. Just that in my mind, it was a a foregone conclusion that we would open it up just the interest of fairness when we're getting rid of a potentially valuable city property. Um,
and I'd rather have that process out of the way so that we're not coming to some agreement down the road and then taking the time to open it up and do all that kind of thing. I would prefer staff start preparing RFP documents now. I agree.
You have I disagree. I think this has been vetted many times. We brought the black men's in front of the public. we brought it up in front of the public and I think we're pretty much down the road with the same thing. And I just I mean I feel like uh
we've been there, we've done that. Um like you like you said, it's brought others to the table, but nothing else concrete has come up. So nobody else has offered. So I just feel like this is the best path. And you know, if it is, it is. If it's
not, if if the blackman's don't want to go any further with it, then we're at the mercy of somebody else. So, I think it's a best fit economically as far as what they're doing with the Carter Hall. They're going to have $40 million invested in that and this is
just going to make it a stronger facility. So, I don't think it's going to benefit the whole community. I don't disagree with any of that. Personally, my view is in the interest of transparency, we should open up these have the groundwork in place so that
when the time comes, we can do it quickly. We're not wasting more of our time or potentially their time process. So, I guess I'm asking for if there's a consensus or not. I think you got it.
Right. So, Scott, I'd like to at least move forward with preparing some framework. I know you're going to probably have questions for us on what that look like. at least like start. Yes, sir. Do you need anything from us or uh
regards to framework or specifics to help you and and staff? We'll generate some criteria, send it out, and get some feedback. But I don't hear what you're saying. We're going to generate we'll generate some criteria, send it out, get some
feedback, and that right. Thank you. Moving on, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. Are there any questions or comments from council on any item on the consent agenda? Any questions or comments from the public on consent agenda?
I will entertain a motion. Make a motion accept. Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Happy roll, please. Bishop, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Stewart,
yes. All right, we're going to move on to item number 10A. Um, resolution number 2025-17. And Penny, take it away. Council, before you is a resolution for the solid waste
assessment rate. The current rate is $230 per unit and the recommended recommended rate is 235. The maximum rate that you go to without noticing all of the property owners.
Are there any questions for council on this uh rate increase or comments? Anything from the public on this item? Okay, I'll entertain a motion. Make a motion we approve resolution 2025-17
as presented and authorized council present to sign the certificate non assessment solid second motion and second yes yes yes yes
yes all right we're going to move on to item number 10B resolution number 2025-18 adopting new commercial solid waste rates. And uh Mr. Kramer, I think you're up. How you doing?
Proposing to increase the commercial rates by 5% next year. Okay. I know we've gone over this in um detail at our last meeting. In addition to that, also some fees that'll be associated with special collections.
anything from, you know, if the guys have to wait an hour to get into the place, there's fees all set up in place to kind of compensate our time and, you know, time for the use of the trucks, employees, blocks, got to pull dumpsters out of
facilities, that type of thing. Is there any questions or comments from council on this great structure? Anything from the public on this? Okay, I will entertain a motion. Make a motion that we approve resolution
2025-18 amending rates for commercial solid waste collections disposal effective October, 2025. Second. We have a motion and a second. Kathy called
Bishop. Yes. Carl, yes. Yes. Yes. Stewart. Yes. Okay. So, next up is going to be uh business from the audience. We have four U people who have signed up to speak tonight. I'll remind you that uh we have
three minutes per person speaking timer on this and the mayor will start a timer once you start. U first up is Mr. Terry Martin on the topic of the golf course. Martin, I'm current golfing out at municipal and all the rumors flying around about
uh if that guy comes over here and he doesn't do anything in three years, you're going to go back to you guys and you're going to turn it into a uh something. I got I played golf with a guy yesterday. He just sold a golf course and the guy he was riding with says, "Why don't we get Bob Smith to buy it?" and he goes, "Yeah, I got a pocket
full of money and I want to do something with it." I said, "I I play golf with a former PGA guy. Maybe he could come over and help run it." So, uh, came down here and see what we could do. Okay. Thank you, sir.
All right. Next up, Mr. Timothy a um Okay, I was gonna butcher that. It's got to do with the golf course, too. And I just want to know um Um, where could you find out uh the
operating expenses, net profits, and all that stuff? It's hard to believe that the municipal would be in a situation where it would needed to be sold. You know, it's it's a great facility. It seems like it it's always packed. It's a good running operation. Where
would I find out how, you know, net revenue, profits, expenses, those sort of things? So, you could see the city's budget every year. It's published. Yeah. What would you do? I believe it's published on the website. You have to know off hand if is it is it
a is it a profitable? No. On average it's lost $250,000 per year since 2007. Before capital improvements, correct? Pardon me. Said before capital improvements. Operationally lost. What's the
I believe the city's website. Penny, did you want to really a year? Thank you. All right. Next up, Mr. Frank. Disney Paris
tires of Frank Cardano resident uh part of area. Reason I'm bringing this up the other day I heard a clatter outside my door. We were watching morning news and I went into the laundry room lifted up the
far away from me on the other side of the door little tiny black literally this high run things from the garbage or attempting to me and my best voice told it to leave wildly and it did. That poor
thing's eyes got this big, turned around and booked the length of my house down side of my house across the street. Okay, I'm an adult. I can handle it. But where did it run? Across the street to my neighbor's house, Katie, who was that
um the the homeless shelter? New Testament Mission. Yeah. and uh HRTV did their house right through her backyard where the swing set is. Okay. Now, my concern is the babies. We're adults. We can either run, hide,
or do something. Kids are going to go, "It's a bear. Oh, hi." Or panic and scream. I don't want them getting hurt. This thing is a resident in our area. Is there any way it can be relocated? It's starving. There's no question about it. It's looking for food. It's close to the
golf course. So, I'm less than a mile away from the golf course. And you golfers out there, what are you gonna do? You going to go to the golf club? Comes over and say hello. I know it's fenced in. But my my question to you, and I just want to make you guys aware, it's getting bolder and bolder. Literally,
it's on this side of the door. Had it had it in the street. You leaned on it through the house. I just left open it up. That's all I want to tell you. Need to do He's got boulder and boulder. All I can tell you, the city doesn't have any legal
authority to do anything with bears. You could certainly contact FWC and let them know that that you've got what you consider to be a problematic bear in the area. Who say? Fish and Wildlife Commission, Florida. All right. It would come under your per
It's a state issue. They're protected animals. I know. Actually, they just opened up a lottery for Barill. I saw that in the paper. My heart, but that's that's the way the state handles it. So,
but you're not the only neighborhood. They're all over the place. So, okay. But this this one was like really up close because I used to see them over there, but when they literally come to your back door, it's good morning wake up call. Thank you for your time.
Yes, sir. All right, last up, Mr. Joey Lang. Um, to also speak about the golf course. Good evening everyone. Joey Lang. Uh, I live in a country club. Um, but I can promise you tonight I came to actually
hit you with a number, but um, if we're committed to doing an RFP process for transparency, I will withhold the number tonight. But I will make a compelling offer that brings value uh and does not waste your time for the golf course. Um I appreciate how difficult it is for
your jobs to bring value to the city to make good decisions and be good stewards with our resources. Uh but my group will make an offer that um I believe everybody will find to be more acceptable than the current opportunity presented. So, you have my word on that
if you will follow through and do the RFP process for for us. Thank you. Okay, we're going to move on to item uh number 12A, city attorney's business. Mr. On your agenda is the amended development agreement regarding the
Beverly Estates subdivision. You will recall this in for you back in April. Council was favorably disposed to agreeing to the change in the plan. This is on your agenda for council.
Are there any questions or comments from council on this? I think they updated your nonb style increased maintenance, right? Yeah. Okay. Anything from uh the public on
this? Okay. See, I'll you'll have to come up to the podium, sir. This does not have a required start time. They tell us they're ready to build immediately. We'll see.
Any other questions or comments from the public? All right. Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. Make a motion we approve attached amendments and reinstate statement of development agree agreement as presented. Second.
All right. We have a motion and a second. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Stewart. Yes. All right. Moving on to uh city administrators business. Item 13A, project report. Good evening, council.
Um updates on the project report. We're now at 100% deliverables for phase one and two of the West Lake Jackson project. No updates for um the FDOT road swap as of yet.
The relocation of public works facilities uh that property uh that we have purchased. Um we have entered a purchase order for the grove to be cleared. Um and uh we will be looking to bring to
you at a future meeting perhaps the next annexation of that property because it actually sits um 126 West Center. Um, we did meet with um the roofing contractor slash materials
contractor if you will. Uh, we will be bringing a recommendation back for you. Uh, in reference to that, uh, Josh, myself, Greg met with uh, with Grant Gale and
I think we have a recommendation when we bring it back to you. I also have another meeting with a contractor in the area to talk about what we do with that building from interior perspective. I want to hear what his responses are in reference to
that. Widner law firm uh will be here sometime after October 1st committed to that. That was the in reference to the foreclosure amending process. Staff is also investigating acquisition
of a lobbyist and or grant writing firm for city representation at the state. I ask one question about the the road swap. Had some questions from people about this and I'm pretty sure I know the answer. Even if Circle Drive was a
local road, it would not allow the road murals to stay. That's accurate. Okay, that's what I thought. Okay, the DOT actually put it off a week. We talked to them and they said, "Listen, we're just going to fly under the radar because it was a political and social
issue as far as the painting on the side. We're talking about the little orange uh blossoms that are painted around the circles that HGTV did, which I thought was pretty neat." And u but a directive came down from the top that said we remove them. And so they they
were supposed to do it a week earlier and they said we're just going to leave Cring alone for now just to see what happens because it was really a political issue and we got a call last Wednesday that said we just got an order mandate has to be done tonight
and that's what happened. There was no stopping it. So that's what I thought. I just wanted to clarify. Thank you. Any other questions or comments from council? Okay. All right, last but not least,
city clerk's business. All right, we have a motion in a second. All please second. There we go. Dang. Bishop. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Stewart. Yes.